Capital market operators seek single digit lending rate JOHNSON OKANLAWON
O
perators in the country’s capital market yesterday restated
Emefiele
the need for the Federal Government to work towards a single digit lending rate to stimulate domestic production without prejudice to investment in the medium
to long terms. The operators, under the aegis of Capital Market Alliance, noted that there should be deliberate policy CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>
Abba Moro
Buhari wins ...Jonathan concedes defeat Vol. 5 N0. 1081
Easter: FG declares Friday, Monday public holidays P.8
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
APC gets 64 Senate seats, PDP 45
P.5
N150 OBIORA IFOH, OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU, OMEIZA AJAYI AND ROTIMI FADEYI
N
igeria entered the record books, yesterday when for the first time in its history, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP presidential candidate President Goodluck Jonathan, was defeated by the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate, Gen. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>
21 states 15 states & FCT APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun (left) congratulating the president-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, over his victory in the 2015 presidential election in Abuja, yesterday.
FINAL RESULTS STATE
APC
PDP
EKITI
120,331
176,466
OGUN
308,290
207,950
ENUGU
14,157
553,003
KOGI
264,851
149,987
OSUN
383,603
249,929
ONDO
299,889
251,368 CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>
Buhari: 15,426,921, Jonathan: 12,853,162 NEWS ANALYSIS
Factors that shaped polls results OBIORA IFOH ABUJA
I
t is no longer news that President Goodluck Jonathan lost the
presidential election to the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, though in a keen contest.
PDP first won the presidential election in 1999 and has vowed to remain in power for at least 50 years, but 16 years after, it lost the grip of power
to the main opposition, the APC, a party formed in July, 2013, barely two years ago. President Jonathan CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>
Lagos: Non-indigene emerges Reps winner
P.10
News
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Wednesday, April 1, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Buhari wins, Jonathan concedes defeat CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Muhammadu Buhari, in a keenly contested election,
held across the nation on Saturday. Buhari polled a total
15,426,921 votes and scored the constitutionally mandated 25 per cent in 29 states
to Jonathan’s 12,853,162 votes as announced by the Chairman, Independent National
L-R: President Goodluck Jonathan; Chairman, National Peace Committee for 2015 Elections, Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar; Vice-Chairman of the Committee, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (rtd), Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Bishop of Abuja Archdiocese, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, during a meeting of President Jonathan with members of the National Peace Committee on 2015 Election at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: STATE HOUSE
Judiciary won’t be used to scuttle democracy –CJN ISE-OLUWA IGE ABUJA
C
hief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Mahmoud Mohammed, yesterday said the judiciary was set to tackle complaints arising from the ongoing 2015 general elections, assuring that aggrieved politicians would get adequate justice at various election petition tribunals already inaugurated.
The CJN, who spoke while swearing in acting Chief Judge, Justice Ishaq Bello, for the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, however, warned judges not to allow politicians to use them to scuttle the nation’s democracy. His words: “Permit me to use this opportunity to again assure all Nigerians that under my leadership, the judiciary remains resolute and committed to do its constitutional duty during
this election period. “We will not be swayed or distracted from the course of justice in any election matter that is before or comes before the justice system. “It bears reminding to all heads of courts that you are primarily responsible for the preservation of our nation’s democracy. “I strongly advise all judicial officers not to allow any party or politician to use the courts to truncate
our nation’s democracy. “We are aware that some unpatriotic citizens may wish to use the courts to stop the electoral process and I wish to warn in clear terms that we shall not be used as a tool for the breakdown of law and order in our beloved country.” The CJN also counselled the new chief judge to live above board and by example so that he could be honoured like his predecessor.
Factors that shaped polls results CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
went into the contest very well prepared having done appreciably in economic and social sectors, however, majority of Nigerians believe that his government has performed woefully in tackling institutional corruption and has not been able to stamp his feet in securing the peace of the nation. Several other factors that may have caused Dr. Jonathan the presidency also include: The PDP undoubtably had every thing going for it until the death of the former President Umaru Yar’Adua. The emergence of Jonathan as the president and the allegation of lack of internal democracy which is associated with his leadership engendered animosity within the
ranks of the party. While many disgruntled leaders were forced or encouraged to quit, the party could not do much to arrest its dwindling fortunes. And so leaders like former president Olusegun Obasanjo and the famous seven PDP governors under the guise of new PDP broke away. Though, two of the governors including Babangida Aliyu (Niger) and Sule Lamido (Jigawa) returned, governors Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Aliyu Wamako (Sokoto) Rabiu Kwakwanso (Kano), Abdulfath Ahmed (Kwara) and Muritala Nyako (Adamawa) however continued with the struggle and choosing to team up with the opposition elements. The President surrounded himself with a support base that could
be described as lacking in character and selfish. President Jonathan a few months ago noted lack of genuine support from the political leaders, most of whom he accused of having benefited some much from the party but were not willing to sow back to the progress of the party. The president had only recently said that over eighty percent of his advisers are not advising him properly. This situation played up as the president was surprised that campaign funds were not getting to the targets but into personal pockets. So, the campaign was not attended to. It took the personal intervention of the President to make direct approach to the coordinators at the grassroot. When the four opposi-
tion parties, the ANPP, CPC, ACN and APGA agreed to form a strong mega party, the PDP laughed off the possibility of such arrangement. It believed that no merger has ever worked anywhere in the world and could possibly not have its footing in just a year. PDP also predicted that the party’s national convention and the likely tussle for position will tear the merger arrangement. This was never to be. The struggle for presidential ticket was even more peaceful as other strong aspirants like former Vice President Atiku Abubarkar and Kano governor, Kwankwaso not only accepted defeat right at the convention ground but transffered their structure to assist the candidate.
Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof Attahiru Jega. This would be the record fourth time the retired General would be contesting for the nation’s Presidency and the second time he would be running against President Jonathan. It is the first time he would be running on the platform of APC, a coalition of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN; Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, and a faction of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA. Buhari won outright in North-East states of Yobe, Borno, Adamawa, Bauchi, and Gombe; North-Western states of Kebbi, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa; North-Central states of Niger, Benue, Kogi and Kwara and South-Western states of Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo and Lagos. He polled more than the constitutionally mandatory 25 per cent in Ekiti, Nasarawa, Plateau, Edo and Taraba states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. Jonathan won outright in South-South states of Edo, Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states; South-East states of Enugu, Imo, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi; North-Central state of Plateau and North-East state of Taraba. Jonathan also scored the mandatory 25 per cent and above in Lagos, Ondo, Benue, Adamawa, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Kwara and Kogi states. Buhari would be sworn in on May 29 this year for a fouryear first term in office. President Jonathan has conceded victory to the Gen. Buhari. APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, confirmed that President Jonathan called Buhari about 5.05 p.m yesterday as the collation was still in progress to congratulate him, thus putting paid to all anxieties and concerns over a possible debacle. Following the historic victory, APC has rolled- out the drums to celebrate its victory with a reception for the Presidentelect at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja. As soon as it became obvious that Buhari was coasting to victory with the majority of the results from states already announced, the leadership of the party started making arrangements to
formally receive Buhari and the Vice President-elect, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. Among the leaders of the party who came early to congratulate the Presidentelect were Governors Tanko Al’Makura (Nassarawa), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) and Rochas Okorocha (Imo). The party secretariat was decorated with newly procured Nigerian flags and APC flags with a red carpet laid out in wait for the triumphant entry of Buhari. The atmosphere in the place was charged as the secretariat staff and supporters who besieged the place kept singing and drumming. At the residence of the former military leader at Aso Drive in Asokoro, a crowd of reporters kept tumultuous vigil in celebration of the victory. Former Head of State, Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar described the president as a great man for quickly accepting defeat. As the results of the Presidential election were being announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday, the president was meeting behind closed-door with members of the National Peace Committee on 2015 General Elections, led by Abubakar. Also at the meeting were former Chief of General Staff, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe; former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Pricilla Kuye; Primate of Anglican Communion, Nicholas Okoh; Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan; the President of Dangote Group, Aliko and former Director General of the National Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, NIALS, Amaze Goubadia. The committee had last Wednesday met with Jonathan at the Presidential Villa on the need to ensure free, fair and credible elections. Jonathan and Buhari later signed a fresh peace accord and commitment to violence-free polls. The fresh accord which took place at the Sheraton Hotels and Towers in Abuja was facilitated by the committee. The two, as well as other presidential candidates in the elections, had earlier signed a peace accord on January 14. CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
3
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Photo News
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
L-R: Members of the National Peace Committee, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (rtd); Chairman, General Abbdulsalami Abubakar and John Cardinal Onaiyekan after a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan at the Aso Rock, Abuja, yesterday.
Members of APC celebrating the party’s victory at the presidential election in Ibadan, yesterday.
Celebration at APC headquarters following Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’s victory yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA
Members of APC celebrating after Gen. Muhammadu Buhari was declared winner of the presidential election in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA
Supporters of Nigeria’s President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, celebrating his victory at Broad Street, Lagos Island, yesterday. PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI
A shopping complex closed in anticipating of violence during collation of presi9detial election results in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA
Abuja campaign headquarters of APC presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, wearing a new look, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA
Journalists covering presentation of results of the presidential and National Assembly elections in Bauchi, yesterday.
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
News
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
5
APC gets 64 Senate seats, PDP 45 GEORGE OJI ABUJA
A
ll Progressives Congress, APC, has secured 64 senators to Peoples Democratic Party, PDP’s 45 after Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections. The Senate resumed yesterday from a two-week break to participate in the elections and immediately adjourned till April 14 for lack of quorum. Some of the PDP senators who lost to APC include Senators Ahmed Makarfi (Kaduna North), Deputy Senate Leader, Abdul Ningi (Bauchi South), Smart Adeyemi (Kogi West), Hosea Agboola (Oyo North) and Zaynab
Kure (Niger South). Following outcome of the polls, which has seen APC take over majority in the Senate, there are concerns over what becomes the fate of the Senate President, David Mark, who has made history as the only senator to be elected for the fifth time since commencement of the current democratic dispensation. The same fate also awaits Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu. National Assembly watchers are concerned that Mark and his deputy, who are presiding officers, would relinquish those exalted offices and return to the floor of the Senate, where they would
FINAL RESULTS STATE
APC
PDP
FCT
146,399
157,195
OYO
528,620
303,376
NASARAWA
236,838
273,460
KANO
1,903,999
215,779
JIGAWA
885,988
142,904
KATSINA
1,345,441
98,937
KWARA
302,146
132,602
KADUNA
1,129,760
484,085
ANAMBRA
17,926
660,762
ABIA
13,394
368,303
A’IBOM
58,411
953,304
IMO
133,253
559,185
PLATEAU
429,140
549,615
EBONYI
19,518
323,653
NIGER
657,678
149,222
LAGOS
792,460
632,327
BAYELSA
5,194
361,209
GOMBE
361,245
96,873
C’RIVER
28,368
414,863
RIVERS
69,238
1,487,075
ADAMAWA
374,701
251,664
ZAMFARA
612,202
144,833
KEBBI
567,883
100,972
BENUE
373,961
303,737
BAUCHI
931,598
86,085
YOBE
446,265
25,526
EDO
208,469
286,869
TARABA
261,326
310,800
SOKOTO
671,926
152,199
DELTA
48,910
1,211,405
BORNO
473,543
25,640
TOTAL
15,426,921
12,853,162
at best hold principal offices as minority senators. After the botched sitting yesterday, Senate Leader, Victor NdomaEgba, while fielding questions from journalists
urged Nigerians to remain calm and law-abiding. “My advice is that we should be lawful in our conducts, we should not take the laws into our hands and election is
a process, so no matter the outcome, after the process, we still have further processes so, we should follow the law,” he said. Commenting on the
fate of the 2015 budget proposal, which is now before the National Assembly, the leader explained that the National Assembly has up till June to pass the budget.
Capital market operators seek single digit lending rate CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
at increasing domestic aggregate production through supportive monetary measures, particularly through foreign exchange market tools for Naira exchange rate stability. In addition, the alliance believed that with the successful conclusion of the presidential polls and its implications for investors’ confidence in the economy, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, should further expand
the investment horizons by bridging the gap between the inflation rate and the Monetary Policy Rate, MPR. Canvassing these positions jointly at a media briefing in Lagos, the President of Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria, ASHON, Mr. Albert Okumagba and the Chairman, Association of Issuing Houses of Nigeria, AIHN, Mr Victor Ogiemwonyi, said reducing the gap would boost lending to key sectors
for sustainable growth of the economy. Okumagba, who led the discussions on the key issues canvassed in the alliance’s communiqué titled, “Utilisation of the Capital Market in the Post 2015 General Election,” said ease of doing business in Nigeria should increase while enabling environment for business to thrive should be the heartbeat of the incoming government. According to the alliance,
there should be good and stable infrastructure, accessible credit and low interest rate regime to avert capital market flight, which can hurt the economy. The operators, who noted that the capital market had huge untapped resources in the midst of the cash crunch, pointed out that the market could finance the entire infrastructural gap if the government can deploy fiscal incentives to deepen the market.
Peoples Democratic Party agent and former Minister for Niger Delta, Elder Godsday Orubebe, protesting during the collation of presidential election results at the National Collation Centre in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA
Buhari wins, Jonathan concedes defeat CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2
Before the closed door meeting, journalists were invited to cover the opening ceremony. The president looked calm and unruffled while receiving the team before they went into the closed door session. After the meeting, Abubakar confirmed to State House correspondents that Jonathan had conceded defeat and congratulated Buhari. He said: “We were spell bound and the reason we have come here is to thank President Jonathan for this
statesmanship. “In the history of Nigeria, I think this is the first time where a contestant has called his rival to congratulate him and through this point, President Jonathan maintained a point that the blood of Nigerians is not worth his presidency and by his action he has proved that. “He has proved that he is a man of his word because during our interaction on this peace committee he has always maintained that he is going to accept the result of the elections whichever way it is done and he has proved
this. “I think we need Nigerians, all of us to join hands in making sure we assist him in the peaceful handing over. “And I will appeal to all politicians, those who are celebrating and those who are sorrowing to please give peace a chance to be moderate. “In any contest, there is always going to be a winner and President Jonathan has accepted that he lost and we want to thank him. “On behalf of Nigerians, I want to thank President Jonathan for being the
statesman that he is, he has approved that he is a statesman and he has the love of this country in his heart. So Nigerians should please help him to ensure this is real. “For any Nigerian who is aggrieved, the electoral laws have procedures for those seeking re-address, so if anybody has any grievance he should apply through the law. “I appeal again to our youth, to everybody to please give peace a chance and accept that the chief contestant himself has accepted. So nobody please go
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Reactions to Presidential Poll
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
APC hails Buhari’s strong character, integrity for victory Obiora Ifoh ABUJA
N
ational Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Lai Mohammed, has submitted that the strong character and integrity of the party’s presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, contributed immensely to the party’s vic-
tory in the election. Mohammed, who spoke with journalists at the party’s National Secretariat, Abuja, while the final results of the presidential election were being announced by the Chief Returning Officer, Prof Attahiru Jega, said had Buhari not been the APC candidate, the party would have lost the election. “Buhari’s strong per-
sonality, character and integrity, his anti-corruption stance for which he has been known for so many years now, helped to make this victory easier for us,” Mohammed said. On the fate of the party if another candidate had been fielded in the election, he said, “We would have lost woefully. Buhari made our victory very easy. He is a major factor in the land-
mark victory. It has never happened that an incumbent is defeated in a national election.” He argued also that providence played a major role in the party’s electoral success over the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. He said President Goodluck Jonathan was ruined by those who were with him. “If Jonathan came from the APC, he would
have remained in power for a very long time. His greatest problem was in those who lined around him. The people who surrounded him saw him as meal ticket. They milked him dry.” He said the people made him to waste a lot of money bribing all manner of people because they too benefited immensely from what was being dished out. On the fate of the PDP,
he advised the party to learn one lesson from this election. “PDP will soon become a regional party judging from its performance in this presidential election. While Buhari’s victory cut across four zones in the country, Jonathan won majorly in the South-South and South-East zones. From this you can take it that the PDP is already shrinking into a regional party,” he said.
Victory’ll rescue Nigeria from jaws of death –Aregbesola xx
G
overnor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, yesterday described victory of the presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, Muhammadu Buhari, as the best thing to happen to a country that has endured 16 years of misrule at the centre. He said Nigeria has finally been rescued from the jaws of death after 16 years of social, political and economic strains. Aregbesola in a statement by Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of
the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, congratulated Nigerians for the doggedness, perseverance and commitment to voting out a party that had held them hostage for 16 years. Describing Buhari’s victory as the best thing that could happen to a nation under political and economic strains like Nigeria, the governor said the overall results of the elections and the general conduct of the electorate demonstrated that Nigerians really wanted change in the country.
It’s victory for democracy –Fayemi
F
ormer Ekiti State governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has congratulated the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, over the party’s victory in the just concluded presidential election, saying the victory signposts a new beginning for Nigeria and Nigerians. “History has just been made in our dear country,” declared Fayemi, who hailed Buhari’s victory over incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan. Fayemi in the state-
ment signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olayinka Oyebode, said going by the outcome of the election, Nigerians have demonstrated to the entire world their ability and readiness to toe the path of greatness and oneness. “Nigerians have spoken. They have spoken clearly through their votes. They want a new direction and a new approach to governance; and the APC government, under the able leadership of General Muhammadu Buhari, owes them this and more,” said Fayemi.
Ahmed congratulates Buhari Wole Adedeji
K
wara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, yesterday evening congratulated Muhammadu Buhari on his victory in last Saturday’s presidential election. Ahmed on tweeter said,
“I just called @ThisIsBuhari to congratulate and wish him success in the job of building a truly united and prosperous Nigeria. “I also congratulate Nigerians for standing up for change and using their votes to bring about the leadership with the capacity to uplift the country and its people.”
INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega announcing presidential election results at the collation centre in Abuja, yesterday.
Jubilation in Kogi as Buhari wins Wale Ibrahim LOKOJA
I
t was jubilations galore yesterday in Lokoja, Kogi State capital, yesterday when it became obvious that the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate, General Mu-
hammadu Buhari, won the election with wide margin. People were seen congratulating each other in streets of major towns in Kogi over APC’s scores in last Saturday’s presidential election. Commercial motorcycle operators were seen
abandoning work to celebrate the victory, even as bars and beer parlours made brisk business as people trooped to enjoy themselves over Buhari’s victory. A commercial motorcycle operator who pled anonymity told National Mirror in an interview
that he graduated several years ago without any job, and that Buhari’s victory had given him hope. He said with Buhari victory, there is hope for him and his immediate family. “We want Buhari, that is why we voted for him,” he said.
It’s a new dawn, says Oshiomhole G overnor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has congratulated the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 2015 general elections, General Muhammadu Buhari, on his victory and emergence as Presidentelect, saying the victory represents a new dawn in the nation’s polity. In a statement, Oshiomhole said: “Let me congratulate you, Sir, on your historic victory at the presidential election,
through a process which has been adjudged as free, fair and credible by both local and international observers. Indeed, your victory, on the basis of one man, one vote, represents a new dawn in the democratic governance of our great country. “The spread of your victory across the length and breadth of the country shows your national acceptance as the man Nigeria needs at this critical stage to reposition her from the 16 years of mis-
rule of the PDP. “Despite the smear campaigns against your person and candidature and the attempts to polarise the country along ethnic and religious lines, Nigerians made a bold statement by speaking through their ballots that you are, indeed, the President they want at this time of our national history. “I have implicit confidence that, with you as President, Nigeria will no doubt get a true and selfless leadership needed to
drive the much-desired change at the centre which will start the process of reengineering the country and halt the drift which the country had been plunged in the past 16 years. “Your pedigree as a former Head of State and the indelible imprint you left at that time are still being felt across the country. Your doggedness and victory at the fourth attempt will serve as an inspiration to many, never to give up on a dream that is worth living.
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
APC’ ll be magnanimous in victory, says Amaechi xx
Obiora Ifoh ABUJA
D
irector General of the General Muhammadu Buhari Presidential Campaign and Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has said APC will be magnanimous in victory, promising that the party has come to right the wrongs of the PDP government. Speaking with journalists at the APC national headquarters in Abuja on Monday shortly after announcement of the results, Amaechi said: “After each state was announced, it became clear to the nation that APC had won the election and we would be magnanimous in victory because the challenges are much, it is not only about celebration of victory, it is about seriousness in governance and we must show the difference between our party and the current government. “If we say there was incompetence, we must show competence, if we say there was corruption, we must show that we will not be corrupt, if we say that people were denied their basic rights, we must protect their rights, if we
Reactions to Presidential Poll
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
say there was impunity, we must govern by the rule of law, and once we show that, Nigerians will see the difference between us and the current government.” When asked to explain what the victory meant to him, Ameachi said: “Quite a lot. As director general of the campaign, it is good to me, I begin to tell my children that for the first time in the history of Nigeria the opposition party was able to root out the government in power by presenting a different picture of what life looks like, of giving the people the courage to confront the current government and confront what was going on, confront corruption, confront the reality of the fact that Nigerians are hungry, that they don’t go to market as Nigerians do, they have the kind of fund and can eat the kind of food they want and Nigerians are hungry, to let Nigerians know that Boko Haram was not about religion alone, but there was poverty and hunger and we have to deal with the issue of education and the issue of unemployment in the north and also in the south, and to also make people realise that religion is not an issue in Nigeria.”
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Election results: Orubebe kicks, accuses Jega of bias, tribalism Omeiza Ajayi ABUJA
P
eoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday protested what it described as partisanship and bias on the part of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. The protest came just minutes before the commission began the third lap of collation of the presidential results from the remaining states of the federation. The incidence, which lasted nearly 30 minutes, began when agents of PDP and former Minister of Niger Delta, Godsday Orubebe, rose to chide the INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, for being tribalistic and act-
ing a script, he said, was designed by the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC. Orubebe chided Jega for being “very selective and very partial”. He said: “Mr Chairman, we have lost confidence in what you are doing. If we can send a protest to you and you cannot act on that, then why are we here? But when APC wrote to you, you sent an investigative team immediately to Rivers. “You have compromised and we will not take it from you until something is done to our letters. Until you do something the way you did to APC, we will not continue with you. “You are tribalistic, you are partial. You have been
doing it. We will not allow you to continue with this process. Nigeria will not allow this. Every protest must be taken seriously. “Look at the result that is already printed by Jega and the APC. This was done yesterday (Monday),” he said, adding that the party went to Jega quietly, but he did not accept their protest. “So, we are now making the protest public,” he said. While the rage went on, Jega kept his cool as security agents barricaded the high table. Jega later picked his mobile telephone to initiate a call, but it was not immediately clear who he spoke with. The Master of Ceremonies, Oluwole Uzzi, who is also INEC’s Director
in charge of Voter Education Publicity and Gender, tried intermittently to calm Orubebe. Jega sought to respond to the allegations to no avail, as Orubebe remained insistent on his demands. However, Jega said since the allegations were made on the floor he had to respond also on the floor. But Orubebe said since the petition was in Jega’s office, he should go to his office and react to the PDP’s petition. He said Jega merely sent a text to his fellow agent, Dr Bello Fadile, that he could not treat PDP’s petition. As the rage continued, Orubebe went and sat on the floor near the high table.
…Jubilation in Katsina, Borno, others Inusa Ndahi and James Danjuma
T
here was wild jubilation in Katsina and Borno states yesterday evening following General Muhammadu Buhari’s victory in last Saturday’s presidential election. Buhari, who had contested for the fourth time in the presidential election, did so on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC. The fact that one state remained to be announced as at yesterday did not deter APC supporters in Katsina, as they nonetheless came out to the streets to jubilate over his victory. The development saw hundreds of party supporters riding in cars, motorcycles and Keke Napep troop to the streets, wielding brooms and chanting pro-Buhari slogans. The scenario was wit-
nessed in the state metropolis, his Daura council area hometown, Batagarawa, Batsari, Faskari, Funtua, Malumfashi, and several other council areas across the state. The APC gubernatorial aspirant, Aminu Bello Masari was also among those that jubilated as he and several other party members drove round town, cheering and acknowledging cheers. Also yesterday, thousands of Borno State people comprising of both APC, PDP and other political parties took to the streets of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, chanting pro- Buhari songs, saying (Baba ya data, Boko Haram ya karat in Hausa) meaning “Our father has come back, Boko Haram is finished”. National Mirror reported that as at 6:15pm, most streets and major roads in the Maiduguri metropolis witnessed massive turn out of Buhari supporters.
Senator representing Lagos East senatorial district, All Progressives Congress, Sen. Gbenga Ashafa (left) and Chairman, Ikosi-Isheri, LCDA, Chief Jegede Logun, during a press briefing by Sen. Ashafa on his re-election in Lagos, yesterday.
Buhari’s leadership qualities stand him out –Amosun
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gun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has congratulated the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, for his victory in the just concluded 2015 presidential elections. In a statement by his spokesperson, Mrs Olufunmilayo Wakama,
Amosun described the election as a demonstration of the Nigerian people’s confidence in General Buhari’s strong leadership qualities. “The people have spoken and demonstrated with their votes their confidence in the ability of the president-elect to pull the nation out of its
present economic woes,” he said. The governor added that the trajectory of the president -elect, his principles and uprightness are some of the qualities that must have endeared him to the electorate. He expressed the hope that a Buhari presidency will bring about the much
anticipated and needed security, economic growth and by extension development and prosperity to the Nigerian nation. “I convey my best wishes and look forward to a prosperous and great country under your leadership”, the governor added.
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Protests in Nasarawa over election results IGBAWASE UKUMBA LAFIA
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Children jubilating in the streets of Ibadan after hearing results of presidential election from Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN
FG declares Friday, Monday as Easter holidays OMEIZA AJAYI
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ederal Government has declared Friday, April 3, and Monday, April 6, as public holidays to mark this year’s Good Friday and
Easter Monday celebrations. Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government yesterday in Abuja. In a statement signed on his behalf by Per-
manent Secretary in the Ministry, Abubakar Magaji, and made available to journalists, the minister enjoined all Christians and Nigerians in general to express the “spiritual benefits of Easter celebrations, which are love,
peace, justice and kindness in their daily living.” While wishing Nigerians happy celebrations, the minister urged them to use the occasion to pray for peace and unity in the country.
Polls: Suswam set to challenge Gemade in court
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enue State Governor and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate for Benue North East senatorial district, Gabriel Suswam, has vowed to challenge results of the senatorial poll released on Monday by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in court on grounds of electoral malpractices. Gemade defeated Suswam in the recently conducted National Assembly elections by a margin of over 22,000 votes to retain his seat in the National Assembly, the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports.
Gemade polled 140,715 votes, while Suswam had 118,603 votes. Addressing newsmen yesterday in Makurdi, Suswam’s agent in the election, Solomon Wombo, accused INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Prof Istifinus Dafwang, of partisanship. Wombo, who is also Special Adviser to the governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, said the REC displayed obvious partisanship when he excluded PDP in most decisions during the election. He accused the REC of allowing the All Progres-
sives Congress, APC to convey result sheets to Makurdi without agents of the PDP, thereby allowing them the opportunity to manipulate figures. “When the REC took the decision to change the collation centre for the constituency from Katsina-Ala to Makurdi, he never told PDP but relayed the decision to APC. “When we complained that results in four council wards in Konshisha local government reflected more names than those actually accredited to vote, he did nothing, even when he took a decision on a similar matter in Logo local government
area.” He said voters in nine council wards in Vandeikya local government council were disenfranchised for no obvious reason, yet the REC condoned the injustice. Wombo also alleged that strongholds of PDP were disenfranchised in the election while result sheets were mutilated and doctored to suit the whims of APC. “The behavior of the commissioner is questionable and suspicious; I had to ask him if he was an agent of the APC and whether he had personal issues with the governor,” Suswam said.
‘Aliyu’s defeat will send him into political oblivion’ PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA
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iger State senatorelect of the All Progressives Congress, APC, David Umar, says the defeat suffered by his arch rival, Governor Mu’azu Aliyu, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Saturday’s senatorial election for Niger East seat, would send him into
political oblivion. He said: “I hope Dr. Babangida Aliyu understands that this political tsunami signals the end of his political career.” Umar, who stated this at a press conference in Minna, said with the result, the people of Niger East have dealt a decisive blow on the governor and his cronies. Aliyu defeated Umar in
the governorship election of 2007 and 2011. He accused the Aliyu government of financial recklessness and mismanagement in the past eight years at the helm, which he said has thrown the people into abject poverty and unbearable hardship. “It is laughable that Dr. Babangida could think of conspiring with the mul-
titude of sycophants that loiter his corridors to impose himself on the same people in perpetuity,” he said. The senator-elect also advocated that the card reader machine be made a permanent feature of the country’s electoral system, since it has proven capable of stamping out electoral fraud.
here were protests yesterday in Lafia, Nasarawa State capital, over the National Assembly election results as released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. Consequently, a group, Nasarawa State Youths Network, said it would mobilise its members for a massive protest against INEC for alleged antidemocratic endorsement of illegality foisted on the people of Nasarawa south senatorial district. President of the group, Ibrahim Kabiru Dallah, stated this at a press conference in Lafia, adding that with the information at their disposal, the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, had compromised the result of the Nasarawa south senatorial district. He said INEC’s declaration of Salihu Husseni Egyegbola as new senator for the district left it shocked and bewildered. According to the youth president, “This is contrary to the Electoral Act. In order to prevent rapid decline of our democracy to a decadent tyranny, we thus resolve to fervently stand for the truth. We therefore call on the authorities concerned to as
a matter of urgency, intervene before it gets out of hand as Senator Suleiman Adokwe clearly won the election in Nasarawa south senatorial district.” Similarly, supporters of the People Democratic Party, PDP, in the state yesterday protested the declaration of Lafia/Obi federal constituency inconclusive by INEC. The returning officer in-charge, Ishaleku David, had on Monday announced the election conducted for that federal constituency as inconclusive. During the protest, senior legislative aide to Joseph Kigbu, the member representing the federal constituency, Musa Magaji, said PDP supporters found it strange that the same returning officer who announced the result in the presence of agents of all political parties and security agencies, went to press to announce that the election was inconclusive. Magaji, therefore, urged INEC to declare Kigbu as winner of the election in the interest of fairness, peace, unity and development. Meantime, efforts by our correspondent to get the Nasarawa REC, Abdullahi Umar Danyaya, for his reaction on the allegation was fruitless as calls to his mobile phone went unanswered.
Senate: Nwaoboshi wins Delta North seat •Reyenieju, Mrakpor, Ossai pick Rep tickets THEOPHILUS ONOJEGHEN WARRI
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ormer Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chairman in Delta State and senatorial candidate of the party for Delta North, Peter Nwaoboshi, has been declared winner of last Saturday’s senatorial election, defeating erstwhile state Assembly speaker, Victor Ochei.
Nwaoboshi polled 156,604 votes to beat Ochei of Accord Party, who scored 67,580 votes to come second. Chief Returning Officer, Prof. Sunday Akparovie, while declaring the Delta North senatorial results, said, “The candidate of the PDP, Chief Nwaoboshi, having satisfied the provision of
the electoral law, is duly declared winner for Delta North Senatorial seat.” Also declared winner is the incumbent member representing Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, PDP’s Ossai Ossai, who has been returned, having polled 48,309 votes to defeat the Accord Party and APC candidates, who scored 12,315 and 7,883 votes, respectively. Similarly, the incumbent member representing Warri Federal Constituency in House of Representatives, PDP’s Daniel Reyenieju, was re-elected after polling 136,243 to defeat Omasan Emmanuel Duro of APC, who got 9,722 votes.
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Wednesday, April 1, 2015
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Nafada wins Gombe North Senate seat DANJUMA WILLIAMS GOMBE
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mmediate past Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Usman Bayero Nafada of the PDP, yesterday won the Senate seat for Gombe North. He polled 166,062 votes to beat his PDP rival, Alhaji Abdulkadir Hamma
Saleh, who polled 32,126 votes. Other results from Gombe also showed that immediate past governor of the state, Senator Muhammad Danjuma Goje, of the APC, also returned to the upper legislative chamber, beating Usman Bello Kumo of the PDP with 98,390 votes to Bello’s 28,262 votes.
In Gombe South, Senator Joshua Lidani of the PDP, returned elected after beating Balah Adams of the APC with 76,374 votes to Balah’s 60,316 votes. For the House of Representatives results from Akko Federal Constituency, as announced by the Returning Officer, Abdulwab Sulaim, Honourable
Barambu Umaru Kawuwa of APC scored 48, 972 votes, while Ismaila Muazu Hassan of PDP polled 13,781 votes. G o m b e / Kw a m i / F u nakaye federal constituency, Yahaya Tongo Bauchi of APC scored 130, 131 votes, while Yau Hassan Marafa of PDP polled 20, 576 votes. For Dukku/Nafada
federal constituency, a former Minister of State for Education, Aishatu Jibrin Dukku of APC scored 22, 838 votes, while Sambo Sa’ad of PDP polled 4,106 votes. The result for Yamaltu Deba federal constituency showed that Yunus Ahmed Abubakar of APC, got 48, 752 vote while incumbent Sh-
uaibu Galadima of PDP could not return as he polled 10, 665 votes. For Balanga/Billiri federal constituency, Alhaji Ali Isa of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, scored 40,180 votes while Yila Yaro of APC scored 34,259 votes as announced by Alhaji Usman Mohammed, the returning officer.
Rep condemns Orubebe’s action at INEC collation centre
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Wife of Governor of Oyo State, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi and wife of Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Bolanle Alli in the midst of some women leaders who decamped from Accord Party in Ibadan North East Local Government to the All Progressives Congress, in Ibadan, Oyo State, yesterday.
C’ River: Protest as PDP wins southern senatorial seat RICHARD NDOMA CALABAR
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ear and tension on Tuesday gripped residents of Calabar metropolis following the unexpected announcement of PDP candidate for Cross River Southern Senatorial District, Mr. Gershom Bassey, as winner of Saturday’s election against Labour Party, LP, candidate, Chairman of Senate Committee on Finance and Banking, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, who is perceived to be more popular than Chief Gershom Bassey, who is Governor Imoke`s ally. Resentment was high immediately the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, announced result of the election in favour of Gershom Bassey against expectation of the people. In Umoh Edem Street, Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State, perceived as one of Otu`s stronghold, many took to the street chanting songs akin to
demonstrations, “we no go gree oooh, we no go gree” as if there was going to be a riot. Angry electorates became very furious with the situation, accusing Governor Imoke of snatching victory from Otu for his political ally, Gershom Bassey, whereas most people had listed Senator Bassey Otu and Dominic Aqua Edem Edem, who locked horns with Essien Ayi, PDP candidate, as possible winners, going by indications and indices on ground and the kind of popularity Otu and Dominic Aqua had. Meanwhile, over 2,000 members of LP took to the streets yesterday, displaying placards, protesting the results and accusing INEC and Imoke of conniving with INEC and security agents to falsify election result against Otu. In a press statement issued by Senator Otu and made available to National Mirror, he calls for cancellation of the poll be-
cause the poll was marred by irregularities and that the card reader machine was not used for conduct of the poll. However, Otu`s supporters said: “For reasons best known to INEC, the polls were rescheduled in some units of Biase, Akamkpa, Calabar South and Akpabuyo for the fol-
lowing day (Sunday). The protesters who disclosed that Prince Otu was leading the PDP main opponent in the race, Gershom Bassey in Bakassi, Odukpani, Calabar South, Akpabuyo, Calabar municipality and Akamkpa Local Government Area prior to the use of manual accreditation.
hairman, House of Representatives’ Committee on Finance, Abdulmuminu Suleiman, on Tuesday condemned the action of PDP chieftain at the Presidential election collation centre in Abuja. News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Chief Godsday Orubebe, accused the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, of bias in the electoral process. Orubebe, who sat on the floor of the collation centre to express his grievance, threatened to disrupt the process if a petition by PDP was not addressed by the commission. He insisted that until the INEC chairman attended to his party’s petition, he would not allow him to continue the collation process. “Jega promptly ordered investigation into All Progressives Congress, APC, protest
against the polls in Rivers, but refused to address PDP’s petition over poll result from Kano State,’’ Orubebe said. Abdulmuminu, however, described the action as a show of shame. “I think it is a show of shame and I am happy that Nigerians are already condemning his action. “If you have such grievance, there are lots of decent ways you can go about expressing your point. “But to go and put up such show of shame is really unbecoming of someone who had been a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. “We do also understand that there are people who are desperate and are trying to bring up some mischief,’’ the lawmaker noted. He advised politicians to conduct themselves with decorum and avoid acts capable of truncating the democratic project
IRI lauds peaceful elections GLORIA USMAN ABUJA
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he International Republican Institute, IRI, has commended Nigeria for its commitment to the overall conduct of peaceful and orderly presidential and National Assembly elections. Leader of the Election Observation Mission, Constance Newman, who gave the commendation while briefing newsmen in Abuja, said that while there were flaws in the election, it was a transparent voting process,
with Nigerian citizens protecting their voting mandate. “The IRI team covered the six geopolitical zones; from Adamawa, Anambra, Cross River, Ekiti, Kaduna, Kogi, Rivers, among others. Newman said in spite of the shortcomings and delay in the arrival of election materials in some parts of the country, voters were determined to complete the process. “We want to praise the determination of the Nigerian voters to see the process through to the end, from the ac-
creditation process to vote counting, even if it means returning to their polling units the next day to repeat the polling process. “The elderly, women with their children and people with disabilities moved immediately to the front of the lines during the vote count,” she said. Regrettably, there was report of incidences of violence in some parts of the country, particularly in Rivers State and other parts of North eastern states. However, the people of Nigeria are to
be commended for their courage and commitment to express their choices. Newman equally extolled the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the military and other security agencies for their role in ensuring free, fair, credible and peaceful elections. She also commended the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, for carrying out their duties as ad-hoc staff in about 150,000 polling units and voting points in spite of difficulties encountered in the process.
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Police allay fears over poll results announcement
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agos State Police Command yesterday urged people of the state not to entertain any fear as all parts of the state were under surveillance. Public Relations Officer, PPRO, of the command, DSP Kenneth Nwosu, advised residents to go about their normal businesses peacefully without panic. Nwosu made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Lagos. He was reacting to reports that the outcome of Saturday’s elections may escalate violence
to the detriment of innocent residents in view of declining police presence in some areas of the state. “We have deployed our personnel to those areas we anticipate chaos, and now that we have finished the election, the deployment will definitely change. “There is nowhere in the world where deployment remains constant, we keep reviewing for the better. “So, people should not entertain any fears. We cover every part of Lagos through surveillance and patrol,” the PPRO said.
Osun PDP senatorial candidate rejects result Boladale Bamigbola OSOGBO
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enatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for Osun East, Francis Fadahunshi, yesterday stated his readiness to approach election petition tribunal over result of polls in the area. The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had returned the incumbent senator representing the district, Babajide Omoworare, as winner of the poll. However, addressing newsmen in Osogbo, Fadahunshi said he would challenge the result through legal means. He said the mood in Ife/Ijesha Senatorial
District has been affected negatively following outcome of the poll, calling on members and supporters of the party not to be deterred but to troop out en masse and vote for the party’s candidate in the April 11 House of Assembly polls. He also expressed gratitude to members and supporters of PDP across the state for their support despite the “harsh environment in which the polls took place.” Fadahunshi added that activities of the Fadahunsi Foundation would continue even after the elections, assuring that scholarship and employment placements will not stop despite the result declared.
Expert lauds police over security
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security expert in Osun State, Hassan Hussein, has commended the police for the professionalism they showed during last Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections. Hussein, a retired police officer and head of a vigilance group, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in an interview in Osogbo that the conduct of the police was unprecedented. According to him, the Nigeria Police has “really come of age as a desirable institution in a democratic setting. “It is very clear that we
are developing our institutions as a democratic nation; the police is one of the institutions that has really advanced rapidly with time. “Obviously, the degree of professional acumen exhibited by the force on Saturday clearly showed that Nigeria can rely on the police as an agent of democracy. “I urge the InspectorGeneral of Police to sustain the tempo even after the results of the elections have been declared, so as to avert any form of post-election violence,” he said.
Secretary to Ogun State Government, Barr. Taiwo Adeoluwa (middle) receiving an award as the best South West Governor of the Year 2014 on behalf of Governor Ibikunle Amosun from Dr. Miuz Banire (left) with Mrs. Abiola Atanda during the 18th City People Awards of Excellence in Lagos.
Court adjourns Tinubu’s case against Army chief
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Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday adjourned till April 20, a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by former governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu, against Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah. Tinubu, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, had sued Minimah over deployment of soldiers who laid siege to his No. 26, Bourdillon Street, Ikoyi, Lagos home, between February 9 and 11. Justice John Tsoho had on March 26 granted an interim injunction banning the military siege on Tinubu’s home and stopping any possible arrest or detention of the applicant during the general elections. News Agency of Nige-
ria, NAN, reports that after granting the order, the judge adjourned to hear the substantive suit. At the resumed hearing of the case yesterday, only the applicant’s counsel, Mr Chukwuma Onwuemene, who was holding brief for Mr Femi Falana (SAN), was in court. However, Minimah was not represented. Onwuemene, however, prayed the court for a short adjournment for the hearing of the substantive suit. Tsoho recalled that the applicant had already secured an interim injunction shielding him from arrest and intimidation by the military, adding that the court could not give any date before the Easter vacation. He, therefore, adjourned
till April 20 for hearing. Tinubu is seeking a declaration of the court that the military siege on his home was an infringement on his fundamental human rights to private and family life protected under Section 37 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The former governor also considered the military action as a violation of sections 35 and 42 of the Constitution as well as Articles 2 and 5 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act. He claimed that the military siege on his home caused him and his family “psychological and mental torture.”
Tinubu’s personal assistant, Mr Sunday Dare, who deposed to an affidavit in support of the action, said: “That the applicant was exposed to embarrassment as many members of the public asked whether he committed any offence, which could have warranted the siege. “That the siege portrayed him as a hardened criminal in the society.” Tsoho restrained Minimah and his privies from “arresting, detaining, harassing or intimidating the applicant” until the determination of the substantive suit. The judge also ordered the military not to hinder Tinubu from participating in the 2015 general elections.
Lagos Reps poll: Non-indigene emerges winner, sets agenda
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he first non-indigene to win a federal constituency seat in Lagos State, Chief Oghene Egoh, yesterday expressed his desire to attract infrastructure development to the state. Egoh, who was announced member-elect of the House of Representatives, Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency, on Monday, made the promise in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN. Egoh polled 29,761 votes to defeat incumbent Ganiyu Olukolu of the All Progressives Congress, APC,
who scored 20,616 votes. “In this particular constituency, the biggest problem we have is the decay of our infrastructure; there is no water, sewage system is bad, and there are no playing grounds,” he said. Egoh promised to lobby ministers in charge of the ministries responsible for such facilities for an improved infrastructure in his constituency. The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, member, expressed hope that his party would win the governorship election in the state, adding that winning
would bring more development to his constituency. Egoh was elated that the PDP governorship candidate in the state, Jimi Agbaje, took part in his campaign and understood the challenges in his constituency. According to him, their combination as governor and Rep member would greatly satisfy the desire of his people. “My success as member-elect of the House of Representatives is very significant being the first non-indigene to have won the seat in Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency.
“Again, this is the first time PDP won in Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency,” he said. Egoh, however, linked his success to hard work, focus and the experience of being a politician, having served two terms as councillor, both in Amuwo Odofin and Ojo local government areas. “The senior legislators will see the quality in me and my constituency will feel the impact,” he said. Egoh gave glory to God and thanked Amuwo Odofin people who, he said, had confidence and trust in him.
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Wednesday, April 1, 2015
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Imo Speaker, APGA lament election irregularities Chris Njoku OWERR1
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ll Progressives Congress, APC, Senatorial candidate, Imo North, and Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly, Benjamin Uwajumogu, yesterday accused the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, of manipulating the Presidential and National Assembly elections conducted at the weekend. Uwajumogu was particular about the election at his Senatorial zone, Imo North, which he was a candidate under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, where he claimed that PDP connived with the army to rig elections in Isiala Mbano, Onuimo and Okigwe Local Government. Although, the Army had denied getting involved in election in the state, the speaker maintained that the election was a sham. “Imo election is a sham, at Isiala Mbano, most wards there did not vote, yet election results were declared, soldiers helped PDP to escort election materials they snatched to the collation centres,” Uwajumogu said. In the same vein, the All Progressives Grand Alli-
ance, APGA, in the state also rejected the National Assembly elections held there, saying the result announced did not conform to the votes cast. Addressing newsmen, the state chairman of the party, Peter Ezeobi pointed out that election never took place in some wards in Orlu zone such as Isu, Oguta, Ohaji/Egbema, Agwa, Asa Obirie and Obiti where he alleged that ballot boxes were snatched by some PDP thugs. Ezeobi while calling for a fresh election to be conducted having lost out in the three senatorial zones in the state, urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to improve on the performance of the card readers.
AKURE
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ome youths suspected to be members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday clashed few hours after announcement of results of Saturday’s elections in Ondo State. The clash, which occurred in Idanre, headquarters of Idanre Local Government Area of the state, left many people injured, especially market men and women. An eyewitness said the suspected political thugs fought in four different areas of the town, including Anaye Market, Ojota, Sabo and Palace road. It was learnt that for several hours both social and commercial ac-
Anambra APGA rejects NASS election results …Gov calls for calm
Charles Okeke AWKA
A Uwajumogu
Scores injured as political thugs clash in Ondo Ojo O yewamide
APC South-East spokesperson, Comrade Osita Okechukwu (left) with party supporters jubilating in Enugu after hearing results of presidential election from Abuja, yesterday.
tivities in the town was paralysed, as the thugs fought one another with dangerous weapons, while residents ran for safety. The main cause of the fight was not known, but it was gathered that the rivalry between the two political parties and the outcome of the last Saturday’s election, which mostly favoured the APC ignited the crisis. State Police Public Relations Officer, Wole Ogodo, confirmed the incident, saying the Divisional Police Station in the town swung into action immediately they got information of the crisis. Ogodo, however, explained that he had not been properly briefed on the cause of the fight at the time he was contacted yesterday.
ll Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, yesterday rejected results of the Senate and House of Representatives elections held on Saturday. The party said it rejected the National Assembly Election results because they do not reflect the will of Anambra people. Addressing journalists in Awka, the state capital, yesterday on behalf of APGA and its national leader, Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Chief Tony Onyima, said after a careful analysis of the just concluded National Assembly elections in Anambra State, APGA feels compelled to state that the people voted massively for the party on the election day and that the results from various polling booths across Anambra State clearly indicate that APGA won the last National Assembly Elections in Anambra State with a wide margin. Onyima, who accused the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, of manipulating the exercise, stated that from their observation of what happened on Saturday, they would say
the will of Anambra people expressed in the final outcome of the voting exercise was brazenly violated by elements of Igbo extraction in the PDP, who he accused felt encouraged by their socalled links with Abuja. Onyima, who spoke against the backdrop that APGA lost most of the House of Representatives and Senate seats in the elections held on Saturday, also attributed the party’s loss to the late arrival of INEC officials at the various polling units on polling day, and the failure of the card-reader device in most parts of the state, a development, he said, affected significantly both the level of participation of the electorates in the voting exercise and the overall outcome of the exercise. He stated that results of the senatorial elections as announced by the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Anambra State do not by any stretch of the imagination reflect the expressed will of Ndi Anambra, adding that the whole thing therefore, stand out as a monumental electoral injustice. He called on the Resident Electoral Commissioner in charge of Anambra State to urgently look into their complaints with a view to ensuring immediate re-
dress. He said: “It is our considered view that a timely intervention by INEC in Anambra State will help avert a break-down of law and order. We appeal to Ndi Anambra, all APGA members and lovers of democracy to remain calm and law-abiding, while we try to redress these injustices.” He described what has happened as a temporary setback. Governor Willie Obiano also urged the people of Anambra State not to be discouraged by what it described as ``massive rigging’’ that charactarised the election. Obiano, who is also the national leader of the party, told newsmen in Awka on Tuesday that the manipulation of the electoral process which occurred during the election would not be allowed to repeat itself. The governor, who was represented by Chief Tony Onyima, the state Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, said that the results released by INEC were not a true reflection of the votes in the exercise. He said that the results from various polling booths across the state clearly indicated that APGA won the last election in the state with a
wide margin. Obiano said that the party had formally protested to INEC, adding that if INEC failed to take action, it would seek redress in the appropriate quarters. “What happened in the last elections will never happen again on April 11 during the state House of Assembly election. “People should not be discouraged, but should come to finish the job they started by voting massively for APGA.’’ He alleged that the elections were manipulated by agents of the PDP. “The results of the senatorial elections as announced by Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state do not by any stretch of imagination reflect the expressed will of the citizens and therefore stand out as a monumental electoral injustice on our people.’’ He appealed to all APGA members and lovers of democracy to remain calm and law abiding, adding that the party would try to redress the injustices. “We want to thank Ndi Anambra who endured long hours waiting in the hot sun to cast their votes for APGA and all our candidates seeking to represent us at the National Assembly,’’ Obiano said.
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INEC office set ablaze in Delta Theophilus Onojeghen WARRI
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ffice of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Isiokolo, Ethiope East Local Government of Delta State, was on Monday evening set ablaze by yet-to-be identified arsonists, destroying sensitive materials. Our correspondent gathered that the arsonists broke into INEC premises through the back fence and set the building on fire after having chased away security at-
APC supporters jubilating after collation of the 2015 presidential election results in Uyo, yesterday.
Delta APC protest grounds Asaba ...alleges rigging Amour Udemude and Theophilus Onojeghen
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fficial and economic activities were yesterday paralysed in Asaba, Delta State, following mass protest by the All Progressives Congress, APC, members and supporters over alleged falsification of the March 28 presidential and National Assembly election results. The huge crowd of protesters, including the state’s APC governorship standard bearer, O’tega Emerhor; the party’s chairman, Prophet Jones Erue; House of Representatives and senatorial candidates as early as 8am stormed headquarter office of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Asaba, but the military and police men stationed nearby blocked their entry
Osahon Julius YENAGOA
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alpable tension yesterday pervaded Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, home state of President Goodluck Jonathan, as financial houses and commercial banks shut operations as fallout of the results of the presidential polls. While some commer-
into the premises. The protest, which lasted several hours, disrupted social and economic activities, thus causing serious gridlock and grounding commuters and other road users. Director-General of O’tega Emerhor campaign organisation, Benjamin Ogbalor, alleged that the returning officer for the election connived with members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to falsify and bloat the election results. According to Ogbalor, “on election day, PDP rigged massively and got bogus figures, bur being a peace-loving party, we did not do anything or even engage in any form of violence. Luckily, we kept our result sheets in the various local governments, right from the Presidential and National Assembly results.” Ogbalor, while lament-
ing what he called a criminal act, stressed that the last minute of INEC allowing manual accreditations opened the window for PDP in the state to massively rig the elections. “You will recall that the presidential and National Assembly elections have the same accreditation, so the upper limit for accreditation for Delta State is already established by the cumulative results from the local governments and also the cumulative results from the National Assembly. But we were surprised to discover that PDP has rewritten all the results since it dawned on them that our presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, is leading,” Ogbalor said. “The act is condemnable, which is why we all came down here to INEC office in Asaba to protest. We are protesting the already rewritten results by the
returning officer in collaboration with some PDP stalwarts in Delta State. They used the military and other security agents to stop APC from accessing INEC premises to express our dissatisfaction.” Also, Olorogun Emerhor expressed displeasure over what he described as illegal upturning of the will of the people of Delta State. According to him, “INEC in conjunction with PDP have been busy falsifying all the results of the last Saturday elections in the state. We have it on a very good authority that the figures have been falsified to make up some of their losses since they saw that our presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, is leading in the results so far declared by INEC. This is criminal and the returning officer who is a professor is supporting this unholy act,” Emerhor stated.
tached to the office. Eyewitnesses told newsmen that the building, which is opposite Agbon Secondary School, was newly constructed and was set ablaze between 6pm and 7pm. It was also learnt that an unspecified number of Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, were destroyed with part of the roof also affected. Ethiope East local council is one of the flashpoints in Delta Central Senatorial district whose results the Labour Party, LP, is questioning for alleged irregularities.
Food stuff prices soar in Edo
P
rices of some major food items have gone up in Benin, Edo State, following the 2015 Presidential and National Assembly elections in the country. Some of the affected food stuffs include beans, tomatoes, meat, yam, pepper, tin tomatoes, wheat, onions, ogbono, fish, melon, red and vegetable oils. News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that prices had gone up few days to the elections before this new increment. At Ikpoba Hill Market, a major market in Benin, a basket of tomatoes that sold for N13,500 before the election, now sells for N15,000. A bag of wheat sells for between N12,000 and N15,000; a basket of pepper from N4,000 to N7,000, and a carton of fish from N12,000 to N15,500. A big bag of beans
also sold for N17,000, up from N11,500 previously. Others are N1,700 for a carton of tin tomatoes as against N1,200, a bag of rice from N7,500 to N8,500 while a tuber of yam goes for N300 from N150. Mrs Faith Edosa, a tomato seller at Ikpoba hill market, told NAN that the development was due to the elections. “Most customers came to buy in large quantities before the election and most food distributors have not brought their goods to the market.” Miss Destiny Obehi, a customer, said: “We are still expecting food stuffs to come from the north and other parts of the country to the state. “Most of the traders travelled to vote and have not returned. We believe that things would go back to their former prices before the end of the week.”
Polls results: Palpable tension grips Yenagoa …banks close shop cial banks such as the United Bank for Africa, UBA, and Sterling Bank, located along Sani Abacha Road, restricted their operations to customers with ATM cards, others like First Bank at Imbi road offered skeletal services with a notice that it will close opera-
tions at 3pm. Most of the customers that visited the bank for services were disappointed as the banks claimed they had security report of possible crisis in the event of the final release of the presidential poll result. A UBA official told
National Mirror on condition of anonymity that the bank was in possession of an urgent security report to close shop because of the tense atmosphere in the state. The official only allowed those with ATM into the premises while those who wanted to transact other business were asked to go as they
had closed for the day. At Sterling Bank Plc, the security personnel at the gate hurriedly closed its gates against customers, citing the tense atmosphere in the state, though the bank opened for ATM operations. Though normal operation was observed at GTB, along Sani Abacha Road, a bank officer said
the bank would shut operations by 11:30 pm. Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Muhammadu Buhari, however led by about three million votes to win in the poll’s final results released yesterday by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
Wednesday April 1, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
13
Politics
General Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s President-elect
N
igeria’s brand new President-elect and winner of the March 28 presidential election, General Muhammadu Buhari, retired, who made history as the first opposition candidate to defeat an incumbent President, was born on December 17, 1942, in Daura, Katsina State, to Adamu and Zulaihat Buhari. The twenty-third child of his father, who probably has contested for the Nigerian presidency for record four times, before finally emerging victorious, lost his father at the age of four and was raised by his mother. A former military Head of State, Buhari joined the Nigerian Army in 1961, when he attended the Nigerian Military Training College, NMTC, now Nigerian Defence Academy, NDA, in Kaduna and had a brilliant military career, retiring as a Major-General. From 1962 to 1963, he underwent Officer Cadets training at Mons Officer Cadet School, in Aldershot, England. Mons OCS was officially closed down in 1972. In January 1963, Buhari was commissioned as second lieutenant, and appointed Platoon Commander of the Second Infantry Battalion in Abeokuta, Nigeria. Between November 1963 and January 1964, Buhari attended the Platoon Commanders’ Course at the Nigerian Military College, Kaduna. In 1964, he facilitated his military training by attending the Mechanical Transport Officer’s Course at the Army Mechanical Transport School in Borden, United Kingdom. From 1965 to 1967, Buhari served as Commander of the Second Infantry Battalion. He was appointed Brigade Major, Second Sector, First Infantry Division, in April 1967 to July 1967. Buhari was made Brigade Major of the Third Infantry Brigade, between July 1967 to October 1968 and Brigade Major/Commandant, Thirty-First Infantry Brigade, from 1970 to 1971. He served as the Assistant Adjutant-General, First Infantry Division Headquarters, from 1971 to 1972 and also attended the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, India, in 1973. From 1979 to 1980, at the rank of a Colonel, Buhari, (class of 1980), attended the US Army War College, which was established in 1901, in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, United States of America and gained a Master Degree in Strategic Studies. When he completed the on-campus full-time resident program lasting ten months and the two-year-long, distance learning program, the United States Army War College, USAWC, awards him its graduate officers a master’s degree in Strategic Studies. Buhari became Nigeria’s military Head of State, being one of the leaders of the military coup d’etat of December 31, 1983, which overthrew the democratically elected government of President Shehu Shagari. At the time of the coup plot, he was the General Officer Commanding, GOC, Third Armored Division, Jos, Plateau State. The coup ended Nigeria’s short-lived Second Republic. In August 1985, Major-General Buhari was overthrown in a palace coup led by General Ibrahim Babangida and other members of the ruling Supreme Military Council, SMC Buhari served as the Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund, PTF, a body created by the government of late General Sani Abacha and funded from the revenue generated
HE WAS DECLARED WINNER OF THE MARCH 28 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION BY
INEC, HAVING SCORED THE HIGHEST VOTES through the increase in price of petroleum products, to pursue developmental projects around the country, an assignment the retired General discharge without blemish. In 2003, Buhari contested the presidential election as the candidate of the defunct All Nigerian Peoples Party, ANPP, and was defeated by then incumbent Chief Olusegun Obasanjo of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, by a margin of more than 11 million votes. He threw his hat in the ring again and contested the 2007 presidential polls, also on the platform of the defunct ANPP and lost to the PDP candidate, late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who hailed from the same home state of Katsina. In the election, Buhari polled 18 per cent of the total vote against Yar’Adua’s 70 per cent, but Buhari rejected the results. After Yar’Adua took office, the ANPP agreed to join his government, but Buhari rejected the arrangement and opted out of the ANPP. In March 2010, Buhari left the ANPP for the newly found defunct Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, and he was the CPC presidential candidate in the April 16, 2011 presidential election. Again, third time in a row, Buhari lost to PDP candidate,
Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, who he eventually defeated in his fourth shot at the nation’s presidency in the March 28 presidential election. Buhari contested the 2015 presidential election as a candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, a party formed from the coalition of defunct CPC, ANPP and Action Congress of Nigeria, CAN and a faction of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA. In May 2014, in the wake of the kidnapping of over 240 Chibok school girls, Buhari strongly condemned the Boko Haram insurgency and urged Nigerians to put aside religion, politics and all other divisions to crush the insurgency. In July 2014, Buhari narrowly escaped a bomb attack on his life by suspected Boko Haram insurgents in Kaduna, where 82 people were killed. In December 2014, Buhari pledged to enhance security in Nigeria if he wins last Saturday’s general elections. Known and acknowledged for his discipline and forthrightness, Buhari made fighting corruption, enhancement of internal security and wiping out the Boko Haram militant group the key pillars of his campaign. He was declared winner of the March 28 presidential election by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, having scored the highest votes and got the required 25 per cent spread at the election. Buhari has received several awards and medals and these include: Congo Medal, CM; Defence Service Medal, DSM, Forces Service Star, FSS and Grand Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, GCFR. He is married with children.
14
Politics
Wednesday April 1, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
March 28 Presidential Election final result STATE
AA
ACPN
AD
ADC
APA
APC
CPP
HDP
KOWA
NCP
PDP
PPN
UDP
UPP
REG. VOTERS
EKITI
94
538
854
864
482
120,331
330
94
108
377
176,466
388
60
145
723,253
ACCREDITED
594,975
TOTAL VOTES
VALID
REJECTED
309,445
300,691
8,754
OGUN
584
3,073
1,927
1,364
1,930
308,290
970
332
432
377
207,950
4,339
532
597
1,709,409
ENUGU
441
479
269
478
715
14,157
237
110
20
761
553,003
407
1,623
290
1,429,221
KOGI
700
1,089
427
761
1,001
264,851
967
144
190
399
149,987
476
180
156
1,350,883
OSUN
377
1,731
1,667
937
1,306
383,603
1,029
132
255
767
249,929
599
124
159
1,378,113
683,169
663,373
642,615
20,758
ONDO
386
2,406
1,237
1,227
1,139
299,889
1,012
184
223
846
251,368
734
184
221
1,501,549
618,040
582,435
561,056
21,379
FCT
139
342
240
288
674
146,399
347
83
165
473
157,195
269
95
96
886,573
344,056
OYO
6,331
8,979
6,282
5,000
4,468
528,620
6,674
839
1,312
1,895
303,376
2,842
1,069
3,665
2,415,825
NASARAWA
40
95
74
105
110
236,838
131
4
48
222
273,460
164
23
33
1,222,054
KANO
406
778
708
657
2,770
1,903,999
1,552
292
288
697
215,779
485
234
156
4,943,862
JIGAWA
394
500
587
375
2,527
885,988
1,553
337
423
548
142,904
853
338
197
KATSINA
183
402
283
498
1,671
1,345,441
976
47
215
330
98,937
254
117
72
KWARA
248
817
520
438
1,165
302,146
910
118
214
394
132,602
325
81
102
1,181,032
489,360
KADUNA
184
4
273
526
1,611
1,129,760
824
105
176
752
484,085
549
79
78
3,361,793
1,746,031
476,839
559,613
533,172
26,442
585,632
573,173
12,459
439,287
421,328
17,959
316,015
306,805
9,210
928,606
881,352
47,254
562,959
521,641
511,547
10,094
2,364,434
2,172,447
2,128,821
43,626
1,815,839
1,153,428
1,071,889
1,037,564
34,325
2,842,741
1,578,646
1,481,714
1,449,426
32,288
461,401
440,080
21,321
1,650,201
1,617,482
32,719
ANAMBRA
547
1,259
475
534
2,303
17,926
1,279
357
311
887
660,762
537
1,066
1,121
1,963,427
774,430
703,409
688,584
14,825
ABIA
315
2,194
448
569
2,766
13,394
1,046
125
173
745
368,303
424
213
330
1,349,134
442,538
401,049
391,045
10,004
A’IBOM
1,600
443
474
608
384
58,411
412
192
160
381
953,304
327
224
144
1,644,481
1,074,070
1,028,551
1,017,064
11,487
IMO
533
956
757
1,617
2,236
133,253
733
157
158
784
559,185
414
264
1,917
1,747,681
801,712
731,921
702,964
28,957
PLATEAU
169
391
279
406
618
429,140
237
56
138
693
549,615
554
54
29
1,977,211
1,076,833
1,000,692
982,388
18,304
EBONYI
426
1,214
1,133
2,704
2,452
19,518
2,345
989
913
1,810
323,653
1,168
624
4,859
1,071,226
425,301
393,337
363,888
29,449
NIGER
307
441
403
614
2,006
657,678
1,264
198
305
550
149,222
449
116
118
1,995,679
933,607
844,683
813,671
31,012
LAGOS
1,795
3,038
4,453
2,072
2,177
792,460
1,125
255
1,000
1,430
632,327
1,041
269
244
5,827,846
1,678,754
1,495,975
1,443,686
52,289
BAYELSA
45
38
69
116
70
5,194
44
18
52
95
361,209
62
20
35
605,637
384,789
371,739
367,067
4,672
GOMBE
104
192
169
247
773
361,245
407
46
97
227
96,873
157
25
37
1,110,105
515,828
473,444
460,599
12,845
C’RIVER
279
514
709
749
532
28,368
381
237
312
930
414,863
864
289
1,487
1,144,288
500,577
465,906
450,514
15,392
RIVERS
2,066
555
1,104
1,031
503
69,238
40
502
274
565
1,487,075
492
303
156
2,324,300
1,643,409
1,555,462
1,565,461
19,306
ADAMAWA
495
1,166
595
1012
1,549
374,701
819
267
752
1,212
251,664
1,163
289
334
1,518,123
709,993
ZAMFARA
85
238
290
294
1,310
612,202
655
14
122
444
144,833
374
93
68
1,484,941
KEBBI
214
361
450
472
2,685
567,883
1,794
213
448
519
100,972
547
207
238
1,457,763
792,817
715,122
677,003
38,119
BENUE
315
1,464
254
539
945
373,961
567
115
105
683
303,737
439
66
74
1,893,596
754,634
703,131
683,264
19,867
BAUCHI
131
232
173
189
964
931,598
391
46
128
207
86,085
128
29
37
2,053,484
1,094,069
1,039,775
1,020,338
19,437
YOBE
101
164
213
112
632
446,265
329
67
104
120
25,526
101
30
32
1,077,942
520,127
491,767
473,796
17,971
661,210
636,018
25,192
780,179
761,022
19,157
EDO
159
1,284
450
512
709
208,469
325
22
175
516
286,869
729
160
72
1,650,522
599,166
522,785
500,451
22,334
TARABA
962
811
586
320
1,305
261,326
1,033
161
153
876
310,800
680
224
439
1,374,307
638,578
602,716
579,677
23,039
SOKOTO
249
535
721
762
3,482
671,926
1,894
283
475
686
152,199
609
269
180
1,663,127
988,895
876,369
834,259
42,110
DELTA
1473
916
735
888
478
48,910
813
166
311
670
1,211,405
393
354
261
2,044,372
1,350,914
1,284,848
1,267,773
17,075
1,799,669
544,759
515,008
501,920
13,088
BORNO
145
243
392
201
878
473,543
310
88
158
107
25,640
143
31
41
TOTAL
22877
39639
30288
29885
52448
14,953,378
35445
7307
10735
23868
12,827,522
24336
9927
18179
Buhari’s victory sparks wild jubilation in Edo, Osun T he resounding victory of All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate and Nigeria’s President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari sparked wild celebrations by jubilant party leaders and members as well as other supporters and well-wishers in Edo State. In spite of the fact that the presidential election result from Borno State was yet to be announced to conclude the return of presidential election results of the 36 states and Federal Capital City, FCT, Buhari won with the majority votes apart from meeting the constitutional spread requirement of
25 per cent votes of 2/3 states of the country by leading incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, with over 2 million votes. The reality of Buhari’s victory sparked wild jubilation by residents, in spite of the fact that it was quite late into the evening, with many motorists blaring their horns loudly and other mobilising themselves to drinking bars for celebrations. Many others simply shouted: “ChangeChange; Sai Buhari or Say Buhari,” as they danced to and forth on the streets, markets and other public places even
as the state government joined the fray with an official statement congratulating Buhari for the victory. With the exception of Edo Central District, the political base of Chief Anthony Anenih and Mr. Mike Onolememen and other top officials of the Jonathan administration, where it was reported that the victory sparked subdued mood and sadness, wild jubilation was also reported in Edo North, where residents hailed the unyielding soldier for achieving victory at last. Buhari’s APC victory marked the first time an opposition party is winning a presidential elec-
tion in Nigeria since 1999. Buhari, the country’s military ruler from January 1, 1984 to August 14, 1985, is expected to assume office as the democratically elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on May 29. Also, there were wild jubilations across Osogbo, Osun State capital yesterday evening following the victory of the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, in the last Saturday poll. At different parts of the state capital, ecstatic crowd of APC supporters and admirers of Gen Buhari were sighted celebrating his victory af-
ter staying glued to the television sets all day to monitor the collation of the result. Northerners residing in Osogbo were also sighted at Sabo, Igbona, Aiyetoro around 8:05 pm Tuesday celebrating the
Gen. Buhari
victory of APC in the presidential poll. Sources in Ikirun, Iwo, Ila and Ikire also said the excited crowd could not wait for the collation of result to end before taking to streets to celebrate Buhari’s victory.
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
National Mirror National News www.nationalmirroronline.net
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
15 15
From The Civil Service
Agency boosts cocoa development in Nigeria
P.42
Lodge complaints at NERC forum office to end arbitrary billing, says Amadi Chidi Ugwu ABUJA
S
Minister of State for Power, Mohammed Wakil (left) presenting a trophy to the overall best of NAPTIN Graduate Skills Development Programme, Mr. Amuchionu Chijindu; during the 3rd graduation ceremony of NAPTIN Graduate Skills Development Programme in Abuja, recently.
Minister inaugurates committee to review health act …FG reiterates commitment to ending polio scourge
Marcus Fatunmole ABUJA
T
he Minister of State for Health and Supervising Minister of Health, Dr Khaliru Alhassan, has inaugurated a Technical Review Committee (TRC) for the National Health Act. The Committee, chaired by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Linus Awute, is to among other things “discuss the Act in details and propose actionable inputs required to operationalize the Act,” according to a statement made available to National Mirror by Chief Information Officer in the ministry,
Yusuf Mangai, recently. Alhassan was quoted in the statement as saying “although a number of the institutions, structures and mechanisms have been provided for in the Act, there seems to be some misunderstanding of the actual interpretation of the provisions.” He informed that some of the provisions required the development of detailed guidelines to be implemented without ambiguity and in a consistent manner. Speaking on the need for the TRC, the Minister stated that all 26 members of the committee were expected to advise him in matters relating to operationalization of the Act among
FCT FA to inaugurate 13 committees for speedy football development Chairman of FCT –Official SWAN, Kayode Adeniyi P.41
others. He said members of the team were carefully selected to ensure representation of the key institutions that have mandate for the implementation of the Act. “In his response, the Permanent secretary of the ministry, on behalf of members of the committee pledged his commitment to take the assignment seriously because of the strategic position of the act in nation building. “He also urged the ministry’s Directors to assist the committee in ensuring successful completion of the task. The TRC is also expected to work through the following sub-groups, Governance, health financing,
equity and investments, standards research and knowledge management and advocacy,” the release said further. Meanwhile, the Federal Government has restated its commitment to end polio scourge soonest. Minister of State and Supervising Minister for Health, Dr Khaliru Alhassan, stated this in a release made available to National Mirror by Director Press and Public Relations in the ministry, Ayo Adesugba. Alhassan spoke in reaction to a national newspaper’s report, not National Mirror, allegedly undermining Federal Government’s efforts on the disease.
Writers get inspirations from travelling –NTDC DG P.42
o as to stop arbitrary billing the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has urged electricity consumers to utilize the commission’s offices inaugurated to handle such complaints. The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi, who gave the advice recently in Abuja, regretted that some customers prefer to sit back and complain rather than making use of the established forum to get the problems addressed. He admitted that the Commission had received quite a number of complaints which were promptly resolved, urging electricity consumers across the country to ensure they complain whenever they feel short- changed. “We urge customers who feel they are have been over billed to take advantage of the consumer complaint units which all DISCOs are mandated to establish. When such person is not satisfied with the answers given he can write to NERC through the forum office, they have handled quite a number of cases and some time the DISCOs come to say we find there was a mistake somewhere. If you sit back and complain there is no way we can know what you are going through” he stated. The commission had earlier inaugurated several forum offices to help in addressing complaints of electricity consumers
164 youth corps members get automatic employment P.16
across the country. Earlier, at the induction of members of the forum in Abuja, Amadi said the commission’s customer complaints unit was meant to resolve all complaints by customers.He said the CCU was the dispute resolution platform set up by the power distribution licensees. “Every Disco (distribution company) is mandated to establish a CCU within its premises, which shall be responsible for receiving and resolving customer complaints,” he said. According to him, the CCU of each Disco is meant to be the first stage of addressing customer complaints, adding that the forum, which is akin to an appellate court, will handle complaints emanating from the distribution companies. Amadi said, “Dissatisfied customers who still feel that they have not got the desired attention, or are dissatisfied with the outcome as addressed by the Discos can then appeal to the forum, being the next level of redress in the system. “All further appeals from the forum are to be made to the commission for further redress. Where the customer still feels dissatisfied with the judgment, he or she is free to move the case to the conventional courts.” The newly inaugurated forum, according to him, has offices in Enugu, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Kano and Abuja. Both the Ikeja and Kano offices were inaugurated in August last year.
Dr. Sally Mbanefo DG, NTDC
16
Civil Service
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
164 corps members get automatic employment Joel Ajayi ABUJA
N
o fewer than 164 youth corps members on Monday bagged the President’s honour award with automatic employment into the Nigeria federal civil service. The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), BrigGen. Johnson Olawumi, who stated this during a
media briefing on the 2014 President’s NYSC Honours Award, in Abuja, disclosed that 164 winners out of 613 nominations received from across the country were selected for the combined 2012, 2013 and 2014 editions of the award. He explained that the award was created as a deliberate effort by the NYSC leadership to encourage excellence, and reward outstanding participants. The selection process was thor-
ough and absolutely fair by members of the selection committee made up of people with impeccable characters. According to him, “the criteria for selection of the award winners include outstanding performance in all the critical areas of the service year such as; orientation course, primary
assignment, community development service and winding-up/passing out activities. “Other issues considered for award selection include personal qualities of good character, sense of duty, drive and determination, reliability, initiative and resourcefulness, command and leadership, team work,
and special contributions. “To date, a total of 994 excorps members have been conferred with the award and conferment of the award on the 164 winners selected for the forthcoming edition will bring the number of winners to 1,158.” He however, revealed that the award had been redesigned to attract a National
Certificate of Honour duly signed by His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, A Gold Medal, Automatic Employment in the Federal Civil Service, Cash price and scholarship grant to award winner to pursue post graduate studies up to doctorate level in any university in the world.
Minister decries women losing out in politics, leadership positions Adeola Tukuru ABUJA
M
inister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Zainab Maina, has raised alarm over the declining state of women in both political and leadership positions. Hajia Maina who spoke in Abuja at a national stakeholders consultative meeting on the status of Nigerian women noted that there are
more girls in primary and secondary schools and at universities, said women are still poorer, less visible and with less access and opportunities than men in all fields. According to her violence against women including sexual and domestic violence continue to rise and women’s bodies continue to be used as battlefields in conflicts. “Even as we celebrate the progress, it is not all rosy, there are still many challenges ahead”
Internally displaced persons who just graduated from an entrepreneurship training programme organised by the North-East Entrepreneurship Development Centre at their camp in Yola, Adamawa State, recently. PHOTO: NAN
I will not break public service rules to satisfy anyone –Mbanefo Joel Ajayi ABUJA
T
he Director General, Nigerian Tourism development Corporation, NTDC, Mrs. Sally Mbanefo, has vowed not to break the Civil Service laid down rules and regulations in the name of satisfying anyone. DG stated this, while addressing a joint press conference with members of NTDC board in Abuja to intimate on some of the developmental stride the corporation has taken to boost tourism sector as an alternative to over dependence of Nigeria on oil revenue. Mbanefo also, used the platform to clear the air over corruption and highhandedness being speculated by some media house and describe it as handiwork of those who are against the
transformation she has brought to the NTDC in the past 14 months of her resumption. Precisely, two weeks ago, the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees, AUPCTRE, an affiliate of the Nigeria Labour Congress, staged a protest over alleged breach of agreement by Sally Mbanefo-led administration and demanded her removal from office. Meanwhile, an impeccable source from the corporation revealed that there is no iota of truth from the allegation level against the DG but linked the workers action to the handiwork of previous members of management, who were not happy with the way they were dropped by government. According to her, when we came on board,
we discovered that good percentage of the contract awarded were not documented there were no document and you know that in public service there are processes , that must be followed when you are giving out contract there must be proper documentation of every contract in each MDA’s. “My predecessor owed some contractors, staffs among others and most of these debts were not documented, there is no single documentation of contract awarded, it was only in NTDC then, that the contract is awarded orally without any agreement paper. Contractors were not paid, staff were not paid for their trips let me tell you today, Staff that travel to Dubia, UK, Mexico and so on four years ago, we are still paying them and some of these debts were budgeted in that year.
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Wednesday, April 1, 2015
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Judicial complicity in the resurgence of racism in US ASIKASON JONATHAN
I
remembered reading a column in the defunct Newswatch magazine of November 17, 2008, titled ` ‘Obama wounds the monster. In the column, Ray Ekpu argued that “Obama’s election will not wipe away racism, but the monster is almost mortally wounded.” However, the surge in the racial violence that has manifested and still manifesting themselves in the Obama administration clearly illustrates that the monster has inoculated itself against the influenza called “Obama phenomenon”. ‘Obama phenomenon’, no doubt, was a watershed moment in American politics. It instilled a sort of equality complex in the minds of many black Americans, who hitherto felt segregated just because of their body pigmentation. But today, those psychological gratification and inclusion has already begun to wane. From the streets of Miami to Florida, Ferguson, Missouri and Staten Island, New York, etc, African Americans are not just being discriminated and killed, but also judicially deserted. Racism - I concurred with Obama - is something that is deep rooted in American history. And thus any worthwhile analysis must consider its history. The evolution of racism in American started with the transatlantic slave trade. According to transatlantic slave trade database, between 1626 and 1850, an estimated total of 305,326 Afri-
cans were forcibly transported via US vessels to the Americas and thereafter subjected to slavery. Many of them worked out their lives in sugarcane plantations under harsh climatic conditions. This inhuman treatment meted against the stolen Africans in the United States of America continued until President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation of January 1, 1865, which freed slaves in the defunct Confederate States of America. The 13th Amendment to the US Constitution of December 6, 1865 finally established the freedom of slaves in the US. The freedom saw the repatriation of many freed slaves to Africa - Liberia and Sierra Lorne were created as a esult. The settled freed slaves, now dubbed African Americans, were integrated into the fabrics of American society. And it was at this point that the ugly monster, racism, was born! The whites found it disturbing, if not offensive, to enjoy their cherished citizenship on equal footing with their former slaves, hence the division of American society into black and white societies! There were separate schools, hotels, restaurants, churches, buses etc for blacks and whites. For the curious minds, I suggest you read Richard Wright’s `Black Boy’ for a better appreciation of this fact. As if that was not enough, discriminatory laws such as `grandfather clause’ and groups like Ku Klux Klan were estab-
OBAMA’S PRESIDENCY HAS EXPOSED THE FACT THAT
AMERICA STILL
HAS TO DO MORE TO COMBAT RACISM lished just to make Black Americans to smell rod, and they did smell rod. It was this century of institutionalized racism and discrimination that Obama’s election vitiated. It was really a watershed moment in the United States. The purgation of tears of joy that watered the floors of Grant Park, Chicago that election night, was a scene an African American can scarcely forget. It was a great leap for mankind. Martin Luther king Jr’s dream was at last fulfilled, nay, partly fulfilled! Today, America is once again awash with streets protests. Eric Garner is the latest rallying point in the recycling racial violence that are burning American society like a wide bush fire set in harmattan. Eric Garner, an African American, died in Tompkinsville neighborhood of Staten Island, New York, after a police officer put him in apparently chokehold for 19 seconds - a tactic banned by New York City Police Department (NYPD)- on suspicion of selling “loosies”, single cigarettes from packs without tax stamps . Before Eric Garner, it was Michael Brown. And before Michael Brown, it was Trayvon Martins. And just recently
we heard about Tamir Rice, a 12 year old black boy shot by a police officer just for brandishing toy gun - all happening under Obama’s watch. The pertinent question from this development is: Is Obama’s presidency a disappointment to the Black Americans? Day after day, race relation in America is getting worst and judiciary is not even helping matters. In the Trayvon Martins’ case, a black teenager (17 year) was shot dead by Gorge Zimmerman, the coordinator of neighborhood watch in the gated community where Martins was temporarily living. The six female jurors acquitted Zimmerman. In a shocking judgement on Michael Brown’s case, the grand jury ruled that the officer, Darren Wilson that shot Michael Brown should be indicted even when the multiple gun wounds on Michael’s body suggested otherwise. Eric Garner’s case followed suit and it’s now generating much protests. Tamir Rice case is ongoing and following the judicial principle of stare decisis. Tim Loehmann might be acquitted. This is not a good story for American judicial system. Obama’s presidency has exposed the fact that America still has to do more to combat racism. Of course, America has made strides from the 1960s to date, nevertheless, a lot is yet to be done for Martin Luther King Jr’s dream to be completely fulfilled. Jonathan wrote from Enugwu-Ukwu , Anambra State.
The failings of Nigerian judiciary PAUL AGBOLADE
A
mong the legislature, executive and judiciary, I credit the judicial workers with the highest level of expertise, experience, integrity and professional qualification. Entry into the Nigerian Bench is contingent on the possession of certificates and certification by recognized legal institutions, personal integrity and prerequisite experience. Among their responsibilities are to mediate in conflicts between the two other arms of government; interpret and appropriate our laws, rules, and regulations as in accordance with the provisions of our constitution. And of course, you and I know that the minimum possession of a school certificate would earn any Nigerian the highest political office in Nigeria. It is pertinent to mention at this juncture that it is only in the judiciary that we have career officers, who put in all their best to be able to reach the peak of such careers and retire after 35 years in service. In contrast, in both the legislature and executive their services are tenured. While political officeholders in the executive have term limit, those of the judiciary enjoy infinite terms, but could limited by failure to win elections. However, in spite of the opportunities conferred by training and experience on the nation’s judicial officers, it is disheartening to mention that some of them have been found wanting. Whenever I observe the legislative or executive arm
AMONG THE LEGISLATURE, EXECUTIVE AND JUDICIARY, I CREDIT THE JUDICIAL WORKERS WITH THE HIGHEST
LEVEL OF EXPERTISE,
EXPERIENCE, INTEGRITY AND PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION making decisions that later find themselves in the public domain, most especially as regards the legality of such decisions, I always ask myself a question “where are the legal advisers/ practitioners within the cabinet or assembly during such decision making process?” Of recent, I have observed several national and civil cases unnecessarily prolonged in the courts. At least, I know of a gubernatorial case on which final judgment did not come until the illegal occupant had been on the seat for about three and half years, even when our electoral law has specified time frame for the determination of such cases. There was a murder case against one of the great athletes in South Africa sometimes last year. Despite all forensic and psychiatric tests necessary to determine the case, it did not take the prosecutor up to six months to conclude the case. I wonder if such a case had happened in Nigeria, it could have been trapped by our slow justice
administration process. It is here in Nigeria that a man who was guilty of misappropriating billions of naira was only asked to pay a fine that is less than 10 percent of what he stole, all because he made a “plea bargain”, while others who stole far lesser sums of money would be jailed for years without option of fine. The question I want to ask at this juncture is that is “plea bargain” not technically the same thing as the accused person saying “I am guilty”? If yes, why the discrepancy in the punishment? Is there no part of our constitution that talks about forfeiture by the accused person of stolen items or amounts, as well as interests and other benefits accrued on such between when the offence was committed and when the accused is prosecuted? It is here in Nigeria that our legal practitioners will be giving several excuses why a case should be adjourned or even reallocated to another judge either because the court has no jurisdiction to hear the case or the notice is not properly served, or the hearing judge is seemed or assumed to be partial. I cannot imagine how a prosecuting lawyer will not be conversant with the legal capacity of the hearing court/judge, just for a defence counsel to capitalize on this to prolong prosecution, even when they all know that there is a time frame. If a cancer is not treated when diagnosed, it may lead to cutting off a whole part of the body all because it would have spread and badly affected the part. The people at the helms of affair in the
judicial arm of our government should wake up to their responsibilities and make the judiciary system incorruptible so that there will be no hiding place for corrupt members. I imploy implore the National Judicial Council (NJC) to use its power decapitate the virus of corruption eating the fabrics of Nigerian judiciary. In conclusion, I want the judicial officers to know that it will be disastrous if a career built over a period of 30 years or more is rubbished through one act of indiscretion. We should all remember that those past leaders whose names are still being mentioned today did not achieve this by the wealth they acquired, but by the legacies they built. You will also agree with me that there are people who made names in our polity under this democratic dispensation, whose names have faded out because they did not lay legacies; instead, they were amassing wealth at the detriment of the generation unborn. I look forward to a new Nigeria, where the judiciary is truly the hope of all, regardless of their status, sex, age, ethnicity, and religion. Agbolade wrote from from Ajah, Lagos. Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ nationalmirroronline.net mirrorlagos@ yahoo.com or 08164966858 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject views or photographs. Pseudonyms may be used but must be clearly marked as such.
18
Editorial
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
All the Facts, All the Sides A PUBLICATION OF GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LTD BARRISTER JIMOH IBRAHIM, CFR PUBLISHER
SUNDAY OLAJIDE MANAGING DIRECTOR/CEO SEYI FASUGBA DAILY EDITOR GBEMI OLUJOBI SATURDAY EDITOR AYO OLESIN SUNDAY EDITOR BEN MEMULETIWON GENERAL EDITOR DOZIE OKEBALAMA COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD CALLISTUS OKE EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR ISE-OLUWA IGE ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF AUGUSTUS IMEKAN ACTING HEAD, GRAPHICS
Still on post-election violence
T
he two major candidates for the just concluded presidential poll, President Goodluck Jonathan of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC), about 48 hours to the poll, late last week, signed yet another peace accord, the second in less than three months, in which they pledged their readiness to accept the outcome of a peaceful, credible, free and fair election. Following widespread apprehension that the poll could be marred by violence, the duo, along with their counterparts from other political parties, had on January 14, 2015, signed the Abuja Violence-Free Poll Accord, in which they undertook to dwell on issue-based campaigns devoid of religious incitement, ethnic profiling, all with the ultimate goal of ensuring that the election is peaceful, credible, free and fair. Last week’s accord was facilitated by the former military leader, General Abdulsalami Abubakarled National Peace Committee on 2015 Elections, with the committee’s members as witnesses. The January 14, 2015 Abuja Accord was, on the other hand, witnessed by former United Nations SecretaryGeneral, Mr. Kofi Annan and his former Commonwealth colleague, Chief Emeka Anyaoku. Though the
WIN OR LOSE, THEREFORE, THIS IS THE TIME PRESIDENT JONATHAN AND GENERAL BUHARI SHOULD PUT TO WORK THE SPIRIT AND LETTERS OF THE TWO ACCORDS THEY SIGNED campaigns are over and the election held, there still exists strong apprehension that there could be post-election violence, especially considering the fact that both the PDP and APC disregarded the meat of the first accord and continued with hate speeches and insults till the last minute of the campaign period. With the presidential poll results, this is the right time to warn President Jonathan and General Buhari to revert to the two accords they signed, with a view to ensuring that the bloodletting occasioned by the outcome of the 2011 presidential poll did not repeat itself. We recall that before the April 16, 2011 election, there were similar fears before, during and after the polls, following pockets of violence witnessed in Plateau, Bauchi and Borno states, among others. And
true to prevailing forecasts at the time, about 59 people were killed in the post-poll violence that engulfed Bauchi, Gombe and Kaduna states, among them National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members that served as ad hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). In the instant case (the 2015 poll), former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Chairman of the 2014 National Conference, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, among others, drew public attention to what he saw as grave danger ahead of the 2015 general elections, stressing that some Nigerians were insistent on dragging the country down the path of disintegration should the outcome of the poll fail to go their way. “…The certainty of violence after the 2015 elections is higher than it was in 2011. If President Jonathan wins, the North would erupt into violence as it did in 2011. If General Buhari wins, the Niger Delta will erupt into violence. I don’t believe that we need rocket science to make this prediction. The violence of 2015 is going to be horrendous and worse than the one of 2011 for the simple reason that the illegal, massive importation of weapons into the country has reached such alarming proportions that I really wonder which is better armed, the militias on the
ON THIS DAY
one hand, or the official armed forces, on the other…”, Akinyemi warned. Win or lose, therefore, this is the time President Jonathan and General Buhari should put to work the spirit and letters of the two accords they signed to stave of poll-related violence from the country. The nation’s security agencies should be fully mobilised and placed on red alert to nip such threats in the bud. No leader truly desirous of serving the people will encourage and tolerate the spilling of innocent blood when such mandate eludes him or her. Nigeria’s political leaders have remained incorrigible strangers to accepting electoral defeat for ages. But the journey of a thousand miles starts with just one step. They must learn to accept defeat without rancour, and congratulate those that emerge victorious, while winners should be generous by extending the olive branch even in victory. Nigeria enjoyed enormous goodwill and solidarity from Africa and the rest of the world during the polls, especially the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the United States and the United Kingdom, which she cannot afford to squander through political violence, particularly when the poll itself did not witness much crisis.
April 1, 1992
April 1, 2001
April 1, 2011
The Bosnian war started. The war was an international armed conflict that took place in Bosnia and Herzegovina between March 1, 1992 and December 14, 1995. The war involved several factions. The main belligerents were the forces of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and those of the self-proclaimed Bosnian Serb and Bosnian Croat entities within Bosnia and Herzegovina, among others.
Same-sex marriage became legal in the Netherlands, the first country to allow it. As early as the mid1980s, a group of gay rights activists, headed by Henk Krol – the Editor-in-Chief of the Gay Krant – asked the country’s government to allow same sex couples to marry. The parliament decided in 1995 to create a special commission, which was to investigate the possibility of same-sex marriages.
Protests against the burning of the Quran turned violent, leading to mob attack on United Nations’ compound in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan, and the deaths of thirteen people. On March 20, 2011, American pastor, Terry Jones, held a “trial of the Quran” in his Gainesville church in the United States. Finding the scriptures guilty of “crimes against humanity,” the Quran was burned in the church’s sanctuary.
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
19
Health & Wellbeing ‘Over 600,000 new TB cases occur in Nigeria’
22
2.5 billion people lack good sanitation 21 globally
FRANKA OSAKWE
N
igeria’s newly elected president is expected to be sworn in on May 29th, 59 more days from today. Before that day comes, about 6,464 more women would have died in pregnancy or at child birth, going by the recent maternal mortality rate (MMR) of 40,000 maternal deaths per annum, by the World Health Organization (WHO). And if nothing is still done, 26,000 more maternal deaths would still occur before the year runs out. While we celebrate yet another successful democratic transition, there is a need to ensure that the high maternal and infant death is reduced in Nigeria. Coincidentally, the end of this year will also be the deadline for the Millennium Development Goal (MDG’s) and Nigeria is expected to give account of her health related MDG’s, (MDG 4, 5 & 6). Going by the recent Nigeria’s Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) report on maternal death, MDG 5, estimated at 350 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, the country is still 40 percent short of 2015 target of 250 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. Also, the infant mortality figure, of 61 deaths per 1,000 live births recorded, is still below the 2015 target of 30.3 deaths per 1000 live births. Recent NDHS survey also revealed that 70 per cent of these maternal deaths are caused by medical emergencies such as haemorrhage, eclampsia, sepsis and abortion complication. It was discovered that many of the Primary Health Centres (PHC), across the nation where most rural women go for maternal care are not well equipped to manage these emergency cases. For instance, a survey of 30 Primary Health Centers in Lagos state by the Lagos State Civil Society Partnership (LACSOP) and Innovation Matters Limited revealed that most PHC in the state lack facilities to manage excessive bleeding after delivery, a condition referred in medical parlance as post partum haemorrhage (PPH). The report further indicates that some PHC in the state have no functional ambulance to refer patient to General hospital in case of bleeding. According to report by the Director of Innovative Matters, Ayodele Adebusoye, some functional facilities such as emergency delivery equipment, laboratory kits, ambulance services, power supply and portable water supply, needed for provision of quality maternal health services were also discovered to be non-existent at some of the PHCs. The report further revealed that some centres do not have qualified health practitioners on call. PHC like Seme, Agboju and Ketu do not have available health practitioners on call while at Agboju PHC, only youth corpers were on call.
‘Incoming govt should save our mothers, babies from death’ It was also discovered that majority of women in Lagos and other States do not make use of Family Planning methods. According to the recent NDHS report, only 9.8 percent of Nigerian women use modern family planning methods, while about 16.1 percent have an expressed unmet need for family planning. Speaking about the barriers to family planning in Lagos state, at a recent meeting of Lagos State Civil Society Partners, Director of Innovative Matters Limited, Ayodele Adebusoye, noted that one of the key barriers to accessing family planning methods for women in Lagos, is the burden of personally paying for the consumables needed for the FP devices. “During the 3rd Nigeria Family Planning (FP) Conference, the Federal Ministry of Health launched Nigeria’s FP blueprint. The goal of the blue print is to increase the usage of FP from 15 per cent to 36 per cent by 2018. “To achieve this, Lagos must eliminate barrier to FP use and increase contraceptive prevalence from 48 per cent to 74 per cent”, he said. One way, the incoming government of
BY FUNDING FP CONSUMABLES ONSUMABLES, LAGO AGOS WILL AVERT OVER
UNINTENDED 700,000 UNINTENDE PREGNANCIES REGNANCIES; PREVE PREVENT 79,000 UNSAFE ABORTIONS, SAVE TH THE LIVES OF OVER 2,30 2,300 MOTHERS AND 28,00 28,000 CHILDREN Lagos state could help save the lives of mothers and children, according to Mr. Adebusoye, is by funding the provision of FP consumables. “By funding FP consumables, Lagos will avert over 700,000 unintended pregnancies; prevent 79,000 unsafe abortions, save the lives of over 2,300 mothers and 28,000 children. Every 1 Naira spent on more effective methods, including implants and IUDs, could save over 1,358 Naira in near-term health costs”, he further said.
Although the Lagos State government has made some effort to improve the condition of PHC’s in Lagos State through the creation of some flagship Primary Health Centre’s (PHC’s) well equipped with doctors and midwives, Mr. Adebusoye explained that there was a need for the next elected governor, to continue with these strides in all the local governments. Also, Ayodele Adesanmi, Development Communications (DevComs) Network, commended the outgoing Lagos State government for maternal health initiatives such as; Building of maternal and child health facilities and Flagship PHC’s equipped with doctors and midwives. He however, appealed to the incoming elected officials in Nigeria to ensure Implementation of National Health Act. “The incoming Nigerian government should remember and fulfill the Abuja declaration of 15 per cent increased funding for Health. There should be creation and implementation of policies that will remove barriers to compulsory blood donation, reduce high cost of health services, improve constant power and make drugs available”, he said.
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Health & Wellbeing
Nutrition for Health
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Amazing Health Benefits of Cucumber
ber helps aid digestion, keeps the body hydrated and regulates body temperature. Cucumbers also contain unique polyphenols and other compounds that may help reduce one’s risk of chronic diseases such as cancers, etc. Silica in cucumber improves the health of the skin and makes it naturally hydrating resulting to a good complexion and a glowing skin. Silica also helps strengthen connective tissue such as bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons and blood vessels.
Chizoba Benson chizobanwobu@yahoo.com 08120807588 (sms only)
C
ucumber is an edible vegetable that comes from the cucumber plant cucumis sativus, which is part of the gourd family. They are one of the oldest cultivated vegetables and believed to have originated from India. It is a member of the same family as watermelon, pumpkins, gourds, squash and zucchini. Like watermelon, cucumbers are made up of mostly (95 percent) water, which means eating them on a hot sunny day can help you stay hydrated. Cucumbers are composed of mostly water and low in calories. Nutritionally, it has a very relatively high antioxidants such as vitamins A, B, C and K. It also contains valuable excellent sources of minerals like: silica, sodium, potassium, calcium, chlorine, fluorine, sulphur and magnesium. The high fiber soluble fiber in cucumbers dissolves into a gel-like texture in your gut, helping to slow down your digestion. This helps you to feel full longer and is one reason why fiber-rich foods may help with weight control. The water content of the cucum-
H
ello everybody and welcome aboard our new sex education column. My name is Uche Edochie and I am your captain. I will be answering your questions and bringing you updates on sex educational information and products that can help give you the love life you want. So do not be shy because I am not. Over the years, we have been able to move sex talk from private spaces to the public square where it rightfully belongs, for the education of the masses. We have only been able to achieve this through straight talk that is appropriate, competent and honest. So we expect you to write us and share your concerns with us. If they merit publication, we will give them the attention they deserve for our collective benefit. Without further delay, let us answer a few of your questions. I am a newlywed and I don’t have sexual experience. I got married as a virgin. My husband and I are frustrated with our sex life. Nothing we do satisfies any of us. I don’t enjoy the thing and my husband says that I don’t show interest – Grace Dear Grace, sex appears simple and straightfor-
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It is believed that cucumber when sliced into circles and placed on the eyes are the most wonderful and natural eye pads for those who have dark circles around their eyes. These natural eye pads do wonders when placed on the eyes in a relaxed fashion after a long days work. When cucumber is grated and applied over the face, eyes and neck, and left for 15 to 20 minutes has been found effective as a beauty aid and a best tonic for the skin, good for treating acne, pimples and other skin blemishes. Cucumber juice promotes hair growth, nails, teeth, gums and helps repair cells due to its high silicon and sulphur content par-
ticularly when mixed with carrot, lettuce and spinach juice. Cucumbers contain an antiinflammatory flavonol called fisetin that play an important role in brain health, improving memory and protecting nerve cells from agerelated decline. Fisetin has been found to prevent progressive memory and learning impairments in mice with Alzheimer’s disease. Fresh cucumber juice can provide relief from heartburn, stomach disorders such as constipation, gastric and duodenal ulcers. It is good for dissolving kidney stones, treatment of urinary bladder disease and reduces hyperacidity in the urine. It is also said to be used in controlling high blood pressure because of the potassium, magnesium and fiber contents in it. Cucumbers contain multiple B vitamins, including vitamin B1, vitamin B5, and vitamin B7 (biotin). B vitamins are known to help ease feelings of anxiety and buffer some of the damaging effects of stress. They contain polyphenols called lignans which may help to lower your risk of breast, uterine, ovarian, and prostate cancers. Cucumbers contain phytonutrients called cucurbitacins, which have anti-cancer properties. According to the George Mateljan Foun-
dation: “Scientists have already determined that several different signaling pathways required for cancer cell development and survival can be blocked by activity of cucurbitacins.” Cucumber juice is great for rheumatism, arthritis, gout conditions caused by excessive uric acid in the body. Flavonoids and tannins in cucumbers have been found to have both free-radical scavenging and pain-relieving effects. Placing a cucumber slice on the roof of your mouth may help to rid your mouth of odor-causing
bacteria. According to the principles of Ayurveda, eating cucumbers may also help to release excess heat in the stomach, which is said to be a primary cause of bad breath. Cucumbers should be eaten raw because cooking potassium and phosphorus are usually lost when cooked. The skins are not to be peeled because most nutrients are embedded on the cucumber skins. Cucumbers can be used for making salads, sandwiches, juiced, may be used to garnish other dishes or may be just eaten like that.
Sexual Solutions for Adults ward, but it is not. That is why many people struggle with it. So getting married in your case with no sexual experience means that you were bound to struggle. It is like a couple who do not know how to cook getting married. Of course the food coming out of their kitchen will not be good enough. Personal qualities like the ability to cook, financial prudence, leadership, sexual competence, management and conflict resolution are all essential for a successful marriage. In other words, you and your husband must put aside your pride and accept that you need to learn. The good news though is that you are willing to learn because you wrote us asking for advice. There is a series of instructional adult films called the Expert Sex Series and it comes in four volumes. Get it and study it like a student. You will learn a lot within a short period. It is also important that you both learn foreplay. Foreplay simply means romantic activity that takes place before penetrative intercourse. Holding hands, romantic talk, dirty talk, cuddling, kissing and heavy petting are all stages and forms of foreplay. You
can learn more forms of foreplay from the adult game Cosmo’s Kinky Sex Games. You also need a vibrator. There are the ones for the breasts and the ones for the genitals. Vibrators are sexual stimulators that essentially prepare a woman for intercourse and the enjoyment of that intercourse. They are also capable of arousing a woman to the point of complete satisfaction. So for the breasts, I recommend the Doki Breast Massager. For the genitals, get the Arousal Cobra Vibrator. And finally, when a woman is new to sex, she may initially struggle with vaginal lubrication due to inadequate or ineffective stimulation attempts. To avoid this, you need a lubricant. I suggest the Mood Water Based Lubricant. It will help ensure there is no pain during penetration and you will need it for your vibrator as well. I wish you luck – Uche I am on your website. I am 63 years old and I am not really good with computers. I have high blood pressure and my erection is very weak. Please what will you recommend for me? Thanks – Baba Chile Thanks for your mail. Because of your heart condition, I will recommend
Magic Mike all natural supplement. It is gentle on the body but will give you the firm erections and stamina to perform when you need it. One capsule can work for up to three days meaning that you don’t need to take a pill daily. Two capsules will sort you out for a whole week – Uche I am interested in penis enlargement but I cannot take pills. What else can you recommend? Ejike Ejike you can also use a cream like Maximus Enlargement Cream for enlargement or a penis pump such as the Potent Enlargement Pump. Any of these two will help you get the enlargement you desire but you must be patient and ensure that you use it as directed – Uche I will like to thank you for the Prolonging Delay Cream you recommended for my premature ejaculation. I was skeptical at first but it worked. God bless - Jonah You are welcome Jonah – Uche And that is it for today. Adults in need of the above novelties and treatments can call us on 08027901621 or 08051924159 or any other number here to order or they can order online at www. zeevirtualmedia.com. We
deliver to you wherever you are in Nigeria. For enquiries email us at custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com - Uche Edochie, MD/CEO, Zee Virtual Media.
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Health & Wellbeing
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
21
2.5 billion people lack good sanitation globally REGINA OTOKPA ABUJA
T
he Federal Government has said no fewer than 2.5 billion people in the world are still without access to improved sanitation while 748 million lack access to
improved water sources. Although the Federal Government quoting the JICA report 2014, has claimed that there was an improved access to sanitation by 40% and water coverage by 67% in the country, with an additional 440 billion cubic
meters of surface and underground reserves during the year 2014. The Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe speaking in Abuja yesterday said, this was even as the total percentage of water usage across the world
currently, stood at 10 per cent. Commenting on the world theme ‘Water and Sustainable Development’ Mrs. Ochekpe revealed that with regards to the target set by the millennium development goals to “halve by 2015,
L-R: Genotype Foundation member/Ojodu Junior Grammar School, Mrs. Adenike Osu; President Genotype Foundation, Mrs. Doris Gbemiloye; Former Acting Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University, Prof. Yemi Olatunji Bello; Mrs. Edith Otokhina and Dr. Olajumoke Oyenuga, during unveiling of the magazine, Genotype Insight, in Lagos, recently.
PSN calls for implementation of drug distribution guidelines FRANKA OSAKWE
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harmacists under the aegis of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has commended the Federal Ministry of Health for the laudable initiative of facilitating the National Drug Distribution Guidelines in collaboration with other stakeholders even as they expressed worry over intense politicking, which has affected the take off date. The PSN President, Olumide Akintayo, in a letter addressed to the Supervising Minister of Health, Dr. Khaliru Alhassan, noted
that the original take-off date of the National Drug Distribution Guidelines and proposed sealing of all unauthorised open drug markets was fixed for June 30, 2014, but was postponed till July 1, 2015. “From all indications not much has happened since last year when the take-off dates were adjusted except the recent dialogue between stakeholders and International Finance Corporation in March 2015. “Consequent upon this, the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria strongly suggests that the Steering Committee of the National Drug Distribution Guidelines is energised to immediately begin
to work on realisable goals and targets of the National Drug Distribution Guidelines in 2015 as another postponement of the take-off date compels relevant stakeholders to treat the strategic National Drug Distribution Guidelines with contempt and levity”, he said. The pharmacist enjoined the Federal Ministry of Health to reach out once more to operators in open markets to enable them strategize on how to regularize their business in tandem with existing laws and the National Drug Distribution Guidelines. Akintayo also called for inclusion of health sector union members in the new
Technical Review Committee (TRC) for the National Health Act. “Naturally, the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria accepts the principle of setting up a Technical Committee which is also within the powers of the Honourable Minister. We are however worried that the members of the 26-man Technical Review Committee are unknown to a sizeable plethora of key stakeholders. More importantly is that from all indications, representation of the Technical Review Committee has not been extended to professional associations and trade unions in the Health Sector”, he added.
Ekiti govt worries over high kidney cases
T
he Ekiti State Ministry of Health has raised the alarm over increase in the number of kidney-related problems in the state and advised the people on consumption of food with high caffein content. The Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Health, Dr Folakemi Olomojobi, was quoted in a government statement, to have “attributed the recent upsurge in cases of kidney failure in Nigeria to un-
healthy lifestyle.” Dr Olomojobi also cited “abuse of prescriptive drugs and consumption of food with high caffeine content” among other causes of the problem. The permanent secretary, who made this known in a statement to mark the 2015 World Kidney Day celebration, in Ado Ekiti, added that smoking and high level of alcohol consumption, as well as untreated cases of hypertension, were among the major causes of kidney
failure among Nigerians. She also warned people of the state against consuming herbal concoctions consisting of unverifiable contents, adding that many of the herbal concoctions contained harmful substances that could damage the kidney and other body organs. The permanent secretary urged the people to avoid self medication and always consult certified medical doctors for their medical check-ups, as well
as proper diagnosis and treatment of their health condition. Dr Olomojobi explained that management of kidney failure was expensive, adding that Ekiti State, at present, has one dialysis centre at the University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, supported by a major telecommunications company. She, however, urged the people of the state to take enough water on a daily basis as this would open up all body organs.
the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation, 116 countries including Nigeria, has met the target where over 2 billion people have gained access to improved water sources. Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Istifanus Fuktur, she maintained that water was most necessary for achieving sustainable development in virtually all sectors as it was critical for socio economic development, healthy ecosystems, and human survival. She further added that water was not only a crucial link between climate system, human society and environment, but was also vital for a reduction in global breakout of diseases to improve health, welfare and productivity of the growing population.
Listing the sectors in need of water for gainful development, she said the domestic sector “accounts for 10% of total water use and yet, worldwide, an estimated 748 million people remain without access to an improved source of water and 2.5 billion remain without access to improved sanitation. But added that “The federal government has improved access to water coverage by 67%, sanitation by 40% and our surface and underground water reserves cumulatively are now 440 billion cubic meters for the year 2014”. Ochekpe however warned that the global degradation of the environment was a threat to the success of achieving sustainable development given that the global ecosystems were under imminent collapse constituting a barrier to further human development.
One-third Africans above 65 have no natural teeth –WHO MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA
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ver 30 percent of African adults between 65 – 74 years have no natural teeth, the World Health Organization, WHO, has said. The agency stated this in Abuja on Monday when expressing concerns over oral health-related conditions in Africa, at an event commemorating 2015 World Oral Health Day. Country Representative, WHO, Gama Vaz, said between 60 and 80 percent of school-age children on the continent have dental cavities, often leading to pain and discomfort. Vaz explained that oral disease is higher among poor and disadvantaged population, where he said nearly every adult has dental cavities, stressing that almost 40 to 50 percent of people who are HIV-positive have oral fungal, bacterial or viral infections. He informed that this year’s theme, “Smile for Life,” underscored the importance of oral health as essential to good health. Oral health, he added, is fundamental to human health. “Unfortunately, oral diseases are among the most common and prevent-
able non-communicable diseases worldwide and may affect anyone throughout their life time. Their burden, the socio-economic impact, as well as their consequences on health and well-being are significant in the WHO African Region, which represent a growing public health problem contributing significantly to ill-health, premature death and disability… “Due to the unequal distribution of oral health professionals and the lack of appropriate facilities within the health care system of countries, the majority of population often have no or only limited access to oral care. “As a consequence of this situation, in nearly all African countries, a high level of untreated and unpreventable oral diseases result in constantly high patient demand for essential oral health care, posing challenge to health system” he noted. He listed risk factors of oral diseases to include unhealthy diet, tobacco use, poor oral hygiene, harmful alcohol use “which are also risk factors for the four leading chronic diseases – cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes.”
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Health & Wellbeing
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
‘Over 600,000 new TB cases occur in Nigeria’
be cured when medicines are provided and taken properly. Between 2000 and 2013, an estimated 37 million lives were saved through TB diagnosis and treatment.
The relationship between TB and HIV: At least one-third of people living with HIV worldwide in 2013 were infected with TB bacteria, although they did not become ill with active TB. People living with HIV are 26 to 31 times more likely to develop active TB disease than people without HIV. HIV and TB form a lethal combination, each speeding the other’s progress. In 2013 about 360 000 people died of HIV-associated TB. Approximately 25% of deaths among HIV-positive people are due to TB. In 2013 there were an estimated 1.1 million new cases of TB amongst people who were HIV-positive, 78% of whom were living in Africa. WHO recommends a 12-component approach of collaborative TB-HIV activities, including actions for prevention and treatment of infection and disease, to reduce deaths.
Multidrug-resistant:
FRANKA OSAKWE
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igeria joined the rest of the world to mark the 2015 World Tuberculosis (TB) Day on March 24th, amidst report that over 600,000 new cases of tuberculosis have occurred in Nigeria. This is according to survey conducted by the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP) in 2014. National Coordinator, National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme, Dr. Gabriel Akang who made this shocking revelation during the 2015 World TB Day in Abuja, said that DOTS services are currently provided in about 6000 health facilities in the country and diagnosis performed in 1,515 microscopy laboratories. Meanwhile, The World Health Organisation (WHO) has ranked Nigeria to be 3rd, among the 22 highest TB burden countries in the world.
More detail about TB: How tuberculosis can be contracted: Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that most often affect the lungs. Tuberculosis is curable and preventable. TB is spread from person to person through the air. When people with lung TB cough, sneeze or spit, they propel the TB germs into the air. A person needs to inhale only a few of these germs to become infected.
About one-third of the world’s population has latent TB, which means people have been infected by TB bacteria but are not (yet) ill with the disease and cannot transmit the disease. People infected with TB bacteria have a lifetime risk of falling ill with TB of 10%. However persons with compromised immune systems, such as people living with HIV, malnutrition or diabetes, or people who use tobacco, have a much higher risk of falling ill. When a person develops active TB (disease), the symptoms (cough, fever, night sweats, weight loss etc.) may be mild for many months. This can lead to delays in seeking care, and results in transmission of the bacteria to others. People ill with TB can infect up to 10-15 other people through close contact over the course of a year. Without proper treatment up to two thirds of people ill with TB will die.
Those at risk: Tuberculosis mostly affects young adults, in their most productive years. However, all age groups are at risk. Over 95% of cases and deaths are in developing countries. People who are infected with HIV are 26 to 31 times more likely to become sick with TB (see TB and HIV section). Risk of active TB is also greater in persons suffering from other conditions that impair the immune system. Over half a million children (014 years) fell ill with TB, and 80 000 HIV-negative children died from the disease in 2013.
THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF MDR-TB IS INAPPROPRIATE NAPPROPRIATE TREATMENT. INAPPROP NAPPROPRIATE OR INCORRECT USE OF ANTI-TB DRUG DRUGS, OR USE OF POOR QUALITY MEDICINES, CAN ALL CAUSE DRUG RESISTANCE Tobacco use greatly increases the risk of TB disease and death. More than 20% of TB cases worldwide are attributable to smoking.
Global impact: TB occurs in every part of the world. In 2013, the largest number of new TB cases occurred in the South-East Asia and Western Pacific Regions, accounting for 56% of new cases globally. However, Africa carried the greatest proportion of new cases per population with 280 cases per 100 000 population in 2013. In 2013, about 80% of reported TB cases occurred in 22 countries. Some countries are experiencing a major decline in cases, while in others the numbers are dropping very slowly. Brazil and China for example, are among the 22 countries that showed a sustained decline in TB cases over the past 20 years. In the last decade, the TB prevalence in Cambodia fell by almost 50%.
Symptoms and diagnosis: Common symptoms of active lung TB are cough with sputum and blood at times, chest pains, weakness, weight loss, fever and night sweats. Many countries still rely on a
long-used method called sputum smear microscopy to diagnose TB. Trained laboratory technicians look at sputum samples under a microscope to see if TB bacteria are present. With three such tests, diagnosis can be made within a day, but this test does not detect numerous cases of less infectious forms of TB. Diagnosing MDR-TB (see Multidrug-resistant TB section below) and HIV-associated TB can be more complex. A new two-hour test that has proven highly effective in diagnosing TB and the presence of drug resistance is now being rolled-out in many countries. Tuberculosis is particularly difficult to diagnose in children.
Treatment: TB is a treatable and curable disease. Active, drug-sensitive TB disease is treated with a standard six-month course of four antimicrobial drugs that are provided with information, supervision and support to the patient by a health worker or trained volunteer. Without such supervision and support, treatment adherence can be difficult and the disease can spread. The vast majority of TB cases can
Standard anti-TB drugs have been used for decades, and resistance to the medicines is widespread. Disease strains that are resistant to a single anti-TB drug have been documented in every country surveyed. Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a form of TB caused by bacteria that do not respond to, at least, isoniazid and rifampicin, the two most powerful, first-line (or standard) anti-TB drugs. The primary cause of MDR-TB is inappropriate treatment. Inappropriate or incorrect use of antiTB drugs, or use of poor quality medicines, can all cause drug resistance. Disease caused by resistant bacteria fails to respond to conventional, first-line treatment. MDR-TB is treatable and curable by using second-line drugs. However secondline treatment options are limited and recommended medicines are not always available. The extensive chemotherapy required (up to two years of treatment) is more costly and can produce severe adverse drug reactions in patients. In some cases more severe drug resistance can develop. Extensively drug-resistant TB, XDR-TB, is a form of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis that responds to even fewer available medicines, including the most effective second-line anti-TB drugs. About 480 000 people developed MDR-TB in the world in 2013. More than half of these cases were in India, China and the Russian Federation. It is estimated that about 9.0% of MDR-TB cases had XDR-TB. (Culled from WHO TB factsheet).
Mirror Wednesday, April 1, 2015 National www.nationalmirroronline.net
Thrills at 5th KCCN poetry feast
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Arts Lounge Acting is my best friend –Henry Osemwegie
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Calming frayed nerves in Nigeria’s entertainment industry Recently, a Federal High Court in Lagos gave a ruling, annulling the election that brought Ibinabo Fiberisima, erstwhile national president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria to office. Although, the judgment has been appealed now, it reinforces the fact that intra-guild wrangling is still an issue in Nigeria’s entertainment industry. Ngozi Emedolibe
E
veryone accepts that peace is vital for creativity to thrive in the country. This may be why, the recent ruling by a Federal High Court in Lagos, annulling Ibinabo Fiberisnma’s election is not only coming as a surprise but also as a worrisome development. Before now, the two camps in the Actors Guild of Nigeria, had been embroiled in a tussle over who should be the right person, to occupy the position of the national president of the guild. This development is not different from what obtained in the music industry, which has however been resolved, giving credence to a new PMAN led by Pretty Okafor, following another court ruling. In the area of rights administration, the Copyright Society of Nigeria, COSON, headed by Tony Okoroji, is still at loggerheads with the Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria, MCSN. Before now, there had been reports of intra-guild wrangling in the Association of Movie Producers, AMP, which gave rise to a splinter group called Association of Core Nollywood Producers ANCOP, headed by Alex Eyengho. These cases are just a few of the pronounced incidents, portraying the disunity in the entertainment industry. But why can’t the entertainment industry in Nigeria be in unity? Key leaders in the bodies constituting the main entrepreneurs in Nollywood- Association of Movie Producers and Association of Nollywood Core Producers, Paul Obazele and Alex Eyengho respectively, still refer to the lack of a body enabled by law to unify the various interests in the motion picture industry as a cause. The two, agreeing for once after falling apart over their stakes in the Association of Movie Producers, called for the establishment of the Motion Pictures Practitioners Council of Nigeria. According to Paul Obazele, “the absence of MOPPICON, an enabling body that will give the industry directions, is where Nigerian legislators have failed Nollywood.”
Alex Eyengho said: “In fact, let me state clearly that we are not averse to unity because that is the main problem that is bedeviling Nollywood as at today. But we are of the opinion that things must be done right, which is the reason we are protesting and which is also why we are stressing the setting up of the Motion Picture Practitioners Council of Nigeria (MOPPICON). That for us is the only way forward. That is the kind of umbrella body we are looking at. It will be backed up by law and mandatory for all to join. But the law does not back CONGA; they have not even built a consensus. I mean take the crisis in the Actors Guild of Nigeria for instance. Which faction will they say is in CONGA? Is it the Segun Arinze faction of the Emeka Ike’s or the Chuma Onwudiwe faction? It is sad that in a joint union of employees and employers, an employee now assumes the leadership of the union. But we maintain that MOPPICON is the answer for us. It will streamline everything and ensure that people conform.” A showbiz promoter, Isaac Izoya, however feels the problem engulfing the industry is not in the absence of MOPPICCON. According to him, the bane of the indust r y is ‘the involvement of showbiz personalities in the affairs of the state politics’. Citing the various political groupings and alignments that have emerged out of the industry, Isaac Izoya told Arts Lounge, that many of the people clamouring to lead the guilds only do so to be relevant in the politics of the state. “Let them be truthful to themselves and their conscience. Why do they want to lead AMP or AGN or PMAN? I tell you, they see it as an opportunity to align themselves to the powers that be in state politics. You can see what has been going on since politics became a profitable business. These guild heads just use that as a platform to hobnob with political leaders. If the interest was giving the artistes a direction, would all these people come out? How many of them were interested in the leadership of the guilds before the advent of democracy? In Germany, where I live, there is a distinct line between state
Film location in Nigeria
Emeka Ike Ibinabo and Arinze
matters and other matters, but in Nigeria, it is a marriage of the two”. Proofs that the lingering tussle in showbiz is stifling the arts are abound. Over the years, a few of the guild heads who have risen to become national leaders have always dangled carrots like insurance policies for artistes, amongst other welfare packages to amass support. But checks by Arts Lounge revealed such incentives are yet to fully take root. The associations have also done little to protect the rights of their fellow artistes in times of personal financial crises. Referring to the fate of the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, Ifeanyi Dike, a top player in the acting scene, who craves anonymity, owing to the touchy nature of the matter, told Arts Lounge, that the
In Germany, where I live, there is a distinct line between state matters and other matters, but in
Nigeria, it is a
marriage of the two
vulnerability of actors in Nigeria, can be seen from the present state of the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the AGN. “Since Segun Arinze got into office, it has been one allegation after another with the successive leaders. So I see the AGN as a microcosm of the larger Nigerian society,” he said. The intra-guild wrangling has in many ways than one positioned the industry in bad light, especially before the international community. While participating at event hosted by the British Broadcasting Corporation (African Service), Arts Lounge, witnessed a war of words, between Emeka Ike, and Zack Orji, on who the right AGN leader was, which almost ruined proceedings at the live broadcast, going on at Ojez in Surulere. As Emeka Ike, awaits the final ruling in his law suit, number: FHC/L/ CS/1216/2010, it is pertinent to note that actors under AGN would be wishing that this would make sleeping dogs lie over the matter. But this may hardly be the case.
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Arts Lounge
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
VOICES
The defence of copyright internationally Alex Eyengho
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igeria is a signatory of 8 out of the 16 WIPO Treaties concerning IP. The copyright-related Treaties signed by Nigeria are the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, of September 1886 as amended in September 1979, the most recent Marrakesh (VIP) Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired, or Otherwise Print Disabled, of June 2013, the Rome Convention for the Protection of Performers, Producers of Phonograms and Broadcasting Organisations, of October 1961, the WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT) adopted in Geneva on December 20, 1996, the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT) also adopted in Geneva on December 20, 1996. Sadly however, of the 8 treaties Nigeria signed since 1996, Nigeria is yet to ratify and domesticate 2 critical ones (the WCT and the WPPT). Our country’s failure to do so – so far – brings important attendant demerits. 2. Domestically, there are presently 10 statutes – including the Nigerian Copyright Act – governing our copyright legal framework. The most recent of those is the 2012 Copyright Levy on Materials Order, which is designed to bring revenues to rights holders based on private recordings of our works. This legal framework is useful as the basis for defending copyright and related rights in Nigeria. However, it is left for the copyright owner to be proactive and reactive in ensuring the defense of these rights, using the available legal frameworks in Nigeria. NCC Enforcements: Stakeholders in the creative industry in Nigeria have often argued that Nigeria copyright and related rights laws are one of the best in the world. They argue further that the problem has always been enforcement. I cannot agree less with this postulation. Strategies used by NCC include but not limited to test purchase, anti-piracy raid, investigation, court proceedings, and writing to the suspected
Eyengho
outlet/shop/individual inviting them but without disclosing reason for the invitation, among others. It is however important to point out that the issue of identification of pirated works rests squarely with the copyright owners and not the NCC. NCC Prosecution: Surprisingly, the NCC under the leadership of its current Director-General, Afam Ezekude Esq., has recorded fairly remarkable pass mark here. Unlike before when NCC was sleeping and snoring, the current NCC, though sleeping but manifestly not snoring, has made remarkable arrest, prosecution and conviction of some of the pirates in Alaba, Idumota, Onitsha, Aba, Owerri and other notorious haven of pirates in Nigeria. Like most Nigerian pirates end films they produce or sponsor, “To God be the glory”. Prosecution of pirates caught in the act in Nigeria takes the twin shape of criminal and civil in the law court. While the copyright owner han-
dles the civil aspect, the NCC, representing the State, handles the criminal aspect. The copyright owner can only handle the criminal suit if he/she gets a fiat from the Attorney-General and Nigeria’s Minister for Justice. However, the copyright owner can simultaneously institute a civil suit against the infringer while the criminal suit is on, with a view to getting damages. Suffice it to say that while the criminal suit can attract a jail sentence, fine or both, a civil suit can only attract damages in favour of the copyright owner. Some salient issues against NCC’s Enforcement/Prosecution policies: Some of the issues against NCC here include but not limited to: terms of sentence being contentiously very small and not exceeding 5 years if found guilty. In fact, no convicted pirate has ever been sentenced beyond 2 years. Additionally, almost all the sentence comes with an option of fine, which can go as low as a ridiculous sum of less than 2 thousand naira or its equivalent of 12 US dollars! There is also the issue of the NCC putting the burden of funding enforcement and prosecution on the copyright owner, which stakeholders have consistently frowned at. In the same vein, there seem to be inadequate feedback mechanism between NCC and stakeholders, particularly its activities at WIPO. I would now like to say a few words about the legal and economic challenges ahead of us: First challenge: amongst policy makers and legislators here and abroad, there is a general perception that copyright is an obstacle to the development of new content distribution and usage models as well as a negative factor in economic and social growth. This, as I hope to demonstrate, is emphatically not the case. Second challenge: the widespread unauthorized making available and use
Stakeholders in the creative industry in Nigeria have often argued that Nigeria copyright and related rights laws are one of the best in the world
Memorable Reads
What book is your favourite? Tough Times Never Last, But Tough People Do. The author is Dr. Robert Schuller, a master in motivational books.
What is unique about the book? Like its title suggests, it is a book that is designed to help you resist the temptations that come with downfall. The author outlined the steps one should follow in the face of adversity, and I tell you it works. The book puts your mind at work to realize your potentials. When did you encounter the book? I stumbled on it many years ago. Actually, I had been hearing people using the title as a phrase, but something happened that pushed me to actually read the book. And it was worth the effort. What other kinds of books do you like? I like fiction, especially when it has to do with culture. I guess it is because
CHIZZY ANI
TV Presenter
of what I do, which is essentially to promote Igbo culture, through television. I also admire a host of writers in Igbo language, who are doing a lot to make sure the language is sustained. I mean people like Prof. Donatus. Ibe Woga. He did a lot for Igbo language while he was living. If you should write a book what will it be about? I am working on a collection of poems in Igbo language at the moment. I am just concerned with making sure that the language grows more and more. How much do books cost you in a year? I don’t have the accurate figures.
of copyrighted works. Physical medium piracy has decimated our business, as you all know, and as mobile data and broadband Internet continues to deploy in Nigeria and the rest of the region, we now face the prospect of pandemic levels of unlawful streaming and downloading of the content we create, finance and distribute at our own risk. Third challenge: in years to come, following in the footsteps of Europe, the US and parts of Asia, Nollywood will begin to see reduced income from physical media such as VCD and DVD. At the same time, the very nascent nature of the new online Video-on-Demand business models will mean that earnings from those platforms will likely be very modest to begin with. This dual effect of technological mutation will greatly challenge our capacity to invest in new productions, to remain a competitive force in export markets and uphold our contribution to GDP. These three challenges should be analysed and addressed in the context of unprecedented technological change: today, the digital revolution is confronting the creative industries everywhere in the world, including Nigeria. According to the Nigerian Communications Commission, our country, with a population of around 170 million, boasted 156 million mobile phone subscriptions as of October last year, and it is forecast to reach 200 million by 2017, according to a prominent Telecom research company. Amongst this rising tide of mobiles, we are going to see a growing proportion of high-performance smart phones able to stream data-rich content, including large video files such as feature length movies, to a high definition standard good enough to make the experience attractive to the Nigerian consumer. In parallel, the Communications Commission has announced a target of 30% broadband coverage by 2017 and as prices to the consumer continue to drop, we can expect a fast increase in the take-up of tablets and other broadband-enabled devices delivering elearning and entertainment contents. In the light of the challenges I have just articulated, I would now like to address some specific pleas to the public decision makers in attendance today.
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Arts Lounge
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
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ARTISTE UNCENSORED
Acting is my best friend –Henry Osemwegie Henry Osemwegie fondly known as H.O is a Nollywood actor, show promoter and social media expert; he has featured in up to 50 movies. Imoleayo Fatunase
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he budding actor, who enjoys and loves to feature in action and romance roles in movies, discloses leisurely what interpreting roles, means to him: “I don’t have any hobby apart from acting, acting is my best friend”. The Edo born Actor who has featured in quite large number of Nigeria movies is currently one of the executives of the Actors Guild of Nigeria {AGN}, Lagos chapter and currently working with the AGN President, Ibinabo Fiberesima. He started acting in 1997, having been introduced by a brother, who is a producer and script writer in Edo state. He disclosed that he was just acting for fun then but had to quit in 2000. “I quit acting then because I was just doing it for fun and I really wished to be serious about my profession and gain money to support the career. I went into barbing to earn some money and not quite long after in 2007, I realised that I needed to go back to what I enjoyed doing most. “In 2007, I started acting now as a professional actor. I registered with a production house called High Combination Entertainment Planet {H.C.E.P} where I took part in two movies, aside countless stage and dance drama productions. I worked with the house for some years in Benin but I didn’t really get what I wanted because our movies were not sold to marketers, they were only hawked around the streets of Benin which meant the movies were not sold all over Nigeria.” The actor relocated to Lagos in 2009 to focus mainly on his career. He said that he attended different auditions
MIDWEEK JUMP
which gave him forum to meet a lot of people and to be registered at the national office of the Actors Guild of Nigeria {AGN}. On what he is currently doing, he said: “Presently, I’m working hand in hand with Saint Joseph Ovenshi the director of ‘Altars vs Altars’. I will also be resuming, on the sets of the soap operas ‘White House’ and ‘Ultimate Gift’. I am also working with Talent Arena Africa in a bid to produce a movie that will correct ills and controversies among Muslims and Christians. It is channeled at bringing an end to the discrimination between religions and ethnic groups in Nigeria. The movie titled, ‘Hassan’ is coming to cinemas soon.” When asked of some of the challenges he has been facing, he takes a long breadth and said: “Growing up was not that easy. I grew up staying with my siblings and I was really exposed to so many challenges, I had to drop out of school at a stage but God has been faithful to me. I see every challenge as an opportunity for me to get up and be strong. I always tell people that ‘Nollywood is not bed full of roses but the survival of the fittest’. If you want to achieve, you should work hard. But if I take a look back, the journey since 2009 has been awesome.” On his relationship with the media, he said he lives a normal life. “Nollywood actually gave me the opportunity to be exposed to large number of people, the industry thought me how to manage and tolerate people I come across with the good and bad attitudes; you definitely won’t be comfortable with some people but you just have to develop an ability to tolerate them”.
“I love reading because I get
Henry
Growing up was not that easy. I grew up staying with my siblings and I was really exposed to so many challenges. I had to drop out of school at a stage.
Saro, the Musical 2
N
Bolanle Austen Peters
Henry Osemwegie loves being busy and whenever he is off the screen, he does barbing, event planning, modeling, audience coordinator and networking. He also has great love for Literature, because it motivates him.
igeria’s best Broadway-styled theatre production presents, ‘Saro the Musical 2’. The event, which is a Bolanle Austeen Peters production; featuring Dolapo Oni, Gideon Okeke, Bimbo Manuel, Patrick Diabuah and Adesua Etomi. This performance of 100 man cast will be staged at Shell Hall, MUSON Centre on April 1st, 2015 at 3pm and 7pm. It promises to be an event packed with thrillers that will make you relax as to finish the rest of the week in a good mood.
With Mrs Ibinabo
Open Mic Night with Lolo
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olo is the host of the Open Mic Night where lyricists, poets, rappers, and those well versed in spoken word perform to a live audience. Come experience and listen to great minds interpret the society, lay path to a better way for Nigeria or just talk about love in a heart-wrenching way. The event begins by 7pm on Thursday, 2nd April, 2015 at Bogobiri, Ikoyi, Lagos State. Admission is free.
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Arts Lounge
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
FAR AND NEAR
Thrills at 5th KCCN poetry feast
ntdc dg’S and director of KCCN
JOEL AJAYI
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n continuation of its contribution towards promoting culture in Nigeria as well as consolidate on World Poetry Day, the 5th Korea -Nigeria Poetry Feast came alive last week in Abuja, where participants across the country contested for a grand prize. The Korean Cultural Centre in Nigeria KCCN, in collaboration with Arojah Concept has continued to organise a poetry competition in the past 5 years, which has been given Nigerian poets an opportunity to bare their minds on selected issues. This year’s edition received 126 entries, and 7 poems received consolation prize of N10,000 each while three best poems got 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize. According the co-organiser, Mr. Jerry Adesowo, each year ten best entries are selected and the writers rewarded with prizes which includes cash and other gift items. Mr. Adesowo urged Nigerian cultural agency as well as cultural organisations in Africa to emulate Korean Embassy that has dedicated itself toward promoting Nigeria’s cultural heritage.
Meanwhile, the Director General of Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation NTDC, Mrs. Sally Mbanefo, who was a special guest at the event, thrilled the crowd with scintillating poems written by her, titled ‘Eradicating poverty and enterprise’ a poem that captivated the minds of crowds, who gave her a standing ovation. According to her, this poem is for sale but not for me to make profit, the money made will be specifically for less the less-privileged people in Nigeria to build more schools, as part of my contribution towards poverty alleviation. Mbanefo said poetry can be used to change one’s attitude toward doing good thing if properly developed. “We have the greatest poet in Nigeria like Fela Anikulapo that used poems to preach freedom while Wole Soyinka used poetry as critic of the environment. Poetry can be used to communicate love, happiness, beauty, sadness, appreciation of nature; poetry can be used to communicate the unhappiness about political situation amongst others. “The literary community, Nollywood, poets, artists, all the people in the creative industry, have a very major role to
play in turning around the state of affairs.” The DG commended the KCCN for its proactive step to set up a very first cultural institution in Africa that marks five years in Nigeria. On his remark, the Director of KCCN, Mr. Kwon Yong-IK while giving his welcome address, noted that poetry feast in Nigeria has been fostering greater ties between Nigeria and Korea in the past five years. “I have to confess that, as the Director of the KCCN, I have been greatly impressed by the passion of Nigerian people for culture and literature. I have seen many Citizens of Abuja enthusiastically participating in the monthly reading parties and other related events held by our centre, indulging in the reading and writing of poetry. I am confident that the country will continue to produce great writers comparable to Wole Soyinka. Poetry, in particular, is a beautiful window through which all human beings around the world share their aesthetic sensibility and understand each other better. “The subject of this year’s poetry contest is Travel. I believe that ‘Travel and Poetry’ are closely connected in that their key value is freedom. The diverse travel experiences beautifully depicted in the prize-winning poems aroused a special feeling in me, urging me to forget all about daily life and to go travelling. “Our centre hosts an exciting selection of annual events aimed at promoting mutual understanding between the people of our two countries via cultural exchange, including poetry contests, a contemporary art exhibition titled, Arts and Friendship, the Korea-Nigeria Student Quiz Competition, the African Arts and Crafts Exposition.” The winners of 2015 edition are ‘Ulsan Rose’ by George- Iruobe, ‘Adventures of a Poet’ by Ebichi Promise and ‘Fulani Boy’ by Oluwaseun Odukoya.
Okoroji
COSON Week: Preparations in top gear
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ine months ahead of the event, plans are already in top gear to ensure that each of the seven backto-back events of COSON Week 2015 leaves Nigerian entertainment lovers with an unforgettable experience. As for the upcoming mega show, Chairman of the Society, Chief Tony Okoroji, said: “I give my word that, from November 1 to 7, every event of COSON Week 2015 will be unforgettable. Everybody knows that, at COSON, our word is our bond. There is no question that we are in a unique position to deliver unparalleled world-class events. Think about it: Practically, every major star of the Nigerian music scene today is a member of COSON. We have organisational and communication assets, which other bodies lack. With respect to the COSON Week 2015, we will deploy these assets to make Nigerians proud. Some people have expressed surprise that nine months to the show, our materials are already in circulation and we have begun burning the midnight oil. One of the keys to our success is that we are very detailed and professional. We take our time to plan and go through each plan over and over again. When it is time to execute, we are ready.” Okoroji, who has easily become the bestknown advocate of intellectual property rights across Africa, said: “2015 has, so far, been a year of very tense political activities in Nigeria. People will likely remain tense through the May transition and beyond. We will use the events of COSON Week 2015 to significantly bring down the stress level in Nigeria.”
MTV announces On Tour with Shuga
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ome May 2, May 9 and May 16 , MTV VJ, Ehiz and actress, Sharon Ezeamaka will host three exciting editions of ‘On Tour With Shuga’ festivals in Lagos, Abuja and Calabar respectively. The tour, an outreach campaign for MTV Shuga was created to motivate youth on the need to know their status, is sponsored by MTV Base, MTV Staying Alive Foundation and Elton John Aids Foundation in partnership with NACA, PEPFAR, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and UNICEF. Georgia Arnold, Executive Director of the MTV Staying Alive Foundation says the tour will allow participants a chance to meet with the cast, audition to be the official MTV Shuga red carpet host at the premiere of season 4 and also take free HIV testing and counseling sessions. The shooting of the 4th season of the TV series, starring Mr Nigeria, Emmanuel
Ikubese, Chris Attoh, Timini Egbuson, Olumide Oworu and a host of others will begin in a few days and will start airing few months after. Meanwhile, Reggae act, Patoranking has been named ‘Artiste of the Month’ by music channel, MTV Base, following his successful musical career and numerous awards. The 24-year-old act will now enjoy support from the music channel, who will support him with a month of programmes chronicling his rise to fame. Born in Ebonyi State, Patoranking started his career as a street gig and carnival dancer before delving into music. His first single, So Nice was released in 2009 followed up with Up In The Club in 2010. In 2013, he released his first breakout hit single, Alubarika featuring afro dancehall act, Timaya. Recently, he signed a distribution deal with VP Associated Label Group, the
Patoranking
world’s largest reggae music distribution company and home to international reggae stars like Sean Paul, Beenie Man, Mavado, Shaggy and Gyptian. He has since worked with industry
acts like Runtown, Seyi Shay, Skales and Tiwa Savage with who he remixed his Girlie O track, which won five awards and was listed on the MTV Base Official Naija Top 10 Hottest Videos of The Year.
Business Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Strengthening the naira is collective responsibility –Okonjo-Iweala
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2015 Elections: Customs laments revenue losses to border closure
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Indigenous operators rev up local content investments
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Fitch retains Nigeria’s BB- rating with negative outlook TOLA AKINMUTIMI
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itch Ratings has reaffirmed Nigeria’s long-term foreign and local currency credit rating at BB- and BB respectively. The agency, however, revised the country’s outlook from stable to negative owing to what it described as political uncertainty in a tightly contested election and other issues that may arise after the polls, as well as low oil prices. Citing drop in oil prices as a major factor in its latest rating of, Fitch also assigned a negative outlook to the BB- ratings of Angola last Friday and assigned negative outlook to Gabon and Malaysia’s ratings earlier. The agency also lowered the ratings of other oil producing countries such as Russia and Venezuela in its latest rating. It will be recalled that the agency published a rating of BB- with a stable outlook for Nigeria on December 7, 2014. But it took into account the earlier polls delay as well as security challenges in its latest rating. At the same time, Fitch acknowledged that the government has made gains on the security front, adding that the election has gone largely well except for technical glitches. According to Fitch, the negative
outlook could be returned to stable following a smooth electoral process and reduced political uncertainty among other factors. The agency noted the government’s timely and rapid policy response in the face of falling oil prices, which includes revenue increases and cost cutting measures and strengthening tax administration. Furthermore, it stated: “the Nigerian authorities have implemented a rapid policy response including exchange rate reform and significant fiscal consolidation, in
response to lower oil prices. “Distortions arising from a multiple currency practice have been eliminated through the closure of the auction windows,” the agency added. On debt, Fitch pointed out that Nigeria’s public and external debt ratios remained stable and low when compared to its peers. “Debt is well managed. There is a diverse local investor base and local debt is expected to remain in key global bond indices. Debt service ratios are also low”, the agency stated.
It however sounded a note of caution, saying that economic performance is likely to weaken partly due to the erosion of fiscal and external buffers and a high dependence on oil for revenue. It however said that non-oil growth will remain robust while reforms in power and agricultural sectors will help to keep the momentum. It put non-oil growth forecast at 5.5 percent for 2015 from 7.4 percent in 2014 and an average of 5.6 percent over the past five years.
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apic Insurance has announced gross written premium of N5.2 billion for the financial year ended December 31, 2014, an increase of 38 per cent when compared to N3.76bn recorded in the same period of 2013. Also, the underwriting profit increased 1272 per cent to N1.24bn underpinned by improved risk selection and greater efficiency in managing underwriting expenses, which dropped 31 per cent relative to 2013.
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AIRLINES’ FLIGHT SCHEDULES Dana Air Abuja-Lagos 9am, 1pm, 5.28pm daily Lagos-Abuja 7am, 11am, 1.23pm,3.30pm daily Lagos-PH: 7.20AM, Ph-Abuja9.54am, Abuja-ph: 3.30pm and Ph-Lagos: 5.28pm daily Lagos-Uyo: 9.20am, Uyo-Abuja: 11.07am, Abuja-Uyo 1.05pm, Uyo-Lagos: 3pm daily Weekends Lagos-Abuja: 7.02am, 9am, 3.30pm Abuja-Lagos: 9am, 2.20pm and 5.28pm Lagos -Phc: 11.07am Phc-Lagos: 1.05pm Phc-Abuja: 12.51pm Abuja-Phc: 10.50am Lagos-Uyo: 9.18am Uyo-LOS -3.03pm Uyo-Abuja: 11.07am Abuja-Uyo: 1.05pm
Aero Contractors
L-R: Managing Director, Salt & Einstein Ltd and Aggregator for the National Mobile Health Insurance Programme,Mr. Lai Labode, National Sales Co-ordinator, Globacom, Mr. Sam Edoho and General Manager, National Health Insureance Scheme, Dr. Femi Akingbade at the formal launch of the National Mobile Health Insurance Programme (NMHIP) in Abuja recently.
Wapic Insurance grosses 5bn premium in 2014 JOHNSON OKANLAWON
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The company’s profit after tax rose 214 per cent to N236 million, as against the loss of N208 million recorded in the corresponding period of 2013. A statement by the company indicated that it paid about N1.09 billion in claims within the financial year, adding that a significant percentage of these relate to current period transactions of 2013/2014. It stated: “Having paid most of the outstanding legacy claims in 2013, the company’s efforts at implementing a structured approached to risk selection and management have begun to yield results as claims ratio improved
significantly closing at 34 per cent in 2014 compared to 80 per cent in previous year. “The company’s shareholders’ funds stood at N14.2 billion, up 0.15 per cent when compared to 2013 position while return on equity appreciated 236 per cent when compared to the corresponding period of 2013. According to the statement, its solvency ratio of 171 per cent is above regulatory levels and remains one of the highest in the industry. The Chairman of the company, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, said that the performance was based
on the implementation of a carefully crafted 5-year transformation strategy, which has already begun to deliver results. “We achieved better results in 2014 by maintaining best practices in our corporate governance structure and remaining focused on our transformation strategy. “We grew faster than the estimated industry average of 15 per cent; however, the more pertinent thing to note is that our growth is sustainable as we have bolstered existing structures to improve accessibility, broaden our service platforms and grow our customer base,” he said.
Lag-Abj: 06.50, 13.30, 16.30, 19.45 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun), 12.30 (Sun) 16.45 (Sat) Abj-Los: 07.30, 13.00, 19.00 (Mon-Fri/Sat, 10.30, 14.30, 19.30 (Sun, 18.30 Sat) Lag-Benin: 07.45, 11.00, 15.30 (Mon-Fri/Sat/ Sun) 12.30 (Sun 15.30 (Sat) Ben-Lag: 09.15, 12.30, 17.00 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun) 17.00 (Sat) 14.00 (Sun)Lag-Owe: 7.45am, 2pm daily
Med-View Airline Lagos- Abuja (Mon-Fri): 07.00, 08.50, 12.00, 16.30. Abuja- Lagos (Mon-Fri): 09.00, 14.00, 15.00, 18.30. Lagos-Yola (Mon-Fri): 8.50am. Yola-Lagos (Mon-Fri): 13.00. Lagos- PHC (Mon-Fri): 17.00. PHC-Lagos: 19.00. Abuja-Yola: 11.00. Yola-Abuja: 13.00. Lagos-Abuja (Sat): 08.00, 08.50. Abuja-Lagos (Sat): 10.00, 15.00. Lagos-PHC (Sat): 17.00. PHC-Lagos (Sat): 19.00. Lagos-Yola (Sat): 08.50. Yola-Lagos (Sat): 13.00
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Executive Discourse
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Strengthening the naira is collectiv Against the backdrop of the lingering global oil market headwinds’ negative implications for the Nigerian economy as well as its latest ratings by renowned agencies, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi OkonjoIweala, speaks on key micro and macroeconomic performance parameters of the economy. She assures that despite all odds, the economic outlook remains bright still. TOLA AKINMUTIMI reports on the excerpts.
Okonjo-Iweala
How is Nigeria faring in the face of the dwindling oil prices? I will like to say one thing: there has been some attempt to make people feel that there is no hope; that this situation is so difficult; there is hopelessness. I said from the beginning when oil prices began to fall by 50 per cent. I said that this will be a tough year; but there is hope. There is light at the end of the tunnel and the reason is because we have worked so hard as a country under this administration to lay the basics for us to exit this situation and get back on a good path. And that is what gives me hope. Why do I say that? First of all, let’s come back to the facts. We now have a Nigeria which is the largest economy on the continent and that is important. We have to keep stressing it because it means we’ve got the sectors. We’ve got the base which will enable us to carry out that diversification and be able to have a stronger economy in the long term that create the jobs and gives our young people hope. So, it is very important to note that. We didn’t know that before. When you look at the structure of the economy and you see that the growth – all the analyses have shown that the growths from this economy have come from the non-oil sector that Agriculture has been doing well.
THERE IS AN AREA WHICH IS UNEXPLOITED WHERE WE CAN EARN FOREIGN EXCHANGE
WHICH WE ARE NOT.
WHEN I GO AROUND THE CONTINENT, EVERY SINGLE AFRICAN WOMAN WANTS NIGERIAN CLOTHES
And that also come to the present situation, because Agriculture has been doing well, we have produced more food than ever before - 21million metric tons more food. We have produced paddy, 1.1million metric tons a couple of years ago to 1.6million metric tons now. In fact, what I am saying about rice is that it is dry season farming, not to talk of paddy. And we are on our way to really reducing our dependency on food imports. What measures are in place to strengthen Nigeria’s reserves? I know this is of concern to Nigerians, manufacturers looking for more foreign exchange, others paying their school fees and tuition abroad and even ordinary people. But I also feel that with this strong base that we have, if we just keep steady, we will be able to exit and the value of the Naira
will strengthen because we have got the different sectors. And there are two ways we have to do it, and I think this is what Nigerians want. Instead of depending on oil, we have to look at the two ways to strengthen our reserves because that is the way we can strengthen the value of our currency. There are two ways. One is to reduce demand for imports and that is why I think our demand for agriculture imports is very important for us to watch that and then reduce our demand for foreign goods. I have always encouraged Nigerians that even strengthening the value of the Naira is not just government actions alone, it is in our hands. If we buy more of what is made here in our own country and reduce the demand of things made outside, that means we can increase our reserves and the Central Bank does not have to continue giving money to import all those goods that we
don’t need. The second way is for us to start exporting things other than oil. And that is where again I feel encouraged because we are laying the foundation for that. You will recall that in the 60s, we were exporting groundnuts, cocoa, cotton, rubber and many agricultural products and suddenly we didn’t keep up. We have the ability to go back to those but not just exporting the raw materials and we already have people in these sectors adding value. What we need to do is to expand growing the cocoa, processing it here for our own internal demand and export it. And then we earn foreign exchange. There is an area which is unexploited where we can earn foreign exchange which we are not. When I go around the continent, every single African woman wants Nigerian clothes. I know this may sound strange to lots of people. Those of us here, don’t we import shirts, trousers, from the UK? But people are here (in Africa) demanding our own clothes. Yet, we are not able to get together as an industry – the fashion sector - to make clothes we can export. We will be sitting here and other West African nations will come and exploit it. But there is an opening. I am happy that the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment is organising and working with the textile industry and the fashion industry to
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Executive Discourse
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
29
ve responsibility –Okonjo-Iweala export, because we can earn so much from that. Imagine dressing the whole of Africa and what we can earn from it. So, those are the two ways. If we now earn foreign exchange and we conserve by using our products, we will be able to add more to our reserve which will underpin the value of our currency. Would you say the current economic policies are sustainable? No matter what government there is, there will be a set of policies, institutions that will support this country. And that is what I admire about Mr. President when he talks. You know he talks about how we can put in place something that will last; whether I am here or not here is not the issue. It is about laying in place the building blocks for the Nigerian economy. What is the impact of the government policies on the economy on the “common man?” As I said, meeting our salary bill is very important to us and our pensions. The second thing is making sure that the health benefits we have gathered in this economy, we don’t lose it. Children must be immunised. We can’t let down immunisation because we know what that means. On polio vaccination, we are almost close to eradicating polio. This administration has been working towards that. We have eradicated guinea worms and we must make sure that all those medicines and vaccinations are kept. HIV and AIDS, there are treatments and all that. And then, there are very important infrastructures we focus on doing that. The President promised to build the second Niger Bridge. That work is ongoing. Reporters have gone out there and noticed that the pilling is ongoing. The Lagos-Ibadan road is very important. The rail – completing some of the rail and make sure that they are running. These are ways the average Nigerian can feel the impact of what this government is doing. I think it means a lot. I encountered some young Nigerians we don’t know what it means to be in a train because the train had never worked in this country. And now they can ride on a train. Very soon now, the AbujaKaduna line will be open. Lagos-Kano line has been operating, even the line to Makurdi and so on. These are things that impact and the roads system that have been upgraded and constructed in this economy. Yes, there are so many more. But we are on the good path, we should applaud it. When your journey on Benin-Ore road has been made smooth and short, isn’t that impact? When you go to some of our rural areas, and you have access to water because boreholes were dug by the MDGs programmes and they have solar lightings, that is impact. And these are some of the things that we have started in this administration that are impacting lives. Are there negotiations on ground to support budget deficit? We have entered negotiations with the international financial institutions, specifically the African Development Bank
and the World Bank. They have resources for us already programmed. We ask them to turn these resources into budget support for us. We are negotiating for $2 billion that will come in foreign exchange and remember that the terms for these loans from the World Bank and the African Development Bank are quite reasonable compared to what we can get outside. These are the money that are being set aside for us and we decided to draw on it and we have decided to bring in budget support to come in foreign exchange. It will be disbursed in two tranches and we are advanced in negotiating with them and this will bring in some needed foreign exchange that will now be available for our private sector people to have access to. It will alleviate the situation and this is something we have started working on. We have been working on it daily and night with them because we need to address the need of manufacturers and others in the population. That will help ameliorate the situation. The tenure of the loan will be standard. We will probably have about five years grace before we have to repay for about 25 years. Where does Nigeria’s debt stand now? I can tell you as someone who was central in the negotiation of the forgiveness of our debt cancellation that we are not near the situation we were before in terms of ex-
ternal debt. Our external debt is about 2 per cent of our GDP. Remember that when we went to negotiate, we were almost at 70 per cent of the GDP and most of it was external. We have hardly any domestic debt at that time. We have been very careful on our debt. We are prudent in terms of the way we borrow. We have more of domestic debts. What we are trying to do is to reduce the domestic borrowing so that we don’t crowd out the private sector. We have got some foreign borrowings which is just two per cent of our GDP. The domestic debt of both federal and states government is about 12 per cent of the GDP. So together, it is about 14 per cent of GDP. And the norm and threshold for a country like Nigeria size is about forty something of the GDP. We are well below that. However, we also look at something called debt service to revenue; so we can’t just say our debt is low compared to our GDP which is what the world measures. We must look at our ability to repay and that is one of the reason we are very prudent because debt service to revenue, we don’t want it to increase too much. Two years ago, it was 19 per cent of GDP, it has risen to 22 per cent and we don’t want it to go too much beyond that. I think if we get to something like 25 per cent, we will be very strict and we are presently strict. We have been able, in this administration, to repay outright some of the domestic debt we owed.
COUNTRIES ARE COMING HERE TO REQUEST OUR ASSISTANCE IN DEBT MANAGEMENT. THE UK GOVERNMENT NAMED NIGERIA DEBT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AS ONE OF THE BEST IN THE WORLD
Okonjo-Iweala
We paid back about N75 billion and that was a very good thing instead of just rolling it over. Countries are coming here to request our assistance in debt management. The UK government named Nigeria debt management system as one of the best in the world. Even as we speak, South Sudan and other countries that are just starting up have come us for expertise in managing debt. We are not complacent at all. We looked very carefully at the risks of what we borrow. What would you say about the down grade of Nigeria’s economy by S&P? I will like to say that two other agencies, Fitch and Moody have maintained us at the same rate as at now. They have not tried to change it. What S&P did is a special evaluation of all oil producing countries based on the fact that oil prices have fallen. They decided to do it and it is because of that not because of anything else. They look at oil producing countries and I can tell you that we were the last one to be downgraded. All the other oil producing countries from Russia, to Kazakhstan to Venezuela, to Angola, they review them and downgraded them. It is a strong mark and credit to Nigeria if you read what S&P actually said. They commended the management of the (Nigerian) economy. They said it was proactive and ambitious, that the policies responded in the right way to the drop in oil price. They are saying that the drop in oil price is not our fault but the issue is how do we manage it? And they said we have managed it well; that we have been pro-active and ambitious. I am quoting them directly. What the issue is why they downgraded us is not because of our management which they have commended, it is because they believe that oil prices will still be soft for a while and because we are having elections.
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Business News
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
2015 Elections: Customs laments revenue losses to border closure FRANCIS EZEM
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he Nigeria Customs has said that the closure of the nation’s borders during the just concluded Presidential and National Assembly elections had further dampened the hope of its meeting the 2015 revenue targets. The Federal Government had Wednesday last week, ordered the shutting of the nation’s land borders to forestall infiltration of foreigners into the country as part of measures to ensure fair, free and credible elections. Customs had since the beginning of the year been grappling with dwindling revenue collection, import volumes have been reported to have declined by over 30 per cent in response to the devaluation of the naira against other international currencies, which had compelled importers to adopt a wait- and -see attitude. A senior official of the service, who spoke in a telephone interview, noted that the closure of the borders is the overall national in-
terest; it will have negative effects on the ability of the service to meet its revenue generation. According to him, the literary meaning of border closure is that there will not be any international trade transactions across with other trading partners and neighbouring countries, which also imply that the service, which collects revenue based on these transactions will have no revenue to collect as long as the closure order lasted. It was gathered that the service is further pained by the fact that it gets seven per cent of its total import duty collections, which forms its statutory funding, which has been under major threat of deficit, a development that if care is not taken, might negatively affect its operations, especially in terms of payment of salaries and allowances. The Federal Government had directed the Nigeria Immigration Service Monday, to re-open the borders following the peaceful completion of the elections on Saturday, an indication that eco-
nomic activities would resume at the borders in earnest. But the source hinted that contrary to this general belief, economic activities have yet to commence at the borders, which have remained a ghost town since the closure order became effective. It was gathered that the general
trend among the business community across the country including the border stations has been that of carefully observing the security situation in the country in anticipation of breakout of crisis especially as the election results are being announced by the Independence Electoral Commission
INEC. The source note that this trend might continue till sometime towards the end of the week, an indication that the service might not be able to collect revenue meant for the last lap of the first quarter of the year, which ends March 31, 2011
Printers raise alarm over job losses MESHACK IDEHEN
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resident of Chartered Institute of Professional Printers of Nigeria (CIPPON), Alhaji Mohammed Lawal, has said the institute and employers of labour in the printing industry were worried over the negative impact of the harsh economic situation in the country on the industry. He said the development had caused increased job losses in recent times, saying while printing is reputed to be one of the highest employers of labour
in Nigeria, that printers’ fate is now worsened by lack of patronage by most tiers of government as well as lack of enforcement of laws protecting local printers. Lawal told journalists on Monday in Lagos that employers of labour in printing needed support from all tiers of government in order to encourage investment into and grow the business. He said the economy of a country cannot be buoyant and stable if employers of labour in printing are not provided with an enabling environment to
manage their investment, adding that inability to enforce the provisions of the law will also make the environment not conducive for investment. “Nigeria could be industrialized through printing if government strictly complies with the provisions of the law on patronage to local printers,” he said. He appealed to law enforcement agents in the country to ensure enforcement of correct payment for duties/tariff on printing materials as approved by the government in line with Act of Parliament (No 24 of 2007).
Alibaba, BMG sign digital distribution deal
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ermany’s BMG music rights company said on Monday it had signed a music digital distribution deal with China’s Alibaba Group Holding Ltd , as the world’s largest e-commerce firm firms up its bid to become a digital media empire. The deal, one of the first in China made by a major music publisher rather than a label, will bring more than 2.5 million copyrights to Alibaba, whose music platforms already had many of the songs from artists including Kylie Minogue, the Rolling Stones and Jean-Michael Jarre, an Alibaba spokeswoman said. Alibaba has set its eyes on becoming an online-media powerhouse, with music, film and television. The $210-billion firm has touted the potential for selling digital products as well as physical products in China, despite the country’s track record of users not paying for media content. In the process, it is vying with Tencent Holdings Ltd, China’s biggest social networking and online entertainment firm, and search leader Baidu Inc and its online video unit, iQiyi. For BMG, the tie-up is both a chance to boost earnings by its artists in China and part of its attempt to “grow the legitimate music market in China”, the
company said. BMG last November linked up with Chinese independent company Giant Jump to manage publishing and recording rights both at home and overseas. Alibaba’s Digital Entertainment arm will “promote BMG writers and artists through channels such as its streaming apps Xiami and TTPod” and “monitor and take action against digital and mobile services who may infringe the rights of BMG clients,” the subsidiary of Bertelsmann AG, Europe’s largest media company, said in a statement.
L- R: Anthony Kayode Adebayo, Deputy Dean, Student Affairs, University of Lagos; Cosmas Maduka, President and Chairman, Coscharis Group and Bridget Udemeh, Relationship Manager, Sterling Bank Plc at the 2015 Press Conference of Members of the Society of Landscape Architecture Students of Nigeria supported by the Bank in Lagos.
Tablet market up by 26.1% in Q4 2014 ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN
T
he latest figures released on Monday revealed that the overall Middle East and Africa tablet market grew 26.1 per cent in the last quarter of 2014 rising high to 4.43 million. The statistics showed that the activities of several Far East manufacturers spurred significant annual growth in shipments of Android 33 per cent and Windows 131 per cent tablets. A statement from global advisory services firm International
Data Corporation, IDC showed that the Middle East and Africa, MEA, tablet market recorded robust yearly growth in the final quarter of 2014, with holiday purchases and aggressive end-ofyear promotions spurring a particularly strong performance in the consumer segment. Research Analyst at IDC Middle East, Africa, and Turkey, Victoria Mendes, said that the telco channel experienced its highest ever rate of growth during the final quarter of 2014, saying that yearly growth of 16 per cent saw Samsung continue as the leading vendor in MEA, with the Korean
giant shipping a total of 886,000 units to the region in Q4 2014. She said despite suffering a decline of 11 per cent, Apple retained second place in the market, with shipments totaling 580,000 units while Lenovo remained in third position, but with year-on-year unit growth of 100 per cent and volumes totaling 572,000 units for the quarter, the vendor is extremely likely to overtake Apple at some point during 2015. She stated that Asus maintained its fourth position despite shipments falling 7 per cent to 206,000 units, while Turkish ven-
dor Casper increased its shipments 80 per cent to 180,000 units on the back of strong growth in the consumer and education segments. A research manager at IDC Middle East, Africa, and Turkey, Fouad Charakla, observed that the MEA tablet market is expected to see a significant slowdown in growth, saying that “This has become particularly evident since the start of the new year, with the MEA market set to experience its first ever quarter-onquarter decline in Q1 2015 amid intensifying competition from smartphones and phablets.”
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Business News
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
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Nigeria to form data source for Africa’s development ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN
N
igeria has been named as part of the Economic Commission for Africa, ECA, Country Profiles which set to become key data and forecasting tools for Africa. The pilot profiles, which cover Botswana, Cameroon, Kenya, Morocco and Nigeria were launched at the 8th Joint Annual Meetings of the African Union Specialised Technical Committee on Finance, Monetary Affairs, Economic Planning and Integration and the ECA Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic
Development in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A statement issued at the end of the meeting said the reports will help countries to focus their energies on macro-economic and social policies that will help them achieve structural transformation in Africa adding that the profiles provide a diversity of stakeholders, including governments, investors, partners, academics, analysts and civil society representatives, with a high quality, alternative source of data. Speaking at the launch, the ECA Deputy Executive Secretary, Abdalla Hamdock, said Africa must be in position to tell its
own story noting that it won’t be able to do so if it doesn’t have the relevant data to tell this story. He said that the ECA country profiles will assist member states to take control of their own narratives saying that this also places them in a better position to take evidence-based decisions. Tailored to the needs of African countries, the ECA Country Profiles will make it possible to evaluate the macroeconomic and social performances and potential risks facing African countries on a regular basis while also providing high level practical and strategic recommendations. The reports will be produced
in partnership with various African national authorities, including central banks, statistics authorities and research centres. Director of the ECA North Africa Office, Ms Karima Bounemra Ben Soltane said, “We consider Country Profiles as a major contribution to the Data Revolution. Unlike other Country Profiles, the information provided in the ECA documents is not a static series of country overviews, but rather a development analysis, conducted in interaction with member states.” The ECA Country Profiles cover themes such as employment, natural resources, agriculture, climate change and the green
economy, and focus on national and regional priorities such as Agenda 2063 and the Continental Free Trade Area. Other key characteristics include the inclusion of the ECA indexes that were launched as part of the Data Revolution Workshop, such as the African Social Development Index, the African Gender Index and the Regional Integration Index. Director of the ECA Office for East Africa, Antonio Pedro stressed that the ECA support the African narrative noting that “our facts and figures will prove this message: these will not be ordinary country profiles, they will always put Africa first.”
Why we appointed new Accountable Manager –Dana Air OLUSEGUN KOIKI
D
ana Air has appointed another Accountable Manager barely few months after the exit of the former, Mr. Yvan Drewinsky. The new accountable manager, according to a statement by the spokesman of the airline, Mr. Sam Ogbogoro is Mr. Obi Mbanuzuo Ogbogoro stated that Mbanuzuo was appointed by the airline’s management in order to further reinforce its management team. In his new role, Mbanuzuo has overall corporate authority of ensuring that all operations and maintenance activities are carried out in line with globally accepted standards as set by the civil aviation authority. Announcing the appointment in Lagos, the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Jacky Hathiramani said Obi has over the years demonstrated professionalism in the discharge of his duties and the airline is confident that he will bring his wealth of experience to bear. “Dana Air is a forward looking organization and our corporate mission is to consistently deliver the best quality services throughout our operations by appointing
qualified personnel to occupy sensitive positions as well as continuously investing in human capital development to boost the airline’s strength in becoming a leading airline”, said Jacky Hathiramani. He further noted that Mbanuzuo is an aviation expert with over 20 years cognate experience covering Aircraft Lease; Revenue Management & Pricing; Fleet & Network Planning as well as Business Development and key areas of maintenance planning. Mbanuzuo obtained his Masters in Aeronautical Engineering at the National Aviation University in Kiev Ukraine as well as a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration. He started his aviation career as a licensed aircraft maintenance engineer. He joined Dana Airlines as the General Manager Commercial in August 2011 and prior to his current appointment, he was the Chief Commercial Officer; a position where he significantly contributed to the commercial and network growth of the airline. Obi had a working stint with Promotional Logistics Ltd, UK, before moving over to Virgin Atlantic Airways and was subsequently, assigned as a member of the startup team of Virgin Nigeria.
L-R: Head, Fixed Income Operations, Central Securities Clearing System Plc (CSCS), Mr. Oluwaseun Agbeyimi; Head, Operations, CSCS, Mr. Joseph Mekiliuwa; Head, Global Markets, Stanbic IBTC, Mr. Sam Ocheho; Head, Product Management, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Dipo Omotoso; Trader, Global Markets, Stanbic IBTC, Mr. Steve Osho; and CEO, Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Ltd, Mr. Oladele Sotubo, at a workshop on retail bonds organized by Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Ltd in Lagos recently.
German firms embrace start-ups for digital world drive
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atecomers to the digital age, big German companies have started teaming up with start-ups to shake up their conservative business culture and keep pace with a world increasingly dominated by nimble tech giants. More than half of the firms on Germany’s blue-chip DAX index trace their roots back to the 19th century or earlier. The youngest
corporate, SAP, was founded 43 years ago. In contrast, around half of the top 30 companies on the Nasdaq were set up in the 1980s or later and the fourth-biggest firm, Facebook, was established about a decade ago. German companies are the engine of Europe’s biggest economy, which is the financial bedrock of the euro zone. But government
Stanbic IBTC Bank opens new Kano branch JOHNSON OKANLAWON
S
tanbic IBTC Bank has commissioned a new branch in Kano to broaden its service channels. A statement from the bank explained that the new office is an additional avenue for the bank to meet the financial needs of its
clientele and demonstrates the bank’s commitment to strengthen its retail banking portfolio. “The new branch reinforces the bank’s promise of convenience and accessibility to a full suite of financial products and services to the university community and other Kano residents,” The statetement quoted the Head, Personal and Business
Banking West Africa Region, Mr Lincoln Mali, saying that the bank wants to build a network of branches in Nigeria where customers are offered the right services. “Our target is to have the best branch network where quality and efficient service delivery is second to none,” he said. The bank’s Head of Customer Channels, Mr. Abiodun Gbada-
mosi, said the new branch is expected to accommodate the growing need for full financial services in the university community and its environs. He assured Kano residents of the bank’s resolve to continue to provide quality services, adding that the bank plans to establish more branches across the country as it expands its operations.
officials and company executives fear they could fall far behind if they cannot swiftly identify and adopt innovations in web and smartphone technology that have driven the success of Google, Apple and Amazon. Mindful of the danger, companies such Metro, Bayer, Evonik, Merck KGaA and Deutsche Telekom are now investing in start-ups - seeking to gain digital expertise, as well as to embrace newcomers whose innovations could represent threats to their own businesses. This trend could help address a shortage of venture capital that has stunted innovation. Although investment in German start-ups more than doubled to $1.74 billion last year, this was less than the amount raised by U.S. car-sharing company Uber alone. In contrast, U.S.-based start-ups drew $49.39 billion, according to Thomson Reuters data.
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Crude oil prices drop to $56.41 per barrel UDEME AKPAN
C
rude oil prices have hovered at over $56 per barrel in the international oil market as a result excess supply and dwindling demand. For instance, the price of Brent that is usually used to benchmark other crude oil prices stood at $56.41 per barrel on Monday, this week. The price of WTI hovered at $48.87 per barrel while that of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC basket of 12 crudes stood at $52.93 per barrel on Friday, compared with $54.55 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations. The new OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq),
Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela). The low crude oil prices would affect the implementation of the budget of many nations that depend on crude oil as their major source of foreign exchange generation. For instance, the present lull in the oil market would have adverse consequences on Nigeria that had projected to generate $62 per barrel for the execution of its 2015 budget. A Port Harcourt-based energy analyst, Mr. Bala Zaka said in a telephone interview that the nation’s economy may suffer a major setback, especially as it currently losses over $5.0 per barrel as a result of the market lull. Meanwhile, the nation has concluded plans to export 1.81 million barrels of crude oil per day, including condensate in May, this
year. Reuters which confirmed the development has it that the export level is slightly in excess of 1.795 million bpd April export target. “Crude oil exports from Nigeria were set to reach roughly 1.81 million barrels per day (bpd) in May, according to traders and provisional shipping lists, slightly above the initial April export plan that included around 1.795 million bpd,” it maintained. The agency quoted traders as remarking that more cargoes could be added to the programme, as there is no serious threat to export plan. “Exports of Bonny Light are set to hit just under 213,000 bpd, the highest level so far this year, according to provisional export programmes,” it stressed. The agency maintained that the Nembe Creek oil pipeline that carries Bonny Light crude to export terminals is currently closed for planned maintenance work.
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
US Bill to ban employment of tax debtors
A
Bill that would makes individuals with tax debts ineligible for federal employment has been marked up by the US House of Representatives Oversight and Government Reform Committee. The Bill was marked up following the publication of the IRS’s tax delinquency report, which identifies the total number of federal civilian employees who are tax-delinquent and the total amount owed. In 2014, 113,805 civilian federal employees owed a total of USD1.14bn in taxes (compared with USD1.07bn in 2013). In 2004, those tax debts amounted to only USD600m. “The fact that our federal workforce owes more than one billion dollars in back taxes is a very serious problem,” said the Committee’s Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R – Utah). “As tax day approaches, and Americans across the country work to fulfill their civic responsibility to pay their taxes on time, federal workers should not be exempt.” “Steps must be taken to ensure that those who are delin-
quent satisfy their tax obligations,” he added. “If they refuse to do so, they should be held accountable.” Consequently, Chaffetz sponsored the Federal Employee Tax Accountability Act of 2015, and the Committee approved its markup by voice vote on March 25. The Act provides that individuals with “seriously delinquent tax debts” would be ineligible for federal employment. Not only would any individual who has such a tax debt be ineligible to be appointed, they could also be fired from their role as a federal employee. However, an employee may continue to serve, in a situation involving financial hardship, if his or her continued service “is in the best interests of the US, as determined on a case-by-case basis.” The Contracting and Tax Accountability Act of 2015 was also marked up by voice vote at the same time. That Act would prohibit the award of contracts or grants to corporations or individuals that have seriously delinquent federal tax debt.
South Africa Issues Small Business Tax Guide 2014-15
T L-R: Analyst, Youth Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Michael Nwoseh; Dean, Student Affairs, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomosho, Professor, Tunde Olabiyisi; raffle draw winner of Etisalat Cliqest Hyundai car, Olaniyi Oluwaseyi (400-level Civil Engineering student) and Analyst, Events, Etisalat Nigeria, Martina Oghebor, at the Etisalat Cliqfest prize presentation, held at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomosho, recently.
Stakeholders to discuss girls’ education on ICT ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN
A
s part of the international campaign to encourage young girls to delve into ICT as a profession, eBusiness Life Magazine will be hosting young girls in Nigeria to a national discourse on IT education. The discourse, which has been on for three years will be attended by young girls from different schools, to educate and sensitise them on the opportunities inherent in a profession in ICT. According to the Chief Executive Officer of eBusiness Life Communication, Mrs. Ufuoma Emuophedaro, the need to sensitise young girls is premised on the fact that the society has un-
consciously relegated the female gender and delegated careers in technical fields, especially in ICT, to their male counterparts. She said the 2015 edition should be made to introduce young girls to career opportunities in technical field in both the public and private sectors to help them have a wide range of options and contribute their quota in the industry. Emuophedaro further stated that the International Girls in ICT Day celebration and subsequent campaign will further open up opportunities for girls in the ICT sector. The International Girls’ in ICT Day is an initiative launched through ITU Resolution 70 with the idea of creating a global environment that will empower and encourage girls and young wom-
en to consider careers in the eld of information and communication technologies. The ITU declared the 4th Thursday of April every year as a day of encouragement to girls and young women to consider careers in ICT, while other stakeholders are reminded to support them in their choice. A statement from the ITU indicated that ICTs drive growth and innovation worldwide, infiltrating all aspects of human lives adding that these ongoing advances in ICTs effectively make digital literacy a prerequisite for employment and entrepreneurship opportunities and are leading to a projected shortage of at least 2 million ICT employees worldwide by 2020.
he South African Revenue Service (SARS) has issued its 2014-15. Tax Guide for Small Businesses, which, although not an “official publication,” provides general information on income tax, value-added tax, capital gains tax, and other taxes, duties, levies, and contributions. The Guide explains the tax laws and some other statutory obligations that apply to small businesses. It describes some of
the forms of business entities in South Africa – sole proprietorships, partnerships, close corporations, and private companies – and explains in general terms the tax responsibilities of each. It also contains general information, such as on registration, record-keeping, relief measures for small business corporations, and how net profit or loss, taxable income, and assessed loss are determined.
Amazon.com expands into professional services
A
mazon.com has launched a home services marketplace that will connect customers with electricians, plumbers and painters in a move to have its services tied to every product sold on its website. Amazon Home Services will allow customers to buy 700 services such as car maintenance, TV wall-mounting and house cleaning at upfront prices. The quality of the service will be backed with an Amazon guarantee, which the retailer uses to vouch for products sold by third-party sellers on its website. A home services marketplace will extend Amazon’s role as a middleman for third-party vendors, which account for about 40
percent of its sales. It would also help Amazon gain an edge in the fast-growing services industry in the U.S. which the retailer estimates to be around $630 billion. “Third party estimates show that customers spend four times more on services each year than they do on physical products,” Peter Faricy, vice-president, Amazon Marketplace told Reuters. “So for us the opportunity is very big,” he said. Around 85 million Amazon shoppers buy products that require servicing or installation, the company said. Amazon will roll out the service nationwide with “high coverage” in Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York.
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
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EnergyWeek Seven Energy produces 61,200 barrels of oil per day
‘Discos shouldnt charge for services not 36 rendered’
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NLNG denies tenement rate scandal
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Indigenous operators rev up local content investments drive The oil market lull has affected the operations of many companies in the oil and gas industry. But UDEME AKPAN reports that many indigenous companies have recorded giant strides despite the lull, characterized by low prices and limited investments.
Petrolog Group’s newly acquired DP2 Saturation Diving Vessel
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ith the continued lull in the global oil market, operators in the petroleum industry had no option than to review their 2015 budgets. For instance, the International Oil Companies, IOCs have slashed their budgets by as high as 40 per cent. They also carried out a downward reduction in the costs of projects, meaning that foreign and indigenous contractors now take less than what they used to take in the era of relatively high and stable oil prices. Investigations showed that this constitutes bad news for all stakeholders who had earlier concluded plans to execute different
BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT MANY COMPANIES REMAIN FOCUSED TO MAKING
MEANING IMPACTS, ESPECIALLY IN THE AREA OF LOCAL CONTENT DEVELOPMENT projects this year. But the good news is that many companies remain focused to making meaning impacts, especially in the area of local content development. For instance, the local content policy of the Federal Government received a boost with the formal
handing over of Shell’s equity in OML 29 to a local oil and gas operator, Aiteo, thus increasing the participation of indigenous companies in the upstream sector involving exploration and production of petroleum. The Group Managing Director of the
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Dr. Joseph T. Dawha remarked at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU between Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and Aiteo for the transfer of Shell’s equity in OML 29 to the indigenous operator constituted a milestone in the quest of the Federal Government to develop the capacities of Nigerian companies in the industry in line with the Nigerian Content Development Act. The Managing Director of SPDC and Country Chair of Shell Companies in NiCONTINUED ON PAGE 34
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Indigenous operators rev up local content investments drive CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33 geria, Mr. Osagie Okunbor, described the event as a major step towards the fulfillment of the nation’s aspiration of growing indigenous participation in the oil and gas industry. Specifically, he described OML 29 as one of the biggest onshore oil blocks that Shell has ever divested in the country. As he puts it, “One of the key reasons we are divesting some of our assets in the country is to grow indigenous participation in the industry. With the divestment of OML 29, one of our biggest blocks to Aiteo, the local content development in the country has received a major boost.” Okunbor who puts the value of the oil bock at $2.56 billion remarked that it has an average production capacity of 43, 000 barrels per day with a potential to grow beyond its current capacity in the coming years. The Managing Director of SPDC and Country Chair described the divestment as part of the strategic review of SPDC’s onshore portfolio and in line with the Federal Government’s aim of developing Nigerian companies in the industry. Okunbor said OML29 covers an area of 983 square kilometres and includes the Nembe, Santa Barbara and Okoroba fields and related facilities. He remarked that the divested infrastructure includes flow stations together with associated gas infrastructure plus oil and gas pipelines within the OML. The divested fields produced around 43,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (100%) in 2014. The Chairman of Aiteo Group, Mr. Benedict Peters described the ceremony as a significant landmark that will help the company achieve its aspiration of participating in the entire value chains of the oil and gas industry. “To us in Aiteo, this event brings a capping to our aspirations, visions and our dreams. It has also brought tremendous value to our balance sheet. The reality of the asset is that it is the largest on-shore assets that Shell has ever divested,” he stated. He expressed optimism that with the acquisition, the company will add significant value to the oil and gas industry and the nation’s economy, adding that the Local Content Act has made the company to make progress in the industry. Peters expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for providing the enabling environment for indigenous companies to compete and grow in the oil and gas industry through the Local Content Act. A few weeks ago, another major feat was recorded in the implementation of the Nigerian Content Act with the unveiling of Petrolog Group’s newly acquired DP2 Saturation Diving Vessel, which is believed to be the largest of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa. The diving vessel christened DSV Vinnice is valued at $170m and is equipped for shallow and deep water operations and can be used for construction, repair and maintenance of oil-rigs and other offshore naval constructions. The feat attracted the comments of many key stakeholders. For instance, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, Engr. Ernest Nwapa described the acquisition as another affirmation that indigenous oil servicing companies have developed capacity to acquire and operate hi-tech assets and could participate in every segment of
Alison-Madueke
Dawha
THE INDIGENOUS OIL COMPANIES NEED TO BE ENCOURAGED TO DO BUSINESS IN THE
INDUSTRY, ESPECIALLY AS OTHER SECTORS OF THE NATION’S
ECONOMY, TO A GREAT EXTENT DEPEND ON THE OIL AND INDUSTRY FOR SURVIVAL Nwapa
the oil and gas industry notwithstanding the challenges. According to him, the emergence of a new breed of Nigerian investors and the quantum of investments they are making have erased any doubts that government and the people of Nigeria were resolute with the implementation of the policy. Nwapa remarked that the Federal Government has started to extend the implementation of the policy to the power and information technology sectors following the huge success recorded in the oil and gas industry. He credited President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and the Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani AlisonMadueke for providing a conducive environment for the successes recording in the implementation process, noting that signing the Nigerian Content Bill into law unleashed the potentialities of Nigerians entrepreneurs. “When President Jonathan signed the Act in 2010, he set Nigerian entrepreneurs free,” he added. The Executive Secretary maintained that real Nigerian Content accomplishment would come when vessels such as DSV Vinnice are constructed in Nigeria, expressing hope that any other such vessel to be acquired by a Nigerian investor will be outfitted at the Naval Dockyard Lagos and some of the components manufactured in-country. He assured that the Board was working with the National Petroleum Investment
Management Services (NAPIMS) to ensure that any major asset acquired by a Nigerian investor gets deployed in the industry as doing otherwise will negatively affect the banks that funded the acquisition as well as make it difficult for other companies to get similar credit from Nigerian banks. Nwapa recalled that the Board made ownership of assets a key plank of implementation because it provided the opportunity for exposing the technology to other Nigerians. He also announced that the Board will henceforth make it a requirement for all contracting entities in the Nigerian oil and gas industry to adopt a faculty or department in any Nigerian university and develop a programme that allow the students to learn on the company’s assets as a means of bridging the gap between universities and the oil and gas industry. The Chairman of Petrolog Group, Dr. Joseph Ebuh described the Nigerian Content Act as the greatest boost to the company’s growth. He stated that since the Act came into effect, we have been emboldened to take giant steps and risks to meet existing demand. He commended the NCDMB for its implementation of the Nigerian Content Act, which according to him has created opportunities for indigenous companies to thrive. The Managing Director of First Bank, Mr. Bisi Onasanya confirmed that the bank supported Petrolog in the acquisition of the DSV Vinnice, affirming the bank’s readi-
ness to support infrastructural development and local content. The Group General Manager, NAPIMS, Engr. Jonathan Okey described the vessel as a welcome addition to the contracting pool, especially at a time industry operations were becoming more complex and moving into the deep offshore. He assured that NAPIMS would develop a special contracting scheme to support any Nigerian contractor that invests on the back of the Nigerian Content Act. The President of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), Engr. Emeka Ene commended NCDMB for being instrumental to most of the investments made by local companies since the Nigerian Content Act came into being. These and other feats would not have been accomplished without the injection of substantial funds. The NCDMB has it that over $1bn has been invested in the Nigerian oil and gas industry to create capacity and execute Nigerian Content scopes provided on the Egina deep water project alone. The Board disclosed that Egina-Total Exploration and Production’s $15bn deep water project is the first major oil and gas project to be started under the Nigerian Content Act and it includes an FPSO unit, an oil offloading terminal and subsea production systems such as risers, 52km of oil and water injection flowlines, 12 flexible jumpers, 20km of gas export pipelines, 80km of umbilical and subsea manifolds. It maintained that the investment worth $60m was made towards delivering Saipem’s Nigerian Content scope on the Egina project. He added that the plant was worthy of celebration as it confirmed that the Board’s strategy to include Capacity Development Initiatives (CDIs) in major projects was working. The Board made it known that over $5bn worth of investments have been made in Nigerian yards since the signing of the Nigerian Content Bill into law by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in 2010, especially by PETAN member companies and other firms like Aveon, Cameron, Ladol, Nigerdock, FMC, Tenaris, EWT etc while about 40,000 technical jobs were being created per annum. The Managing Director of Saipem Contracting Nigeria Limited (SCNL) Mr. Giussepe Surace confirmed that the company was in Nigeria for the long term and invests as a demonstration of its commitment to the nation. He added that the company viewed Nigerian Content as an opportunity for development rather than a requirement for compliance. The event was attended by representatives of international oil and gas companies, service providers especially local partners of Saipem on the Egina project. However, some close observers who believed that the poor state of the oil market has impacted negatively on indigenous operations have called for the introduction of measures to assist investors. For instance, the Chairman of International Energy Services Limited, Dr, Diran Fawibe who commended the efforts of the Federal Government called for increased patronage of local investors. “The indigenous oil companies need to be encouraged to do business in the industry, especially as other sectors of the nation’s economy, to a great extent depend on the oil and industry for survival,” he said.
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Energy Week
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
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Seven Energy produces 61,200 barrels of oil per day UDEME AKPAN
S
even Energy produced Seven Energy about 61,200 barrels of oil per day in the last quarter of 2014, according to report released by the company. “The gross oil production from OMLs 4, 38 & 41 averaged 61,200 barrels of oil per day bpd in the fourth quarter, resulting in full year average gross production of 52,500 bpd,” it maintained. It has it that 1.7 million barrels of oil were lifted during the fourth quarter, bringing total oil liftings for 2014 to 3.7 million barrels per day. The company stated that Total gas deliveries averaged 22 million standard cubic feet per day in the fourth quarter, resulting in full year average gas deliveries of 23 million barrels per day. It maintained that the company commenced gas supply to the Unicem cement factory utilising our own gas production in November from the Uquo marginal field. “Calabar NIPP commenced pre-commissioning of the gas pipeline to the Calabar NIPP power station from our East Horizon gas pipeline, with the 21km 24 inch pipeline pressurised to 30 bar; Uquo wells 7 & 8, located in the Uquo marginal field, within OML 13, were successfully completed in October 2014,” it maintained. It has it that during the first quarter 2015, these wells are fulfilling combined gas deliveries of up to 85 MMcfpd, with expected combined production from the two wells to be greater than 140 MMcfpd. The company maintained that Accugas Limited, Seven Energy’s gas marketing and Distribution Company, entered into two new gas sales agreements with
Alaoji Generation Company Limited and Notore Chemical Industries PLC in January 2015. Seven Energy’s FUN Manifold project secured approval to introduce hydrocarbons into ExxonMobil’s Qua Iboe terminal in February 2015, allowing oil sales from the Stubb Creek and Uquo marginal fields to commence. It stated that successful drilling of the North-East 1 prospect, located in the Uquo marginal field, in February 2015, encountering oil and gas deposits. “Gross oil production from OMLs 4, 38 & 41 averaged 52,500 for the full year 2014 (2013: 51,600 bopd). Production during the fourth quarter was the best recorded to date, averaging 61,200 bopd, with a high of 80,000 bopd achieved for the first time,” it added. It maintained that Seven Energy’s net entitlement from the OMLs was 15,800 bopd for 2014, compared to 10,400 bopd in 2013. Daily production during onstream periods had significantly increased in 2014, although production was impacted by increased shutdown days of the TransForcados Pipeline. The company has it that gas deliveries averaged 21.7 MMcfpd during the fourth quarter, resulting in average deliveries of 22.6 MMcfpd for the full year. “The fourth quarter was impacted by downtime at the Ibom Power station for maintenance work, which took place in October, however, since then down time has significantly reduced, with average deliveries of over 20 MMcfpd being achieved in November and December,” it added. It maintained that the Group has taken significant steps forward over the final quarter of 2014 and into 2015 in realising the potential of its gas infrastructure capacity, taking advantage of its unique
Ihenacho
position to deliver gas via its alternative western pipeline route to introduce its own gas to fulfill demand to Unicem and Calabar NIPP. “Further, Seven Energy recently entered into GSAs with two new customers. The first is a twelve month take-orpay contract to supply gas at a rate of 30 MMcfpd to the Alaoji independent power station to allow it to complete its commissioning. The second is an initial six month take-or-pay contract that subsequently renews quarterly, to supply gas at a rate of 25 MMcfpd to the Notore Fertilizer plant as feedstock. The Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Phillip Ihenacho said, “We are making strong progress towards achieving our vision of Seven Energy being the leading independent gas supplier in Nigeria. Over the last six months we have hit a number of important milestones, including the first delivery of our own gas into the Unicem plant and securing gas sales agreements with two new industrial customers.”
Smart metering: Ikeja Electric commences data upgrade
T
he Management of Ikeja Electricity Distribution Plc in conjunction with its technical partner, Korean Electricity Company (KEPCO) has concluded plans to carry out enumeration of customers in order to drive efficiency and effective metering within its network. Both organisations signed the contract that will kick start the exercise at Ikeja Electric’s corporate headquarters in Lagos. Speaking during the event, a Director of the company, Mr Kola Adesina, explained that the project will involve mapping the location coordinate of each of the electrical network entities from 132kv/33kv System, 11kv system, Distribution Transformers and poles. The project, according to Adesina will also involve indexing of Ikeja Electric’s distribution
assets such as Power Transformers, Feeder Pillars, High Tension Poles and Distribution Transformers. “This is going to be a thorough project that would ensure a solid foundation for efficient, equitable and transparent power supply to our esteemed customers. The customer and consumer indexing will be carried out through door-to-door survey. We are appealing to all our customers and the good people of Lagos to support the project by cooperating with the enumerators and provide accurate information that would empower Ikeja Electric to give the best service possible to all customers,” he said. Adesina stated that the project will provide a platform for assessing and accurately deploying transformers and electricity equip-
ment required in a given community, a development he noted would address challenges faced by customers that would translate to improved power supply. He added that the project would ensure effective customer segmentation of high and low density areas and will support seamless update of the company’s customer data base. ``We are transiting into an era where new technology will drive the campaign against energy theft and distortion of electrical equipment. “Adesina said that the signing of the contract with KEPCO would also fast track effective metering process. “With this contract, l can boldly say that the kick-starting of our robust metering project has commenced” he said. Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of Ikeja Electric, Engr. Abiodun Ajifowobaje said
Commodity
Units
Price
Change
% Change
Time(ET)
Crude Oil (WTI)
USD/bbl.
47.95
-0.92
-1.88%
13:45:22
Crude Oil (Brent)
USD/bbl.
55.32
-1.09
-1.93%
13:45:03
TOCOM Crude Oil
JPY/kl
42,340.00
+60.00
+0.14%
13:45:14
NYMEX Natural Gas
USD/MMBtu
2.65
+0.01
+0.23%
13:46:22
Source: Bloomberg as at March 30, 2015
that the signing of the contract is in compliance with the directive of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to Discos for effective customer enumeration to update their data base. Ajifowobaje said the exercise would enable the company upgrade its system for unrivalled service excellence. “KEPCO is a leading global player in the power sector and our partnership has been instrumental to the continuing positive developments in Ikeja Electric. The partnership which involves knowledge transfer through robust training and exchange programmes will certainly pave the way for Ikeja Electric to replicate KEPCO’s success in Nigeria. Responding, the KEPCO Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Yeom GyooChull lauded the Ikeja Electric Management for embarking on a project that will transform its operations, adding that KEPCO’s expertise in Geographic Information System (GIS) projects will ensure the exercise is carried out accurately and objectively to produce a world class customer data profile for Ikeja Electric.
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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
‘Discos shouldn’t charge for services not rendered’
Barrister Chijioke James is the National President of the Electricity Consumers Association of Nigeria, In this interview with Correspondent CHIDI UGWU, he speaks on the recent tariff reduction and the challenges facing consumers. He also called for diversification of energy sources through mini power plants for industrial clusters. Excerpts: need to build capacities of those people and we do not have the resources as at now to build the required capacity. You will also agree with me that consumer advocacy in the part of world is at the elementary stage. And we are using this opportunity to call on all stakeholders particularly the media because consumer advocacy cannot move from the level at which it is to the level we will wish it to be if the media doesn’t work in partnership with us. So, the issue of saying why is consumers disjointed here and there, the media has a role to play to be able to help us in reaching out to those who are not yet members to come on board. And also sensitize the consumers on what advocacy group stands for and what the benefit will be to them and to the country.
What is the biggest challenge facing the Nigerian electricity consumers? The biggest challenge facing electricity consumers in Nigeria at the moment is capacity. In other jurisdictions governments and stakeholders make it a point of duty to increase the capacity of consumers to be able to effectively defend the interests of the consumers. This is because consumers advocacy centre nationwide are self funded. They have limitations in terms of capacity like the Electricity Consumers Association of Nigeria (ECAN) have members in the 36 states of the federation and we have members even in the Local governments. You will agree with me that the resources needed to be able to galvanize and train across the board to able to effectively advance the interests of consumers are not there, but we are trying to partner with development agencies to see how we can train our people in the local area on how to respond to consumer issues reported to them. Looking back into the past, are you satisfied with the electricity tariff regime we have now? The consumers are like Oliver Twists, who always ask for more. We are satisfied to an extent that consumers cried out by some of our members in Nigerian Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) led by the President visited NERC. They complained bitterly that the charges they are getting are too high and that they cannot continue at that rate, fortunately, government listened and they had the reduction of tariff using the procedures that is put in place. I think is also very important as an advocacy group that has been very critical of government to also encourage government when government is responsive to their demands. So, I think the NERC has got it right at this time. They have responded positively to the request of critical sectors of the economy like MAN. You know that with the oil prices coming down now, the direction of government policy will be looking at the manufacturing sector which is very critical to growing the economy. And if government must support the manufacturing sector to grow the economy then, electricity is key and critical for the operators of that sector. So, I believe that this government policy is in the right direction. I am amused when people bring in politics to it. This has nothing to do with politics. If government responds to the yearnings of consumers it is important that consumers also commend that response and still ask for more. In our submission to NERC, we commended the reduction and also made further demands of what we think is good for us. One of them is in line with what our members in MAN said that because of the emergency need now I think NERC should encourage mini power producers. We need emergency power production for clustered areas for industries. And these are power plants that can be set up in six months. So, if we have those industrial stakeholders key into the mini power plants production along their area you find out that the losses suffered with the huge power plants in terms of transmission will be reduced. The reduction of those losses will be channelled towards rural and residential areas because we know that the industrial areas take majority of the power generated. So, if for example, in an industrial area in Lagos or Ogun state, we have mini plants from 10 megawatts to 30 megawatts that can service them there will be no need to transport the power outside that location. So, more energy will be available to the people that need it residential and rural areas. That is a demand we are making on NERC and the government and I am sure just as they have responded to our earlier demand to reduce the tariff they will also listen to these demands we are making. Even though NERC said residential customers’ tariff have not been increased, we have observed increase in electricity bills even in residential areas over the past few months. How do you react to this? What we are trying to encourage our members to do is to make sure that they have pre-paid meters. And we are looking at getting the Discos not to charge for services that are not actually rendered. This is because we have received some complaints that some Discos bring bills for services that are not rendered. We believe that once we are able to take up that aspect with the regulator we will be able to also drastically bring down the costs
James
LET GOVERNMENT KNOW THAT NIGERIANS SUPPORT THIS REDUCTION. WE WOULD NOT REALLY WANT A REVERSAL OF THE POLICY. WE ARE NOT ALSO SAYING THAT OTHER NEEDS OF THE CONSUMERS ARE GOING TO BE LEFT BEHIND. IN OUR SUBMISSION, WE HAVE OUTLINED SOME OF THE THINGS CONSUMERS NEED WHICH WE NEED THE REGULATOR TO TACKLE to our consumers in the residential area. But it is critical to note that the way these things operate, you find out that the reductions is even higher than 50 per cent in some areas from the tabulation we have. But we what we are doing is that we want to encourage government, and encourage this reduction let government know that Nigerians support this reduction. We would not really want a reversal of the policy. We are not also saying that other needs of the consumers are going to be left behind. In our submission, we have outlined some of the things consumers’ need which we need the regulator to listen to. One of the things the NERC chairman has always pointed is lack of coordination of electricity consumers and their inability to properly articulate their demands in cohesive manner. What are you doing to improve consumers’ rights and understanding of the industry? Well, we hope to have Summit around June which we are planning. And we are trying to address it by way of capacity building because ECNA today is largest network consumer advocacy group because we members in all the local governments in Nigeria. And we have state coordinators and all that so it is clearly a non-profit organisation. We only gets support from members people who now know that, look you have either one electricity accident and there is no organisation that will be able to interface between the victim, the community and government agencies that are mandated to prove power and accelerated services. So the critical component of what we are saying is that we
Do you also consider the complaints of the Discos with respect to the slash in tariff as association? Well, like we said it is a private sector driven economy, and anyone that you slashes his profit will definitely complain but what we are looking at is that in the long run the Discos will be able to recover their investments. I believe so in the long run they will be able to recover their investments. Nigeria is a country of about 170 million people. Just like we are saying now, if our request and our prayers for emergency power plants for industrial clusters are granted by the regulator you find that, that will also free the energy that will go to residential dwellers because the major consumers of electricity in the city are the people in the industry, the heavy industries. So if there are emergency power plants which takes about six months to set up it will be given to those places. You will find out that we will have enough energy, and those mini power producers will be able to discuss with those heavy power companies on the rate of tariff and possibly get a power purchase agreement that will enable them to invest. But what we saying is that a rural farmer in Ebonyi or Sokoto states, cannot be able to afford the high tariff because of what we are looking at now is boosting agriculture. These two states that I have mentioned are critical for producing food that we need and they also need electricity. We are progressing from subsistent farming to real commercial agriculture. The minister of agriculture said we are producing not only for consumption but we are looking to be a major exporter of agricultural produce. And if are diversifying our economy and we are looking at agriculture as critical to our economy then you will agree with me that electricity is a critical infrastructure. Poor infrastructure is a key problem in the sector. What is your association doing to encourage investors to focus on this nagging challenge? ECAN as a nationwide consumer platform is yet to engage in a robust manner with the owners of electricity assets to ascertain the level of challenges they are facing in deploying the basic and necessary infrastructure to improve service delivery to consumers nationwide but hope to commence engagement with them very soon for the overall benefit of Nigerian consumers. There is this notion that vandalisation of electricity infrastructure is often done by the youths, what is ECAN doing to bring the campaign against vandalism to the domain of the youths? You will recall that I mentioned we will be launching a national energy audit and sensitization programme which will cover the issue of involvement of youths in vandalization of electricity assets in the country and we are currently talking with the News Agency of Nigeria to partner with the media in this campaign which I believe is a laudable programme that require the support of Nigerians to succeed. How do you tackle the issue of the refusal of consumers such as government agencies to pay electricity bills, which some of Discos, it is believed, have also passed on to residential and other consumers to avert losses? Government agencies must be made to fulfil its financial obligations to a service provider except where it is expressly stated otherwise in the terms of contract or concession with a provider, I consider it unfair for service providers to pass on the bills to residential or other categories of consumers.
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Energy Week
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
NLNG denies tenement rate scandal
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he Nigerian LNG Limited has denied involvement in bribery scandal as reflected in the social media. “Nigeria LNG Limited’s (NLNG) attention has been drawn to recent Nigerian social media posts about an alleged bribery incident, linked to 2014 tenement rate payments made by the company to Bonny Local Government Council, BLGC,” it maintained. The company maintained that NLNG wishes to set the records straight by categorically stating that the allegations are misleading and false. It remarked that NLNG’s assets in Bonny LGA had been assessed in accordance with the relevant bye-laws of Bonny LGC and issued a Demand Notice dated November 13, 2014 for the sum of One hundred and forty million naira (N140, 000,000.00) only. The company added that it made the payment for the invoiced sum (N140, 000,000.00) and not one hundred and eighty million naira as alleged. It stated that the payment was made on February 6, 2015 by electronic transfer in line with standard NLNG practice, to the account in Ecobank Nigeria Plc nominated by Bonny LGC, and not by cheque, as alleged in the misleading social media posts. “As an internationally re-
nowned company owned by the following shareholders - the Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC (49%), Shell Gas BV, SGBV (25.6%), Total LNG Nigeria Limited (15%), and Eni International (N.A) N. V. S. a. r. l (10.4%) - NLNG wishes to emphasize that it continues to conduct its businesses in full compliance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and applicable tax regulations,” it noted. It also maintained that NLNG remains the arrowhead of the Federal Government’s drive to derive value from its vast natural gas resources, diversify the economy and eliminate gas flaring. NLNG was incorporated as a limited liability company on May 17, 1989, to harness Nigeria’s vast natural gas resources and produce Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs) for export. The company has two whollyowned subsidiaries: Bonny Gas Transport (BGT) Limited, which provides shipping services for NLNG and Nigeria LNG Ship Manning Limited which provides personnel for all of NLNG’s Vessels. The Nigeria LNG project is considered one of the most important economic projects being carried out in Nigeria.
The project is a vital part of the Federal Government’s diversification programme and has already generated significant revenues and foreign exchange for the nation. Overall, the major sub-contractors employed about 18,000 Nigerians in technical jobs in the base project. These jobs attracted about 500 expatriates who played mainly supervisory roles during the base project. These Nigerians, with enhanced skills of their trades will be entering the Nigerian industry. This is one of the veritable routes of technology acquisition through the project into the Nigerian economy. The Third Train expansion project employed about 7000 personnel at
its peak. The greatest impact of the project has been on the host communities of Bonny Island particularly in the areas of housing, catering and transportation. These sectors enjoyed a boom as a result of close to N90 million that entered the economy monthly during the construction phase. In addition, a number of service industries were attracted to the Island notable among which were catering, Joint Venture Companies in the area of equipment and spare parts manufacturing. The considerable financial transaction could be witnessed by the number of banks that were attracted to the Island.
EKO Disco commits N2.93bn to procure meters UDEME AKPAN
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he management of Eko Electricity Distribution Company, EKEDC said that it has earmarked the sum of $15 million (2.92 billion) on maximum demand prepaid meters to meet the demand of customers. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), EKEDC, Dr Oladele Amoda disclosed this at the quarterly media briefing in Lagos. Amoda said that the company has
Pre-paid meter
also plans to procure additional 400,000 meters which will cost the sum of $20,000 (3.9 trillion) to serve other commercial and residential customers within its operations. He called on Nigerians to embrace the Credit Advancement Payment for Metering Implementation (CAPMI) in other to curb the much talked about estimated billing. The CAPMI was designed by the Federal Government due to the slow pace of customer metering by
Chevron hands over Clinic to Katsina State UDEME AKPAN
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LNG plant
the DISCOs, as well as the high level of complaints received from customers and dissatisfaction with the current estimated billing practices. He said that CAPMI provides a platform for willing customers to pay the cost of the meter into a dedicated account jointly managed by the DISCO and meter Vendor/Installer. According to him, once payment has been effected, the customer will have their meter installed within 45 days, by a NERC accredited Vendor/ Installer. Amoda said that it is better for customers to approach the DISCOs for advance payment and get metered immediately. “We want to eliminate estimated billing gradually, this is because meter is free but customers can either wait for our meter or advance us some fund and get a refund later under the CAPMI,’ he said. He added, “We will meter them within 45 days, though our customers are not fully metered, but we have designed a robust strategy to metering our customers. We have metered about 3000 customers so far.” “By month end, we should have a large consignment that will help us meter our customers. We will meter our customers with new smart me-
ters. So, our customers should bear with us,” he said. He blamed the situation primarily on gas pipeline vandalism which he said has been on the increase. The Managing director said that EKEDC is expecting about 170MW from off-grid suppliers like 13MW from First Power in Ijora, another 40MW from Ogijo, and 100MWnfrom Egbin power plant. He said his company has sustained inherited network through rehabilitation of dilapidated assets. Over 200No new distribution transformer and 3No 15MVA 33/11KV Power transformers installed,’ he said. “We focused on improving customer’s service reorientation and gradual elimination of estimated billing through in-house metering. Our greatest challenges include shortfall in generation capacity resulting from incessant gas pipeline vandalism,” he added. He said, “Vandalism of cables, transformers and other distribution equipment. Energy theft is not left out and by-passing of meters by customers.” He said between Nov. 2013 to date EKEDC has invested over N7billion to rehabilitate, sustain and do expansion of the networks.
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s parts of its efforts to help the Federal Government in fighting Tuberculosis and other related air borne diseases, Star Deepwater Petroleum Limited, a subsidiary of Chevron Corporation and its Agbami Partners have handed over a multi million naira Chest Clinic to Katsina State Government. The Chest hospital located at Rimi, Katsina State and will be managed by Rimi General Hospital on behalf of the Katsina State government. The Director, Star Deepwater Petroleum Limited, Jeffrey Ewing, who was represented by Senator Gbenga Aluko of Chevron at the handover ceremony, thanked the Katsina State Government for partnering with them to ensure successful completion of the Chest important facility. “The Chest Clinic comes fully equipped with a standard X-ray machine, male and female wards, treatment rooms, laboratories, and Gene Xpert Machine (GXM). Katsine Government provided the land, permits, manpower, electricity and security,” he said. Ewing said, “We are most appreciative of the contributions from the National TB and Leprosy Control Program. The partnership between all the stakeholders in the implementation of the project reminds us of the saying ‘Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” He said apart from the chest clinic, several projects are ongoing or completed by Agbami Co-venturers. He said the projects mainly chest clinics, libraries and science laboratories constitute strategic interventions by the Agbami Co-venturers and that 23 of such chest clinics have been donated to different states of the Federation including Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Ewing maintained that the partners have also instituted specialised education scholarship programme in support of health and engineering manpower development in Nigeria through targeted support for medical, nursing, laboratory sciences and engineering students. The representative of Petrobras, Mrs. Meg Iroguro, said that the partners were committed to developing Nigeria’s health sector. “We are responsible and responsive sorporate citizens of Nigeria. Health they say, is wealth and we believe that by supporting the government to improve health care delivery across Nigeria, we are not only fulfilling our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to the people but we are also helping to enrich them,” he said.
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Energy Week
Environmentalists, Shell disagree over spills reports
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hell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, and Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth, Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) are at logger heads over processes on oil spills investigation visits in Bayelsa and some parts of the oil rich region where SPDC carry out exploration activities. ERA/FoEN, an environment focused NGO has accused SPDC of withholding Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) reports of oil spill incidents. The NGO explained that the oil firm has been engaging in the act of denying host communities in the Niger Delta access to JIV Reports indicting the company over oil spill incidents. The group, in a statement issued by Mr. Alagoa Morris, Head of Field Operation of ERA/FoEN in Yenagoa, also accused Shell of deploying security operatives to intimidate the communities and deny them of vital JIV reports. It listed Ikarama and Biseni communities of Bayelsa State and Joinkrama 4, and Edagberi/Betterland communities in Rivers as some of the communities the company had denied JIV Reports. “SPDC often clandestinely denies the communities of the JIV reports; many of which are equipment failure-related oil spills. Shell has continued to deny the people of JK4, Ikarama and Biseni JIV reports craftily and, this is unacceptable. “They withhold such reports from the communities and fail to post most of such incidents on the company’s spill incident website; the particular spill incident numbers are often quoted when giving out cleanup contracts. “After community representatives had signed the JIV with other stakeholders, Shell’s representatives said they will sign their own inside their car. On getting to the car, they zoomed off with the JIV report. Mr Precious Okolobo, Head of Medial Relations in SPDC in a reaction stated that the oil firm conducts Joint Investigation Visits of spill sites in line with government regulations. Okolobo explained that whenever a spill occurs, efforts are made to contain the spill, with access to the spill site usually a critical factor in shaping the response. According to him, there have been instances where individuals, community groups or armed gangs have denied SPDC access to spill sites. “SPDC categorically denies these allegations; the JIV team is led by the operating company and includes representatives of the regulatory bodies and the Ministry of Environment. “Officers of the Nigerian Police Force, the relevant state government personnel and impacted communities also attend. “Civil society members are invited to join these joint investigation visits as observers to the process.”
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
NERC clarifies tariff reduction
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he Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr Sam Amadi said that industrial, commercial and high end residential electricity customers (R3) are those whose tariff would be reduced as from end of March, 2015. Amadi gave this clarification at a meeting with a delegation of the Electricity Consumer Association of Nigeria (ECAN) who were at the Commission to register their support for the steps taken by NERC to save the industrial sector through the reduction of tariff to these classes of electricity consumers. ‘’We have always tried to listen to complaints from consumers and operators alike and we carry out tariff reviews when necessary. We are a responsive and accountable regulator,’’ Amadi said. He explained that the reduction in tariff was a decision reached in line with the Commission’s Business Rules after consideration was given to protests from the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) on the implication of January 1, 2015 increase in tariff on their businesses. “Majority of the residential customers- R2 and R1 categories did not experience the
January 1, 2015 increase in tariff. They will not also see any reversal or reduction in tariff as the industrial, commercial, and high end residential consumers whose tariff were increased”, he explained. ‘’It was a reduction based on the impact collection loss had on the tariff,’’ Amadi said, stressing that NERC took the action because it saw that there was merit in the argument put forward by MAN that the January 1, 2015 would impact their businesses. The leader of the delegation and President of ECAN, Barrister Chijioke James said that the group was at the Commission to endorse it for its action regarding the recent tariff reduction for some classes of electricity consumers. ‘’We have been very critical of NERC to see that consumers enjoy power supply, but it will be bad to see that a government agency has done something right and we fail to commend it openly,’’ Chijioke said. He said that ECAN needs the support of agencies like NERC and Consumer Protection Council amongst others to enlighten consumers on the dangers of patronizing sellers of fake electrical equipment as well as the need to imbibe energy conservation practices. He said that consumers expect improvement
in response rate to complaints from the service providers. ‘’ ECAN use this opportunity to urge NERC to encourage electricity distribution companies to improve their response rate in resolving complaints from consumers nationwide,’’ He said. Since January 1, 2015 when NERC approved the MYTO 2.1 we have received several complaints against the increase in tariff of different consumer classes. Industrial and commercial consumers under the auspices of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) petitioned the commission asking for a review of the MYTO 2.1 and requested drastic reduction of their tariff. They claimed that such astronomical increase in tariff would kill their business and lead to massive job losses. The Electric Power Sector Reform Act and the Business Rules of the Commission mandate the Commission to review its decision at the petition of an interested party who complains within 60 days of the decision. Pursuant to these rules, the Commission organized public hearing and received evidence from consumer classes on the affordability of the new tariff. The Commission also invited the Chief executive Officers of
the distribution companies to the hearing to respond to the case of the consumer groups. Furthermore, the Commission reviewed the technical and financial assumption of MYTO 2.1. The review shows that the major underlying cause of the skyrocketing increase in the tariff is the huge Aggregate Technical, Commercial and Collection (ATC&C) losses, which are passed through to consumers. The Commission has been listening to consumers and taking full account off the impact of high tariff on consumers and the Nigerian economy, has therefore reviewed the basis of the MYTO 2.1 assumptions and has determined that it is inappropriate to transfer to consumers collection losses that are controllable by DISCOs.
Forsys Subsea will have the technical capabilities, products and systems to significantly reduce the cost of subsea field development and provide the technology to maximize well performance over the life of the field. By combining the industryleading technologies of the parent companies, Forsys Subsea will reduce the interfaces of the subsea umbilical, riser and flowline systems and subsea production and processing systems.
It will also simplify the seabed layout, reducing complexity, accelerating time to first oil, and maximizing sustainable peak production. This unique combination will drive a new, step-change approach to how equipment designs and installation methods converge in a new generation of subsea architecture. The alliance will be uniquely positioned to deliver and install a seamless subsea infrastructure from seabed to topside by eliminating interfaces and by integrating SPS with SURF, attaining the highest reliability and uptime and the lowest total ownership cost available in the industry. The world needs new sources of oil, and deepwater holds the greatest promise of meeting this demand. But these sources are expensive to develop, and operators will not pursue them unless they can significantly reduce costs,” said John Gremp, FMC Technologies Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “This requires not just incremental improvements, but step changes and new ways of thinking. Service providers must be involved at the project concept stage, provide innovative technology that reduces costs, standardize processes and equipment for greater efficiency, and ex-
ecute flawlessly. The creation of Forsys Subsea with an industry leader such as Technip embodies this new way of thinking to a degree that’s never been done before.” In today’s fast-changing environment, clients require closer relationships with, and more integrated solutions from, their partners of choice. This imposes a new way of working in the industry,” said Thierry Pilenko, Technip Chairman and CEO. “Beyond products, we need to design optimized development concepts. Beyond concepts, we need to be strongly focused on the practicalities of project execution. Simplicity, standardization, innovation, technological creativity and delivering tangible results to clients — this is exactly what Forsys Subsea is about, and we are delighted to make this step a reality with FMC Technologies.” After closing and upon launch of the joint venture, Forsys Subsea will have a workforce of 320 people and will be supported by the 58,000 employees of FMC Technologies and Technip. The company will be headquartered in London, with regional hubs in Oslo, Houston, Paris, Rio de Janeiro and Singapore.
Amadi
FMC Technologies Technip to launch Subsea
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MC Technologies Inc. and Technip have signed an agreement to form an exclusive alliance and to launch Forsys Subsea, a 50/50 joint venture that will unite the skills and capabilities of two subsea industry leaders. This alliance will redefine the way subsea fields are designed, delivered and maintained in the coming years. Bringing the industry’s most talented subsea professionals together early in the project concept phase,
Oil men at work
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Industry & SMEs
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
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45% products in Nigerian market fake – SON STORIES: ABOLAJI ADEBAYO
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he Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, has described the destruction of substandard products as loss to the economy of the country, saying the exercise may not put an end to the situation. The Director General of the Organisation, Dr. Joseph Odumodu told National
Mirror that the agency’s effort at wiping out substandard goods in the country had continued to be truncated due to various factors including its lack of legal power to prosecute those found culpable of the offence. According to him, impounding goods worth of billions of naira alone cannot put an end to the situation, unless the agency is empowered to prosecute offenders.
Cables
John Holt increases IPP focus, introduces generators
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ohn Holt Plc has increased the capacity of its Independent Power Plants Unit to develop, build and manage Power Projects of all sizes, and supply power equipment such as transformers, hybrid generators, gas generators and Pre-paid meters to enhance electricity in the country. A statement by the company indicated that the unit had a robust assortment of power services, including power plant management, energy audits, capacity building, technical training, power system redesign services and power management. It added that the gas generators are fuelled by natural gas to produce electricity for homes and industries, noting that the generators have proved to be a useful backup device for electricity provision when regular supply fails. The company stated further that the hybrid generators combined advanced generator technology with integrated renewable energy for the most fuelefficient, off-grid power available, integrates solar
panels and/or wind turbines seamlessly with the generator via direct connection with the inverter. It also charges the batteries either through solar and/or wind turbines, public mains or by running the engine thereby consuming up to 90 per cent less fuel than a conventional generator. Meanwhile, the company also announced the introduction of the John Holt Premier range of diesel generators covering models from 12.5kVA to 2,200kVA. The Premier range, according to the statement, is powered by genuine Perkins engines (UK), manufactured to exact standards by world class manufacturers in Europe and assembled by the company in compliance with the Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Programme, MANCAP. The Head of Production/Service, Engr. Dr. Ben Iheakam, said that among several key features, the generators had an inbuilt Automatic Transfer
Switch (A.T.S) function in the Panel, which, with only minor electrical adjustments at minimal cost, allows the generating set to either start or shut down automatically when power from the mains or another source fails or is restored. Iheakam noted that the premier range of diesel generators also boasts a maintenance alarm programmed in the panel to beep and alert the user anytime the generating set is due for service maintenance. “They are also equipped with accurate electronic fuel gauge, a feature which enables the user to ascertain the level of diesel in the base tank of the generator from the panel. The user can also pre-set the threshold level of diesel in the base tank at which the generator safely and automatically shuts down. “With this feature, the generator will not run out of diesel, thus eliminating lost time, reducing wear and tear and associated costs resulting from ‘bleeding’ and other required remedial measures.”
He said more than 90 per cent of substandard products are imported through the various porous borders, noting that there still remains about 45 per cent substandard goods in the market across the country despite the SON’s efforts. One of the agency’s efforts was the recent destruction of substandard products worth over N500 million in Ogun State, including nine trucks of electricity cables, collected from various points at the ports and border stations across the country. Also speaking on the destruction of substandard products embarked upon by the agency, the Head of Inspectorate/Compliance, Engr. Bede Obayi, said although products destruction may seem as economic loss to the nation, the destruction exercise is needed especially on those products that pose as danger to the well being of the consumers as well as the economy of the country. He said the agency ascertains the failure of the products after being subjected to various tests before being destroyed. “We carry out our tests on such products before being destroyed. We need to evacuate and destroy them completely as they pose dangers to life and ruin the nation’s economy.” He explained that such products were burnt in accordance with SON’s procedure which started with market survey, surveillance, inventory, seizure, sampling, laboratory tests and analyses to ascertain conformity to specifications and requirements of Nigeria Industrial Standards, NIS. He said it was disheartening that despite all efforts carried out by the agency to sensitive the citizenry on the negative effects of fake and substandard goods, the merchants continue to engage in the illicit trade. He pointed out that the SON is committed to zero tolerance against substandard products, adding that the destruction exercise is to serve as notice to unscrupulous importers that the agency is not relenting in wiping out substandard products in the country. Obayi, who noted that the implementation of National Quality Policy, NQP, by the Federal Executive Council, FEC, would
Fan
SON DG, Joseph Odumodu
accelerate the global competitiveness and high rate of acceptability of locally produced goods, reiterated the agency’s commitment at promoting Nigerian products at the global arena, while flowing out fake and substandard goods out of Nigerian markets. “In 2015, we will surpass our target of reducing the penetration of the substandard products into our country,” he promised. Meanwhile, marketers have commended the agency on its efforts to make the Nigerian markets free of fake and substandard goods. They said the agency has been able to take control of the influx of substandard goods through its effort. Some of the implications of substandard products as identified by the marketers are harmful effect of those products as well as their negative effect on the price of major goods in the market. However, Despite the efforts of the agency to curb the proliferation of substandard goods in the country, Nigerian markets are still overflowed with various products of low quality, which still gives the marketers the a major concern. The Chairman, Association of Marketers, in Lagos, Mr. Emmanuel Adeola, said SON’s effort had to be increased in order to be successful. He added that the country as a whole cannot control nor dictate the quality it wants since it fails to develop its manufacturing capacity.
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Cocktail
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Crocodile takes on three lions at once
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man shooting wildlife footage at Kenya’s Samburu National Park captured a brawl between three lions and a crocodile that wandered too close to their meal. The footage, uploaded to the Kruger Sightings YouTube channel, shows the curious croc being confronted by a lion after wandering too close to a hippo carcass claimed by the big cat. The lion and crocodile scuffle for a time before two other lions join in the fracas. The crocodile manages to keep the lions from being able
to get behind it and is eventually able to fight the felines to a stalemate and sulk off without any serious injury. “The crocodile’s focus is to keep facing the lions. Should the crocodile turn his back on the pride, they would be all over him and it would be gameover. In the end you can see the croc slowly retreats, whilst still maintaining a watchful eye on the lions. Facing them means that not only can he keep an eye on them, but can also attack if the need arises,” wildlife expert Johan van Zyl told the Latest Sightings blog.
Mystery mountain piano removed after music video shoot
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he group responsible for placing a piano on the Santa Monica Mountains’ Topanga Lookout said the instrument was there for a music video and has been removed. The former mystery piano, which was discovered at the Topanga Lookout -- 2 miles from the nearest road -- by hikers Thursday morning, was revealed by a video posted to YouTube as having
been hauled to the top of the cliff to shoot a music video for artist Rachel Wong. The group said they returned to the location Sunday to remove the piano after being contacted by authorities. Michael Faner, the owner of the instrument, said the piano is back in his possession and he posted a picture to social media of a dog posing with the piano.
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Oddities
Girl, 4, leaves home midnight in search of slushie A
Philadelphia 4-yearold who wandered away from home at 3 a.m. and boarded a bus in a search for a slushie has promised to wait for her parents next time. Harlan Jenifer, driver of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority No. 56 bus, said a man flagged down his vehicle about 3 a.m. Friday in the Tacony neighborhood and told him he had found the young girl wandering the streets alone. “Got to be kidding me! At this time, at 3 o’clock on the morning,” Jenifer told WPVI-TV. “She’s a small little thing. It kind of just shocked me.” The girl, Annabelle, got onto the bus while Jenifer called police. “All I want is a slushie, that’s all she said!” Jenifer said. “It was too funny,” Jenifer told the Philadelphia
Inquirer. “I was scared for her, but it was funny. She was in good hands.” Annabelle’s parents, Jaclyn Mager and Timothy
Annabelle
Ridgeway, said the girl has promised not to wander off on her own in the future, but they changed the locks on their home just in case.
“There are no words, he saved my daughter’s life,” Mager said of Jenifer. “I’ll be forever grateful.”
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Civil Service
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
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FCT FA to inaugurate 13 committees for speedy football development –official
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he FCT Football Association will on April 1 inaugurate 13 standing committees to ensure speedy development of football in Abuja, according to a statement signed by Patrick Ngwaogu, the Vice-Chairman of the association, and made available to the News Agency of
Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja. ``The committees are to assist the board in ensuring speedy development of football in the capital city. ``Members of the committees are expected to contribute positively to the development of the game in the FCT and the country in general.
``Apart from the 13 committees to be inaugurated, another special committee would also be established to work with the two Nigeria National League teams in FCT. ``This is to facilitate the premiership quest of the FCT residents. ``The special Committee will be chaired by former Secre-
tary-General of the Nigeria Referees Association, Chief Sunday Audu, with Musa Audu, Samuel Abimbola, Richard Jideaka, and Hashimu Adamu as members. ``The Media Committee will be headed by the Chairman of FCT SWAN, Kayode Adeniyi with Arafat Aliu,
Tunde Orebiyi, Ndubueze Chidoka, Bunmi Haruna, and Albert Akota as members, while Tolulope Oguntimehin will serve as Secretary”. The statement said that other committees were the Organising Committee with Patrick Ngwaogu as Chairman and Bala Nikyu as Secretary. Other members of the committee were Mike Obasi, Morufu Adeyemo, Victor Orji, Hashimu Adamu, and Thompson Ojukwu, among others.``The Disciplinary Committee will be chaired by Victoria Nlemigbo while Tajudeen Tiamiyu will serve as Secretary. ``The Appeal Committee will be
headed by the Association’s Chairman, Musa Talle with Usman Haruna Ilerika serving as Secretary. ``Zakari Musa will head the Youth Development Committee with Sunday Tijani as Secretary, while Elisha Mogaji will head the Ceremony/Protocol Committee with Christy Dashe as Secretary. ``Godwin Bamigboye will Chairman the Technical Committee, while Finance Committee will be headed by Mohammed Adamu while Adejumo Oluyemi will head Marketing Committee with Remi Sulola as Secretary,’’ the statement said.
Film company loses N450m to pirates
C Director, Disaster Risk Reduction, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr. Alhassan Nuhu (left) with women at NEMA Sensitisation Workshop on Election Violence for Women in Abuja, recently.
FRSC moves against rickety vehicles nationwide Chidi Ugwu ABUJA
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he Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the Federal Road Safety Corps Boboye Oyeyemi has said the Corps will commence a nationwide prosecution of owners or operators of rickety vehicles plying the nation’s highways to further reduce road traffic crashes across the country. The Corps Marshal stated that the nationwide exer-
cise which commenced Sunday March 1st, 2015, forms part of the Corps’ commitment towards sustaining the tempo of its operational activities and to create safer motoring environment in the country, anchored on its 2015 strategic goals of reducing road traffic crashes by 20% and fatalities by 30%. According to Oyeyemi, one of the core values of the FRSC is to improve on its regulatory capacity and enforcement of traffic rules and regulations, in addi-
tion to rescue and advisory capacity, targeted at drastic reduction in road traffic crashes. While recalling the common sight of poorly maintained vehicles on the nation highways which often break down and result in obstructions of traffic flow, the Corps Marshal also warned motorists to ensure regular maintenance of their vehicles in view of inherent traffic hazards associated with abandoned broken down vehicles especially at night. Similarly, the Corps has
concluded plans for total enforcement on number plate violations, and the prosecution of motorists with fake drivers’ license in line with the provisions of Section 74 (1) and (2) of the National Road Traffic Regulations (2012). Prospective drivers are therefore advised to approach FRSC designated Drivers’ License Centers, States Board of Internal Revenue and Vehicle Inspection Offices (VIO) nationwide, to obtain their genuine vehicle number plates and driver’s license.
Information Ministry: Duke to invest in new equipment, capacity building Chidi Ugwu ABUJA
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upervising minister for Information, Chief Edem Duke has reiterated the need for investment in new equipment and capacity building of staffs of the ministry to ensure diligent generation and communication of information to
various publics across the country. Duke, who gave the hint recently when he press corps of the Federal Ministry of Information for the first time, observed that the achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan has not been properly highlighted by the ministry in the last several months. According to the Supervising minister, there
is need to invest in new equipment, as well as capacity development within the ministry to strengthen professionalism in the delicate task of communication. “The achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan has not been properly highlighted by the ministry in the last several months we have not been as diligent as is appropri-
ate in communicating the achievements of the administration and of course this can be due to several reasons many of which I am sure you also encounter in your various offices. “And that is to say there are challenges in terms of technical infrastructure which will of course necessarily strengthen the organs of communication of government.
hief Gabriel Okoye, the President of Gabosky Film Incorporated, on Saturday said the company lost an estimated N450 million to pirates on four films.He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that piracy has become a major threat to the film industry. ``Our marketing company recorded a loss of about N450 million to piracy in the first quarter of this year.``Many of our new movies that are yet to be released into the market have already been pirated.``This illegality is retarding the growth of the industry, especially for marketers who are distributing the films,’’ Okoye said. Okoye, who said his company had been distributing popular films, lamented that the business was being negatively affected by the activities of pirates.He listed the movie producers, who had lost huge sums to piracy, to include Kunle Afolayan whose ``Phone swap’’ lost N100 million while Ali Balogun’s ``Tango with Me’’ lost N150 million.Others are Yewande Sadiku, who produced ``Half of a Yellow Sun,’’ and lost N150 million while Obi Emelonye, who produced ``Onye Ozi’’ lost N50 million. According to him, the
movies were supposed to be distributed by his company but were hijacked by pirates even before they were released.``All these movie producers, on aggregate, lost about N450 million.``I do not know how the pirates get copies of the movies and mass produced them for sale. ``After several investigations, we suspected that it was at Alaba International Market in Lagos that films were being pirated.``We are investigating, with the assistance of the Nigerian Police, to get to the bottom of the matter,’’ Okoye said. He, however, appealed to Nigerians to stop buying pirated movies.According to him, the original copy of any movie can be obtained at designated distribution centres across the country.``We have offices in 26 states and we are still expanding to cover all the 36 states.``Such expansion is to make it convenient and comfortable for Nigerians to get original movies everywhere in the country,’’ he said. He appealed to the Federal Government to strengthen copyright laws with a view to curbing piracy in the country. Okoye also said the government should provide the necessary capacity to enable the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) fight piracy effectively.
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Govt partners USAID for educational development
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South Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, NoH Kyu-Duk (left) receiving some publications of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), from Director General, Mr. Mike Omeri, during an advocacy visit of the envoy to NOA in Abuja, recently.
Writers get inspirations from travelling –NTDC DG
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r. Sally Mbanefo the DG of Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation has said that writers get inspiration from travelling. She said this while presenting a poem titled: ``Eradicating poverty’’ at the 5th edition of the Korea-Nigeria Poetry Festival at the Korean Cultural Centre to commemorate the 2015 World Poetry Day. ``Travelling is an inspiration for poetry, literature, and creativity. This is why we are encouraging Nigerians to travel. ``Travel helps artist to thinks properly, share experience in songs, writing, drama and other artistic expressions. ``Poetry is freedom of expression, the ability to create and to have freedom of expression is because of the God giving gifts that we have.``God has endowed humans with what
we called imagination, and once you can use your imagination you can be creative and once you can be creative you can communicate.``You can communicate beauty, sadness, love, appreciation of nature, and that is poetry,’’ she said. Earlier, Mr Kwon Yong, the Director Korean Cultural Centre, said that he was impressed with the passion of Nigerians on culture and literature. ``I have seen many Nigerians enthusiastically participating in the monthly reading parties and other related events relating to reading and writing of poetry. ``I am confident that the country will continue to produce great writers comparable to Wole Soyinka,’’ he said. Yong said that culture had developed invaluable heritage in different parts of the world of which litera-
ture had always been a key part in promoting mutual understanding between peoples.He said that poetry was a window through which all humans around the world shared their aesthetic sensibility and understand each other better. Yong said that the event orgainsed by the centre in collaboration with Arojah Concept was aimed at making great contributions to the consolidation of friendship of both countries.``The subject of this year’s poetry contest is ``Travel”. I believe that travel and poetry are closely connected in that their key value is freedom.``The diverse travel experiences beautifully depicted in the prizewinning poems aroused a special feeling in me, urging me to forget all about daily life and to go travelling,’’ he said.
Mr Jerry Adesewo, the Secretary, Founder Arojah Concept, said the desire to promote poetry moved him to partner with the centre. `` I discover that our poets don’t have as much promotion as they should have, we celebrate poets only when they win international prize, then we start celebrating,’’ he said.He said that the event was a platform to star promoting and identifying our poets from home.The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 5th edition of the festival featured recitation of poems from renowned and young poets. Prizes were given to 10 poets, the first prize winner received N50,000, second prize winner got N30,000, third prize winner received N20,000, while N10,000 each was given to seven consolation prize winners.
the product. ``The U. S. Government, through the USAID, will continue to support Nigerian farmers in the development of the cocoa sector due to current fall in the prices of oil., ``We think the time is ripe for diversification in Nigeria’s economy.``The USAID is very much interested in supporting Nigerian Government’s ef-
fort at diversifying her economy.``And cocoa as we all know is one of Nigeria’s key exports, with a high global demand and prices. ``So, there are obviously opportunities for Nigeria to explore in the development of her cocoa sector,’’ he said. The USAID’s official, however, noted that the nation’s cocoa industry had in the 10 to 15 years wit-
he U. S Agency for International Development (USAID) and its partners have signed a N22 billion, approximately 100 million dollars education grant with Nigeria as part of Global Partnership for Education (GPE). The U. S embassy in a statement issued on Thursday said that the grant was meant to support Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kastina and Sokoto states efforts at increasing access to education. “The grant will support Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, and Sokoto states to increase reading and writing skills.“It will aimed to ensure that more girls inclusion into basic education and create a robust monitoring and evaluation system for the education sector in the benefiting states,’’ it said. The statement quoted the Mission Director, USAID, Nigeria, Mr Michael Harvey, as saying that the U.S government was pleased to be a supporter of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE).“The U. S government is pleased
Broadcasting commission releases list of code defaulters
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he National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) on Monday released the list of broadcasting stations that contravened the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting code from the beginning of electioneering campaign to date. A statement signed by the commission’s Director/ Head, Public Affairs, Alhaji Awwalu Salihu, in Abuja, said the contraventions included breaches of the rules
Agency boosts cocoa development in Nigeria
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he United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on Tuesday restated its commitment to support Nigerian farmers in boosting cocoa production towards diversification of the nation’s economy.USAID’s Director of Economic Growth and Environment, Mr Mathew Burton, told the News Agency of Nigeria
(NAN) in Lagos that cocoa was Nigeria’s key export that urgently needed to be developed. Burton said that it was imperative for Nigeria to be encouraged to diversify her economy especially now that the prices of oil had fallen.According to him, increase in the production of cocoa will also boost local and international consumption of
to be a supporter of GPE and we are happy to see that the agreement with Nigeria finalised. “Nigeria has laid out ambitious goals under its national ‘Education for All’ program, and we believe the GPE agreement will be essential to its success,’’ Harvey. He said GPE focused on increasing and maintaining equitable access to quality education globally.Harvey said GPE also aimed to strengthen community activism, local governance and expand access to education through community-based education.He said the global programme was also designed to increase the number of qualified female teachers in areas with high disparities. He listed the GPE’s consortium in Nigeria to include USAID, Japanese International Cooperation Agency and UK Department for International Development.Other partners, he said, were United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Bank.
nessed an under-investment. Burton said that the agency was already working with Nigeria’s small holder farmers as well as bringing in large scale investment for the development of the sector. He also said that the agency had launched different business initiatives for Nigerians interested in doing business with the U.S. (NAN)
on the broadcast of sponsored campaign materials. Other breaches were the airing of campaign materials or programmes that promoted political parties or candidates within the 24-hour prohibited period, as well as unauthorised networking by a group of stations.The statement said that NTA breached the sensibilities rules while AIT and NTA both breached the rules on airing sponsored materials.According to the statement, Rima Radio, Sokoto and BSES, Ekiti defaulted on denial of access. The further said that 15 stations nationwide breached the code for advertising and promoting a political party after campaigns had stopped 24 hours to election time.The stations included Liberty TV, Liberty FM, Karama FM, Alheri FM, NTA, AIT, Rima Radio, STV Lagos, TVC Lagos, NTV, PRTV, Jos, NTA Makurdi, Vision FM and Nigeria Info.
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Politics
Wednesday April 1, 2015
43
APC Action Group congratulates Buhari, hails Tinubu on poll’s victory OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU
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ll Progressives Congress, APC, Action Group in Ekiti State has congratulated the party’s presidential candidate and President-elect, General Mohammadu Buhari, for emerging victorious in the March 28, election as the first Nigerian to ever win a presidential election as the candidate of an opposition party. APCAG also hailed APC National Leader, Ashiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the great sacrifice and selfless contribution he made towards the historic success, saying Tinubu had
…Says it is the only direction for Nigeria once again proven to be a priceless and dogged leader with eyes permanently on the goal. In the message of congratulations to General Buhari, APCAG leader, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, described Buhari’s victory, which came quicker than many pundits had predicted, as neither accidental nor financially induced, but achievable through singleness of purpose, doggedness, determination, proper focus and resilience. Extending congratulations to the people of Ni-
geria for peacefully exercising their sovereign and democratic right to elect Buhari, Ojudu said the choice they have made is a tribute to their courage, as well as their determination to safeguard their dignity and keep the country firmly on the road to development. APCAG observed that the Buhari victory is a sign-post that God heeded the cry of the people, adding: “The nation is seriously sick and Buhari is the elixir. The time we are is of great challenges that require great sacri-
fice by disciplined leadership. That General Buhari is emerging as president therefore, is God’s way of intervening in our affairs saying enough to the country’s suffering amidst plenty.” Ojudu did not fail to salute the courage of the Yoruba people of the SouthWest region who did not sell their birthright for a morsel but rather heeded the call of their leader, Asiwaju Tinubu, who has been blessed with immeasurable power to make positive changes in their lives. Meanwhile, the APCAG
Members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, led by Akwa Ibom APC gubernatorial candidate, Mr. Umana Okon Umana in a protest calling for the cancellation of the election in Akwa Ibom, in front of INEC headquarters in Uyo on Monday. PHOTO: NAN
APC celebrates victory in Enugu DENNIS AGBO ENUGU
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hile awaiting the official announcement of last Saturday’s presidential election, supporters of All Progressive Congress, APC, candidate, General Muhamadu Buhari, converged in his campaign office to set the stage for victory party. The Buhari Campaign
Office at No 1 Bisala Road Enugu was a beehive of activities as his supporters trooped in large numbers for their victory party. Spokesman of APC in the South-East, Osita Okechukwu who coordinated the party said: “Permit me on behalf of APC Presidential Campaign Council, Enugu State, to congratulate our presidential candi-
date, General Buhari for his well deserved and hard won victory. “We salute Buhari for it was a marathon race laced with all manner of hurdles, aimed at halting his mission to salvage the masses of our dear country, deliver good governance, provide maximum security and create jobs.” Okechukwu also congratulated Nigerians for
the peaceful conduct of the presidential election, saying it was indeed victory for Nigerians and for democracy, adding that the election has demonstrated the possibility of voting incumbents in and out of power, describing the victory as the essence of democracy, where the people elect their true leaders, and vote them out whenever they fail them.
has called on the people of Ekiti not to despair but remain resolute, saying that rather than feeling isolated, the group urged them to see themselves as progressives and Buhari’s victory
as the tonic Ekiti needed to feel challenged and liberate themselves from the yoke of the emperor in charge of the state, who had been ruling them with iron hands.
Ekiti APC congratulates Nigerians, says Buhari’s victory dawn of new era ...Urges Ekiti people to defy Fayose’s curfew order OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU
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kiti State All Progressives Congress, APC, has congratulated Nigerians for their peaceful conduct in the weekend presidential and National Assembly elections that returned the party’s candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, as the winner. It said despite provocations, inducements, harassments and infractions on their rights by the force of state powers to vote PDP’s candidate, APC members, supporters and people of Ekiti State still managed to record that remarkable votes that shocked PDP leaders. Speaking through its Publicity secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, APC asked Ekiti people to defy Governor Ayodele Fayose’s curfew order banning celebration of APC’s candidate’s victory while urging the police not to allow themselves to be used as anti-democratic agents to unleash terror on Ekiti people and APC members. Olatunbosun said Buhari’s victory marked the beginning of sanity in the polity wracked by lawlessness, corruption and impunity, adding: “It is not only victory for Ekiti people, but victory for Nigerians for a successful transition from one civilian administration to another. “Nigerians from all walks of life are celebrating this special moment, Ekiti cannot be an exception. We are not mourning but celebrating. It is sheer wickedness on the part of Governor Fayose to want to prevent this celebration.” He said the victory of
APC candidate is a vote for transparency, performance and building of hope among Nigerians, assuring that Buhari would take Nigeria back to her deserved position in the comity of nations. Olatubosun said the APC-led Federal Government would implement its life-lifting programmes that would give Nigerians hope again, assuring that the new President would make the law work again in Nigeria after six years of mindless impunity. He said: “Signal is being sent to the peddlers of impunity that the end has come for their lawless acts. Corruption will have no place in the APC-led Federal Government. Our government will give justice, including economic justice, to Nigerians. “Our party has asked its members to defy order barring them from celebrating their party’s victory because it is their legal right. We are not fighting; we are celebrating. “Fayose should remember that he urged Ekiti people to defy Governor Kayode Fayemi curfew order when there was apparent threat to peace in the state. This time, there is no threat to peace and so there is no authority that can bar Ekiti people from celebrating our liberty and this victory. End of impunity has come. “All democratic institutions will operate unfettered within the ambit of the law. On this note, we urge our 19 members in the House of Assembly to return to work immediately and take control of the affairs because a new era of law and order has returned.”
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Politics
Wednesday April 1, 2015
Osun PDP senatorial candidate rejects result BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO
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eoples Democratic Party, PDP, senatorial candidate for Osun East, Prince Francis Fadahunshi, yesterday stated his readiness to approach election petition tribunal over the result of the polls in the area. Independent National
Electoral Commission, INEC, had returned the incumbent senator representing the district, Babajide Omoworare as the winner of the poll. However, speaking with newsmen in Osogbo, Fadahunshi, said he would challenge the result of the poll through legal and peaceful means. He added that the mood
in Ife/Ijesha senatorial district has been affected negatively, following the outcome of the poll, calling on members and supporters of the party not to be deterred but to troop out enmass and vote for the party’s candidate in the April 11 House of Assembly polls. He also expressed gratitude to PDP members and
supporters across the state for their support despite the “harsh environment at which the polls took place.” Fadahunshi then averred that activities of the Fadahunsi Foundation would continue after the elections, assuring that scholarship and employment placements will not stop, despite the result declared.
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INEC tasks parties on voided votes ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI
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ndependent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has urged all political parties and their candidates to complement its efforts by providing the needed and timely voter education for their supporters in order to reduce cases of voided votes in the forthcoming elections. INEC Public Relations Officer, PRO, in Ekiti State, Alhaji Taiwo Gbadegesin, said such voter education should be largely concentrated on the semiilliterates and old people in rural areas. Gbadegesin said in Ado Ekiti yesterday that INEC was worried by the increasing rate of rejected votes as recorded in the last Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections, adding that the situation was more
worrisome in Ekiti State, where INEC believed voided votes in the presidential/National Assembly polls would have reduced based on the experience of the last governorship election and sensitisation by INEC and National Orientation Agency, NOA. According to him, it is saddening for a voter to queue under rain or scorching sun for several hours for accreditation and voting, only for such person not to have his vote counted at the end of the day as a result of error in thumb-printing. The commission expressed its readiness for the governorship and House of Assembly elections slated for next week. He said INEC state offices had, on completion of the national elections, shifted attention to the forthcoming state elections.
Fayemi congratulates Buhari EBERE NDUKWU
INEC Collation Officer for Rivers, Prof. John Etu-Efeotor, handing over the results sheet of the presidential election in the state to INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, at the national collation centre in Abuja, yesterday.
Lagos PDP alleges fraud, demands cancellation of poll results EBERE NDUKWU
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agos State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has said that the presidential and National Assembly elections in the state was marred with fraud and called for immediate justice and prompt cancellation of all concocted All progressives Congress, APC, victory, saying there must be immediate restoration of all the genuine results that emanated from the various polling units as nothing else will do. Disclosing this at a press conference at the party state office in Lagos yesterday, PDP state chairman, Olatunji Shelle said: “We are protesting in the strongest terms the deliberate and unconscionable complicity of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, officials with the APC in Lagos State to thwart and reverse the popular will of the people of Lagos in the presidential and parliamentary elections.” Shelle claimed that in
Badagry, Epe, Eti-Osa and Apapa, where PDP won clear and verifiable victories, the presiding INEC officials openly colluded with the APC to sabotage and deny PDP candidates victory. He said: “In Badary federal constituency, where our candidate, Mr. Setonji Koshoedo, had won a clear and outstanding victory over Mr. Joseph Bamgbose of APC, inexplicably, INEC officials connived with APC by importing manipulated and distorted ballots from various units from Seme Border, where elections did not take place. “The results from these
unmonitored voting units were added to the votes of the APC at all levels. There were no card reader and polling agents at Seme Border, yet results were recorded and declared. This is not acceptable because we believe PDP won the election in Badagry.” According to Shelle, the collation of results in Apapa Local Government was done at a council secretariat belonging to APC, where an electoral officer absconded with results sheet only to resurface at the collation centre to declare fictitious results. He added: “This deliberate and overt complicity of INEC officials was
also witnessed in Epe Local Government, where about 8,000 votes of our candidate were manipulated through various irregularities in a dishonest and distasteful collaboration with APC to sabotage the popular will of Epe people.” Shelle said election either did not take place, or voters denied the opportunity to vote or voting unnecessarily delayed in some PDP strongholds in Eti-Osa Local Government Area, adding that the PDP “hereby reject out-rightly all the established manipulated results and the concocted victory given in favour of APC in Lagos.”
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ormer governor Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has congratulated the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, over the party’s victory in the just concluded presidential election, saying the victory signposts a new beginning for Nigeria and Nigerians. Fayemi, in a press statement made available to newsmen by his Chief Press Secretary, Olayinka Oyebode, said Buhari’s victory over the incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan is a victory for democracy and the Nigerian citizenry, adding that “history has been made in our dear country”. He said going by the outcome of the election, Nigerians have demonstrated to the entire world their ability and readiness to tow the path
Chime congratulates Buhari DENNIS AGBO ENUGU
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nugu State Governor Sullivan Chime has congratulated the Presidentelect, General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress, APC, on his victory at the presidential elec-
tions, describing it as a reflection of the wishes of the majority of Nigerians. The governor who stated this in a message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, CPS, Chukwudi Achife, said that General Buhari’s victory was a product of a credible democratic process
which has brought much credit to the country and to Nigerians as a people. Governor Chime wished the Presidentelect a successful tenure as President and Commander-in Chief of the country and urged him to lead with fairness, justice and unreserved dedication to the progress
and unity of the country. He also commended President Goodluck Jonathan for his prompt acceptance of the outcome of the elections, saying that he demonstrated true statesmanship, patriotism and selflessness that was worthy of emulation by all politicians in the country.
of greatness and oneness. Fayemi said: “Nigerians have spoken. They have spoken clearly through their votes. They want a new direction and a new approach to governance and the APC government under the able leadership of General Muhammadu Buhari, owes them this and more.” Saying that a successful election is a sine qua non to an enduring democracy and sustainable development, Fayemi said that the emergence of the opposition party after 16-year rule by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, marks a significant change in the annals of the country’s political history. He assured that the APC, through the victory, is now saddled with the responsibility of making a meaningful change in the lives of the people as promised during the electioneering. His words: “This is a defining moment in our nation’s search for development. I congratulate the President-elect, General Buhari and his vice, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and also appreciate President Goodluck Jonathan for the exemplary way he conceded defeat and congratulated the winner. I also give kudos to the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. Above all, it is victory for democracy, it is victory for Nigeria and Nigerians and things can only get better for the country.”
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Capital Market
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
45
Guaranty Trust Bank shareholders approve N44bn dividend payment
...appoint Demuren chairman JOHNSON OKANLAWON
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hareholders of Guaranty Trust Bank yesterday approved a total final dividend payout of N44.147 billion, representing N1.50 kobo per share for the financial year ended December 31, 2014. The GTB board of directors had recommended the dividend payment following release of the bank’s result, which showed that it made a profit after tax of N98.69 billion in the year under review. During the period, the directors paid an interim dividend of N0.25 kobo per ordinary share of 50 kobo each for the six months ended June 2014. The directors then recommended a final dividend of N1.50 kobo per ordinary share of 50 kobo, bringing the total for the financial year to N1.75 kobo per share against N1.70
kobo per share paid in 2013 financial year. Speaking at the bank’s Annual General Meeting in Lagos, the Chairman, Mr. Egbert Imomoh, said the bank at the beginning of 2014 objectively reviewed the operating environment and set a goal that could be encapsulated in one phase which is to remain the industry leader within all economies where the bank have a business foothold. According to him, the bank set out to achieve the goal by focusing on service delivery, alternative channel accessibility and user experience, pioneering market innovations, deepening existing relations and monitoring sector undulations, in a bid to take advantage of emerging opportunities within our increasingly international network. The Managing Director of the bank, Mr. Segun Agbaje
said the bank made substantial progress on its strategic commitment and delivered an impressive profit before tax of N116.39 billion, in spite of all the headwinds the industry experienced in 2014. He said the bank’s NonPerforming Loan, NPL, ratio remained low at 3.15 per cent, down from 3.58 per cent in the comparative period of 2013. He said, “We continued to focus on building better conditions with our various segments, and this has continued to yield positive results. Customer deposit grew by 13.3 per cent from N1.43 trillion in 2013 to N1.62 trillion in 2014. “The bank balance sheet remains strong with 12.4 per cent growth in total assets, from N2.10 trillion in 2013 toN2.36 trillion in the year under review.” Meanhile, the bank has appointed new chairman, Mrs. Osaretin Demuren following
the retirement of Mr. Gilbert Imomoh. Demuren had a successful career with the Central Bank of Nigeria which spanned over 33 years, during which she served as Director, Trade and Exchange Department and was deployed to serve as the Director, Human Resources Department in 2004, a position which she held until her retirement from the Central Bank of Nigeria in December 2009. She was the first female Director of the Central Bank of Nigeria. She joined the board of the bank in April, 2013 and served as a member of the Board Risk Management Committee from April 2013 and became the Chairman of the Committee in July, 2014. She was also a member of the Board Remuneration Committee and the Board Information Technology Strategy Committee.
Equities record 2% gain
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rading in equities continued on a positive note on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, as more investors took position on stocks. Specifically, the All Share Index appreciated 2.13 per cent to close at 31,744.82 points, compared to the increase of 1.69 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 31,082.48
points. Market capitalisation gained N224bn to close at N10.7trn, higher than the increase of N175bn the preceding day to close at N10.5trn. Ashaka Cement Plc led the gainers’ table with N1.89 or 10.22 per cent to close at N20.39 per share, followed by Champion Breweries Plc with 64 kobo or 10.03 per cent to close at N7.02 per share.
Conoil Plc added N3.53 or 9.92 per cent to close at N39.13 per share, while Fidelity Bank Plc was up 15 kobo or 9.55 per cent to close at N1.72 per share. Total Plc rose N15.00 or 9.09 per cent to close at N180.00 per share. Conversely, Red Star Express Plc shed 15 kobo or four per cent to close at N3.60 per share, while Wapic Insurance Plc lost two kobo or 3.85 per cent
to close at 50 kobo per share. Diamond Bank Plc fell 13 kobo or 3.11 per cent to close at N4.05 per share, while Skye Bank Plc depreciated six kobo or 2.44 per cent to close at N2.40 per share. FBN Holdings Plc lost 20 kobo or 2.25 per cent to close at N8.70 per share. A total of 379.5 million shares valued at N5.05bn were traded in 4,138 deals.
Uncertainty tempers forecasts for equities’ gains –Poll
U
ncertainty surrounding the timing of the US Federal Reserve’s interest rate hike has tempered analysts’ forecasts for stock market gains this year, Reuters polls showed yesterday. Global stocks have largely rallied since the start of the year, with several indexes at or close to record highs as more than two dozen central banks have eased monetary policy. Chinese and most European stocks have led the way with a stellar run, buoyed by stimulus from the People’s Bank of China and the European Central Bank. But while the quarterly poll of around 300 analysts showed all of the 21 stock indexes surveyed are expected to rise between now and the year’s end, it is less bullish than December’s poll. Fund managers and strate-
gists also warned that the prospect of an interest rate rise by the US Federal Reserve this year will create turbulence in global stock markets. “The timing of the first hike in the Fed fund rate and its impact on the trend in global government bond yields will be a big factor in the coming months,” said Patrick Moonen, senior strategist at ING IM. The Standard and Poor 500 index of US stocks is set to rise seven percent this year, its lowest annual gain since 2011 as a potential rate rise and a firmer dollar partly offset a strong economy. Markets around the world have been provided with ample liquidity as several central banks have cut interest rates or printed money this year as inflation fell. That flow of cheap cash has pushed up both equity and government
bond prices. Despite expectations for a US rate hike this year, disinflation risks would keep major sovereign bond yields from rising significantly, a separate Reuters poll showed last week. Emerging market stocks are expected to spearhead gains even as developed markets shares rise modestly. The majority of end-2015 forecasts for emerging market indexes - including India, Russia, South Korea, Mexico, Hong Kong and China - point to significant gains from Monday’s closing levels. The Shanghai Composite Index has had a spectacular run, gaining more than 17 per cent this year, after a 50 per cent leap in 2014. By end-December the Shanghai benchmark is expected to be at 4,000 points, its highest since early 2008, and
almost six per cent above Monday’s close of 3,787.69. India’s benchmark BSE Sensex equity index is expected to recover from a recent dip and reach a record high of 32,000 by end-December. Rate (%) Inflation
8.2
MPR
13
Crude oil price
$58.96
Source: NSE
Inter-Bank Rate Naira
US Dollar
$1
N197 Market indicators All-Share Index 29,584.00 points Market capitalisation 9.87trn
Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY
OPENING
CLOSING
CHANGE
% CHANGE
ASHAKACEM
18.50
20.39
1.89
10.22
CHAMPION
6.38
7.02
0.64
10.03
CONOIL
35.60
39.13
3.53
9.92
FIDELITYBK
1.57
1.72
0.15
9.55
TOTAL
165.00
180.00
15.00
9.09
NASCON
6.90
7.50
0.60
8.70
FCMB
2.66
2.88
0.22
8.27
NAHCO
5.44
5.81
0.37
6.80
ZENITHBANK
19.87
20.98
1.11
5.59
INTBREW
18.00
18.90
0.90
5.00
CHANGE
% CHANGE
LOSERS COMPANY
OPENING
CLOSING
REDSTAREX
3.75
3.60
-0.15
-4.00
WAPIC
0.52
0.50
-0.02
-3.85
DIAMONDBNK
4.18
4.05
-0.13
-3.11
SKYEBANK
2.46
2.40
-0.06
-2.44
FBNH
8.90
8.70
-0.20
-2.25
STERLNBANK
2.20
2.17
-0.03
-1.36
ETERNA
3.06
3.05
-0.01
-0.33
SEPLAT
399.00
398.00
-1.00
-0.25
ETI
18.01
18.00
-0.01
-0.06
-
-
-
-
-
FGN Bonds
Offer
Bid
Description
Price
Yield
Price
Yield
13.05 16-AUG-2016
1.38
97.76
14.87
97.91
14.74
15.10 27-APR-2017
2.07
100.12
15.01
100.27
14.92
16.00 29-JUN-2019
4.25
103.00
15.00
103.30
14.90
16.39 27-JAN-2022
6.83
105.94
14.96
106.24
14.89
14.20 14-MAR-2024
8.95
96.17
14.99
96.47
14.92
10.00 23-JUL-2030
15.31 66.00
16.00
66.30
15.93
Closing Market Prices of March 31, 2015
Treasury Bills Maturity Date
Bid
Offer
Exchange
Rates (N)
02-Jul-15
14.12
14.64
WAUA
270
01-Oct-15
14.33
15.45
USD
197
24-Mar-16
14.00
16.24
EURO
214
CFA
0.32
YEN
1.64
Tenor
Rate (%)
SWISS FRANC
202
O/N
13.7500
1M
15.6910
POUNDS STERLING
293
3M
16.5021
SDR
273
6M
17.6398
NIBOR
The Fixings of March 31, 2015
46
Capital Market
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Stock exchange daily equities summary Equities as at March 31, 2015 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)
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
47
Community Mirror Anambra to establish 5 mechanic villages
Election did not hold in these areas, but it was shocking that the next day results were posted with the aid of the army.
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Governor of Imo state – Rochas Okorocha
Online coy firm renovates auto market in Lagos LEONARD OKACHIE
I
n its quest for community service, Nigeria’s fastest growing online car classified, Carmudi has renovated Africa’s largest automobile market, United Berger Automobile Market, Lagos, beautifying it with the aim of creating a neater and more welcoming environment for the automobile dealers and customers. In his opening speech, Christian Keller, the Managing Director of Carmudi Nigeria, said “We have listened to the concerns and needs of the deal-
ers which is why we are here today to paint Berger market.” Carmudi Nigeria staff and several car dealers, armed with brooms, paint brushes and carpentry tools, took part in the event. The renovation consisted of cleaning the market and surrounding areas, repairing of depleted exteriors, and painting the structures in the Carmudi blue and white. He also honoured the ongoing relationship with Berger market. He said “ we are thrilled to partner with the United Berger Market Association. At Carmudi, we aim to create the absolute best ex-
perience for our customers, and creating a more welcoming environment through this renovation is just the beginning.” Last month, Carmudi Nigeria held a dealers forum at Metche Park United Berger Automobile Market, Lagos where a formal partnership between Carmudi and United Berger Market Association was announced. The market, which is located along the Oshodi Apapa Expressway, is the largest used automobile market in Africa and caters to over 500 car dealerships. The United Berger Market
People at a public water pump in Suleja, Niger State, yesterday.
renovation was the latest in a series of local partnerships created by Carmudi Nigeria. Carmudi Nigeria previously partnered with TEDX Unilag, 9ineteen say no to child abuse, Young and Cerebral essay competition and the Eurobodo Home visit. Carmudi plans to hold a customer awareness and appreciation event in Lagos after the general elections. Carmudi was founded in 2013 and is currently available in Bangladesh, Cameroon, Congo, Ghana, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Mexico, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia,
PHOTO: NAN
NDE trains 1,231 unemployed graduates in FCT –Coordinator
T
he FCT National Directorate of Employment, NDE, said it had trained a total of 1,231 unemployed graduates under its various schemes in 2014. Mrs. Edna Ofordili, FCT NDE coordinator said that the trainees were drawn out of the 1,771 unemployed graduates and others that registered for the schemes in the FCT She said the programmes and schemes included the Vocational Skills Development (VSD), Rural Employment Programme (REP), Special Public Works and Small Scale Enterprises.
Ofordili said that the programmes and schemes were all geared towards ameliorating the unemployment situation in the country. She said that 50 women also benefited in the Women Employment Branch (WEB). “This training is exclusive for women, in line with the transformation agenda of Mr President. “So women were also given business training after which they were given soft loans to establish businesses of their own. “The training include making of exotic bags and shoes for
export using Nigerian fabrics. “16 women out of the 50 trainees were resettled with the sum of N218, 760 each. “Under the Vocational Skills Development Department that consists of Basic National Open Apprenticeship Scheme (B-NOAS) there were 300 trainees and beneficiaries. “It is aimed at impacting skills on school certificate holders and school dropouts so as to make them self-reliant and skilful,” she said. The coordinator said they were trained in areas like catering, interior decorators, comput-
er appreciation and repairs, auto mechanics, carpentry, metal fabrication, welding and electrical installation, among others. She also said that during the period under review, there were 100 beneficiaries in the VSD scheme. The coordinator said that the trainees included those in the Special Basic National Open Apprenticeship Scheme. She said that the scheme is a type of B-NOAS training that is special because boarding facilities were provided for the trainees at the Modern Skills Acquisition Centre in Kudur Bwari.
Senegal, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, and Zambia. The vehicle marketplace offers buyers, sellers and car dealers the ideal platform to find cars, motorcycles and commercial vehicles online.
4 arraigned over alleged crop destruction
F
our persons has been arraigned before an Akure Magistrates’ Court for alleged conspiracy, breach of peace and destruction of plantain suckers worth N500, 000. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the accused persons include two men - Daniel Oni, 75; Onifade Dayo, 45, and two women - Rabiatu Adeniyi, 80 and Boyode Alabi, 55. According to the Police Prosecutor, ASP Isah Atanegbe, the accused persons and others still at large, committed the alleged offences on June 26 at Irese Community near Akure in Ondo State. “They entered the land, which is in actual and peaceful possession of one Mr. Sunday Fayan in a manner likely to cause breach of peace. “On getting to the land, they destroyed his plantain suckers valued at N500, 000,” he said. The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 517, 81 and 451 of the Criminal Code, Caps 37 Vol.1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria 2006. All the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the three count charge. Atanegbe prayed the court for adjournment to enable him assemble and present his four witnesses Mr. Yemi Salau, counsel to the accused persons, did not object to the application for adjournment, but prayed the court to grant his clients bail on liberal terms. The Magistrate, Mrs. Victoria Bob-Manuel, granted the accused persons bail in the sum of N100, 000 each and one surety in like sum. She adjourned the case to November 18 for definite hearing.
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Community Mirror
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Anambra to establish 5 mechanic villages CHINWE NWAZULUOKE NNEWI
G
overnor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has directed the state Commissioners of Lands and Transport to liaise with each other and find suitable places as soon as possible for the establishment of five mechanic villages in the state. He directed that the five mechanic villages should be established and equipped by the state government in the five zones of Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi, Idemili and Aguata as part of efforts to
boost man-power development and create room for self employment among our youths. Obiano who gave this directive in Awka when members of Nigerian Automobile Technicians Association, NATA and South East/South South Drivers Welfare Association tipped President Goodluck Jonathan and Chief Victor Umeh for victory during Saturday’s Presidential and Senatorial elections in the state. Obiano pointed out that the need to establish such mechanic villages in various parts of the state cannot be over-emphasized
as it would help in decongesting our roads, creating job opportunities for our youths and assist in developing our technical skills. He therefore urged automobile technicians to eschew all forms of cheating against their customers or in some cases, vandalizing their customers’ vehicles for the purpose of extorting monies from them, warning that the long arm of law would catch up with such a cheater. Earlier in an address jointly signed by Chief Augustine Okafor and Comrade Felix Adigwe, state chairman and secretary
respectively, NATA had explained that Obiano’s four-cardinal programmes had brought a great turn-around to the state within his one year in office as governor. Insisting that Obiano has made remarkable achievements in the areas of security of lives and property, which has boosted our infrastructural development and increased Internally Generated Revenue, IGR of the state, NATA reminded Obiano that if mechanic villages are established, a lot of their members stand the chance to benefit from one another, while serv-
People waiting to buy petrol at a filling station in Madalla, Niger State, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN
Forum tasks stakeholders on hygiene in Enugu
P
articipants at a workshop on healthy start campaign have challenged stakeholders in healthcare delivery and child upbringing to enthrone sustainable water; sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programme to reduce infant mortality. The participants, who made their views known on Tuesday in Enugu, noted that for WASH programmes to be sustainable, healthcare providers, school authorities, traditional ruler, religious leaders, women groups and the media should join efforts to reduce the high mortality and morbidity rate. Declaring the workshop open, the Enugu Programme Support Manager, Water Aid Nigeria, Mr Jude Emesim said that the four years programme was aimed at reducing the 80 per cent of infant mortality among children (0-5 years) due to poor sanitation. “To ensure effective linkage between sanitation, water and
maternal health, the media and other stakeholders should play their roles in mitigating the gaps between health and WASH. We cannot afford to lose 150 million children in Nigeria annually,’’ he said. In her `Healthy Start Campaign’ presentation, the Coordinator, Community Health Initiative (CHI) Nigeria, Mrs Janet Ngene said that the global advocacy priority thrust focused on mainstreaming WASH in child healthcare delivery. She noted that the programme would be implemented in three phases of targeting newborn, nutrition and child health. “That the health sector joins with water and sanitation sector in delivering WASH for all by 2030 as an essential requirement for increasing the number of children who have healthy childhood. “It is established that where clean water, sanitation and good hygiene are lacking, improve-
ment in health and nutrition are slow to start and sustained,’’ she said. She said that 90 per cent of diarrhoea cases were caused by lack of water, sanitation and good hygiene, while 29 per cent of hospitals and clinics do not have access to clean water, safe toilet as well as water to wash hands with soap. Ngene explained that since water was a pre-requisite to the
attainment of a healthy start in life, government at all levels should embed WASH in all its programmes to reduce undermalnutrition nutrition, prevent childhood diseases and newborn deaths. The Healthy Start is Water Aid’s four year advocacy priority (2015-2019), focused on improving the health and nutrition of newborn babies as well as children.
ing NYSC members would also come to the village to learn more about automobile engineering.
Thugs kill community leader in Benin
T
he Obagienevbosa community in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State was thrown into confusion and mourning on Saturday March 28 2015 as the Chairman of the Community, Igie Osayande, was shot dead by some hoodlums. It was gathered that the community leader was attacked along with his brother Igie Obafuedo. Though while Osayande lost his life the brother survived but was taken to a hospital where he is receiving medical attention. Eyewitness account had it that Osayande, was killed by the assailant while the voting process was ongoing in Ward 9, Units 9, 10 and 11 in the community situated off Sapele road. The hoodlums were said to have arrived the voting polling center long after accreditation was over and ordered to be accredited. It was gathered that all efforts made by the leaders of the thugs to get accredited failed as the presiding officer said the period for accreditation was over and that voting had already started. The leader of the thug was asked by the police on duty to leave the area and not to cause any scene. Osayande in an effort to prevent the hoodlums from disrupting the voting exercise accosted the thugs. This did not go down well with other members of the gangs who clubbed him to death. “In an attempt to resist them, the APC youth leader, Igie Osagiede, was attacked by the thugs and clubbed to death,” an eyewitness disclosed.
Church member arraigned over stealing
A
female member of a white garment church, Kemi Abbas, was arraigned before an Oshodi Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing her pastor’s N52, 000. The Prosecutor, Mr. Kehinde Olatunde, told the court that the accused committed the offence on September 30, at St. Christopher Spiritual Church, C&S Ilupeju area of Lagos. He said that the accused stole
the sum of N52, 000 belonging to her pastor, one Kolawole Oye. “The pastor was attending to some members of his congregation during a counseling session when his phone rang. “He could not hear the caller because of the noise of the generator set, so he went outside to receive the call.” Olatunde said that when the complainant came back to his seat, he discovered that an envelope left
on his table that contained the money had disappeared. “He quickly raised an alarm and threatened those he left in the office with death if the money was not immediately returned and confession made,’’ the prosecutor said. Olatunde said that the accused fell on the ground and confessed that she saw the envelope but only took N5, 000 and did not know who took the rest along with the envelope.
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
US ready to work past deadline for Iran nuclear deal if needed
50
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
World News
“We do not agree with sanctions (on Russia). I believe that this is a road to nowhere. I support the point of view that there is a need for a dialogue and diplomacy” – Greece’s Prime Minister, Alexis Tsipras
Ugandan prosecutor in al-Shabaab bomb case shot dead
J
oan Kagezi, the top Ugandan state prosecutor in the trial of 13 men accused of a deadly al-Shabab bomb attack, has been shot dead in Kampala. Kagezi was targeted on her way home by motorbike gunmen, officials said. The trial of the men, accused of links to the 2010 Kampala suicide bombing which killed 76 people, has been suspended. Last week, the US embassy in Uganda warned of a possible “terrorist” attack. Kagezi, the senior principal state attorney, headed the directorate of public prosecution’s antiterrorism and war crimes division. Kampala police spokesman Patrick Onyango said: “They were trailing her on a motorcycle... They shot her dead.” Kagezi was taken to the main hospital in the capital but died on the way. Her children were with her in the car but weren’t harmed in the shooting, according to a statement
Security had been stepped up in Kampala after warnings of attacks
by the Ugandan Information Minister Jim Muhwezi in the Daily Monitor. The BBC’s reporter in Kampala says some Ugandans are now wondering whether Kagezi was given enough protection. BBC said there is now an in-
creased presence of policemen and soldiers on the streets of the Ugandan capital. Last week the US said it had “received information of possible threats” at city locations where Western nationals gather. Uganda’s government said the
US had warned of a possible suicide bomber trying to enter the country. Uganda was under threat because it is a key contributor to the African Union mission fighting alShabaab inside Somalia, a spokesman said.
Mandela’s grandson convicted for assault
N
elson Mandela’s oldest grandson, who is also a member of South Africa’s parliament, was found guilty yesterday of assaulting a motorist two years ago in the latest scandal to tarnish the Mandela family. A magistrates’ court in Mthatha, in Eastern Cape province, heard charges brought against Mandla Mandela by a local motorist, who accused the 40-year-old of assaulting him during a road-rage incident. “The magistrate found Mandla Mandela guilty of assault with grievous bodily harm, and acquitted him on a charge of pointing
a firearm,” said Luxolo Tyali, a spokesman for the prosecution. A pre-sentencing hearing was scheduled for early June. Mandela, who is also the tribal chief of Mvezo village, the late Mandela’s birthplace, has been a member of parliament for the African National Congress (ANC) since 2009. He is no stranger to controversy. In 2013, members of his family obtained a court order forcing him to exhume the remains of his grandfather’s children. The family claimed he had dug up the graves of the icon’s
Mandla Mandela
children in the family gravesite in Qunu and reburied them in Mvezo without their consent. The remains were that of Mandla’s own father Makgatho Man-
Red Cross restricts travel in northern Mali after attack
T
he international Red Cross said yesterday it has ordered staff in northern Mali not to travel out of urban centres after jihadists killed an aid worker in the restive area. “We have decided to temporarily suspend all our movements in northern Mali, while we wait to
understand this incident more clearly,” International Committee of the Red Cross spokesman Valery Mbaoh Nana told a news agency. “We will take our time to analyse and understand why the ICRC was targeted by such an attack, and we will then determine
49
the consequences,” he added. Gunmen near the northern city of Gao opened fire on Monday against a truck clearly marked with the Red Cross emblem, killing the driver -- a married father of four -- and wounding a Malian Red Cross worker. The two men were on a mis-
dela, who died in 2005, as well as Nelson’s daughter Makaziwe who died as an infant in 1948 and second son Thembekile who passed away in 1969. sion to resupply Gao hospital with much-needed medical equipment, the ICRC said. The extremist MUJAO group (the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa) claimed responsibility for the attack. “We have achieved what we wanted with this attack,” MUJAO Spokesman Abou Walid Sahraoui told a news agency by phone.
WORLD BULLETIN
S’Africa mining massacre report submitted
President Jacob Zuma received yesterday the official report into the police killing of 34 South African miners in 2012, as rights groups demanded that its findings be quickly made public. The shooting at the Marikana mine was the worst violence in the country since the advent of democracy in 1994, and evidence at the inquiry tarnished police claims that they had acted in self-defence when they gunned down the striking miners. In the days before, 10 other people were killed in violence around the platinum mine -- including nonstriking miners, security guards and two police officers who were hacked to death. Lawyers for the dead miners’ families blamed the killings on a bout of police revenge, and accused officers of a cover-up. Zuma, who is visiting Algeria, “will prioritise the consideration of the report on his return”, a statement from his office said, confirming that the document had been received.
South Africa extends troop deployment in Congo South Africa said on Tuesday it was extending the deployment of members of its defence force taking part in a United Nations mission in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo by one year. Almost 1,400 South African soldiers are taking part in the Force Intervention Brigade, part of the U.N. MONUSCO peacekeeping operation in the central African country. The intervention brigade has been given a special mandate to take on armed groups which have terrorised and created instability for years in the poor but mineral-rich region. In a brief statement, President Jacob Zuma’s office said the deployment “has now been extended to 31 March 2016”. U.N. and Congolese troops launched strikes in January against the remnants of a Burundian rebel group based in the rugged borderlands of eastern Congo. However, MONUSCO in February paused its support for a campaign against another rebel group -- the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) -- after Congo named to top posts two generals suspected of human rights violations. The operation is now going ahead without U.N. support.
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World News
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
US ready to work past deadline for Iran nuclear deal T he United States said it was prepared to work past a midnight deadline into Wednesday if progress was being made towards clinching a preliminary nuclear deal between Iran and global powers. Negotiations appeared to be bogged down on an outline agreement aimed at curbing sensitive Iranian nuclear activities, while officials cautioned that any agreement would likely be fragile and incomplete. “Our team is evaluating where we are throughout the day and making decisions about the best path forward,” a senior State Department official
said, speaking hours before the self-imposed March 31 deadline was due to expire. “We will of course keep working if we are continuing to make progress, including into tomorrow if it’s useful to do so.” A Western diplomat indicated that the talks were still focused on crucial sticking points. For nearly a week, the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China have been trying to break an impasse in the talks, which are aimed at stopping Iran from gaining the capacity to develop a nuclear bomb in exchange for easing international sanctions that are crippling European Union High Representative Federica Mogherini (L) and Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif wait for a meeting with its economy. officials from P5+1, the EU and Iran at the Beau Rivage Palace Hotel in Lausanne, yesterday.
Modi seeks Saudi’s help to rescue Indians from Yemen Lausanne deal would pave way for nuclear-armed Iran –Netanyahu
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Modi
P
rime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday asked Saudi Arabia’s new king for his support in efforts to evacuate some 4,000 stranded Indians from war-torn Yemen. Modi expressed his “deep concern about the safety and welfare of the approximately 4,000 Indian citizens in Yemen” when Saudi King Salman telephoned him late eve-
ning, the Indian foreign ministry said. “Prime minister briefed his majesty King Salman on India’s evacuation plan and requested his majesty’s support and cooperation,” a ministry statement said, adding that the king assured Modi of “all possible assistance”. India has moved to airlift its citizens from the Middle East country, which has been plunged
into chaos by a Huthi Shiite rebellion that has triggered Saudi-backed air strikes on the capital Sanaa. Some 4,100 Indians are currently in Yemen, including 3,100 in Sanaa, 500 in Aden and the rest around the country. The Saudi-led air strikes have hit the main international airport in Sanaa and a renegade troop base, as Arab leaders
vow to pummel the rebels until they surrender. India has also sent three navy and two passenger ships to help evacuate its workers and other citizens, many of whom are nurses from the southern state of Kerala. India last week asked all its nationals to leave Yemen, where deadly fighting has sent tensions in the Middle East soaring.
he deal being hammered out between world powers and Iran on its nuclear programme would “pave the way” to a nuclear-armed Tehran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said yesterday. “The greatest threat to our security and our future was and remains Iran’s attempt to be armed with nuclear weapons,” he said in a speech to parliament. “The agreement being formulated in Lausanne paves the way to that goal,” Netanyahu said, referring to talks between Iran and world powers in the Swiss city on a framework deal which he opposes. “We will do everything to protect our security and our future,” Netanyahu said. Netanyahu’s remarks, made at the swearing-in ceremony of the Israeli parliament, came hours before the deadline for
Three arrested in connection with Paris killings
T
hree men have been arrested as part of an investigation into the Paris attacks in January in which 17 people were killed, the Paris prosecutors’ office said yesterday. The men are linked to Amedy
Coulibaly, one of the three Islamist militant gunmen who perpetrated the attacks, an official in the prosecutor’s office said. Coulibaly killed a police officer in the Paris suburb of Montrouge and four people in a Jewish supermar-
ket. Since the attacks at the start of the year, seven men aged 22 to 33 have been detained and placed under formal investigation as part of a legal process opened by prosecutors on Jan. 20.
Investigators have to date made more progress on the Coulibaly angle than that of the two other perpetrators - the Kouachi brothers, who carried out the attack at the offices of French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo on Jan. 7, killing 12.
a framework agreement aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, in exchange for easing crippling sanctions. According to Netanyahu, the emerging agreement will “most likely leave Iran with underground facilities, the nuclear reactor in Arak, advanced centrifuges -– all those things that were just a few months ago rightly presented to us as not essential to a peaceful nuclear programme.” Netanyahu said the “breakout time” for Iran to obtain fissile material for a bomb would not be “years” but rather “a year, possibly even much less than that,” under the framework agreement. According to Netanyahu, “most” Arab states shared Israel’s concerns regarding a nucleararmed Iran. “They understand the Iranian threat, the share our perspective on other threats from extremist Islamist elements,” he said. “This also creates opportunities,” said the Israeli premier. “I hope this cooperation between Arab states and us will help us advance peace with our Palestinian neighbours.”
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
North
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
51
NYSC debunks corps members’ death in Gombe JOEL AJAYI ABUJA
M
anagement of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, yesterday debunked the purported death of two corps members in Gombe
State during an attack by Boko Haram, saying there is no iota of truth in the report. This rebuttal was contained in a statement issued by Director of Press and Public Relations of the scheme, Mrs. Bose Aderibig-
be, who noted that no corps member in Gombe died during the said attack by insurgents. According to a statement: “the attention of NYSC management has been drawn to a misleading news story featured by Channels TV on
the death of two corps members in Gombe State during an attack in some parts of the state. “Management categorically wants to state that no corps member in Gombe died during the said attack by suspected insurgents.
“The two names carried on Channels TV as corps members who lost their lives were INEC ad-hoc staff and not corps members as reported. The NYSC, however, commiserates with the family of those who lost
Taraba Speaker, PDP chieftain hail peaceful polls JUSTIN TYOPUUSU JALINGO
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peaker, Taraba State House of Assembly, Mark Useni, and retired Colonel Agbu Kefas yesterday hailed the peaceful conduct of the presidential and parliamentary elections in the state. There were growing CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly Miss Olukitibi Christiana Olajumoke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Kishak Christiana Olajumoke. All former documents remain valid. Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) Ekiti State and general public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
APC supporters celebrating the victory of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari in the presidential election, in Jos, yesterday.
PHOTO: NAN
Group seeks cancellation of Kogi council election WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA
S
mart Adeyemi Support Organisation has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to cancel elections in Kogi Local Government Area over alleged malpractices. Coordinator of the group, Mr. Fehinti Dada, who made the call while addressing newsmen at a press conference in Lokoja yesterday, stated that the election in the local gov-
ernment was against the laid down rules and regulations. Dada stated that the result of election in Kogi Local Government Area was against the tenet of the Electoral Act, and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and rule of equity. He explained that the feedback from PDP agents in some units in Kogi Local Government showed that election in the area was far from being free and fair, alleging that the election was
fraught with irregularities such as intimidation, multiple voting and late arrival of materials. “In Ereha, Okparake Market Square in Koton Karfe south-east ward, the electorates were never accredited as there was unrest throughout the day, but ballot boxes were stuffed with thumb-printed papers by the All Progressives Congress, APC thugs, votes were counted and recorded in these units,” he stated. He also alleged that in
Ozi and Osuku accreditation commenced at 2pm, about six hours behind the scheduled time, adding that in the process of accreditation youths believed to have sympathy for APC indulged in multiple accreditations and prevented many accredited voters from casting their votes. “To further buttress our point on intimidation of voters, a total of 22,000 people were accredited, but only 1,800 came to vote, while 4,000 electorates were disenfranchised.”
Senator-elect attributes victory to Yuguda’s failure EZEKIEL TITUS BAUCHI
E
lected Bauchi South Senatorial District candidate, Ali Wakili, has attributed his victory to the failure of Governor Isa Yuguda to provide the needed democracy dividends to the entire state throughout his eight years as governor of Bauchi State. Wakili said this in a chat with newsmen in Bauchi shortly after he was declared winner, defeating incumbent governor by 341,708 votes as against
115,575 votes. The senator-elect added that his victory also summarises his connection and link with the people of Bauchi State, explaining that Yuguda disconnected totally from his people. “I had said I would defeat Yuguda in spite of being an incumbent governor for failing the people despite huge allocations from the Federal Government, his “giant stride” is not commensurate with what is on ground,” Wakili said. He assured that while in the Senate chamber he
would initiate laws that has direct bearing on the people of Nigeria in consonant with the agenda of Buhari’s administration. He said as senator-elect, he would not compromise the mandate given to him, being an activist who believes in equity, justice and tolerance. According to Wakili, APC is built on justice and transparency, adding that Yuguda has the constitutional right to challenge his defeat in the court of law “I expect Yuguda to start challenging his defeat from
voting points not from the INEC, because my victory is the collective decision of Bauchi South to effect the needed change,” Wakili said. He regretted that Yuguda had ridiculed Buhari in political history, being a beneficiary of his political popularity and influence, yet he bit the hands that fed him. He said the APC was doing everything possible to sweep the ruling PDP under the carpet ahead of the gubernatorial and state assembly elections.
their lives. “NYSC management wants to reassure all Nigerians that we are indeed committed towards the security and safety of corps members nation-wide,” the statement said.
fears that the 2015 general elections in the state would be characterised by violence, especially in the southern part of the state, given the volatile nature of the zone. There was, however, no report of violence, before, during and after the Presidential and National Assembly elections in the state. CHANGE OF NAME
OKAFOR : formerly known as Okafor Chioma Elizabeth now wish to be known and address as Uzoegbu Chioma Elizabeth. All former documents remains valid. Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and public note.
CHANGE OF NAME
ORISA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Orisa Chinyeaka Ambrosia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chukwumezie Chinyeaka Ambrosia. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
ILODIBIA : formerly known as Miss Ilodibia Patricia Okwuwa, now wish to be known and address as Mrs Okubuike Patricia Okwuwa. All former documents remains valid. Public note.
CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to certify that the name Uwaleke Favour Goodness and Uwaleke Favour refers to one and same person, now wish to be known and addressed as Uwaleke Favour Goodness. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
formerly known as Mrs FolorunsoOdunuga, Janet Oluremi now to be known, called and addressd as Mrs Coo, Janet Oluremi. All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. General public please take note
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as Miss Peters Yetunde Doyinsola now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Abiodun Doyinsola Yetunde. All former document remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as Miss Oguntade Rukayat Folashade now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Fasasi Rukayat Folashade. All former document remain valid. Sagamu Local Government and general public take note. LOSS OF DEED OF ASSIGNMENT
General public is hereby notified that a deed of assignment belonging to Mr Chinedu Okonkwo of 3, Shakira Anjorin Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos registered at Page 32 in Volume 2342 of the Land Registry Lagos Is missing. All efforts to trace it proved abortive . If found please return to the above address.
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as Miss Muhammed Kafayat Arinola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Shotayo Kafayat Arinola. All former document remain valid and general public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as Miss Salau Mariam Moronkeji Ireyimika, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adebayo Mariam Ireyimika. All former document remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as Miss Lawal Wakilat Seun now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Suliman Wakilat Seun. All former document remain valid INLGEA, Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun SUBEB and general public take note.
PUBLIC NOTICE SABBATH BRETHREN MISSION INTERNATIONAL The General Public is hereby inform that the above named organization has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for registration under part “C” of the Companies and allied Matters Act Cap 59, 1990.
THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Priest Chinonye Ibeh 2. Apostle Fabian Okeke 3. Pastor Vincent OSuahihe 4. Pastor Chidi Udemba 5. Pastor Maxcellenus Emecheta 6. Bro. Uriel Nguoka 7. Sis. Paulina Asoronye
- Chairman - Secretary - Fin. Sec - Treasurer - Provost - Member - Member
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:
1. To Preach the gospel of Christ all over the world 2. To liberate the destinies of men and women everywhere from all operations of the devil and move I to the next phase. 3. To raise individuals, prophets and prophetess that will promote core Christian values, to heal moral and spiritual decadence. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.
SIGNED: BARR. IGWE EJIKE KENNETH DOMINION CHAMBERS, ORLU, IMO STATE NIGERIA. (08065049111)
National Mirror
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Wednesday, April 1, 2015 www.nationalmirroronline.net
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as Miss. Ifebi Omerebele Chinwe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Anunobi Omerebele Chinwe. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and Addressed as Miss Obetta Cyntgia Ugochi Now wish to be known and Adressed as Mrs Ezeade Ugochi Cynthia. All former documents remain Valid. N Y S C and general public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as Miss Oladipo Toyin Bolarinwa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adeyemi Toyin Bolarinwa. All former documents remain valid. Oyo State TESCOM and general public should take note..
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly Known and Addressed as Miss Okoli Chinwendu Purity, now wish to be Known and Addressed as Mrs Ekenedilichukwu Chinwendu Purity. All former documents remain Valid. Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Educaion Owerri and general public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as Miss Alade Oluwabusayo Christianah Now Mrs Ajayi Oluwabusayo Christianah. All former documents remains valid. General public should take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
formerly known and addressed as Miss Esther Ochuko Ukpacho now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Esther Ochuko Aruegodorhe. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known as Miss Adeniyi Oluwatosin Olatorera Feyisayo, now wish to be known as Mrs. Cole Oluwatosin Olatorera Feyisayo. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
Formerly known and addressed as Miss Fayemi Temitope Mary, now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Bara Temitope Mary. All former documents remain valid, broadcasting Service of Ekiti state (BSES) and general public take note.
PRISCA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Obeahon Prisca now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Osazuwa Prisca. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Agbada Patience hereby confirm that the name Yinkore Paul as it appears on my Local Government identification letter and other documents refers to one and same person. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.
Formerly known and addressed as Miss Obe Adefunke Taiwo. Now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akinwole Adefunke Taiwo. All former documents remain valid.General public take note
Formerly known and addressed as Mr Olaleke Akanni Idowu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr Ganiyu Olaleke Idowu. All former documents remain valid General public take note
CHANGE OF NAME
NNAJIOFOR: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Nnajiofor Amarachukwu Veronica, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Onovo Amarachukwu Veronica. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as Okoduwa Joy, Now wish to be known and addressed as Ibhade Joy. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known as Disu Omolola Taibat, now wish to be known and addressed as Owuye Disu Omolola Taibat. All former documents remain valid. General public take note
CHANGE OF NAME
ADAH: Formerly known and addressed as Oghenetega Cynthia Adah now wish to be known and address as Oghenetega Cynthia Oscar Ede II. All former document remains valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
UDEH: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Lucy .I. Udeh, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Lucy I. UdehAmalinzeh. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as Mrs.Domingo Elizabeth Edesiri, now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Domingo Elizabeth. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
formerly known and addressed as Miss Aladesusi Adenike Christianah now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oluyemi Adenike Christianah.All former documents remain valid.Federal Teaching Hospital Ido-Ekiti and general public should note .
LOSS OF DOCUMENT
This is to inform the general public that Mr. Anthony Chinedu Oji of plot 19 loss irrevocable power of Attorney Reg. as 3/3/1495. The land is situated at Royal district L/out Enugu North L.G.A. If found contact the Ministry of Lands and Urban Development Enugu.
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
OGBODO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogbodo Rachael .C., now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Odo Rachael .C. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as Amudalatu Gbadamosi, now wish to be known and addressed as Sodiq Kafayat Abiodun. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ojo Ibukun Modupe now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Anifowose Zainab Ibukun Modupe. All formal documents remain valid. Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board, Office of Establishment and Training and general public note.
LOSS OF DOCUMENT
This is to inform the general public that Munason Nig. Ltd lost Building Lease Certificate. The land situate at plot 25 Block 48C Asata Native Location Enugu Reg. as 58/58/88 at land Registry. If found contact the Ministry of Lands and Urban Development Enugu.
LOSS OF DOCUMENTS
We wish to inform the general public and the Enugu State Ministry of Lands and Urban Development in particular of the loss of our property documents. Our chambers secretary was attacked by armed robbers and in the process her bag was stolen which contains the original title documents namely: certificate of Occupancy (C of O) Number 029064 and an irrevocable Power of Attorney (P.O.A.) registered as No 8 at page 8 in Volume 109 in respect of Plot 231 Emene Industrial Enugu. Please anybody who came in possession of the documents could contact us at “G IKE IKOKWU & CO (SOLICITORS)” of 13 Adeniyi Jakande Close Off Adeniran Ogunsanya Street Lagos – 08037874430, 07031647803.
THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Mr. Ayo Otuyalo 2. Mrs. Adetutu Otuyalo
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:
1. To propagate the gospel of Christ through the printing and distribution of free christian devotionals. 2. To provide for the less privileged in society. 3. To empower people by providing vocational services in various communities and schools. 4. To cater to the welfare of the poor, widows, orphans and the aged in society. 5. To render humanitarian services to the vulnerable members of society. 6. To partner with, associate, collaborate and act in concert with other foundations or nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) with similar objectives in Nigeria and elsewhere. Any objection to the regristration of my devotional book foundation should be forwarded to The Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.
SIGNED: MCPHERSON BARRISTERS & SOLICITORS, 22A RASHEED ALABA WILLIAMS STREET, LEKKI PHASE 1, LAGOS
CHANGE OF NAME
ONUCHUKWU: I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Onuchukwu Ezinwa Irene, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ezekigbo Ezinwa Irene. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
TOLULOPE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Omodele Tolulope Oluwatosin, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Tolulope Stephen Thomas . All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as Miss Idowu Olusola Elizebeth, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Olajuyin Olusola Elizebeth. All former documents remain valid.General public take note
CHANGE OF NAME
UGWUANYI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ugwuanyi Lovina Nneka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ezeifeanyi Lovina Nneka. All former documents remain valid. NYSC, and general public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME
This is to confirm that: Ndudi Uchenna and Ndudi Uchenna Ndudi refer to one person and the same person, now wish to be known and addressed as Ndudi Uchenna. All documents bearing the two (2) names belong to the same person and remain valid. General public please take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
I formerly known and addressed as Miss Adebiyi Monisade Mercy now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adedayo-Ojo Monisade Mercy.All formal documents remain valid. Ekiti State Government and general public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
ASOGWA: I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Asogwa Benedicta Onuabuchukwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Mamah Benedicta Onuabuchukwu. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
PUBLIC NOTICE DECENT PEOPLE TAILORS’ ASSOCIATION
This is to inform the general public that the above named association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission(CAC), Abuja for registration under Part “C” of the companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.
THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Salimonu Dauda Ajadi 2. Sabitu Ibrahim Alasi 3. Abimbola Muslim Adesoji 4. Adesola Florence Idowu 5. Muili Sarafa Adewale 6. Azeez Suriqorinaeni Ayobi 7. Oyetunbi Taofeek Akofe.
- President - Secretary
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.To inculcate decency and virtue on members in the performance of professional duties. 2.To partner with the government or any group,agency body or organization to embark on programmes which will enhance the economy in the interest members and the society at large? 3.To protect the interest of members. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Wuse, Zone 5 within 28days of this publications.
PUBLIC NOTICE MY DEVOTIONAL BOOK FOUNDATION
Notice is hereby given to the general public that the above named foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for regristration under Part ‘C’ of The Companies And Allied Matters Act Cap C20 Laws of the Federation Of Nigeria 2004.
CONFIRMATION OF NAME
This is to confirm that I, Victor Anenechi Ogbuehi and Titus Ogbuefi is the same one person as Titus Victor. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.
CONFIRMATION OF NAME
This is to confirm that these names: Ofurum Uchenna Nkasiobi, Ofurum Uchenna and Ofurum Uchenna Williams is the same one person as Ofurum Uchenna Willams Nkasiobi. All former documents remain valid. FEDPONEK Owerri Imo State and general public please take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
OBENI: I, formerly known and addressed as Charles Odion Obeni, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Charles David Aiwanose. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly called and addtrssed as Miss Ilesanmi Oluwaseyi Bolaji, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oyekanmi Oluwaseyi Bolaji. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as Tubolayefa Jeff Akpokaboere now wish to be known and addressed as Tubolayefa john Timinidi. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
ANINWOGBODO: Formerly known and addressed as Faith Aninwogbodo, now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Chukwu Chinyere. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
ODO: Formerly known and addressed as Odo Samson Sunday, now wish to be known and addressed as Nnabuchi Samson Odozie Sunday. All former documents remain valid. PPSMB Enugu, UNN and general public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ebaide Maria Isesele, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akintayo Ebaide Isesele. All former documents remain valid and general public should take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
OSSAI: I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ossai Lovina Chinago, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Idoko Lovina Chinago. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as Miss Chioma Favour Ejimbe now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Chioma Favour Okpara. All former documents remain valid. WAEC, UNEC, NYSC and general public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
OSAWARU: I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Osawaru Lisa Osaguogbe, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs Iyamu Osaigbovo Lisa. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
formerly known and addressed as Venerable Henry Ifeanyichukwu Ibeanusi, now wish to be known and addressed as Venerable Henry Ifeanyichukwu Stephen. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
IBEANUSI: Formerly known and addressed as Ibeanusi Chidinma Grace, now wish to be known and addressed as Ifechineke Chidinma Grace. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
EZEH:Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ezeh Uchechukwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Nkwocha Uchechukwu Lauretta. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
OKONGWU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Okongwu Annastecia Nkemdirim, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Uzoigwe Annastecia Nkemdirim. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
formerly Known and Addressed as Miss Nwoklo Leticia Ebele Now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ozuluoha Leticia Ebele All former documents remain Valid Federal Polytechnics Oko and general public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
OLABODE:I formerly known and addressed as Miss Olabode Folake A.,now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Odewale Davis Folake A. All former documents remain valid. NSCDC, Ogun state command and general public take note
PUBLIC NOTICE
ESO KIDNEY ALIVE FOUNDATION
The general public is hereby notified that the above named Foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.
THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Miss Osagiede Esohe Sarah 2. Mr Ikechukwu Kayce Innocent 3. Mr Palmer Ore .I.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:
1. To be a leading voice in the awareness campaign of kidney disease and preventive care. 2. To provide basic education and screening to out risk and vulnerable individuals. 3. To increase the general public awareness that kidney disease is preventable. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded totheRegistrarGeneral, CorporateAffairsCommission,Plot 420 TigrisCrescent, OffAguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication.
SIGNED: TRUSTEES
SIGNED: MISS OSAGIEDE ESOHE SARAH PRESIDENT
PUBLIC NOTICE HEPHZIBAH CHRISTIAN WOMEN DEVELOPMENT MINISTRY
PUBLIC NOTICE BEROM YOUTH MOULDERS ASSOCIATION (BYM)
This is to inform the general public that the above named organization has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part ‘C’ of the companies and Allied Matters 1990.
The general public is hereby notified that the above named association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Company and Allied Matters Act of 1990
THE TRUSTEES ARE:
THE TRUSTEES ARE:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
1.Da Bitrus Daches 3.Da (Engr) Dalyop Fom 5.Chief (Capt) Donny Fom 7.Pastor Ezekiel D.Foron
Adesope Bolanle Titilayo Oyebamji Temitope Adesope Olayinka Adedoyin Adedigba Aderogba Mr John Tope Ajayi
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:
1. To empower women spiritually through the word of God 2. To help the women to know the purpose of their existence 3. To let the unmarried (young women) how to choose right through God’s leading and be well prepared for marriage. 4. The ministry is a non-profit making organization Any objection to this registration to be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.
SIGNED: ADESOPE BOLANLE TITILAYO
2.Da Eric Fom 4.Ngo Christie Nyam 6.Hon.Dauda Gyang Gashi
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:
1.To foster unity,love,progress,peace and understanding among its members,the Berom people and other members of the society in general. 2. To provide for its members a medium of cooperation and fellowship for the discussion and resolution of all matters affecting them. 3.To encourage national patriotism in youths and their participation in all forms of governmental activities 4. To discourage and condemn discrimination on ground of ethnicity within the Berom and with their neighbours and oppose all actions that threaten the unity,dignity and integrity of the Berom 5. To pursue through legal and positive means the attainment of social justice and equity among persons 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: SAMSON TSOK,NATIONAL CARETAKER CHAIRMAN,BEROM YOUTH MOULDERS ASSOCIATION(BYM)
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
53
Sport
Absolutely, Super Eagles will not have it easy against Bafana this time. It is fight to finish
Old Trafford switch thrills Coentrao
–Former South Africa defender, Aaron Mokoena
55
Umar Zango of Pillars (left) in national colour, a doubt for the match
Nigerian refs still outside FIFA tourneys JOEL AJAYI ABUJA
N
igeria’s hope of having a referee officiating in the forthcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand has been dashed as the list released last weekend does not contain the name of any Nigerian referee or assistant referee. Also, the list of female referees and their assistants from the various confederations released by FIFA for the Women’s World Cup coming up in Canada in June, does not have a Nigerian on it. Whereas there is no Nigerian umpire, some CAF members including Seychelles, Cote d’Ivoire, South Africa, Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, Gabon and Cameroun, produced at least one referee expected to be on duty during the global soccer fiestas. It will be recalled that two years ago, Peter Edibi was part of the referees who were in Turkey for the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Commenting on the development on his Facebook page, ex-Nigerian FIFAbagged Referee, Adebayo Ameenu, attributed the absence of any Nigerian referee from the two imminent tournaments to their inability to adapt to modern trends in refereeing despite the fact that some of them travelled out to London recently for capacity building. Ameenu said, “The absence of any of our own in this edition is a challenge to all of us, particularly and most significantly, our FIFAbadged Referees who should view critically the footprints of Edibi and emulate it. “It is painful that none has strived to replace Peter and if we’re looking towards 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups, the recognitions and call-ups begin from here.” The NFF under Amaju Pinnick in February and March sent about 20 Nigerian Referees to London for special training to enhance their understanding of their vocation.
Pillars in closed camping for Athletico ...Enyimba depart for Egypt ABDULGAFAR OLADIMEJI KANO
T
he Kano Pillars FC have intensified training in closed camping ahead of their CAF Champions League second leg match against Moghreib Athletico on Saturday. Pillars will file out at the Sani Abacha Stadium with a 0-4 deficit they incurred in Morocco in the first leg. Club spokesman, Rilwan Malikawa Garu, told National Mirror that Pillars’ management in collaboration with the technical crew have sent the players into closed camping. He said, “We have started closed camping, all the players registered to play in our CAF competition are in the camp as I speak with you. “We lost in Morocco; we are look-
ing forward to taking our chances. We are also not going to take chances against our opponents. The players are in good spirit, we are not owing them a dime, so I can say the spirit is high to go all out against the Moroccans,” Garu said. Asked about the health condition of home-based Super Eagles attacker, Gambo Mohammed, who was injured in a robbery attack on the team, Garu replied, “Gambo is at home recuperating, thank God,” and also revealed that the only player on injury list, Umar Zango, had commenced light trainings. Yesterday the NFF announced that Nigeria’s other Champions League representatives, Enyimba, will depart on Friday for their return leg clash with Smouha FC of Egypt, scheduled for Sunday in Alexandria. Enyimba won the first leg in Aba 1-0.
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Sports
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
PSG
strikes Devils deal for
Di Maria M
ega-rich Paris Saint-Germain is ready to offer Manchester United its money back on Angel Di Maria. The French Ligue 1 side stepped up its pursuitt off Argentina star ar Maria-and Di M arria ia-a -and nd has made mad ade e clear it cle l ar itt will w ll wi l offer off fferr big money. mo Maria, Di Maria a, 27, 2 , has 27 has st sstrugtru rugg-
gled to settle since his £59.7m record breaking move from Real Madrid last summer. PSG wanted him last year and is willing to break the bank again t o offer the ArgenAr rge g nn tine a n e s cape c ca a pe p
route from Old Trafford. Di Maria’s home was raided and his performances have been inconsistent this term which has alerted PSG about renewing its interest. United feared it would struggle money stru st rugg ggle e tto o ge gett it its m its mo one ney y back-but working back-b ba butt agents age g ntss wo w rkin rk ing in g for fo or the th he French Fren ench ch h club clu ub are are ar working w wo rk kin ng ha hard rd to to make ma ak ke e the the he happen. deal de al h al appe appe ap en. n
PSG would also almost certainly be able to offer Champions League football while United is still sweating on its place in the top four. Meanwhile, United Manager, Louis Van Gaal, has already he ha as al a lre r a ad dy admitted ad a d won’t stand won’ wo n t st tand an nd in n Di Maria’s way w wa ay iiff he ay he wants wa w an ntt to go and cash may ma y need need ne dc ash to rebuild as the th he sq ssquad. uad. ua uad
Di Maria
Heineken UCL final winners emerge AFOLABI GAMBARI
T Coentrao
Old Trafford switch thrills
Coentrao R
eal Madrid full back, Fabio Coentrao, has said it would be an honour to play for Manchester United. Reports in Spain yesterday claimed United is preparing to renew its long-standing interest in Coentrao, who was on the verge of joining them back in August 2013. The Portugal international has been a bitpart player at Madrid this season and would
jump at the chance to revive his career at United. “I already showed that interest in playing there at Manchester United. It’s one of the best clubs in the world, a club that I admire a lot,” he said yesterday. United has continued to monitor his situation at the Bernabeu and will try to tempt the 27-year-old leftback once again at the end of the season, according to the reports. Coentrao, who is under contract until 2019, has not been a regular under Carlo Ancelotti this term, although he has often been selected for Madrid’s most important matches in recent years, including last year’s Champions League final.
hirteen lucky Nigerian Heineken fans are set to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience as this year’s UEFA Champions League draws to a close in Berlin on June 6. The fans who were amongst the over 3, 000 UEFA football fans that took part in the raffle draws across Nigeria have won an all-expense paid trip to Heineken’s worldfamous Ibiza Finale, where fans converge from all over the world to watch the UEFA Champions League final match. Sponsors Heineken say they will also enjoy lavish beach parties on the exotic island of Ibiza, a lush tourist destination off the coast of Spain, even as other winners of the raffle
draw carted away various premium quality consolation prizes. Abuja-based Arsenal fan, Daniel Ogar, says the dream trip will soothe the pain of seeing his team knocked out of the competition by AS Monaco in the Round of 16. “I have never been part of any raffle draw event,” Ogar said. Another Arsenal fan, Stanley Mgbemere, also said: “I am compensated with the fact that I will enjoy an all-expense paid trip to Europe, courtesy of Heineken.” Izunna Nwobodo and Egbuche Pope also won at the same Abuja bar, while Ogbonna Ifeanyi won in Enugu, where Aramide Kehinde, Onyekachi Colins and Lowis Nkemjika Ezema also won and will be joined by the trio of Ogie Omanoye, Raymond Iyala and Nkemka Eze from Port Harcourt.
Regional Business Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Abuja, Mohammed Shaibu (center) with all the lucky winners of Heineken ‘Champion the Match’ promotion in Abuja
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Sports
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
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File copy of Tunisian players as they harassed the referee (far right) at AFCON 2015 Onigbinde
AFCON 2015 fallout:
Tunisia escapes CAF hammer
T
unisia has avoided a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations ban after apologising to the Confederation of African Football for accusing the governing body of bias. The Tunisians had made the allegations over a controver-
sial penalty in a Nations Cup quarter-final defeat by Equatorial Guinea on January 31. CAF has, however, rejected Tunisia’s appeal against a $50, 000 fine for violent conduct by its players. The North Africans were incensed when Mauritian
referee Rajindraparsad Seechurn awarded the tournament host a penalty in the dying minutes which allowed the side to take the game to extra-time and ultimately triumph 2-1. CAF had threatened Tunisia with expulsion from the
preliminary tournament of the next Nations Cup if it did not receive an apology by yesterday. Tunisia initially refused to do so and lodged a protest with the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which it lately agreed to withdraw.
Samuel gets coach’s lift
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uper Eagles Assistant Coach, Daniel Amokachi, has revealed that the technical crew will continue its working on striker Aaron Samuel, who failed to make the desired impact in the team’s 1-1 draw with South Africa in a friendly on Sunday. The 20-year-old was handed a start by Amokachi, but was pulled off after 66 minutes after what was a disappointing display.
“He is a decent player. When a player is in the team he tries to do a lot of different stuff. Some players like to play with some certain players,” Amokachi said yesterday. “He is a young player, a very good player. He is someone we will keep coaching and counseling and let him know the right way to play as a number nine. Push when you need to push and score the goals.”
Samuel
CAF Cup: ‘Wolves won’t be walked over’
O
Etebo
fficials of Warri Wolves have maintained they will not be walked over by Ethiopia’s Dedebit this weekend in a CAF Confederation Cup due to a cash crunch. Wolves beat the Ethiopian club 2-0 in the first leg in Warri and there have been fears that Wolves could follow the line of Dolphins in the Confederation Cup as they are yet to book their tickets for their trip to Addis Ababa. However Wolves Media Officer, Moses Etu, has said the
team’s travel plans are on track. “There is no cause for alarm. We still have two days to make the necessary arrangements. The team is still in close camp,” Otu said yesterday. “Our plan is to head out of Warri tomorrow and arrive Ethiopia on Friday for the game on Saturday. “All things being equal, we will book the travel tickets today (yesterday). The good thing is that it’s a direct flight.”
Onigbinde blames NFF over Eagles MERCY JACOB
F
ormer FIFA and CAF technical instructor, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde, has blamed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for the unimpressive performance of Super Eagles in the latest friendly games against Uganda and South Africa. “The outcome of the friendly matches played by the Eagles is a proof that we no longer have a team in place and will continue this way if the NFF refuses to do the right thing,” Onigbinde told National Mirror yesterday. “I am really not surprised by the performances because you cannot give what you don’t have. “There are lots of things to say but I am afraid, my opinion no longer counts. “I have been technical committee chairman for two years but was never invited to any meeting. But I know that if we don’t take the right decisions now, we have to contend with tougher times ahead. “It’s barely eight months after the exit of Keshi as Eagles coach but there is no new coach in sight. Yet some of the NFF board members may have committed themselves to a foreign coach for selfish reasons.”
WORLD RECORD
Most people to pass an egg Vol. 05 No. 1081
N150
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
The most people to pass an egg is 259 and was achieved by °C-ute and their fans (all Japan) at Akasaka Blitz in Minato, Tokyo, Japan, on 22 August 2014.
Military complicity in Nigeria’s warped federalism
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he transformation of Nigeria into a unitary state by the military stems from its belief that the country was not ripe for true federalism. For proof, the military elites are always citing the crisis that rocked the nation immediately after independence, which culminated in the civil war. Though Nigeria was amalgamated by Lord Fredrick Lugard in 1914, Northern and Southern Nigeria remained separately governed (South by legislative council and North by governor’s proclamation). This unwholesome practice remained so until 1945 when Sir Arthur Richard became Governor General and brought his Richards Constitution, which set out the initial three regions. This was the first indication that Nigeria was moving towards federalism. These regions, namely,
Guest Columnist Eastern, Northern and Western regions, however, did not become federal structures per se until the McPherson Constitution of 1951 and Littleton constitution of 1954. These latter constitutions granted the regions quasi legislative and executive powers as should be in a federation. Fiscal federalism was in place, as well as legislative assemblies, unicameral initially in the East and bicameral in the North and West. By independence on October 1, 1960, Nigeria was a full-fledged federation, with power fully with the regions, which had their own constitutions, police, civil service, and so on. This continued through the creation of Mid-Western Region from Western Region in 1963 up to January 15, 1966, when the military struck. They replaced federalism with a unitary system and almost irreparably damaged it. We must give it to Arthur Richard for being the first to see and accept that Nigeria could make progress as one country if it was structured as a federation. His 1946 Richardson Constitution granted internal autonomy to the existing three regions. And at independence the largely autonomous regions possessed the residual powers in the federation and functioned almost wonderfully according to their own strengths and comparative advantages. Contrary to popular claims that regions were stronger, even before the First Republic collapsed, the federal government was asserting greater powers. In particular, it controlled the national economy and possessed emergency powers to intervene
Golf: No course return date for Woods
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eports yesterday said it is not clear when former world number one, Tiger Woods, will return to competition after admitting last month that he would not return until he was in
Law Mefor
tournament shape as his scores kept plummeting. The 39-year-old posted an 82 at the Phoenix Open in January, his worst round as a professional, and since then the 14-times major winner
CONTRARY TO POPULAR CLAIMS THAT REGIONS WERE STRONGER,
EVEN BEFORE THE
FIRST REPUBLIC COLLAPSED, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WAS ASSERTING GREATER POWERS in any region where law and order had broken down, as it did in Western Region in 1962. Compared to the powers of the states in the 1999 constitution though, the regions were also powerful; they had separate constitutions, foreign missions and independent revenue bases. All this changed under military rule. For those who do not know, federalism is a mode of political organization that unites separate states or other polities, in such a way as to allow each to maintain its own fundamental political distinctness while being a part of the whole. Federal systems do this by requiring that basic policies be made and implemented through negotiation in some form, so that all the members can share in all decisions involved in nation building. Federalism is, therefore, a political philosophy in which nations or groups are bound together. The term federalism is also used to describe a system of the
government in which sovereignty is constitutionally divided between a central governing authority and constituent political units (in Nigeria’s case, regions and later, states). Federalism is the system in which the power to govern is shared between the national and state governments, creating what is often called a federation. It was truly so in Nigeria before the military usurpation of political powers in the country. Nigeria’s federalism has one fundamental inherent contradiction: while others came together to form a nation, a nation was first formed in our case and regions/states then created as mere administrative convenience, not to recognize the naturally federating unites. In fact, efforts were made to destroy the nation’s federating units. For example, the South East (Igbo), South West (Yoruba), South South (Ijaw, et al), North West (Hausa Bakwe), North East (Banza Bakwe), Middle Belt ( Tiv, Idoma, et al), etc. would have been left the way they were as ethnic nationalities. In other words, Nigeria wouldn’t have had more than six or eight federating units, and not the 36 states we have today. This is a gross error of judgment for which the nation has suffered beyond description. Below is the chronicle of how the military destroyed Nigeria’s federalism: Aguyi-Ironsi regime The then Chief of Army Staff, MajorGeneral Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi, an Igbo, 42 years old, and against all advice, promulgated Decree Number 34 of 1966, which abrogated the federal system of government and substituted it with a unitary system; he argued that the military could only govern in this way. To be continued Barr Mefor, forensic psychologist and journalist, is National Coordinator, Transform Nigeria Movement (TNM) Abuja and wrote via lawmefor@ gmail.com
Sport Extra
has continued a downward slide that resulted in him failing to qualify for this month’s WGC-Cadillac Championship, an event he has won seven times. Woods, who spent a re-
cord total of 683 weeks at the top of the rankings until he lost the number one spot to Australia’s Adam Scott in May 2014, is not required to announce if he is playing the Masters until the tournament
starts April 9. His slip in the latest world ranking was the first time in 20 year, the last when he was 20 years old in September 1996 when he was at number 225.
Woods
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