Binder1

Govt votes N752bn for electricity transmission network CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

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ederal Government has earmarked $4.7bn (about N752bn) for expansion of electricity trans-

Nebo

Vol. 4 N0. 918

mission network in the next five years.

Vice-President Namadi Sambo disclosed this yesterday while inaugurating the National Council on Power, NACOP.

The inauguration was the highpoint of a three-day brainstorming by experts and stakeholders on issues around power generation, transmission, distribution, CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

FG orders sack of striking doctors

...stops residency training in hospitals P.7

Chukwu

Friday, August 15, 2014

Ebola: Hope rises A as trial drug arrives

N150

MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

Another nurse dies, 169 under surveillance

Nigerian scientist has raised the hope of survival for remaining patients of the deadly Ebola virus disease in the country with the donation of an experimental drug for treating the disease.

This is even as another Nigerian nurse who treated the late Liberian that imported the virus into the CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

L-R: Deputy Chairman, National Conference, Prof. Bola Akinyemi; Chairman, Justice Idris Kutigi, and Secretary, Prof. Valerie Azinge, displaying the conference reports in Abuja, yesterday.

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PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Delegates adopt confab reports

P.2 P2

...as North makes u-turn Akwa Ibom caucus kicks, alleges deceit 12 policemen held for killing six detainees P.11

News

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Friday, August 15, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Delegates adopt confab reports OMEIZA AJAYI AND WOLE OLADIMEJI

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he National Conference yesterday finally ended after months of agitations, brickbats and mudslinging among various interest groups represented at the exercise.

Curiously, delegates from the North-East and NorthWest made a u-turn from their earlier position to halt the final report, following what they termed as “plans to smuggle in new clauses”.

Two of the leaders of the Northern Delegates Forum, former Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie and Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, said the North had always supported the conference and had never planned to scuttle the exercise.

Coomassie said their only grouse with the conference leadership was the phrase “New draft constitution 2014.” He told journalists that some of their actions were misinterpreted.

He said that the northern delegates were working in the collective interest of Nigeria and Nigerians, adding that no part of the nation loved the country more than the other as being peddled by some people.

Coomassie insisted that the final outcome of the conference had proven the critics wrong, saying: “We are

working in the best interest of Nigeria and Nigerians.”

Ayu told journalists that the North did not harbour anything against the South, saying that both regions had to work in the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians.

The conference ended even as delegates from Akwa Ibom State protested the recommendation of the conference on the creation of “Oil Rivers State” from the present Akwa Ibom and Rivers states.

They alleged that the final report of the conference as presently compiled did not reflect their wishes.

While the group alleged subterfuge in the handling of the conference’s final report, it stated that the “strange” provision was now contained on Page 4, Line 11 of the “draft constitution” produced by the conference secretariat.

In a protest letter addressed to the Chairman, Justice Idris Kutigi, and dated August 12, 2014, the 13 delegates from the state said the proposed plan to dismember some parts of Akwa Ibom State to form an “Oil Rivers State” was treacherous and amounted to a hidden agenda by people whose aim might be to scuttle the final outcome of the conference.

“This action is at variance with the conference decision of the Committee on Restructuring and Forms

of Government. The conference decision as correctly reflected on Page 281 (b) of the draft report was that ‘the third state to be created in the South-South zone will be named later along with its state capital’.

“This inclusion is a sleight of hand, unholy and completely unacceptable to us as there was no prior discussion with Akwa Ibom State and her delegates on the matter”, the group said in the letter.

Some of the signatories to the letter were former Minister for Lands and Housing, Chief Nduese Essien; retired Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga, Obong Victor Attah and others.

The group said although it supported the creation of more states where deserving, the process should be in consultation with all relevant stakeholders.

“As the true representatives of our state and people at this conference, we have been mandated to reject totally and disassociate ourselves and our state completely from this provision.

“We assert that no part of Akwa Ibom State should be excised to form a new state,” they said.

The day’s session had earlier begun after the adoption of proceedings with a “motion to mandate the secretariat to vet and effect amendment” to the three

reports prepared by the secretariat.

The motion, which was jointly sponsored by Chief Jerry Okwuonu and former governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili, said bearing in mind the dual necessity of bringing the conference to a close for purposes of not unduly over-reaching the logistics provision of the conference and not unnecessarily prolonging the continued conglomeration of people in contradiction to the prescription of health authorities, especially as the country tackled the Ebola crisis, there was the need to end the exercise as scheduled.

“Whereas the secretariat has done a very marvelous

job of compiling the report of the conference and presenting same to us in easily readable and cross-checkable format; and “Whereas delegates have perused all the reports and submitted in writing all items of omission or incorrect addition to the final report; and “It is hereby moved that the secretariat be mandated to vet all the written submission by delegates and make necessary correction thereby providing the final draft of the Conference reports,” the motion stated.

However, another delegate, Adamu Maina Waziri, moved that the term “draft CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

L-R: President Goodluck Jonathan, Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke; Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio; Senator Ita Enang and the governor’s wife, Mrs. Unoma Akpabio, inaugurating a project in the state, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Ebola: Hope rises as trial drug arrives CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

country, Patrick Sawyer, was confirmed dead yesterday.

The deceased are the Liberian, two nurse and another Nigerian who worked at the ECOWAS Commission in Lagos.

The Nigerian ECOWAS protocol official contracted the disease from Sawyer while helping him to the hospital after he took ill upon arrival at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.

He died last Tuesday.

At a briefing in Abuja, the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, informed journalists about the arrival of the drug and confirmed that another patient had tested positive to the disease.

He did not name the do-

nor of the drug.

At present, the minister said the number of persons that had tested positive to the disease in the country was 11, including the late Liberian.

But a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Dan Nwomeh, a copy of which was made available to National Mirror, denied the additional case.

The statement also confirmed the death of the nurse, which was not disclosed by the minister in his earlier briefing.

Part of the statement reads: “Nigeria has now recorded 10 confirmed cases of Ebola Virus Disease, EVD. Out of these, four have died and eight are currently under treatment. (It is important to note that the

number of confirmed cases remains 10 as at today and not 11 as earlier announced this morning. We regret the error, which arose from double counting in the process of communicating the additional death from the operational centre in Lagos to the Federal Ministry of Health).

“The fourth death recorded today was a Nigerian nurse who participated in the initial management of the index case.”

The minister, who did not give the name of the Nigerian who procured the drug or the volume that would be used, however, pledged that the drug would be used according to the World Health Organisation’s, WHO, guidelines.

WHO had last Tuesday approved the use of experi-

mental drugs to manage the virus which currently has no approved vaccine or other medication for its cure, prevention or treatment.

The drug from the scientist, Nano-Silva, the minister said, “is something that has been used experimentally on a lot of things.

“The only experimental drug we have now is NanoSilver, provided by a Nigerian scientist; details of the drug will be disclosed later to the media,” Chukwu said.

Experimental drugs are used on animals and other living organisms to prove their effectiveness before getting approval from the WHO for use on humans.

He added: “More information will come subsequently from the technical

people. As minister, I have just told you what we’ve done because the drug is going to Lagos this morning (yesterday). Let it get there.

But, I can tell you, subsequent ones, the technical people shall be briefing you on how they are using it. “Those things we’ve not decided because they are going through committee.

They have to go through it, what dosage to give, in what format, and so on and so forth.”

Canada had pledged to donate close to 1,000 doses of an experimental vaccine to help in the fight against the virus. The drug has also only been used on animals.

Another drug, Zmapp, had been requested by African countries, including Nigeria, for the treatment of the virus.

However, experts believe Zmapp, which seems to be most prominent of all available drugs, could take about one month to be available to meet the present demand of the region.

The number of persons under surveillance over the virus has reduced from 177 announced by government on Tuesday to 169.

During yesterday’s briefing, Chukwu had said that the new victim of the disease in the country was a doctor who refused to be kept under surveillance.

He said the total number of confirmed cases as at the time of the briefing was 11.

“Out of these 11, three are dead. The three that are dead include the index case, a Liberia-American, a Nigerian nurse who was one CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Friday, August 15, 2014

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Friday, August 15, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Director of Corporate Communications, Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr. Ibrahim Muazu; MD/ CEO, Ecobank Plc, Mr. Jibril Aku; Director, Banking Supervision Department, CBN, Mrs. Tokunbo Martins; GMD/CEO, Access Bank Plc, Mr. Herbert Wigwe and MD/CEO, Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo, at a meeting of the Bankers’ Committee in Lagos, yesterday.

L-R: Glo Brand Specialist, Miss Tosin Akindunbi; Coordinator Head, GloWorld, Mrs. Titi Ebinisi and Brand Specialist, Miss Nkiru James, displaying authentic Apple phones with Glo Bolt internet at a press conference to announce Globacom’s partnership on the sale of genuine Apple devices in Nigeria, in Lagos, yesterday.

L-R: Chairman, Senate Committee on Power, Sen. Phillips Aduda; Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo and Minister of State for Power, Hon. Mohammed Wakil, during the inauguration of the National Council on Power in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

L-R: Fund Manager, Mutual Fund, UBA Asset Management Ltd, Mr. Bawo Oritsejafor; MD/CEO, UBA Asset Management Limited, Mrs. Modupe Mujota; Head, Legal/ Trust Services, Union Trustees Ltd, Mr. Ekom Umossoh and Group Company Secretary, UBA Capital Group, Mr. Leo Okafor, during the 7th Annual General Meeting of Mutual Funds managed by UBA Asset Management, in Lagos, yesterday.

National News ISE-OLUWA IGE

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he Nigerian Army, yesterday, began the probe of allegation by the global human rights organisation, Amnesty International, that both members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect and the Nigerians soldiers sent to maintain peace in the North East were busy, on daily basis, perpetrating multiple war crimes against the civilians in the region.

National Mirror yesterday authoritatively gathered that a committee set up by the military authorities met with the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, in Abuja, over the matter.

Amnesty International in a statement, had said that the footage it obtained included a gruesome incident that took place near Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on March14, 2014.

“It shows what appear to be members of the Nigerian military and members of the Civilian Joint

Extra-judicial killings: Army begins probe, meets NHRC Task Force, CJTF, using a blade to slit the throats of series of detainees, before dumping them into an open mass grave.

“The video shows 16 young men and boys seated in a line. One by one, they are called forward and told to lie down in front of the pit. Five of them were killed in this way; the fate of the remaining detainees are not shown in video, but eyewitness accounts confirmed that nine of them had their throats cut while the others were shot dead.

“Additional footage featuring some of the same perpetrators, taken earlier that day at the same location, shows two detainees digging a grave under armed guard before the killing is carried out. One is told to lie down in front of the pit, where his legs and head are held by what

seem to be CJTF members.

“The individual who appears to be the commander of the group puts his right foot on the man’s side, raises his knife, kisses it and shouts: ‘Die hard Commando!” and cuts the throat of the restrained young man. All other military and CJTF shout: ‘Yes oga (boss), kill him’.

“Amnesty spoke to several military sources who independently confirmed that the armed captors in the video were indeed military personnel, and according to two credible sources, they may be part of the 81 Battalion, based in Borno State.

“No buildings, roads or other infrastructure can be seen in the video, but the noise of cars confirms that it is near a road. Several of the armed captors are wearing military uniforms, one of which has

the words “Borno State Operation Flush” emblazoned on the front. The ID number on one of the guns is also clearly identifiable.

“Eyewitnesses told Amnesty that the videos were recorded on March14, this year, the day Boko Haram attacked a military detention centre in Giwa Barracks, Maiduguri. Boko Haram forces reportedly released their members and told all other detainees to either join them or go home. After members of the insurgent had left the town, more than 600 people, mostly recaptured detainees, were extra-judicially executed in various locations across Maiduguri.

“The detainees in the video were re-arrested by the CJTF in Giddari Polo, near the barracks, where various sources have confirmed that a number of

them were shot and killed by soldiers after being handed over to the military. The military then took the corpses and the detainees to a location outside Maiduguri, near Giddari where the executions were reported to have been carried out,” it added.

More than 4,000 people have been killed by all sides in the conflict during armed attacks this year alone. Civilians who are not directly participating in hostilities make up the majority of the death toll.

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, had vowed to investigate the allegation and had taken step to invite the Amnesty International to substantiate the allegation.

The Nigerian Army against whom the allegation affected had also vowed to get to the root

of the matter as both the Nigerian Army and the NHRC yesterday met in Abuja behind a closed door.

Although, National Mirror was not privy to details of the meeting, but a source confided in our reporter that meeting was on the on-going probe of the allegation by the global human right watch.

The Head of Complaint Registry and the Legal Adviser to NHRC, Mr. Emmanuel Akaa also confirmed to National Mirror yesterday that the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Professor Bem Angwe could not attend the opening ceremony of a stake holders’ workshop on the complaints treatment procedure manual held yesterday in Karu because of his (Angwe) meeting with the military authorities.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Friday, August 15, 2014

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Govt votes N752bn for electricity transmission network CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

renewable energy and energy efficiency, rural electrification and policy initiatives and implementation strategies.

Sambo reiterated government’s commitment to expanding the nation’s transmission grid to all parts of the country through additional resources.

He said that more innovative approaches would be adopted to fund the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, through opening private sector investment windows.

“Besides our commit-

ment to adequate provisions within our national annual budget in the years ahead, we will continue to expand our national transmission grid to all parts of the country through additional resources leveraged from Development Financial Institutions, DFIS, including African Development Bank, AfDB, Islamic Development Bank, IDB, World Bank Group, WBG, and Japan International Corporation Agency, JICA. “A total of $4.7bn or N752bn is already being earmarked for transmission expansion in the next five

years. In addition to this, it is also intended that more innovative approaches will be adopted to fund the TCN through opening possible private sector investment windows at the nearest possible time,” he said.

Sambo highlighted the need to bridge the existing metering gap in the electricity industry, stressing that government was already sourcing funding, including opening an initial N33bn soft term credit line to enable the distribution companies to acquire smart meters and make them available to customers.

According to the vicepresident, adequate metering can play a multiplier role by shoring up the market revenues of the distribution companies and also ensure greater equity and accuracy in the billing of customers.

He also disclosed that both ministries of power and mines and solid minerals development had been directed to ensure that the first large scale coal-topower project took off soon, stressing that the nation’s coal belt covers eight states and is capable of generating about 5,000MW of power

Doyen of accountancy in Nigeria, Mr. Akintola Williams (middle) with the President, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Mr. Chidi Ajaegbu (3rd left), and other members of the governing council, during a visit to Williams on his 95th birthday in Lagos.

Ebola: Hope rises as trial drug arrives CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

of those who managed the index case, and a Nigerian who was serving as protocol officer with the ECOWAS Commission; and who was detailed to go and welcome delegates that were to go to Calabar to attend the meeting of the ECOWAS Commission.

“So, 11 confirmed cases out of which three have died. Eight are still alive; more than half of them are doing very well and are actually showing signs of recovery.”

He said 169 persons were under surveillance in Lagos, adding that the number was going down because all the 169 were secondary contacts.

Eight patients, the minister added, were in isolation; and that four of them were responding ‘very well’ to treatment.

The minister maintained that the 21-day maximum

incubation period to observe primary contacts had elapsed.

“We have allowed those primary contacts who have not shown any sign of disease to be released. So, all the 169 contacts currently in Lagos are all secondary contacts.

“In addition, we have six contacts in Enugu.

As at yesterday, we were following on 21 of them.

But after a very stringent and rigorous interview, we found out that 15 did not qualify as contacts because people who probably stayed away from the subject claimed they were contacts. There is no more primary contact under surveillance.

“The primary contacts who are sick and are being treated are eight; the primary contact who were sick but died were two, and, of course, the index case is late,” he said.

On the contacts in Enugu who were reported to be 21 yesterday, Chukwu stated that one of the primary contacts disobeyed the Incident Management Committee’s instructions and left Lagos at the time she had no symptoms.

“The newly-married doctor, who was among the medical officials that treated the Liberian that imported the disease into the country, Patrick Sawyer, went to visit her husband in Enugu State,” the minister said.

Only two of them, he said, live together; and when she developed symptoms, she got alert and went to a health facility from where it was reported to the Incident Management Committee. And since then, she has been under treatment in Lagos.

She is among the 11 that are confirmed positive.

He added: “The hus-

band, even though he doesn’t have any symptom as at now, he is not Ebola positive as at now, he is under quarantine because of the intimate contact in Lagos. She was going to Enugu; she did not infect anybody because she was in-symptomatic. You can only infect people when you have symptoms.

“So, the fact that she went by public transport posed no threat to anyone.

She had spent days before she left Enugu. She didn’t infect anybody on her way.

“When you don’t have symptom, you don’t infect anybody. But on her return journey to Lagos, both of them travelled in special ambulances. So, they did not have opportunity to contaminate anybody from Lagos to Enugu.

“Presently, only six persons are under surveillance in Enugu, down from initial 21,” Chukwu maintained.

when fully developed.

The Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, noted that the cardinal goal of the NACOP was to advance the power sector to actualise its unified mission of stable and reliable electricity for all.

According to Nebo, NACOP is instituted as a body of power sector stakehold-

ers comprised of the Federal Ministry of Power, commissioners of power and energy in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. He added that NACOP would act as an advisory and decision-making body to review pertinent recommendations from all its stakeholders.

Delegates adopt confab reports CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

constitution” be changed to “Proposed amendments to the 1999 Constitution” in order not to give a different meaning to the whole exercise.

Part of the motion read: “We observed that Volume III, titled draft constitution, conveys an attempt to insert various resolutions and recommendations of a constitutional nature that were adopted by the conference as proposed amendments to the appropriate sections of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.

“We recall and welcome the clarification and confirmation offered by conference chairman at plenary on August 13, 2014 that indeed Volume III contains proposals for the amendment of the 1999 Constitution.

“Subject to the acceptance of the foregoing understanding, assurances and conditions and in accordance with the Procedure Rules, 2014 of the conference, we move for the validation and adoption of the draft reports contained in volume 1,2 and 3 without further debate.

“In the spirit of the consensus building cultivated by members and to maintain the bridges built during the currency of the conference, we urge all delegates to subscribe to this plea.”

The two motions when put to voice vote separately

by Kutigi received unanimous acceptance by the delegates.

Sola Ebiseni, who spoke on the outcome of the conference, expressed surprise that the adoption of the report could be smooth like that despite the threat of the northern delegates He said, “What this has demonstrated is the need for continuous dialogue among

the constituent groups within the country. Some of the things we hold tenaciously to, we might discover at the end of the day are resolvable when there is dialogue.

“The issues whether we are bringing a new draft constitution that the public thought would tear the conference apart yesterday turned out to be of less importance to the conference.

“This is because we discovered at the end of the day that these are issues of formality. Some of the opponents of the new draft constitution appeared to me not to be concerned with content but with whether it is going be translate to a new constitution.

“I will rather say is that whatever their passion is for the 1999 Constitution, in my own view it has not changed the fact that the decision of this conference has turned the 1999 Constitution into shreds through most of the fundamental recommendations we have made that would turn Nigeria into a truly Federal State.

“At the end of the day, those who wish to stick with the status quo can keep the carcass of 1999 Constitution because the content of our report, in terms of quality and reach and objective, is monumental.

“The outcome of the conference yesterday can be said, and truly so as victory for dialogue and victory for the Nigerian people and not for a section.

“Those who thought there are centrifugal forces within the conference aiming to tear the country apart must have realised the futility of their actions because we all want to belong to a big, powerful and proactive Nigeria that would be a pride of the African continent.”

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News

Friday August 15, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

EBOLA SCOURGE

Mother, child isolated in Ilorin WOLE ADEDEJI ILORIN

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woman and her seven-month old baby suspected

to be infected with Ebola Virus disease are now being isolated in Kwara State.

Confirming the development at a press confer-

ence in Ilorin yesterday, the committee set up by the state government on the control of the deadly disease said a suspected case of the disease had

been reported in the state.

The committee, which allayed fears of outbreak of the disease in the state, said the sus-

L-R: Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun; his Lagos State counterpart, Babatunde Fashola; former Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva; former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Muhammed Uwais and former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, during the 50th birthday lecture in honour of Sylva in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Enugu sets up 4 isolation centres DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

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he Enugu State government has set up four centres for referral, diagnosis, isolation and surveillance of likely carriers of the dreaded Ebola virus disease.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. George Eze, who disclosed this yesterday at a press briefing, named the centres as Collary Hospital, Enugu, Ikem, Nsukka and Oji district hospitals.

He said that the centres would be equipped with facilities for treatment of identified cases and asked people within the communities not to panic.

Eze confirmed that the nurse who escaped from a lagos hospital after treating Patrick Sawyer actually came to Enugu but was immediately isolated with the husband.

He, however, said there was no cause for alarm as the couple had been transferred back to Lagos and quarantined.

The commissioner also confirmed that 21 people who had contacts with the nurse while in Enugu were under surveillance but not quarantined and asked residents to observe maximum hygiene, including hand wash, use of sanitisers and avoid much body contacts.

He said the state was following standard rules of international best practice in controlling the disease, adding that Enugu was ready to tackle the disease.

Eze also noted that the Akanu Ibiam International Airport had been placed under surveillance using best facilities and urged the residents not to panic.

Even though there is no diagnostic machine in the state for now, Eze said the Federal Government would soon provide one.

The commissioner stated that out 10 identified Ebola cases in Lagos, three had died and expressed optimism that many would survive.

Suspend strike or face wrath of Nigerians, HoS tells doctors OMEIZA AJAYI AND REGINA OTOKPA

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he outgoing Head of Service of the Federation, Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji, has appealed to the National Medical Association to call off its ongoing strike or risk a revolt from Nigerians soon.

Aji made the appeal during the presentation of two books in his honour, Bukar Goni Aji: A quintessential civil ser-

vant and The challenges of transforming the civil service in Abuja yesterday.

He said the mood of the nation did not call for a strike especially from the medical sector whose expertise was most needed to address the current scourge.

Aji appealed to the doctors to reconsider their stance and return to work before it was too late, saying that Nigerians might not be able to

contain the selfishness of doctors anymore.

According to him, diplomatic strategies deployed by stakeholders to make the medical professionals rethink their decision to down tools had met a brickwall.

President Goodluck Jonathan encouraged civil servants to imbibe the qualities of leadership laid down by Aji that would serve as a legacy for generations

to follow.

The President, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Anyim Pius Anyim, advised the incoming HOSF to follow the steps of Aji in developing the public service sector.

He added that the transparent policies and reforms put in place by the present administration should be sustained.

pected case was record- tions.

The committee chaired on Wednesday in Iloman disclosed that the rin, the capital.

Chairman of the com- government immediatemittee, Sunday Opabola, ly took the baby to the at the briefing stressed State Specialist Hospital that there was no con- at Sobi area in the town proper attention firmed case of the dis- for ease yet in the state as with samples already being widely speculated. being taken for tests at Opabola, a professor two centres in Lagos, of medicine who doubles including Lagos Univeras the Senior Special sity Teaching Hospital, Assistant to the Gover- LUTH. He said the result of nor on Public Health, said that the baby with the tests were expected the suspected case was to be out today (Friday), found with some symp- while also disclosing toms which were not ex- that Governor Abdulfaclusive to Ebola disease tah Ahmed already orbut also has to do with dered for test equipment those of lassa fever, chol- to be installed at the era, malaria and some state Advanced Diagnosis Centre in Ilorin. other diseases.

Opabola disclosed He explained that the baby was brought to Ilo- that the government rin by his parents who had commenced tracecame to the town for a contact, adopting the visit from Ibadan after standard recommended one of those taking care by the World Health Orof him had returned to ganisation to ensure the exercise was effective Ibadan from Lagos.

The governor aide to keep the state safe of said that the baby initial- possible spread of the ly came up with symp- disease.

He also disclosed that toms of malaria and was being treated on that for the government has deabout two days without cided to temporarily improvement before his close down the private mother was advised to hospital where the baby take him to a private pe- was initially taken to. diatric specialist hospital in the town.

Obapola disclosed that the pediatrician carried out a clinical assessment on the patient and discovered Ebolalike symptoms, including fever, diarrhoea and vomiting of contents that partly contained blood.

He said this made the doctor to make a report of the baby’s case to the relevant government agency for necessary ac- Ahmed

Dangote donates N153m to fight scourge

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he Dangote Foundation yesterday offered the Federal Government N152.95m to support the campaign against the disease in the country.

Chief Executive Officer of the foundation, Ajeambo Odada, made this known on behalf of

the Chairman of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

The fund, according to the foundation, was for the Ebola Emergency Operation Centre in Lagos State.

The foundation also pledged additional financial support to the government if the need arose.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Friday, August 15, 2014

FG orders sack of striking doctors

…stops residency training in hospitals

MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

T

he Federal Government has directed that emergency measures be taken by the management of public hospitals to immediately restore full medical services.

The government said the decision came after doctors working in public hospitals in Nigeria have remained on strike for 46 days.

It has also suspended residency training for doctors in all its hospitals nationwide.

A statement jointly signed by the Chief Press Secretary, CPS, to the Federal Ministry of Health, and Special Assistant, SA, to the Minister of Health on Media and Communications, Alhaji Isiaka and Dan Nwomeh, respectively, contained the decisions.

The statement said the doctors’ strike “can be considered as one of the most insensitive steps to be taken by any association or a labour union in the history of this country.”

The release added: “It should be stressed that the Federal Government has

Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, Health Minister

implemented more than 90 per cent of its responsibilities as signed by both parties.

“At the conclusion of each meeting, the NMA promised to call off the strike, but would return another day to say that they could not.

“For the whole of July 2014, these doctors did not work, yet government, owing to the emergency situation in our country, paid them the July salaries with allowances such as call duty allowance, teaching allowance, hazard allowance, etc, believing that this magnanimity of government would appeal to reason for NMA to call off the strike.”

The release, which noted that all appeals from prominent government officials and other stalwarts in the

sector to broker a truce had failed, said further: “Pertinent to the issue under discussion are the current security challenges in the country, with the attendant mass casualties.

“The situation has been compounded by the recent importation of the Ebola Virus Disease into Nigeria on 20th July, 2014.

“Following the Presidential declaration of a National Public Health Emergency on Ebola Disease, which has united the entire country in the efforts to contain the disease, it is quite regrettable that the people who should take leadership role in the fight against Ebola disease are now the most unsupportive.

“All efforts by government to contain this disease are being frustrated by the continued industrial action of the NMA. “The Federal Government has, therefore, decided that Residency Training Programme in Federal Government hospitals be suspended, pending the conclusion of the ongoing appraisal of the challenges in the health sector,” the release added.

‘TETFUND donated N456bn in five years’ EZEKIEL TITUS BAUCHI

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he Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFUND, Prof. Suleiman Bogoro, has said that about N456bn had so far been release for the execution of projects in various tertiary institutions in the country.

Bogoro, who made the declaration while briefing newsmen in Bauchi yesterday, said the funds were simultaneously released in the past five years as part of measures to arrest the deteriorating learning environment in tertiary institutions, in line with the agenda of the present government to improve on education standard.

He added that TETFUND recently held a stakeholders’ meeting to brainstorm on improving the accessi-

bility of funds by benefiting tertiary institutions in the country to end the perception of the public outcry over the purported difficulties of accessing fund from TETFUND. The executive secretary stressed that the Federal Government had significantly increased the funding of tertiary institutions, following the stakeholders’ advice on improving education quality.

TETFUND, he maintained, had constructed lecture theatres, classrooms, hostels, as well as academic content in both the federal and state universities in the country to provide a conducive learning environment to students in the country.

“I am bold to tell you that if the Federal Government takes away the funding of state tertiary institutions through the TETFUND in Nigeria, most of them will

be liquidated,” Bogoro said.

He reiterated that TETFUND had never abandoned any contract for the execution of projects since its inception, saying that only competent hands handled its projects through ‘simple biding’.

“The management of TETFUND is looking forward to improving on the academic excellence of tertiary institutions in the country through various interventions, and is updoing in sourcing funds to carry its statutory obligations,” he added.

Bogoro stated that the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Jonathan, had established additional 12 new federal universities, as a measure to provide education to the doorsteps of the masses, and had injected colossal sums of money to sustain them.

News

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Oyo govt disagrees with INEC over provision of PVCs KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

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s the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, today, begins the issuance of permanent voters’ cards (PVC) in Oyo State, the state government yesterday disagreed with the commission over the statement credited to it that the cards would not go round in the state.

The state government had declared today a

public holiday to enable registered voters participate in the exercise, which ends on Sunday.

It will be recalled that the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Nasir Ayilara, had, on Wednesday, told stakeholders that many registered voters in Afijio, Ibadan North East, Ibadan South West and Ogbomoso North local governments would not get their permanent vot-

er cards.

But Special Adviser to Governor Abiola Ajimobi on Parastatals, Fatai Ibikunle, told journalists that people of the state would not accept the non-provision of the cards to every registered voter in the state because it is their civic right.

He accused the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, of plotting to use shortage of PVCs in areas where they are not

popular to rig the 2015 poll, stating that any attempt by INEC and PDP to disenfranchise any section of the state would be vehemently resisted by the people.

He quoted President Goodluck Jonathan who assured Nigerians that every eligible voter would get PVC to prove INEC wrong.

He then charged the electoral body to refrain from anything that could

affect its reputation especially in its duty to create enabling ground for the people to choose their leaders in a free and fair election.

He also urged INEC to remain neutral as an unbiased umpire by providing PVCs to all eligible voters in the state.

The All Progressive Congress, APC, chief-

Police arrest robbers with N20m railway cables OLUSEGUN KOIKI

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Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikemefuna Okoye, appealing to the students of Olabisi Onabanjo University, OOU, who barricaded entrance to the governor’s office during a protest over school fees adjustment, yesterday.

Two nabbed for forging Oyo commissioner’s signature on emission fees

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wo persons are now in police net for allegedly forging the signature of the Oyo State Commissioner for the Environment, Lawrence Adewale, to collect illegal fees for the emission control scheme that had earlier been suspended by the state government.

The suspects were apprehended at a filling station, Adeban Global Investment Limited, at Oki Area of Ibadan, while negotiating the amount to be paid by the Chief Executive Officer of the station for the emission scheme.

An invoice dated June 7, 2014 allegedly signed by the commissioner had earlier been served the filling station, asking the owner to pay the sum of N40,000 for emission, while an-

other N30,000 invoice was also sent to Agro Bar Magen Nigeria Limited at Gbekuba Road, Apata, Ibadan.

The police, acting on a tip-off, swooped on the accused persons at the premises of the filling station as the owner was trying to play along with them while negotiating an agreeable sum to be paid for the scheme.

It would be recalled that the state governor, Abiola Ajimobi, had in June ordered the suspension of the scheme owing to the controversy which its introduction had generated from some quarters.

The commissioner confirmed the arrest of the two persons, saying they (accused persons) claimed to be working for Terra

Aqua Environmental Consultancy Limited and Josku Nigeria Limited, the two consultants engaged by the state government for the execution of the emission scheme.

He, however, said the consultants had denied giving the people such an assignment.

Adewale explained that since the suspension of the scheme and its subsequent announcements on both radio and television stations in the state, no invoice had been signed by him or issued by his office for collection of fees.

The commissioner insisted that the state government would do everything possible to get to the root of the matter and expose those behind the illegal collection of fees from

the unsuspecting members of the public.

tain warned of dire consequences should INEC fail to provide every registered voter in the state the cards.

Ibikunle further enjoined INEC to seek ways to provide the cards to every eligible voter who has been registered “otherwise they will be inviting anarchy in the country.”

he Nigerian Police have arrested some suspected robbers, who recently carted away heavy duty electrical cables worth over N20 million from the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, in Lagos.

Two of the suspects arrested so far are Matthew Okonor and Ebuka Odede, who allegedly confessed to have been drafted into the act by one of the police officers attached to the railways.

The robbers committed the act early Tuesday, but were later arrested by the police.

A source close to the Ministry of Transport confided in our correspondent yesterday that the robbery incident happened in the locomotive workshop of the corporation.

The source, who preferred to remain anony-

mous because he was not allowed to talk on the issue, told our correspondent that two of the suspects had been detained at the Ebute Metta Police Station of NRC. According to the suspects, their principal in the act is a Deputy Superintendent, DSP, (names withheld) attached to the corporation.

The ministry source decried that this was not the first time such a criminal act would be happening in the corporation as robbers in the past besieged locomotive workshop at Ebute Metta and successfully carted away cables worth several millions of naira.

He regretted that the criminal act was killing Federal Government’s rehabilitation effort for the NRC, and alleged that some security operatives in the command were attempting to sweep the case under the carpet as it involved some of their men in the command.

Ooni leads Yoruba monarchs to Imesi unity festival ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

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he Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, is billed to lead other prominent traditional rulers across Yoruba land to Okemesi Ekiti, in Ekiti West council area of Ekiti State, for the yearly Imeside Diaspora Festival tomorrow.

Oba Sijuade is the Great Grand Patron of Imeside Diaspora Initiative, IDI, which membership cuts across Ekiti, Osun and Ogun states.

IDI National Coordinator, Prince Peter Bamg-

bade, told journalists in Ado-Ekiti yesterday that the festival “is a dispassionate attempt to gather the dispersed descendants of the first Owa, Owa Oyelagun, who is the progenitor of six Imesi communities that are already spread across Yoruba land.”

Bamgbade listed the six communities as Imesi Ile (Osun State), Imesi Ekiti, Okemesi Ekiti, Imasayi (Ogun State), Imesi Isa (Ijebu Ode in Ogun State) and Okun Owa in Ogun State.

According to him, the governors of Ogun, Osun and Ekiti states are spe-

cial guests at the festival, explaining that the august visitors would be jointly hosted by the traditional rulers of the six Imesi communities.

The monarchs are Oba Michael Gbadebo Adedeji, the Owa Oye of Okemesi Ekiti; Oba Enoch Ademola Akinyemi, the Owa Ooye, Imesi Ile; Oba Adeleye Oladimeji, the Onimesi of Imesi Ekiti; Oba Akinyemi Abiodun, the Owa of Okun Owa; Oba Adesola Gbadebo, the Olu Imasayi of Imasayi; and Oba Rasheed Adesanya, the Olisa of Ijebu Ode.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Friday, August 15, 2014

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Four wounded, as students clash over fee reduction in Ogun FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

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L-R: Guest Speaker, Mr. Abiola Popoola; Chairman, Chartered Institute of Personnel Management, CIPN, Oyo State, Mr. Kolawole Oyerinde; chairman of the occasion, Mr. Olujinmi Olukoya, and registrar, CIPN, Mr. Sunday Adeyemi, during the 12th Annual Conference of the institute in Ibadan, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Obantoko killings: Family sues police commissioner for N500m FRANCIS FAMOROTI

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he Ogun State Police Commissioner has been dragged to court barely five months after a police corporal, Olasunkanmi Ogunbiyi, killed four members of the Wahab family in Obantoko area of Abeokuta, in March.

In the suit filed at an Abeokuta High Court by a 52-year-old peasant, Mr. Musiliu Wahab, and his 23-year-old son, Sikirulai, they are claiming N500m as damages for the unlawful and wrongful murder of their wards by Corporal Ogunbiyi, who also killed himself shortly after shooting his victims.

Specifically, the claimants claimed that the late cop breached the fundamental right to life of their wife and mother, Mujidat, their daughter and sister, Basirat, their son and brother, Taofeek and twoyear old Kaosara, Basirat’s child.

In a 24-paragraph statement of claim supporting the writ of summons issued by the Wahab family’s lawyer, Mr. IbukunOluwa Oremodu, the claimants said their wife, mother, children and siblings were willfully and unlawfully murdered by Ogunbiyi, then a serving policeman with Force No 361759 at the Criminal investigation Department, CID, Abeokuta.

According to the statement of claim, “Police-

man Ogunbiyi shot and killed himself same day (27/3/2014) after killing his own wife, an Okadaman, and ferrying his two children into safety hands of fellow policemen.’’

Besides, the claimants alleged the late policeman also inflicted grievous bodily harm on Sikirulai Wahab, adding that the second claimant was unlawfully brutalised by the police agents in circumstances not permitted by law.

Wahab and his son further said as at the time of the incident, all the deceased family members lived at 67, Akindele Ifelodun Street, Akingbala Estate, Obantoko, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The claimants further

claimed that their family members suffered tremendously as a result of Ogunbiyi’s tortuous acts against members of the Wahab family.

As a result, they said the commissioner should be vicariously liable for Ogunbiyi’s acts.

The claimants said they spent huge money in obtaining death certificates of the deceased persons and on medication of the injured Sikirulai without any assistance from the state police command.

It was also their contention that on May 15, 2014, the family lawyer wrote a letter to the immediate past Inspector-General of Police, IGP, on the issue without any response from the police authorities.

o fewer than four persons were seriously wounded yesterday when students from 10 state-owned tertiary institutions engaged each other in a fracas over the new tuition fee regime, recently announced by the state Governor, Ibikunle Amosun.

The students, who clashed at the Kuto Roundabout/MKO Abiola International Stadium area, had in two separate protests, held major streets, residents and motorists in Abeokuta, the state capital hostage, over the reduction in the tuition fees, thereby causing heavy traffic gridlock.

Hundreds of students and their union leaders from nine tertiary institutions in the state had at the early hours of the day went into a wild jubilation, staging a solidarity rally to thank the governor for acceding to their demands in reducing the tuition fees in all the higher institutions owned by the state.

Their jubilation was, however, punctured by another set of students from the Olabisi Onabanjo University, OOU, Ago-Iwoye, who alleged that the new

Gov. Amosun

tuition fee regime was ‘a Greek gift’.

The OOU students, however, engaged the others in a free-for-all at the Kuto axis of the metropolis while they were on their way to say thank-you visit to the governor at his OkeMosan office and wounded four of the jubilating students.

After the fracas, the protesting OOU students, led by the Student Union Government, SUG President, Olusegun Ifade, proceeded to the state Secretariat complex at Oke-Mosan, where they demanded to meet with Amosun.

Earlier in the day, the OOU students from the School of Engineering, Ibogun Campus, had blocked the ever-busy Lagos-Abeokuta expressway at Ifo, causing panic among residents and preventing vehicular movements on the expressway, before engaging their colleagues in a fracas at Abeokuta.

The protesters, who were not deterred by the heavy presence of policemen at the gate leading to the governor’s office, demanded that the tuition fee reduction should take effect from 2013/2014 session, rather than the effective commencement session of 2014/2015 announced by the state government.

They also ignored all entreaties from the state Commissioner of Police, Ikemefuna Okoye, and other senior police officers on the ground, which appealed to them to be lawabiding.

NAFDAC warns against misleading adverts FRANKA OSAKWE

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he National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has warned against unverified advert claims of many regulated products in the media.

Speaking in Lagos during the launch of the scheme, Dr. Paul Orhii, who was represented by the agency’s Director, Registration and Regulation, Dr. Monical Hemben Eimunjeze, stated that it was becoming worrisome to the

agency to see the proliferation of misleading advertisements of herbal products.

These, he said, include misleading and false claims of treatment and cure of various ailments such as Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus, HIV, infection/Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, kidney diseases, drug addiction, mental illness, asthma, cancer and even those whose cure were yet unknown.

The D-G told the gathering that “this unacceptable and dangerous prac-

tice is a flagrant violation of the provision of Food and Drug Act 2004,” adding that “the law criminalises this act.”

According to him, “Product registration is not the same as advertisement approval, but both must be properly aligned. There are rules guiding the advertisement of regulated products, which must be strictly applied, to protect the unsuspecting public.”

Orhii expressed regret that the media had not helped in the fight to curb the high incidence of misleading adverts, adding

that the “the consequence of this ugly trend in which unverified spurious claims are paraded can only be left to every imagination.”

He urged media organisations to always “request for NAFDAC advertisement approval before publishing any NAFDAC-regulated product.”

Orhii regretted that some companies, in a bid to beat the agency regulatory requirement and the law, often rush to the media space to expose their products with the mindset of paying the penalty afterward, no matter how heavy it was.

“Our regulatory measures are not about money, but standards,” he said.

The DG called on advertisers to always be ready to present evidence and proof of their claims to the agency from the outset to reduce delays in advert approvals.

The Registrar/Chief Executive of Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, APCON, Alhaji Garba Bello Kankarofi, said the council, henceforth, would not approved advert for any advertiser on NAFDAC-regulated products until its received advert permit from the agency.

Also, the NAFDAC has launched an advert verification scheme to help advert practitioners verify adverts from their clients through online platforms.

Features of the scheme include: E-mail address (advert.control@nafdac. gov.ng), phone number, (+2348089772337) and hard copy of Handbook of Approved Advertisement Permit, to enable media operators and advertisers know the adverts that had been approved by the agency, with aim of reducing illegal adverts in the traditional media.

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Gunmen kill 3 persons in Anambra CHARLES OKEKE AWKA

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esidents of Umuawulu town, Awka South local government area, were, on Wednesday, thrown into a state of fear when gunmen invaded the community and attacked a prominent son of the town, who reportedly escaped unhurt, while his visitor was killed.

It was gathered that three people, including two of the gunmen, were killed during the operation, which was allegedly targeted at the first class chief of Umuawulu.

A source, who spoke on the incident, said one of those killed was an un-

lucky visitor, who was with the prominent chief when the gunmen stormed his residence in the night.

It was further gathered that the gunmen had during the operation mistook the dead visitor as their prime target, and immediately shot him dead.

However, it was learnt that two of the gunmen, who came in a black Sports Utility Vehicle, SUV, met their waterloo as they were killed by the policemen attached to the target of the gunmen.

The Anambra State Police Command yesterday said investigations on the incident had commenced as an identification card belonging to a transport com-

pany with headquarters in Enugu State was recovered from one of the suspects.

The new spokesperson of the state police command, it was gathered, told journalists in Awka yesterday that the command would not relent until the perpetrators were fished out.

He confirmed that one person was killed by the assailants, while two of their gang members were gunned down by policemen attached to the chief of Umuawulu.

He also said two AK-47 riffles were recovered from the two dead suspected assassins, with 19 and 11 live ammunitions respectively and extra 30 live ammuni-

tions.

He said what happened was that when the two policemen attached to the target saw the gunmen that had invaded the home of the chief, they quickly returned fire by gunning down two of them, while the third person ran away with bullet wounds inside the vehicle, before they drove off.

He said one good thing about the incident was that an identification card was recovered from one of them that could give the lead in the investigation.

Following the incident in the community, security operatives have taken over the area, while indigenes now live in fears.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Monarchs urge massive turnout for voter registration

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he Anambra Central Traditional Rulers Council has appealed to residents to turn out en-masse for the forthcoming voter registration and permanent voters’ cards collection.

The Chairman of the council, Igwe Chukwuemeka Ilouno, made the call while speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Onitsha, Anambra State yesterday, after a meeting of the traditional rulers.

Ilouno said the council’s call became necessary following the principle of one-man, one vote being promoted by the President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration.

“Any person that knows that he or she is 18 years and above should turn-out en masse to ensure that we are fully registered.

“That we secure our voter cards; if you do not have a permanent voter card, you should register promptly and get one now because the forthcoming election is going to be oneman, one-vote.

Willie Obiano, Anambra Gov.

“And we should not be disenfranchised; we should not sell our franchise; we should all ensure that we hold our voter cards because that is our power.

“If we know that if we don’t secure our voter cards, then we have lost our power.

“Therefore, every person in Anambra State, who is 18 years and above, should ensure that he goes to be registered fully so that he will be part and parcel of the forthcoming election.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had scheduled voter registration, revalidation and issuance of permanent voter cards in Anambra State for today, through Sunday.

RATTAWU seeks reinstatement of sacked EBS workers

T Members of the Nigeria Red Cross during a stimulation exercise to contain Ebola virus in Awka, Anambra State, yesterday.

NEC bans tax collection by non-revenue officials WOLE OLADIMEJI ABUJA

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he National Economic Council, NEC, yesterday banned the practice of using nonrevenue officials for the collection of taxes and levies by states and federal agencies, saying it was contrary to Section 2 of the Taxes and Levies Act. Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, who disclosed this while briefing journalists yesterday after the meeting on the decisions taken at NEC meeting in Abuja, said the move was to check leakages in the revenue collection process.

The governor said the council took the resolution following a briefing of the

Ministerial Implementation Committee, MIC, on the harmonisation of taxes, presented by the Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, on behalf of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

Following the recommendation, the Council, he said, directed that the InspectorGeneral of Police, IGP, should dismantle all ‘road blocks’ mounted on highways for revenue collection.

It would be recalled that the MIC was set up following a report of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, to NEC on multiple taxation across the federation at various levels, and its effect on the Nige-

rian economy.

According to Obiano, “Some of the findings of the MIC revealed that the 1998 Taxes and Levies Act were overdue for review. There is duplication of some taxes and levies at states and local governments, while taxes and levies administered by some states are not backed by appropriation legislation.”

He added: “Some of the recommendations by the MICs include: the discontinuation of the practice of using non-revenue officials for collection of taxes and levies by states and federal agencies, as this is contrary to Section 2 of the Taxes and Levies Act. “All states revenue boards should be empowered to au-

tomate their tax operations for effectiveness, process, accountability and reduce leakages. NEC is to direct IG of Police to dismantle all ‘road blocks’ mounted on highways for revenue collection.”

NEC, Obiano stated, further resolved that the MIC committee should work with the states attorney-generals representing the six geopolitical zones to incorporate the inputs and comments of the members of the council and report in the next meeting.

The zonal representatives include: Enugu for SouthEast, Lagos for South-West, Bayelsa for South-South, Plateau for North-Central, Kebbi for North-West and Borno for North-East.

he Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union, RATTAWU, has called for the unconditional recall of workers of Enugu State Broadcasting Service, ESBS. RATTAWU National President, Mr. Yemisi Bamgbose, made the call yesterday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Enugu.

Bamgbose said the situation at the broadcasting station which led to a crisis between its management and staff was uncalled for.

“We are here discussing how we are going to be successful in terms of the 2015 elections and a whole television station is shut down.

“The Enugu State Broadcasting Service, the television arm of it, has been shut down in the last one year.

“The radio is not even broadcasting news and the programmes of that station, according to the information at our disposal, are alien to the people of this place.

“And again majority

of the workers have been asked to go and sit down at home. (The) Gate of that organisation is locked against workers.

“Workers have been asked to move out of their residential quarters and we want very good coverage of elections, knowing fully the role of the electronic media in informing, educating, enlightening and entertaining the public, as well as the effect of a grassroots radio and television station such as ESBS that should be able to get to people unhindered,” he said.

Bamgbose appealed to the management of the station to recall the workers without further delay and make the environment suitable for their duties.

“The position of RATTAWU is that workers should be allowed to go in and continue to do their jobs. The television station should be attended to.

“Government should make money available and get equipment that will bring that station back on air.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Forum faults confab’s proposal to scrap LG

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he Chairman, National PDP Councillors’ Forum, Onogu Monday, yesterday criticised the recommendation by delegates to the National Conference to scrap local government from the Constitution.

Addressing a news conference in Abuja on the ‘Social and security situation in the country’, Monday said the recommendation was ‘retrogressive’.

“We the National PDP Councillors’ Forum, comprising over 80 per cent of elected councillors in Nigeria, categorically condemn in strong terms the move.

“We also warn of the dangers associated with this recommendation, which included unemployment, insecurity and total

backwardness at the grassroots,” he observed.

He recalled that local governments were created in 1976 to bring development near to the people.

He said that developments recorded across the country since their creation would not have been possible, adding that the councils should be retained.

“What we need is autonomy for local governments,’’ he said.

The chairman commended President Goodluck Jonathan for setting up a special committee to tackle the spread of Ebola virus in the country.

He said that the measure contributed to containing the spread of the virus within Lagos State.

Commissioner orders establishment of farmers’ cooperatives

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he Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources in Cross River State has directed immediate establishment of 10 cooperative societies in each of the 18 local government areas of the state.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, James Aniyom, gave the directive at an agriculture stakeholders’ meeting in Calabar, yesterday.

“The purpose of the cooperatives is to coordinate and monitor all projects within and those coming into the state for such cooperatives.

“We need real farmers and not imaginary ones who benefit from farm produce and collect loans, yet

have no farm to show for it,” he said.

He said such cooperatives should cover rice, cassava, fishery, vegetables, livestock and aquaculture.

Aniyom also directed the publication of all cooperatives in the state, including their location, saying this would stimulate synergy among the cooperative societies.

According to him, the Cross River government is keen on having a database of farmers in the state and what they produce.

He promised to reach out to all ‘genuine’ farmers and monitor their farms with a view to providing them with logistic support when necessary.

Jonathan, private sector to partner against poverty

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resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday reiterated his administration’s commitment to working with the private sector to reduce poverty, through job creation and industrialization, nationwide.

Jonathan disclosed this at Ibeno local government area of Akwa Ibom State, when he performed the groundbreaking commissioning of multibillion naira methanol plant.

He said the project would create direct and indirect employment opportunities for people of the area in addition to other multiplier effects on the lives of the citizenry.

L-R: Chairman, Trade Union Congress, TUC, Rivers State, Mr. Chika Onuegbu; National President, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, ASCSN, Mr. Bobboi Kaigama and former State Chairman, TUC, Mr. Jack Alaso, during a Seminar on Entrepreneurship Development and Pre-retirement in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

12 policemen held for killing six detainees

…corpses sold for N11,000 each RICHARD NDOMA CALABAR

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bout 12 officers and men of the Cross River State AntiRobbery Squad, SARS, are now cooling their heels in police cell in Calabar, the state capital.

They were alleged to have killed six detainees, including Derek Maurice, a 300-level Accounting student of the University of Calabar, UniCal. National Mirror learnt that the police authorities resolved to detain the officers and men, following a recommendation by the state Directorate of Public Prosecution, after months

WARRI

The president also said the project would boost the nation’s foreign exchange earnings through export.

In his address, the Chairman of Quantum Petrochemical Company, owner of the plant, Mr Jim Ovia, said the plant would produce plastics, fertiliser, bottles, tyres and shovels, among other items.

Cal. The panel’s report was said to have indicted Sgt. Idoko and his accomplices, who were promptly detained on June 25-28, at Zone 6 Police Headquarters, Calabar, but were released pending the recommendations of the Department of Public Prosecution, DPP, of the Ministry of Justice of Cross River State government.

A source close to the police authority told National Mirror that the DPP last week recommended the prosecution of the said policemen. They were arrested and have been cooling their heels in Zone six

detention facilities since August 6, pending arraignment.

The circumstances that led to the alleged killing began on April 16 this year when the slain student, Derek, was picked up early that evening close to his home at Akai Efa, Calabar, by a SARS team led by Idoko, and taken to its office in Diamond Hill, Calabar.

The following day, Maurice and five others were allegedly executed on an excuse that they were armed robbers. Their remains were traced to the anatomy department of the University of Calabar, where each of the body was said to be sold at N11,000.

Ex-PHCN staff shuts service centre THEOPHILUS ONOJEGHEN

Jonathan

of probing the accused.

The officers, led by one Sgt. Anthony Idoko, were accused of extra-judicially killing six young men on April 17, 2014, and selling their bodies to the anatomy department of UniCal. The lid on the alleged nefarious activities of the policemen was blown open in June when Eno Maurice, mother to Derek, petitioned the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 6 Command, over the disappearance of her son.

Accordingly, the AIG set up an investigative panel to unravel Derek’s disappearance. The panel traced his body, including those of six other young men, to Uni-

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rotesting ex-workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, on Wednesday in Sapele, Delta State, grounded economic activities as they alleged non-payment of their three months salaries and other benefits, demanding that the new operator of the company pay all their entitlements.

But in a swift reaction, the new management, Eurafic Power Limited, dismissed the allegations,

stating that ‘’all severance benefits have been paid by the BPE to all ex-staff in November, last year.’’

National Officer representing Western zone, Comrade Benson Okorodudu and Comrade Nwosu Okechuku of Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Company, Sapele, said that salaries up to April 2014 have not been paid and vowed to use all legal means to get their money.

The National Union of Electricity Employee and Senior Staff Associa-

tion of Electricity and Allied Company yesterday embarked on a peaceful protest and locked up the company demanding their February, March and April salaries and other entitlements including productivity bonus.

Okorodudu told newsmen they only wanted the Eurafic company to pay their due salaries and other benefits.

Reacting to the protest, Public Relations Officer, PRO, Eurafic Company Limited, Ernest Atsenuwa, said some staff were

laid off by the government after a successful takeover by the company, while others were given six months contract with effect from November 1, 2013 to terminate in April 2014.

Atsenuwa added that within six months, the new company as part of the contract could lay off the workers by paying one month salary in lieu of notice or by giving one month notice, but the company decided to retain all and paid some of their salaries till date.

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Friday, August 15, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

2015: Al-Makura seeks disarmament of militia IGBAWASE UKUMBA LAFIA

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overnor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State, yesterday, called on appropriate authorities to disarm all militia in the country, prior to the conduct of the 2015 gen-

eral elections.

He also appealed to the authorities to adequately equip security operatives with the necessary tools to enable them face the election challenges in the country, even as he cautioned the operatives to remain neutral during the conduct of the general

polls in order to guarantee free and fair polls.

The governor stated this in Lafia, the state capital, through the Secretary to the State Government, Hajia Zainab Abdulmumini, at a security summit organised by the state command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence

Corps, NSCDC. The need to disarm the militias, according to him “is because the 2015 polls will pose a lot of challenges on security as the elections will involve many states, unlike the recent elections conducted separately in Ekiti and Osun states. Hitherto, the electoral umpire should

be neutral and truly independent, while politicians should operate according to rules of the game.”

He recalled the challenges faced in obtaining free and fair elections previously due to activities of the militias and thugs who had either aided or abetted malpractices in those elections which, according to him, “is fast becoming the order of the day in the body polity of Nigeria to-

day.”

Commandant General of the corps, Dr. Ade Obolurin, represented by the Nasarawa State commandant, Adekin Amos Musa, said for the country to conduct free and fair polls, the present security strategies must be reassessed so as to create new approaches that guarantee durable peace in the society to enhance smooth conduct of elections.

Adamawa lawmaker donates N12m fertiliser to constituency

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Horse riders entertaining guests during the turbaning of Taraba State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Child Development, Hajiya Batulu Hamman-Gabdo, as the first Sarauniya of Gashaka by the Chief of Gashaka, Alhaji Hamman-Gabdo Sambo, in Taraba, on Wednesday.

PHOTO: NAN

Shema empowers MDAs, others with laptops JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

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bout 3,235 laptops have been distributed to directors in ministries, departments and agencies in Katsina State.

The laptops, which were distributed by the state government, saw

additional laptops also donated to youth craft centre, BATCs, STEB agriculture schools.

This is even as the government has donated buses to the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, in the state.

Speaking during presentation of the items,

Katsina State Governor, Ibrahim Shema, said the laptops were in line with modern realities and effort to conform to same.

He said the state government is making efforts to bring quality development to the state with aim of making it a reference point for others.

The Head of Service,

Lawal Aliyu, said donation of buses to ABU and NYSC was in fulfilment of an earlier pledge made by the state governor.

Aliyu said the youth craft centre would receive 100 laptops, while ministry of education board is to get 892 laptops for principals, vice principals and zonal directors.

Katsina spends N4.7bn on MDG projects … warns against strangers as tenants

JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

K

atsina State government has spent N4.7 billion in the execution of projects and other related items under the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs. The amount, spent in the last seven years, is the state’s 50 per cent contribution to MDG projects in the state. The other 50 per cent comes from the Federal Government.

Speaking yesterday during the commissioning of a Maternal and Child Clinic in Birnin Kuka, Mashi council area, MDG Permanent Secre-

tary, Isyaku Dikko, said out of the amount 1,115 boreholes were constructed across the council areas.

Dikko said 80 maternal and child clinics were constructed while six semi-urban water schemes were established in Birnin Kuka, Gwajogwajo, Karofi, Yantumaki, Kakumi and Tudun Aya communities.

He said 33,000 long lasting mosquito nets, 29 dispensaries, 17 generating sets, five ambulances, 21 maternal and child wards, and furniture were provided in various communities in the state.

He further revealed

that 300 Vesico Vagina Fistula, VVF, patients were treated by the MDG in collaboration with Service to Humanity, an NGO belonging to the state’s First Lady, Fatima Shema.

Dikko said arrangement had been completed for the construction and equipping of 13 maternal and child clinics, construction of 13 solar powered boreholes, 215 VIP latrines, and 82 blocks of classrooms and other rated projects.

Mrs. Shema, who commissioned the new clinic, called on residents to ensure its proper use for the promotion of health among women and children.

She assured of her NGO

n a bid to boost agricultural production in his constituency, a member of the House of Representatives from Adamawa State, Hajiya Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed Binani, yesterday donated fertiliser worth N12 million to farmers.

The lawmaker, while donating the bags of fertiliser, said the gesture was meant to boost food production and assist peasant farmers to increase crop yields.

Farmers from Yola North/ Yola South/Girei Federal Constituency benefitted from the gesture. A total of 2,400 bags of fertilisers were distributed.

Bilani said: “This is my personal contribution towards supporting our less privileged members of the society, especially the peasant farmers. The free distribution of fertilisers is in

Why North kicks against resource control –Don PRISCILLA DENNIS

and the state government’s commitment to supporting MDG wherever possible and promoting projects that would better the lots of people in the state.

Meanwhile, Governor Shema has cautioned landlords to desist from renting their houses to strangers in view of the security situation in the state.

Gov. Shema

addition to my primary responsibility in the House.

I believe that the way to peace and development in a society is agriculture.

Once a society can feed itself, it will have less social problems.

“I have been giving out free fertilisers to our farmers since I was elected into the House in 2011. We are gathered here for the 2014 edition of the same programme, the 4th time since my election into the House of Representatives.

“As a representative of our people, I will continue to do whatever is humanly possible to assist in every way I can to alleviate the difficulties our people go through on daily basis.

“That is the only way our people can have dividends of democracy, which is the principal goal of party politics,” she said.

MINNA

V

ice Chancellor of the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai in Niger State, Prof Ibrahim Adamu Kolo, has berated the north for being afraid of 100 per cent resource control, noting that having failed to look inward, it was now fighting for oil revenue to sustain and develop the region.

He accused both the federal and state governments of not doing enough to encourage agricultural transformation and development in the nation.

“Today we are fighting over oil revenue, the north

in particular is afraid of 100 percent resource control because we have refused to look inwards.

We have neglected all the agriculture ventures that made the north rich in the past.”

He stated this when he received the organising committee of a regional workshop on the cultivation of and uses of Jatropha plant led by the chairman of the planning committee, Garba Attaihiru in his office.

Kolo pointed out that rather than encourage the growth of agriculture, Nigeria’s political leadership were only concerned with oil revenue that would dwindle in a short period.

Friday, August 15, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

13

Politics

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t is no longer news that the people of Osun State last Saturday went to the poll to elect who will be their governor for the next four years. And with a determination to put their fate in their own hands, they exhibited strong sense of patriotism as they trooped out in large numbers to exercise their civic responsibility.

Besides, the Osun governorship election would go down in history as the most eagerly awaited election in the annals of the history of the state.

Men, women; young and old, waited patiently on the queue, defying the drizzling rain with various colours of umbrellas to ensure that they make the necessary change with the only power in their possession, their votes.

Events leading to the Osun State governorship election presented an ominous sign of palpable danger. This perhaps explains the deployment of massive security personnel, including men of the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services, DSS, the Nigerian Security Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, for election duty to forestall breakdown of law and order.

Curfew was declared in Osun from 6pm of Friday to 6pm of Election Day and this created huge problem, for travellers traversing Osun State on their way to their destinations.

For those coming from Lagos and/or Ibadan, they were stopped from proceeding on their journey at Ikire, the border town between Osun and Oyo states, forcing many of them to return to Ibadan for succour, while many were stranded at the border town till after 6pm on Election Day before they could continue their journey.

Those coming from Ondo State end had their journey terminated at Owena, another border town between Ondo and Osun states and a huge number of them spent the 24 hours that the curfew lasted in the border town. Travellers from Ekiti also had their journey terminated at Ilesa, where many vehicles converged till after the curfew was lifted at 6pm on poll day.

A woman and her two grown daughters also were stranded at Ile-Ife junction by the Ibadan-Ilesa expressway. Suffice to say that all the stranded travellers were forced to observe a full day fast, as there was no food vendors to cater for their culinary needs.

On election eve, a man was arrested with huge amount of money running to millions of naira, efforts by national mirror to find out who he was and how much was found on him were rebuffed by the soldiers who ‘arrested’ him.

The people of the ancient city of Osogbo woke up to a cloudy atmosphere on Saturday August 9, the day set aside for the state governorship election in the state. The cloudy atmosphere gave way to early shower and despite this weather condition, the people were determined to carry out their civic of picking who is to govern them for the next four years.

The major candidates whose bill boards

Reportage of Osun poll: Events that shaped the election The Osun State gubernatorial poll has been won and lost, but many events shaped the election on voting day. OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU, AYO ESAN, KEMI OLAITAN and BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA highlight some of those events.

Aregbesola

Omisore

dominated Osogobo, the state capital were the incumbent governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who was also the All Progressive Congress, APC candidate, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore and the candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade.

be overstretched. One of the Youth Corps member who served as official at the Testing Ground area said they were prepared for the task.

Policemen and men of the NSCDC were stationed at each polling booth to provide security, though they carried no arms.

There were also patrol of major streets by the mobile policemen and men of the NSCDC. They moved round to forestall any breakdown of law and order. There was also aerial surveillance by the police through helicopters.

Soldiers also mounted road blocks at the major entrance to the city. Rather than being intimidated by the high presence of security personnel, the residents of Osogbo were more determined to carry out their civic duty as some of them who spoke to National Mirror, declared that presence of security operatives would not hinder them from performing their right of electing their leaders.

All the security agencies also behaved well and were civil, even in the face of provocation by the youths who believed that they (the security agents) were sent by the Federal Government to prevent them from voting.

Vehicles were not allowed to move except those that have the tag of INEC and were accredited for performing one role or the other and even then such persons and vehicles were subjected to thorough search by the security personnel.

Massive voters’ turn-out By 7.00 am on the Election Day, people have already trooped out to the various polling booths waiting for INEC officials.

In some of the polling booths visited in Oja-Oba, Alekuwodo, Owode, Igbona, Oke Fia, among others , the electorates gathered under canopies because of the early morning shower. Chairs were arranged under the canopies and we gathered that those chairs and canopies were provided by the community leaders for the elderly who may not be able to withstand the rigour of staying for long.

It was also seen that many aged people were guided to the voting centres. The young men were also there to provide assistance for the aged and they were encouraged to carry out their civic duty.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC officials arrived promptly in various polling booths with the election materials and accreditation started on schedule in most polling booths visited.

The officials because of large turn-out in the city knew that they were going to

Akinbade

RATHER THAN BEING INTIMIDATED BY THE HIGH PRESENCE OF SECURITY

PERSONNEL, THE RESIDENTS OF

OSOGBO WERE MORE DETERMINED TO CARRY OUT THEIR CIVIC DUTY

By 12.00 noon, accreditation ended and the voting started. The voting dragged into late in the evening in most areas such as Testing Ground, Olaiya, Oke-Fia, Akindeko, Ogo Oluwa, Ring Road, Kola Balogun because of heavy turn- out of voters.

By around 6.00pm counting of the votes had ended and APC supporters trooped out to celebrate, brandishing their brooms, the symbol of their party. Till late in the night CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

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Politics

Friday, August 15, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Reportage of Osun poll: Events that shaped the election CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 it was jubilation galore. But there was no violence in the ancient city of Osogbo rather it was celebration in a carnival –like mood throughout the night. Parties were also held in different section of the town till the morning of Sunday as television were placed outside to monitor the declaration of election results local government by local government by the INEC. In Osogbo, one young man, after voting, jumped up and shouted: “Mo gba owo won, mo gba iresi won, mo gba kerosene won, mi o dibo fun won o,” meaning “I collected their money, rice and kerosene, but I didn’t vote for them.”

Returning home to vote Some voters who registered at a far distance from their homes left as early as 6am and trekked to the polling units for accreditation.

At some polling units in ward 4, OgoOluwa Area of Osogbo local government, voters were already on the queue to be accredited by INEC officials who were on the ground as early as eight O’clock.

In Ile Ife, the hometown of the candidate of the PDP, Senator Omisore, and the senator representing Osun East Senatorial District, Senator Babajide Omoworare, the atmosphere was calm while voters in their numbers turned up early in their various polling booths to vote.

At Maku unit 13, Iremo 3, Maku compound in Ife Central Local Government, Senator Omoworare and several of his supporters in the area voted.

Also, despite having polling booth few metres to his country home, the PDP candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore, had to return to the nearest booth to his compound at Saint Gabriel More, to cast his vote.

Similarly, the state governor, Mr. Aregbesola, who left Osogbo, the state capital, on Friday for Ilesa, his home town to exercise his civic duty, voted at Unit 1, Ward 8, Ifofin, Ilesa, the nearest polling booth to Ogbon Arogbo, his ancestral home.

At Loogan Agbaakin, in Ede, the former Speaker of Osun state House of Assembly and running mate to the PDP governorship candidate, Chief Adejare Bello, voted and nearly all the political bigwigs, who might not have been seen near their home towns, let alone compounds returned home to exercise their civic duty.

This development constituted major talking point during and after the election.

Several commentators on this gave diverse opinions about the significance of the return of the men to their ancestral homes for the poll.

A 60-year old man at Maku Compound, Pa Joseph Falola, just after completing his accreditation said, though Senator Omoworare, usually visit the compound, he added that the period of the poll, provided people of the area with opportunity to spend more time with him. He said the senator spent the whole week of the poll in the compound.

Movements across the wards Across the state, there were movements by agents of political parties, moving from one ward to another to ensure things went the way they planned.

INEC Chairman, Attahiru Jega

ITEMS AND MONIES WERE MOVED

BY PARTIES IN A DESPERATE BID TO

“BUY” VOTERS AND THIS NEARLY CAUSED FRACAS IN SOME POLLING UNITS,

WHERE SHARING OF MONEY WAS RESISTED BY PEOPLE

Items and monies were moved by parties in a desperate bid to “buy” voters and this nearly caused fracas in some polling units, where sharing of money was resisted by people.

At a polling unit near Enuwa Square in Ife, a middle age lady, who dressed like a lunatic, but was secretly convincing elderly voters on the queue to vote for a particular political party was arrested.

Her arrest was effected when a 70-year old woman alerted security operatives, who immediately arrested her and wisked her away.

In Osogbo, especially in the interior part of the town, sharing of materials for votes were also witnessed, while the situation was not same at the new settlements in the state capital. In Ede and Ikire towns, the situation was the same.

Clash between the multi agencies election security monitors The clash between policemen and soldiers in Ogbaagbaa, the hometown of LP candidate, Alhaji Akinbade, raised the issue of dangers the usage of several security agencies for election duties would engender.

When the issue of likelihood of clash among the security agencies was raised with the Commissioner of Police for Osun governorship poll, Austin Ebakavbokun,

Chief of Army Staff, Kenneth Minimah

Acting IGP, Suleiman Abba

he assured that each agency knew its brief and would stick to it.

However, at the entrance of Ogbaagba, a town in Olaoluwa Local Government area of Osun state, a bloody clash was only narrowly averted, when some soldiers that mounted road block, stopped a patrol van conveying about six policemen and demanded that the men should surrender themselves for search.

At the peak of the altercations between the two groups, several gunshots were fired into the air, causing pandemonium in the neighbourhood not far away from a polling booth.

The incidents led to the disruption of voting in the polling booth, as many of the voters abandoned the queue and fled the area, until normalcy returned.

Making ‘brisk business’ on Election Day at Ile Ife

Concerns over border towns There were also concerns while the voting was on about the border towns in the state, that there may be trans-border crime by hoodlums, who may use routes that were not known to the soldiers manning border towns across the state.

In Ikire, Ifetedo, Ora, Ila-Odo among others and all border towns in the state, heavy security presence were seen. The fear according to a top security source, was consequent upon intelligence that voting may be disrupted by trans-state hoodlums in border towns.

Rumours and conflicting election results As early as 3pm on the day of the poll, social media platforms were awashed with different results coming from the 332 wards in the state, thus putting many newsmen covering the exercise under serious pressure to file results of the poll as quickly as possible. From indications, nearly all political parties that participated in the poll had made provisions for those that would post results of polls as soon as they were announced onto the social media platforms.

Though, this to a certain extent, assisted stakeholders to follow the trend the election was taking, but in many instances, wrong results were deliberately posted to cause confusion.

In many units where important dignitaries voted and were focal points, several incorrect election results were circulated on social media platforms, leading to confusion.

It was however not only the electorate that had their hands full on the election day, given the hype that the election had generated, security personnel that include soldiers, men of the State Security Service, SSS, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC and police were also not exempted as they were all over the state to prevent break down of law and order.

With restriction of movement and closure of business till 6.00 pm on the day, getting things, including food to buy turned out to be a herculean task. But trust Nigerians, whether in uniform or not, they will always find a way out. This was the case with some soldiers deployed to Mayfair area of Ile Ife, as they decided to help themselves in getting food to eat when the voting exercise was on.

Taking full charge of the junction that led to the ancient city, the soldiers numbering about five with their gun hanging on their shoulder mounted a the road block, stopping those passing with courtesy. Directly in front of their road block was a young lady, who simply gave her name as Bola, selling fried eggs, bread, indomie and tea.

Bola, for close to 25 minutes that this reporter was in the area was on her feet attending to customers with the soldiers directly providing security. While two of the soldiers were attending to motorists on election duty at the road block, the others were filling their stomach with the delicious food provided by the lady.

One by one the soldiers queue before the lady and she in turn made food available to them. From nowhere also was a team of observers who came to join the soldiers and took turn to have their fill of the food courtesy of the lady who certainly will smile to the bank after the election.

With this act by the lady even though not for free, it would not be an understatement that it helped the soldiers in “rightly” performing their duty during the election exercise.

And for the lady, she could not but wish that elections should continue to hold, because it not only provided her the opportunity to have security for free while on “duty” but also big business with lots of cash, at the expense of her rivals in the business.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Friday, August 15, 2014

Pro-Jonathan group targets 3million membership OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

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ne of the frontline pro-Jonathan support groups, Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, TAN, said it is targeting three million members nationwide to join it in showcasing the massive development strides of the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

Briefing journalists in Abuja on its zonal rallies, commencing in the SouthEast tomorrow, TAN Director of Public Communications and Strategy, Dr Udenta. O. Udenta, said it is now set to move to the next stage of its exponential growth.

He said the inaugural rally will take place at the popular Ekwueme Square, Akwa, Anambra State in a blaze of fun-fare, adding that “important dignitaries expected at the Akwa rally include former vice president Dr. Alex Ekwueme, former Senate Presidents Adolphus Wabara and Ken Nnamani, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator Anyim Pius Ayim, senators and members of the House of Representatives; top politicians and political appointees from the zone.

Udenta said: “At the rally, the people of the South-East zone who are already overwhelmed by the unparal-

leled achievements of Mr. President in varied spheres of human endeavours including massive social and physical infrastructures, human capital development, employment generation and appointments, would place a demand on Dr. Jonathan.

“The train would now move with pomp to Ibadan for the South-West zonal rally on Saturday August 23, while it would swing to Port Harcourt for the South-South show on September 30, and thereafter take a two week recess before proceeding northwards. In all these rallies, Nigerians are expected to place a demand on Mr. President, having performed

spectacularly as seen in the magnitude of social and physical infrastructures his Administration has put into place across the length and breadth of the country since the past three years.”

He said “the highpoint of the rallies is the collation of signatures and telephone numbers of more than ten million Nigerians who would place a demand on the President. With a strength of over three million registered members and 250,000 online followers and fans, this phase of transforming into a mass movement would be most interesting in TAN’s drive towards ensuring citizens participation in politics.”

15

APC can’t win Niger-East bye-election –PDP •Face-saving statement PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

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iger State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP-led administration, has said that no matter the level of political shenanigans, blackmail or hallucinations employed by the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state, it cannot emerge winner in the NigerEast senatorial by-election fixed for August 30.

It described the APC as a party with no sense of history, for daring to toy with collective decision of the people of the district to vote the ruling party in the forthcoming by-election.

State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mallam Danladi Ndayebo, who stated this in Minna, reminded the APC that the senatorial zone has never voted for an opposition in an election, particularly, one as sensitive as the one at hand, hence the need to forget thoughts of ever taking political control of the zone.

He said: “Even when the so-called hurricane blew

across a particular section of the state in the 2011 general elections, the people of Niger-East dared to be different and remained with the PDP!” Urging PDP supporters to ignore the antics of the opposition, Ndayebo called on people of the state to remain calm and law abiding.

But the APC, through its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Jonathan Vatsa, said PDP’s hope of victory at the poll was a mere wishful thinking, describing the PDP and Ndayebos’ efforts as a face saving technique in the face of impending defeat.

He said: “The by-election will mark the exit of PDP in the state and the PDPled government knew the party was sinking and the only way out for them was to raise false hope among its followers.”

He added that it was a known fact Niger State and Niger-East zone people have rejected the PDP and its unpopular candidate for the poll, adding that no amount of intimidation or arrest will deny his party success in the by-election.

APC accuses DSS of partisanship in Osun EMMANUEL EGHAGHE Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha with his supporters during the consultation rally with Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, stakeholders in Nkwere local government Area on his governorship aspiration in Imo State, recently.

Ekiti senatorial aspirant seeks overhaul ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

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chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ekiti State and a senatorial aspirant for Ekiti North senatorial district, Mr Olusegun Osinkolu, has made a case for repositioning the party leadership in the state for it to make waves in the 2015 general elections.

Osinkolu said although

the Chief Jide Awe-led APC had done well, overhauling the leadership structure was necessary for good outing in the 2015 election.

He told journalists in Ado Ekiti yesterday: “There should be restructuring across board. APC cannot afford to approach the next elections with the same strategy, so the leadership must be changed.

“I am quite happy because our congress will

be coming soon and I am confident that it will throw up credible people that can bring radical change to the party. The present executive could not do much in terms of administration because both the party leadership and government were fused into one.

“APC must learn how to separate the two because it will make things difficult for party members, especially those who have prob-

lems with people in government, who ordinarily ought to run to the party to seek redress.”

Describing the Ekiti election as more of an eye opener to APC on the need to entrench internal democracy and refrain from imposition, Osinkolu said he was in the race to bring about the desired change and give the senatorial district and indeed the state quality representation.

2015: Southern Kaduna political office holders endorse Yero A ZA MSUE KADUNA

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lected and appointed political office holders from Southern part ofKaduna State, led by Senator Nenadi Esther Usman, yesterday endorsed Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero as their sole candidate for the guberna-

torial ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, come 2015.

Usman and her group also endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan to run for 2015 presidential election to complete his tenure.

Barred by security operatives from the event, which took place at Ungwan Wakili, about two kilo-

metres from Zangon Kataf town, in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of the state, were anti-Yero protesters.

Senator Usman said that Yero’s endorsement became necessary in view of the fact that the governor had kept faith by executing projects in Southern Kaduna and had given un-

precedented appointments to zone’s indigenes.

Her words:”I want to appeal to all our brothers and sisters from Southern Kaduna, who may be nursing the ambition to contest to drop that. We must allow the governor to complete his full terms (2015 - 2023) before thinking of contesting.”

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ll Progressives Congress, APC, has accused the Department of State Services, DSS, of crass partisanship and unprofessional conduct over its actions and comments on last Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.

Speaking through its National Publicity secretary, Lai Mohammed, in a statement issued yesterday, APC also condemned the spokesperson for the agency, Ms. Marilyn Ogar, for what it describes as baseless and reckless statements.

The statement read in part: ‘’It is sad that a spokesperson for the DSS does not know there is no offence called ‘loitering’ under Nigerian laws. For her to now go on national television to say the APC’s National Publicity Secretary was arrested for ‘loitering’ in Osogbo on the eve of the governorship election is the height of

ignorance and constitutes a great embarrassment to the DSS. ‘’How can a spokesperson for such a sensitive government agency not understand that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides for freedom of movement? On what basis was Ms. Ogar questioning what the Mohammed was doing in Osun, when she has not questioned the presence of Musiliu Obanikoro, Chris Uba and the likes in the same state or are those people from Osun State?

Saying that Ms. Ogar should be properly trained and given necessary exposure so she can speak with knowledge and facts, instead of making baseless and incautious statements, APC condemns the non-neutrality of a an office holder of such magnitude as the DSS and challenge holders of such positions to be non-sided in occasions like that as it can cause incitement that can lead to greater havoc.

16

Editorial

Friday, August 15, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

KAFILAT OGBARA

MANAGING DIRECTOR/CEO

SUNDAY OLAJIDE

DEPUTY MD/CEO

SEYI FASUGBA

DAILY EDITOR

GBEMI OLUJOBI

SATURDAY EDITOR

KAYODE FASUA

ACTING EDITOR, SUNDAY

AYO OLESIN

GENERAL EDITOR

BEN MEMULETIWON

GENERAL EDITOR

DOZIE OKEBALAMA

COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD

CALLISTUS OKE

EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR

ISE-OLUWA IGE

ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF

FIDELIS LEMCHI OWOAMANAM

REGIONAL DIRECTOR, S/SOUTH

KING ODODORU

HEAD, GRAPHICS

IGP Abba and new vision for the police

S

uleiman Abba, Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 7 (comprising the Federal Capital Territory (FCT, Abuja, Niger and Kaduna States), emerged as the new Inspector-General of Police (IGP) on August 1, 2014. He succeeded Mohammed Abubakar, who retired after 35 years of service.

Apparently based on his flattering credentials, including experience in policing in high levels and moral rectitude, the Presidency, Police Service Commission, Police High Command, 36 state governors and other Nigerians who know him closely, reportedly recommended him as the right choice for the job.

In his maiden speech in Abuja shortly after his predecessor handed over to him, Abba spoke of leading a national, professional and efficient law enforcement organization, with emphasis on attitudinal changes. “All aspects of our service will be centred on the values of Hardwork, Honesty and Humility –the triple H”, he said, adding that he would give full attention to the recent upsurge in security challenges.

Giving kudos to the Jonathan Presidency for the transformation of the force, Mr. Abba averred that “…of all the reforms embarked upon by past governments, it is only that of the Yar’Adua/Jonathan administration that is working. We have seen the seven city

programmes with the necessary equipment; we have seen tens of helicopters and other facilities in place”. The new IGP obviously mounted the saddle with high spirit, though his comments reflected the characteristic sermons of new appointees into similar high positions.

Abba, unlike his immediate two predecessors, Hafiz Ringim and Mohammed Abubakar, inherited a Police High Command that appears under less pressure, but for the Boko Haram scourge ravaging the land. Like he rightly observed, the police under Abubakar relatively enjoyed tremendous improvement, equipment wise - helicopters, patrol vehicles and other modern operational gadgets, are at his beck and call. Police image was likewise burnished with the dismantling of extortionist road blocks across the country. It has also been widely acknowledged that one of Abubakar’s priorities while in office was the welfare of police officers and the rank and file. In the elections conducted in Edo, Anambra and Ekiti states during the ex-IGP’s tenure, the police discharged themselves with commendable integrity, a far cry from the experience in the past.

It may also be noted that preparations for the conduct of the August 9 governorship election in Osun State were mainly made by the police under Abubakar, since Abba

IN ADDITION TO NORMAL POLICING

DUTIES, THE

HARAM CHALLENGE AND 2015 GENERAL ELECTIONS REMAIN ACID TEST FOR THE POLICE was barely a few days on the seat.

Not to be forgotten was Abubakar’s effort in encouraging professionalism and inculcating of new value orientation in the force, especially with the new Code of Conduct for policemen launched in January 2013. All these Abba can improve upon and possibly build on for greater performance and efficiency, especially with his recognition of the inherent virtues in ‘hard work, honesty and humility’, the neglect of why past police reform efforts crumbled.

We, however, cannot gloss over the fact that in addition to normal policing duties, the Boko Haram challenge and 2015 general elections remain acid test for the police under Abba. How he handles them will, to a large extent, either boost or erode public confidence in the police under his leadership. And like Abubakar did mention while handing over to him, adequate funding and proper

ON THIS DAY August 15, 1975 Bangladesh’s founder, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was killed along with most members of his family during a military coup. Rahman (March 17, 1920 – August 15, 1975) was a Bengali nationalist politician and the founder of Bangladesh. He headed the Awami League, served as the first President of Bangladesh and later became its Prime Minister. He is popularly referred to as Sheikh Mujib (shortened as Mujib or Mujibur).

Letters tothe theEditor Editor Letters to

BOKO

August 15, 2007 An 8.0-magnitude earthquake off the Pacific coast devastated Ica and various regions of Peru, killing 519 people and injuring 1,090 others. The epicenter was located 150 km (93 mi) south-southeast of Lima, at a depth of 39 km (24 mi). The United States Geological Survey National Earthquake Information Center reported that it was a very strong earthquake. The Peruvian government stated that 519 people were killed by the quake.

monitoring of budgeted funds are absolutely necessary for training and equipping the police personnel, especially with reported plans to increase the number from 371,800 (2008 figure) to 650,000, which we consider still too small in relation to Nigeria’s estimated current population of about 176 million people.

In 2008, a presidential committee on the reform of the force stressed that due to poor funding, police training facilities became overstretched and very little effort was made to up-grade its training institutions. The cumulative effect, according to the committee, was that a large number of unqualified, under-trained, ill-equipped and poorly motivated officers, some with dubious backgrounds, were recruited into the nation’s police. Still glaring are the ethical and professional shortcomings of the force.

In the 2013 US Department of State Country Reports on Human Rights on Nigeria, it was observed that the use of excessive force by the police led to numerous extra-judicial killings and related human rights abuses. We also recall that N24 billion in the force’s pension fund was looted by pilfering government officials and complicit police officers. Therefore, having expressed his commitment to professionalism and improved code of ethics in the police, all eyes are now on Abba to lead a better and reformed police in Nigeria.

x August 15, 2013 The Smithsonian announced the discovery of the ‘olinguito’, the first new carnivoran species found in the Americas in 35 years. The Smithsonian Institution was established in 1846 “for the increase and diffusion of knowledge”. It is a group of museums and research centers administered by the United States government. The olinguito, on the other hand, is a mammal of the raccoon family, Procyonidae that lives in ‘montane’ forests.

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Friday, August 15, 2014

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How safe is street trading?

NEW HORIZON Wale Ajao With

S

waleajao2002@yahoo.com, 08023112006 (sms only)

treet trading is an easily observable feature of life in Lagos. It generates controversies among residents in the city and between governments and them.

Nobody has said street trading is desirable.

Many people have, however, said it is inevitable. According to those who indirectly support street trading, their argument is that the ugly trend is due to high level of youth unemployment. Governments, at both national and local levels, have not done enough to give the youths the much desired dividends of democracy. It is a common thing these days to see secondary school leavers, products of technical and vocational institutions and even graduates of polytechnics and universities, roam the streets in search of the very elusive greener pastures.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said recently that over 30 million youths are either unemployed or underemployed.

Also related to this is the fact that due to poverty many of the young folks have learnt one trade or another, but cannot get initial starting capital. The glaring evidence of the embarrassingly high level of unemployment in the land is the stampede

that occurred during the recruitment drive by the Nigeria Immigration Service [NIS] last March in which about 10 applicants lost their lives at various recruitment centers around the country. In the light of all the above, those who sympathise with the young boys and girls hawking varieties of items on the streets would say that but for the parlous state of the economy and the high level of youth unemployment we would not have such a large army of streets traders.

That line of thinking is obviously unenviable. However, to say that youth unemployment makes street trading inevitable is not the whole truth. In a free society like Nigeria, where the economy is mainly in the hands of the private sector, there are always options to be considered when trying to solve a particular problem. We are not under a regulated society. We are in an open society with an economy that is run largely by the private sector. Nigeria used to be a proper mixed economy where public enterprises exist alongside private, small and big businesses. But with the massive privatization of public enterprises, which increased with our adoption of the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) under the General Ibrahim Babangida era, government has become weaker in its capacity to provide jobs for its citizens. The only avenue opened to government to give jobs to the old and young is through the various public agencies and ministries.

GOVERNMENTS, AT BOTH NATIONAL AND LOCAL LEVELS, HAVE NOT DONE ENOUGH TO GIVE THE YOUTHS THE MUCH DESIRED DIVIDENDS OF DEMOCRACY Yet over the years, the various international agencies that have been assisting the country with various types of credit lines for various projects have been calling on government to reduce the size of its agencies. In fact, recently the Stephen Oronsaye Committee recommended that the size of the federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) be drastically trimmed.

If that had been done more people would have joined the labour market. In effect, to get out of unemployment the youths are left with only the private sector. As at now, however, infrastructural facilities like electricity, adequate security, potable water and good roads, which should support small and medium enterprises that are in majority and which can quickly reduce unemployment, is in adequate.

Therefore, in the foreseeable future, youth

employment will remain. Does that mean that street trading will also or should also remain?

What this writer is saying is that there are alternatives to street trading even in spite of the high level of youth unemployment.

First, the youth who are selling various items on the street can sell the same item by taking them to the doorsteps of buyers at various neighborhoods around the city of Lagos. There are various trade and vocations that can employ youths who are trading on the street. For example, the city of Lagos because of its huge population can accommodate more battery chargers, more welders, more bricklayers, carpenters, shoemakers, tailors, bakers. There are numerous small scale enterprises looking for young credible persons to work either as temporary or permanent staff.

Another argument in support of street trading is that shops and offices built in Lagos by the private sector are being let out at exorbitant cost. Again this is not true.

There are different categories of shops that have been built by various private investors. And there are countless numbers of shops in streets and neighborhoods apart from main road or city center. Even if any of these youths cannot pay for a shop they can be hawking around the vicinity of those markets. There is a need to convince the youths against street trading.

It is very risky as it has led to accidents on many occasions; it has made the environment dirtier.

Counter terrorism: Long term solution ETHELBERT ONEY

W

inning the battle against Boko Haram in the long run will constitute winning the battle of ideas, arms and intelligence. From the onset, there has been only both the battle of arms and ideas.

Ideas can transform the embittered and disillusioned citizenry either into murderers killing innocent Nigerians or free people living harmoniously in our diverse states. The application of all our national instruments of coercion and influence to capture members of the sect or deny them safe haven has been our government’s primary focus, though unproductive as expected. And to prevent them from gaining access to weaponry, cut them off their sources of funding and other resources, render potential terrorist targets less attractive.

The battle of ideas will help our law enforcement agencies define the strategic intent for combating Boko Haram. Nigerian intelligence and security agencies need expansive national efforts in the pursuit of a two-pronged vision: First, to defeat the violent extremist; and second, the creation of a national environment inhospitable for them and their sponsors and supporters.

The Boko Haram insurgency must be seen as a war against Nigeria and not against APC, PDP, or any other party.

The long-term solution should be the advancement of freedom and human dignity through functional democracy. Free and fair elections are the most visible sign of a free society and can play a critical role in advancing effective democracy. Beside transparent conduct of elections, we must

TERRORISTS RECRUITS FROM POPULATIONS WHOSE INFORMATION ABOUT THE WORLD IS CONTAMINATED

BY FALSEHOODS AND CORRUPTED BY CONSPIRACY THEORIES develop the political environment that promotes freedom of religion, speech, assembly, association and free press. Freedom is the long-term antidote to the ideology of terrorism today. This is the battle of ideas, and to wage it effectively, we must recognize what does and does not give rise to terrorism, as well as mitigation strategies.

Terrorism is not the inevitable by-product of poverty as many analysts’ assume.

Many of the 9/11 hijackers were from middle-class backgrounds, and terrorist leaders like Osama bin Laden have from privileged upbringings. The first Nigerian caught by passengers in an air craft en-route Amsterdam to US, Mr. Umar Farouk Abdulmuttallab, is from a very wealthy Nigerian family.

Therefore, poverty is not by any means the inevitable by-product of terrorism.

The terrorism we face today is not simply a result of hostility to the present administration. Our nation has been attacked many years earlier before the current administration. The Boko Haram campaigns began in the early 2002 and escalated to an uncontrol-

lable level during this dispensation for obvious reasons. Terrorism possesses a life circle; until the circle is complete the Boko Haraminduced violence may remain with us. They must change their modus operandi and strategies many more times in the future.

The Boko Haram network targeted Nigerians and chose the weaker states as safe havens long before it was realised. Indeed, the terrorists are emboldened more by perception of weakness than by demonstrations of resolve.

Radicalisation probable reasons i. Initial members of the Boko Haram sect may have been recruited from populations with no voice in the government. Without a stake in the existing order, they are vulnerable to manipulation by those who advocate a perverse political vision based on violence and destruction. ii. Dislike for Western civilization and living is due to inferiority complex or lessprivileged syndrome to acquire and enjoy similar opportunities. iii. First time in charge or control of anything. May be with weapons in their possession, it makes them feel like real men. iv. They may be recruited by the politicians, who see politics as a do or die affair, as thugs; or recruited to sabotage, kill, and obstruct political opponents. After the politicians won elections, these may no longer be useful, and so out of frustration and anger, they gradually graduate into mass killing gang.

Grievances The failures the Boko Haram members have are blamed both on others and perceived recent or injustices. The terrorists’ rhetoric keeps wounds associated with this

past fresh and raw, a potent motivation for revenge and terror.

Misinformation Terrorists recruits from populations whose information about the world is contaminated by falsehoods and corrupted by conspiracy theories. The distortions keep alive grievances and filter out facts that would challenge popular prejudices and self-serving propaganda.

Conclusively, the mass killing ideology of Boko Haram ultimately depends upon the appeal that glorifies the deliberate killing of innocents Nigerians unjustly. Islam has been twisted and made to serve an evil end, as in other times and places other religions have been similarly abused. Defeating Boko Haram in the long run requires that some of these factors be addressed. Effective democracy provides a counter to each, diminishing the underlying conditions terrorists seek to exploit.

In place of alienation, democracy offers an ownership stake in society, a chance to shape one’s own future. In place of festering grievances, democracy offers the rule of law, the peaceful resolution of disputes, and the habits of advancing interests through compromise.

Democracy offers independent media, and the marketplace of ideas, which can expose and discredit falsehoods and prejudices.

Oney, an Intelligence & Security expert wrote via ethelbertanabirio@yahoo.com 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.

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Who dies with a demised king?

I Another bad ‘WAEC’

t was not a funny feeling on a Lord’s Day when an old woman had to yank you off the bed with ‘newsy news’ that a formidable monarch in Lagos, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, had passed on. He died not in his domain, but in faraway UK. Characteristic of such ‘rumour mills’, those in the know were at breast that the respected mon-

arch had been spirited abroad to complete his journey of life after 83 years, in comfort, leaving behind a legacy of ‘unmatched’ achievements.

Oba Salaudeen (Afolabi) Oyefusi, according to a release

by Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola’s media man, Hakeem Bello, died after a brief illness in London, in a ‘shocking’

incident, after medical attention at an unidentified hospital.

My worst fear was what the informant refused to disclose was the nature of the incident that could not be ascertained, and which details were not forthcoming before internment.

Since May, the second-incommand in the traditional institutions in Lagos State had

O

nce again, the ritual of examination results release was recently performed by the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC), when it released results of May/June, 2014 Senior School Certificate Examination. As usual, candidates from our dear Nigeria did not live up to our expectations.

Of the about 1,692,435 candidates that sat for the examination, only 529,425 (31.28 percent) obtained credits in five subjects and above, including English and Mathematics. This is all that matters because such performance determines who gets admission into tertiary institutions in the country, at least as many of the first and second generation universities are concerned.

Compared to the 2012 and 2013 May/June SSCE results, a worrisome trend of steady decline in the performances of candidates is established. In the 2012 exam, 38.81 percent of the candidates obtained five credits and above, including English language and Mathematics, while for 2013, it was 36.57 percent. So, in the last three years, there has been a steady decline in the performances of our children in the WAEC-conducted SSCE. This is a food for thought for governments, teachers, parents, guardians and even the students.

It is time for soul searching for all these stakeholders in Nigeria’s secondary education project to diagnose the source of the rot. A stitch in time saves nine.

Louis Ataikpo, Abuja.

UNBRIDLED JOY: Excited supporter of the All Progressive Congress in Osun State celebrating Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s victory with his bicycle despite security presence around him at Oke Fia roundabout in Osogbo last Sunday.

PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI

Aregbesola, a pyrrhic victory?

N

otwithstanding Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s victory in the last Saturday governorship election in Osun State, the poll was not free and fair. We all knew Aregbesola would win if the election was free and fair. This is because he has an almost fanatical following in Osun. He is a man of the grassroots par excellence.

It is not because PDP did not do everything possible to rig the poll in favour of its candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore, it is be-

The North again!

A

lhaji Maitama Sule is unarguably a highly respectable Nigerian and an elder statesman. He is also a living reminder of our squandered past. It is an irony that at an age where he should moderate the exuberances of the North and be a strong voice of consensualism and accommodation in national politics, he, as a leader of Northern Elders Forum, is the one leading a coalition that is consistently piling undue pressure on President Goodluck Jonathan, setting an October 2014 ultimatum to bring back the

Letters to the Editor

Chibok Girls. That his group has also tied its support for the 2015 second term bid of Mr. President to his ending the Boko Haram insurgency, speaks volume.

President Jonathan’s well measured reaction that no group or person can threaten him before he will perform his official duties is apt. No one, no geopolitical zone has comparatively bigger stake in Nigeria than any other groups.

Who leads Nigeria in 2015 is a decision for all Nigerians.

Fineboy Akpothu, Warri, Delta State.

cause of the doggedness and courage of the APC, Aregbesola and Osun electorate on the one hand and on the other, the fear of the possibility of the imminent reversal of democracy in the crises that might erupt should the PDP stick to its agenda of conquest of Osun at all costs.

Is it really what it? - the cost of Osun poll in terms of the hype, tension, misuse of the law enforcement officers - police, SSS, soldiers - unlawful arrest of APC candidates? It’s almost a pyrrhic victory for Aregbesola, APC and the people of the State of Osun.

Aregbesola performed extraordinarily well such that he did not need to go through such soul-corroding, excruciating and energy-sapping campaign that kept the whole nation on the tenterhooks. Well, it was not a campaign to win a re-election but to stop the rigging machinery of the PDP-controlled Federal Government. Rather than think of better democratic strategy to defeat Aregbesola, the PDP and Iyiola Omisore relied solely on the might of the Federal Government to use the security agents to cow the APC supporters as it did in the recent

EKiti poll.

I commend the role of the media in the prohibitive success of the APC and triumph of performance over mediocrity. I laud the APC governors for standing by their brother-governor through thick and thin. And kudos to the APC national leadership.

But where do we go from here?

Certainly, we cannot allow a repeat of Osun, I mean in the abuse of the security forces and the tension created all over the country? Why would security agents wear masks and shoot sporadically everywhere in Osun - in a peaceful state? Over what, just over what? Is it just because PDP wants to retain the presidency in 2015? No, the psychological cost of Osun election was unbearable. This must never repeat itself in Nigeria.

The National Assembly should immediately commence a process to stop the abuse of the security forces and the military by the President. The APC legislators now have their job well cut out in this regard.

Patrick James, Ibrahim Jimoh Road, Kaduna.

been ill. Governor Fashola described him as an epitome of discipline and integrity, who loved his people and the state to a hilt. The highpoints of the monarch’s successes have been predicated on ‘wisdom’ and ‘humane’ contributions. What is left behind to be addressed, according to my informant, was what happened to the ‘Ajirobas’ and ‘Abobakus’ in the wake of their mentor’s demise. Tales abound of some special subjects being buried with their principals in the wake of the final calling, death. But not much could be compared with the scary scenario of some condemned guards ‘dying’ with a king.

Does it still hold? ‘Abobakuism’ is a hardline tendency of burying people with their guards, and that is for emphasis. What they do in their covens is hardly a matter of public knowledge, but some would make Charles Taylor a saint, even if the perspective was wrong.

Why is the traditional institution still robed in such garbs? Immediately after the announcement of the demise of the great king, there were rumours making the rounds that the town would be lighted by politicking. Of a truth, before the monarch’s corpse was brought down from London, youths and political footsoldiers were seen angling for relevance. They formed bands, waiting for action, but whatever could have been arranged by the forces of localized terrorism was blighted by the forces of reason, or so it seemed.

The demised monarch was widely believed to be a balancing force between die-hard traditionalism and the moderating forces of modernity. It was gladdening that rather than the prevalent thoughts that heads would roll after the curtain fell, no further would be experienced in the guillotines of the expected.

The ‘Abobakus’ are no longer in existence. And that is speaking from behind the walls of the unknown. But what is known is that the real ‘Abobakus’ are the ones on the streets who like to break their limbs and cause misery to their families with crazy stunts on the streets with dangerous maneuvers to herald a fallen ‘Iroko’.

Others fallible ones, it has since been gathered, are the baskets of food, cow heads, souvenirs, airwaves and other items bordering on inanities, shrouded with smiles and grief.

Segun Olanrewaju, Lagos.

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FRIDAY

Ngozi EmEdolibE

T

Afropolitan Vibes is a monthly live show in Lagos that goes beyond convention. This issue of Afropolitan Vibes with BANTU would be featuring guest artists Weird MC, Show Dem Camp and Isedal. Registration is free.

However, N200 Freedom Park entry fee applies. Date for the event is August 15, 2014. Time: 7:00 pm to 12:00 am

Public presentation of The Niche on Sunday Governor Raji Fashola of Lagos State is expected to play the host as other dignitaries like Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, Prof Anya Anya will gather at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos for the public presentation of ‘TheNiche on Sunday’ a Sunday newspaper published under the stable of Ikeja Lagos State based Acclaim Communications.

NFFG crew flanked by German Culture Ministry officials

going to change that perception by putting together a film festival that would show Africa’s largest economy in positive light. The Nollywood Film Festival; Germany is the result of that effort.

Some Germans are shocked when they see well-built roads and good houses in Nollywood films. They would ask if that is actually Africa. So this festival which will hold annually is the beginning of that journey towards changing that ugly perception. We are lucky that the authorities in Germany and other outfits graciously bought into it, which is so good”.

Isaac Izoya, through the medium of Ehizoya Golden Entertainment, first established Nollywood’s active presence in Europe, when he started in 2002 through Nollywood film productions and promotion of stand-up comedy shows, music

The fesTival is packaged To creaTe a plaTform ThaT will faciliTaTe an opporTuniTy

nigerian direcTors, acTors, film disTribuTors, for

producers and journalisTs To inTeracT wiTh Their

europe

counTerparTs

P. 22-23

Afropolitan Vibes comes to Freedom Park

Critics

From Eko with Love Series is back this year to bring out the hidden artistic talents embedded in the Country.

The week long exhibition will be held at the prestigious Nike Art Gallery and will feature amazing works from artists across the country. It promises to be an exciting period as there will be over 200 works on display for the event. The event holds on Saturday, August 16, 2014 at 4:00 pm - Saturday, August 23, 2014 at 7:00 pm.

Admission is absolutely free! Everybody is welcome and should go home with an art piece or two!

he nation’s burgeoning film industry has witnessed a boost in far away Frankfurt, the commercial capital of Germany, as the nation’s Ministry of Arts and Culture has welcomed and thrown its weight behind the idea of cementing the relationship between the Germans and Nigerians through film.

This is however coming under the auspices of a four-day long fiesta tagged: Nollywood Film Festival Germany, NFFG, being championed by avid culture promoter, Isaac Izoya of Ehizoya Golden Entertainment, a filmmaking company based in Germany.

The event which comes up in September, is scheduled to hold at Hessen’s Filmforun Höchst VHS, Frankfurt from 11th to 14th. Aside the coordinating company, other organisations backing the event include: Hessen State Filmforum VHS - Frankfurt Am Main, Germany, The Office for Multicultural Affairs (AMKA – Germany), Millenium Hospitality International, Nigerian Association Rhein/Main Area e.V Frankfurt, Germany, Sunday Exclusive Live, Nigeria Television Authority NTA, Nollywood Radio France and Nollywood Spotlight – Houston.

The festival is packaged to create a platform that will facilitate an opportunity for Nigerian directors, actors, film distributors, producers and journalists to interact with their Europe counterparts about the nature and future of Nollywood and the movie industry generally as it will be both ‘a pedagogic and stimulating platform for intercultural dialogue and international exposure’.

Some of the activities lined up at the event include: daily screening of some of the best productions form Nollywood, musical concert, a colloquium on the film industry in Nigeria as well as celebration of some talents in the industry, who have brought honour to Nollywood in far-flung locations around the world.

One of those penciled down to be celebrated is Patience Ozokwor, the AMAA 2014 Best Supporting Actress, whose birthday incidentally falls on the second day of the festival. Other artistes who will grace the event are Olamide, Osita Iheme and Charles Inojie.

Explaining the inspiration behind the laudable project, Izoya said he was motivated by an earlier resolve to change the perception of Germans about the African film industry. “There is actually one film festival that holds in Germany on African films but they hardly show films from Nollywood, which by all standards is leading the African hub. During one of the festivals, they concentrated on films from the Francophone industries of Africa. The films from there were mainly on wildlife which gave the Germans the impression that Africa was all about wildlife. So I swore that I was

P. 34

Germany celebrates Nollywood at filmfest

Arty News

From Eko with Love Series exhibition holds

Inside FCT P. 24-33

WEEKEND STARTERS

16 PAGES OF ARTS, REVIEWS, LIFESTYLE AND BUZZ TO START YOUR WEEKEND

Ozokwor

and cultural road shows across Europe.

Recently, he relocated to Frankfurt due to the well documented supportive character of the city of Frankfurt as well as popular demand by Africans, especially Nigeria immigrant populations in and around Hessen. Since Nollywood stars started storming Europe, Germany has played a major role in giving comfort and pleasure for the visiting stars from Nigeria and Ghana, making it to be described as “Home abroad” by a majority of the Nollywood stars who have visited Germany through Ehizoya Golden Entertainment e.V. The four days event will be crowned with NEGA Awards; (Nollywood EGolden Awards), which will feature honours for selected film stakeholders from Nigeria, Ghana and in the Diaspora who have played important roles in making Nollywood what it has become today.

P. 20,21

Friday, August 15, 2014

Flavour

Artman

VOL. 4 No. 842

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Artman In The House

Friday, August 15, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Serving in Nollywood is time consuming, thankless

–Lilian Aluko

I got requests from some Facebook friends in the US for copies early this year. Now, the book is on an e-book website fynomng.com and anyone who wants an e-book can check it out. They are going to publish my second book as an e-book as well. I have tried several publishers in Nigeria and abroad to no avail.

Athena Press is no more in the publishing business so I have no option but to start searching again.

Lilian Amah-Aluko will be difficult to define within the confines of one endeavour.

Transiting from the corporate attitude in the banking industry, she has wholly embraced the arts, where she is successfully refining the tune in film production, writing and stage production, with many soar-away efforts. The chief executive officer of New Dawn Productions, shares glimpses of her life, works and career with OLAWALE OLUWADAHUNSI.

Is the book a tale of your personal previous relationship?

No. You were the immediate Vice-President of Association of Movie Producers.

How was the experience like?

The two terms (4 years) I spent as AMP Vice President were interesting and highly educative for me.

How did you get the role you played in ‘Out of Bounds’ the movie by Richard Mofe Damijo?

I saw a write up in the papers saying Damijo (RMD) was holding an audition in a few days’ time. I went for the audition that weekend. Luckily for me, I was selected. I was eventually cast as Alero, the wife of Pastor Voke played by RMD. Imagine my shock and joy to learn that my very first audition resulted in a lead role.

How was it like working with Richard Mofe Damijo?

Working with RMD was a real pleasure. It was my very first time on a movie set and my first professional acting experience. I had only ever acted on stage in school productions. I was nervous and more excited than I can tell you.

Contrary to my expectations, it was a lovely experience. The producer and lead actor RMD, one of the biggest male leads in Nigeria was very kind to me as a first timer. His kind and professional attitude made it easy for me. Acting opposite RMD definitely helped me up my game. The director, Tade Ogidan was very kind, firm and professional. He encouraged, coached and directed. He took a very good script and turned it into a beautiful and timeless film. The cast and crew of OOB were a lovely family and it was a lot of fun working on that set.

Your book was published in the U.K. Why not in Nigeria?

My first novel “Echoes of a Heartbeat” was published by Athena Press in London primarily because they gave me a contract. Macmillan Publishers in Nigeria accepted the manuscript for publication and sent me letters to that effect.

Four years later, they were not ready to

publish. I had to go searching for other publishers. I found Athena Press on the internet and after an exchange of letters and information over a period of 6 months; they accepted the manuscript for publication and gave me a contract.

Mrs. AbiMbolA FAsholA, hAs been

How has the reception for your book been here, in terms of sales and acceptance?

The publishers don’t have a distribution network in Africa. They told me that right from the start and I accepted.

They put it on Amazon.com, Amazon. co.uk and in leading bookstores in UK. Here in Nigeria, I had to push it mainly by myself. Alhaji Teju Kareem of Zmirage graciously sponsored a book launch

never ceAsing to

A Mother Figure to the industry,

support, Advise And AdMonish when necessAry for me to present the book to the public.

It was very well-received and I sold quite a few copies. It is actually still selling as

What positive impacts was your AMP team able to make in Nollywood during your tenure?

In my first tenure as vice president, the then President Mr. Paul Obazele was a dynamo. He got a secretariat for AMP enabling us to move out of National Council of Arts and Culture, NCAC. He also ensured that we revived relationships with our patrons and matrons, secured the attention of the dynamic Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola and his amiable wife, Dame Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola . This relationship with the first couple has been very helpful as the Governor has advised and supported the association on many occasions. Mrs. Fashola too has been a mother figure to the industry, never ceasing to support, advise and admonish when necessary. Finally, that administration under Paul’s leadership got health insurance for AMP members. My second tenure as VP had Zik Zulu Okafor as President. He built on the foundation laid by Paul Obazele by getting a bigger and better secretariat among other laudable achievements.

Are you hoping to still hold any office in any of the associations, Association of Movie Producers, Actors Guild of Nigeria?

No. I am done with association industry politics. It is time consuming and an often thankless job. Above all, I have put in my bit. Let others take the stage and contribute as well.

What are the major issues you frown at in Nollywood and what possible solutions do you suggest?

I am in no position to frown at anything in Nollywood. The industry has its

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Artman In The House

Friday, August 15, 2014

elders and pioneers. I am still a fledging producer where many of them are concerned so the best I can do is do things the way I think they should be done and hope that m little contributions will make a difference.

You started the ‘Open Door Series’ In 2010, how has it been so far?

The WS International Cultural Exchange Program under the platform of the Open Door Series is an initiative of Teju Kareem of Zmirage and Segun Ojewuyi of GlobalNewHaven. It is a cultural exchange program whose objective is to uphold the dignity of man and achieve global diplomacy through the platforms of Literature, Arts and Culture. Professor Wole Soyinka is the face and the pivot of the initiative. I have been the producer since inception and I am humbled by the overwhelming support we have received from individuals and corporate bodies at home and in the diaspora. It has been very challenging because of a dearth of sponsorship but each season we finish leaves us all immensely satisfied and grateful to the Almighty. The love and support of the Ibikunle Amosun-led Ogun State cannot be overstated because they have been our back bone. Ondo State government led by Olusegun Mimiko has supported us since inception and for us, Dr. Mimiko has indeed been the Iroko. I cannot fail to mention HE Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and the Government of Osun State. They have given us support too. A look at our website will show all the logos of our partners and supporters.

What inspired you to initiate the event in 2010?

As I said earlier, it is not my initiative.

I was invited by the Executive Producer, Teju Kareem and Co-Executive Producer Segun Ojewuyi to produce it for them.

Which of Prof Soyinka’s books have you read?

‘A Dance of the Forests, ‘You must Set forth at Dawn’, ‘The trials of Brother Jero’, ‘Jero’s Metamorphosis’, ‘Kongi’s Harvest’, ‘Ake’: ‘The years of childhood’, ‘The Lion and the Jewel’, ‘The Interpreters’, ‘Childe Internationale’, ‘Idanre’ and other poems and a host of others I cannot remember now.

Which is most endearing to you?

Several of them appeal to me for different reasons.

You have produced many films. Which is the most challenging?

The first was Sweet Revenge with Emem Isong in 2000/2001, She-devil in 2002, The Triangle in 2005 and Jungle

Set of Dance of the Forests, produced by Aluko

21

Ride in 2010 and the soon to be released docudrama “RUNS” in 2012 with Samantha Iwowo and Benedict Alli. All of them were challenging in different ways.

With your years of experience in acting, which role has been the most challenging?

Acting is something I enjoy immensely. The more challenging the role, the more I enjoy it. That said, my most challenging role is yet to come. I have enjoyed all the roles I have played and I appreciate all the producers who allowed me play a part in bringing their dreams to life.

Tell us about your childhood I was born in Lagos, grew up in Freetown Sierra Leone, went to FGC Warri for my secondary school and the University of Lagos for both first degree and masters in English. I am one of five children born to Chief P.S. Amah who was a naval officer before and during the civil war. My mum Elizabeth Amah was a teacher. My loving parents brought us up to be the best we can be always bearing in mind that we must ultimately bear responsibility for all our actions.

How did you meet your husband?

I met my husband through my cousin here in Lagos. However, I would rather not talk about my private life. My family did not choose a life in the public eye so I must respect their privacy.

How do you juggle parenting with career?

One does the best one can do with whatever situation one finds oneself in.

What is your childhood dream and are you living your dream?

I had many childhood dreams. I have lived most of them. The only one I have not tried is medicine and being a nun. I wanted to be a doctor, a nun, a banker, an

I had many

chIldhood dreams.

I have lIved most of them. the only one I have not trIed Is medIcIne

and beIng a nun.

I wanted to be a doctor, a nun, a banker, an

Amah

I relax by reading.

actress and a flight attendant.

How about your parents? What lessons did you pick from them that are useful to you now?

My parents are the best any girl can wish for. We lost our beloved rock - my father in 2011 but my mum is still alive and well. They taught me so much and mum keeps reinforcing them daily. Some of them are: Be true to yourself, control your temper and live your life in such a way that you will achieve the purpose of your earthly existence.

And your best food?

I have a sweet tooth but no favorite food. My mood influences what I eat.

What are your hobbies?

I love travelling and I love the beach. I was quite athletic in school but have not actively exercised in a couple of years. I love to dance and chat with good friends.

Above all, I enjoy lounging on a quiet beach with a fat juicy novel.

FACT FILE

Are any of your kids taking after your career?

Sorry but I have no further comments on my family.

•

Studied English Literature at the University Studied English Literature at the University of Lagos

•

Started acting in 1996 in the movie, ‘Out of Bounds’; which won her two awards

•

Quit her job in the bank after a 10 year stint

What is your advice to young actresses, the married and unmarried?

Be true and kind to yourself. As role models, remember that your every action is liable to influence a lot of youngsters so be careful what image you project.

•

Served twice as the Vice-President of Association of Movie Producers

•

She has been involved in the production of five movies: ‘Sweet Revenge’ with Emem Isong in 2000/2001, ‘She-Devil’ in 2002, ‘The Triangle’ in 2005 and ‘Jungle Ride’ in 2010 and the soon to be released docudrama ‘Runs’ in 2012 .

•

She has been the producer of ‘Open Door Series’ since 2010, a cultural exchange program whose objective is to uphold the dignity of man and achieve global diplomacy through the platforms of literature, arts and culture. Professor Wole Soyinka is the face of the initiative.

•

She is author of the book: ‘Echoes of a Heartbeat’

How do you relax?

actress

With Mutabaruka, popular Jamaican poet

Her book

Critics

22

Friday, August 15, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Book

Modern journey into the past

Ugo Agada-Uyah’s book, ‘OMEZUE: The Complete Achiever’ expresses the aspirations of all male adults of the Uwa City State of the 1850’s who were all initiated into the Egbele-Ogo Cult.

Egwu u Egwu

L

ike Okonkwo in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, Okaomie, the hero of this novel is the embodiment of Uwa statesmanship; Upright, honest, a brave warrior; the spokesman of the Essa Age Grade of Otutu village and the Deputy Spokesman of the General Uwa Supreme Council of Elders. Okaomie in his 70s belonged to the Legislative, Administrative and Judiciary arm of Uwa government. He was tall with a big nose like Okonkwo in Things Fall Apart. In Uwa City State, there were Age Grades such as: Horii – The Eaters; the members are in their 90s and above and eat what others give them. Horri Eleri was a member; Onikara; The Advisory Age Grade had members in the 80s up to 99 years.

Onikara Isiego the Chief Priest was a member; The Essa Age Grade, of course, where the Hero belonged. They are in an age range 55 to 79. This is the Legislative Age Grade; The Eto Age Grade is the Executive Arm of Government in Uwa. Members are in their 40s and 50s.

The major Village Groups of Uwa are Ebe, Otutu, Enwu Ozara and Wowo and 25 other smaller ones.

Okoro Okonta is another charismatic figure in the novel. He belonged to the Ako Kingdom and had come to Uwa to seek for permission to settle. But his coming had cast an evil forbidding over the entire village when his presence was announced to the elders in the Ancestral Obu; by the spokesman of the Eto Age Grade of Otutu Village, Agu. They had gone on surveillance,

when they saw Slave boats on the Cross- River. Thereafter Okoro appeared: “We saw the two strange boats the fishermen reported this morning anchored off our shores in deep waters. A third has joined with white men on the deck of each boat”.

The atmosphere of fear and uncertainty created by the arrival of both Okoro and the Boats is captured by a dirge at the opening of the book, part of which reads: “The Skies were overcast The storms cloud gathered waves of death overshadow the land Torrents of destruction assailed it Scavengers hovered!”

The novel has a galaxy of great ladies, such as Nne Ugo, the matriarch of Agu’s family, Okaomie’s mother; She is a dignified matriarch who knew her place in Society and also, that in a male dominated Society of the 1850s she did not need to enquire about state matters. There is also Nne Omaga, Isiogo’s mother, and the best friend of Nne Ugo. They held their conversations with deep experience, knowledge and silence.

Chapter Presentations Chapter 1: Here Okoro of the Ako Kingdom arrived Uwa City State to establish his sphere of influence for his village. This move would hence forth make Okoro and the Ako Kingdom to have the exclusive right to deal with Uwa people commercially, and religiously, on behalf of the Eze of Ako Kingdom, the Priest King. Okoro, who was later to play fortuitous roles in the novel, is presented as a highly titled Ako Chief; he wore Ukara Cloth, had red cap; a staff and was a member of the dreaded Ekpe Society of the Ako Secret Society. He was a proud aristocrat from the most powerful kingdom in Igbo land of the 1850s. With the arrival of Okoro, and the presence of the Slave mer-

chant ships at the shore of Uwa, the three most hated things in Igbo land of the 1800s namely a Slave merchant ship a shrine Envoy and an emissary of the Priest King of the Aka Kingdom – were now present in Uwa. The stage for the history of the latter half of the 19th Century was now set, about to unfold in a quaint, remote village called Uwa City State in the novel.

Chapter 2: Agu of the Eto Executive Age Grade, Okaomie’s younger brother escorts Okoro from the bush near the River, into the Village of Otutu, the nearest of the villages that make up the Uwa City State. It was a rough country, with fear of slave dealers, kidnappers and inter-tribal wars that raised slaves for the white man. But, now Okoro had come to settle at Uwa.... for good?

Upon hearing that Okoro had come to settle at Uwa, Okaomie queried ominously; “A predator has just stalked into our midst? …coming after 4 days of the arrival of the Slave boats” (p.19).

Okoro had come to settle in order to secure Uwa City State for a monopolistic trade in Slaves that gave the Ako Kingdom their wealth between 1750 and 1900. The Ako people were the brains behind all the head buntings, slave raids and kidnappings that happened in Igbo land during the slave trade era. They invited the hooting of the OWL in broad day light, wherever they go.

Okaomie being the spokesman of his village age grade had to confront Okoro first in the Obu. This encounter shows a display of bravery, diplomacy, tact, shrewdness and probing skills: “Okaomie exuded confidence and a great strength that poured from him like an unfailing stream... with his intelligent eyes... he was diplomatic and wore the marks of a natural leader and warrior” (p.21).

But Okoro, the Ako man carried his im-

The novel is wriTTen wiTh greaT psychological insighTs inTo The minds of The

ages

munity and arrogance around him; he displayed their characteristics of shrewdness, craft and cunning. Both in that first encounter were savvy. In Uwa culture, strangers were welcome at all times, provided they remained law abiding.

Chapter 3: This Chapter begins with contrast conceptions in semantic differentials as three young female friends, Ugo, Elem, and Ogeri, are introduced. Elem was betrothed to Okpani, Ugo favoured Ohuu and Ogeri favoured Agu – in a City State that had relationships based on the matri- and patrilineage systems.

Chapter 4: Okoro’s plans to settle in Uwa are discussed democratically in the ObuOgo of Otutu Village, his first port of all.

The Horri (Eaters), Onikara (Advisory), Essa (Legislative) and the Eto (Executive) Age Grades had to meet to take decisions before referring the matter to the General Ogo Assembly of Uwa land. Meanwhile, the implications of Okoro’s presence in Uwa is advertised and made known to all stake holders and elders: “there is a relationship between the two people; the white man and the Ako Kingdom; one supplies the guns and the other supplies the slaves” (p. 34). Okoro’s presence in Uwa means that the City State shall now be a slave route to the sea ports where the white man’s merchant ships were parked.

Professor Egwu U. Egwu, is a former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

Film

Talking Half of a Yellow Sun The film has beaten previous records to become the highest-grossing movie made in Nigeria.

MikE D’angElo

I

t doesn’t take much to see that the problems of a few little people don’t amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world. All the same, a political melodrama needs to make such problems compelling, in spite of their big-picture irrelevance—no simple task. ‘Casablanca’ pulled it off by keeping World War II (which was then ongoing) mostly in the background, concentrating on Rick and Ilsa; other classics, from ‘Gone With The Wind’ to ‘Farewell My Concubine’, likewise feature characters robust enough to hold the screen opposite wartime chaos.

Such larger-than-life personalities are sorely missing from ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’, a plodding adaptation of the acclaimed novel by Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Set during the Nigerian Civil War of 1967-1970, which has rarely (if ever?) been depicted cinematically, the film struggles in vain to balance petty infidelities and other personal crises with displacement, famine, and death.

Part of the problem—which the novel doesn’t share—is that first-time director Biyi Bandele, who also wrote the screenplay, has chosen to tell the story in strict chronological order. Consequently, almost an hour elapses before war breaks out, during which time ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’ plays like a Nigerian soap opera. Opening in 1960, as the country celebrates its independence from the U.K., the film introduces twin sisters Olanna (Thandie Newton) and Kainene (Anika Noni Rose), freshly back from studying

in London. Olanna promptly moves in with her politically minded boyfriend, Odenigbo (Chiwetel Ejiofor), while Kainene takes up with Richard (Joseph Mawle), an English writer studying the so-called dark continent. Just about all the members of this quartet wind up cheating on their lovers (including some cross-cheating among the group), and there’s an unplanned pregnancy to boot.

None of this material is of much interest for its own sake, though, and Bandele fails to suggest the impending nightmare that will soon descend upon these blandly privileged characters and render their rote recriminations meaningless.

Bandele seems reluctant to provide any context for viewers not already familiar with Nigeria’s turbulent history—a bit odd, since Newton and Ejiofor’s presence suggests that the film was made with a Western audience in mind. Various regions of the country are clearly at odds, but there isn’t even an opening title

Set of Half of a Yellow Sun

explaining that Nigeria is essentially a British construct that created an artificial border around numerous ethnic groups with radically different sociopolitical systems. When men in military uniform suddenly start murdering ci-

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Critics

Friday, August 15, 2014

23

Theatre

Deploying theatre against insecurity Live Theatre on Sunday (LTS) series on the mainland addressed the insecurity issue by staging ‘Another Episode of Trauma’ written by Temilolu Fosudo.

OlayiwOla awakan

I

t is no longer news that our society is presently bedeviled by the trauma of insecurity going by the operations of the insurgent group, Boko Haram. Many people and groups have expressed divergent views on whether the issue is purely religious or political or ethnical. The medium of expression differs; seminar, conferences, media and theatre. However, the theatre which mirrors the society needs Another Episode of Trauma to do a lot to represent these perceptions rightly on stage. Owing to that fact, the of pregnant Mariam and father of Jessica organizers of Live Theatre on Sunday last become so adamant on his heroic mission. month selected the play ‘Another Episode He closes his ears to the advice of his wife of Trauma’ as written by Temilolu Fosudo who shares a different opinion; not taking a violent approach. Mariam tries everyto present an angle into the whole issue.

On Sunday July 27, 2014 at the Unity Cen- thing possible to dissuade Joseph from tre on Isaac John in Ikeja, LTS performed executing his plans but he would prefer ‘Another Episode of Trauma’ as directed to listen to his friend Tonye a.k.a Mr. Reliby Sylvester Obeize to refresh the memory able who is halfhearted in all his human of the audience on one of the 2011 bomb- nature. Tonye believes that once Joseph ings by the insurgent group which claimed succeeds in his plans against the terrormany lives in Maiduguri. The play takes a ist group, fame would smile at him. Jesperspective that addresses the insecurity sica, the cheerful daughter is soaked in the problems in this country from the angle of whole situation as she observes keenly the politics contrary to the popular notion that operational plans of the father and the contrary notion of her mother. it is religious.

Joseph in trying to convince his wife The dramatist revolves the play around Joseph who having lost his sister to the cites various instances where political bombing at the Maiduguri NYSC Orienta- stalwarts in history employed despertion Camp, decides to fight back in a rash ate measures to tackle similar issues he manner. The incident hit him deep to the is confronted with. On the other hand, bones as he then decides to avenge the Mariam debunks his points by telling him death of his precious sister. The husband about those who used peaceful techniques

to achieve their objectives in the same course. Efforts by Mariam to make Joseph see reasons for peaceful demonstration fall on deaf ears. Jessica is also caught in the web when she catches her father applying the very violent act he is kicking against, on Mariam. The entire situation has indirectly turned him to a shadow of the terrorism act. The climax of the whole heroic saga is when Joseph loses both wife and daughter. Ironically, Jessica dies on her birthday, March 5, as well as Mariam with the unborn child when the terrorist group invades his house. In trying to raise the air for revenge, Joseph loses everything he has laboured for.

The play preaches against terrorism and violence, which may destroy things beyond reshape in any society. Also, the fact that political and social variables could be responsible for terroristic activities that may engender gross insecurity is also addressed in the well executed theatrical performance.

The play Takes The perspecTive ThaT The insecuriTy problems in The counTry are

due To poliTics, conTrary To The popular noTion ThaT iT is religious

bandele inexplicably diTches This sTrucTure, and also seems aT a loss for whaT To do wiTh odenigbo’s houseboy, ugwu, who’s played by rising sTar, John boyega

vilians, their motives are a mystery, at least onscreen; when part of the country secedes and declares itself the independent state of Biafra (the film’s title refers to the emblem on Biafra’s flag), it takes

a while to grasp that Olanna, Odenigbo, and Kainene, who are all Igbo, are in favor of the movement (which was opposed by the British, but tacitly supported by America). It just seems as if random vio-

lence is raining down on a bunch of uninteresting, self-involved people.

Adichie’s novel provides multiple characters with an internal monologue that’s absent here, and it jumps back and forth in time, creating tension by withholding some of the more melodramatic details until late in the book. Relationships during the war are curiously strained, with the reasons for the rancor eventually divulged via flashbacks. Bandele inexplicably ditches this structure, and also seems at a loss for what to do with Odenigbo’s houseboy, Ugwu, who’s played by rising star John Boyega but mostly just stands around looking servile, because viewers aren’t made privy to his thoughts. This is a common fail-

ing of literary adaptations, but it’s magnified in this instance by the deliberate disjunction between the small-scale personal story and the historical events that wiped out more than a million civilians.

“There are some things that are so unforgivable that they make other things easily forgivable,” Kainene tells Olanna toward the end of the film, by way of rapprochement. A bloody civil war isn’t just a convenient means of letting your sister off the hook for screwing your husband, though, and this movie, for all its good intentions, doesn’t seem to recognise that.

D’Angelo is an international film critic, with articles published in many reputable journals.

24

Inside FCT

Friday, August 15, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ebola: How FCT residents responded to ‘salt-water remedy’ News of Ebola being shared at markets

Marcus FatunMole

L

ike a fiery wildfire in dry grassland, the rumour of use of water and salt to prevent Ebola virus disease swept through the Federal Capital Territory landscape last week, forcing many residents to lose their sleep as they scampered from pillar to post in their efforts to confirm the efficacy of the new found ‘prescriptions’ by what latter turned out to be rumour mongers.

Most residents of the FCT, like other Nigerians, were already aware that Ebola could kill within few days, as a Liberian and one Nigerian nurse had died shortly after contracting the disease even as scores are now undergoing monitoring by Federal and State Governments health officials in Lagos.

It was this orientation that masterminds of the rumour explored to mislead the nation’s population.

‘Inside FCT’ spoke with some residents of the city and they narrated how they reacted to the message. Bamidele Olanrewaju is a father of four and a civil servant living in the city.

He said: “Around 2am, there was a noise within my neighbourhood that later metamorphosed into shouting. Two mothers who were said to have earlier received the message from their relatives in Lagos came out from their apartments and began to scream in order to wake everyone on the street.

“They specifically said the Ebola virus was hanging in the firmament; that if anyone did not bath with hot water and salt and also failed to drink some of the salted water, the virus would infect the person when sun rises that morning.

“I am very sure many people did it. All attempts I made to stop my wife from doing it were futile as she used the name of God repeatedly to beg me to allow her use the water and salt on our four children in the house. I later submitted myself to the bath when I was convinced other people on the

street had done it. We couldn’t sleep again as we anticipated what would happen the following morning,” he added.

Another resident, Alhaja Rashidat Yakubu, a foremost food vendor in the nation’s capital, told our reporter: “That night was one of the nights our country should pray not to see again.

There was confusion all over the place.

My concern is the speed at which the message spread around the country in less than few hours. People that work with me to prepare food always get to my compound around 5:30am. That morning, none of them appeared until it was 7:00am. They said they were afraid of contracting Ebola; and that they didn’t sleep that night because of the message. As far as I am concerned, 90 percent of people I know, including my family, bathed with water and salt and also drank the salted water.”

Chinenye Idoka is another resident of the city who shared her experience with ‘Inside FCT’.

She said: “My brother, nobody wants to die. I got more than 25 calls before I decided to do the thing around 4am. They said if

My brother, nobody wants to

die.

i got More than

25 five calls before i decided to do the thing around 4aM. they said if we didn’t do it before 5:30aM, ebola would kill us. i had to switch off My phones

Washing hands due to Ebola scare

we didn’t do it before 5:30am, Ebola would infect us. I had to switch off my phones later because all of my family members across Nigeria were calling me to heed the warning.

“However, my husband did not do it. I saw him as stubborn man who wanted to turn me to a widow; I didn’t know the message was not true.”

Meanwhile, Minister of Health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, debunked the message that morning in Lagos State while briefing journalists. He said: “Some evilminded persons, very wicked at that have been circulating, through all available communication channels, and claiming that ordinary hot water, and if you add salt will prevent Ebola virus disease. That ordinary water with salt will cure Ebola virus disease. This is a complete lie, total fallacy, wicked lies; wicked rumour.”

He vowed that government would fish out the masterminds of the message. Ebola is a highly contagious viral disease.

It would be recalled that a Liberian, Patrick Sawyer, became the vending agent of the virus into Nigeria when he arrived the country for an ECOWAS meeting slated for Calabar, Cross River State.

On arrival at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, the now deceased Liberian began to vomit and showed other signs that convinced people around him that he was very sick. Nigerians at the airport demonstrated their habitual sympathetic disposition; they helped him to a hospital.

That was the beginning of what would later become an enormous challenge for our country, as many of the sympathizers, including medical officials who attended to Sawyer were infected with the virus.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Inside FCT

Friday, August 15, 2014

25

…..As business of hand antiseptic booms GOOdness adaOyiche

W

here are your hand sanitisers?

Which of the shelves do you keep hand sanitisers? Please when will you restock? These have been the most frequently asked questions, recently at a popular shopping mall in the Central Business District of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. As Nigerians take precautionary measures towards preventing further spread of the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, most residents of the FCT have resulted to the use of hand sanitizers as means of keeping themselves free from germs and also improve on their personal hygiene.

Investigations conducted by ‘Inside FCT’ revealed that hand sanitizers have become the most sought after commodity in most shopping malls, supermarkets and stores within the city. The increased demand for the product has resulted in an increase in its price from N400 to N700.

While some residents are unaware of this recent development, regular users of the product lamented the increase in price of product which they attributed to the recent outbreak of the Ebola Virus in the country and the call for improved personal hygiene among Nigerians by the federal government.

“This is Nigeria. Once there is an increase in the demand of a particular product, these shop owners will inflate the price for no just cause. With the recent outbreak of Ebola in the country, it is not surprising that same is happening in the case of hand sanitizers and disposable hand towels. I just hope that the price of detergents, soaps and even salt won’t also

increase” said Mrs. Effiong, a civil servant.

A housewife who simply gave her name as Mrs. Obi told ‘Inside FCT’ that she was unable to get the product last week due to the increase in demand for it. She however hoped that counterfeiters will not make use of the opportunity as it is with most products in limited supply.

“It was terrible last week. I searched everywhere for hand sanitizers as they have become a necessity these days but I could not find any. I had to buy an anti-septic soap for my children to use in school. I am so happy I was able to get hand sanitizers for the four of them today.

“With the increased demand for sanitizers now, I just pray that we will not start seeing different brands of sanitizers in the market as counterfeiters may want to make money from this situation” she added.

A sales representative at a supermarket in Kubwa told our reporter that the high demand for the product has resulted to its frequent restocking.

“Before now, we hardly restock sanitizers because in a month, we do not event sell up to five, but since the case of the Ebola outbreak, demand for the product has increased and we now restock regularly. As for the increase in price, I do not have an explanation for that” she said.

Similarly, most people attending events and social gatherings have been compelled to use sanitizers on their hands as means of preventing the spread of germs and infections through handshakes. A journalist who craved anonymity told our reporter that he and others were asked to use sanitizers on their hands at a public event recently.

“I do not use sanitisers so when I was asked to apply it on my hands at the event,

Hand sanitizer

I was afraid. I asked if it would have any side effects on my hands but the official said it won’t and so I applied it. Although it didn’t peel off my hands, my palms felt funny and hardened for a while” he said.

It has also been observed that most residents of the FCT now settle for hand gestures to the usual handshake. Thompson Oibo, a sales representative at Mabushi told ‘Inside FCT’ that he prefers to wave at friends now because of recent health challenge in the country.

“I now do it unconsciously, whenever someone stretches hands for a handshake, I just wave because this found its way into country because some people wanted to be nice to that Liberian. The disease knows no colour, let alone your nice intentions and so, there is no need pretending to be nice by shaking everybody.

“Even the federal government has been warning against handshakes and body contacts. Prevention is the key as there is no found cure for it yet” he stressed.

thoMpSon oibo, a SaleS repreSentative

MabuShi told ‘inSide Fct’ that at

he preFerS to wave at FriendS now becauSe oF the recent health challenge in the country

FCTA moves to protect schools from terrorists Omeiza ajayi

A

pparently acting on intelligence reports about the likelihood of terror attacks on some schools in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory Administration FCTA has announced measures at ensuring the safety of pupils and education facilities in the territory.

Perhaps this is what many parents have been waiting to hear from government. The FCT Administration did not have to wait to have another “Chibok” before swinging into action.

Addressing a Ministerial Conference on Security in FCT Schools last week in Abuja, the FCT minister, Senator Bala Mohammed recalled that the need to strengthen the security of the nation’s schools gave rise to the launching of “Safe Schools Initiative” at the recently-concluded World Economic Forum in Abuja.

He said the new initiative represents a collective effort by the Federal Government and various stakeholders to identify and remedy the vulnerabilities that put the nation’s children at risk in schools and other educational institutions.

Mohammed listed some of the measures to include providing perimeter fences, housing for teachers, community policing and school guards, as well as alarm systems and deployment of communication equipment.

He said, “even though, the target of this undertaking is the safeguard of school children in states under emergency rule, we in the FCT consider it necessary to take preemptive measures to avoid tempting the in-

Scene of terror attack in FCTA

Sen. MohaMMed would do well to iMMediately put hiS wordS to action and See that thoSe MeaSureS he haS outlined are put in place surgents by any vulnerability”.

The minister also recalled how a recent high-jack of a school bus in Nyanya was quickly dealt with within a couple of hours,

saying the development is a signal of the effectiveness of the machinery put in place by the administration.

He said while Nigeria’s current security challenge is a common phenomenon in many parts of the world, the only difference is that the terror threat faced by the nation is now mainly targeted at its educational institutions.

Mohammed added that to give in to the antics of terrorists is, to relinquish the future of the country to agents of destruction, an issue he said was not an option for the government.

“Without any iota of doubt therefore, the battle against those who have declared war on our educational system is a battle for the heart, the mind and the soul of our country.

It is consequently a fight that we cannot afford to lose and the Federal Government has all the means to win it”, he assured.

Secretary for Education in the FCTA, Mallam Kabir Usman had earlier explained that the conference was anchored on three premises. He listed them as how to prevent an attack on a school, what to do and how to react in the unlikely event of such an attack. He gave the third as how best to assist trauma victims to cope with both the physical and emotional effects of such an attack.

While it is gladdening to note that private schools in the FCT have a very strong and vibrant union which has reportedly taken measures to safeguard their institutions, the same cannot truly be said of public schools.

Many public schools still lack basic security requirements like perimeter fence, good gates and security guards. Sen. Mohammed would do well to immediately put his words to action and see that those measures he has outlined are put in place before the 2015 election fever grips him.

In trying to do that, the minister may perhaps want to begin from those schools in the hinterlands of the Area Councils.

An institution like Government Secondary School Gwargwada is a case in point. Gwargwada is a village in Kuje Area Council. Most times, even communication within the village is not feasible. There are no mobile telephone signals, even as there are many other factors that could make students in the area vulnerable. The situation in the next school, Rubochi is almost the same. Except that Rubochi is closer to Abaji.

Let the government do the needful. The clock is ticking and the war on terror is a race against time.

26

Mirror Mongers

Friday, August 15, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Entertaining in politics….

I Senator Ndoma Egba

Senator ‘terrorised’ by fraudsters

T

errorism has different faces, and you would understand this when you read what Senator Ndoma Egba posted on the wall of his social media platform. It reads: “I wish to bring to the notice of the general public the fraudulent activities of some fraudsters who hacked into my official email account (emos56@ yahoo.com) and used same to send email to contacts in my account.

The fraudulent mail reads: “Please can you help me and make a payment to this account, PETER FEDUDE 2055979807 UBA Bank for me the sum of N200, 000.00 today.

It is very important to me. I am counting on you I will refund you as soon as am back from Congo DRC, Reply me if the payment is done.

Best Regards Victor” The email account (emos56@yahoo. com) however has since been recovered.

It becomes imperative I state clearly that: I neither sent nor authorised such email; I did not travel to DR Congo; I neither ask for nor receive money through proxy for any reason whatsoever; I do not know any Peter Fedude I hereby implore the general public to ignore the email message or messages that make demands of any kind as they are not from me.

Someone swore that Peter Fedude would soon write to Victor Ndoma Egba that he actually made the payment after he received the mail.

s it a sign that the Nigerian political sphere is expanding? Or ‘those artistes’ now want to show Nigerians that they have come of age? Well, in the past couple of weeks so many artistes ranging from kate Henshaw, Julius Agwu, Dan D’ Humorous, 9ice and funnily, Basket Mouth, have all released one poster or the other to announce their intentions to contest for elective positrons in 2015. Save from Julius Agwu who wants to run for the position of Governor of Rivers State, others want to become legislators at the federal and state levels.

Of course, they are following their footsteps (not footfalls) of their colleague, Tony Munagor, (Tony One Week) who secured a legislative seat in the Anambra State House of Assembly.

With their declarations have also come side talks especially amongst their colleagues who should have been supporting them. MM gathered that the issue on ground in the entertainment circles about the artistes declaring is actually

9ice

what happened to Actor Clem Ohameze in 2007 when his posters flooded Owerri metropolis meaning to run for a federal legislative seat.

The residents of Owerri kept asking if that was a new home video being advertised.

Etisalat: After Agwu, it is Dairo

M

emories may fail but not enough to forget what transpired a few months ago between Etisalat and comedian Julius Agwu, who threatened to sue for N100m.

Now it is the turn of musician, Paul Play Dairo.

For daring to use his creative work without authorization, MM gathered that pop star, Paul Play has slammed a N200m lawsuit against telecommunication company, Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services Limited owners of Etisalat.

The singer is accusing the company headed by Keem Bello-Osagie of repro-

ducing his song “Mosorire” on their sponsored talent hunt TV show, ‘Nigerian Idol’.

In the lawsuit FHC/L/CS/581/2014 filed at the Federal High Court, Lagos, Paul Play is claiming that Eitsalat reproduced and aired his song on TV as well as on their Youtube channel without his consent, thus infringing on his intellectual ownership.

Paul Play is also suing Optima Media Group Limited, who is the rights owners and executive producers of ‘Nigerian Idol’, for the alleged unauthorised use of his song.

Dairo

Aondoakaa

ONE-SECOND Q & A

The Ebola scourge is one of the trending issues in the world at the moment, raising questions about the epidemiology of the disease. One of the survivors of the disease, Thomas Cairns, who got the disease as a young doctor in Zaire reacts:

Enter new Aondoakaa

H

e may remain one of the most flamboyant Attorney Generals? Since he was gradually eased out of government, following the death of ex-President Musa Yar’Adua people have been wondering what has been happening to former Attorney General of the Federation, Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, the man whose image loomed larger than life in that regime.

While some people said he slipped out of the country to avoid any altercation with the government in power, Aondoakaa who was also stripped of his Senior Advocate of Nigeria status resurfaced at a flag-off of a huge road construction going on in Benue State, his home state. The road project is one of the roads approved for construction this year to link the North Central to the Obudu in Cross River State. The Governor, Gabriel Suswam was however absent to receive the likes of Works Minister, Mike Onolememen and Senator Barnabas Germade. But Michael Aondoakaa showed he has changed by refusing to speak with the media.

‘THOMAS CAIRNS’

How did you basically feel as an ill person?

Cairins

I was, in all likelihood, the first non-African survivor of the Ebola virus. Twelve days later I became acutely ill. I had a very high fever, intense aching, headache, vomiting, diarrhea and rash.

My skin was peeling. I lost hearing in one ear for weeks. My hair turned white. We didn’t know what was happening to me. We thought it was going to kill me. That was a real possibility. We knew this thing was really bad, but that was about it. It was literally the grace of God that brought me around back then.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Friday, August 15, 2014 Shaw’wal 20 1435 A.H.

27

Call to Worship On the authority of Anas bin Malik, the servant of the Messenger of Allah, the prophet said: “None of you [truly] believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.”

RELATED BY BUKHARI AND MUSLIM

IN HIS LIGHT

with

USTAZ

A. ZAFARAN e-mail: zafabumuneeb@yahoo.com

O

ur schools today are not safe. It is no more like the old days when the academic and moral products of schools were predictable. Then, both the teacher and the students were disciplined.

The schools were the ideal communal village where every child, his home and family were known. The teacher was king. Children were kept in his custody to impact discipline and moral training in them.

Teachers were honoured and respected everywhere they went. Teaching was then one of the best and noblest professions.

Children from schools graduated to contribute positively to the society. Then, there were no coloured television, com-

puter, mobile phones and the Internet. It was a world of no seasoned films as we have them today, no sophisticated musical instruments and music as prevalent today and no copious sports as exist today. It was really a world that was near innocence and perfect morality. Crime then was minimal, nudity was a taboo and beauty pageantry was unheard of.

The world then was simple, innocent, peaceful and habitable. Today’s world is complex, sophisticated, war-ridden, criminal and inhabitable. Every man today is living in a state of fear. The technology rather than improving our lot has increased our woes. It has brought wars and increased whores. No student today wants to become a teacher. No teacher wants his child to inherit his profession. Everybody wants to become a doctor, an engineer and

Grand Mufti, Conference of Islamic Organisations, CIO, Sheikh Dhikrullahi Shafi, Sheikh Thani, Coordinator, Muslim Awareness International, MAI, Ustaz Luqman Balogun, Amir of the Muslim Congress, Ustaz Luqman AbdulRaheem and Lagos Coordinator of CIO, Imam Abdullahi Shuaib at the awareness creation programme organised by MAI on the situation in Gaza, Palestine recently.

Cross section of Muslims protesting the genocide in Gaza, Palestine at an event organised by MAI on the situation in Gaza, Palestine recently.

Gov Fashola’s worthwhile legacy

28

Let peace reign in Palestine – MAI to UN

29

an accountant. Most of those who end up teaching today did not necessarily plan to become teachers but circumstances of life imposed it on them. Most, if not all teachers, today want better jobs. Hence, most teachers in schools are not psychologically prepared for it. This tells on the kind of training they give you as students.

Do not be amazed when you see a female teacher befriending a male teacher or caught in some love saga. It should not be news to you if a male teacher is in love saga with a female student. If those to teach morality are themselves immoral, what do you think they will offer? Unfortunately for you, your parents have no time.

They are deeply engaged in their businesses. You are at the mercy of what you watch on the television, browse on the Internet or taught or untaught by friends and teachers at school.

In every school setting, there are always three types of students. The school is like the car conveying all students to a particular destination. A car cannot move without good tyres; every car has a destination and a driver who knows how to get there. The teachers are the drivers, while each student is a tyre. The first group of students in any school is the good ones. They are ready to learn. They are morally conscious. They do not allow the environment or friends to influence then negatively. As tyres in motion, they are not distracted. They sacrifice their time and feelings to attain excellence in morality and in academics. Their speed is unstoppable. They surmount all barri-

ers and live above them. A school that has this kind of students as tyres will attain success. Its name will become great.

There are times when a car can start well but get its tyre punctured along the road. Such a car cannot move too far, it will have to park and look for a vulcanizer. Otherwise, the car cannot go further. These are the students who come from good homes but allow friends or classmates to mislead them. A school may not be able to travel far with such students as it can further endanger lives. So, the car will stop to fill the deflated tyre or even replace it if need be. Such students are a disgrace to their family. It is them you will find being initiated into ‘boyfriending’ or ‘girlfrending’; having been properly and formerly trained from home that such an act is not descent.

The third group of students is the flattyre type. When you want to start your car and you find out that the tyre is flat, you will simply not just move until you have changed it with the spare one. This kind of students could be said to be ‘deflated’.

They are already rotten from home. Their admission into any school could be disastrous because they will corrupt other students. The teachers too are in the same category as identified above. Theirs is worse because they are the drivers. If it is the tyre that is bad, deflated, flat or punctured, there are ways to replace and mend them. If the driver is now the problem, the car will definitely not move or if it does, accident could occur even if the car or the tyres were in perfect condition.

Outgoing Head Prefect (Female), Al-Hikmat College, Sumayyah Ajala (3rd left), and other graduating students of the College at the 11th graduation/prizegiving ceremony of Al-Hikmat College, Agege-Lagos on Wednesday.

Ebola: Ahmadiyya postpones conferences

29

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Call to Worship

Shaw’wal 20 1435 A.H. Friday, August 15 2014

Gov Fashola’s worthwhile legacy E xpectedly, many students and parents alike were so happy with the magnanimous gesture of our amiable SAN, Gov. Babatunde Raji Fashola and I believe the school authoruity and others are putting in place urgent steps to access outstanding allocations domiciled at the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, to de velop necessary infrastructure for teaching and learning.

However another expected enduring legacy before the exit of our action governor would be in the area of getting justice on time.

As a SAN himself, am sure our listening governor is very familiar with the saying that justice delayed is justice denied.

One can say that Nigeria’s legal system has the most backlogged cases in the world and it will take

people of good thinking like our SAN to fix the problem. May instances abound of cases of delayed justice.

A case that readily comes to mind has to do with one notorious developer named Alhaji Olaide Adebowale.

He has been described as a habitual Conman by former spokesperson of the Lagos State Police Command, Chris Nwaolai, simply because this is not his first or second time.

Like previous cases, the delayed process of our court system through unending and continuous adjournment of cases will frustrate his current victims who have been defrauded of over 20million naira. He was reported to have been arrested severally for similar cases and released on bail without justice to those affected.

In this particular case, the twin one storey-build-

ings located at No 8, Olufeso Street, Cement Bus-stop in Dopemu-Agege, Lagos, is currently being occupied by some lucky ones who moved in by force when his antics were exposed.

Alhaji Adebowale has been collecting rent as we write since 2009 without refunding other people he defrauded.

All the addresses of his sureties cannot be traced while he has refused to show up in court since the day he was granted bail.

How manage he was able to give fake address without the court verifying that before granting him bail.

Those involved have case to answer and must have been sacked for conniving with criminals.

Expectedly, many of the victims are getting tired of continuous adjournment of court sittings and many no longer show up

AL-FATIH-ULQUAREEB MESSAGE e-mail: ustazadangbe@yahoo.com

Temptation and calamity: Measure of faith (2)

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that was on him, and We restored his family to him (that he had lost) and the like thereof along with them as a mercy from Ourselves and a Reminder for all those who worship Us. Prophet Yunus too did not escape calamity; Qur’an 21 verse 87 to 88; “and (remember) DhunNun (Jonah), when he went off in anger, and imagined that we shall not punish him (i.e. the calamities which had befallen him)! But he cried through the darkness (saying): La ila illa Anta [none has the right to be worshipped but You (O, Allah)], Glorified (and Exalted) be You {above all that (evil) they associate with You]! Truly, I have been of the wrongdoers. So We answered his call, and delivered him from the distress. And thus we do deliver the believers (who believe in the oneness of Allah, abstain from evil and work righteousness).

Prophet Yusuf was tempted by Suliat to have affairs with her. Prophet

THE PLATFORM with

Sekinah

Lawal E-mail: sakinah207@yahoo.com t: 08055102994

JUDICIAL STAFF ACCEPTING FAKE ADDRESSES FROM CRIMINALS MUST BE PUNISHED on collecting rents from the building in question on a yearly basis?

Lagos residents and indeed many Nigerians will be glad if our SAN governor can really make the court, a critical institution for an orderly society. Where the court is not in a position, for any reason, to timely and properly address cases, people will surely lose faith in this critical institution with resultant recourse to other means of resolving disputes, including selfhelp. Our courts must be made to stop unnecessary

adjournments. Cases like this abound in our courts.

Our justice administration system as represented by the court is unusually slow. This has adverse implications for the society.

Which bring us to the famous legal maxim again; Justice delayed is justice denied. The maxim requires that legal redress should be timely. We trust our amiable governor in being able to bequeath an enduring legal system as a legal man that he is. May Allah (SWT) make it easy for us to do justice always, Amin.

Islamic view on lying

SHEIKH ADANGBA

ven Prophets of Allah were not exempted from affliction, temptation, tribulation and difficulties. They all turned to Allah for respite and solution. For instance, when Prophet Ibrahim condemned the polytheism act of his people and went ahead to destroy their idols, he was tied and thrown into the fire but Allah (SWT) commanded the fire to remain cool, calm and safe for Ibrahim. Q21 v 66-70. Prophet Ibrahim was saved due to his steadfastness in Allah as the only saviour.

Prophet Ayyub was put to test because of his faith; he lost all his belongings including his children.

Prophet Ayyub remained undaunted despite the terrible affliction. Q21 v 83-84.

And (remember) Ayyub (Job), when he cried to his lord: “Verily, distress has seized me, and You are the Most Merciful of all those who show mercy. So We answered his call, and We removed the distress

in court. One of the victims, who paid #400,000.00 for a two-bedroom flat, lamented the loopholes in our justice system which encourage criminals like Alhaji Adebowale to keep perpetrating their evil acts. Many unsuspecting, struggling Nigerians fell for this man’s antics because he will make sure no two individuals met each other with him and he looked so ‘decent” that nobody would have cause to suspect him in anyway.

Our judiciary as the last hope of the common man should hasten up with cases like this in order to put an end to such impunity.

How on earth would we explain it that the Magistrate Court has been postponing and adjourning such a case of overwhelming evidence since 2009? It was held in Magistrate Court 16 in Ikeja for years before being transferred to Ebute-Metta recently. Where is the justice when the accused keep

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Yusuf did not allow the beauty, the wealth and the position of the woman to lure him. The woman lied against him because that and he was punished but later vindicated. Q12 v 23-29. And she, in whose house he was, sought to seduce him (to do an evil act), and she closed the doors and said: “Come on, O you.” He said: “I seek refuge in Allah (or Allah forbid)! Truly, he (your husband) is my master)!

He made my living in great comfort! (So I will never betray him). Verily, the Zalimun (wrong and evil-doers) will never be successful.” And indeed she did desire him, and he would have inclined to her desire, had he not seen the evidence of his Lord.

Thus it was that We might turn away from him evil and illegal sexual intercourse. Surely, he was one of Our chosen (guided) slaves. So they raced with one another to the door, and she tore his shirt from the back.

L

ying is a common part of human relationships. People lie for a variety of reasons.

They may lie as part of selfpresentation, in order to present a more favourable image to others. People may also lie in order to minimize conflict, because lying may make disagreements less obvious.

Lying is a despicable vice, rampant in our societies.

Deceiving others with the canny use of words is seen as clever. Public figures lie.

Governments lie. Today lying has become institutionalized. It is the way many of us live now, right from the top, because we figured out that if we are persuasive enough, lying works. Ours is a society that has perfected the “art” of lying. Gone are the days when a lie destroyed the liar’s dignity and deprived him of our trust.

Although lying may serve useful functions in these respects, it can also be damaging to relationships.

An exposed lie undermines trust and sows suspicion, because a person who has been lied to is likely to mistrust the person who lied in the future.

While there are many who never lie, there are many of us who find it very

hard not to lie. In order to stop lying, we need to extract the seeds that push someone to lie thus: A very influential factor that drives many people to lie, especially children, is fear. It can be fear of punishment. It can be fear due to peer pressure. It can be fear of loss of social credibility. If something that is very dear to a person is put in jeopardy, lying will be the instant relief. If a child knows that he will be punished for stealing a toy, and if he knows that lying will save him, he or she is more likely to lie in order to gain the instant relief for the fear.

Another important fact is greed and personal benefit. Those who adapt the philosophy of “the end justifies the means” are more open to lying for their own benefit. If they are poor

or in need of money, they might be open to lying and conning people in order to sort their problems. Even if they were rich, greed can push them to lying in order to make more money.

Other factors include hatred towards someone or trying to sabotage the relationships of others. Understanding these factors that drive a person towards lying is an important first step. But the main problem lies in the fact that these drives stem from our human nature.

The holy Qu’ran warns us seriously about the implication of telling lies. Various chapters of the holy book attest to this. Those that readily come to mind can be found in chapters 16, verse 117, 24, verse 23; 39, verse 60; 40, verse 28; 45, verse 7; 51, verses 10 – 11; 77, verse 19; etc.

The consequence of such act will be that those who indulge in this vice shall suffer while their stay on this planet lasted and would be inhabitant of hell fire on the day of judgment.

Sheikh Abdul Ganiyy Umar Arikunkewu is the Founder/National Chief Missioner of Jubulatu Rohfatu Llahi Islamic Society of Nigeria (JUBFAT)

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Call to Worship

Friday, August 15, 2014 Shaw’wal 20 1435 A.H.

29

Let peace reign in Palestine –MAI to UN SEKINAH L AWAL

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he United Nation has been urged to put an end to the genocide going on in Gaza, Palestine.

The Muslim Awareness International, MAI, called on the “super powers” to stop supporting Israel in its atrocity against humanity being perpetrated in Gaza, Palestine.

MAI, during a world press conference which

took place at the Dawah Centre, Ijesha-Lagos, condemned in strong terms, the onslaught by Israeli government against innocent civilians in the Gaza Strip, calling on the international community and good-spirited fellows, to mount pressure on Tel-Aviv to stop the bombardment.

MAI’s Director, Engr.

Luqman Balogun said it is worrisome, though not surprising, that Israel could carry out such horrific

crime against the Palestinians even in Ramadan and condemned the US and the international community for their double-standard and unconditional support for Israel to kill innocent people in Palestine. “ It would fuel Israeli aggression to kill more people, in the name of fighting HAMAS. We believe that the world has been bias when it comes to Palestine especially the HAMAS leadership in Gaza. It’s

high time they stop seeing HAMAS as a terrorist organisation if truly they want peace in the Middle East. HAMAS is a legitimate government in Gaza.

It won the mandate to govern the people since 2006 with a landslide victory.”

Also speaking, Imam Abdullahi Shuaib called for an immediate end to the killings in Gaza and charged the United Nations to investigate Israeli’s regime for unjustified

L-R: Alhaji Muh.Jamiu Ajala; Imam Hassan Idris; Proprietor, Al-Hikmat College, Engr. Ibrahim AbdulKareem, the Principal, Alhaji Musbaudeen Bishi and Alhaji AbdulRasheed Animashaun at the 11th graduation/prize-giving ceremony of Al-Hikmat College, Agege-Lagos on Wednesday.

military action against humanity. They all called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to also identify with the rights and dignity of the oppressed people of Palestine by making an official condemnation of the Israel’s massacre agenda as well as table the matter before the African Union (AU) for deliberation.

“This is not just about Muslims; it’s about humanity, because there are Christians in Palestine who are also victims of Israel aggression. Humanity is one irrespective of who they are.

The world should collectively decry Israel and mount pressure on its leaders to stop the show of shame and disregard to human lives.”

So far, hundreds of lives, including that of 18 members of the same family have been lost and properties worth billions of dollars vandalised, yet the world shows apathy.

MAI urged the UN to enforce its resolutions against the illegal Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories.

The Amir of the Muslim Congress, TMC, Imam Luqman AbdurRaheem, also condemned Israel’s atrocities and war crimes on the people of Gaza. “We believe Israel should be held accountable for its war

crimes in Gaza and that it should be pressured by the international community to remove its blockade of the strip which covers the air, sea and land making life intolerably miserable.”

All the scholars present at the event including Sheikh Dhikrullahi Shafi, Sheikh Thani and others reiterated the fact that the people of Palestine deserves dignified existence and a blockade of close to 2 million people by Israel with tacit support of some superpowers, which makes Gaza the largest open prison in human history is unacceptable. “It is time to stand on the side of justice by taking proactive steps against Israel’s inhumanity. As we fight the heartless Boko Haram sect in Nigeria, we should not be oblivious of our diplomatic responsibility and obligation to other nations suffering the pang of state terrorism.”

It would be recalled that Israeli government accused HAMAS for the kidnap and eventual assassination of three Israelis.

HAMAS denied involvement in such act, yet Israel insisted and used the opportunity to begin brutal airstrikes that have killed not only Muslims, but Palestinian Christians as well.

NFF presents another Parents’ Forum

L-R: Hajia Lubabatu Mustapha; Hajia Serifat Ajala; Hajia Ibrahim AbdulKareem and other dignitaries at the 11th graduation/prizegiving ceremony of Al-Hikmat College, Agege-Lagos on Wednesday.

Ebola: Ahmadiyya postpones conferences

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oing by the increasing cases of Ebola virus in Nigeria, the Amir Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Nigeria, Dr. Mashuud Fashola has cancelled all Islamic conferences of the Jamah slated for this month and September this year to forestall any Ebola outbreak .

In a release signed by Hazrat Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V, Dr. Fashola said the decision was informed by the Islamic injunction on the outbreak of epidemic/disease, whereby people were enjoined to avoid traveling out of a place where the epidemic occurs so as to forestall the spread of the disease.

Thus, the annual gather-

ing of the elders of the Ahmadiyya, Majlis Ansarullah scheduled for Ikorodu, Lagos this weekend has been cancelled. Similarly, all the vacation courses for boys and girls in secondary schools and higher institutions billed for Ilorin, Kwara State and Ijede-Lagos were equally affected by the directive.

While regretting the financial loss on the preparations for the conferences, he appealed to members for understanding the present situation and keeping to Islamic injunctions. “Everyone must maintain high level of hygiene and comply with all laid down rules on how to avoid contacting Ebola virus. All missionaries must start public en-

lightenment on Ebola virus through Friday and early morning sermon in the mosques forthwith.”

He said the jamaat is ready to assist government at all levels in this regard, through provisions of medical facilities and called on the Nigerian government to invest in the research for vaccines to fight infectious diseases especially Ebola and challenged Nigerian Virologists to come up with trial drugs on Ebola .

The jamaat also demanded for an urgent enquiry into the killing of three Ahmadiyya females including 8 month old infant in arson attack in Gujranwala,Punjab, Pakistan in the last day of Ramadan, calling for due

punishment of the culprits to serve as deterrent to others.

Eight homes and four shops were also looted and gutted by mob in the presence of the police. The victims were Mrs. Bushra Bibi and her two grand- daughters.

Nearly half of the homes in this neighborhood were gutted. Fire brigade and ambulances were denied access to rescue the victims .

Gujranwala is the city where more Ahmadis Muslims were concentrated in Pakistan. Over 244 Ahmadiyya Muslims have been killed , out which nine occurred this year in over 30 years of state sponsored persecution.

N

urturing Fitrah Foundation, NFF, will tomorrow present another Parents’ Forum with the theme; “Single

Parenting: The Islamic Perspective” and sub-theme as “The Challenges, Consequences and Implications of Single Parenting”.

Parents should complement teachers’ efforts -Bishi

A

n appeal has gone to Muslim parents to always complement teachers’ efforts aimed at educating their wards socially, secularly, spiritually and morally.

Making the appeal was Ustaz AbdulKabir Nasir while speaking on; “Retaining the Trust” at the 11th graduation ceremony of Al-Hikmat College, Lagos, he enjoined parents to monitor what their children watch on TV, phones, Ipads and the likes..

“Parents should put in place, proper control measures to ensure they are morally-upright. Always

ask them questions when in doubt as Allah will ask us about them.”

Also speaking, the School’s Director, Engr.

Ibrahim AbdulKareem assured parents of the readiness of the school management to keep attaining perfection in terms of giving quality and all-round education. He advised parents to beware of the types of school they put their children and avoid examination malpractices.

The School Principal, Alhaji Musbaudeen Bishi called for adequate synergy between the school and parents in order to ensure success.

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Call to Worship

Shaw’wal 20 1435 A.H. Friday, August 15, 2014

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Every Friday with

Khalifatul

Ahmadiyya

Don’t blame religion for world’s problems (2)

T

he Holy Qur’an recounts the incidents of such people who moved far away from God Almighty and consequently became embroiled in various trials and tribulations and were ultimately left ruined. Conversely, those who established a close union with God were successful and always proved to be victorious. Such narrations are given not only in the Qur’an, but in the scriptures of other religions as well.

Upon reading or hearing these accounts, we are forced to consider and question, whether these stories are just myths and fables or are they steeped in reality? Did those consequences that God’s chosen people warned about actually come to occur?

Were the signs fulfilled that God’s representatives proclaimed? Did God Almighty reward and bestow His bounties on His chosen ones? As a result of the teachings of the Prophets, did people who believed in God come to walk upon a path paved with love and compassion for others?

In this short time, I cannot explain each individual issue in depth, but I can attest to the fact that the history of religion proves that the answer to all of these questions is most certainly ‘Yes’. The Holy Scripture that I believe in, the Holy Qur’an clearly informs us that all of these things are true and that God Almighty sends his prophets with a mission to inculcate the very highest possible standards of spirituality in mankind by forming a close union with God. Through that union man comes to fulfill not only the rights of God, but also by displaying the very highest moral standards they

are led to fulfilling the due rights of God’s Creation. And as I said earlier, amongst God’s Creations, it is human beings who have been deemed to be the very best by God Almighty. Both of these fundamental teachings are such that if they are established in any society, the people who abide by them will not only attain the pleasure of God, but will also be those who spread love, affection and brotherhood.

According to my beliefs as a Muslim, Allah the Almighty sent the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa for the reformation of the entire world and to instill these paramount objectives amongst mankind. In his efforts to reform, he preached this Divine message constantly and would strive endlessly, day and night. His efforts were not limited to preaching but rather each and every night he would bow down before His Lord in prayer, weeping with such anguish and heartache that the place where he prostrated would become submerged in tears.

What was it that the Holy Prophetsa prayed for so earnestly? It was not for his personal wealth or power. It was not to usurp any government or administration.

Rather, his every prayer was consumed by utter torment beseeching His Lord that why people were not spiritually and morally reforming. Why did they refuse to abandon their cruelties? Why were they unwilling to forsake wrongdoing and evil?

And because of all of this why were they throwing themselves into an abyss of destruction?

TO BE CONTINUED

L-R: The Onijale of Ijale-Ketu, Oba Bashirudeen Bisiriyu Adeniyi Oyero; the Obaladi of Afon, Oba Busari Alamu Adetona; Amir, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, Dr. Mashuud Adenrele Fashola; the Alaye of Ayetoro, Oba AbdulAzeez Ishola Akinola II and the Adokun of Igan-Okoto, Oba Mukaila Salako at the 5th Grand Ramadan Lecture in Ayetoro Ogun State.

CAN President, Saki West at the 12th Grand Ramadan Lecture of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, Saki-Oyo State.

Director, (Middle) Al-Wasi Secondary School, Hajia Taiwo with the pioneer graduates of the school during their graduation in Mushin, Lagos recently.

Cross section of dignitaries at the 11th graduation/prize-giving ceremony of Al-Hikmat College, Agege-Lagos on Wednesday.

15yrs Anniversary of Alfathu-L-Qareeb Muslim Organisation of Nigeria held on August 3, 2014 at their Lagos headquarters

L-R: Grand Patron, Alhaji Dr. Sheikh Muyideen Ajani Bello and The Chief National Missioner Alfathu-L-Qareeb Muslim Organisation of Nigeria Worldwide, Alhaji Dr. Fadlu-R-Rahman Kehinde Tijani

L-R: Chairman Lagos State Division of Alfathu-L-Qareeb, Alhaji Abdul-Rasheed Opeyemi; National President of Alfathu-L-Qareeb, Alhaji Mustapha Salman; Chairman Management committee headquarters, Alhaji Isiaq Ajisafe

L-R: Lecturer for that day, Alhaji Dr. Sheikh Muyideen Ajani Bello delivering lecture, Alhaji Dr. Fadlu-r-Rahman Kehinde Tijani (National Chief missioner of Alfathu-l-qareeb muslim organisation of Nigeria, (3rd left), Alhaji Imam Fatai Owolabi (4th left), Missioner Sari Ganmu, Alhaji Gani Jimoh (5th Left) Chief Missioner Alfathu-L-Qareeb Muslim Organisation, Alhaji Ismail Olayode (6th left), Missioner Ikotun Igando Branch, Alhaji Moshood Eleha

Cross section of Women MGT, Alhaja Idayat Bola Muse (3rd left), Alhaja Sidikat Elebute (5th right)

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Friday August 15, 2014

L-R: Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs Ajoke Orelope-Adefulire; recipient, Encomium Elegance, Styles and Substance Award/Speaker, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji and wife of the Governor, Mrs Abimbola Fashola, during the presentation in Lagos, recently.

L-R: Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; Wife of Osun State Governor, Mrs. Sherifat Aregbesola, and Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, during a congratulatory visit to Osun Government House on the reelection of Governor Rauf Aregbesola, in Osogbo.

L-R:Executive secretary/Chief executive officer, Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria[FRCN] Mr. Jim Osayande Obazee and, President, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria[ICAN], Mr. Chidi Ajaegbu during the ICAN President’s courtesy visit to FRCN office in Ikeja, Lagos.

L-R: Brand Manager, Goldberg, Nigerian Breweries Plc., Mr. Mfon Bassey; Ataoja of Osogboland Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun Larooye II; Regional Trade Marketing Manager, South West, MTN Nigeria Olaleke Fakeye, and Brand Manager, Premium Brands, Grand Oaks Nnamdi Ezeani, at the Osun Osogbo Festival, 2014 Stakeholders Presentation Forum, in Osogbo.

People In The Mirror

31

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Dr. Habiba Lawal (left), presenting certificate of participation to Principal, Nigeria Farmcraft Centre for the blind, Lagos, Mrs. Jummai Mohammed, during trade fair and exhibition of products made by persons with disabilities in Abuja.

L-R: Head, Regional Sales (South), Etisalat Nigeria, Taiwo Embassey; satisfied Etisalat customers, Mrs. Divine Aidelokhai, Mr. Revelation Aidelokhai; and Head, Customer Experience and Retention, Etisalat Nigeria, Biola Edun at the Port Harcourt edition of Etisalat Customer Forum 2014, held at The Atrium, Port Harcourt .

L-R: Commander, 82 div., Brig.-Gen. Alani Okunlola; Chairman, NUJ Enugu State Council, Mr Louis Dilibe; GOC 82 Div., Maj.- Gen. Shehu Yusuf and Vice President NAWOJ South-East Zone ‘C’, Mrs Chieso Aniniwagwa, during a courtesy visit by NUJ to the division in Enugu.

L-R: Director, Training, National Women Development Centre, Princess Jummai Idonijie; Director, Women Affairs, Ministry of Women Affairs Mrs Iran Ajifor and Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Zainab Maina during the Widows Empowerment Scheme in Abuja.

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Arty News

Friday, August 15, 2014

We are out to unveil unknown

models – Amaka Olisa (Funky Winniez)

As the countdown to the online photo contest for aspiring models in Nigeria gets underway, Winnie Olisa, the initiator of the project talks about the contest and what as models should expect in this interview with NGOZI EMEDOLIBE Excerpts: How would you describe yourself?

My name is Winnie Amaka Olisa. I am a native of Ossomala in Ogbaru Local Government Area, Anambra State. I am focused and have passion for anything that is creative.

I graduated from Ebonyi State University with a B.sc in Psychology and I have also acquired professional certificates in Basic Accounting, Event Management and Photography in the UK. Where does modelling come in?

I have been in the modelling and entertainment industry for over five years now and I actually started as a model myself, then I moved on to open and set up an entertainment outfit which does event coordination, modelling agency and academy, music production studio, photography and dance training studio. I have other young professionals working with me in these fields.

Tell me about your organisation?

My company was registered as Funky Winniez D Agency. Funky Winnie’z D Agency was registered under the CAC of Nigeria as a unique brand in 2013. The aim of the company is to provide unique, exciting and new professional skills, including; effective management service and promotion to performing artistes and models. It’s all about enhancing the quality in performance in the models and artistes by ensuring professional service conditions and effective support for them How did you come about a photo contest?

It is tagged: ‘Face of Funky Model Contest’; it is a project we decided to plan and organise as a strategic platform to promote and reward upcoming Nigerian models on the basis of image uniqueness.

Who are you targeting?

The purpose of the photo contest is to discover beautiful-looking models, which we hope to feature on the cover pages of some good magazines as a way of selling their modelling prowess to the public. Our targets are young beautiful females who have little or no experience in modelling and we are looking forward to getting an ultimate winner who will represent our agency as an ambassador.

Also, we have plans to reward the three runners-up at the end of the contest.

What is the duration of the contest?

We started the registration for the contest on the 1st of August and it is ending on the 29th of August 2014. The actual contest commences on the 8th of September to end on the 31st of September 2014. Then, the winners will be announced on the 1st and 2nd of October 2014.

How does an aspiring model get involved?

It is free of charge. You are not expected to pay any money. First, interested females have to register and send us an mail to: info@funkywinniezagency.com with details such as: name, age, location, height, phone number, and two studio headshots photographs. When that is done, the

applicant will receive a confirmation email from us with her registration number.

All the pictures of the registered models will be uploaded on our Facebook page on the 8th of September and the voting starts. Votes are calculated by the number of likes that a par particular contestant has on both the Facebook and on the website. The model with the highest votes gets a N100, 000 and Malaysian hair, unlimited photo shoots for one month, cover girl of different magazine covers, one month modelling exposure, and one month certified modelling career training. The model with the second highest vote gets a Brazilian hair, modelling training, one month modelling exposure and unlimited photo shoot for one month.

While the model with the third highest vote just gets modelling training, a photo session and the one month modelling exposure.

How will this be of benefit to the society?

Our aim is to promote unknown brands-new female models in the industry; with this we intend to create jobs and give employment to young Nigerians.

Do you need the support of the government in this?

Well, we will appreciate a mutual involvement and partnership from the Nigerian government by way of resources, material and man. We will greatly appreciate partnerships across all tiers of government in order to help alleviate the high youth unemployment. Hence we will want them to use our models as female ambassadors for social events. Beyond the government, we already have some business entities that support our project. They include; ‘Mackella’ fashion hair, ‘Viv-Ella’ fashions, ‘MySreetz’ magazine, ‘Simple’ magazine, Eplanet, and ‘Acada’ magazine.

Meanwhile, we also appeal to others for sponsorships.

What encounter in your job holds a memorable place in your heart?

I have been privileged to participate in many events but I am particularly affected by the wedding event held in the Scottish castle.

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Arty News

Friday, August 15, 2014

33 33

Honour for Nollywood’s Ngozi Ezeonu

A

fter a four year search for the Royal Queen of Umuada Igbo of Nollywood, Igbo Film Forum, IFF and Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo in Nollywood have announced that the delectable screen goddess, Ngozi Ezeonu has been unanimously nominated and would be honoured with the prestigious chieftaincy title: Ezenwanyi ndi Igbo na Nollywood’ (Queen Mother).

According to a press statement, “this is in recognition of her immense contributions in the propagation, promotion and projection of Igbo culture, and her dedication to duty. It would be recalled that Ngozi Ezeonu in 2011 was officially conferred ‘Igbo Cultural Ambassador’ by Igbo bu Igbo Cultural Movement”.

The founder of Igbo Film Forum(IFF), and President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Nollywood(ONN) Harris Chuma expressed captured the development thus: “We are happy to inform the general public that come 27th of August 2014,at Nelrose Hotel during the grand opening ceremony of the 4th Nollywood Igbo Film Festival in Asaba, Delta State, Ngozi Ezeonu will be honoured with the highly revered chieftaincy title in Nollywood, we have resolved to celebrate Igbo men and women who having been proactive in the promotion of our culture and language using Nollywood as a veritable medium, Ezenwanyi title empowers the bearer to lead Igbo women in Nollywood towards promoting and protecting their interest, welfare and cultural affairs.”

Ezeonu

South African Tourism gets new regional director Tayo adelaja

S

outh African Tourism, the agency responsible for the marketing of South Africa as a preferred tourist destination has announced the appointment of Evelyn Mahlaba as Regional Director for Africa.

Mahlaba’s primary responsibility is to oversee both the strategy and operational implementation of South Africa’s destination marketing work in various key markets in both East, West and Central Africa.

Her position as Regional Director for Africa is one that carries enormous responsibility. Amongst her many responsibilities, she will assists South African Tourism in building relationships with the African travel trade to enable those partners to easily sell South Africa to millions of African tourist to ensure sustained tourist arrivals growth for destination South Africa.

Evy (as she is affectionately known) has a wealth of experience, an enviable and sterling track record in travel and tourism. She began her service at South African Tourism in 2004 as Global Trade Relations Manager. In this position, she was responsible for developing the global leisure sales strategy and the marketing tools needed for its implementation.

She worked closely with South African Tourism

trade Relations managers, in the various markets across the world, in the interpretation, application and localisation of strategy for optimal results in this role. Her contribution continues to benefit the destination, as the travel trade community as well as media remain valuable and powerful partners of the destination marketing team as South African Tourism.

In 2009, Evy assumed the role of Regional Director: Asia, Australasia and Americas and she served in this role until her recent appointment (in April 2014) when she took up her current post of Regional Director: Africa.

Evy possesses a rare combination of creative intelligence and a sensible practicality, bringing her immense knowledge of the industry. She is also known for seamless delivery, outstanding people skills and great leadership that’s characterised by consummate communication skills. She is an unrivalled team player.

“I am passionate and excited about my new role to lead the marketing work that South African Tourism does on the African continent. I am fortunate to count excellent and inspired marketers among my colleagues. We share a fervent desire to invite the world to come and visit South Africa: a country we love and we believe in completely. I look forward to inviting more of our African tourists to South Africa.”

Evy has also worked for South African Airways, the

Evelyn Mahlaba Sounth African Tourism

Airports Company of South Africa as well as Sun International. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Communications degree from the University of the North West.

She also has BA in Business Management from De Montford University in the United Kingdom (UK).

AFA promotes film with charity ball

A

s part of the year-long activities marking the 10th anniversary of the Africa Movie Academy Awards, the parent organisation and owner of the AMAA brand, the Africa Film Academy will host an anniversary Charity Gala night on Saturday August 17th, 2014 at the Grand Ball Room of the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The gala night will have on stand the South Africa’s Joyous Celebration’s Frank Edwards and Kgosto and their band members to serenade guests.

Speaking on the Charity Ball, the Founder of Africa Film Academy who recently stepped down as the Chief Executive Officer of AMAA, Ms. Peace Anyiam-Osigwe said the charity gala will be used to raise funds to support AFA’s work across Africa adding that Africa has come of age and the positive stories about the continent must be told to the rest of the world through motion pictures. ‘’We want to raise funds to support our training and other talent development programmes across Africa.

We are selling tables and souvenirs to raise the funds.

It will be a gala night with Joyous Celebration, Africa’s largest Gospel Band from South Africa on stand to entertain our guests. We are praising God for blessing our work in the last 10 years and also raising awareness about the work we do through our Film-in-a-Box project across the continent. We call on our partners, sponsors and other corporate bodies to support us the more,’’ she

Osigwe

noted.

The charity ball will also see five of the 10 short-listed Nigerian journalists who will be decorated for emerging winners in the special recognition awards for journalists who have covered the AMAA awards in the last decade.

The AMAA Media Recognition Awards was designed to celebrate journalists in Africa who have helped to project the awards and the motion picture industry to the rest of the world.

The media award carries $10,000 prize money which will be shared among the three clear winners and two

consolation prize winners AMAA’s Media recognition awards 3-man committee was coordinated by Mr. Steve Ayorinde, the Chairman of AMAA 2014 Jury. Other members of the screening panel for the media award were Thisday newspaper columnist, Mrs. Onoshe Nwabuikwu and Dr. Ifeoma Amobi of the Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos.

The 10 finalists and their nominated entries include Businessday’s Funke Adetutu, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe on a show beyond the continent, Sunday Tribune’s Akintayo Abodunrin, Catalyst to greatness: How AMAA aided their rise to the top, Businessday’s Daniel Obi, African Film Industry, AMAA and FDIs, National Mirror’s Terh Agbedeh, Nigerian film industry regains credibility at AMAA and Punch’s Akeem Lasisi,Thumbs up for Figurine on a night of perfect picture.

Others include Guardian’s Chuks Nwanne, At 10, AMAA rolls the drum for mother Africa, E24-7’s Biodun Kupoluyi, Night of AMAAzing performances in Bayelsa, Nolly SilverScreen’s Isabella Akinseye, AMAA: A decade of uniting, celebrating and rewarding African filmmakers, a Kenyan,Njenga Micugu from Nairobi Digest also made the list with the entry, African film should go digital to discover more Lupitas and from the broadcast media we have Collins Ukaonu whose interview in Reel Nollywood on Galaxy Television made the list.

34

Escape

Friday, August 15, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Visiting

Georgia, cultural confluence of Europe The country is lovely and at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe

Gaduri sky resort

Olawale Oluwadahunsi WITH AGENCY REPORTS

T

he climate of Georgia is extremely diverse, considering the nation’s small size. There are two main climatic zones, roughly separating Eastern and Western parts of the country. The Greater Caucasus Mountain Range plays an important role in moderating Georgia’s climate and protects the nation from the penetration of colder air masses from the north. The Lesser Caucasus Mountains partially protect the region from the influence of dry and hot air masses from the south as well.

The wettest periods generally occur during Spring and Autumn while Winter and the Summer months tend to be the driest.

Much of eastern Georgia experiences hot summers (especially in the low-lying areas) and relatively cold winters. As in the western parts of the nation, elevation plays an important role in eastern Georgia where climatic conditions above 1,500 metres (4,921 ft) are considerably colder than in the low-lying areas. The regions that lie above 2,000 metres (6,562 ft) frequently experience frost even during the summer months.

Biodiversity

Because of its high landscape diversity and low latitude Geor-

gia is home to about 1000 species of vertebrates, (330 birds, 160 fish, 48 reptiles, and 11 amphibians). A number of large carnivores live in the forests, namely Brown bears, wolves, lynxes and Caucasian Leopards. The common pheasant (also known as the Colchian Pheasant) is an endemic bird of Georgia which has been widely introduced throughout the rest of the world as an important game bird. The species number of invertebrates is considered to be very high but data is distributed across a high number of publications. The spider checklist of Georgia, for example, includes 501 species.

Just over 6500 species of fungi, including lichen-forming species, have been recorded from Georgia, but this number is far from complete. The true total number of fungal species occurring in Georgia, including species not yet recorded, is likely to be far higher, given the generally accepted estimate that only about 7% of all fungi worldwide have so far been discovered. Although the amount of available information is still very small, a first effort has been made to estimate the number of fungal species endemic to Georgia, and 2595 species have been tentatively identified as possible endemics of the country. 1729 species of plants have been recorded from Georgia in association with

12%, making Georgia one of the fastest growing economies in Eastern Europe. The World Bank dubbed Georgia “the number one economic reformer in the world” because it has in one year improved from rank 112th to 18th in terms of ease of doing business.

Culture Geordian money lari

Tblisi Opera House

Georgian food

fungi. The true number of plant species occurring in Georgia is likely to be substantially higher.

mined in the Caucasus Mountains. Georgian wine making is a very old tradition. The country has sizable hydropower resources. Throughout Georgia’s modern history agriculture and tourism have been principal economic sectors, because of the country’s climate and topography.

Since the early 21st century visible positive developments have been observed in the economy of Georgia. In 2007 Georgia’s real GDP growth rate reached

Economy

Archaeological research demonstrates that Georgia has been involved in commerce with many lands and empires since the ancient times, largely due its location on the Black Sea and later on the historical Silk Road. Gold, silver, copper and iron have been

Georgian culture evolved over thousands of years with its foundations in Iberian and Colchian civilizations,[164] continuing into the rise of the unified Georgian Kingdom under the single monarchy of the Bagrationi.

Georgian culture enjoyed a golden age and renaissance of classical literature, arts, philosophy, architecture and science in the 11th century.

The Georgian language, and the Classical Georgian literature of the poet Shota Rustaveli, were revived in the 19th century after a long period of turmoil, laying the foundations of the romantics and novelists of the modern era such as Grigol Orbeliani, Nikoloz Baratashvili, Ilia Chavchavadze, Akaki Tsereteli, Vazha Pshavela, and many others. Georgian culture was influenced by Classical Greece, the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, and later by the Russian Empire.

Georgians have their own unique 3 alphabets which accord-

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Escape

Friday, August 15, 2014

Georgian ecclesiastic art is one of the most notable aspects of Georgian Christian architecture, which combines classical dome style with original basilica style forming what is known as the Georgian cross-dome style.

Cross-dome architecture developed in Georgia during the 9th century; before that, most Georgian churches were basilicas.

Other examples of Georgian ecclesiastic architecture can be found outside Georgia: Bachkovo Monastery in Bulgaria (built in 1083 by the Georgian military commander Grigorii Bakuriani), Iviron monastery in Greece (built by Georgians in the 10th century), and the Monastery of the Cross in Jerusalem (built by Georgians in the 9th century).

The art of Georgia spans the prehistoric, the ancient Greek, Roman, medieval, ecclesiastic, iconic and modern visual arts.

One of the most famous late 19th/early 20th century Georgian artists is a primitivist painter Niko Pirosmani.

Music

for skiing located 120 km far from Tbilisi, in Kazbeg area of Georgia, at the height of 2196 m.

The resort is developing rapidly more and more tourists visit the resort every year.

The mountain-skiing season in Gudauri lasts from December till April. During that period comfortable driving is possible on all lines. Driving on the third line is possible from November till May. Throughout all season interested people can take advantage of unique possibility to test themselves in Heli Ski. But the most attracting thing in Gudauri is the free ride —descent through virgin fields. The deep blanket of snow, absence of stones and avalanche danger make Gudari very suitable for free ride.

Abkhazia

Gori

Gori is located at the merge of Kur and Liakkhi rivers in a picturesque Kartli valley and is known from VI century. It is famous with its house-museums of S. Kamo and I. Stalin (local residents still revere his memory), ruins of a medieval Goristsihe fortress (VI century), as well as Goridjvari balneotherapeutic health resort. Stalin’s huge bronze statue, one of few remained in the world, stands in front of the graceful administration building on the main square of the city. Stalin’s portrait and stone bust also decorate the building of railway station.

Gaduri

Georgia has a rich and vibrant musical tradition, primarily known for its early development of polyphony. Georgian polyphony is based on three vocal parts, a unique tuning system based on perfect fifths, and a harmonic structure rich in parallel fifths and dissonances. Each region in Georgia has its own traditional music with Persian influenced drones and ostinato-like soloists in the East, complex improvised harmonies in the west, and solid moving chords in Svanetie.

ing to traditional accounts was invented by King Pharnavaz I of Iberia in 3rd century BC. Georgia is well known for its rich folklore, unique traditional music, theatre, cinema, and art.

Georgians are renowned for their love of music, dance, theatre and cinema. In the 20th century there have been notable Georgian painters such as Niko Pirosmani, Lado Gudiashvili, Elene Akhvlediani; ballet choreographers such as George Balanchine, Vakhtang Chabukiani, and Nino Ananiashvili; poets such as Galaktion Tabidze, Lado Asatiani, and Mukhran Machavariani; and theatre and film directors such as Robert Sturua, Tengiz Abuladze, Giorgi Danelia and Otar Ioseliani.

Architecture and arts

Georgian architecture has been influenced by many civilizations. There are several different architectural styles for castles, towers, fortifications and churches. The Upper Svaneti fortifications, and the castle town of Shatili in Khevsureti, are some of the finest examples of medieval Georgian castle architecture.

Other architectural aspects of Georgia include Rustaveli avenue in Tbilisi in the Hausmann style, and the Old Town District.

Cuisine

Georgian cuisine and wine have evolved through the centuries, adapting traditions in each era. One of the most unusual traditions of dining is Supra, or Georgian table, which is also a way of socialising with friends and family. The head of Supra is known as Tamada. He also conducts the highly philosophical toasts, and makes sure that everyone is enjoying themselves.

Various historical regions of Georgia are known for their particular dishes: for example, Khinkali (meat dumplings), from eastern mountainous Georgia, and Khachapuri, mainly from Imereti, Samegrelo and Adjara.

In addition to traditional Georgian dishes, the foods of other countries have been brought to Georgia by immigrants from Russia, Greece, and recently China.

Religion

A large majority of Georgia’s population (83.9% in 2002) practices Orthodox Christianity.

TOURIST CENTRES

Tbilisi

The capital of Georgia – town Tbilisi is one of the most ancient cities of the world. It is 1500 years old. Until 1936 the city was called Tiflis in Russian transcription.

35

Abkhazia

The republic Abkhazia (local name - “Apsni”,) is located along the Black Sea coast in the northwest of Georgia. It is one of the warmest and cleanest areas of the coast. Here are such wellknown earlier resorts, as Gagra, Ochamchira, Pitsunda, Sukhumi - one of the oldest cities of the coast with its well-known Botanical gardens, Noviy Afonis famous with its well-known caves, ruins of an ancient fortress and an antique temple, as well as its well-known monastery. The wellknown natural monuments of region are lakes Ritz, Paleostomi, Aletkel and a huge cave complex located near Noviy Afon.

Statue at mountain Mtatsminda

It was called so due to warm sulfuric wells (translated from Georgian «tbili» means “warm”).

The city is filled by unique national flavor. Almost all buildings in historical city centre and at the bottom of mountain Mtatsminda represent historical or cultural monuments. Georgian Orthodox church, the Armenian Apostolic church, the Synagogue and the Muslim mosque are located in the very centre of old Tbilisi.

By the quantity of cultural monuments and constructions, Tbilisi is among the richest cities of the world. Here is the list of some sights in Tbilisi: “Sameba” Cathedral (21st century) that is the biggest Cathedral in the world “Metehi Cathedral” (13th century) with the monument of the founder of Tbilisi - Vakhtang Gorgasalu “Narikala” Fortress with a beautiful temple in its yard. Memorable photos could be taken from the top of towers.

The modern bridge, named “WORLD BRIDGE” by the country president, which is the second in the world by the complexity of its architecture.

“Sioni” Temple, located on the left coast of the bridge and wellknown by its wonder-making icons. Sion Cathedral – is the current residence of the Catholicos of Georgia.

Adzharia

Statue at Gori

Mountain “Mtatsminda” with famous wonderful garden “Funiculer” (mountain lift), from which one can clearly view all Tbilisi.

The Pantheon where many famous writers, actors, scientists, and national heroes of Georgia are buried.

Well known sulfuric baths in the place called “Abanotubani” Paliashvili Opera building (1851)

Gudauri

Gudauri is a popular resort

Adzharia is one of the most beautiful and most ancient corners of Georgia. Adzharia is located in a south-west part of Georgia at Black sea coast. The southern part shares border with Turkey. The average summer temperature is +26°C, and a water temperature in the sea is +23°C. Town Batumi – the capital of Adzharia. It is an important tourist, cultural and transportation centre. Batumi is famous for its “Singing fountain”, the seaside recreation park with a palm grove, as well as a magnificent national botanical gardens of Academy of Sciences of Georgia where more than 5 thousand kinds of subtropical plants grow. The main therapeutic factor is the maritime air which positively effects and cures many diseases.

Friday, August 15, 2014

36

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Mirror Drive

OLUSEGUN KOIKI

W

ithout sacrificing a comfortable ride, the Mercedes-Benz’s new C-Class provides an enjoyable drive for those behind the wheels and for those who have good taste and looking for style and clarity, the C-Class Benz will provide it all.

The producer of high quality and luxury automobiles, Mercedes-Benz has once again proven itself. The arrival of the new C-Class, which is unique for its recurring harmonising theme and boasts a excellent engine to satisfy every driver’s needs has, not only proved its outstanding C-Class predecessor, but has set another sky-scraping benchmark in the automobile industry.

Whether it is sporty refinement for pleasure or long distance for business, the range of interior colours and exterior metallic, non-metallic and special paints creates the ideal accessory to be ridden for all occasions, generally making a good impression wherever you go.

The Authorised General Distributor of Mercedes-Benz in Nigeria, Weststar Associates Ltd told auto journalists in Lagos that the Mercedes-Benz CClass is the highest volume selling model in the world, and this new, fifth-generation model is far more than just another posh compact saloon.

The company said that the Benz-C class is set to be the most efficient, refined and dynamic model in its class, adding that the car is well-equipped, and now has a dramatic new look, which includes a classier interior and an impressive exterior, a 100kg weight reduction and a more efficient engine line-up that includes a model with sub-100g/km CO2 emissions for the first time in the fiercely contested compact premium saloon segment.

Exterior The new C-Class, which has an even sleeker look than the previous model, features pulled back LED headlights, prominent styling lines along the body and a sloping roofline. Aerodynamics has played a major part in shaping the sleek exterior design, too.

Oversized full LED headlights

2014 Mercedes-Benz

– Class

Evolution at its peak

domm minate the aggressive new front end.

It also sports 17-inch alloy wheels, a touchpad-controlled centrally mounted seven-inch colour display, two-zone air conditioning and a media interface.

There is plenty of standard equipment, which include rainsensing wipers, Attention Assist, Speedtronic cruise control, heated windscreen wiper washers, and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

A whole host of technologies derived from the S-Class is also being offered on the C-Class.

These include a level of autonomous driving at low speeds and in traffic jams, along with drowsiness detection, steering assistance, and numerous parking assistance systems.

The Agility Select system is also included, allowing the driver to choose from five driving modes - Comfort, Eco, Sport, Sport+ and Individual.

Interior The interior represents a huge step forward for the Mercedes CClass, making it by far the most luxurious yet. The brand has taken its opportunity to introduce the kind of state-of-the-art technology and luxurious finish

t that estabes e sta tabb llished li ish is s ed shed the the SClass dominant Clas Cl asss as such a do omi m nantt class leader.

The crystal-clear digital TFT screens (one between the dials and a tablet-style display on the centre console) feature pin-sharp colour graphics, and the clickable touchpad control is the kind of new technology that’ll soon be the industry standard.

All models come with a seveninch colour screen that’s controlled using a rotary dial and touchpad positioned between the front seats. You can scroll through the on-screen menus using just the touchpad, swiping left and right to cycle through functions, and pinching to zoom in on maps In the back the slightly longer wheelbase of the new C-Class means legroom is generous. Also the swept back windows and light fabric increase the sense of space, while the smart switches and vents are carried over to the rear seats. The boot is also bigger than before, matching the BMW 3 Series with a capacity of 480 litres.

The key to the new chassis is its light weight, and this theme continues throughout the car – 50 per cent of the body is now made from aluminium, so even though the new C-Class is 95mm longer

and wider 40mm wid der than tha han n before, it’s up p to 100kg 100kg 000k kg g lighter.

C-Class The new C C-Clas asss ha hass an iimmarsenal pressive arse enal of of technology techno nolo logy gy, one of which is a new touchpadwhich is available in all models of the new C-Class. It’s also the first compact executive car available with a sophisticated air suspension that was borrowed from the S-Class, and will offer three types of springs. All cars have steel Comfort springs as standard.

The new C-Class sits on the new modular rear-drive chassis

arar rchitecture chit ch itec ectu ture tu r re (MRA) underpin (MRA (M RA) that will underpi in every large Mercedes for the next five years. This has the capacity for hybrid and electric power, four-wheel drive and a wide range of different vehicle shapes and sizes all built into its structural DNA. The chassis has also been tuned to offer a sportier and more agile drive without compromising ride comfort.

MAINTENANCE TIPS

xx

How to drive manual gear vehicles

Continues from last week

Begin to release the clutch pedal slowly; when you hear or feel the engine begin to slow down, slowly press down on the fuel pedal as you continue to release the clutch.

The car will start to move forward. Accelerate until the car has reached about 3,000 rpm, then take your foot off the pedal, press down on the clutch pedal, and pull the gearshift directly down through neutral to second gear. Be sure to pull the gearshift down until it can’t go any farther.

Release the clutch pedal gently,

simultaneously pressing down gently on the accelerator pedal. Repeat the shifting process each time you hit 3,000 rpm until you are driving at the appropriate speed.

At this point, you can now downshift by releasing the accelerator pedal when you want to decrease your speed. Press down on the clutch and move the gearshift through neutral into the next-lower gear. Once you are in the lower gear, release the clutch slowly and brake as you do so.

Stop the car by downshifting to second gear and applying the brakes. Apply the clutch just before

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Mirror Drive

Friday, August 15, 2014

37

Mirror Drive

KIA Motors Nigeria partners Diamond Bank on auto finance scheme

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The C200, which is currently available at Weststar and any of its dealerships, has a 181bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. However, more engine types will be available in Nigeria by the middle of next year. The gearboxes available with this engine are a six-speed manual or the optional seven-speed automatic transmission.Theautogearboxin-

the car stops. Don’t downshift into first. Drive in reverse by following the same steps you would for starting in first gear. The reverse gear engages more quickly than first gear, however, so be sure to release the clutch slowly and begin to press the accelerator pedal as soon as the car begins to move.

creascreas-es CO22 emissions from m 103g/km to 109g/km.

Although the new C-200 comess with a high level of equipmentt as standard, there are a host of optional packs available. One of such is the optional AIRMATIC air springs. These give a choice of five driving modes, plus a selflevelling feature- which is another first from this Class.

To help things feel instantly sportier from behind the wheel, the seats can be lowered 20mm further than before, and they have been reshaped for better lateral support.

Power-steering system aims to improve high-speed stability and increase driver feedback. Due to a stiffer body-shell, there will be no complaints about noise or vip bration n in this new version off the C-Class.

All engines in the C-class -class range are Euro 3 emissions compliantt a n d come stand a r d w i t h the ECO CO Stop-start start function. on.

ia Motors Nigeria has announced its partnership with Diamond Bank, which will enable more aspiring customers to acquire some of its latest brands in the country. comThe auto co pany stated that the partnership is convenient and flexlovers of Kia ible for all the lo country. The auto brands in the co company tagged the offer 'freedom d do m to choose,' saying that the offer give customers its o of fer would gi Auto Loan. unique Au The offer according to o the t e statement starts th from as low as fro N37,000 monthly N installment for a in Kia K Picanto while the th Rio monthly payment starts p from N47,000. fr Others are Cerato, Soul and Ce Optima monthly Op payment from pay N57,000, N62,000 and N57,0 N86,000 respectively while re monthly installment the Sportage mon N96,000 and Sorento starts from N96,0 N114,000 monthly. starts from N114,0 Marketing of the The Head Ma Mr. Kayode Adejuauto company, Mr mo stated that the th offers include luxury sedans and Sports Utility Vehicles, SUVs, stressing that the

tailor-made financing scheme models from KIA Motors Nigeria in collaboration with Diamond Bank offer clients precisely the right offer for their desired vehicles.

Adejumo noted that choosing the right auto finance from the many available options is one of the dilemmas faced by customers and most often, they go for any that they come by.

The statement added that the highlights of the new KIA Motors Nigeria and Diamond Bank auto loan are its fixed repayment over the loan tenure, without management fees, free vehicle registration, discounted insurance premium, competitive interest rate, faster processing, simple documentation procedures with a world-class professional service.

Adejumo added that the auto loan is available to all existing customers and non-customers of Diamond Bank with a free smart

phone on every car financed.

He added, “We understand that everyone’s credit situation is unique which is why we partner with Diamond Bank’s team of auto finance car loan experts to work with you to offer the best auto financing and car loan solutions along with competitive rates for the all new KIA vehicles.”

“If you're like many of our customers at KIA Motors Nigeria, chances are you're planning on financing your new purchase. While financing a car may seem complicated, our partnership with Diamond Bank ensures that you own the car of your dream by finding a plan that works for you.”

This scheme will allow discerning customers own the very best in cutting edge automotive technology with unrivalled innovation, technical excellence and exceptional style that come in all the vehicles.

Porsche boosts revenue, profit in the first half of 2014

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orsche automobile says that its sport cars deliveries in the first half of 2014 rose by eight per cent compared to the same period last year to 87,803 vehicles.

The company also said that revenue went up in the first six months by 16 per cent to 8.2bn euros while operating profit grew by eight per cent to 1.4bn euros, which is equivalent to a return on sales of 17 per cent.

Jobs as at June 30, 2014 reached the record number of

21,326 employees, saying that this is 18 per cent or 3,178 persons more than a year ago.

A member of the executive board finance and IT at Porsche AG, Lutz Meschke, emphasised the efficient organisation and the high cost awareness within the company.

Meschke stated that this is the only way to sustainably achieve a return on sales of at least 15 per cent in his outlook, pointing out that the rising burden caused by the ambitious investment programme, which Porsche is implementing in its Strategy 2018.

“The resulting depreciation and rising labor

costs pose an ever increasing burden on our results. Add to this the very high expenditure for research and development, in particular in connection with reducing fleet carbon emissions.” He stated. Despite all this, Meschke confirms that Porsche intends to achieve at least the same level of results in fiscal year 2014 as in the previous year.

The extensive investment programme was visible at all locations in the first half of 2014. In February Febru , the sports car manufacturer factur opened a comprehensive factory factor in Leipzig with its own paint shop and body assembly line for fo production of the Macan.

Porsche invested over 500m euPo ros here. he Recently, the opening ceremony emon of a new design studio and high-tech wind tunnel took place at high-t the Weissach development center.

W Together with the new elecTo tronics troni integration center, investment at the Weissach location totals about 150m euros. Early this a year, y ar, work started in Zuffenhauye sen sse en on the first construction phase pha of a new training center, ph an factory and office and an engine e service servi buildings.

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Cocktail

Friday, August 15, 2014

Bill Gates vacations on $330m yacht

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hese days, Microsoft founder Bill Gates is more concerned with helping to save the world than creating the next big gadget. But when the world’s richest man goes on vacation, he does it like no one else.

The New York Daily News captured some photos of Gates aboard “The Serene,” a $330 million dollar yacht that Gates and his family are renting for $5 million per week.

In addition to its 12 staterooms, the 450-foot, seven deck vessel also comes

equipped with its own saltwater pool, climbing wall, library, health spa, outdoor theater and even a nightclub spread out over the boat’s combined 48,000 square feet.

Though, for all his wealth and influence, Gates doesn’t actually own “The Serene.”

He’s renting it from Stolichnaya vodka distributor Yuri Scheffler. The Russiaborn Scheffler is an interesting figure himself, famous for battling with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who tried to nationalize and “redistribute” Stolichnaya’s wealth.

Police deal with report of chicken crossing road

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n Oregon resident called non-emergency dispatchers to report that there was a chicken crossing the road in Linnton and slowing traffic because it was taking too long to get to the other side.

“Hi, um, this is actually not a prank call, but there is a chicken trying to cross the road in Linnton,” the caller said.

The dispatcher inquired if the chicken was causing traffic issues.

“Yes, it’s really trying to go into the middle of the road,” the caller replied. “I had to slow down to almost to a complete stop.” Officers who responded to the situation could not find the bird.

Even though jokes about chickens crossing roadways often get cluckles, “animals in the roadway creating traffic hazards are no laughing matter,” the Portland Police Bureau wrote in a posting about the situation.

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Oddities

First test-tube baby penguin unveiled

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fficials hope the first penguin hatched via artificial insemination at SeaWorld in San Diego will help make strides in conservation efforts.

To science, she’s simply known as “184.” But on the empirical cuteness scale, the world’s first test-tube penguin scores a “100.”

The still unnamed baby Magellanic penguin was hatched at SeaWorld in San Diego 12 weeks ago, but the first images of her were released to the public this week.

She’s the first penguin to be born using artificial insemination, a technique researchers say will help them increase diversity in the captive penguin population and help their studies of the creatures.

“The goal of our research centre is to study a species’ reproductive biology, to learn as much as we can about that and use this to

not only monitor the health of not only our zoological populations but wild populations as well,” said Sea World’s reproductive centre Scientific Director Dr. Justine O’Brien.

The baby penguin is reportedly doing well. Twelve weeks after her birth, she is mingling with the naturalborn penguin population

The first test-tube penguin

and has transitioned from being hand-fed by a team of biologists to eating fish on her own.

There are an estimated 1.8 million Magellanic penguins living in the wild.

The species is typically found in South America around the Falkland Islands, Chile and Argentina.

The species is considered

“near threatened,” as its numbers have been affected by oil spills, diminished fish populations and climate change. O’Brien says the successful breeding of 184 is not only helpful for research purposes but could help scientists in future efforts to increase the wildlife stock of penguins and other species.

Friday, August 15, 2014

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39

Business Maritime

How multiple port charges in Nigeria fuel cargo diversion The multiplicity of fees and charges, which are sometimes duplicated has over the years made Nigeria’s seaports unattractive. leading to massive diversion of Nigeria-bound cargo to neighbouring seaports, through which the government has lost huge sums of money from import revenue. FRANCIS EZEM reports.

Container vessel arriving Tin Can island port in Lagos.

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o say that substantial volume of goods imported into West Africa ends up in the Nigerian market, given the size of her population size, is to state the obvious. With a population of over 167 million people, Nigeria depends largely on imported goods ranging from chemicals and raw materials, industrial wares and other household items including pharmaceuticals to cater for this large population. Ordinarily, the government should earn large sums of money from import revenue but unfortunately, this is not the case unlike her neighbour, Republic of Benin, which has a small market by virtue of her population size and yet earns so much from import charges.

Statistics show that though more than 75 percent of imported cargo into West Africa ends up in Nigeria, less than 25 percent of this volume comes through her seaports while the rest are diverted through sister nation’s seaports and later ferried into Nigeria through the land borders and other unapproved routes. No doubt, the Federal Government has lost huge sums of money as a result of this.

Most stakeholders have blamed this development on the imposition of multiple port charges and fees on imported items by the government and its agencies.

For instance, apart from the statutory charges such as Import Duty, Fees, Common External Tariff Levy and the Value Added Tax, which are paid into the Federation Account of the government, importers are also compelled to pay myriad other charges. These also exclude some statutory regional payments such as 0.5 per cent Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS, Trade Liberalisation Scheme ETLS, among others, which are also paid by importers in member nations of ECOWAS. Such charges include the seven per cent port development levy, rice levy, one per cent Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme CISS, which is the Free On Board value of all imports into the country, from which the service providers under the Des-

tination Inspection Scheme were paid.

Others include the Cigarette Levy, National Automotive Council Levy, Sugar Levy, Port Surcharge and other sundry charges paid to the government directly before the imported consignment would be allowed to leave the port.

These exclude fees paid to some government agencies that participate in cargo inspection such as the Standards Organisation of Nigeria and National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control, among others.

The port performance report for the year ended December, 31 2013 shows a sharp drop in both liquid and dry bulk cargo.

The cargo throughput, excluding crude oil terminals for the period under review handled at the ports stood of 76 .88 million metric tonnes as against the 76. 86 million metric tonnes handled in the comparative period of 2012, representing a marginal increase of 0.042 per cent.

The authority had blamed its dwindling fortunes on some harsh government policies, which affected the volume of cargo imported into the country.

One case of such harsh policies, according to the Managing Director of the authority, Mallam Habib Abdullahi, was the imposition of 100 per cent import duty on imported brown and parboiled rice.

Ironically, though this commodity flooded the Nigerian markets, none came through the seaports, which also led to a decline on the import duty revenue generated by the Nigeria Customs Service. One of the reasons for this was that the government of the Republic of Benin slashed the duty on rice from about 15 –seven per cent and so in reaction, Nigerian importers diverted their cargoes through the neighbouring sister seaports and later brought them in through the land borders with no revenue accruing to the Nigerian government.

National president of Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (CMDLCA), Mr. Lucky Amiwero, who spoke

on the development, expressed fears that if urgent steps were not taken to address certain problems associated with Nigeria’s seaports such as multiple and excessive charges, bureaucracy and cumbersome clearing processes, the country may loose substantial volume of West African cargo traffic, which she currently controls.

Citing the examples of Ghana and Cote’d Ivoire, which are building millennium port facilities that would berth mega ships that are capable of carrying over 10, 000 TEUs of cargo, arguing that in the nearest future, Nigerian importers would have to use smaller ships to take their cargo from these two seaports.

“Importers and clearing agents over the years cried out to no avail and had to resign to fate. Many of them have decided to bring in their consignments through neighbouring African seaports, which are currently siphoning Nigeria’s cargo traffic gradually”, he noted.

He also said: “The cumulative effect of

The cumulaTive effecT of This mulTipliciTy of charges is ThaT mosT of Them are aggregaTed and added To The cosT of imporTing The consignmenT,

which is ulTimaTely passed To The final consumer in Terms of higher price

this multiplicity of charges is that most of them are aggregated and added to the cost of importing the consignment, which is ultimately passed to the final consumer in terms of higher price”.

President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, Mr. Eugene Nweke, who spoke on the development, particularly picked holes in the collection of VAT on imported goods, describing it as double taxation.

According to him, most of these imported goods somehow find their way into the various markets in Nigeria where they are subjected to another round of VAT collection at the counter.

“The government should determine at what point should an importer or freight forwarder pay VAT on a consignment so that he goes ahead and pays and obtain an official receipt, which he would use for the entire clearing process for the consignment.

Nweke, who also insisted that the government should no longer allow Customs to collect the VAT, argued that collecting it at various cargo processing stage amounts to multiple billing, which is unfair.

Expectedly, one of the direct consequences is the inflationary trends in the country with the distortions it causes to the nation’s economy.

Stakeholders have argued that this high cost of doing business in the Nigerian ports is at variance with the spirit and letters of the port reform programme, which was designed to reduce cost of operation and so make the ports competitive and attractive.

The imposition of these multiple charges and fees have worsened the plight of the final consumers, as the importers also pass down the arbitrary charges imposed on their consignments to the final consumers, thus impoverishing them the more.

This therefore portends danger for the nation’s economy with a dwindling per capita income of the citizens. The earlier these issues are addressed, the better for everyone.

40

Business Maritime

Friday, August 15, 2014

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Importers shun FG’s new fiscal policy on rice StorieS: FranciS ezem

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trong indications emerged that rice importers in the country may have shunned Federal Government’s new fiscal policy, announced two months ago, which slashed import duty on the commodity from 100 per cent to 30 and 60 per cent respectively for different categories of dealers.

The new fiscal policy issued in June, which brought to an abrupt end several months of criticisms and agitations, reduced the 100 per cent tariff imposed on the commodity to total of 30 per cent for husked brown or paddy rice in its natural, unprocessed state.

This comprise of 20 per cent duty and another 10 per cent levy for only investors with capacity to mill rice locally with verifiable backward integration programme while rice dealers will pay 60 per cent duty.

The Apapa command of the Nigeria Customs Service, which accounts for over 70 per cent of rice imports into the country had issued a directive to the effect that all importers of rice with shiploads already awaiting clearance

Okonjo-Iweala

Edike

at Nigerian Ports will be allowed to clear their consignments upon the submission of a letter of indemnity to the service.

The indemnity is to allow them clear their various consignments of rice without attracting further demurrage, pending when the next 2014 duty rates and levies are announced, at which they will pay the new rates accordingly.

Meanwhile, Customs Area Controller in charge of Apapa, Comptroller Charles Edike, who spoke in a telephone interview,

disclosed that more than one month after the directive was issued, no importer has shown up for the submission of any indemnity.

This is an indication that the importers may have shunned the new fiscal policy, which might not be unconnected with the 30 per cent disparity between rates applicable to the rice dealers, who import primarily for profit purposes and investors with capacity to mill rice locally with verifiable backward integration

NAGAFF kicks as Customs excludes members from training

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he National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders NAGAFF, may be on a war path with the Nigeria Customs Service over the exclusion of its members from training on its operations.

The service had in a circular with reference no. NCS/APQ/ AA/041/S.7/Vol.111/04 dated August 1, 2014 addressed to the chapter chairman, requested the association to forward list of customs agents to be trained on modern customs operations.

However in a swift response contained in a letter dated August 13, 2014 and signed by the national secretary of the association, Mr. Increase Uche, NAGAFF decried the emphasis on customs agents.

The letter reads in part: “It has become necessary to draw the attention of the Comptroller General of Customs, and the management and board to the fact that the ongoing transformation programme of the service may be delayed if the management team does not incorporate the relevance of Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria CRFFN Act 16 of 2007, which established the business of freight forwarding profession in its operations”.

The association also took a

swipe at the service for addressing the letter to chapter chairman and sent the same letter to its national headquarters located on Maybin Street, GRA, Apapa, which the association viewed as a slight.

“It is very surprising that the said letter with caption: Training on Modern Customs Clearing Procedure for Stakeholders ended up with a restriction note.

The word stakeholders abhors restriction of freight forwarders from customs trainings because of the strategic nature of the practitioners in our international trade and customs administration”, the letter also said.

The association however alleged that it was a deliberate attempt by the Apapa command of the service to exclude freight forwarders from a training programme on customs clearing procedure, which it admitted was well intended.

The letter also said: “It is our view that the management of the service may find time to set up a joint technical committee of freight forwarders operating under CRFFN Act 16 of 2007 led

by NAGAFF and licensed customs agents operating under the Customs and Excise Management Act CEMA and led by ANLCA to harmonise all the issues”

programme.

He noted that the command was still waiting for them to comply with the government directive on the new tariff, but insisted that every grain of the commodity imported into the country must be accounted for in terms of payment of the 100 per cent tariff until the new regime comes into effect.

It was however gathered that many of the importers are currently exploring all avenues at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and other relevant agencies to ensure that they are given letters or certification indicating that they have capacity to mill rice locally.

A government source noted that such letters or certifications, which must be verified before they are allowed to enjoy the 30 per cent tariff, must not be proved to be genuine and not forged.

“Importers are not coming nearly two months after we issued the directive, which was duly communicated to them. But we are waiting because at the end of everything, the e fiscal policies of the government must be strictly enforced, which is a statutory responsibility of the service” Edike also said.

The memo dated July 7, 2014, which was also published on the command’s website and entitled Interim 2014 Fiscal Policy Measure on Rice also stated that this interim measure only applies to investors with rice milling capacity and that pure rice traders who already have rice laden ships awaiting clearance at the ports as at Friday, June 13, 2014 are advised to comply promptly and strictly too.

The new policy is designed to bridge the national supply gap to be determined by a committee to be put together in future for a period of four years.

The government has however given all importers of the commodity with shiploads waiting at various ports in the country as at Friday, June 13, 2014, to commence the process of clearing them immediately, which many of them have failed to comply with Under this new window, the importers are expected to clear the consignments upon the submission of a letter of indemnity to the Customs Service, which enable them to clear their consignments without paying additional demurrage charges.

IMO receives report on Global Ocean Commission

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nternational Maritime Organisation IMO, SecretaryGeneral Mr. Koji Sekimizu has received the recently-published report of the Global Ocean Commission GOC, From Decline to Recovery: A Rescue Package for the Global Ocean, and its call for enhanced action at all levels to mitigate the threats to the global oceans described in the report.

In a letter to the co-chairs of the Global Ocean Commission (Mr. José María Figueres, Mr. Trevor Manuel and Mr. David Miliband), Mr. Sekimizu noted that, as the United Nations specialized agency dedicated to sustainable uses of the world’s oceans through safe, secure, clean ships, IMO plays a key role in advancing the critically important agenda carried forward in the report and has adopted key treaties addressing several of the outlined threats.

Sekimizu highlighted IMO’s active role in addressing many of the issues raised in the GOC report, noting also that IMO is working actively through several existing coordination mechanisms – such as UN Oceans, the Global Partnership for Oceans, and the Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine En-

vironmental Protection (GESAMP) – to ensure that joint efforts are maximized and duplication reduced.

“In my view, thoughtful development of ocean regulations, coupled with early entry into force, effective implementation, stringent compliance oversight and vigorous enforcement of international standards are the best ways to protect and sustain the precious marine environment and its resources. Through the application of these principles, for example, the average number of large oil spills (>700 tonnes) during the 2000s was just an eighth of that during the 1970s.

This dramatic reduction has been due to the combined efforts of IMO, through its Member Governments and the oil/shipping industries to improve safety and pollution prevention,” Mr. Sekimizu said.

In other examples of IMO’s commitment and ongoing work to address the challenges outlined in the GOC report, Mr. Sekimizu referred to IMO’s work to support sustainable development, including pollution reduction through implementation of the MARPOL Convention and IMO’s other multilateral environmental agreements, in tandem with capacity-

building efforts.

With regard to sustainable use of the oceans, particularly fishing, Mr. Sekimizu referred to IMO’s work with the Food and Agriculture Organisation FAO, to address illegal, unreported and unregulated IUU fishing, as well as the IMO Cape Town agreement of 2012, aimed at addressing fishing vessel safety.

Regarding the need to strengthen the governance of the high seas through promoting care and recovery, Mr. Sekimizu pointed to IMO’s lead role in the development of ecosystem-based management tools applicable to all marine areas and the designation to date of fourteen Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas, and the adoption of various special areas under MARPOL addressing operational discharges from shipping.

Furthermore, IMO has established multiple traffic separation schemes and other ship routeing systems in major congested shipping areas in the world.

With respect to the report’s Proposal 5 (Plastics – Keeping them out of the Ocean), Annex V of IMO’s MARPOL treaty prohibits the discharge of plastics from ships. The key issue is effective implementation, Mr. Sekimizu noted.

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Business News

Friday, August 15, 2014

41

Dangote invests $250m in coal based power plant AYO OLESIN AND UDO ONYEKA

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angote group has invested about $250m in coal-based power plant in its effort to provide alternative source of power for is factories across the country to reduce the cost and difficulty in accessing electricity.

Dangote Cement’s Group Chief Executive, Mr. Devakumar Edwin who made this known in a briefing at the company’s corporate headquarters in Lagos, yesterday said the initiative will help the group in running its businesses in all parts of the country.

He noted that the group have installed 54 megawatts coal-base power plant in Gboko, Benue State and is currently working towards installations at Ibeshe in Ogun state and Obajana in Kogi State for business operations.

Devakumar who said that the

group was currently importing coal from South Africa revealed that it has started exploring coal opportunities in Nigeria especially in Enugu State and have also setup separate division for coal exploration.

He lamented that epileptic power supply due to shortage of gas, which he said has continued to take toll on its production capacity, even as this trend affects both small medium scale and big business which is the result of unemployment and results to high rate of crime in the society.

He noted that inadequate power supply due to low supply of gas has affected the group’s cement production and the cost aspect has also impacted on the economy and increased cost for consumers.

According to him, poor power supply due to low gas supply have affected our production of cement and robbed off on costing, which

have impacted adversely on economy and increased cost for customers.

“In this country, the major issue is power. Any economy will climb to double digits, once there is power at the right price. With affordable power people will produce products locally, will gravitate to the private sector, leading to the creation of a middle class and more employment in the country,” he said.

In what could be termed a leap

forward for the real estate business in particular and the real sector of the Nigerian economy in general, Devakumar said from this August it will add nine million tons of cement per annum, from its newly built lines at Obese and Obajara plant to the cement market.

With this, the Nigerian cement market will get 12MTs pa of cement from Dangote Ibese Cement factory only, equivalent to about 24 million bags of 42.5R cement type.

With this also, its installed com-

bined capacity, from all its cement plants, will be about 29MTs pa, about 55 million bags of cement.

Devakumar said the increase in capacity is changing the business dynamics to enable supply outgrow the demand of cement in the country.

He said that the group was being proactive but would also continue to support all efforts to improve supply of gas for power generation.

Nigeria‘ll retain FAA’s Category One safety status –Chidoka ...as US Govt restates support for Nigeria’s fight against EVD

TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

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he Minister of Aviation, Mr. Osita Chidoka, yesterday expressed optimism that Nigeria would retain the Category 1 Safety Status by the time the United States Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, team finalises its audit exercise on the safety standards of the nation’s aviation industry.

Giving the assurance during the visit of the Deputy Chief Information Officer, United States’ Embassy, Ms Maria Brewer, to his office in Abuja, the minister said every step was being taken to ensure that gaps in standards and industry best practices were closed before the next visit of the team to the country.

Chidoka, who also spoke extensively on measures that are being put in place to checkmate the spread of the dreaded Ebola virus disease at the airports through rigorous testing of passengers, said his ministry was doing its best to ensure that all the facilities and processes required for retaining the Category One are being improved upon such that by the time the FAA comes back for its assessment, Nigeria will get a clean slate of excellent audit report.

He described the EVD scourge as a major challenge for the governments and peoples in the West African sub-region, adding however that despite its threat, the Nigerian government is determined to curtail its spread and win the Ebola war.

The minister said: “The Ebola will not be a dampener. Instead, it

has increased our preparedness for the Category One certification status. All the processes we are upgrading in making sure that we retain the status. We intend to collaborate with the Embassy in several areas.

“It is a real challenge for us in West Africa, this unfortunate episode of the man that imported the disease into Nigeria. Our reaction has been quite swift and these measures have very far reaching effects so far.

“On the Category One, I think we are on track and I think that all the gaps are being addressed so by the time they come back all the facilities would have been in place, and of course the Ebola virus is not a dampener because it will make us to increase our protocols at the airport. I believe we are on track”, he assured.

Describing the transport sector, particularly the airports being controlled environments, as strategic in the current efforts to control the spread of the scourge, Chidoka said it was in recognition of this that the ministry is doing its best to adopt proactive curtailment strategy at the airports nationwide.

According to him, plans are also ongoing to develop protocols at the airports and dealing with epidemic that are highly infectious.

In her remarks, the US official restated her country’s commitment to support Nigeria’s efforts to curtail the spread of the EVD through collaboration with the ministry’s officials in Abuja and Lagos airports to ensure that screening is going on.

L-R: Director, Enterprise Development Center, Mr Peter Bamkole; Minister for Industry Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga; Head Business Segment, Marketing, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Bidemi Ladipo and Director General/ Chief Executive Officer, Small Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria, Mr. Bature Masari, during the Etisalat sponsored Market Access Nigeria in Abuja, yesterday.

Nigeria acquires EU10.1m vessel to boost fish production, supply TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

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igeria’s First Lady, Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan, on Wednesday commissioned Nigeria’s newly acquired 10.1million euro research vessel for the Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research, as part of Federal Government’s efforts to boost Nigeria’s local fish supply and help in realizing the country’s self-sufficiency in fish production agenda in the near future.

Speaking during the commissioning and christening of the vessel named “RV Bayagbona”, in Gdanski, Poland, the First Lady said that the focus of the Agricul-

tural Transformation Agenda, ATA, had been to promote strategies for ensuring sustainable fish stocks, integrated fisheries management, aquaculture and improving trade through established global best practices in overall fisheries management.

A statement on the commissioning issued by the Director, Information of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, FMARD, Mr. Tony Ohaeri, quoted Mrs Jonathan as saying that Nigeria is blessed with abundant aquatic resources with a coastline of 853 kilometres, also rich in fish and shrimps, adding that the Niger Delta of Nigeria is reputed as the second largest saltwater habitat in the world and has

shrimps that are most highly valued resource after crude oil.

She commended the Agriculture and Rural Development Minister, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, for the successful acquisition of the vessel which according to her, would help to boost Nigeria’s capacity in marine and oceanographic research for sustainable management of the nation’s vast deep-sea resources.

In his remarks at the ceremony, the minister explained that the approval for the purchase of the 10.1 million euros deep vessel by President Jonathan became imperative in view of the need to properly monitor and manage the diversity of the country’s resources.

Ex NITEL, MTEL workers protest over severance pay MESHACK IDEHEN

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ormer workers of the Nigeria Telecommunications Ltd, and Mobile Telecommunications Limited, MTEL, have said they will continue to shut the company’s premises and deny visitors entry or exit to protest against the government’s failure to pay them their entitlements worth about N1.5bn.

Speaking on behalf of the protesting workers, a leader of the protesters, Mr. Jimoh Paul, told journalists on Thursday that Vice President Namadi Sambo had set up a committee to ascertain if the workers were owed with the committee confirming indeed that they workers were owed.

He said the former workers are protesting so they can have their money, explaining about 600 NITEL/MTEL formers workers are

yet to be paid. He said the government have been promising them since April this year, adding up till now that they have not gotten their money.

Paul explained over 603 of them were omitted in the initial payment in entitlements to disengaged staff of the company, adding all efforts to get government to pay these entitlements since 2011 have proved abortive.

42

Business News

Friday, August 15, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Banks agree to offset N25bn owed defunct PHCN gas suppliers UDO ONYEKA

T

he Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN and Bankers Committee have agreed to commence the payment of an outstanding N25bn gas related legacy debt owed to gas suppliers by the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, in a couple of weeks to ensure steady production and supply of gas to Nigeria’s power sector.

The committee, which made this known in Lagos yesterday after its 217th Bankers Committee meeting said finishing touches are made on how the banks would clear this outstanding that has affected the supply of gas to power stations in the country.

Speaking to journalists on behalf of the committee Managing Director Ecobank, Mr. Jubril

Aku said the committee has set up a special purpose vehicle, SPV, with to support the gas-to-power programme of Nigeria.

He said that the committee was very concerned about the availability of gas and power without which the economy would be adversely affected, adding that of the 26 generating power plants in the country 23 are run on gas.

Aku said an initiatives upwardly review of gas price from a hitherto $1.50 per million cubic feet (mcf) to $2.50mcf and an additional $0.80 as transportation costs for new capacity were measures to make it competitive for gas companies and to support reduce gas to power burden on suppliers.

Managing Director Access Bank Plc, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, said that the committee was not happy at the pace with which the

National Biometric Identification was going.

“We are not happy at the pace which it is being enforced. It is extremely important to the financial systems.

“The banks are urged to intensify efforts to increase the registration of its customers”, he said.

He said though there are challenges of infrastructure, especially as banks are not at the same level in infrastructure and also how to gather customers again to do the register them, but the importance of project is very critical to safety of banking transactions in the country.

Wigwe said the committee has agreed that banks should step up enlightenment campaign to sensitise the public on the importance of biometric registration.

It would be recalled that the CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, at a

L-R: Divisional Traffic Officer, Alade Division, Shomolu, Mr. Olakunle Oluwadare; Regulation Counsel, British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN), Ms Nkem Agboti; Partner and Head, Brand Protection and Illicit Trade, Messrs Jackson, Etti and Edu Law Firm, Mr. Obafemi Agaba, and Divisional Crime Officer, Ijora, Mr. Irewole Abraham at the Enlightenment Workshop on the Lagos State Public Place Smoking Law, organised by BATN for senior officers of the Lagos State Police Command, in Ikeja, Lagos on Wednesday.

Emefiele launches Outbound Money Transfer service TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

T

he Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, will today launch the Outbound Money Transfer Services in partnership with the Western Union Money Transfer, WUMT, as part of the key initiative of the regulatory financial institution.

A statement by the Bank on the outbound service, which is first of its kind in the country, indicated that it will provide Nigerians the opportunity of transferring funds up to $2,000 to their relatives and dependents abroad (person to person transfer).

With the new arrangement, Nigerians will only pay the naira equivalent to the Money Transfer Service Operators for foreign currency disbursements to recipients abroad.

It will be recalled that the CBN had approved recently new Guidelines for International Money Transfer Services in Nigeria, which aimed at providing minimum standards and requirements for International money transfer services operations in Nigeria.

The objectives of the new guidelines are, to provide minimum standards and requirements for International money transfer services operations in Nigeria; specify delivery channels for offering international money transfer services (inbound/outbound), in a cost effective manner; and provide an enabling environment for international money transfer services in the Nigerian economy; Others are, to specify minimum technical and business requirements for various participants in the international money transfer

services industry in Nigeria; and provide broad guidelines for implementation of processes and flows of international money transfer services, from initiation to completion.

Under the new guidelines, all in-bound money transfers to Nigeria shall only be disbursed to beneficiaries through bank accounts, but where a beneficiary does not have a bank account, payments shall only be made on the provision of a satisfactory reference from a current account holder in a bank, confirming that the beneficiary is the bona fide owner of the funds.

The bank stated that application for a licence to carry on the business of International money transfer services shall be submitted to the office of the Director, Banking & Payments System Department, Central Bank of Nigeria, Abuja.

recent inter-agency press briefing between the CBN, ministries of petroleum resources, power, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC and Department of Petroleum Resources ,DPR, had said that the bank will in collaboration with the Bankers’ Committee to provide some forms of interven-

tion to the gas-to-power sector.

The engagements had revealed that there is an outstanding legacy debt of about N25bn.

Emefiele had said the decision was to give support by ensuring that existing gas suppliers are given some confidence by ensuring that the existing debts are paid off.”

34.9 million Nigerians lack access to financial system KUNLE AZEEZ

D

espite the traction overtly being recorded in the country’s march to a pervasive cashless economy, about 34.9 million adult Nigerians are still completely left out of the formal and informal financial system.

This was disclosed by the General Manager for Visa in West Africa, Mr. Ade Ashaye in an interview during the launch of three locally-developed mobile apps to promote financial literacy in Nigeria in Lagos yesterday.

According to Ashaye, one of the moves to bring people into the financial system thereby driving financial inclusion, especially in the rural areas across the country, is to promote financial literacy.

“A World Bank research has shown that economies with better-developed financial systems experience faster drops in income inequality and faster reductions in poverty levels. In Nigeria, studies have shown that there are currently about 43.9 million adults Nigerians without access to financial system and we need to address this,” he said.

He said this development made Visa together with CoCreation Hub in Nigeria in 2013 initiate a financial literacy challenge to develop technological solutions, that were transparent, relevant to Nigerians, developed

by Nigerians and able to reach a broad audience.

As such, the three apps were conceptualised and developed by winners of the Financial Literacy Challenge Mobile Development competition, sponsored

by Visa and delivered by the Co –Creation Hub in Nigeria.

They were designed to help Nigerians make better financial decisions by providing education about the importance of saving and financial management.

“This initiative is part of our strategy to help Nigerians become more financially aware.

What makes it unique is that if encourages Nigerians to develop locally-relevant solutions, tailored for their specific environment and needs.

We are always looking to support innovative programmes that can better equip individuals to manage their money more effectively and these apps achieve that,” Ashaye said.

MTN, Forte Oil partner Legal Blitz on award project KUNLE A ZEEZ

O

ne of Nigerian’s telecoms operator, MTN and Forte Oil and Grace Infotech Limited, publishers of the Law Pavilion, have thrown their weight behind the 2014 ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards.

The ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards, which will hold in Lagos on September 18, 2014, will honour outstanding law firms and legal professionals in Nigeria and in the diaspora.

The Award will reward contributions in key business transactions, practice areas, strategic growth, excellence and innovation in client service, advancement

in technology and support to the growth of the legal profession at large.

The award is based on the legal deals or unique contributions to legal business in Nigeria within the last eighteen months. The award will recognize and honour novel deals and transactions across different sectors of the country’s economy, corporate organisations legal teams as well as the law firms who were involved in structuring such deals.

Speaking on the sponsorship support, Chief Executive Officer, Legal Blitz Limited, organisers of the awards, Mr. Lere Fashola, said, “The support of our sponsors is enormously important to us.’’

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business News

Friday, August 15, 2014

Women entrepreneurs task CBN over micro credit TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

T

he National Coordinator of the Association of Nigerian Women Business Network, ANWBN, Mrs. Titilola Adisa, has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and other financial intervention organisations committed to women economic empowerment to ensure strict monitoring of the implementation of existing policies on micro credit to achieve the objectives of their funding interventions at micro enterprises level in the country.

Adisa, who gave the advice at the Association’s Public-Private Dialogue in Abuja, described the CBN’s N220bn MSMEs Fund as a laudable step towards creating financial access to small and medium scale entrepreneurs in the country.

She noted that as laudable as the initiative and others introduced by the apex bank and development partners are, there was the need to ensure that the funds get directly to the beneficiaries in the grassroots.

The ANWBN Coordinator said: “I have to commend the Federal Government and CBN for releasing the guidelines without which nobody can be part of the fund. With it, we know who and who is qualified for the N220bn MSMEs Fund and what we are to put in place and that is why I mentioned financial literacy and business management for women.

“When we visited the CBN management, we agreed that women need financial literacy. A case is in filing of Forms. Some women do not want to fill form and non-disclosure of what we

have for we are afraid of filling it.

Apart from that, those who want to fill form and see business management as part of us use the capital to enrich our personal needs which is not supposed to be.

“So, because we need to separate our business from personal needs that is why we need financial literacy for our women for them to enjoy the policies the government and financial institutions provided”, Adisa said.

On what she felt could do done to ensure efficient implementation of micro credit policies, Adisa, who is also the National Vice President of the International Federation of Business and Professional Women ,BWP, Nigeria, pointed out that “it is good to have the guidelines and the rules but the implementation is most important”.

NDIC boss bags Civil Society’s award UDO ONYEKA

A

Coalition of Civil Society Organisations of Nigeria, CCSON, has conferred its 2014 Certificate of Commendation Award on the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC, Alh. Umaru Ibrahim.

According to a statement by NDIC, President of the association, Comrade Bassey Williams Etuk said the organisation’s prestigious award was conferred on the NDIC‘s boss in recognition of the enviable and purposeful leadership which he had brought to bear in the management of the Corporation.

“Part of our observations which informed this award were transparency, professionalism, proactive decisions, teamwork and above all, the effective deliv-

ery of the NDIC mandates which our organisation had noticed.

This seems to be uncommon in our nation today, and as such, we have chosen to celebrate it to serve as a model to others, realising that Nigeria is blessed with virtually everything but leadership”, he said.

Etuk said the national award was instituted two years ago by the national body of over 290 civil society organisations, CSOs, as a platform to work with public institutions towards enhancing good governance and promoting efficient service delivery to the citizenry. He pointed that the institution of the award marked a departure from the past when it seemed that CSOs saw nothing good in government and its agencies to an era of identifying and recognising public officers and institutions discovered to have an edge in service delivery.

Multichoice cautions against commercial piracy UDO ONYEKA

I

L-R: Managing Director, Vetiva Fund Managers Limited, Mr. Damilola Ajayi; General Manager, Listing Sales and Retention, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mrs. Taba Peterside; Managing Director, Lotus Capital Limited, Mrs. Hajara Adeola and Head, Product Management, NSE, Mr. Dipo Omotoso at the closing gong ceremony yesterday.

43

n an effort to curb the rising level of commercial piracy of Pay TV signals, MultiChoice, Nigeria’s leading provider of premium pay entertainment, has urged individuals or entities that use DStv services for public use without a commercial license to get a commercial license to enable them broadcast DStv content without litigation.

According to PR Manager, DStv, MultiChoice, Caroline Oghuma, gave commercial pirates the opportunity to convert to legal commercial broadcast in 2013. “We want these subscribers to stay on the right side of the law,

and those who are yet to convert are infringing on the copy right laws of Nigeria and will face appropriate penalties” she declared.

Oghuma, who explained that MultiChoice is working in association with the Nigerian Copyrights Commission, NCC, to stem the rising trend in commercial piracy, stated that early this year, officials of the NCC Lagos Zonal Office issued a 14 day deadline for hotels to obtain the appropriate commercial licenses for the broadcast of DStv channels in their hotels. “We are happy that some hotel owners have complied by legalising their subscriptions.

However, we urge those who have not complied to do so” she reiterated.

New mineral laboratory will check capital flight, says FG Nigerian entrepreneur among F E finalists in Project Inspire 2014 RANCIS

T

ZEM

he Federal Government has said that the newly commissioned National Geosciences Research Laboratories of the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency NGSA will check increasing capital flight, as many of such related services carried out abroad before now will henceforth be done locally.

Miners in Nigeria have over the years done their mineral assay, in the United Kingdom, South Africa or Australia, with the attendant waste of foreign exchange.

The huge project, commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, was made possible through the collaborative efforts of Cargo Defence Fund CDF, Nexim Bank and

NGSA itself.

This facility would enable operators in Nigeria’s solid mineral sector including miners carryout all their mineral laboratory services and analysis locally and at the miner’s convenience, which will conserve foreign exchange.

Director General of NGSA, Dr Alex Ndubuisi, who spoke at the official commissioning of the project, noted that a nation like Nigeria that is heavily endowed with mineral wealth has operated for so many years without a world- class mineral laboratory until now.

According to him, this has made miners and exporters of solid mineral ores suffer untold financial loses and commercial hiccups with their international partners who exploit local operators simply because of the total absence of a bankable mineral

laboratory to analyse and certify the contents of the mineral ore in question.

“Nigeria has lost so much as a result of this. But the 95 years of the existence of the agency has afforded it the opportunity to diversely work on the nation’s minerals and establish documentaries of these minerals across the nation”, he said.

Meanwhile, President of Miners Association of Nigeria, who expressed joy at the new development, said that the efforts of the CDF in facilitating international trade have been wonderful across board.

The President said: “I have seen how Cargo Defence Fund has facilitated trade of many other sectors in the economy. I am happy that with CDF focusing on mineral trade, a new dawn has come to the mineral trade in Nigeria”.

ABOLAJI ADEBAYO

C

orehead Business Solutions, a Nigerian enterprise that involves in the training of women on entrepreneurship and business expansion via mobile platforms has been announced by the Singapore Committee for UN Women and MasterCard as one of the finalists in this year’s Project Inspire: 5 Minutes to Change the World.

This year’s campaign attracted over 500 submissions from 70 countries around the world. Applicants aged 18-35 were asked to submit sustainable ideas to improve the lives of women and girls in Asia/Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, for the chance to win

a US$25,000 grant to help implement their project in the field.

Launched in 2011, Project Inspire: 5 Minutes to Change the World is a joint initiative between Singapore Committee for UN Women and MasterCard, supported by global consulting firm Bain & Company and academic partner, INSEAD. Other finalists showcased a range of innovative ideas, including a pumpkin-farming enterprise targeting single mothers in Uganda, a menstrual hygiene initiative in rural India, an Australian project providing financial support to female refugees, a Cambodian-Singaporean venture, which helps sex workers transition out of the sex industry and run a small business, and a foodprocessing plant, which funds a homeless refuge in Zimbabwe.

44

Agribusiness

Friday, August 15, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

AGRIBUSINESS Fish import quota policy in order –Igbe

Adesina

AbolAji AdebAyo

P

rior to the formulation of the quota policy restricting the volume of fish importation into Nigeria, the local players in the importation business encountered serious repression from their foreign counterparts to the point of being forced out of the business by the foreign players.

The foreign importers controlled about 80 per cent of the market, leaving the local importers with just 20 per cent of the market. This situation in the fishery business brought about many hazards, which were equally borne by both the local players and the consumers of the imported fish. The Nigerian market was full of unwholsome fish, which were sold to unsuspected consumers.

In order to deal with this issue, the Federal Government had tried to work out a revised quota. The fish to be imported could be any species other than those (catfish and tilapia) indicated as not permitted for imports. Reports indicated that the government and importers have settled on an annual baseline fish import figure to be at 700,000 tonnes and to set the quota for 2014 at 500,000 tons.

Majority of the local importers showed satisfaction with the new quota policy, indicating that it would assist with minimising sharp practices which had provided advantages to a few large importers.

The Managing Director of Vesa Fisheries Limited, Mrs. Vero Igbe, who spoke to journalists at her office in Lagos on the prequota policy period of the fisheries business in Nigeria, lamented the hardships of the time, which she said almost forced many local players out of the business.

While relaying the experience of the time, Igbe stated that the foreigners tried all their gimmicks to take over the whole of

Igbe

the business from their local counterparts.

She explained that one of their tactics was to distribute their stocks to the small cold room operators, who sold at retail prices. She explained that those small business owners would be over supplied after which the suppliers, who themselves had retail outlets, would go ahead and slash the price in the market, pushing the local retailers into debt, “and if they now see that you cannot pay them back, they would impound and take over your business. They would have known that you can’t afford more than N1m to run your business, they would now give you market worth more than N10m so that you would not be able to return the money. These are some of their various tactics to force those local players out of the business,” she said.

“Because they had the money, we could not compete with them. Few people who struggled with them ran bankruptcy, they owed banks and eventually ran out of the business,” she added.

Another gimmick by the foreign investors, according to Igbe, was to go round the

world, with their huge capital, to import as many tonnes of fish as they could get into the country in a bid to block the local importers from getting enough in those countries where they imported. She explained that after getting as much as they could, the foreign players would now keep the fish in their stock for about a year.

The fish, according to Igbe, would have been expired before they could sell them to the Nigerian consumers. She said during the period, more than 60 per cent of fish consumed in the country were expired.

She said in actual term of the business, nobody needs to import more than 1,000 tonnes at a time but those foreigners would pile up their stocks with as much as 100,000 tonnes.

She said, “Because nobody used to check expired fish in the various companies, it was easy for them to keep the fish in their stock for up to a year.”

She added that those companies even imported Japan fish, which the country itself could not consume because of the effect of chemical weapons toxics unleashed

on the country during the Second World War. “Japan itself cannot consume its own produced fish, it imports fish for consumption, but whenever the country thought of where to dump the fish, they would say, Nigerians would eat it, and then the fish would be shipped into Nigeria by those foreign importers who were less concerned about the health of the people of the country,” she said.

She continued, “But with this new policy, you can’t buy more than quota given to you by the government whether you are a foreign or local importer. By this policy, Nigeria is now free of expired fish, all the fish we eat in Nigeria now are fresh fish because now, you can’t import more than what you can keep in your stock for more than a month. If you finish that, you can go and import new one.

“I really commend the Federal Government, especially the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development on that quota policy because the policy has really helped us, we the local players in the business. Everybody now has quota for what they can import. It has also helped removed bad fish from our market.”

Igbe explained that with the new policy in place, every consignment of imported fish is properly checked as government officials go round to various companies to take samples of the products, and certify that such are good for consumption before being allowed to be circulated in the market.

She said the local players would soon form an association that would be working with the government, claiming that the existing association is dominated by foreigners, who are not satisfied by the new policy.

She said the foreigners are now clamouring for 75 per cent control of the market, meanwhile, the local players are soliciting 60 per cent control and 40 per cent for the foreigners.

“This is our land, we should be able to control our economy, our business. We lacol players can never feed our own people with expired food, they are our people, they are our relatives,” she commented.

Small scale farmers bemoan limited incentives regime AbolAji AdebAyo

S

mallholder farmers in Nigeria remain underprivileged, lacking access to critical information required for their agricultural activities, a small holder poultry farmer, Bayo Arogundade has said.

Arogundade, who runs an 800-bird poultry farm at Oko-Oba area of Agege in Lagos told National Mirror that the smallholder farmers are often not able to produce sufficiently for their com-

munities and often see limited incentives to produce more than what is needed for their own livelihood.

“This is primarily caused by the limited access to the inputs, support services, markets and credit, which would enable us to increase our production and sales volumes,” he said.

He complained that most of the government’s intervention funds for the farmers and agribusiness operators are not accessible by the real players in the business. He said the funds are most of the times diverted to other things

by those who are at the helm of the scheme.

He said even those who benefit from the funds go through rigorous processes and are still underfunded as they may not be given more than N200,000 loan or grant, which could not be in any way sufficient to boost their business and productivity.

He therefore appealed to the government to restructure its funding intervention schemes in a way that the small scale farmers would be the major beneficiaries.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Friday, August 15, 2014

45

Equities dips marginally as 30 stocks shed weight JOHNSON OKANLAWON

N

igerian stocks continued lower yesterday, as disappointing half year financials of many listed companies, particularly the banking sector, cast shadows on market bets.

The hike in the cash researve ratio of both public and private sectors by the Central Bank of Nigeria, including removal of N100 charges on ATMs, have impacted negatively on banks interest income.

The weaker data has prompted many banks to return to core banking services, aggressively looking for customers deposits and granting more loans to customers.

The All Share Index fell 0.01 per cent to close at 41,750.38 points, compared to the decline of 0.81 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 41,753.19 points.

Market capitalisation depreciated N1bn to close at N13.785trn, compared to the dip of N112bn recorded the preceding day to close at N13.786trn.

The NSE 30-Index lost 0.50 per cent to close at 1,893.93 points, while the Banking Index shed 0.84 per cent to close at 423.16 points.

The Insurance Index depreciated 0.06 per cent to close at 144.43 points, while the Consumer Goods Index dropped 1.09 per cent to close at 1,031.22 points.

The Lotus Islamic Index

gained 0.49 per cent to close at 1,793.94 points, but the Oil and Gas Index declined 0.88 points to close at 473.32 points.

The Industrial Index rose one per cent to close at 2,739.97 points. The Alternative Securities Market closed flat at 951.96 points.

A total of 103 stocks were traded,19 stocks appreciated in value, while 30 stocks dropped in value.

Premier Breweries Plc led the gainers with five kobo or five per cent to close at N1.05 per share, followed by Neimeth International Plc with five kobo or 4.90 per cent to close at N1.07 per share.

Pharmadeco Plc was up 10 kobo or 4.61 per cent to close at N2.27 per share.

Paints Manufacturing Company added seven kobo

or 4.55 per cent to close at N1.61 per share, while Costain Plc gained five kobo or 4.35 per cent to close at N1.20 per share.

Conversely, Conoil Plc dropped N5.26 or 7.26 per cent to close at N67.24 per share, while Portland Paints Plc lost 28 kobo or 4.97 per cent to close at N5.35 per share.

Learn Africa Plc fell seven kobo or 4.43 per cent to close at N1.51 per share, while Custodian Insurance Plc dipped 17 kobo or 4.35 per cent to close at N3.74 per share.

Honeywell Plc depreciated 17 kobo or 4.08 per cent to close at N4.00 per share.

A total of 207.9 million shares valued at N2.24bn were traded in 4,785 deals.

NIDF investors to get N61 coupon per note JOHNSON OKANLAWON

I

nvestors in the Nigerian International Debt Fund, NIDF will receive an interim dividend of N60.71 per note, as the Fund Managers, Afrinvest Asset Management Limited, commenced payments.

A statement from the firm yesterday said, the N60.71 coupon per note is well above the initial esti-

mated dividend payment of N36.00 per note.

The statement quoted the Managing Director of Afrinvest West Africa Limited, the parent company of the fund manager, Mr. Ike Chioke, as saying that the number of qualified notes on the register of the NIDF, as at the closure date of July 29, 2014 stood at 727,515.1892, and a total of N44, 167,447.1363 will be distributed to all note holders

at N60.71 per note.

He said, “Dividends have become an important factor for investors to consider and, at Afrinvest, we are committed to providing value for our clients, helping them achieve their investment objectives.”

The NIDF, which is listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, invests in the domestic and international debt instruments of the Federal Government of Ni-

geria as well as those of the 36 states.

It 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.

Global stocks up on Putin comments, bond yields fall

G

lobal equity markets edged higher yesterday, after President Vladimir Putin of Russia sounded a conciliatory note over the crisis in Ukraine, while bond yields in Europe fell to record lows as the euro zone’s recovery stalled in the second quarter.

Putin told Russian ministers and members of parliament in Crimea that Russia would stand up for itself but not at the cost of confrontation with the outside world, easing off months of tough rhetoric over Ukraine.

Stocks on Wall Street rose, following gains in Europe, where equity markets have tumbled in past weeks on fears of an escalation of tensions between the West and Moscow over Ukraine.

“The situation in Ukraine will only become a problem if it gets much worse, and

right now it doesn’t seem like that’s going to be the case, which is helping the market hang in there,” said Brian Battle, director of trading at Performance Trust Capital Partners in Chicago.

The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index rose 0.28 per cent to close at 1,329.14 points, and MSCI’s all-country world index rose 0.3 per cent.

On Wall Street, the Dow Jones industrial average rose 55.26 points, or 0.33 per cent, at 16,707.06 points, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index was up 7.98 points, or 0.41 per cent, at 1,954.70 points. The Nasdaq Composite Index was up 15.82 points, or 0.36 per cent, at 4,449.94 points.

Bond yields dropped to record lows across the euro zone, and the euro hovered near its weakest in nine

months after Germany reported its economy shrank in the second quarter, fueling expectations of more European Central Bank stimulus.

German 10-year bond yields briefly traded below one per cent for the first time, falling to 0.988 per cent, according to traders who contribute data to trading platforms. Spanish and French bond yields also plumbed record lows.

Benchmark 10-year US Treasuries rose 5/32 in price, pushing the yield down to 2.4104 per cent.

A surprise 0.2 per cent contraction in economic output in Germany, the euro zone’s growth engine, and stagnation in France halted the currency bloc’s recovery.

Analysts polled by Reuters had expected the euro zone to eke out a 0.1 per cent quar-

terly expansion.

Persistent fears about Russia’s aid convoy to eastern Ukraine, which Kiev and the West reckon could be a pretext for an invasion, also helped intensify demand for lower-risk US and German government debt.

“These events are pushing German and global yields lower,” said Andrew Mulligan, head of global strategy at Standard Life Investments in London.

“Some of the engines of growth in Europe, especially Germany, are slowing.

France and Italy are showing stagnation.”

The euro rose from ninemonth lows against the dollar, trading 0.02 per cent stronger at $1.3367. The Japanese yen traded just above break-even at 102.49.

Source: NSE

Market indicators All-Share Index 42,612.33 points Market capitalisation 14.10trn

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

CONOIL

62.32

68.70

6.38

10.24

UBN

8.20

8.61

0.41

5.00

ABCTRANS

0.82

0.86

0.04

4.88

NNFM

19.70

20.65

0.95

4.82

ETI

17.52

18.33

0.81

4.62

ROYALEX

0.51

0.53

0.02

3.92

VITAFOAM

4.12

4.28

0.16

3.88

PORTPAINT

5.19

5.37

0.18

3.47

NASCON

10.09

10.42

0.33

3.27

FO

231.00

238.50

7.50

3.25

CHANGE

% CHANGE

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

DNMEYER

1.15

1.10

-0.05

-4.35

ETERNA

4.17

3.99

-0.18

-4.32

CONTINSURE

1.04

1.00

-0.04

-3.85

UBCAP

2.19

2.13

-0.06

-2.74

WAPIC

0.85

0.83

-0.02

-2.35

NAHCO

5.15

5.03

-0.12

-2.33

PRESTIGE

0.51

0.50

-0.01

-1.96

MANSARD

2.55

2.50

-0.05

-1.96

IKEJAHOTEL

0.72

0.71

-0.01

-1.39

NEM

0.80

0.79

-0.01

-1.25

FGN Bonds Offer

Bid Description

Price

Yield

Price

Yield

13.05 16-AUG-20162 2.01

103.05

11.31

103.20

11.22

15.10 27-APR-2017

2.70

108.75

11.23

108.90

11.17

16.00 29-JUN-2019

4.87

116.35

11.51

116.65

11.44

16.39 27-JAN-2022

7.46

120.50

12.13

120.80

12.07

14.20 14-MAR-2024

9.58

110.40

12.32

110.70

12.27

10.00 23-JUL-2030

15.94 84.75

12.19

85.05

12.14

Closing Market Prices of August 14, 2014

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

13-Nov-14

10.70

10.45

19-Feb-15

10.40

10.15

6-Aug-15

10.20

9.95

NIBOR Tenor

Rate (%)

O/N

10.9167

1M

12.8622

3M

13.7580

6M

14.4025 The Fixings of August 14, 2014

46

Capital Market

Friday, August 15, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stock exchange daily equities summary Equities as at August 14, 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

Friday August 15, 2014

Community Mirror How much food is produced here, and how many airlines are we making here? How many vehicles are made here? In terms of construction, how many are made here?

GOVERNOR OF LAGOS STATE, BABATUNDE FASHOLA

Bayelsa inaugurates Council boss commended for agency for less privileged development programmes T DARE AKOGUN

T

he Secretary, of Kajola local government Education Authority, in Oyo State, Mr. S.S Abiodun, has commended the council transition chairman, Hon. Tirimisiyu Adesola Alarape, for always taking care of primary school teachers in the area.

He made this commendation at the presentation of motor cycle and monthly

imprest to the teachers’ supervisor and for logistic support.

The council chairman was also commended for the renovation of head teachers offices and provision of text books to their various schools,even as he praised for donating a published work on Yoruba language titled; Ta ntOlohun.

Also speaking at the event, the former state chairman of Hopson, Mr. F.O Adebayo, called on the

need for government to keep up the tempo of democratic dividends by solving bureaucratic delays in the payment of retirement benefits. In his speech, the Divisional Police Officer of Kajola Local Government, Mr. Ismail Mobolaji Jimoh stressed on the importance of security of lives and properties, even as he tips on the prevention of crimes in the home and community at large.

Addressing the occa-

sion, Hon. Tirimisiyu stated that his administration will dwell on programmes and projects being implemented at the state and local levels that have greatly aided in the improvement of primary and secondary education under the Ajimobi led administration in the state.

He further promised more positive gestures in the areas of literacy and debating, sporting events and youth development.

L-R: S. A to Secretary of Local Education School Board, Mr. S. Abiodun, Transition Committee Chairman, Hon. Tirimisiyu Alarape, Local Government Secretary, Hon. Nuhu Balogun; Mr Akanji Robert and a headmaster, receiving the books.

Flood victims plead for government assistance HAKEEM GBADAMOSI AKURE

R

esidents of Ese Odo in Ese Odo local government area of Ondo State have called on the state government, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, and Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Commission, OSOPADEC, to assist those affected by flood, following a downpour in the past two days.

They made the appeal during the visit of representatives of the government, NDDC and OSOPADEC, to areas ravaged

by the flood.

The communities affected include Amepere, New Jerusalem, Arogbo and others, even as they said the flood destroyed their houses while fish ponds were washed away.

Speaking on their predicament, a fish farmer from Oyinbogbini, Joshua Oyinbo, lamented that he lost more than 15,000 fishes in his pond. “We are appealing to the relevant agencies to come to aid to prevent an epidemic”.

Oyinbo noted that the flood affected the people economically and psycho-

logically, as many have been rendered homeless.

The traditional ruler of Arogbo, in Ese Odo Local Government, His Royal Highness, Sofiyea lauded the visiting team for their efforts but called for a lasting solution to the flooding.

He said “most of our people have been rendered homeless and their source of livelihood destroyed. We will appreciate a prompt assistance from the government and the NDDC. “I will also want the government to find a lasting solution because we usually experience flooding

every year and believe the government can help fix all these problems before they go out of hand.”

Speaking on behalf of the government, the Commissioner for Environment, Sola Ebiseni assured the people that government will compensate those affected by the flood.

Ebisenu who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Alexander Aragbaye, said the teams have moved round the affected communities to access the extent of damage and assured that government will assist them.

he Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson, has said his administration will collaborate with Ayamara Foundation and organisations at improving the welfare of the less privileged in the state.

Governor Dickson gave the assurance at the unveiling of the Ayamara Foundation, fundraising and 65th birthday of Hon. Stella Dorgu at the International Conference Centre, Garki, Abuja.

Represented by the Chief of Staff, Mrs. Didi Walson Jack, the governor said the goals of the foundation were in consonance with those of his administration.

“Bayelsa specially identifies with what is going at Ayamara Foundation,which is in line with our restoration agenda. As partners in progress, the impact on the lives of the more vulnerable in the society will definitely

Gov. Dickson

be appreciated,” Dickson said.

The Governor restated his commitment to the welfare scheme of the aged, small enterprise incentive programme as well as free and compulsory education for children.

Also speaking, the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, described Ayamara Foundation as another milestone in helping the less privileged in the remote communities of the country, especially Bayelsa State.

Ajimobi presents transformers to community

G

overnor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has presented five units of 500KVA transformers to Apete Community in Ido local government area to improve power supply.

While presenting the transformers, the governor through the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Ido local government, Prof.

Joseph Olowofela, said the gesture was in fulfillment of an earlier promise to boost power supply and socio-economic activities in the area.

Governor Ajimobi had, during his visit to the community, promised to provide transformers to the area.

He enjoined the benefi-

ciary communities to make good use of the transformers, stressing that adequate security should be provided to prevent them from being vandalised.

Governor Ajimobi assured other communities that had made requests for transformers that they will be considered.

Speaking on behalf of the Apete community, the Baale of Oriade-Apete, Chief Nurudeen Salaudeen expressed appreciation for the gesture, describing it as a further manifestation of exemplary leadership.

He said the transformers will go a long way in boosting businesses of artisans in the area.

48

Transition

lor, he was made the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos in 1972.

The twilight of his career as Vice Chancellor was a controversial one, the then Obasanjo regime had introduced some student fees to the dismay of the students, who demanded free education. Students then decided to riot, a situation which was termed ‘Ali must go’.

During the protests, a student, Akintunde Ojo was shot by the police.

The ensuing protest by students against the killing caused mayhem. In 1978, he was arbitrarily relieved of his position and returned to the University of Ibadan.

As an early writer of Nigerian and African history, like the late Profes-

sor Kenneth Dike, Ajayi brought considerable respect to the university of Ibadan and African research. He is known for the arduous research and rigorous effort he puts into his work.

His style of rigorous research presented new pathways in African historiography and augmented awareness among scholarly circles outside the continent to African methodologies and perceptions.

By weighing sources both written and oral, he was able to find new issues of interest that formed the basis of British colonisation of Lagos, balancing official British documentation of the event with additional material.

In 1993, Ajayi was awarded the “Distinguished Africanist Award” by the African Studies Association. In 1994, he became an Honorary Fellow of SOAS.

his father took early retirement and the family moved to Wood acre, California, where he attended the public Redwood High School in nearby Larkspur. When he graduated in 1969, the senior class voted him both “Most Likely Not to succeed” and “Funniest.”

Williams studied political science at Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, California. Williams left Claremont and attained a full scholarship to the esteemed Juilliard School in New York City.

In between Claremont and Juilliard, he re-

J F Ade-Ajayi

P

rofessor Jacob Festus Ade-Ajayi was born in Ikole-Ekiti on May 26, 1929, his father was a personal assistant of the Oba of Ikole during the era of Native Authorities. He started education at St Paul’s School, Ikole, at the age of five and then proceeded to Ekiti Central School as a pupil teacher.

He gained admission admission into the Igbobi College, Lagos under a schol-

arship from the Ikole Ekiti Native authority. After his secondary school education, late Ajayi gained admission into the University of Ibadan, to study History.

In 1952, he went overseas and studied at Leicester University, under the tutelage of Professor Jack Simmons, a brilliant Oxford-trained historian.

After graduation, he was made a research fellow at the Institute of Historical Research, London from 1957-1958. He later returned to Nigeria and joined the History Department of the University of Ibadan.

In 1964, he was made Dean of Arts at the university and later promoted to position of Deputy Vice Chancellor. After his stint as Deputy Vice Chancel-

Robin Williams

R

obin McLaurin Williams was born in Chicago, Illinois, on July 21, 1951.

He was raised Episcopalian (while his mother practiced Christian Science, and later authored the comedic list, “Top Ten Reasons to be an Episcopalian.”

Williams attended elementary school in Lake Forest, Illinois and began middle school there.

He excelled in school and became president of the class. He was on the school’s soccer and

wrestling team. Williams spent much of his time alone in the family’s large home, playing with his 2,000 toy soldiers. “My only companions, my only friends as a child were my imagination,” he said.

William’s father was away much of the time and, when he was home, Williams found him “frightening”. His mother worked too, leaving Williams to be attended to by the maids they employed.

Williams claimed

his upbringing left him with an acute fear of abandonment and a condition he described as “Love Me Syndrome.”

When Williams was 16,

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that Asanigha Aboudegha is the same person as Asanigha Eniye. that henceforth i wish to be known and addressed as Asanigha Aboudegha Eniye. All former document remain valid.Niger Delta University, Amasoma and general public take note.

OMOREGIE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Joy Omoregie now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Joy Francis Emmanuel. All former documents remain valid. Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, NYSC and the general public should please take note.

AGBURA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Maria Bele Agbura now wishes to be known and addressed as Mrs Maria Bele Ogbara. All former document remain valid. National Youth Service Corps and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Fatimah Aina Bello, now wishes to be known and addressed as Mrs Fatimah Aina Bello - Yussuff. All former document remain valid. General public take note.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Friday August 15, 2014

CHANGE OF NAME

BABALOLA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Babalola Mojisola Mayowa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Opeola Mojisola Mayowa. All former documents remain valid. LAUTECH Teaching Hospital Ogbomoso, Oyo State and general public should please take note.

FAMILY CHANGE OF NAME

NDUBILO: We formerly known and addressed as Mrs Ndubilo Bridget Ogbenyeanu, Ndubilo Chioma Bridget, Ndubilo Nnedimma Elizabeth, Ndubilo Chukwuneme John, Ndubilo Ikenna Mathew and Ndubilo Chinemelum Maryann, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Muonaeme Bridget Ogbenyeanu, Muonaeme Chioma Bridget, Muonaeme Nnedimma Elizabeth, Mounaeme Chukwuneme John, Muonaeme Ikenna Mathew and Muonaeme Chinemelum Maryann. All former documents remains valid. General public take note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT This is to notify the general public of the Loss of Original Letter of Conveyance of Provisional Approval for Grant of Right of Occupancy and all relevant Receipts in respect of Plot No.C39,File BN 116 Phase AA4 Extension issued by Kuje Area Council,FCT Abuja, in the name of Mr. R.G. Mtagherornyi. All efforts to trace the said document proved abortive. If found please return to the nearest police station.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

ADONU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adonu Edith Ebele, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ezeh Edith Ebele. All for documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

UZOCHUKWU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Uzochukwu Chidera Judith, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Otti Chidera Judith. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

UMEMBA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Love Umemba, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Love Ojiaku. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given to Mr. Sunny Ejemai or anyone privy to his current address or whereabout to please get in touch with Mr. Anthony Peter Okoredafe in respect of pending matters concerning his daughter, Sonia Temitope Ejemai on the following numbers: +44 7908 18 4141, 08028267502.

Signed: Barr. Alfred James

Elder James Olaiya

T

he family of late Elder James Ojo Olaiya Falade has fixed tomorrow for the final burial ceremony of the deceased at his residence in Asin Ekiti, Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State.

According to release

turned to Marin County and studied theatre for three years at a community college, the College of Marin, where according to drama professor James Dunn, Williams’s talent first became evident when he was cast as Fagin in Oliver!

Williams described himself as a quiet child whose first imitation was of his grandmother to his mother. He did not overcome his shyness until he became involved with his high school drama department.

In 1973, Williams was one of only 20 students accepted into the freshCHANGE OF NAME

AGBEDE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Veronica Oluwabusayo Agbede, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs Veronica Oluwabusayo Maborukoje.

All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

the body will leave the General Hospital Asin Ekiti to his residence on Friday August 15, 2014 where a Christian wake keep will take place.

He will be interred in his residence, while thanks giving will be held at the C.A.C District Headquarters Ona Iye Asin Ekiti..

His son, Mr. Albert of the of Lift Above Poverty Organisation, LAPO, Ilorin branch stated that the deceased was a devout Christian and patron (Baba Ijo) of C.A.C Ona Iye Asin Ekiti in his life time.

He was 75 years old and survived by many children, grandchildren and great grandchildren

man class at Juilliard and one of only two students to be accepted

by John Houseman into the Advanced Program at the school that year.

On August 11, 2014, Williams was discovered unresponsive by his personal assistant at his home in Paradise Cay near Tiburon, California.

Police and firefighters responded to a 9-1-1 emergency call; Williams was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

It was reported that Williams had apparently hanged himself with a belt and died due to asphyxiation.

CHANGE OF NAME

ONI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Oni Opeyemi Funmilayo, now wish to be called and addressed as Mrs. Oni Opeyemi Funmilayo. All former documents remain valid. Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti and general public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

WONDERFUL GLORY OF CHRIST EVANGELICAL MINISTRY

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part C of the Companies and Allied Matter Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

1. Aladesuyi Olayinka 2. Aladesuyi Monsuratu 3. Aladesuyi Kayode 4. AladesuyiAdekunle

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

1. To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to the whole world, to propagate the Gospel through evangelism, outreach and crusade with a view to bring people to Christ.

2. Counseling, Liberating the oppressed, equipping disciples for service, sustaining souls for the kingdom of God through discipleship and Healing the broken hearted by strengthen their fellowship with Christ and one another.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission (C.A.C) P.M.B 198, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Irosi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED: ALADESUYI OLAYINKA

Friday, August 15, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

49

World News “Diplomacy must be encouraged (in Korea) so that listening and dialogue replace mutual recriminations, fruitless criticisms and displays of force.”

–Pope Francis

Liberia gets Ebola drug, ponders who should get it Paul arhewe

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

L

iberian officials faced an excruciating choice yesterday: deciding which handful of Ebola patients will receive an experimental drug that could prove life-saving, ineffective or even harmful.

ZMapp, the untested Ebola drug, arrived in the West African country late Wednesday. Assistant Health Minister Tolbert Nyenswah said three or four people would begin getting it from yesterday.

The government had previously said two doctors would receive the treatment, but it was unclear who else would.

These are the last known doses of ZMapp left in the world. The San Diegobased company that developed it has said it will take months to build up even a modest supply.

The Ebola outbreak that was first detected in March in Guinea and spread to Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria has killed more than 1,060 of the 1,975 people sickened by it, according to the World Health Organization.

The outbreak has overwhelmed the already strained health systems in West Africa and sparked an international debate

Liberian police officers dressed in riot gear disperse a crowd of people during a protest concerning Ebola in Monrovia, yesterday.

PHOTO: AP

over the ethics of giving drugs that have not yet been tested for safety or efficacy to the sick, and over who should get the drugs. So far, only two Americans and one Spaniard have received it. The Americans are improving — but it is unclear what role the drug has played. The Spaniard died.

Doctors Without Borders, which is running many of the Ebola treatment centres and whose staff have tussled with whether to provide ZMapp, said such choices present “an impossible dilemma.”

Now Liberian officials are facing those

questions.

“The criteria of selection is difficult, but it is going to be done,” said Dr. Moses Massaquoi, who helped Liberia obtain the drug from Mapp Biopharmaceutical. “We are going to look at how critical people are. We are definitely going to be focusing on medical staff.”

Massaquoi said people who were past the “critical phase” and looked likely to survive would not be treated with it.

In this outbreak, over 50 percent of those sickened with Ebola have died, according to the U.N. health agency.

Somalia launches disarmament campaign, seizes 500 guns

S

omalia’s government has launched a new disarmament campaign that has netted some 500 guns and sparked gun battles in a capital that is awash with weapons, said officials who want to get rid of the weapons before they fall into the hands of al-Qaeda-linked fighters Gun markets have a long history in Mogadishu, a city once ruled by clan warlords.

Disarmament campaigns, run both by weak Somali governments and by the U.S. military in the early 1990s, have had limited success. But the government is trying again.

Troops raided a military official’s home and discovered guns that authorities said were going to be sold to al-Shabaab rebels.

The official was arrested after a heavy firefight, said Mohamed Yusuf, the spokesman for Somalia’s national security ministry. Security forces also raided a garage belonging to the former anti-U.S. warlord Osman Atto, who died last year, seizing rocket-propelled grenades and bombs, Yusuf said.

Raids over the last week have netted some 500 guns and hundreds of boxes of ammunition, he said.

Two more night raids followed against a former U.S.-backed anti-Islamist warlord, Abdi Nurre Siad, who escaped during a firefight at his home. Troops also raided a

WORLD BULLETIN Nigerian quarantined in Singapore, tests negative to Ebola

A

Nigerian woman sent to a Singapore hospital isolation unit yesterday does not have Ebola as initially suspected, the Straits Times reported.

Philip Choo, chief executive of the government hospital where the woman was sent, said it was a false alarm and the woman had been discharged, the newspaper said.

“We saw a patient with a history from Nigeria,” Choo said, adding that her detailed history revealed “no contact with any suspect or confirmed patients”.

The woman, in her 50s, was believed to have flown into Singapore recently and arrived at a hospital emergency department with a fever, the newspaper said.

The world’s worst outbreak of Ebola has claimed the lives of 1,069 people and there are 1,975 probable and suspected cases, the vast majority in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, according to the World Health Organization.

There have been no confirmed cases in Asia.

UN sounds alarm on humanitarian crisis in Iraq

T

he UN has declared its highest level of emergency in Iraq as a humanitarian crisis follows the rapid advance by Islamic State militants in the north.

Kurdish officials said the situation in Dohuk city, with 150,000 refugees, was now critical.

The UN estimates that 1.2 million Iraqis have been internally displaced.

The three other countries that have the same emergency status are Syria, South Sudan and the Central African Republic.

The declaration by the UN of a “Level 3 Emergency” would “facilitate mobilisation of additional resources in goods, funds and assets to ensure a more effective response to the humanitarian needs of populations affected by forced displacements”, said UN special representative Nickolay Mladenov.

South Sudan leaders show little appetite for peace deal –UN African Union (AU) peacekeepers stand near a cache of weapons recovered from a garage in Mogadishu, Somalia.

home belonging to a Somali member of parliament who is the son of a former warlord.

No weapons were found, Yusuf said.

“So far we have made good progress in the disarmament plan,” said Yusuf. “This plan is to ensure the stability of Mogadishu.”

One intelligence official was killed during the operations, according to Yusuf.

But even as officials seek to remove weapons, others still come into the Horn of Afri-

ca country.

The Small Arms Survey, a research project based in Switzerland, says world governments in recent years have covertly delivered “tens of thousands of small arms and light weapons to various armed groups in Somalia despite a long-standing U.N. arms embargo.” The group said those weapons range from assault rifles to third-generation SA-18 MANPADS, a portable air defence system.

S

outh Sudan President Salva Kiir and rebel chief Riek Machar show little interest in making a deal to end months of fighting that has brought the nation to the brink of “man-made” famine, U.N. Security Council envoys said during a visit to East Africa.

Clashes in December between soldiers loyal to Kiir and supporters of his former deputy Machar plunged the oil-producing country back into conflict, less than three years after its hard-won independence from former civil war foe Sudan.

50

Politics

Friday, August 15, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

2015: Benue coalition makes case for female gov HENRY IYORKASE MAKURDI

A

Former National Chairman, All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Bisi Akande (left) and Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, during the governor’s visit to Akande at his residence in Ila-Orangun

Council boss calls for more polling units TOYEEB OLAYINKA

T

ransition committee chairman of Kajola local government, Oyo State, Tirimisiyu Adeniran, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to create more polling units in the council.

Adeniran, represented

by Hon. Nuhu Balogun at a forum where INEC sensitised electorate on the Continuous Voters’ Registration, VCR and

related matters, said the demand for more units and wards is necessary due to increase in population in the different towns and villages in Kajola, after the release of the authentic figures of 2006 census.

Responding to the request, INEC’s representative, Alhaji Adedokun Najeemu, assured the council that measures will be put in place to look into the request at the appropriate time.

Urging the residents to continually support

the administration of Governor Isiaka Ajimobi in other to gain more dividends of democracy, Adeniran also reiterated his commitment towards making life better for the council as he promised to empower youths, market women, artisans and unemployed school leavers.

He said: “Efforts are also in top gear at revolutionising the agricultural sector with the restocking of the fish pond, hiring of tractors to farmers at affordable rates, among others

plans aimed at empowering farmers across board in the council, he said.”

Adeniran

coalition of nongovernment organisations of women groups in Benue State has endorsed the only female governorship aspirant, Dr. Mrs Roseline Ada Chenge, for her resilience and untiring quest to lead Benue.

The coalition told National Mirror in Makurdi yesterday that its decision to endorse Chenge for the governorship position in the state was based on her consistency and pedigree as an excellent achiever.

Recalling that Mrs. Chenge was the only aspirant who stood her ground and challenged Governor Gabriel Suswam in the party primaries in 2007, the coalition recounted her numerous achievements in public service, citing the provision of earth dams and rural agricultural programs she pioneered at the Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority, LBRBDA, as its Managing Director.

They explained that she was responsible for the establishment of the water projects in Benue during her tenure as the

General Manager of the state water board, which they claimed led to her appointment as LBRBDA chief executive.

Commenting on the endorsement, Mrs Elizabeth Jeiyol, coordinator of Gender and Environment Risk Reduction Initiative, said that women were supportive of the aspirations of Mrs Chenge based on the brevity of the only woman aspirant, calling on the political parties to remove bureaucratic bottlenecks against women aspirants.

She regretted that the current party structures were not in support of women occupying major political offices in the state and appealed to the leadership of the parties to amend such provisions Jeiyol a female lecturer at the Benue State University, commended the brevity of Chenge, saying it was wake up call for other women in the state.

Mrs Justina Kantiok , coordinator of Women Against Domestic Violence, called on the men to support their wives to achieve their political dreams stressing that gone are the days when a woman’s place was only confined to the kitchen.

Abia, still groping in darkness CHINWEUBA BELUCHUKWU HYACINTH

S

ince the entrenchment of democracy in Nigeria’s political life, a good number of states have produced God-fearing and people-oriented governors, who have transformed their states to the admiration and envy of all.

A trip to Akwa-Ibom, Lagos, Cross-Rivers, Bayelsa, Katsina, Jigawa, Enugu and Imo states to mention but a few, one will be amazed with the level of uncommon transformation cutting across all spheres of life.

The citizens of such states are truly enjoying the dividends of democracy, notably, in the areas of quality roads, well-equipped health centres and hospitals, youth empowerment, agricultural breakthroughs, good schools, rural electrification, and interactions with the masses through town hall meetings with governors. All these, without mincing words point to good governance and responsive governments.

One cannot but applaud the actions of the aforementioned governors and their states having clearly shown commitment and determination to improve the lives of

the down-trodden.

In Akwa-Ibom for instance, Governor Akpabio has defined what good governance is all about, having turned the state from darkness to light with his uncommon transformation of the State.

What was even more delightful was his regular and periodic interactions with the people through town halls meetings. This, of course, affords the governor the opportunity to know the plights of the people as he strives to solve them. That is the beauty of democracy.

But taking take a trip to Abia State, one finds a different ball game. This is a state where the government talks, sleeps, wakes and dances propaganda. A state where good road network is only found on billboards. In other words, it is a state where dividends of democracy reach the people only on the pages of newspapers, televisions and social media.

I can be proved wrong, but before you do, why don’t you journey to Abia State and take stock of the developments from Orji Uzor Kalu era till date, you will be tempted to place a curse on God knows who. Yet, these are leaders who will be priding themselves as leaders.

Orji

It is certainly difficult to believe that a community in Arochukwu Local Government, called Ndi Ebe Abam, that was cut off from the rest of the state over a month ago, as a result of bridge collapse is yet to receive Abia State governments’ attention.

The governor, Theodore Orji, never bordered to pay a visit to the area to ascertain the level of damage done to this community of over 1,000 inhabitants, despite the huge publicity given to the Igwu River collapsed bridge.

In all honesty, this cannot happen in

states like Lagos, Edo, Imo, Enugu, AkwaIbom and Rivers. One is therefore tempted to ask this simple question: How does Orji feel when he visits these aforementioned states for a function?

Well, I will not be surprised if he is not touched by the huge developmental projects going on in those states. It only takes a real leader to be.

The law abiding sons and daughters of this peace loving community have resigned themselves to fate. But, what is even worrisome is the unimagined level of suffering this community faces on a daily basis, arising from inability to transport agricultural products to neighbouring towns and villages to make ends meet.

There is therefore a clarion call to concerned Nigerians, organised groups, corporate organisations, the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Federal Ministry of Works and President Goodluck Jonathan to come to the aid of this community.

God in His infinite mercy will surely reward you in hundred folds.

Chinweuba writes from Umuahia, Abia State.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North

Friday,August 15, 2014

51

FG releases N10bn for ecological control, says minister WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

T

he Federal Government has said that it has released the sum of N10bn from the Ecological Fund for the implementation of the Great Green Wall programme.

The Minister of Environment, Laurentia Mallam Laraba, who disclosed this while speaking at 3rd

Northern Stakeholders’ Forum/Zonal Ecofair held at Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, stated that the programme has three-year implementation time frame.

She said despite the huge resources the Federal Government had made available over the years to combat drought and desertification in the country, the result the in intervention had not been commensurate with re-

sources expended.

She called for improved community, state and federal government interventions in ensuring the implementation of the Federal Government policies on desertification, climate change and flooding, among other ecological challenges.

The minister said the Federal Government was conscious of the ecological problems bedeviling states,

and had put in place strategies, funded and executed several drought and desertification control projects across the nation, especially in vulnerable states.

She stated that strategies, such as establishment of shelter belts, sand dune fixation, model villages, tree planting campaign and other afforestation programmes, were some of the measures put in place by the Federal

Government to check ecological problems.

While noting that the Federal Government could not do it alone, the minister called for the support and commitment of all stakeholders involved in funding to address ecological issues by paying up their respective shares of the revenue allocation to address ecological problems.

The state governor, Captain Idris Wada, said the exploitation of the earth by mankind had been responsible for the resultant effect of global warming.

Wada, who was represented by his deputy, Yomi Awoniyi, made the observation while delivering his keynote address on the occasion yesterday.

He lamented the reality

and the high cost associated with managing ecological challenges such as erosion, land and mudslides.

The governor said the Federal Government was doing its part by initiating and funding ecological projects across the country.

He called on other stakeholders to contribute by keying in into the projects, as well as ensuring that they served the purposes for which they were meant.

Wada expressed worry over the increasing ecological problems that states in Nigeria were grappling with, saying the theme of the workshop, “Enhancing Partnership Towards Sustainable Ecological Projects Management,” was appropriate and come at the right time.

TESCOM boss laments mass failure in SSCE WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

L-R: Executive Director, Services, Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Chemical, KRPC, Mr. Idi Mukhtar; Village Head, Rido Hausa, Alhaji Hamisu Haruna and Village Head, Sabon Gari Rido, Mallam Abdullahi Idris, during an Ebola awareness prevention and sensitisation campaign in Kaduna, yesterday.

Rape cases under-reported in Borno –NGO INUSA NDAHI MAIDUGURI

T

he Co-ordinator, Women in the New Nigeria and Youth Initiative, WINN, a nongovernment organisation, NGO, in Borno State, Comrade Lucy Yunana, has said the increasing cases of rape and other

violence against women and girls can be attributed to lack of victims and witnesses’ report to the relevant authorities for appropriate action.

She said the fear of victims and parents in not reporting such cases for necessary action due to the belief that the society might stigmatise the

victim, coupled with the fear of not being able to get married in the future should always be avoided.

The co-ordinator stated this yesterday while delivering her speech at a one-day Capacity Building Workshop on Violence Against Women and Girls organised for youth groups at the

Women Development Centre, Maiduguri, the state capital.

She noted with dismay that some men who were over 60 or 70 years old often molest, harass and even rape a girl of between 4 to 10 years, under the guise of spirituality, just to make ends meet.

Wrong approach, challenge to rescue operations –NEMA chief GLORIA USMAN ABUJA

T

he National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, yesterday said unco-ordinated rescue efforts by response agencies during emergencies in the country, especially mass casualty-related disasters, have continued to be a major challenge during rescue operations.

The Co-ordinator of Abuja Operations Office of NEMA, Mr. Ishaya Chonoko, stated this yesterday at a one-day enlighten-

ment programme entitled: “Mass Casualty Handling at Scenes of Explosion and Evacuation Plan for Communities Prone to Flood,” organised in Abuja.

He said the essence of the workshop was to address gaps in handling mass casualties at the scene of explosions.

While using the recent explosion at Emab Plaza, Abuja, as an example, Chonoko said unco-ordinated rescue approach and independent rescue activities by stakeholders often lead to poor accountability of the affected and expectant

casualties, thereby resulting in an inefficient tracking of casualties, among others.

The co-ordinator said it had become necessary, due to the complexity of disasters, to review and carry out enlightenmentment programmes, while policies are formulated for disaster management in the country.

This, he said, is to improve synergy, as well as educate stakeholders and volunteers on their roles and responsibilities in disaster scenarios, assist in identifying critical resources,

and improve the response capacity of stakeholders in disaster management.

In his goodwill message, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Abuja, Mbu Joseph Mbu, corroborated the statement, stressing that unco-ordinated rescue attempts by stakeholders was one of the impediments to rescue operations.

Represented by Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP, N. Gomwalk, the commissioner said such an unhealthy competition should be done away with in rescue efforts.

W

orried by the high rate of failure in public examinations, former Kogi State Commissioner for Education and Technology and present Chairman, Kogi State Teaching Service Commission, Chief Sylvester Onoja, has advocated the resuscitation of the National Commission for Secondary Schools of Nigeria signed into law in 1999 by former head of state, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, in order to save the education sector.

Onoja, who was a former principal of the prestigious, Kings College, Lagos, made the call yesterday in Lokoja while reacting to the mass failure of the students in Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination, SSSCE, which results were just released by the examination body.

“The May/June result only draws our attention to the damage being done to Vision 20:2020 if urgent steps are not taken to address the distressing state of education in Nigeria.

“There must be minimum standard in terms of number of teachers, classrooms, learning materials, among others, before establishing a secondary school,” he said.

He said secondary education continues to expand without a defined regulatory bodywhich has led to every nook and cranny of the country witnessing proliferation of schools, with no single body calling the shots.

Onoja stated that since the law backing the commission was signed into law in 1999 by Gen. Abubakar, it has never seen the light of day, adding that secondary schools had become orphans in the educational sector.

The former commissioner said lack of standard and regulations on the establishment of secondary schools in the country had led to the falling standard of education.

He lamented that the establishment of secondary schools had been left to the whims and caprices of states, individuals and organisations, who were out to make profit.

Nyesom Wike, Education Minister

52

Friday, August 15, 2014

CHANGE OF NAME

IKPO: Formerly known and addressed as Ikpo Solomon, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Solomon Owulo.

All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Oladele Olubusayo Victoria, now wish to be known and addressed as Hassan Olubusayo Yetunde.

All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME

OGUNDIPE: Formerly known and addressed as Olajide Matteo Ogundipe, now wish to be known and addressed as Olajide Matteo Akintola. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME

ODOH: Formerly known and addressed as Miss. Odoh Victoria Nkolika, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. OmehUgadu Victoria Nkolika. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Police Force, and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

TAIWO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Damilola Taiwo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Damilola Chukwu. All former documents remain valid. The general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

I, Ogunbote Mariam Adenike hereby give notice to the general public that i have changed my name to Atanda Mariam Adenike .I shall henceforth be known as Atanda Mariam Adenike all legal and practical purposes. All existing documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Balogun Sholape Atinuke, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Adeleye Omosholape Idiat. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

AHAMBA: Formerly known and addressed as Ahamba Michael Iyke, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Kanu Iyke Lawson. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME

OGUNWOOLU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogunwoolu Monsurat Omotanwa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Kasali Monsurat Omotanwa. All former documents remain valid.

General public to take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that Adereti Abimbola is the same one person as Adereti Abimbola Babatunde, that henceforth wish to be known and addressed as Adereti Abimbola Babatunde. All former documents remain valid. Osun State Polytechnic, Iree and general public should please take note.

This is to confirm that James Sunday Oluwasegun is the same one person as James Sunday Oluwaseun, that henceforth wish to be called and addressed as James Sunday Oluwaseun. All former documents remain valid. Osun State Polytechnic, Iree and general public should please take note.

This is to confirm that Jonah Omowunmi O. and Jonah Omowunmi Ayoyimika is the same one person as Jonah Omowunmi Olayinka, that henceforth wish to be known and addressed as Jonah Omowunmi Olayinka. All former documents remain valid. Osun State Polytechnic,Iree and general public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that Akinmolayan Oluwatosin R. is the same one person as Akinmolayan Oluwatosin Motunrayo, that henceforth wish to be addressed and called as Akinmolayan Oluwatosin Motunrayo. All former documents remain valid. Osun State Polytechnic, Iree and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OBIEKWE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Obiekwe Kate Adaku, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Okwuma Kate Adaku. All former documents remain valid.General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Mr Moses Ifeanyi Okoh, wishes to be known and addressed as Mr Moses Ifeanyi Abiamuwe, and our family name from Okoh to Abiamuwe. All former documents remain valid.General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

YUSUFF: Formerly known and addressed as Yusuff Florence Arinola, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Ayoola Florence Arinola. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Oginni Titilayo Abosede, now which to be known and addressed as Mrs. Sunmonu Titilayo Morufat.

All former documents remain valid.

Nigeria Police Force and general pubic take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ONWURAH: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Onwurah Brenda Ngozi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Onuegbu Uzoma Brenda Ngozi.

All former documents remain valid.

General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Mrs Okoh Gale Chinye, B wishs to to be known and addressed as Mrs Abiamuwe Gale Chinye, B. and our family name from Okoh To Abiamuwe. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ONAGBOLA: Formerly known and address as Miss Sinat Olayinka Onagbola, now wish to be known and address as Mrs Sinat Olayinka Onagbola Fagbenro.All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

AJAYI: Formerly known and addressed as Oluwatobi Ife Ajayi, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Tobi Christopher Kolawole. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

AKINDE: Fromerly known and addressed as Akinde Omolabake Esther, now wish to be known and addressed as Yusuff Omolabake Esther. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Chijioke Ogbonna Comfort, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Eze Comfort Ihuoma. All former documents remain valid.General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

IFARA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ifara Physkedy Awatse, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nkata Physkedy Awatse. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ONUORA: Formerly known and addressed as Rufina Nkem Onuora, now wish to be known and addressed as Rufina Onuora Emmanuel. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

AMORE: Formerly known and addressed as Amore Seyi Emmanuel, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Akintoye Seyi Emmanuel Fatusi. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

DARE: Formerly known and address as Miss Dare Yetunde Modupe, now wish to be known and address as Mrs Adediji Yetunde Modupe. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

AGBA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adamaka Jennifer Agba, now wish to be known and called as Mrs. Adamaka Jennifer Nnaeme. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

AWOFESO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Awofeso Olufunmi Ayodeji now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Whesu Olufunmi Ayodeji. All former document remain valid General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

PAULINUS: Formerly known and addressed as Kasimi Paulinus now wish to be known and addressed as Kasim Paul Moses. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

PUBLIC NOTICE

TRUE SALVATION CHURCH OF GOD.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named church has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (C.A.C.), Abuja for registration under Part “C” of the Company and Allied Matter Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

1. Apostle Ewoma Emmanuel Ekere 2. Pst. Nathan Okpighe 3. Mr. James Ovreme 4. Mr. Michael Efetie Ighosewe 5. Elder Dickson Igoni 6. Hon. Idiowa Moses

-G/O.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

To preach, teach & spread the word of god as revealed by Christ Jesus in the Holy Bible in line with our fundamental beliefs.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Irosi Street, Maitama, Garki, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: TRUSTEES

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Olushola Adebayo Oduwaiye, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Olusola Adebayo Oduwaye. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and and addressed as Adeyemi Alade Saidi, now wish to be known and addressed as Adeyemi Sikiru Atobatele. All former documents remain valid.

Nigerian Prison Service and general public to take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ALARI: Formerly known and addressed as Alari Gbozimor Andrew, now wish to be known and addressed as Erepade Gbozimor Andrew. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly called and addressed as Mrs Lawal Yinka Wakilat, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Popoola Aderemi Yinka Wakilat.

All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

EJEMBI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Victoria Ejembi, now wish to be known and called as Mrs Victoria. E. Saidu. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Ekenna Chidozie Augustine Joseph, now wish to be known and addressed as Molongua Jesus Augustine Ekenna. All former documents remain valid. Abia Poly and general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

UGORJI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ugorji princess Chidinma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Mbiaka Princess Chidinma. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OGUNDIPE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogundipe Deborah Oluwakemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Yeeku Deborah Oluwakemi. All former documents remain valid. Ogun State TESCOM and General public take note

PUBLIC NOTICE

HIGH-LEVEL FAVOUR INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY

The general public is hereby notified that the above named ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Apostle Uwaifo, Osayi Favour Pastor(Mrs) Uwaifo, Vera Amede Mr Akpan, Ignatius Effiong Mrs Chukwubuzor, Susan Chinasa Mr Akporuovo, Ovie Kingsley

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 2. To organize crusade for the purpose of charity and soul winning 3. To advance and preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ through evangelism, public crusade and charity.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: FOLUKE AYO (08023186823)

PUBLIC NOTICE

OWUKPA CHRISTIAN OUTREACH

The general public is hereby notified that the above named ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Dec Ean Adama Simon Okwori Chairman.

2. Bro.Attu Agaba Augustine Sec. 3. Bro. Odo Joseph. Member 4. Bro.Adoyi Omale Jacob Member.

5. Bro. Ekere Paul Member THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

1.To foster unity among members.

2 To preach the word of God. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: BRO.ATTU AGABA AUGUSTINE.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Ukpong Usoro Udoh, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Petre Abraham Paul. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ADEKOYA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adeola Esther Adekoya, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adeola Esther Olutoki. All former documents remain valid. TASUED and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ALAWODE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Alawode Gbemisola Olusayo, Now wish to be as Mrs. Olaniyi Gbemisola Olusayo, All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

BALOGUN: Formerly known as Miss Balogun Olusola Oluwakemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adebowale Olusola Oluwakemi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OFURUNE: Formerly known as Miss Ofurune Faith Love, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs.Omitoyinbo Faith Love. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ONUORAH: Formerly called and addressed as Miss Chinwe Bernardette Onuorah, now wish to be reffered to as Mrs. Chinwe Bernadette Ibisi.

All former document remain the same.General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHIDOZIE: Formerly known and addressed as Chidozie Nkechi Joy, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Anyanike Joy Nkechinyerechido. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and general public take note.

AGHOGHO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Anthonia Aghogho, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Anthonia Bright Kukogho. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that Ubochi Ugwuala and Ubochi Benjamin Ugwuala refer as one person but now known as Ubochi Benjamin Ugwuala. All fomer document remain valid. WAEC and general public please take note

OGBUAGU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Chioma Ogbuagu .C., now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Chioma Ubong Okon. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

NWAOBILOR: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwaobilor Ihechi Onyinyechi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Godswill Ihechi .O. Alozie. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note

OBAJI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Chinyere Jessica Obaji, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Chinyere Jessica Ejike. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that the name Nkenchor Joy and Nkenchor Joy Chisom refers to one and same person; now wish to be known and addressed as Nkenchor Joy Chisom.

All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

AGBONIKA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Joy Agbonika, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Joy Usman. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Police Force and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

SULAIMON: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Sulaimon Iyabo Nimotalai, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Raji Iyabo Nimotalai. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

FASAN: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Fasan Folake Helen, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Martins Folake Helen. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

PUBLIC NOTICE

JESUS FAMILY MISSION (Life builder Assembly)

The general public is here by notified that the above maintioned Church has applied to the corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Rev Johnwilson Ireameke - Chairman 2. Evan. Christie Ireameke - Vice Chairman.

3. Sis Nneka Nwosu - Secretary 4. Miss Amaka Obi - Tressurer.

5. Pastor Daniel Ogbonnaya - Member.

6. Hon Ireameke Obioha JP - Member.

7. Simeon Mmadueme - Member.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: A. To promote the gospel of our lord Jesus christ.

B. To evangelize the world according to the instruction of our lord Jesus Christ.

C. To promote love and peace among christians and non Christians.

D. To help the needy,Ophans and widows through the gospel.

E. To help mankind in any other way that we may deem necessary.

Any objection to this publication should forwarded to the Registrar-General,corporate Affairs commission, Plot 420 Tigri Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: REV JOHNWILSON IREAMEKE.

PUBLIC NOTICE

ITEDO IYANU PRAYER MINISTRY INTERNATIONAL

Notice is hereby given to the general public that the above named ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matter Act No 1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

1. Prophetess Omotayo Olaniyi 2. Pastor Femi Olaniyi 3. Lady Evangelist Tunrayo Owoyele 4. Pastor Olayemi Olaniyi 5. Brother Olaide Olaniyi THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To gather people together to worship God regularly and spread the Word of God as revealed through Jesus Christ in the Bible.

2. To lead the lost to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ both at home and around the world and to nurture Christian growth through preaching, teaching and fellowship.

3. To provide an environment that encourages spiritual growth and development and equips members to share their faith and to do good works.

4. To assist in all ways the needs of the needy, sick, distressed and all other people or groups of people as may be directed by the Holy Spirit of God and to provide opportunities for Christian fellowship.

5. To do all that is necessary and incidental to achieve its aims and objectives.

Any objections(s) to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: KOLA FATOYE ESQ OF KOLA FATOYE & CO., LEGAL PRACTITIONERS & NOTARY PUBLIC OF 11, LODGE STREET, OKE-ADO, IBADAN, OYO STATE

Friday August 15, 2014

I have gone past making promises.

We just have to wait and see how things go in the season

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

53

Sport

Gold rain for Nigeria as AAC ends in Marrakech 55

–Manchester United Manager, Louis ouis van Gaal

FIFA moves Nigeria up again ADEOLU JOHNSON

N

igeria’s Super Eagles moved one place up in the latest FIFA/CocaCola World Ranking released yesterday. Nigeria now occu-

pies the 33rd spot from the 34th it was placed last month at the end of the Brazil 2014 World Cup. Nigeria still remains No.3 in Africa behind Algeria and Cote d’Ivoire, who are ranked 24th and 25th respectively.

In a statement yesterday, FIFA said there was a lull in footballing activity in many parts of the world after the Brazil World Cup. It explained that results of 23 new international “A” matches were taken into ac-

count for the current ranking.

Ten were friendlies, whereas the remaining 13 matches were qualifiers for the next Africa Cup of Nations, accounting for the biggest moves by some African countries like SierraLeone, Benin Republic and Bo-

tswana.

But world champions, Germany, continue to lead the way ahead of Argentina and the Netherlands. The next edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking will be published on September 18, 2014.

Saturday

QUARTER-FINALS FIXTURES North Korea vs USA Germany

vs Canada

Sunday

QUARTER-FINALS FIXTURES Nigeria

vs N. Zealand

France

vs South Korea

Canada 2014:

Falconets get task over N’Zealand EVEREST ONYEWUCHI

A

cting President of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Chief Mike Umeh, has called on the U-20 girls, Falconets, not to look down on their quarter-final opponents, New Zealand.

Falconets defeated England 2-1 on Wednesday night in their last Group C match of the ongoing FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Canada to qualify to meet New Zealand.

“It is true that our girls have been improving steadily with each match and I am happy about that. But they should not underestimate the New Zealand girls, who defeated

Paraguay and won handsomely against Costa Rica to reach this stage,” Umeh said.

Nigeria’s Falconets drew 1-1 with Mexico in their first match but won 2-1 against Korea Republic and England, arguably playing better each time.

The English girls opened in perfect fashion scoring in just the fifth minute as Hannah Blundell played a clever through ball for Nikita Parris, who took one touch and then clipped a shot past the advancing Nigeria goalkeeper, Ibijoke Sangonuga, from the edge of the box.

Nigeria drew level in an even contest four minutes before the interval after Loveth Ayila

beat her marker with a skilful drag-back and shot powerfully from 25 yards. Goalkeeper Lizzie Durack got a hand to it but was unable to prevent the ball hitting the back of the net.

The second half was a tale of two penalties, with England’s Bethany Mead firstly missing after Parris was adjudged to have been fouled by Sangonuga. Within minutes at the other end, Asisat Oshoala was brought down after dribbling into the penalty area and stepped up to coolly side-foot the resultant spot-kick into the bottom-right corner.

“It was a fantastic match. We had problems in the first half with our defence and the English team kept my girls under

a lot of pressure. But I knew my team would come back and they came back very well. I liked the character of my team today very much. We will now start right away to prepare for the quarter-finals,” Falconets’ coach, Peter Dedevbo, said after the game.

England’s coach, Mo Marley said, “I think we started exceptionally well. Once we got the goal I think the girls kind of settled on that. It’s like the Mexican game where we backed up a bit and the team didn’t manage to push forward. Obviously the two penalties were the significant turning points. If you have an opportunity, you have to be clinical. But I think their

equaliser was the big psychological turning point. After they equalised, you could see the body language of the players and how they reacted.”

Sunday’s clash at the Moncton Stadium in Moncton will be Falconets’ fifth consecutive quarter-finals at this championship. The match against Group D runners-up, New Zealand, is only the second-ever meeting between Nigeria and New Zealand at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. On November 19, 2008 in Coquimbo, Chile, goals by Sarah Michael, Ogonna Chukwudi and Rita Chikwelu steered the Falconets to a 3-2 win over the New Zealanders in a group phase match.

54

Sports

Friday August 15, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Abidal terminates France career

F

Ronaldo

Robben

Neuer

UEFA award:

Ronaldo, Robben, Neuer in shortlist W

orld Player of the Year, Cristiano Ronaldo, World Cupwinning Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and his Dutch Bayern Munich teammate Arjen Robben are the three men shortlisted for the Best Player Playe yerr in Europe award.

UEFA named the trio yesterday as a list of 10 was trimmed down in a vote by journalists from its 54 mem-

ber federations.

Neuer is the first goalkeeper to make the final shortlist of the award in its current form. He was elected German Footballer helpof the Year on Sunday after he Cup ing his team win the World C in Brazil and Munich to double. a domestic double said UEFA sa was that Neuer w present” “ever presen World at the Wo

Cup, “keeping four clean sheets in seven games and catching the eye with a willingness to leave his area to snuff out any danger behind the German defence.”

Portugal’s Ronaldo was among those who failed to score against Neuer at the Brazil tournament, but beat him in the semifinals en route to Real Madrid’s Champions League title as he scored a competition record 17 goals. Madrid also won the 2013-14 Spanish

Cup. Robben helped the Netherlands finish third at the World Cup and won the Bundesliga and German cup double with Munich.

The winner, to be decided in a live vote during the August 28 Champions League group stage draw by the journalists, will succeed Bayern’s Franck Ribery who interesting retired from international football on Tuesday.

ormer Barcelona defender, Eric Abidal, yesterday became the third French international to call time on his international career as he announced his retirement.

The 34-year-old, who joined Greek outfit Olympiacos last month from Ligue 1 side Monaco, last featured for Les Bleus in November last year, but was left out of the national squad that reached the quarter-finals of the Brazil 2014 World Cup. “It is time to close this door,” Abidal, who recently left Monaco for Greek club Olympiakos, declared.

The Frenchman underwent a liver transplant in 2012 following the discovery of a tumour in 2011 while still at Spanish giants Barcelona and was saddened at not having made the trip to Brazil.

“Not going to the World Cup was a disappointment because I wanted to finish on a good note.”

“If I struggled as I did until today [after the liver transplant], it was to say goodbye to the national team at the World Cup,” he said. “But that did not happen.”

Abidal’s announcement comes just days after fellow French stars Samir Nasri and Franck Ribery both revealed they will no longer feature for the national team.

Ban: Suarez gets CAS reprieve T

he Court of Arbitration for Sport has upheld Luis Suarez’s four-month playing ban but has cleared him to train with Barcelona, reducing the sweeping ban on apparent humanitarian grounds.

Suarez was appealing his suspension from all football activity, a sanction imposed by FIFA after the striker bit It-

C

helsea Manage Manager, Mourinho, Jose Mourinh the believes th squad he has assembled at the club is capable of comcom next peting at the top for the ne decade.

In his second season back at has Stamford Bridge, Mourinho h spent £75million on summer rreFabrecruits–in the form of Cesc Fabr Luis. gas, Diego Costa and Filipe Lui legHe has also returned club le Lonend Didier Drogba to west Lo

aly’s Giorgio Chiellini during Uruguay’s 1-0 World Cup victory on June 24.

The latest development means he will now be available to return to action on October 25.

Suarez will miss Barcelona’s first eight league matches of the new season, plus their first three group games in the Champions League. He could make his La Liga debut against Real Madrid on Sunday, October 26.

“The sanctions imposed on the player

by FIFA have been generally confirmed,” a statement from CAS read yesterday.

“However, the four-month suspension will apply to official matches only and no longer to other football-related activities (such as training, promotional activities and administrative matters).”

“The CAS Panel found that the sanctions imposed on the player were generally proportionate to the offence committed.”

The three-man panel of CAS arbitrators consisted of the president, Mr Bernhard Welten from Switzerland, his compatriot Dr Marco Balmelli and Professor Luigi Fumagalli from Italy.

Mourinho targets ‘future Blues’ don while moving on a number of those deemed surplus to requirements.

The Portuguese is confident he has added in the right areas and sees Chelsea challenging for major honours for many years to come.

“We have the squad that we want to have. We don’t say it’s perfect, we don’t say it’s the best,”

Mourinho said, adding, “There e is no manager in the world that says ays his squad is perfect and could not improve in certain positions.”

According to him, his team am will feature well in the future.

“It is a squad for tomorrow, row, for next season and also a squad uad with big possibilities for the next five or 10 years with so many any young people,” he said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Friday August 15, 2014

55

Gold rain for

Nigeria

Blessing Okagbare led Team Nigeria to Morocco

as AAC ends in Marrakech

... IAAF IAAF, CAA praise Team Nigeria ADEOLU JOHNSON

A

s the A Africa Athletics Ch Championships (AAC) ended e in Marrakech, Moro Morocco yesterday, Nigerian fem female athletes w we re at it ag were again, winning ffo our gold me four medals in differen nt events. ent It was good ending for N Nigeria as the fem female athletes p picked up four g gold medals in 400m, long jump, discus and in 4X100m relay.

Folashade Abugan started the gold show in the 400m event w with 51’’21 followed by Zambia’s Kabange Mupopo (same time) an and George Patience Okon from N Nigeria 52’’68.

Chinwe Okoro e expressed her power in discus, throwing th a distance of 59.79m (ne (new championships record), imm immediately followed by Nwannek Nwanneka Okwelogu (51.66m) and Moro Morocco’s Amina Elmouden (48.21m).

Ese Brume succ succeeded in long jump with 6.50m a ahead of her compatriot, China Chinazom Amadi 6.40m and Joelle Mbumi from Cameroun (6.25m).

The girls capped it with 4X100 relay gold with sprint sp queen, Blessing Okagbare, who toured the tracks in 43’’56 followed by Cote d’Ivoire wit without Muriel Ahouré (43’’99) and G Ghana (44’’06).

Nigeria also w won the gold medal of the 4X100m relay men in

AFCON qualifier: CAF bans Rwanda’s Birori

T

he Confederation of African Football (CAF) has suspended Rwandan striker, Dady Birori, indefinitely for using two different names while playing for the national side, Amavubi, and Congolese club, AS Vita.

Congo Brazzaville lodged a complaint to CAF after their 2-0 victory over Rwanda in Pointe Noir last month in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) second round of qualification.

Birori, who attained this name while featuring for Rwandan club, Mukura Victory Club, in 2007, was born in Kinshasa on December 12, 1986 and was known as Tady Etekiama Agiti before moving to Rwanda where his current passport PS023413 indicates that he was born on December 13, 1990.

The head of the Rwandan Football Federation (FERWAFA) Vincent Degaule Nzamwita explained that this will not affect

Amavubi’s Group A campaign as they try to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco next year.

“As far as we are concerned, Birori has played for Amavubi under the names Dady Birori and this has no effect on our campaign that starts next month. We cannot really control what happens between him and the club that he plays for,” said Nzamwita.

Birori scored a hat-trick for Rwanda in the return leg against

Libya in May to see the Amavubi qualify to take on Congo Brazzaville in the second round of qualification.

Rwanda stunned Congo Brazzaville 2-0 in Kigali to tie the aggregate score 2-2 before dominating a penalty shootout that saw the Amavubi book the last slot in Group A of the last round of qualification for the continental competition.

Rwanda are in Group A with Nigeria, South Africa and Sudan.

38’’8O followed by Ghana (39’’28) and Algeria (39’’89).

The Nigeria 110m hurdlers made a clean sweep of the medals in the event leaving their Algerian, South African and Malian rivals trailing in their wake on Day Four of competition.

National champion, Tyron Akins confirmed his status as the athlete to beat as he claimed his first African title in his debut outing at the championships, and only his second for Nigeria, with 13.57s.

Meanwhile, International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) have commended the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) over its athletes’ performances at the AAC that ended yesterday in Marrakech, Morocco.

AFN’s Technical Director, Omatseye Nesiama, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that IAAF President, Lamine Diack, and his CAA counterpart, Kalkaba Malboum, gave the commendation on Monday in Morocco.

Team Nigeria defended its title as African champions in the 19th AAC and Nigeria’s sprint queen, Blessing Okagbare, on Monday won the women’s 100m final, adding the laurel to her Commonwealth Games 100m and 200m victories in Glasgow Scotland.

According to Nesiama, the leadership of the IAAF and CAA said AFN’s renewed efforts at discovery and development of new talent was highly commendable.

“The duo of Diack and Malboum made the commendation after I made a presentation on the achievements and challenges of the Developmental Centre for Regional Athletics Performance in Port Harcourt (DCRAPPH) at the CAA Congress,” Nesiama said.

“Both the IAAF and CAA presidents said collaboration between the AFN and the National Sports Commission (NSC) was a ‘major requirement’ at this stage to sustain planned developmental efforts,’’ Nesiama added.

The DCRAPPH in Port Harcourt, inaugurated in February 2013, is tagged “Centre of Hope.”

Selected Nigerian athletes had camped at the centre in preparation for the African Youth Athletics Championships, which Nigeria eventually won its maiden edition in Warri, Delta State.

WORLD RECORD

Most people dressed as sunflowers

Vol. 04 No. 917

Friday, August 15, 2014

The largest gathering of people dressed as sunflowers consists of 724 people and was achieved by Russell Lothrop and Northside Primary School (both Botswana) in Gaborone, Botswana, on 14 February 2014.

N150

A lawmaker’s panacea against corruption (II)

I

ndeed, Nigeria has been featuring on Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index since the year 2000 as one of the most corrupt countries in the world. Last year, TI ranked the country as the 33rd most corrupt globally. The Nigeria Police Force, political parties, national and state assemblies, local governments, federal and state executive councils, traffic police and Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) officials and their Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) counterparts, were said to be the most corrupt public institutions in the country. Oil and gas wealth, greed and ethnic scramble for ‘national cake’ are also being blamed as fuelling corrupt self-enrichment, while year-in-year-out, ordinary Nigerians groan under dehumanising poverty.

Many prominent First Republic politicians from the centre to virtually all the then regions were grilled over one allegation of corruption or the other. Like the late sage,

F

IFA has directed the Executive Committee of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to reinstate the ousted President of the Federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigari.

Maigari, was suspended by eight of the

FRIDAY WITH Dozie Okebalama

dozieokeama@yahoo.co.uk 08164966858 (SMS only) Chief Obafemi Awolowo, once lamented, the pastime of Nigerian governments since independence has been “a matter of few holding the cow for the strongest and most cunning to milk”. It festered during the General Yakubu Gowon era with an outstanding cement importation scandal involving officials of the Defence Ministry and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 1975. Attempts by the administration of the late General Murtala Mohammed, and later that of General Muhammadu Buhari, to tame official graft did not rein in the scourge. It was pervasive during President Shehu Shagari era; and became worse under subsequent military and civilian governments.

When former President Olusegun Obasanjo emerged as President-elect in 1999, and hosted the bigwigs of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who thronged his Ota Farm resort to show solidarity and celebrate his victory, the ex-president did say that “it will not be business as usual”. He was at the time referring to the pervasive corruption that was running in the system. Under his leadership, a bill was passed and signed into law on June 13, 2000 that is now the Act that established the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). Three years later (2003) and still under his administration, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was established, all purportedly meant to intensify the fight against corruption. But the

IHEDIOHA’S PANACEA AGAINST CORRUPT PRACTICES WILL

REMAIN CASTRATED, ESPECIALLY IN

NIGERIA, BECAUSE THE POLITICAL LEADERSHIP PAYS MERE LIP SERVICE TO THEM notorious truth remains that the monster is yet to be reined in. It flourishes not necessarily because of the lack of laws and agencies to frontally attack it, but because the three arms of government – the executive, legislature and judiciary - are neck deep in it. For the same reason, Ihedioha’s panacea against corrupt practices will remain castrated, especially in Nigeria, because the political leadership pays mere lip service to them.

In a country where the rule of law is supreme and not a mere mockery, for instance, the copious provisions in the Fifth Schedule, Part I, of the country’s 1999 Constitution on the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, if strictly enforced by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB); and officials who infract them are firmly punished by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), corruption would not have be-

come the bull in a china shop it has turned at present. A portion of the provisions says, for example that the President, Vice -President, Governor, Deputy Governor, ministers of the government of the federation and commissioners of the governments of states, members of the National Assembly and of the Houses of Assembly of states, and such other public officers or persons as the National Assembly may by law prescribe, shall not maintain or operate a bank account in any country outside Nigeria, for obvious reasons. But it is to the discredit of the House of Representatives that its members toyed with the idea of legislating in favour of such officers operating foreign accounts.

Besides, despite the enactment of the Freedom of Information Act in 2011, after the ten years the National Assembly brushed it aside, the legitimate earnings of the nation’s lawmakers are still shrouded in mystery. With the lawmakers extensively tinkering with the provisions of the law, critics point out that only Sections 1 and 3 of the Act grant access to information; while as many as 10 sections (7, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 26) are meant to deny the public access to information on government’s activities. The application of the law is also under threat in a state like Oyo, where Mr. Ojo Adebayo, the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, was quoted as saying lately that it fell under the Concurrent Legislative List and, therefore, was made for the Federal Government and its agencies alone, and not applicable to Oyo State.

Therefore, with all the nation’s anti graft agencies, including the police, looking at the body language of Mr. President before taking up brazen corruption cases, and the executive, legislature and judiciary generously profiting from the proceeds of graft; and conspiring to protect culpable officials from being punished, laws and agencies meant to fight the plague will remain meaningless and impotent, pending when a government with the political will and muscle to battle the infirmity comes to the rescue. Only then may it be said that a Daniel has come to judgement.

Concluded.

Sport Extra FIFA orders NFF to reinstate Maigari 13-member of the Executive Committee on July 24, 2014.

Sequel to the suspension, FIFA sought for explanation from the NFF General Secretary, Musa Amadu, to

ascertain if proper procedures were followed in convoking the meeting.

In a letter sent to the NFF secretary yesterday, FIFA noted that proper procedures were

not followed in convoking the meeting that suspended Maigari.

The letter addressed to Amadu reads in part, “Taking into account internal divisions in the executive commit-

tee, it is advisable that major decisions are frozen until election of August 26 and that focus will now be on the programs of the candidates and the development of Nigerian football.

Aminu

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