Binder1

NLNG rakes in $10.5bn revenue

Xenophobia:

NLC urges FG to evacuate Nigerians from S’Africa

...predicts bright outlook for sub-sector UDEME AKPAN

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igeria Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG, generated $10.5bn into government

Omotowa

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coffers last year, with the prospects that its revenue inflow this year may surpass the 2014 figures.

The $10.5bn is about $1bn higher than the cumulative revenue for the preceding year.

Managing Director of the company, Mr. Babs Omotowa, who dropped the hint yesterday in Lagos, said LNG in particular and natural gas in general offered better revCONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

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Wabba

Tuesday, Tuesday,June April7,21, 2011 2015

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CJN warns Buhari, C new governors

ISE-OLUWA IGE ABUJA

...says failure to respect constitution dangerous Vows to descend on erring magistrates

hief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmoud Mohammed, yesterday, called on the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, and in-coming governors to respect and obey the 1999 Constitution relating to financial autonomy for the judiciary.

The CJN said funds appropriated to state judiciary must be released promptly by governors to enable the justice system function effectively.

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Quattara lauds Jonathan for accepting defeat P.6 Chukwumerije:

MASSOB declares 3-day mourning P.10 ADVERT HOTLINES For advert bookings and information, please contact: LAGOS 01-8446073, 08113947415 08113947419 08113947420 08113947422 ABUJA 08113947421 PORT HARCOURT 08113947418 OGBESE 08113947424

Members of Advocate for Peoples Rights and Justice, protesting in Abuja at South Africa High Commission over xenophobic attack on Nigerians in South Africa, yesterday.

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Govt investigating Ondo mysterious deaths –Minister P.2

Cholera outbreak hits Delta community, kills 30

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NLNG rakes in $10.5bn revenue in 2014 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

enue earning prospects for the nation’s economy.

He said that generated revenue, which stood at $9.5bn in 2013, would likely continue to rise in the coming years, following increased production and commodities export.

Omotowa added that based on a number of factors, liquefied natural gas and by extension companies involved in the production and sale of natural gas still held enormous potential for growth in the long term.

He listed one of the factors that would influence bigger market for the commodities as the growing world population, which is projected to reach nine billion in 2050 with the attendant ripple effects for economic growth globally.

According to him, the projected growth in demand in the long term is also expected to be stimulated by the continued emphasis on global determination and efforts to tackle climate change and protect the environment for in the interest of future generations.

He pointed out that as uses of gas gains momentum in power generation, industrialisation and increasingly, transportation, it was expected that the rising demand will be sustained with opportunities for producers to grow their portfolios.

“Nigeria fortunately ranks among the few countries in the world blessed with abundant proven natural gas reserves. Proven reserves stand at some 187 trillion cubic feet much of which was discovered while exploring for oil,” he said.

Omotowa said the nation can make capital of the future anticipated increase in demand for natural gas accounts by supporting the growth of the LNG industry so that it is positioned to meet this future demand.

He maintained that Nigeria, through its efficient operations and profitability, had illustrated the benefits its stands to gain by investing in the sector, adding that as the major driver of the Federal Government’s efforts to reduce gas flares and tackle its impact on envi-

ronment, NLNG has succeeded in monetising the nation’s gas resources.

“Last year for instance, gas exports from our plant generated $1.3bn in corporate income tax for the government, which

was five per cent of the nation’s revenue. “As part of the programme, significant backend work is ongoing targeted at adding a seventh LNG train to our current six train structure which at a point

in time was the fastest growing such facility in the world.

“Beyond growing our production from 22 to 30 million tons per annum, train 7 will definitely increase our capacity to become a more

important global energy supplier as well as to deliver enhanced value to Nigeria and Nigerians.

“Our company’s success since operations began in 1999 makes a strong case for further investment in

the sector which will in turn bring measurable, substantial benefits to the country,” Omotowa added.

He stressed that there were lucrative opportunities for investment in the long term LNG market.

L-R: Borno State Governor-elect, Senator Maina Maaji; Governor Alhaji Kashim Shettima; President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari; Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu and Sen. Ali Ndume, during a courtesy visit of Borno State delegation to the president-elect in Kaduna, yesterday.

CJN warns Buhari, new governors CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

The executive, since 1999 when the on-going Fourth Republic berthed, had refused to comply with relevant provisions of the constitution, which granted financial autonomy to the judiciary in order to control and hamper the independence of the third arm of government.

Although, the Federal Government had, recently, complied with the provisions of the constitution, many state chief executives had refused, a situation which compelled the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, to go to court for an order affirming financial autonomy for the judiciary as spelt out in the constitution.

A Federal high court in Abuja ordered the chief executives to comply, many of them still refused to release fund appropriated for the judiciary.

This development led to closure of courts nationwide for weeks by JUSUN before intervention came

from stakeholders, including the CJN. Speaking, yesterday, at the opening ceremony of the 2015 national workshop for magistrates on judicial ethics and corrupt practices in Abuja, the CJN called on the in-coming state executives to prioritise the issue by releasing, promptly, to the heads of courts, all funds appropriated to the judiciary.

He warned that failure to do that would portend great danger for the nation’s justice system in the next four years.

“Without proper funding, no head of court can perform magic. It is on this note that I call upon all the state chief executives, including those that will be coming on board on May 29, 2015 that they should please respect and obey the Constitution they have sworn to uphold.

“All the funds appropriated to the state judiciary should be promptly released to heads of courts so that they can function effectively.

“When the magistrates feel unsecured by the government, they are tempted to provide the security themselves.

“Financial insecurity is the worst because it exposes the magistrates to some corrupt and ignoble practices.

This must be avoided by all means.

“The magistrate must be adequately encouraged to discharge his duties without fear or favour, affection or ill-will,” he said.

Warning against the retention of the status quo, the CJN said the nation’s justice system would suffer.

He said: “I am aware that some of you (magistrates) sit in town halls and other unsuitable venues. Many of you live in rented apartments with co-tenants, some of whom may be or become litigants in your courts.

“The security of your lives and properties are very porous. Many of you have been attacked by hoodlums.

Some have been kidnapped and huge ransoms demanded from their families.

Some have even been killed by assassins. All these make the condition of your work so bad and challenging.

“These ugly scenarios are occasioned by the refusal of some state chief executives to obey the Constitution and give to your heads of court what belong to the judiciary of your state,” he said.

He, however, warned that the hardship being faced should not be the reason for indulging in unwholesome conducts, warning that any erring magistrate will be properly disciplined.

“But if you carry out your duties very effectively and diligently, your reward surely awaits you. Your destiny is in your own hands.

Many past Chief Justices of Nigeria started as magistrates just like you; if they can make it to the top, why not you? All that is required is honesty, hard work and integrity. If you possess all these, then you are ready to fly,” he added.

Also at the occasion, the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute,

NJI, Justice P. Bozimo, admitted that poor funding had affected the base of the judicial system in Nigeria.

She however warned the magistrates that the desecration of the code of ethics for judicial officers would no longer be tolerated.

She said: “This year’s workshop is designed to acquaint the participants with the salient provisions of the Code of Conduct for judicial officers in Nigeria and the basic principles of judicial ethics.

“This has become necessary because there has been gradual but frightening deviation from acceptable conducts by magistrates in all parts of Nigeria. Some magistrates exhibit life styles that are inimical to judicial ethics and Code of Conduct.

“This dangerous deviation can no longer be tolerated as it has caused serious damage to the image and integrity of the Judiciary.

“Such misconducts have led to the erosion of public confidence in the judicial process.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

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National News

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

L-R: President, Nigerian School Sports Federation, Mallam Ibrahim Muhammed; Chief Marketing Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Angelone Francesco and Director, Brands & Experience, Enitan Denloye, during a press conference/match draw of Etisalat U-15 School Cup in Lagos, yesterday.

PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI

L-R: American Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. James Entwistle; US Senior Regional Security Officer, Mr. John Bray; Officer in-Charge of Force Criminal Investigation Department, DIG Solomon Arase and Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, during visit of the American ambassador in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Corporate Affairs/Media Relations Officer, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mr. Rafiu Mohammed; Project Manager, Tulsi Chanrai Foundation, Mr. Sathya Narayana; Branch Manager, FCMB, Kebbi, Mr. Musa Salihu; a beneficiary of the Priceless Gift of Sight project, Alhaji Manu Maikaji and Permanent Secretary, Kebbi State Ministry of Health, Alhaji Muhammed Kende, during a community outreach programme to provide free eye test and surgery for people suffering from cataract in Birnin Kebbi, yesterday.

L-R: Professor of Government, Harvard University/Keynote Speaker, James Robinson; Managing Director/CEO, Wema Bank Plc, Segun Oloketuyi; former Vice President, World Bank (Africa Region), Obiageli Ezekwesili; Serving Overseer, The Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare and former Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe, during Wema Bank’s 70th anniversary commemorative lecture on why nations succeed, in Lagos, yesterday.

National News

Evacuate Nigerians from South Africa, NLC tells FG

Olufemi AdeOsun And AbOlAji AdebAyO

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igeria Labour Congress, NLC, yesterday condemned the ongoing xenophobic attacks in South Africa, describing the killings of fellow Africans as barbaric.

The union also called on the Federal Government to work out evacuation plan for Nigerians living in the troubled country should the attacks continue unabated.

NLC in a statement signed by its President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, stated that it was absurd for a country, which got overwhelming support from fellow African countries during the apartheid regime, to now turn round to attack people from such nations.

Ayuba, who challenged the government of South Africa to urgently address the unemployment situation causing the unrest, maintained that it would be improper for anyone to hold

…traders’ association threatens retaliation

immigrants responsible for the seeming joblessness in the country.

Wabba said: “The killings are barbaric, irresponsible, archaic and falls short of global decent standards expected of a country like South Africa.

“Besides, South Africa is the highest beneficiary of international solidarity during the anti-apartheid struggles.

The rest of the world should not be given the impression that those they supported have taken subterranean decision to attack citizens of their countries in return.

“We call on the Federal Government to take all necessary steps to ensure every Nigerian living in South Africa, old or young, are fully protected and should the attacks continue, they should be evacuated back home for rehabilitation and re-engagement.

“We fully support all steps taken so far by our government. Indeed, we support any

positive step the government will take in furtherance of the protection of all Nigerians living in South Africa and their interests.”

The NLC boss also called on the South African government to move swiftly to address the drift, adding that failure to do so could generate international reactions.

He noted that the violence could also jeopardise South African businesses in other countries, especially the originating countries of the immigrants.

The statement reads in part: “South Africa, like all independent African countries is a member of the African Union which also has the capacity to exert strong intervention before the situation degenerates as this could strain the cohesiveness of the AU and also subvert the spirit and purpose of its existence.

“We sympathise and condole with the victims and families of those who have

lost their lives in these mindless attacks.

“We call on our counterpart, the Congress of South African Trade Unions, COSATU, to offer decisive interventions that ensures the protection of lives and properties as immigrant workers are covered by conventions of the International Labour Organisation, ILO to which the labour centre is also affiliated, like the NLC. Injuries to migrant workers are injuries to all workers all over the world.

“No matter who incited the violence, the Government of South Africa should be held responsible for the ongoing xenophobic attacks.”

Meanwhile, National Association of Nigerian Traders, NANTS, also yesterday described the attacks as a way of rekindling the apartheid syndrome.

President of the association, Ken Ukaoha, in a statement, said the attacks were

ugly reminder of violence against foreigners, which was not unprecedented in South Africa.

“Emphatically, our secretariat in the last 48 hours has been inundated with intelligence reports from our members in South Africa that plans are rift by the perpetrators of this barbaric act to attack shops belonging to Nigerians, loot and destroy whatever they cannot cart away.

“Unfortunately, we have not seen enough measures by the South African government either to intervene to halt this wanton looting or protect innocent lives of law abiding immigrants, whose contribution to South Africa’s political and economic prosperity cannot be over emphasised.

“We therefore strongly call on the Federal to rise up to the occasion by having immediate contingency plans to evacuate Nigerians within 24 hours to avoid us losing

our citizens to these worthless attacks; or better still impress the South African Government to do all within it power to guarantee the safety of lives and properties of our brothers, Nigerians and other Africans who have not violated any known convention or laws by choosing to establish in South Africa,” he said.

Ukaoha also described a statement credited to the Zulu King, Goodwill Zwelithini, that foreigners should “pack their bags” and leave as unfortunate and inciting, saying such unguarded and unpatriotic call had helped to escalate the attack.

The NANTS boss warned of possible reprisal against South African citizens and investments in Nigeria.

He said the association may cease to promote or canvass the protection of South African investments in Nigeria if Nigerians continue to face brazen brutality in the former apartheid enclave.

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Tuesday, April 21, 2015

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Govt investigating Ondo mysterious deaths –Minister MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

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he Federal Government yesterday said it is investigating the poisonous substance responsible for the death of 18 persons in Ode Irele, Ondo State last week.

Government also allayed fears over the outbreak of a mysterious disease in the country.

Minister of State for Heath, Mr. Fidelis Nwankwo, told journalists at a briefing in Abuja that “the situation is under control.”

Nwankwo informed that epidemiological findings indicated strong linkage of the outbreak with the consumption of a local gin that may have been contaminated with methanol (poisonous material.)

“At this stage, the particular poisonous substance (toxin) is being ascertained. The result of these detailed investigations currently being conducted by government and partners are still being awaited and will be made public as soon as possible.

“The assuring news however is that no new cases have been reported in the past 100 hours and no new mortality in the last 72 hours.

“We therefore believe that the situation is under control and that the stability will be sustained, while active case search and contact tracing continue in earnest. “However, if any suspected case is found, it should be reported to the nearest health centre for prompt investigation and treatment,” he said.

According to him, the victims of the illness have been males between the ages of 22 and 75 years.

He said they mostly exhibited headache, blurring of vision, sudden blindness, loss of speech, unconsciousness and sudden death within 48 hours.

He confirmed that as the last count, 18 of the 23 cases had died. The remaining five, he said, are receiving treatment at University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan.

He however assured that government would continue to work with relevant agencies to get to the root of the

the families of the bereaved and the sick, Vaz commended both the Federal and Ondo state governments for their efforts on the ailment so far.

“What is important in this situation is to make sure that we know the causes. Unless we have the

final diagnosis from the lab, everything is a potential cause. “So, the key issue is that the lab is taking the necessary action to identify the cause. The other important aspect that was clear was that it had nothing to do with viral diseases or any bacteria,” Vaz added.

President Goodluck Jonathan (right) with President Alassane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

scourge, even as he stressed that the joint where the victims took the drink had been shut, while people had been taught to observe all the precautionary measures.

“I hope that we are hearing the last of this,” he said.

Meanwhile, Country Representative, World Health

Organisation, Dr Rui Gama Vaz, denied issuing any statement on the disease, as reported in some section of the media.

He also tasked the Federal and Ondo state governments to find the cause of the disease.

While condoling with

FAAC sets up committee over NNPC’s unremitted $1.8bn TOLA AKINMUTIMI

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he Federation Account Allocation Committee, FAAC, yesterday constituted a committee to look into why it had taken so long for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, to remit $1.48bn into the federation account about two months after it was expected to have done so.

PriceWaterHouse Coopers, the auditors that conducted forensic audit on the missing oil funds had given the advice in its recommendations and this was followed by a Presidential directive.

The Chairman of the Forum of Finance Commissioners, Mr. Timothy Odaah, who hinted on the constituted committee, had expressed the group’s concern during his chat with journalists after the committee’s meeting in Abuja.

Odaah, who is also the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Finance, specifically pointed out that it

was disturbing that after the President had given directive for the fund to be remitted to the Federation Account for sharing among the three tiers of government, the Corporation had failed to comply with the directive barely a month before the expiration of the tenure of the present administration.

According to him, the remittance and subsequent distribution to the tiers of government would have cushioned the effects of the fiscal challenges the Federal, States and Local Governments were contending with now by enabling them to meet recurrent obligations, particularly in area of personnel payroll.

He said: “We are making a clarion call that the directive on the $1.48bn, coming from the audit of NNPC, should be made available so that we can clear that.

“The coming (April) FAAC is the last FAAC and we believe it should come during that period because if it doesn’t come in by then, it is belated

and we don’t want it to escape that period,” Odaah added.

It would be recalled that PwC was last year engaged by the government to conduct a comprehensive audit of the NNPC’s oil lifting accounts following the alarm raised by the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Sanusi, Lami-

do Sanusi, now Emir of Kano, over alleged $20bn missing money from crude oil sales.

Sanusi, had written a letter to President Goodluck Jonathan, alleging non-remittance of $49bn by the Corporation into the Federation Account.

Following the dust raised by the letter, the Public Finance Commit-

tee of the Senate was later inaugurated to investigate the allegation and also reconcile the accounts.

PwC, in the report submitted a few months ago stated that while the total gross revenues generated from crude oil liftings was $69.34bn between January 2012 and July 2013 and not $67bn as earlier stated by the Senate Reconciliation

Committee, total remittances to the Federation Account was $50.81bn and not $47bn.

Out of the $69.34bn gross revenue accruals, the audit report indicated that $28.22bn was the value of domestic crude oil allocated to NNPC, adding that total amount spent on subsidy for Premium Motor Spirit amounted to $5.32bn.

Guinean prosecutor demands death penalty for 15 over Ebola murders

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prosecutor called yeterday for the death penalty on 15 people accused of the murders of a nine-member Ebola education team in southern Guinea, judicial sources said.

The victims, including local health officials and journalists, went missing after their delegation came under attack from angry locals during an outreach visit to the southern town of Womey in September last year.

Eight bodies were recovered from the septic tank

of a nearby primary school two days after the attack.

Williams Fernandez, prosecuting at the trial in the southern city of N’Zerekore, said 26 defendants had been accused of a raft of offences including murder, criminal conspiracy, robbery, assault and theft.

He called for 15 accused to be sentenced to death and for the remaining 11 to be acquitted.

Michel Labile Sonomou, who is defending one of the accused, told AFP the fiveweek trial was due to sum

up at the end of the week.

Closing arguments for the defence begin on Tuesday.

The deadliest Ebola epidemic on record has killed nearly 11,000 people in west Africa, according to the World Health Organization.

The virus emerged in Guinea in December 2013 and quickly spread, accompanied by fear and paranoia among villagers who felt the government and the international community could not be trusted.

Many Guineans believed local and foreign healthcare workers were part of

a conspiracy to deliberately introduce the outbreak, or invented it as a means of luring Africans to clinics to harvest their blood and organs.

A police lieutenant told a news agency the Womey outreach team was targeted by protesters who had come “to kill them because they think Ebola is nothing more than an invention of white people to kill black people”.

At least 21 people were wounded during violent scenes in which the team was pelted with stones, according to local police.

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Tuesday, April 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

N2trn campaign fund: PDP NWC dissociates self Bayelsa Kolo Creek spill obioRa iFoh ABUJA

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ational Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, has distanced the party’s National Working Committee, NWC, from the controversy surrounding handling of PDP Presidential campaign funds, saying the NWC never received any amount from any quarter for the campaigns.

The PDP spokesman, who stated this while fielding questions during a radio programme in Abuja on Monday, also noted that President Goodluck Jonathan has denied ever spending the bandied N2 trillion on his campaigns, but added that NWC was not involved in the man-

agement of any fund released for the campaign.

He explained that all funds during the campaign were directed and managed by the Directorates of the Presidential Campaign Organisation, which the NWC had no control over.

“As a party, we have refrained from joining issues publicly on this matter, but in the light of series of enquiries arising from allegations that the NWC embezzled the money meant for campaigns, we need to make some clarifications.

“As spokesperson of the PDP, I want to place on record that the NWC was not part of management of funds for the presidential campaigns. The NWC did not receive any money, neither was it in any way involved in how the funds were spent. Even as the

National Publicity Secretary of the party and chairman of the Publicity Sub-Committee, I did not receive any money from anybody and no fund whatsoever was given to me for the campaign.

“Apparently out of ignorance, this NWC has been unjustly demonised and libeled. How can anybody expect the NWC to account for funds it never received? Can we account for funds we did not manage? The president in his wisdom set up directorates and gave them the responsibility to directly manage the elections, including the funding,” Metuh said.

The PDP spokesman decried the unnecessary heating up of the party system by certain elements, who apparently have been hired by some divisive ele-

ments within and outside the party to sponsor negative publications, ostensibly to pull down the leadership.

Calling on these individuals to desist from such, the PDP spokesman urged all party members to unite and support the leadership in its re-engineering efforts aimed at returning the party back to power in 2019.

He said the primary focus of the leadership at the moment was how to ensure that the party’s candidates in all the rescheduled elections across the country emerge victorious, while also perfecting all processes to ensure that those who fell victim of irregularities that characterised the 2015 elections reclaim their mandates.

blamed on sabotage

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eport of the Joint Investigation Visit, JIV at the Kolo Creek Manifold spill, which occurred on April 15, 2015, has attributed the leak to sabotage of the facility.

Shell, in a statement yesterday said the investigation team, which visited the site on April 16, found out that unknown persons had cut out a section of the metal protection to the manifold, removed components of the pressure control system and opened the isolation valves, resulting in a spill.

“The volume of spilled oil was estimated at 27 barrels, affecting mainly the manifold grounds and part of the surrounding vegetation.

“The investigation was

led by the regulators, NOSDRA, and DPR with the representatives of Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment, host communities and Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, SPDC. “SPDC stopped the leak soon after it occurred, deployed effective containment and began the recovery of oil.

“No chemical dispersant has been applied. The containment and oil recovery activities involved the use of booms, absorbent pads and vacuum truck for evacuation of recovered oil.

“Oil spill response activities are continuing while remediation will commence after initial clean-up has been done,” the statement said.

3 injured in bomb attack on Potiskum mosque

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Nigerian Immigration Service officials screening applicants for the computer-based test for recruitment into the service in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Quattara lauds Jonathan for accepting defeat Rotimi Fadeyi ABUJA

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ote d'Ivoire President, Alassane Ouattara, yesterday commended President Goodluck Jonathan for averting crisis in the country.

Quattara, who met with Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, told State House correspondents that by accepting defeat in the March 28 presidential election, Jonathan prevented the crisis that occurred in his country because of the refusal of his predecessor, Laurent Gbagbo, to leave office.

He commended Jona-

than for averting crisis in Nigeria by his decision to accept the election result and to hand over power to General Muhammadu Buhari, while also urging other African leaders to emulate him.

According to him, there must be a country before any leader can emerge.

"You know that about five years ago, Cote d'Ivoire had elections and I won the election and the former President (Laurent Gbagbo) decided not to leave office.

"This brought about civil war, 3,000 people were killed and we were put at a hotel for protection by the United Nations for four and a half months. We were

there without food because the hotel was guided by the president. It's only after four and a half months of imprisonment in that hotel that we were finally able to leave the hotel after the former president had quit and finally left office for me," Quattara said.

He noted that what happened in Nigeria should be a lesson to everyone that avoiding violence and civil war when there is election in Africa should be the utmost objective.

"This election in Nigeria is a legacy for African countries and I think we owe you a lot in ECOWAS. I will like to also say that for two years I was Chairman of ECOW-

AS, after yourself, and we had to deal with very difficult issues like the wars in Mali, the terrorist implementation in Northern Nigeria, the problem in Guinea Bissau, the problems in Togo," Quattara added.

Quattara

botched suspected Boko Haram suicide attack on a group of Shiite Muslims yesterday injured three people in Yobe State.

The would-be bomber detonated the explosives a few metres away from an open-air mosque in Dogo Tebo area of Potiskum shortly after the noon prayers.

“Three worshippers were hit by shrapnel and sustained mild injuries, while the bomber’s thighs and legs were blown off,” said local resident, Mukhtar Ubale, in an account supported by two others.

Another resident, who witnessed the explosion, Zakari Kabiru, said the bomber thought to be aged about 30, was taken to hospital, but his chances of survival were slim.

“Only his torso was intact, but the lower parts of his body were shattered,” he said, blaming Boko Haram for the attack.

Boko Haram whose insurgency to create a hardline Islamic state in North-east Nigeria has killed over 15,000 since 2009, condemns Shittes as heretics who should be killed.

The group has carried out several suicide

bombing attacks on Potiskum, the commercial hub of Yobe State, and one of the worst hit by the violence.

Last November, at least 15 people were killed and dozens injured from a suicide attack on a Shia Muslim Ashura festival procession, which marks the death of Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Mohammed.

Gun attacks by soldiers that followed left several others dead.

In July 2014, a blast rocked the same Saqafa mosque shortly after evening prayers, leaving four dead.

A second explosion went off moments later at a mosque in the town’s AnguwarBolawa area, in the compound of the Chief Imam, killing at least two worshippers.

A four-nation military offensive of Nigeria and its neighbours has pushed Boko Haram out of captured territory since February.

Security analysts have warned that the group would revert to its previous tactics of suicide and bomb attacks against “soft targets” such as crowded markets and busy transport hubs.

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Tuesday, April 21, 2015

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Nigerians should not expect miracles –Buhari ...petitioned over grazing reserves for cattle breeders

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resident-elect, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd), has urged Nigerians not to expect miracles from him when he takes over government on May 29.

Buhari spoke when Bauchi State governor-elect, Mohammed Abubakar led other elected members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to felicitate with him on his recent electoral victory.

“We are trying to dampen the high expectations; there is no way we can perform miracles because the damage took 16 years,

especially on the economy and unemployment. It will take time for us to put the infrastructure right and help revive the textile industry which used to employ a lot of people.

“We are betting on agriculture and mining for immediate employment of Nigerians, so that we can do a detailed study on the other sectors.

“I told the governorelect and other elected members to help tell members of their constituencies to exercise some patience when we are sworn-in,” he said.

Meanwhile, a Fulani community leader, Dodo Oroji, has appealed to the incoming administration of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, to address the problem of grazing reserve for Fulani herdsmen and stop cattle rustling in the country.

Oroji made the appeal yesterday in an interview in Kaduna.

He said it is important to properly tackle the two problems that had resulted in conflicts, avoidable deaths and loss of means of livelihood to hundreds of cattle breeders cross

the country.

Oroji advised the government to devise a new policy to settle the herdsmen in one place, so as to maximally tap the economic benefit of their vocation.

“Once you halt cattle breeders from migrating from one country to another in search of food for their animal and families, you not only ensure their safety but also have the opportunity to tap the vast economic benefits from their occupation.”

Oroji said it is important for the Federal Gov-

ernment to provide strategic grazing reserves and social amenities including schools, water and health services across the country, to keep the herders from moving about.

He argued that most herdsmen would prefer to remain in one place if the government would take care of some of their basic problems.

The community leader further appealed to the government to provide training on modern methods of animal husbandry to enhance economic activities in the sub sector.

“Everyday Nigeria loses millions of naira due to migration of herdsman to other African countries for their safety and that of their animals as a result of continued clashes with farmers and many other factors that contribute to their movement.”

Oroji urged the three tiers of government in the country to respond positively to the issue of frequent cattle rustling which has negative consequences on the economic wellbeing of the cattle breeders and overall national security.

OBIORA IFOH

declared and results sheets (Forms EC8A) issued to party agents, including agents of PDP, who signed the result sheets (see attached).”

It therefore, called on INEC to remove the polling units where elections held and results were declared by the presiding officers and signed by the party agents.

The summary of the expected voters’ strength of all the units indicated that Oru East has 30,404 voters, Mbaitoli has 10,072 voters, while Ezinnihite Mbaise has 1,329 voters, which brought the total registered voters in the areas affected to 47,891 registered voters.

The APC added that since elections held in these areas and were certified by the presiding officers and acknowledged by all party agents, INEC does not have the power to cancel the elections.

The party therefore urged INEC to exclude the listed areas from the proposed

elections of April 25 and restrict itself to areas where elections did not take place which has a total registered voter population of 98,447.

It said from the facts, it has become very necessary for it as a party to bring to INEC’s notice the manifest desperation of the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Imo State to pervert the electoral will of the people by continuously attempting to add new areas where supplementary elections are to hold to justify his decision not to declare the APC candidate as winner of April 11 gubernatorial election, hence the decision to declare it inconclusive.

The APC therefore alleged that Imo INEC officials were complicit in the electoral problem that took place in Mbaise areas of the state.

“If not, how can one justify the acceptance of results of Ezihite Mbaise that was above the Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs collections for

the local government?” the party stated.

It said when its agent pointed it out, the REC and State Returning Officer directed the local government Returning Officer, Mrs. Helen Ohanyerem, to go and revise the figures downwards

to accommodate the number of PVCs distributed in the area and thereafter admitted the revised results.

The party further alleged that the electoral officials connived with the military in Mbaise local council and Izombe ward in Oguta local

government and Egbema ward A, Egbema ward B, Ekwuato and Umuagwo ward in Ohaji/Egbeme local government area, carting away election materials and wrote results that were admitted by the Returning officer.

APC petitions INEC over Imo supplementary polls

ABUJA

N

ational Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, John Odigie-Oyegun, has written to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to express the party’s dissatisfaction over the electoral body’s decision to conduct supplementary elections in Imo State.

In a letter dated April 20, addressed to INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, APC said it had observed with keen interest the developments in Imo governorship election held on April 11, which was declared inconclusive by the commission.

It stated, “Our position is based on the fact that INEC in Imo State erroneously and perhaps, mischievously, included areas where elections took place and results were collated, announced,

Cholera kills 30 in Delta

A

t least, 30 people have been killed in the latest cholera outbreak in Delta State.

The deadly disease was reported yesterday in Isoko.

Chief epidemiologist at the Delta State Health Ministry, Steven Ofili, said prompt response and physical attention of health workers had curbed spread of the disease.

According to the official, people of the community had been facing challenges of cholera since 2010, when their main source of drink-

ing water was polluted.

He said rather than seeking medical help at the local health centre in the area, the people resorted to traditional medicines and self-medication to cure themselves.

“It was not until after the disease had claimed five lives that they (the local residents) brought it to the knowledge of the local authorities,” the official said in Asaba, the state capital.

Confirmed cases of cholera were promptly treated at the local health facility where medical workers, in

addition to examination and administration of preventive drugs, have been given tips on how to combat the disease, the senior health official said.

In 2010, more than 30 people had died when the first cholera outbreak was recorded following the pollution of the main source of water supply in the same area of Delta State.

Cholera, an infectious disease, causes severe watery diarrhea and can lead to dehydration and even death if untreated.

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION GINDIRI P.M.B 01000, GINDIRI, PLATEAU STATE

INVITATION FOR PRE-QUALIFICATION AND TENDER FOR 2013/ 2014 (MERGED) TETFUND NORMAL INTERVENTION 1.0 The College of Education, Gindiri invites interested and reputable contractors with proven competence and experience for pre-qualification and tender for the following projects: Lot 1: Construction of Science Laboratory Complex Including External Works Lot 2: Rehabilitation Work of Existing Office Block and Two Floors of Classroom Including External Works Lot 3 Procurement of 2Nr Semi-Executive Table, 24 Nr Semi-Executive Swivel Chair, 48Nr Visitors Chair, 22Nr File Cabinet, 24Nr 1.12kw (1.5HP) Split Unit Air conditioner, 108Nr Collapsible Chair with Writing Top For 5Nr Students Lot 4 Procurement of 9Nr Size 8340× 1000×900mm High Constructed With High Quality Plywood of Island Bench to Accommodate 20 Students Type A, 4Nr Size 8340×1000×900mm High Constructed With High Quality Plywood of Island Bench to Accommodate 20 Students Type B, 4Nr Laboratory Island Bench Size 8340×1000×900mm, 3Nr Teachers Desk Type A With Anti Chemical Resin Top Size 1800×750×900mm, 4Nr Teachers Desk Type B Laboratory Bench Size 1800×750×900mm, 434 Nr Labortory Stools Size 300×300×600mm High ETC 2.0 PRE-QUALIFICATION CRITERIA Interested Contractors are to submit their company profiles the following pre-qualification documents: i. Evidence of registration with the College as a contractor; ii. Evidence of incorporation of company with Corporate Affairs Commission; iii. Evidence of the Tax Clearance Certificate for the past three years; iv. Evidence of VAT Registration; v. Company profile and organizational structure with list and resumes of technical staff; vi. Evidence of Compliance with Pension Reform Act; vii. Evidence of Compliance with ITF Amendment Act 2011; viii. List of similar jobs executed with evidence of names of Clients, Letters of Award and Certificates of Completion; ix. Evidence of Financial Capability and Banking Support; and x. Program of work(graphic)/ Method Statement hard and Soft Copy xi. Evidence of successful execution of projects of 300M xii. Quality Assurance Policy xiii. Sworn Attestation that Information Provided are Genuine xiv. Any other document(s) that will enhance the potential of the company.

3.0 SUBMISSION OF PRE-QUALIFICATION DOCUMENTS Two copies of Pre-qualification documents should be submitted (with the original marked “original copy”) and sealed in separate envelopes enclosed in a common envelope. All envelopes must be wax sealed and bear the lot number and project title at the top right hand corner of the Envelope. The name and phone number of the Company should be indicated on the reverse side of the envelope and addressed to: The Registrar, College of Education Gindiri, P.M.B 01000, Gindiri, Plateau State, Nigeria.

These documents should be dropped in the Tender Box situated in the Registrar’s office before or on 4thMay, 2015.

4.0 COLLECTION AND SUBMISSION OF TENDER DOCUMENTS Contractors that scale through the pre-qualification will be communicated to collect the tender documents from the Registrar’s office of the College, fill and submit same in the Registrar’s office before or on 11thMay, 2015.

5.0 OPENING OF TENDER DOCUMENTS AND BIDDING The tender documents will be opened on 11th May, 2015 in the College Boardroom. All Tenderers and the general public are invited to witness the opening exercise.

NOTE 1. The lowest bidder may not necessarily be the winner 2. Successful bidders shall be notified to collect the award letter 3. The College shall not enter into correspondence with any unsuccessful bidder.

Signed: DYEK, NA’OMI DAUDA (Mrs) - REGISTRAR

8

South West

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Piracy: Artists, movie makers, others protest in Lagos FrancIs suberu

N

ollywood actors and actresses in Lagos yesterday stormed State House, Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja, to protest recent upsurge in activities of movie and music pirates in the country.

According to the protesters, movies and music piracy is rendering the efforts and funds invested in the industry meaningless.

Notable actors and actresses, who joined in the protest, included Bayo Salami, Jide Kosoko, Kunle Afolayan, Iyabo Ojo, Tunde Kelani, among others.

The protesters were armed with placards that read: “Save our business from piracy; Piracy is affecting our growth; Do not patronise pirates”, among others.

Coordinator of the protest, Tunde Kelani said: “Lagos is the hub of entertainment industry in the country and the centre of activity is the Alaba market, Ojo Local Government, Lagos. It is disheartening for investors to see their work pirated and sold on the streets of Lagos without anyone to stop it.”

Appealing to the Federal Government, Kelani said: “We want the Federal Gov-

ernment to elevate piracy to armed robbery, financial crimes and others, and make laws that would hinder sale of pirated works.”

Lamenting the new trend of piracy in the country, Kelani argued, “Previously, those involved in piracy waited for the release of films before they pirated them. But the new trend now is that films still in the cinemas and not officially released by producers are pirated and sold openly in the streets of Lagos unhindered.”

Mr. Gabriel Okoye added: “We have located the den of these pirates. We have identified those involved, but we

don’t have the legal backing to stop them.

“Those we spent six years prosecuting were given three months imprisonment or option of N10,000 fine. That is the law of our country.

According to Okoye, “for instance, in India, it is death penalty. Also in United Kingdom, they have gotten antipiracy squad that clamps down on them anywhere they are found. In America, anyone found guilty of piracy gets 15 years imprisonment, among other punishments.”

Responding, Fashola said, “Stealing of intellectual properties, which we

call piracy, is not peculiar to Nigeria, it happens in other countries. They haven’t successfully overcome it, but they have put it under control through different measures. And some of them you have alluded to. And it is those measures that we must adopt in full quantum.

And as long as it takes, I will be on your side until this war is won.

“And the first thing to agree on is the need for law enforcement, because there is a law that prohibits piracy; either weak or not. If there is law enforcement, we can begin to send messages that if anyone violates the law, he must face the full weight of the law.

“Also, it will require multiplicity of actions; technology is part of the problem.

We will seek to use technology to solve the problem technologies have created.

“We are working with some of you to ensure we produce software that will make piracy impossible.

“Pirates will not go away, but we must stay ahead of them. And one of the measures we also think can help is investing in community cinemas because through this, you can beat the pirates at the game. And in one weekend, for instance, one can make all his money and that is what happens in India.

“We have to attack from many fronts. And this campaign has to be bigger than the All Progressives Congress, APC, campaign at the last general elections in the country.

Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy holds education summit Franka osakwe

I Nigerian actors and producers protesting against piracy in Lagos, yesterday.

Court official jailed 3 years over fraud Matthew IrInoye

J

ustice Latifa Okunu of an Ikeja High Court yesterday sentenced a staff of the probate division of the Lagos State judiciary, Mrs Bukola Adeosun, to a threeyear jail term for stealing government money.

The judge found the woman guilty of two of the three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and alteration against her by the prosecution.

In her judgment, the judge held that Adeosun was guilty of stealing to the tune of N1,114,000 belonging to government, however, she was absolved of conspiracy on the ground that there was no evidence linking her conduct with anybody else as claimed by the prosecution.

It would be recalled that Adeosun was accused by the prosecution on three-count charge of stealing and conspiracy alongside other probate official, Mrs Funmilayo Kazeem. They were alleged to have defrauded the government and their unsuspecting victims, who came for official transactions at the probate division of the court.

However, the court discharged and acquitted the second defendant for the offences of conspiracy and stealing, while convicting the 1st defendant of the offence of stealing.

According to the prosecution, the convict, between June and August 2008, did collect various sums of money amounting to N1.1million from different people, while issuing them original government receipts without re-

flecting same in the official records of the treasury of the court.

She was accused of issuing receipts bearing big sum of money, contrary to official directive, which prescribed any transaction above N2,000 to be paid to the bank.

The prosecution during the trial disclosed that the cashiers at the probate were not expected to collect cash above N2,000 on a transaction, but during investigation it was discovered that the convict collected various sums of money ranging from N4,000 to N150,000 from her unsuspecting victims with the pretext to help them conduct some probate issues.

In her judgment, Justice Okunnu held that the prosecution was able to prove the case of stealing against the convict in spite of the fact

that she argued in her voluntary statements, where she admitted collecting the money that they were taken under duress.

She also denied ever collecting money from her victims, attributing her problems to her co-accused.

Okunnu held that her statements were voluntarily made and that the discrepancies in her statements were in doubt.

The judge held that: "the first defendant stole the money belonging to Lagos State Government and had engaged in unwholesome practices to swindle the government."

Considering the allocutus by her lawyer, Okunnu, held that the punishment for her offence attracted 7 years imprisonment, but sentenced her to three years jail.

n a bid to proffer solution toward better pharmacy practice in Nigeria, the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy in collaboration with the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria, PCN, will hold a maiden edition of its Pharmacy Education Summit from April 22 to 24 at the University of Lagos Conference Centre, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos.

Speaking to journalist in Lagos on Monday, President of the academy, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, said the aim of the summit is to carry out situation analysis, identify gaps and proffer solution towards a better pharmacy education and practice in Nigeria.

He said the responsibility of pharmacist have changed from mere drug dispensing to collaborative medication management with physicians and other health care professionals.

“Approximately one-half of patients visiting a community pharmacy have complained of inappropriate drug therapy, thus necessitating the need for changes in the role of the pharmacist. The goal of this summit is to maximise the pharmacist’s role in direct patient care, thereby empowering the pharmacy team to take responsibility for medication use outcomes by improving health

care team integration and promoting pharmacist training,” he said.

Speaking further about the summit, the Vice President of the academy, Ifeanyi Atueyi, said the education summit is the first outing of the academy; hence all arrangement has been put in place to ensure its success.

Several institution and organisations expected to grace the occasion include, The Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria, National Agency for Food and Drug administration and Control, NAFDAC, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development, NIPRD, Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, PMGMAN, and the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists, WAPCP, among others.

According to Atueyi, the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy is aimed at promoting harmony and team spirit among members in the health sector and other relevant professionals.

“The academy champion’s transformation change and innovation through encouraging industry, research and development, as well as utilising several technological advancement opportunity open to pharma-care,” he added.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Impeachment: Tension grips Ekiti …students, workers stay at home; PDP sues for peace

ObIOra IfOh and abIOdun nejO

P

upils of public and private primary and secondary schools in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, failed to resume for the third term school calendar.

This followed apprehension generated by alleged plan of the 19 All Progressives Congress, APC, lawmakers in the House of Assembly to resume at the legislative chambers in continuation of the plot to impeach Governor Ayodele Fayose.

Tension mounted in the state capital as security personnel were more visible in the metropolis, although there were no barricades on the roads leading to the state as done previously since the impeachment saga began to prevent the APC lawmakers’

access to the assembly complex.

Consequently, parents did not release their wards for resumption as the schools visited had just few pupils and teachers.

Even civil servants stayed away from their offices as rumour was rife on Sunday that the plot of APC lawmakers would be resisted by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, members and Fayose's supporters.

However, the Assembly complex remained locked with heavy security presence, while PDP members mobilised by caretaker chairmen in all the 16 council areas also laid siege to the Assembly.

Party members were seen in clusters at every strategic point around the complex keeping vigil to prevent the lawmakers from to perfecting their impeachment plot against Fayose.

Meanwhile, APC in Ekiti State has praised drivers and motorcycle (okada) riders’ associations for refusing to obey Fayose's alleged inciting order to foment trouble over the alleged impeachment plan to storm the House of Assembly with thugs.

The Ekiti APC Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, alleged that the governor had in a broadcast on Sunday urged drivers, motorbike operators, market women and workers‎ to rise up to protect the mandate they gave him to incite them to violence.

In a statement in AdoEkiti yesterday, Olatunbosun praised the drivers and Okada riders for refusing to protest and be used as cannon fodder while the governor's children were kept in safety and luxury abroad.

The APC spokesman said the matter at hand was

not about partisanship but about the allegation of abuse of the constitution.

Meanwhile, the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has called on all political stakeholders in the state, especially APC lawmakers to embrace the new spirit of reconciliation, forgiveness and dialogue being offered by Governor Fayose.

The PDP in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh yesterday commended the governor for extending an olive branch to his detractors, describing such as a mark of a true leader committed to peace and the welfare of his people. The PDP also praised Ekiti people for defending the mandate they gave to Fayose while urging them to ensure that all their actions and utterances fall within the ambit of the law and tenets of democracy.

Lagos, 10 others benefit from N75bn World Bank agric funding francIs suberu

W

orld Bank has spent $380 million (N75, 240,000,000) in the last eight years to develop agriculture in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria.

It was gathered that of the total sum, $180 million was spent on Commercial Agriculture Development Project, CADP, while $200 million was spent on National Fadama Development Project, FADAMA. Commissioner for Agriculture, Prince Gbolahan Lawal, while disclosing this at a press briefing in Lagos, said the $200 million Fadama grant was accessed by six states, while the $180 million was accessed by five states, including Lagos.

He said as a result of Lagos’ performance in the World Bank-assisted project, the state was among six others selected to access $25 million grant from the World Bank through the Federal Government for 2015.

On recent fear raised about the return of bird flu, Lawal said there was nothing to fear as there is currently no incident of the disease in the state.

About 3,000 birds were killed during the recent onset of bird flu in Lagos. Giving a breakdown, Lawal said about 2,000 birds were killed on one farm, 500 birds each in two farms and 10 birds in a zoo on Lekki axis.

He said most of the food requirements of Lagos were being imported from other states.

“At the end of 2014, our internal production has been 10 percent which is an increase of 7 percent from 3 percent in pre2007,” he said, adding that the state’s target is to hit 25 percent by 2018.

He said the asset base of cooperative societies in the state was now N60 billion and that there are about 6,500 cooperative societies in Lagos of which only 2,700 had been revalidated and confirmed active.

Osun students issue ultimatum over bursary bOladale bamIgbOla OSOGBO

S L-R: Director of Operations, Nigerian Railway Corporation, Mr. Niyi Alli; Director, Special Services Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Abdullahi Shehu and Director, Special Services Office, Mr. Delson Kaze, during a workshop on security consciousness and awareness for railway workers and users for South-West geo-political zone in Lagos, yesterday.

tudents of Osun State origin under the aegis of National Association of Osun State Students, NAOSS, yesterday gave the state government three days ultimatum to begin payment of bursary to its members or risk protests across the

N1.86bn contract: Court rules on Oyedepo’s objection May 27 Wale IgbIntade

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Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday fixed May 27 for ruling on the preliminary objection filed by Founder, Living Faith Church, a.k.a.

Winners’ Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo, in a N1.86 billion breach of contract suit filed against him by a stock brokerage firm.

The suit, which is before Justice Muhammed Yinusa, also has Oyedepo’s family, his book publishing company, Winners’ Chapel and the Nigerian Stock Exchange,

NSE, as defendants.

The plaintiffs, Valueline Securities and Investment Limited, and its Managing Director, Samuel Enyinnaya, had sued Oyedepo for alleged breach of contract in a N9 billion stock market deal.

The plaintiffs had accused NSE of bias in its investigations into the N9 billion business dispute. They therefore urged the court to declare as illegal, the freezing of their bank accounts

by NSE and to make an order to immediately unfreeze their accounts.

But Oyedepo, through his counsel, Mr. Chioma Ok-

wuanyi, had urged the court to discountenance the plaintiffs’ claims and decline jurisdiction over the case, which was a fallout of capital market transaction.

In his preliminary objection, Oyedepo argued that by the provisions of Section 34 of the Investment and Securities Act, only the Investment and Securities Tribunal had the vested authority to entertain a dispute between a capital market operator and his client and not a Federal High Court, to which the plaintiff had brought the matter.

Oyedepo, through his

lawyer, argued that the plaintiffs’ suit as presently constituted was premature.

The lawyer informed the court that the plaintiffs were yet to explore all the avenues laid down to resolve such a dispute before heading for the court.

“My Lord, what we are saying is that, going by the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs, they have said this issue is a simple contract relating to investment portfolio management and our contention is that issues of simple contracts are never within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.

9

“Also, going by the Clause 14 of the Investment Management Agreement, this matter as presently constituted is premature. What clause 14 prescribed is that parties would resort to arbitration to resolve all disputes.

"My Lord, Section 251 of the Constitution does not donate jurisdiction to this court in respect of capital market. We therefore urge your Lordship to uphold our objection and to strike out this suit or refer the case to the Investment and Securities Tribunal or to arbitration,” Okwuanyi, the lawyer stated.

state.

The association also dismissed claims by government that bursary remains a privilege and not a right, just as it demanded improved welfare package for academic staff in Osun government-owned institutions.

In a statement signed

by NAOSS chairman and secretary, comrades Animashun and Ganiyu Fatai, respectively, copies of which were made available to newsmen in Osogbo, the group decried what it termed "anti-student policies in the education sector."

It added: "There is poor welfare package for lecturers in state-owned institutions; our bursary for 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 academic sessions have not also been paid.

"We have therefore, resolved to take our future in our hands. We are giving the state government three days ultimatum to meet our demands, or government should expect massive protests in the state."

10

South East

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Defection: PDP youths chides Araraume, Anumudu, others Chris njoku OWERRI

P

eoples Democratic Party Youth Movement, PDPYM, has taken a swipe at the exodus of some prominent

chieftains of the party to the All Progressives Congress, APC, advising Nigerians, including the APC to be wary of the defectors.

In a statement in Owerri, Imo State capital,

Ebonyi Assembly freezes LGs joint account

Chairman of the youth movement, Greg Okwuozo, expressed shock and disappointment that instead of remaining with the PDP that had over the years nurtured democracy in the country and acquired fame and credibility as the largest political party in Africa, “these chieftains of the party, who are expected to assist in providing effective opposition chose the inglorious part of defection.”

Okwuozo described as most unfortunate the actions of some politicians like Senator Ifeanyi

Araraume, Jerry Chukwueke and Humphrey Anumudu, who ascended to limelight on the platform of the party, only to choose to abandon the party immediately after the presidential election.

Describing the defectors as hypocrites, Okwuozo said they should never be entrusted with leadership positions.

The youth movement alerted Imo people to be wary of the ongoing unholy alliance between Governor Rochas Okorocha and Araraume, who he had allegedly struck a deal with to hand-over

power in 2019.

Meanwhile, the youth movement congratulated the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, on his success at the polls and enjoined him to ensure his anticorruption crusade does not entertain any sacred cow, no matter how highly placed in the country.

They advised the president-elect to beam his searchlight on such individuals as Governor Rochas Okorocha, who it alleged, had over the years acquired stupendous wealth, mansions and estates all over the federa-

tion, including in Kosovo.

Also speaking, Publicity Secretary of the group, Nze Jude Mezie, called on security agencies in the state to demonstrate stronger patriotism in the performance of their duties during the forthcoming supplementary election.

They advised all members, supporters, friends, and party faithful to remain steadfast and committed to the principles and ideologies of the founding fathers of PDP and not be demoralised by the conducts of fair weather politicians.

bonyi State House of Assembly yesterday froze the joint accounts, JAC, for local governments and state operated by the present administration in the state.

The House made this known in a plenary, stating that any bank collaborating with the state government to divert funds meant for development of the state would be blacklisted from carrying out any transaction with the incoming administration, as the affected banks would face the wrath of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The House also raised alarm over the level of fraud and financial misappropriation going on in the local government system and the unchecked expenditure of funds by the state government to any party of their choice without due process.

It further went ahead to

stop the state government from selling forms and allocating shops to people of the state at the Ebonyi State International Market when the project has not been fully completed and commissioned for use.

According to the House, the state government's sale of forms within the range of 100,000 and 500,000 to the citizens of the state were unacceptable, even as it described it as a process put in place to defraud people of the state.

The House further charged all Heads of Personnel Management, HPM, Treasurers, Deputy Personnel Management, DPM, Account Officers and cashiers of various local government areas to submit details of its account to Clerk of the House for further investigation.

The House through the Speaker, Chukwuma Nwazunku, however, threatened to dismiss any local government staff that failed to work in tandem with resolution of the House.

ChArles okeke And FrAnCis ekpone

Chukwumerije: MASSOB declares 3-day mourning

AliunA Godwin ABAKALIKI

E

M

ovement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, yesterday declared three days mourning in honour of the late Senator Uche Chukwumerije.

MASSOB urged its members and Ndigbo to wear black bands on their wrists for three days as a mark of mourning for Chukwumerije, who died of cancer on Saturday.

MASSOB, which spoke in a statement released to journalists yesterday by its National Director of Information, Comrade Uchenna Madu, on the sudden demise of Chukwumerije, stated that they will mourn Chukwumerije by lowering MASSOB flags at half

L-R: A Nigerian victim of Xenophobic attack in South Africa, Mr. Odigie Destiny; former Governor of Anambra State, Chief Peter Obi and another victim, Mr. Ikechukwu Collins Ikara, in Johannesburg, yesterday.

…Anambra monarchs grieve mast at both MASSOB headquarters in Okwe, Okigwe, Imo State, and other secretariats as a mark of honour.

Madu said they received news of the death of Chukwumerije with shock, while expressing deep regret that the death of the Isuochiborn distinguished Senator of Ndigbo extraction has created a big vacuum in political leadership of Ndigbo in Nigeria.

Madu described the late senator as a dynamic and astute supporter and defender of Igbo cause.

Praising Chukwumerije for what he did when he was alive, MASSOB spokesman said: "He did not hide his

strong love for Ndigbo. Truly, our late Dike Ogu Ndigbo is another Ojukwu to Ndigbo. He always stands for justice and equity on the Igbo side as showcased in his constant efforts and pressure mounted on the Federal Government for the release of MASSOB members detained in Abuja."

He commended the late senator for sympathising with MASSOB struggle even when he was not a member.

MASSOB's mourning of the late Chukwumerije also comes at a time prominent Igbo leaders like Dr Dozie Ikedife and Senator-elect, Mrs Uche Ekwunife have both expressed their deep regret over the death of

Chukwumerije.

Former President General of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dozie Ikedife in mourning Chukwumerije, described him as a true Nigerian, and a true Igbo man.

Ikedife said the death of Chukwumerije was the death of an honest, upright, courageous and dogged fighter, adding that not many people are like him.

In her view, senatorelect for Anambra Central Senatorial district, Uche Ekwunife described the demise of the late senator as a colossal loss to both the Igbo and Nigeria.

She said Chukwumerije was one of the strong audible voices at the red chamber of the National Assem-

bly.

Ekwunife who spoke to newsmen yesterday enjoined his children to emulate their father and keep his legacies alive.

Meanwhile, Anambra Central Traditional Rulers’ Council yesterday expressed shock over the death, even as they revealed that he contributed to the socio-political development of the nation’s polity for six decades.

The chairman of the council, Igwe Chukwuemeka Ilouno, told newsmen in Onitsha that Chukwumereije was one of the few Nigerians anyone can count on his words.

He noted that Chukwumereije was a fine gentle-

man, a devote Christian and a lover of people and societal progress.

The monarch said that he devoted the best part of his adult years in the service of the nation propagating the truth, adding that; “’Nigeria has lost one of her most illustrious sons.’’

On his enormous contribution to the cause of the South-East and SouthSouth; Ilouno said that “a great Iroko has fallen and his immeasurable role during the Nigeria/Biafra war cannot be forgotten in a hurry. He is somebody who worked tirelessly for the Igbo nation, especially under the umbrella of Ohaneze Nd'Igbo.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South South

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

PDP paying high prize for impunity —Senate leader RichaRD nDoma CALABAR

S

enate leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, has said the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, with its recent electoral loss was paying a very high prize for acts of impunity perpetrated in the party occasioned by mental laziness and inability of the leadership to think.

Ndoma-Egba spoke on Sunday night while reacting to reports that his supporters had dumped PDP for the All Progressives Congress, APC, which is

a prelude to his planned defection to the party.

The senate leader stated that in the past three years he had been shut out from Cross River PDP’s decision-making process because the party took a simplistic approach to the dynamics of developments in the party without recourse to broadbased consultations.

“Mental laziness breeds impunity and impunity breeds arrogance and every situation reinforces itself. If you have small impunity today, if you don’t do anything

about it, the impunity would grow and if you have small arrogance today and you don’t do anything about it, it would reinforce itself by growing. So, PDP is paying a very high prize for our conduct and this is a Godsend opportunity to wake up and think. I also hope APC will learn from what has befallen PDP.” The senate leader, who was obviously bitter over developments in the party, stated that he had no intention to defect to APC as widely speculated though,

some of his supporters had defected there.

“I am reacting in relation to the claims that my supporters have defected to another party and I am saying that some other people were also there and not only my supporters.

“The PDP at the state level is being run as personal agencies of some group of persons; this is an opportunity for PDP to re-invent itself because the party’s problems were self-inflicted,” Ndoma-Egba said.

INEC Supervisory Commissioner for Rivers, Cross River and Akwa Ibom, Mrs Iremiren Thelma (left) presenting certificate of return to Rivers State Governor-elect, Mr. Nyesom Wike in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Dennis naku

PORT HARCOURT

N

o fewer than four persons have been killed by gunmen in Okrika and Eleme local government areas of Rivers State.

It was gathered that two persons were shot dead last Saturday in Okrika, while two others were killed on Sunday in Eleme.

A source, who described the killing in Okrika as “systematic elimination of perceived enemies,” said one of the victims was shot dead in his car; adding that the corpse and vehicle were taken away by the assailants.

The second victim, it was gathered, was killed in his house by gunmen, who left with his corpse as well.

Gunmen kill 4 in Rivers

…APC allege killing of members The latter’s body was later found floating in a river. ‎Meanwhile, two persons have been killed in a clash between suspected cult members from De-well and De-Gbam in Ebubu community of Eleme local council.

It was gathered that the incident started Sunday night and spilled into the early hours of yesterday.

Sources said people had fled the community for fear of being attacked in the event of reprisals.

Meanwhile, All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state has raised an alarm over the indiscriminate kill-

ing of its members.

Rivers APC alleged that the two persons killed recently in Okrika were its members.

Greater Together Campaign Organisation, GTCO of the APC governorship candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has however, demanded immediate end to the dastardly acts, warning of spiral effects if not stopped.

While calling for proactive steps by security agencies to check activities of hoodlums and their sponsors, the organisation wondered at the rationale behind the wanton killings.

“If they killed APC mem-

bers on election days, why have they continued to kill after the polls?”

According to a statement in Port Harcourt by Director of Communications of the campaign outfit, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, “the unabated killing of APC members in Rivers State raise concerns of the mental status of men and women the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared winners of the recent elections in the state.

“We are afraid that killers and sundry criminals have been imposed on the state by INEC, and if we are right, then, worse days lie

11

Rivers faults NGO over poll assessment Dennis naku

PORT HARCOURT

R

ivers State government has faulted the 'Pan-African Women Observer Group', a non-governmental organisation, NGO, which said the just concluded elections in the state were free and fair.

President of the South Africa-based NGO, Mrs. Eno Udensi, in a recent interview on Africa Independent Television, AIT, said the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, should be commended for the exercise it conducted in Rivers.

But, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, Director of Communications, Greater Together Campaign Organisation o‎f Dr. Dakuku Peterside, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APCs in the state, described the assessment of the NGO as biased.

Semenitari in a statement issued in Port Harcourt yesterday said Mrs Udensi, who is president of the NGO, was an associate of Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, adding that the view expressed by the observer group was an afterthought.

The statement reads: “‎Recent views expressed on AIT by Mrs. Eno Udensi, president of a South Africa-based nongovernmental organisa-

ahead for our people.

“Since the discredited governorship and House of Assembly elections in Rivers, killers have swarmed on Ahoada East, hitting their targets. Recently, Messrs Chigba Apollos and Chiezule German, both members of APC in the area, were shot dead in Ibarikpo Town by unknown gunmen. Ibarikpo is in Ahoada East Ward 13.

“In similar bizarre manner, on Thursday, April 15, Mr. Saturday Wakama was killed and his corpse carried away. Wakama, a popular APC member in Okrika, was a member of the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, and had championed campaigns for a riverine governor in Rivers State," she said.

tion, that elections in Rivers State were free and fair is an afterthought from a biased observer.

“Mrs. Udensi, who also in the same television programme, said the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, deserved commendation for ‘job well done,’ has been advised to learn to speak the truth at all times at least, not to mislead the younger generation.

“We want to advice Mrs. Udensi, who is a known apologist of Akwa Ibom State governor, Obong Godswill Akpabio, that truth at all times, is costlier than cash," it said.

Describing Udensi’s views as personal and not that of the observer group she led, the campaign outfit noted that regardless, her position was “deviant and an aberration” compared to other reports turned in by credible observer groups including teams from United States and the European Union.

“It was possible Mrs. Udensi was quarantined by her sponsors in an insulated 5-star hotel room, sipping leisurely cups of coffee, when the guns were booming in Akuku Toru and Asari Toru local government areas.

“It was possible her sponsors sedated her with a lullaby that lured her to sleep on a water bed when armed militia groups sponsored by PDP went on a killing spree in Tai, Etche, Okrika and Port Harcourt City local governments,” the statement said.

Semenitari, who is also Rivers Commissioner for Information and Communications, alleged that Udensi may have been sleeping when PDP thugs attacked virtually every polling unit in the state and snatched ballot boxes and ballot papers, thumbprinted in private homes, burnt the RAC in Buguma and committed other electoral malfeasances against Rivers people.

The campaign organisation reiterated its earlier rejection of all that took place in the state on April 11, saying, “We insist that what transpired in Rivers on April 11 was no election in the true meaning of the word.”

12

North

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Plateau APC tasks Jang on smooth transition JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

A

INEC ad hoc staff protesting non-payment of their allowances for the 2015 general elections in Bauchi, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Buhari to rebuild troubled North-East INUSA NDAHI MAIDUGURI

P

resident-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, has said his administration would give priority to ending the Boko Haram insurgency, to bring stability in the North-East geopolitical zone.

Buhari promised to also focus on re-activating the Lake Chad and to deploy enormous resources to resume vigorous search for oil along the Chad Basin in parts of Borno State.

He said this on Sunday while responding to requests by Governor Kashim Shettima, the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Elkanemi, and a delegation of Borno elders who paid him a congratulatory visit at his residence in Kaduna.

Buhari claimed to be aware of the problems of the North-east, stressing that he would not waste time in tackling them one after the other. He said his administration would enhance collaboration with neighbouring governments of Chad, Niger and Cameroun to curtail the trans-border movement of members of Boko Haram, cut supply of arms, recruitment and training of fresh recruits.

He said stability of the North-east was a must-do project for his administration and that nothing could be achieved unless peace was restored in the troubled region.

The president-elect also assured the delegation that his regime would address the receding Lake Chad through transfer of water from the Central African Republic to the lake

to boost its commercial activities for fishing and irrigation farming.

He recalled handing President Olusegun Obasanjo a document raising fears about the lake’s recession, saying the lake has the potential to create millions of jobs through irrigation and other commercial uses it was associated with many years ago.

While acknowledging delays in oil exploration activities in the Chad Basin, the president-elect admitted awareness of exploration activities in the area since 1978 when he was Minister of Petroleum.

He said as Head of State, he visited a site in Borno to assess exploration activities, maintaining that he was very conversant with the issue and would take it up when he settles in office.

The retired General said he suggested many years ago that the North take the search for oil seriously, not only to increase the export potential of Nigeria but also balance cross regional perceptions and manage agitations so as to enhance the stability of the country.

He promised to pay special attention to the economic potential of the North-east so as to make it attractive for investments.

Governor Shettima, who led the delegation comprising traditional rulers, elders, elected National and State Assembly members and other stakeholders, had earlier said they visited the presidentelect to congratulate him on his historic victory at the recent polls and to also remind him of problems affecting Borno State.

Group seeks overhaul of PDP, leadership

P

eoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Reform Group, a pressure group, has called for total overhauling of the party’s structures to reposition it for the future.

The group in a statement yesterday in Kaduna said it was imperative that the party takes radical steps in order to reposition itself after the monumental loss it suffered during the concluded general elec-

tions.

It suggested the immediate dissolution of the current national leadership of the PDP as a step towards general reform.

The group’s interim National Publicity Secretary, Shehu Kura, who signed the statement, said the reform must start before May 29.

It advised that an interim national leadership to serve for a period of six months be set up

to oversee reforms in the party.

The group expressed solidarity with President Goodluck Jonathan and urged him to take necessary action to “reform, rebuild and re-organise the party for future electoral victories.’’

It accused the party’s National Chairman, Adamu Mu’azu, of not doing enough to unite, reform and reposition the party for victory during the concluded polls.

The group, however, thanked all PDP supporters and well-wishers for their loyalty and goodwill, assuring that the party would offer constructive opposition to the new administration.

“We will provide constructive opposition for the benefit of the nation and the people; we may have been defeated in one election, but that does not signal the end of this great party.”

ll Progressives Congress, APC, in Plateau State has asked outgoing Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, regime led by Governor Jonah Jang not to jeopardise the smooth handover of power by the incoming APC administration in the state.

State APC Chairman, Latep Dabang, at a press conference in Jos yesterday said it was wrong for the Jang administration to embark on formulation and execution of new policy initiatives less than six weeks to the end of his tenure,

as such could put the incoming government at considerable inconvenience, embarrassment and loggerheads with the people.

Dabang listed such policy decisions to include recruitment of 6,800 people in different ministries and departments; arbitrary expenditure on settlement contractual liabilities and capital projects, creation of new chiefdoms and districts, among others.

The chairman warned that any such actions taken without consultation with the incoming APC administration would be considered null and void.

PDP spokesman in court over election materials ABDULGAFAR OLADIMEJI KANO

S

pokesman of Kano State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Musa Illiya Kwankwaso, has appeared before a Kano chief magistrate’s court for allegedly destroying election materials during the April 11 governorship and House of Assembly polls.

According to police report read to the court by registrar Suleman Beli, Kwankwaso, an ally of former Kano governor, Ibrahim Shekarau, on election day connived with some persons to intimidate officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and proceeded to set ablaze election materials at Kauran Mata polling unit in Madobi Local Government Area.

The suspect was charged with criminal conspiracy, willful destruction of government properties and mischief by fire.

Police prosecutor, Inspector Idris Mallam said: “On April 11, about 8am, you Musa Kwankwaso of Kauran Mata and also PDP spokesman, conspired with others.

“You went to Kauran Mata polling unit, put fear in INEC staff, using cutlass and long knives, forcefully collected all electoral materials for election and

burnt some of them.”

The policeman informed the court that the PDP spokesman, who was a former commissioner for Rural Development under Ibrahim Shekarau’s administration, on April 11 acted in a manner contrary to the provisions of section 97, 114, 118 and 120 of the penal code law.

However, the docked PDP official denied all the allegations against him.

His counsel, Bashir Sufi, thereafter applied to the court to release him on bail.

Presiding chief magistrate, Aminu Waziri, ordered the release of Kwankwaso on bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties in like sum.

He also ordered the case adjourned to May 4.

Last week the state police command had declared Kwankwaso a wanted man for allegedly fomenting trouble and sponsoring destruction of electoral materials.

Police commissioner, Ibrahim K. Idris, stated that the PDP chieftain was wanted for alleged sponsorship of political bandits, who engaged in burning and obliteration of election materials at Kauran Mata Ward during the April 11 elections.

According to him, the politician was fingered by 14 political thugs apprehended for destroying election materials.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

SUPER TUESDAY Performance, secret of APC success in Nasarawa –Shekwo ALIUNA GODWIN examines the intrigues that led to the humbling of the Ebonyi State governor, Martin Elechi, in the just concluded gubernatorial election in the state.

13

Politics

14,43

Ebonyi guber: How Elechi was made to eat the apple pie

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he April 11 gubernatorial poll, according to analysts, has been adjudged to have reached an encouraged level of acceptance, but not wholly without some pockets of violence, killings of some innocent supporters of political parties by rival groups that participated in the election.

Apparently, the election has come and gone, winners and losers have likewise emerged but in Ebonyi State, the gubernatorial contest was seemingly a battle of the fittest, especially with the involvement of the outgoing governor, Chief Martin Elechi, who allegedly took an oath never to allow his deputy, Engr Dave Umahi, succeed him, even when he (Elechi) promised to hand over to him in 2011 when Umahi ensured his second term victory.

Apart from Elechi’s earlier desired tenacity to hand over power to Ebonyi South zone, he was wrongly advised by his lieutenants, whose objective was to siphon the state treasury because they knew that Umahi is a technocrat who does not condone corruption.

The genesis of the face-off between Elechi and Umahi started six months ago when Elechi fail to control the soul of the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state which led him to hurriedly anoint former Health Minister, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, as his preferred candidate; but was roundly disgraced and rejected by the stakeholders of the party, due to the alleged parochial attitude of the governor to impose the former minister on the people.

Obviously, when all efforts by Elechi to make Chukwu succeed him failed, he decided to adopt Edward Nkwegu, his in-law who hails from Izzi Local Government Area in Ebonyi North senatorial, a zone which had governed the state for eight years, to run for governorship under the Labour Party, LP. Again, he failed woefully in the contest.

Also, Elechi was said to have been defeated in his polling unit Ndiagu Echara Ward 1 in Ikwo Local Government Area, as he failed to deliver his son, Elechi Elechi, who contested for Ebonyi Central senatorial zone under the LP. To Elechi’s surprise, it was unbelievable that Umahi could defeat his adopted candidate with high margin votes. Although, Umahi won in the 13 local government areas of the state, polling 289,867 votes to defeat his major opponent, Nkwegu of the LP, who polled 124,817 votes.

Now that Umahi has won through dog-

Elechi

THE VICTORY OF THE GOVERNOR-ELECT WAS HISTORICAL BECAUSE IN THE HISTORY OF

NIGERIA, UMAHI IS THE FIRST DEPUTY GOVERNOR TO TAKE OVER FROM HIS BOSS

gedness and continued effort, despite all the challenges threw on his path, he has vowed to run an all inclusive government, adding that his administration will continue to empower opposition just as he called on his opponents to embrace peace. He said that together Ebonyi State will attain a great height of human and infrastructural development.

But in other to maintain peace, order and ensure adequate progress and development of the state under the care of the governor-elect, Elechi was reported to have ran to former governor, Sam Egwu, to help him appeal to Umahi to bury the hatchet and accept him, even though he worked against him.

The governor noted that he built 36 bridges of unity but begged Umahi to build 36 bridges of human relationship in the state, assuring him that he would support him to deliver democratic dividends to the people.

Analysts believed that the reconcilia-

Umahi

Nkwegu

tory meeting was not unconnected with the threat of the governor-elect to probe prominent cabinet members and caretaker council chairmen for alleged financial misappropriation and embezzlement.

Meanwhile, Umahi’s victory was an affront to Elechi, who anticipated that his successor may probe him on alleged financial recklessness as leveled against him by the state House of Assembly, which threatened to impeach him three months ago, apart from plunging the state into indebtedness.

But beyond the victory of Umahi, something momentous and monumental happened and it has changed Ebonyi State for greater good. First, the victory of the governor-elect was historical because in the history of Nigeria, Umahi is the first deputy governor in the country, through his doggedness and courage, to take over from his boss.

Relatively, Elechi, since he assumed office in 2007 was a saint to the state. He had a good beginning. He ensured there was massive infrastructural development through constructing Ocho-Udo city, 36 unity bridges that spread across the 13 local government areas, boarding schools, international markets and a host of other developmental projects.

Elechi, apart from contributing to the development of the state, however, over empowered few of his loyalist, including Edward Nkwegu, the LP gubernatorial candidate and a contractor whom Elechi awarded 70 per cent of all contracts executed by his administration both in the first and second terms.

Other beneficiaries are: Chinedu Ogah, Celestin Nwali and his son, Elechi Jnr, among others, who due to overzeal-

ousness to continue in power, misled the governor to sponsor LP and others who aspired political positions in various other opposition parties, even as he (Elechi) claimed to be in the ruling, PDP. Although, Nkwegu, who attended the recent curious reconciliation meeting called by the governor in the Government House, Abakaliki, conceded defeat and embraced Umahi for his victory, just as he pledged his continued support to Umahi’s administration, he urged Umahi to unite the three senatorial zones such that there would be no segregation.

Similarly, Elechi expressed serious reservations about the gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections, which he said were characterised with killings, malpractices, violence and intimidation of voters. But the governor-elect reaffirmed his gratitude to Elechi for the love and mutual respect which existed between them until the last six months, when both parted ways as a result of political interest.

Meanwhile, political analysts and observers and stakeholders in Ebonyi State all agreed that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the security agencies deserve commendation for their various roles in ensuring the success of the elections, in spite of some challenges, as most of the killings and violence took place in the run up to the elections in the state.

Given that the elections have been won and lost as pronounced by INEC, the times call for concerted efforts by all stakeholders to ensure the reign of peace and the healing of psychological and physical wounds inflicted on all those who lost and won, one way or another.

14

Politics

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Performance, secret of APC su What would be your assessment of the just concluded general election in Nasarawa State?

Well, the elections have come and gone; the campaigns were okay except for some incidences here and there. The election went on very well, very smooth, and except again for some little incidences here and there.

And I think generally, the elections in Nasarawa State were good. They were peaceful, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, performed creditably as well as the police and the army; though the army were at a distance, the police were peaceful, though visible but were minimal in number except that they were battle ready for any incident.

Generally, democracy strived during the elections but we must commend all the organs that participated in the elections. The observers also were everywhere up and doing. Everyone was up and doing to ensure that there was hitch free elections.

What is the secret behind the landslide victory recorded by the All Progressives Congress, APC, during the April 11 elections in Nasarawa State?

You know in Nasarawa State, by the grace of God, in 2011 we had a new government. A baby government under the defunct Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, then, when Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura was elected.

And since he came into Government House, he hit the ground running, he never joked and he made it clear that he was in a hurry to develop Nasarawa State, because he saw that the years back were like years of the locust, like years of underdevelopment, years of nothing happening compared to other states that were created at the same time with it.

He discovered that Nasarawa State was lagging behind, so he was in a hurry to develop the state, so he left no stone unturned to develop it; talk about the roads, primary schools, libraries, hospitals, markets, about whatever and at the same time, projects were going on.

You could wonder whether he is going to complete these projects but behold today those projects are standing giants everywhere.

Primary schools are well equipped with computers and Lafia, the state capital, that was just a glorified local government headquarters before, is today wearing a befitting face. What about the Lafia Square? The stadium and so many other things?

Al-Makura has provided for the state capital, local government headquarters have been touched either by roads, hospitals or e-libraries and all of them running concurrently. There is a huge difference between now and the past. The people of the state have been quite impressive and that was why, remember, during the impeachment saga, Nasarawa State rose up en mass and protested that attempt by the PDP-controlled state House of Assembly to impeach the governor that has so performed.

People’s love for Al-Makura is not because of his face, because he is a Muslim, a Christian or because of where he comes from, people love him because he loves Nasarawa State and he has developed Nasarawa State much more than his predecessors. So that is why APC had such a huge success at the elections. We didn’t expect anything less, because Nasarawa people really appreciate Al-Makura. Let me tell you, even those in opposition would tell you so many thing about Al-Makura, but they will say he has performed.

How would you react to allegation by opposing political parties that APC’s victory was as a result of the violence it unleashed on their supporters who were intimidated at the polls and hence couldn’t vote?

You know one thing I have come to learn in Nigeria politics is accusations and counter accusations, and also propaganda. Every loser is trying to blame it on somebody; he doesn’t look at the prevailing circumstances, and the prevailing issues.

Hon Philip Tatari Shekwo is Nasarawa State All Progressives Congress, APC, chairman. In this interview with IGBAWASE UKUMBA, he gives reasons behind the landslide victory of his party at the April 11 elections in the state, what the party expects from politicians on exodus from their political parties into the APC and other sundry issues. Excerpts: Al-Makura and the APC do not have to engage in violence. We are in government, how do we unleash violence on our own people. Whether you are in APC, All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA or in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, you are in Nasarawa State and we are elected to govern and provide social amenities to you and not to kill you.

Hence, we cannot in anyway unleash violence on our citizens; they are our people in the first place. So we cannot plan evil on our own people; it is like planning evil to ourselves. All those allegations about APC unleashing violence is not true. If you look at this issue dispassionately, there was this incident that was reported that APGA gubernatorial candidate was coming, I think for campaign, and he went into the police barracks there and in the police barracks there, I don’t know what really happened, the supporters started shooting into the air to the extent that they shot two of our supporters.

They were the people who were brandishing guns here and there. It was an open knowledge that the candidate was going about with thugs. I had called on the police several times to checkmate that. I don’t know where it was reported that APC members were going about with guns, I never saw it throughout our campaign with his Excellency; nobody ever brandishes a gun or even a knife. Our campaigns were very peaceful. So we did not enlist thugs to intimidate anybody but it was the opposition that was intimidating us, though we are in government.

Let me tell you the truth, if you are holding a knife, which is power, you are at an advantage, and the person that would try to take power from you will use all means to take that power from you. You don’t even use the one quarter of the efforts he used to take power away from you. We have taken away power from former Governor Aliyu Akwe Doma in 2011 without using violence. We only appeal to the senses of the people and we promised them what we are going to do for them and everybody knows them and this government has performed. So the chances of you wining elections over Al-Makura are lean. Everybody should know that it was a herculean task. So we are not surprised that they are blaming their failure on all sort of things.

The oppositions, particularly the one that came closer in the race, what was his trump card? He had two trump cards: religion and tribalism. Those were the only two indices he used. He has nothing to show Nasarawa people. He has not done anything for Nasarawa State; he has not achieved anything for Nasarawa State except that he had been a deputy governor and a minister, that’s all. He has no credential but wants to ride on the back of tribalism and religion to get to power.

However, people of the state who have become wiser said a resounding no to either religion or tribal politics and they voted for the man they know. The man they know have developed Nasarawa State, the man that will continue to develop their state. That is the situation in Nasarawa State.

What about the reported moves by APGA gubernatorial candidate, Labaran Maku, to legitimately recover what he termed ‘his mandate stolen from him’?

Shekwo

PEOPLE LOVE HIM BECAUSE HE LOVES NASARAWA STATE AND HE HAS DEVELOPED NASARAWA STATE MUCH MORE THAN HIS PREDECESSORS. SO THAT IS WHY APC HAD SUCH A HUGE SUCCESS AT THE ELECTIONS (Laughs) I don’t know what mandate he is talking about. Who gave him the mandate? Was it his tribal people that gave him the mandate or who? Like I told you, he rode on the back of tribalism and religion, those are the two indices he campaigned on and Nasarawa people rejected that. They don’t want any religious bigot, they don’t want any tribal champion. What they want is a detribalised person. What they want is somebody that would stand for Nasarawa State, somebody that does not only represent his tribe, somebody that does not only represent his religion; but somebody that will represent Nasarawa State and that is why they voted for Al-Makura.

We cannot be intimidated by any threat of going to the tribunal. We are ready and we thank him for taking

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

15

A PUBLICATION OF NATIONAL MIRROR NEWSPAPERS

Edo: Oshiomhole faults PDP’s March 28 victory SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN EDO

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he 2015 general elections might have come and gone quickly with the last bits of supplementary elections being held by now in places where elections were disrupted but the dusts raised before, during and after the election are yet to settle in Edo State.

While the Presidentelect, General Muhammadu Buhari’s expected takeover of power on May 29 and President Goodluck Jonathan’s plan to deviate from the constitutionally recognized date for May 28 continue to generate diverse reactions from citizens, the issue of the moment pitching government and opposition figures in the state, is the current tango of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) concerning an alleged deliberate voiding of votes in the presidential election in Edo State.

According to Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, who spoke in a broadcast held to thank the people of the state for voting the APC, over 140, 000 votes of the APC were allegedly voided in the election of March 28, an action that aided the victory of President Goodluck Jonathan in Edo State.

Although Edo State was the only state in the SouthSouth and South-East, where Buhari recorded as high as 45 per cent of votes cast, the result, nevertheless, fell short of the state party leaders’ expectation, owing mainly to the feeling of being robbed of about 140, 000 votes.

“I want to formally thank you for standing by me and the government of Edo State during the just concluded Presidential, National Assembly and State Assembly elections,” Oshiomhole began.

“During the presidential election you refused to be swayed by the campaigns of hate, religious and eth-

L-R: PDP House of Reps. member-elect for Ogbia Federal Constituency, Hon. Sodaguo Festus-Omoni; Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson, and his wife, Rachael, during a visit of elected members of NASS to the governor in Yenagoa.

nic bigotry. Consequently, it is (now) on record that Edo State is the only state within the South-East and South-South geo-political zones where the Presidentelect, General Muhammadu Buhari, secured the highest number of 45 per cent of votes cast.”

“It is now clear that the about 140, 000 votes out of the 150, 000 voided votes were actually APC votes. If we add 140, 000 votes to the 208, 000 votes declared by INEC, it is clear that General Buhari won the election in Edo State.”

“I am very excited by this outcome. Indeed, all Nigerians other than those blinded by religious and ethnic sentiments, are proud of the outcome. I am glad that you resisted the subversive generosity; the open monetary inducement displayed by our opponents and you voted for Change. I cannot thank you enough for doing us proud in the manner you voted,” Oshiomhole added.

Breaking down his statement of success, Os-

hiomhole enthused: “In the House of Assembly election, you rose in unison to re-affirm a vote of confidence in my stewardship. You demonstrated clearly your commitment to Change and your desire for us to sustain and build on the gains recorded in the last six years of my stewardship as Governor of Edo State.

“Indeed, the outcome of the just concluded elections has confirmed unequivocally that the APC is the darling of the people across the three senatorial zones of our dear state, and in fact, across Nigeria.

“Not only did we win convincingly in all the seven (7) Local Government Areas in Edo South and all the six (6) Local Government Areas in Edo North Senatorial zones; even in the home base of the god-father general, we still won convincingly in three (3) out of the five (5) Local Government Areas in Edo Central Senatorial zone. I dare say with all sense of humility that it could not

have been better than this.”

Continuing his tirade in a different tone, Oshiomhole stated: “It is manifestly clear that God has used you, the electorate, to silence all the god-fathers across the state: a small clique that has for about 16 years at the federal level and 10 years at the state level, feasted on our common patrimony; criminally privatized our resources; and presided over the underdevelopment of our state. You have now effectively and permanently retired the four (4) political ruling houses across the state that has kept our state and our people in political bondage.”

Effort made to get the response of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state did not yield dividend. When our correspondent called INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner Mr. Mike Igini on his mobile phone on Saturday, he denied his identity, and refused to reply to a text message sent to him on the issue.

Also, Edo INEC spokeswoman Mrs Sule Imodu, who promised to respond to our question after picking her call, was yet to do so either through phone call or text message since Saturday.

While INEC has refused to respond on the damaging allegation, the PDP has however reacted.

In a press release signed by the Edo PDP Chairman, Chief Dan Orbih and made available to journalists in the state, the PDP argued that it had a “resounding victory” in election in Edo State with two out of three Senators, five out of nine Representatives and three out of 24 Assembly lawmakers and therefore wondered how the Governor could have arrived at the fact that the APC lost about 140, 000 votes through deliberate voiding in the presidential election.

Orbih stated: “We received with shock, news of the claim by Governor Adams Oshimohole that about 140, 000 out of the 150,

000 void votes during the presidential election and National Assembly election in Edo State were those of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen Muhhamadu Buhari (rtd).

“We consider this utterance as pathetic to say the least. When did Governor Oshiomhole become a Returning Officer in INEC that he now apportions electoral figures? We had expected Governor Oshiomhole to have learnt some lessons in the resounding victory of the PDP in the election but we have again seen that the Governor has not desisted from his old ways of playing on the intelligence of Edo people.

“The statement shows that Governor Oshiomhole was economical with the truth. To set the record straight, 97, 000 out of the cancelled 150, 000 votes were in respect of the cancelled votes in Orhiomwon Local Government Area where no vote was recorded.”

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Tuesday, April 21, 2015

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NDE commences skills acquisition training for 50 Cross River women RICHARD NDOMA CALABAR

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L-R: Delta State PDP Chiarman, Chief Edwin Uzor; Commissioner for Works, Chief Funkekeme Solomon; Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, HRM.Emmanuel Sideso Abe I, Hon. Henry Baro Minabowanre and others, as the governor carefully unveils a plaque.

Oil spill: Odidi community threatens to disrupt production ...gives 14-day ultimatum to SPDC THEOPHILUS ONOJEGHEN WARRI

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ollowing recent devastating oil spill in riverine Odidi Community in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, people of the area have threatened to disrupt oil production activities in their domain over fire explosion that killed four indigents of

the community.

They lamented that since the incident, Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, has not visited the bereaved family and the community that were greatly affected by the fire explosion.

It however declared a 14-day ultimatum to compensate for the four lives lost to the fire explosion in Odidi River or risk disruption of their production.

Mrs. Ebisinde Foto and three of her daughters; Esegha Foto, Gift Foto and Prince Foto were roasted to death while fishing around Odidi River at the wee hours of April 4.

The community in a statement signed by its Chairman, Mr Boro Danpolo, an elder, Gowon Akibra and spokesperson, Stanley Goodboy, observed that since the unfortunate incident occurred fortnight ago, officials

of SPDC have not deemed it fit to visit members of the deceased family to identify with them.

They said: “We can’t fold our arms and see our family being killed and abandoned. This is the first time in history to witness a whole family killed under SPDC. We will shut down all oil installations and exploration until our deceased wife and daughters are restored back to life.”

Itsekiri appeals to Uduaghan over Ogheye Concrete Floating Market THEOPHILUS ONOJEGHEN WARRI

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n the spirit of finishing strong, Itsekiri Community of Ogheye Dimigun in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State has made a passionate appeal to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan to ensure that the abandoned Ogheye Ultra-Modern Concrete Floating Market is completed and revived before the end of his administration as a parting gift for the people of the area.

Ogheye Dimigun Committee on the Ogheye Ultra-Modern Concrete Floating Market Project lamented that the project which was initiated by the erstwhile

state governor, Chief James Ibori is at the brick of being perpetually abandoned by the contractor in charge of the construction.

In a letter addressed to Governor Uduaghan, who is also an Itsekiri by the community committee in charge of the monitoring of the project, urged the governor and the state to expedite action to ensure that the project is completed before the end of the present administration.

The letter signed by Mr Mode Augustine and Mr. Johnson Boyo, Chairman and Secretary respectively for the committee, Ogheye Floating Market Project explained that the contractor (MAYBEDIK NIG. LTD) handling the project had told them it was abandoned because they

were starved of funds by government.

“We write to express the fear of the people of Ogheye Dimigun Community, the host to Ogheye Ultra-Modern Floating Market Project and the entire BeninRiver (Odokun) people, benefactors of the market project on perceived abandonment of this laudable project. We passionately appeal to Your Excellency to save the project from abandonment and ensure its completion before the end of your administration or possibly before end of the year.

“You will recall that this project started in April 2007; and after 8 years it is yet to be completed with the major contractor handling the platform upon which the market stalls would stand

MAYBEDIK NIG. LTD not willing to finish the job on grounds that Delta State government has refused to pay them,” part of the letter reads.

While lamenting further, the Ogheye Dimigun community posited that if proactive measures are not taken by the government already constructed part of the market would rust away and would amount to total waste of state resources for the progress made so far.

“We are sure, if the project is completed in this dispensation; you would have created another history, not only for Ogheye people and the Benin-River communities but the entire Itsekiri Nation, as you will finish not only strong but stronger.”

he National Directorate of Employment (NDE) on Monday in Cross River kick-started a one-week skill acquisition training for 50 women in the state.

The state coordinator for the programme, Mr. Edem Duke, disclosed this at the flag-off of the training held in Calabar stressing that the women would be trained in cosmetic production which comprises of powder, soap, body cream, detergent, perfume and others.

Duke said that the participants would also undergo business orientation for two days to also equip them with management skills to set up their own businesses after the training. ``This training is all geared towards curbing unemployment problem in the state and country as a whole. The NDE is so concerned with the training of women in skill acquisition because when a woman is trained and empowered, there is a multiplier effect in her output,’’ he said.

The coordinator noted that the task of job creation has become more challenging and requiring a more concerted effort to achieve.

He advised the women to take the training very seriously, adding that the directorate would not tolerate any form of laxity.

He lauded the Director General of NDE, Mallam Abubakar Mohammed, for approving the training and for his concerted efforts in reducing the unemployment ratio in the country.

In her remarks, Mrs Magdalene Agibe, Special Assistant to Gov. Liyel Imoke of Cross River on Job Placement, advised the women to pay special attention to the training. Agibe said that the state government was doing everything possible to ensure that unemployed women and men in the state were gainfully employed.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Eno Ubong, commended NDE for selecting them and promised that they would work very hard to justify their selection for the training.

Duke

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Ndibgo’s costly political miscalculation JOE ONWUKEME

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am yet to understand the reason Ndigbo decided to put all our eggs in one basket in the just concluded presidential election. It was during the collation of results from the 36 states and the FCT that reality began to dawn on us Ndigbo on our error of judgement. While other regions were busy celebrating aftermath the poll, we all bowed our heads in shame, not because our preferred presidential candidate lost, but the realization very late that we have shot ourselves in the foot.

In our desperation to re-elect President Goodluck Jonathan we lost all sense of reasoning, even when it became glaringly obvious the odds against him were overwhelming, we allowed sentiments to becloud our good judgement. When the 8th National Assembly will be inaugurated with Ndigbo senator missing in the APC caucus, our loss will hit us hard.

There was no ethnic group that was not represented in the outgoing PDPled Federal Government, yet it didn’t prevent people from other regions that even benefited more from the government not to vote for their people in other political parties that will represent them at the centre. Here in the South East PDP is seen as a mini god. Anyone against PDP here is seen as an outcast

and are always treated as one. It was that mindset we took to the presidential election; in some places we know that PDP wouldl lose, we manipulated the results in favour of PDP candidates.

That is the only reason why outspoken and charismatic senator like Dr. Chris Ngige of APC with a proven track record of performance lost his re-election bid.

APC won major elective seats in their strong holds in the northern and western parts of the country but it didn’t prevent the electorates in those regions from electing or re-electing some of their legislators on the platform of PDP. Other ethnic groups have taught us a great lesson that it’s not all about party, it’s about choice and interest. We opted for PDP because we feel it is ruling party.

Our precipitous act has disqualified us from making a bid for the Senate presidency and the speakership of the House of Reps, including their deputies.

It would be extremely painful watching helplessly what we could have contested unopposed being contested by other regions. We have lost it and may not get it again till 2019 because of our own selfish and parochial interest.

The question I have been asking my fellow Ndigbo is that now we have lost out in all the elective postions at the federal legislature, how are we going to cope in APC-led government that we

The transience of power TAYO O GUNBIYI

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he main pre-occupation of this piece is to draw attention to the transitory nature of power. According to John M. Pfiffner and Frank P. Sherwood, politics involves the pursuit, acquisition, and exercise of political power. Ideally, the ultimate purpose of political power is to shape and control public policy domain primarily for the betterment of the society. Thus, acquisition of political power should not be an end in itself but a means to an end. Unfortunately, however, in this clime political actors see power as the ultimate end. This perception is faulty, which explains why most of our political actors behave condescendingly while in power.

Their motive for seeking and acquiring power is, at best, self seeking and parochial.

Since the attainment of independence in 1960, the procedure of acquiring political power in Nigeria has been through democratic process and military intrusion. Hence, we have experienced political leadership spearheaded by a combination of both civilian and military political actors. It is, however, sad that most of these political actors, from their conducts, seem to hold the view that power is an end and not a means. In his famous book, ‘1984’, English novelist, essayist and critic, George Orwell was, perhaps, inadvertently referring to the power

perception of the average Nigerian political actor when he stated that: “the Party seeks power entirely for its own sake. We are not interested in the good of others; we are interested solely in power, pure power. Power is not a means; it is an end. The object of power is power.” How awful!

The picture painted above by Orwell, to a great extent, perfectly describes the power image of a typical Nigerian political actor. Orwell’s reference to pure power could be interpreted to mean absolute power. In this clime, pure power stands for various things ranging from liberty to drive against traffic, in utter disregard for traffic laws, to condoning off a whole city for hours because a ‘powerful’ political actor or his wife is in town. In this current dispensation, a governor was alleged to have publicly slapped a judge. That, of course, is his own understanding of power. In Nigeria, six members of a 26 man House of Assembly could ‘impeach’ a Speaker and send the others on exile. That is pure power!

At the height of his fascination with power, a police commissioner once called himself a leopard that tamed a governor whom he referred to as a tiger. The police commissioner over acted the script of his paymasters as he insulted the governor beyond every sane imagination on quite a number of occasions. He, indeed, made the state ungovernable for His Excellency, the Governor. In another show of pow-

OHANEZE NDIGBO IN RECENT YEARS HAS ONLY BEEN FUNCTIONAL DURING GENERAL ELECTIONS never supported and didn’t even hide our hatred for while the campaigns lasted?

When Ohaneze Ndigbo that claims to be representing the interest of Ndigbo endorsed President Jonathan, I asked the moral justification behind it? Did Ohaneze Ndigbo consider their members in other political parties before they endorsed Jonathan? We all know the endorsement didn’t come without a price. Ohaneze Ndigbo in recent years has only been functional during general elections and has been battling with credibility problems over the years as a result of its meddlesomeness in politics. Now its endorsement of a defeated President Jonathan has stripped it the remaining credibility it has.

We have also refused to learn from history. Adopted political parties in the past had many a time won other elective posts in strong holds of some of the political parties that endorsed them. After adopting Jonathan as its presidential candidate, All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) even as the ruling party in Anambra State could not win a single

ACQUISITION OF POLITICAL POWER SHOULD NOT BE AN END

IN ITSELF, BUT A MEANS TO AN END er, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Aminu Tambuwal, was instantly stripped of his security details by police authorities, who were prompt to interpret the law, on the account of his dumping the ruling PDP for another party. In Nigeria, for obvious reasons, security agencies often act in most ridiculous fashion as appendages of any government in power.

Political appointees are equally not different from security agents in their perception of power. They seem to forget that political office, like political power that births it, is transient.

They often act in manners contrary to the expectations of the people, whose interest they are supposed to protect.

Where the personal interest of their principal runs at cross purposes with that of the larger society, they would rather encourage him to dare his people by satisfying his parochial desires.

In what can be termed the height of sycophancy, a minister, in the current dispensation, once referred to the wife of the president as his Jesus Christ.

One vital lesson to be learnt from the loss of President Goodluck Jona-

senatorial seat in the state. Now they are protesting they were rigged out by the PDP. The narrow minded amongst us have realized the cost of putting all our eggs in one basket, but it is already too late in the day to make amends, we are like the proverbial mother that poured out the baby with the bath water. Think of many federal projects an Igbo senate president would have attracted to the region. If you are yet to understand what I mean, a visit to Enugu West and its environs will convince you: The heavy federal presence in the area is due to the influence of the incumbent Deputy Senate president. A senate president of Igbo extraction under APC would have done more for the South Eastern region.

We will continue to pay the price of our costly mistake; the pains of ignorantly rejecting before time what would have been offered to us on a platter of gold will continue to hunt and hurt us till 2019. There is no question about my people being very resourceful and productive, it obvious we lack political leadership. We may have astute political players, but there is no mentoring, no structure and, therefore, no political future. The ultimate we can achieve politically is what others will concede to us and not what we deserve by virtue of any strategic thinking and alliance.

Onwukeme wrote from Enugu via Unjoeratedjoe@gmail.com

than at the poll is the temporary nature of political power. If only we could allow this to properly sink in, no one would substitute God for a political leader who is here today, gone tomorrow. Also, political office holders would, perhaps, put the common good of the people as their main concern while in power. Sycophancy thrives in our politics because many see office holders as their meal tickets. Very soon, President Jonathan would know who his true friends are. Very soon, he would know the difference between real friends and fair weather friends.

That is why men in power should be mindful of those they surround themselves with.

Professional sycophants easily make unsuspecting leaders to lose focus. The very men that vowed to die for President Jonathan are already queuing behind General Buhari. Political leaders need to learn from Williams Shakespeare that: “All the world’s a stage and the men and women merely players; they have their exits and their entrances…’

Ogunbiyi is of the Features Unit, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.

Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ nationalmirroronline.net mirrorlagos@ yahoo.com or 08164966858 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject views or photographs.

Pseudonyms may be used but must be clearly marked as such.

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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

Orekoya kids’ kidnap saga The challenges of breadwinnership and coping with the economic needs of the family have made many a parent, especially young couples, to spend numerous working hours outside their homes, abandoning their little children to caregivers – babysitters, nannies, house-helps or day care centres. But specialist care-givers frankly advice as follows: ‘Pick a really good nanny!’ By so doing, a lucky couple may be happier for it. For, people who know your child/children and nanny may think the nanny is the real parent.

Good and attentive nannies, they say, generally hang out with other good attentive nannies (and with parents); while not-so-good nannies often hangout with other not-so-good associates, irrespective of cultural background. The belief is that socializing reinforces the standards of the nanny, whatever they may be. But a bad nanny could starve, generally maltreat or ignore children entrusted to her care in search of frivolities, like watching TV. She can busy herself with house chores, if given some to do, to the detriment of her prime job, which is attending to the needs of the child, among others.

Worse still, a bad nanny may well be a common criminal, like the one who deceived the

Orekoyas, Funmilayo Adeyemi (aka Mary Akinloye in the underworld), the 35-year-old indigene of Osun State who accepted a nanny job from Mr. and Mrs. Adeleke Orekoya and kidnapped their three children for ransom the very first day she resumed work. Nigerians have already grown thick skin towards shocking events, such that many eminent and common people lament repeatedly that ours has become a country “where anything goes”.

But in spite of the entrenched lawlessness and moral degeneracy in the country, however, the recent news that the Orekoya kids were kidnapped from their Surulere, Lagos, residence by their nanny took not a few Nigerians by surprise.

The nanny, Adeyemi, who was nabbed by the police last week, claimed her husband, Waheed Kareem (yet to be arrested) was the leader of the gang that kidnapped Aderomola (11 months); Demola (6 years); and Adedamola (4 years). Other members of the gangs still at large were the suspect’s brother-in-law, Hakeem Kareem; and her sister-in-law, Ajoke Oseni.

Reports said the Orekoyas posted on OLX, an online sales portal, that they needed a nanny for their children. Adeyemi got in touch with the family and got an immediate

April 21, 1993 The Supreme Court in La Paz, Bolivia, sentenced former dictator, Luis Garcia Meza, to 30 years in jail without parole for murder, theft, fraud and violating the constitution. Meza (born August 8, 1932) is a former Bolivian dictator. A native of La Paz, he was a career military officer who rose to the rank of general during the reign of dictator Hugo Banzer (1971–78). Meza became dictator in 1980.

THE ADVICE AGAIN IS: PICK A REALLY GOOD CARE-GIVER; ONE WHOSE BACKGROUND IS WELL KNOWN job in return. But less than 24 hours after resuming work, she vanished with the children.

She and members of her gang initially demanded N15m ransom from the Orekoyas, but later reduced it to N13m after much pleading by the parents of the children. The Orekoyas were said to have paid an undisclosed amount of money into the bank account of the kidnappers before the children were released last Tuesday. The kidnap was said to be Adeyemi’s second outing, having been responsible for the kidnap of two kids – Rapheal and Michael – from the Magodo area of Lagos metropolis in December last year. The Magodo victims’ parents parted with N2m to have their children released to them.

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Kayode Aderanti, and his men who successfully arrested the nanny and rescued the children did a good job; and we commend them.The next challenge, however, is ensuring that not only Adeyemi, but all her al-

ON THIS DAY April 21, 2004 Five suicide car bombers targeted police stations in and around Basra, Iraq, killing 74 people and wounding 160 others. Three separate bombs exploded outside police stations in central Basra; two in the Ashar area and one in the Old City. In these bombings, many children on passing buses were killed. A fourth, separate attack also occurred around the same time in the town of Az Zubayr.

leged accomplices are arrested, speedily arraigned and rigorously prosecuted. It would be disastrous for this case to be allowed to fade away, or for it to be bungled by the prosecution, prompted by immoral considerations. A society so extreme in its materialism as to breed criminals, even from among groups that ought to be the most trusted, should reflect on its state and the fate of its future generations.

We take due cognizance of the fact that in the eyes of the law; and until the suspects are formally arraigned and their alleged offences proven beyond any reasonable doubt, they remain innocent. That, however, does not diminish in any way the import of the kidnap shame and the arrest of Adeyemi. For, the incidents provide more proof that the Nigerian society has lost its moral bearings and is now adrift. For other potential victims, experience has shown that even close relatives conspire with kidnappers to abduct their own for ransom, let alone a nanny sourced from the internet, who most probably shielded her true identity.

The advice again is: Pick a really good care-giver; one whose background is well known. Internet connections have proven to be as destructive as they are beneficial.

April 21, 2012 Two trains were involved in a head-on collision near Sloterdijk, Amsterdam, in the Netherlands, injuring 116 people. They collided head-on at Westerpark, near Sloterdijk, in the west of Amsterdam, Netherlands. Approximately 117 people were injured, one of whom later died in a hospital. The collision was thought to have been caused by the driver of one of the trains having passed a red signal.

Business Tuesday, April 21, 2015

EDCL reclaims 10km sq. sea-land to build Atlantic City

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Policy inconsistency, bane of industry professional’s career dvt –Stakeholders 31

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Stakeholders foresee brighter outlook for insurance, pension sectors

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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

Consumers, others pick holes in NERC’s electricity tariff regime Despite lamentations by millions of electricity consumers nationwide over poor services by the Distribution companies, Discos, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, recently appeared to have worsened their plights recently through a policy that allows the Discos to set bills for the groaning consumers. CHIDI UGWU reflects on the billing issue and its implications for the economy.

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lectricity consumers and other stakeholders have criticised the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC’s) decision to surrender the setting of bills to the whims and caprices of the Distribution Companies saying it may not be in the interest of the consumers.

The Commission recently announced that electricity distribution companies are now allowed to set their own tariffs based on the cost of operating in their various locations.

The chairman of NERC Dr.

Aero Contractors Lag-Abj: 06.50, 13.30, 16.30, 19.45 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun), 12.30 (Sun) 16.45 (Sat) Abj-Los: 07.30, 13.00, 19.00 (Mon-Fri/Sat, 10.30, 14.30, 19.30 (Sun, 18.30 Sat) Lag-Benin: 07.45, 11.00, 15.30 (Mon-Fri/Sat/ Sun) 12.30 (Sun 15.30 (Sat) Ben-Lag: 09.15, 12.30, 17.00 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun) 17.00 (Sat) 14.00 (Sun)Lag-Owe: 7.45am, 2pm daily

Med-View Airline Sam Amadi said that the commission had in the past allowed the Discos to hold consultations with their customers on issues pertaining to tariffs, but noted that this time it would be the duty of the Discos to set the tariffs and not NERC. Although the regulatory body said this was subject to its approval, it explained that the Discos would have to interface with their customers before presenting the tariff to the regulator, stakeholders say the move might be exploitative of the hapless consumers whose general input may not

be taken into consideration while deciding the tariff.

According to Marcus Okonkwo, a Public Affairs analyst, the decision would be inimical to consumers’ interest because the Discos may not consult widely enough to represent the position of all the consumers while considering the tariff.

He demanded that NERC return to the status quo where the tariff is set by the regulatory agency, stressing that consumers in the country lack the needed insight and capacity to negotiate with Discos on such technical is-

sues as tariff and electricity cost.

But, the National President, Electricity Consumers Association of Nigeria (ECAN) Barr. Chijioke James, said it is not entirely a bad idea so long as NERC is not relinquishing its responsibility of setting the tariff in the interest of all stakeholders.

James agreed that if allowed to set the tariff there was the tendency for the Discos to price the tariff out of the reach of the ordinary consumers.

He explained there are various strata of consumer groups which CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

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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Consumers, others pick holes in NERC’s electricity tariff regime CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 may make it difficult for the Discos to interface with all in such a manner that would be beneficial to all groups.

“Our challenge would be the modality by which the Discos will interact with the different strata of electricity consumer groups some of which obviously lack the capacity to negotiate with the Discos. Yes, there is need for wide consultation with the consumers but NERC is still the body that has the required technical capacity to negotiate on behalf of the consumers” he said.

In his remarks, the President of Nigeria Consumers Protection Network, Kunle Kola Olubiyo, has tasked the regulator to put in more efforts aimed at enlightening consumers about their rights and ridding the sector of irregularities, saying a lot still needs to be done by NERC in its oversight function of the sector.

He alleged that DISCO now engage in price loading whereby they unilaterally increase a consumers unit consumption and bill them as such without carrying out a load audit to ascertain the appliances used by the customer.

While noting that NERC has done a lot to enforce regulatory policies in the sector, he pointed out that “gaps still exist in the regulatory function for which it needs to do more to make sure these things are checked. I am resident in Abuja and I am not on prepaid billing and I have seen across board, complaints from consumers.

“Consumers should be billed for energy they consume, it should be scientific, not at the whims and caprice or discretion of the DISCOs”, he stressed.

Conclusively, there is a need for the era of arbitrariness to, as a matter of urgency, be replaced with that of objectivity and decorum in dealing with electricity consumers issues and complaints. This would go a long way to justify the transition of the industry from government to private run.

To achieve this however, consumers must be adequately aware of their rights, through frequently organised and vibrant platforms while consumers protection groups should be adequately represented to ensure the protection of the rights of consumers and their voices heard.

No doubt, electricity consumers in Nigeria have endured age-long epileptic power supply from an inefficient state-owned power company even as they were denied any form of rights whatsoever, due to the near absence of customer service.

That was made possible by the absence of an independent regulator, a development which has since been corrected with the Electric Power Sector Reform (ESPR) Act 2005.

The Act gave birth to an independent agency, the Nigerian Electricity Regulator Commission (NERC) which was first inaugurated on 31st October 2005. The commission was later disbanded and re-inaugurated in December 2010 with a mandate to exercise regulatory control of the nation’s electricity industry.

NERC is in line with the Act charged with monitoring and regulating the electricity industry as well as ensuring compliance with market rules and operating guidelines among others.

The repositioning of the commission notwithstanding, the various distribution

Benjamin

Amadi

ENFORCEMENT APPARATUS MUST BE INTENSIFIED TO ENSURE PROPER IMPLEMENTATION OF EXISTING REGULATIONS ON METERING, BILLING

AND CASH COLLECTION AS WELL AS OVERALL IMPROVEMENT IN CUSTOMER SERVICE TO ELIMINATE THE CULTURE OF IMPUNITY IN THE Yusuf

companies, which are successor companies of the state-owned firm, Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) are yet to detach themselves from the old ways of operations and fully migrate to privatised era and offer services in line with best practices.

Under the new era, many consumers still do not know their rights let alone, how to enforce them. They consequently still have their rights infringed on by the service providers.

Staff of the newly privatised firms still exhibit gross unprofessional conducts and ugly cases of illegal collection and extortion, illegal distribution and sale of electricity are rife in the industry.

It is appalling to find that consumers are still made to pay for electric poles, transformers and other materials which are otherwise the property of the firms.

According to the report of the late Bamidele Aturu-led probe committee, which was instituted by NERC, enforcement apparatus must be intensified to ensure proper implementation of existing regulations on metering, billing and cash collection as well as overall improvement in customer service to eliminate the culture of impunity in the electricity sector.

However, for efforts by NERC in enforcing operational rules and regulations in the electricity industry to yield desired results, consumers must fully know their

ELECTRICITY SECTOR rights and demand that they are met by the service providers.

For example, not many consumers in the sector are aware of their right to electricity services, right to accurately functioning and properly installed meters, right to refund in the event of overbilling by the Electricity Distribution Company (DISCO) and right to prompt investigation of complaints as well as right to right to information about planned power interruptions.

Similarly, many may be ignorant of their right to transparent billing, right to due process prior to disconnection of electric service, right to reconnection of electric service after resolving problems, right to file compliant before the Forum Office and ultimately NERC if compliant is unsatisfactorily unresolved at the Forum Office.

Furthermore, consumers have the right to be heard upon lodging a compliant, right to redress, right to consumer education and the right to a healthy environment and safety.

In reality, however, how many consumers are aware of these rights and how many exercise these them? Consumers may also not know that the service providers under the law are mandated to provide electricity equipment for new electricity installations and replacements of poles, wires, cables, transformers and other materials without tasking consumers to contribute money for

such.

The service providers are also supposed to provide a well-equipped customer complaint units where consumers can lodge complaints even as they are mandated to duly inform customers of any tariff increase when they occur and enlighten them on the different tariff classes to aid them in avoiding a situation where consumers pay tariff rate of a customer class they do not belong to.

It is also the responsibility of the service provider to ensure an accessible vending station where prepaid customers can obtain electricity recharge cards. The service providers are mandated to ensure that such vending stations are open during normal working hours on week days and from 8.00am to 12.00 noon on weekends and public holidays.

Therefore, situations where customers are frequently unable to gain access to meter recharge cards constitute an abuse of consumer rights.

But without the knowledge of these rights, consumers can do little or nothing to enforce them, but rather continue to endure the widespread corruption engaged in by some corrupt officials of these service providers.

Of the widespread irregularities in the industry, the issue of metering and inaccurate billing remain one that consumers are eager to see addressed.

Specifically, closing the huge metering gap which existed in the sector where less than 50 per cent of electricity consumers are metered, was one of the areas many thought would be quickly addressed by the new owners upon taking over the utilities.

While this would have ensured that consumers pay for the energy they consume, findings on the ground suggest that the utilities are not in a hurry to meter customers but rather, prefer to have them on estimated billing where customers are served outrageous bills monthly whether or not there was power supply the entire period.

The bills are in most cases unrealistic and without recourse to the methodology on estimated billing initiated by NERC. In arriving at an estimated billing for a customer, with regards to NERCs directive, DISCO is expected to establish a basis, considering the duration of electricity supply to the customer, apartment size and electrical appliances used and more importantly, benchmark with customers on prepaid metering within the same cluster.

But the reality on ground is one where consumers are unilaterally billed at the discretion of the DISCOs with their unit loads periodically increased.

The recent fact finding on the Credited Advance Payment for Metering Initiative (CAPMI) conducted by NERC revealed DISCO’s reluctance to provide customers with prepaid meters.

CAPMI is a scheme initiated by NERC whereby willing customers can advance money for purchase and installation of meters which should mandatorily be installed within 45 days by the company. The payments would be subsequently refunded through a rebate on the fixed charge element of the customers’ electricity bills.

Among companies scolded over poor implementation of metering under the CAPMI was the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC).

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business News

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

21

World Bank, IMF tasked on global inclusive growth, job agenda TOLA AKINMUTIMI

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he World Bank Group, WBG, and the International Monetary Fund, IMF, were at the weekend advised to show more commitment to efforts by middle income and low income countries’ governments to tackle the problem of poverty in the their domains.

The advice was contained in the World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings 2015 Development Committee Communiqué issued at the weekend in Washington DC, Unites States of America.

The Committee noted that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in developing economies, re-

quired a transformational vision that builds on lessons from the Millennium Development Goals, (MDGs) and combines potential sources of financing, including more effective and catalytic use of Overseas Development Assistance, ODA, particularly for the poorest.

It noted further that strengthening domestic resource mobilization, sound public financial management, and addressing the challenge of illicit finance, promoting private finance and investment; and coordinating action on global issues would go a long way in achieving the desired socio-economic development globally.

The Committee therefore expected the World Bank Group

and the International Monetary Fund to continue to work in partnership with governments, the UN, multilateral institutions, bilateral agencies, civil society and the private sector, as well as with the new development institutions, with their respective mandates.

While welcoming efforts to deepen local financial markets and improve the policy and regulatory environments to address risk, and catalyse investment from traditional and non-traditional, institutional and other public and private investment sources and the development of innovative solutions to global challenges, the members pointed out that to transform the initiatives to concrete benefits, the In-

ternational Finance Corporation and FC and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) have critical roles in engaging the private sector to implement the ambitious agenda.

The Committee urged the WBG to enhance its support for sustainable infrastructure development and financing, an enabling environment to mobilize private long-term finance for commercially viable projects, and strengthening public and private partnerships, including through the recently approved Global; Infrastructure Facility.

“We call on the World Bank Group (WBG) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to support countries’ efforts to spur inclusive growth and job cre-

ation and build resilience to adverse shocks, in order to reduce poverty, and enhance shared prosperity in a sustainable manner, and project hard-won gains in these areas” According to the Committee, while in aggregate, cheaper oil and commodities will result in a significant real income shift from oil exporters to oil importers with a net positive effect on growth in developing countries, this trend will however create challenges for policy makers in oil exporting countries.

In addition, the lower oil and commodities prices will also provide a favourable environment for subsidy and tax reforms for more inclusive and sustainable growth.

NAAPE blames FG over airlines’ dwindling fortunes OLUSEGUN KOIKI

T Managing Director, Microsoft Nigeria, Mr Kabelo Makwane presenting the Top 25 CEO Awards to Operations Director, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Mr Abiola Adebayo (left) during the BusinessDay top 25 CEO Awards held in Lagos, recently.

NANTS flags off 5,000 low-cost housing project JOEL AJAYI ABUJA

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he National Association of Nigeria’s Traders, NANTS, weekend, formally kicked off the building of the first phase of its 5,000 housing units for traders in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under the Affordable Home Ownership Scheme.

The project, to be developed by the Onos International Nig. Ltd and the Databridge Int’l Nig. Ltd will be financed by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) in collaboration with the Federal Housing Authority (FHA).

The National President of NANTS Barr. Kenny Ukoha while speaking at the ground breaking ceremony of the scheme in Abuja, said with the commencement of the project, traders would begin to have the opportunity to own their houses under a flexible payment package.

Findings revealed that under the scheme, a unit of two-bedroom apartment will go between N4.5m

and N7.5m, depending on the location; while the three-bedroom apartment would be from N7m upwards.

The President noted unlike in the past when it was difficult for traders to own their houses through affordable mortgages; the process had now been simplified.

According to him, 97 percent of traders in FCT are tenants, even in their shops where they do their businesses, they are tenants. So, the commencement of this laudable project will surely correct

that situation.

He said: “year’s back we never dreamt that one day a common traders will come here and be saying we are having ground breaking event for house and estate that belong solely to the traders.

“I want to call your attention back to memory lane, if you are talking about the traders, who are at lower cadre of the society, people who are laying the golden egg, but always abandoned, and traders who are the set of people driven and promoting the economy.’’

he National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, NAAPE, has accused the Federal Government of contributing to inability of country’s carriers to compete favourably at sub-regional and global routes.

The President of the association, Engr. Isaac Balami told our correspondent that the challenges in the aviation sector were not only limited to negligence, lack of financial availability or incompetent management, but mainly due to the lack of effective strategies for policy implementation, creation of requisite structures and environment for sustained growth by the government.

Balami insisted that the airlines were the basis of aviation and should therefore all government policies, programmes and actions in the industry should promote not only the survival of but profitability of the operating airlines.

He lamented that this had not been the case in Nigeria, a situation he claimed had led to the littering of the country’s airports with ”corpses of airlines bearing

various inscriptions” The industry chieftain pointed outthat as a result of these bad policies implementations, it became difficult to find a viable airline in Nigeria if international aviation benchmarks were to strictly be applied.

He urged the Government to address the high cost of Jet A1, maintenance, aircraft and spares in the face of worsening, exchange rate, excessive charges, multiple taxation, ageing fleet and uncompetitive fares for the airlines to remain in operations.

Besides, Balami identified inadequate managerial capacity and a dysfunctional management structures due to ownership behavior and absence of long term strategic planning and the willpower on the part of owners and managers as other challenges confronting the nation’s carriers.

He added, “Absence of specialised banking, favourable financial environment, unfair competition and unnecessary monopoly with foreign mega carriers, worsened by government’s uncaring attitude exemplified by multiple designations granted to foreign mega carriers, which prevented local carriers from the market.

Glo partners Samsung on 200% bonus package ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN

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obile network operator, Glo in a new partner with Samsung Electronics has promised to offer 200 Percent Bonus Airtime and Data, Glo Bounce and Data Bundles on Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge and Samsung Galaxy S6 Flat smart

phones to telecom subscribers on its network.

The offer comes in a bundle with free SIM and 4.5GB data upon activation by customers.

The customers will subsequently get 500MB of free data per month for 12 months when they purchase a data plan from Glo. Regional Chief Marketing Of-

ficer, Ashok Israni in a press statement explained that any recharge of N200 and above instantly gives Glo subscribers 200 percent bonus which, unlike other offers in the market, can be used to call any network at any time of the day within seven days.

He said the subscriber will also get extra N200 which can be use to call 10 family and friends add-

ing that the Family and Friends feature is activated by dialing *101*1*phone number of the family or friend#.

The subscriber also gets 15MB of data instantaneously as well as one minute free for every three minutes of call to one person. For subscribers who load N100, they get instant bonus of 100 percent and 5MB of data.

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Business News

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Ad agencies not insulated from harsh economic climate –AAAN chief DAVID AUDU

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anaging Director TBWA Concepts, an advertising agency, Mr Kelechi Nwosu, has attributed the slow growth of business in the advertising sector to the harsh operating climate of the domestic economy.

Nwosu who is also the president of Advertising Agencies Association of Nigeria, AAAN, in an interview with National Mirror recently, noted that while it is true that advertising supports the growth of the economy, it becomes a challenges when the economy is not experiencing real growth, then advertising, which is the support part begins to suffer.

“The growth of advertising and communication is usually commensurate with the growth that we have in the economy, I mean real growth in the economy. Therefore, as a people, as an

industry and as a nation, we are all looking for real growth in the economy, which allows advertising to flourish.”

He said advertising agencies suffer from the same vagaries the entire economy suffers, adding that the Nigerian economy is still shallow, and this is reflecting on the volume of advertising agencies account.

“The greatest earner which is oil is unlikely to give any business to advertising. The other contributor to the GDP, agriculture is unlikely to give any business to advertising, until we have been able to unlock some advocacy for agriculture or something like that. It therefore leaves us with the smaller parts, the services and the manufacturing and telecoms.

“So, there are very limited areas for us as advertising people to operate and grow in. I think that as the economy continues to grow the agency will grow long also.

There are signs that it is an attrac-

tive economy, otherwise you will not have foreign investors who are looking in to come and invest, and are asking for a stake. You will not have agencies partners abroad asking for a stake in the industry.

They see opportunities that there will be more growth in the economy”.

The AAN helmsman also bemoaned the low patronage by government of advertising agencies in Nigeria, saying that government instead prefers foreign consultants to Nigerian professionals.

He said the duty of government at all levels is the welfare and improvement of lives of the people, and therefore, government should follow the laws that have been made for the growth of advertising by making sure that all the people who work for them, especially, in their communications and in their advertising jobs are people who are professionals; that they are people who are licensed to work for them.

L-R: Chairman Denis Hotel, Chief Euriel Chukwudum; MD Gefez Integrated Consulting, Dr. Ike Eziakor and the Sales Executive, Denis Hotel, Ms. Ngozi Okanmalu during the 10th Anniversary of Denis Hotel, Abuja, recently.

Celebrities rally to end poverty at grassroots lishment of the Post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals.

According to Nigeria Country orried by the dwindling Representative ONE Campaign, HFRQRP L F IRUW XQHV L Q Mr. Edwin Daniel-Ikhuoria, the country, which has which featured the likes of Onyeplunged greater percentage of ka Onwenu, Omotola, Genevieve citizens into abject poverty, some Nnaji, and Omawumi and other Nigerian celebrities, activists and as well as representatives of Niartists at the weekend staged a gerian civil society organizations, campaign to propagate the need is part of the African Union Year to end deepening poverty level in of Women Empowerment and the the country.

ONE Campaign in Abuja.

Gathered in Abuja under the The programme also witnessed auspices of One Campaign Orga- the launch of Nigeria Poverty is nization, a campaign and advo- Sexist, a campaign and online pecacy organization of more than tition calling on world leaders to six million people taking action put girls and women centre-stage to end extreme poverty and pre- in 2015, a year when new developventable disease, particularly in ment goals will be set.

Africa, called on world leaders to The campaign was launched at take urgent action for women’s a policy forum that was attended empowerment ahead of the estab- by representatives of the National

CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

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Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS), Equity Advocates and Save the Children Nigeria among others.

Daniel-Ikhuoria, disclosed that a recent report by ONE titled, “Poverty is Sexist: Why girls and women must be at the heart of the fight to end extreme poverty” showed how unlocking women’s economic potential could improve the lives of everyone in society.

He said, the report shows that poverty and gender inequality go hand in hand, whether you look at health, education or work. Not only are girls and women worse off than those in wealthier countries, but the gender gap in these areas between males and females is greatest in the poorest countries.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Yields on Nigeria’s local debt to drop –Traders TAYO ELEBIJO

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ields on Nigeria’s local debt are seen falling further next week, with renewed appetite from both local and offshore investors and increased liquidity from maturing bonds.

Nigerian bonds market has seen increase demand after a peaceful general election spurring interest from local investors and foreign investors to come into the country.

“The market was all bullish from a range of interest by investors taking position after the successful election,” said a dealer on the condition of anonymity.

Traders said market could get a liquidity boost from maturing April 2015 bonds next Thursday, raising demand for local debt as holders are likely to reinvest in the market because of the trust the whole election process has brought to the table.

Nigeria raised 70bn naira ($352 million) at lower yields across all tenors at a bond sale this week.

Yields at the secondary market have fallen across the maturities with the 2016 paper down to 14.06 percent from 14.96 percent last week, while the yield on the 2022 debt fell to 14.02 percent against 14.87 percent. The yield on the 2024 debt traded at 13.91 percent from 14.81 percent.

Federal Reserve targets interest rate hike

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he key issue is whether the US dollar is breaking out of its trading range to the downside. Has the disappointing US economic data and the somewhat better European data finally taken its toll and forcing the dollar bulls to rein their enthusiasm?

Helped by the sixth consecutive advance in oil, the Canadian dollar extended its advance out of the three month trading range. A less dovish central bank had provided the earlier fuel.

Australia’s jobs data was sufficiently strong as to encourage market participants to downgrade the odds of a May rate cut. The market still leans that way, but the OIS implies about a 60% chance, rather than near 80% chance earlier in the week. The Aussie has largely been confined to a $0.7600$0.7950 range since the start of February. It is moving above $0.7800 for the first time in a couple of weeks.

Sterling is trying to establish a foothold above the $1.50 level for the first time since March 18, when in response to the “dovish FOMC”

sterling reached $1.5165.

The employment data was the catalyst, but it was not particularly strong, which means it may be a better indication of the more generalized pressure on the US dollar longs. After all, the UK election is in three weeks, and how a majority government will be cobbled together remains elusive. The claimant count fell by 20.7k. The market had been looking for a decline of nearly 30k and the February figure revised to -29.1k from -31.0k.

Average weekly earnings, reported with an extra month lag, rose 1.7 per cent (three months year-over-year), down from a revised 1.9 per cent pace in January.

Excluding bonuses, however, the pace increased to 1.8 per cent from 1.6 per cent.

The euro is advancing for its fourth day, though remains well below last week’s $1.1035 high. After trading near $1.0820 yesterday, the euro slid back to a little below $1.0740 in late Asia, but quickly bought back in early Europe to make a new high for the week just above $1.0830.

Global Real Estate markets polarised

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he world has divided into two camps as far as housing and real estate are concerned. In one camp, nations that have found a way to grow their real estate markets at an acceptable pace without creating a bubble of overvalued properties.

In the other, countries that are floundering amid present or impending real estate busts similar to the one that led to the “Great Recession.”

According to a recent article in The Economist, prices are now rising in 19 of the 26 housing markets it reviewed. In these strong markets, real estate grew at a median pace of 5.2 percent per year. The secret to these nations’

success is the cheapness of borrowing. In order to boost demand for real estate, the central banks of strong market nations loosened monetary policies, and then kept them loose. Mortgage rates around the world in these strong markets remain at historic lows (e.g., the interest rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage in America: 4 percent).

In an interesting example of the “invisible hand of the market” at work, rather than take advantage of these low rates to make quick profits at the risk of creating a future bubble, lenders have adopted much more stringent, self-imposed lending criteria.

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Jobs & Career

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Incoming government has moral burden to deliver on promises – CIPM Registrar In this interview with MESHACK IDEHEN, the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM), Mr Sunday Adeyemi, speaks on steps that needed to be taken by government, the organised private sector, OPS, and other relevant agencies to create opportunities for young Nigerians to become world class human resource management professionals.

The CIPM is noted for taking initiatives targeted at promoting global best practices in human resource management at national level. Are there plans by the Institute to sustain such initiatives?

The CIPM, as you rightly identified, remains the foremost institute committed to the professional development of human resource practice and management in Nigeria. This is even more so, considering that human resource management profession as a core management function has gone beyond the dated methods and process being employed by some public sector organisations in the country. The institute has continued to attract the best of human capital. From permanent secretaries, directors and top managers, to younger members, including top class graduates of universities, CIPM has maintained its focus, thereby retaining and maintaining its position as far as manpower and human resource management and development in the country is concerned. Furthermore, CIPM has initiated new moves to see to the continuous development of the younger generation. As an institute, we consider and take the professional development of younger people very seriously.

This consideration is part of what informed our decision to recently sign a memorandum of understanding with several universities. The blog of the institute is set for takeoff soon.

How is the CIPM doing in terms of its mandate?

The institute has and will continue to be in the foremost of people’s management and the regulation of the practice of human resource management in Nigeria, through internationally acceptable standards that will sustainably contribute to national development.

The institute has also successfully continued with its mandate of fostering and maintaining investigations and research into the best means, and method of applying the science and art of personnel management, with the objective to encourage, extend, increase, disseminate and promote knowledge and the exchange of information and ideas with regard to all questions relating human resource management and development in the country.

Developing and maintaining high standard of professional competence, and ensuring that the management of human resource in Nigeria, both in public and private sectors conforms with the best professional standards; alongside conducting research into and publish materials relating to the discipline of human resource management are all part of the institute’s mandate.

What are your expectations for the institute and the nation considering that a new government will be taking over from the present administration in a matter of days ahead?

The CIPM is a very apolitical professional institute. This position is much unlike other professional institutes in the country that has at one point or the other, been involved in the making statements that some has considered as political in nature.

Nonetheless, it is the hope and expectation of the institute that the incoming administration at the federal level continue to give the needed support and encouragement to the development and professionalism of human resource practice in the country.

There is no doubt that there is a great expectation on the part of the citizens for the new governments coming in, so there will be a great moral burden on them to perform and deliver.

In the same vein though, the public will need to do the same by constantly relating with and engaging certified human

cal standards when it comes to human resource management, which sadly, is yet to be fully imbibed in the public service Government and other stakeholders must take action and work together in a way that will move the practice and profession forward in the right direction.

Government must also ensure due process is followed in the engagement of consultants that handle sensitive matters such as pertaining to human resource management. There is the need for proper technical evaluation of all bids in order to ensure that only those who meet the minimum standards are considered.

Adeyemi

The insTiTuTe will conTinue To focus on how To meeT wiTh and parTner wiTh sTakeholders To fashion ouT ways and means Through which The

naTion’s employees and by exTension The counTry’s

economy can benefiT from Those exposure resource professionals when it comes to the issue of human resource management, including on recruitment in order to avoid a reoccurrence of some type of situation experienced in times past. Moreso, there must be a high level of moral and ethi-

How are you grappling with the challenge of unprofessional conduct in human resource management in Nigeria, especially the menace of unqualified practictioners?

There are practitioners but that does not make them professionals. The institute is constantly trying to utilise the persuasive methods to encourage those not yet certified by the institute to do so.

In that regards, it is imperative that organisations in the public and private sectors strive to embrace internationally accepted standards in the management and development of their human resource, because the inviolability of human resource as the best assets that can be owned by corporate organisations cannot be over emphasised. With certifications by the institute comes the continuous exposure of employees to global standard in training which will in turn improve such company’s productivity in the immediate and long term.

The institute will continue to focus on how to meet with and partner with stakeholders to fashion out ways and means through which the nation’s employees and by extension the country’s economy can benefit from those exposure.

How is the institute coping with the huge financial outlay associated with its ongoing new Secretariat project?

The six story building is a CIPM solely initiated and financed project. There is no loan or any form of financial facility that was borrowed by the institute. This is an indication of the commitment and determination of the present leadership of the institute to bequeath a befitting and long lasting heritage to the coming generation of professional human resource managers.

TUC urges South Africa to punish xenophobic attack perpetrators Meshack Idehen

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rganised labour under the auspices of Trade Union Congress (TUC), has expressed its concern over the ongoing xenophobic attacks against foreigners in South Africa.

The congress therefore called on the Jacob Zumaled government to live up to its responsibilities by taking all necessary steps to stop the dastardly act of stealing, killing and taking over of people’s properties in Johannesburg, Durban and

Pretoria, adding the act at this time and age is appalling, abysmal and beastly.

In a statement issued by the TUC President, Mr Bobboi Kaigama, the Congress noted while it was true that the government of South Africa as well as other countries of the world had condemned the attacks, that TUC yet called on the government to investigate and punish those involved in accordance with the provisions of the law of the land.

Kaigama said if the comments been read in the

dailies and social media credited to the Zulu King, Goodwill Zwelithini and the son of Zuma, Mr Edward asking non South African to return to their countries is anything to go by, then it means they have forgotten in a hurry how Nigeria and the rest of the world rallied and mobilised support for the country during its apartheid experience.

“Indeed, what is happening is nothing but a demonstration of shortness of memory and we feel more terrible about the whole

thing because of the underground role of some prominent people in government”, the labour leader said.

According to the TUC president, the congress should perhaps also use this opportunity to let the world know that South African owned companies in Nigeria are anti-labour in their operations, and that several efforts have been made to unionise MTN, DSTV, and others all to no avail which cannot happen in their country.

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Jobs & Career

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tips for surviving the leap from employee to entrepreneur

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aking the shift from the steady life of a full-time employee to the unpredictable world of entrepreneurship requires a shift in mindset that many overlook. In fact, some of the work habits you so carefully honed as a good employee don’t necessarily translate well into the world of an entrepreneur.

Only half of new businesses will survive to see their fifth year. Making that mental switch from employee to entrepreneur can help you avoid being one of those businesses that doesn’t make it. Here are tips for thriving while adjusting to life as an entrepreneur.

Learn to say no- As an employee in a big company, you probably got used to saying yes to any and all requests that came your way.

After all, yes meant you were reliable and a team player and that can-do attitude probably earned great reviews from your manager.

However, this approach won’t get you far as an entrepreneur. For starters, with the timepressed entrepreneurial schedule, agreeing to and doing everything just isn’t possible. But more importantly, as an entrepreneur, you need to set the agenda, not just follow everyone else’s wishes. Get used to saying “no” to everything but your main priorities.

Forget about perfection- Maybe you used to have a boss that needed to get a project as close to perfection as possible. Or, there were endless rounds of revisions before something was ready to go. While that may be the way at a large company, a small business or start-up won’t have the resources to get something to “perfect” and the whole notion of perfection isn’t possible anyway.

As an entrepreneur, perfectionism becomes a liability. The longer you wait for every

detail to be just right, the slower your business will move. Focus on the high-impact, high-priority items, and accept 80% (sometimes less) for everything else.

Don’t be afraid of long hours- Many people equate the entrepreneurial lifestyle with The Four Hour Work Week or logging in from a beach in Tahiti. While both of these may be possible, the typical entrepreneur often finds that he or she needs to work longer hours than back at the office. On some days you might be trading in the 9-to-5 for 9-to-midnight. This is why it’s important to start something you love. And remember that you’re working to build your own dream, not someone else’s. You never want to dedicate more time to following someone else’s dream than your own.

Get ready to wear multiple hats- As a company employee, there’s someone to call when the server stops working. And you probably don’t think about if the floor was vacuumed or the plant was watered. But, when you strike out on your own, you’ve now got to fill a number of different roles…from tech support one hour to sales and marketing the next, and accounting, even cleaning. With this reality, you can’t afford to have an ego. Before setting off on your own, ask yourself if you’ll be comfortable wearing all these hats, including the less-thanglamorous ones.

Cope with the social isolation- When you were working at a big company, you may have complained relentlessly about your colleagues and managers. However, once you leave the office you might be surprised to discover just how much you relied on Jane in accounting or Mike in shipping for your social interaction.

The first few weeks of being on your own can be quite a shock, particularly if you’re working

Workers in an office

out of your home. Do what you can to combat this social isolation. Keep in touch with former colleagues. Work from a coffee shop for a few hours. Find a shared office or co-working space and attend lots of local networking events.

Stick to a schedule- Is your new business largely autonomous project work? Is there no set schedule because you’re building your startup from square one? As you make the transition to working for yourself, try to keep your existing schedule as much as possible.

Being in charge doesn’t mean you should get rid of your alarm clock or take four-hour lunches. Being in charge doesn’t mean you should get rid of your alarm clock or take four-

ITF deputy director loses mother Meshack Idehen

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he Mother of the Deputy Director of the Industrial Training Fund, (ITF) and Training Manager of the Industrial Skill Training Center, (ISTC), Madam Juliana Aduke Abimbola is dead.

According to her son, Mr Olasupo James Abimbola, Late Madam Abimbola was born in Ilesa into the family of Akerele in the year 1933. Her father was Pa Akerele, while her mother was Madam Comfort Adetunbi.

The ITF deputy director who is also the training manager of the Industrial Skills Training Centre, (ISTC), said his late moth-

Workers working with computers

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here is the need to caution job seekers against falling victim to job scammers this New Year. This is in view of the recent alarm raised by Total Exploration and Production that scammers are attempting to dupe job seekers using platforms similar to that of the company.

Job seekers are thus advised to make diligent enquiries from reliable sources, before embarking on any form of interaction with potential employers.

Nevertheless, available job vacancies open this week with openings for Graduate Trainees Level (www.findjobafrica.com) in the banking sector in the 36 states of the country.

The company which is a major player in the banking industry said it seeks to employ competent graduate trainees with the following criteria.

Qualifications include a minimum of

Job vacancies

2.1 from a reputable University. Must not be more than 24 years as at December 2013. Posses good communication and analytical skills and must have completed NYSC. Also from www.findjobafrica.com is the position for a Personal Assistant to be based in Ikoyi, Lagos who will work closely with senior management to provide administrative support, usually on a one-to-one basis. Discretion and confidentiality are therefore essential attributes for the successful Candidate.

The PA is expected to deal with secretarial and administrative tasks, devising and maintaining office systems, including data management and filing; arranging travel, visas and accommodation and, occasionally, travelling with the manager to take notes or dictation at meetings or to provide general assistance during presentations; Other responsibilities are screening phone calls, enquiries and requests, and handling

hour lunches. Having some semblance of a schedule will help you stay disciplined and productive.

With that said, many professionals choose self-employment because they’re tired of the strict and arbitrary schedule of the corporate world. So there’s no need to recreate the same drudgery in your new venture. If you need some time in the afternoon to take care of your kids, walk your dog, or get outside while it’s sunny, go ahead. Only you can decide what kind of schedule is best for your business and your life.

Source: mashable.com

them when appropriate; meeting and greeting visitors at all levels of seniority; organising and maintaining diaries and making appointments and dealing with incoming email, faxes and post, often corresponding on behalf of the manager; Qualifications for the post are a degree, as well as personal qualities, experience and general office skills. Candidate must be conversant with Microsoft office suites and Internet service. Good interpersonal skills.

Fluent in spoken and written English, and experience of between 5 to 7 years experience.

Preferred age 40 - 45 years.

From www.jobberman.com, is the position for a Relationship Officer who is to be based in Delta state.

The company which is into information technology and customer service said some of the responsibilities for the incoming is to Initiate apt activities to ensure on time and

er started her education at Otapete Methodist Primary School, Ilesa from where she later transferred to African School.

According to him, the mother later followed her senior, Pa Joseph Akintola to Lagos for further adventure, and then started learning tailoring the moment mama came back from Lagos. It was during this period that the late “mama” met her late husband, Pa Abimbola, and they later became husband and wife in the year 1959.

“Our late mama was a rare mother. She had undiluted love for her children and everyone. She was equally a woman of peace to all”, he said. A thanksgiving service and reception was recently held in her honour.

scheduled response to customers, review independently all documents and link entire customer accounts to suitable relationship, provide securities details, quotes and valuations to customers and implement and supervise all unsolicited trade activities.

Other responsibilities are to conduct evaluation of client’s accounts, collect mandatory information to analyze client situation, develop and oversee relationships with clients performing alongside the relationship manager to ensure top level service provided to clients and perform as key contact point for portfolio of clients dealing with routine matters throughout range of services and products.

The qualification and requirements are amongst others, a minimum of OND in any related discipline, at least 2 - 4 years experience with a branding or advertising company in similar position and excellent communication and presentation skills.

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

25

Real Estate & Environment EDCL reclaims 10km sq. sea-land to build Atlantic City Piqued by the lingering 17 million housing deficit in the country, the Eko Development Company Limited, EDCL, has reclaimed 10km sq. of sea-land to build a multibillion dollar Eko Atlantic city. The project is capable of providing affordable houses to teeming Nigerians.

SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE reports.

W

ith massive oil and natural gas reserves, Nigeria has become Africa’s second most productive economy, with a projected annual Gross Domestic Product, GDP, growth of over 7 percent.

Beyond this economic feat, Nigeria’s population is expected to hit 400 million marks by the year 2050, thus imposing serious challenges to the growing housing problems in the country.

Experts in the housing sector have noted that for Nigeria to withstand the test of time, the incoming state and federal governments must try to implement programmes and policies, capable of providing affordable housing to the teeming Nigerians.

Already, some state governments, including .Lagos have kicked-off their housing projects, aimed at adding more housing stocks to the growing housing deficits in the country.

Not too long ago, the Eko Development Company Limited, EDCL, launched Azuri Peninsula under its mixed-use development scheme in the Marina District of Lagos state.

Chief Responsibility Officer, EDCL, Ms Ibieme Ogolo, said the multibillion dollar investment would involve some private investors as well as corporate entities with expertise to transform sealand into ocean-front city.

She noted that the ECDL is designed to create luxury residences of highest specification, adding that the firm is also creating exceptional residential buildings in Azuri Peninsula, describing such project as distinctive.

According to Ogolo, Azuri Peninsula

Bayelsa raises fresh alarm over oil pollution threat 27

Azuri Peninsula – Luxury, elegantly lived

is part of a long-term programme, aimed at creating outstanding homes to teeming Nigerians.

Noting that by the year 2050, Nigeria is expected to hit over 400 million people, she said, if urgent steps are not taken to stem the tide, the anticipated population growth would add more problems to the growing housing shortfall.

A housing expert, Joseph Ndu told National Mirror that the launch of the first

phase of Azuri Peninsula by EDCL will make Lagos to become the financial hub of Africa, advising the incoming states and federal governments to key into the project to be able to provide housing stocks to Nigerians while reducing the housing deficit in the country. ‘’With its wealth of facilities and infrastructure, Eko Atlantic will help make this possible. It will offer the optimum place to live, work, play and invest’’, he

stated.

A land developer, Mr John Osagie said, such project would ignite the current housing awareness in Nigeria.

According to him, such fantastic idea, led to the regeneration of the FESTAC Town in 1977 by the Federal Housing Authority, FHA, just as he also encouraged private sector investments in housing sector.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

Erosion project: NEWMAP pays N493m compensation

28

Roofing ideas for houses 29

26

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

EDCL reclaims 10km sq. sea-land to build Atlantic City CONTINUED FROM 25 According to the Federal Housing Authority, FHA, Nigeria needs over 10,000 housing units yearly to meet the growing housing demands, saying in all, the country will require about 120,000 new housing units annually.

Investigation by National Mirror confirmed that since its establishment in 1973, the FHA has been able to deliver only 35,309 housing units nationwide.

With the growing population of over 170 million, the nation’s housing shortage still stands at over 17 million, thus putting the incoming President on a tight corner.

National Mirror learnt that the first phase of the Eko city comprises 120 luxury apartments, 12 super-luxury simplexes and two superb Villas as well as 7 fine townhouse apartments with a three-year completion plans.

In addition, the city is expected to have a five star marina as well as yacht club with an attractive promenade, high-end shops and cafe sand in a sophisticated environment.

Such landmark scheme, National Mirror also gathered, has the highest standards of contemporary living, as all the apartments would be fully-fitted with the finest materials, including state-of-theart kitchens and luxurious bathrooms among others.

Ogolo therefore disclosed that the developers of the luxurious residential destination have carefully chosen a brand name that resonates--“Azuri” combining the African word “Zuri”, meaning beautiful, while Azure suggests a radiant sea, adding that podium towers are carefully positioned to maximise views of the marina and garden-piazzas.

Located on the ground floor would be retail spaces while ample underground car parking is to be found on the lower ground level.

Developers of the project said, the Gensler’s exceptional panel of interior designers would create spacious and elegant apartments with a selection of design palettes.

Residents of Azuri Peninsula would have access to a 24-hour concierge service, a gym, two squash courts, and a café.

Further amenities include a relaxing sauna as well as games and screening rooms as well as children’s playroom.

In the Marina District, there would

WITH ITS WEALTH OF FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE,

EKO ATLANTIC WILL HELP MAKE THIS

POSSIBLE. IT WILL OFFER THE OPTIMUM PLACE TO LIVE,

WORK, PLAY AND INVEST

Goodluck

Mallam

Eyakenyi

be high-end retail outlets, international standard restaurants and abundant range of amenities, Azuri Peninsula is expected to be a premier residential destination.

With high-standard infrastructure, which includes managed and maintained utilities, Eko Atlantic would guarantee an exceptionally comfortable lifestyle.

Within the Marina District, Azuri Peninsula will be a five-minute drive from the Business District to the new city, which is approximately 26 km from Lagos International Airport.

Eko Atlantic is being built on 10 km sq. of reclaimed land by Victoria Island and with its ambitious multi-billion dollar new city, Lagos is destined to be the West

Africa’s new financial centre.

The dynamic twenty-first century metropolis, which would benefit from international-standard facilities, including modern hospitals, new schools, contemporary offices and high-end shopping malls, is expected to be a world-class, safe environment to live, work and play.

It would be recalled that Eko Atlantic began in 2003, when Lagos state government sought to protect Bar Beach on Victoria Island, from severe coastal erosion, and to safeguard it from the threat of flooding.

Between 2003 and 2005, the developers and city planners of Eko Atlantic, the South Energyx Nigeria Limited engaged

in a feasibility study with international experts to solve the problem.

This study ultimately led to the development of Eko Atlantic City with the involvement of local and international banks such as First Bank Nigeria Plc, FCMB, Access Bank Plc and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc while foreign banks include BNP Paribas Fortis and KBC Bank.

EDCL formed partnership with ITB Nigeria FZE, one of Nigeria’s leading building and civil engineering companies to create numerous landmark projects in Nigeria, including the National Assembly Complex, Abuja and Eko Hotel Convention Centre in Lagos state.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

NITP urges FG to engage professional planners

MORTGAGE NOTES

P

with Adenike Fasanya-Osilaja Email: Nike@MVPSolutionsinc.com Fasanya-Osilaja https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=35277333

Dear NMRC

L

et me start by thanking you for your patience with me so far, and promising that this will be my last part of the long letter I have spent the last three weeks writing to you. I just have a couple more questions to ask you, and will wait in hope that you will revert with answers very soon.

Regarding the debt - to - income ratios you posted in the underwriting standards, what is the accepted process for income and employment verification in your plan? I confess I am a little confused because, especially for the self-employed small to medium enterprise owner, I have not heard of any standardized mode of income and expense documentation that would accurately provide income information for them. Since you have loan amounts as low as 1.5m Naira, it should be safe to assume that the small business man as well as the junior office employees are your target market for the lower end of your loan products, so please clarify this issue for me. Actually I had to chuckle at your permissible debt-to-income ratios. I did the math, and could not figure out where in Lagos for instance, anyone making 0 to 500,000 naira monthly would be able t afford to own a home in this current market.

Also, as I have stated before, I don’t really get the rationale for the Pension fund requirement. Since it is not the norm to save for retirement in Nigeria, will the prospective home buyer need to first set up a fund before they can get a loan to make their purchase? If so, will you be the liaison between the home buyer and the Pension Company? What is the minimum they would be required to have in the bank in order to obtain a loan? Is there a process to ensure that all payments for the retirement funds are made in a timely manner? Please clarify...and please make this one of your most important home buyer education workshops.

By the way, you do intend to have home buyer workshops,

do you not? Have you started these already? How many hours of counseling is a first time home buyer required to have prior to contracting on a home?

Do you have formal locations for such workshops to hold? What will the workshops entail? In my opinion, the greatest service you could perform for your customers is to educate them fully about the responsibilities that come with owning a home. I hope there will be some down payment assistance programs provided as an incentive or reward for those who take the time to complete the home buyer workshops.

Hopefully, such workshops are already in place for implementation prior to loan disbursements.

Regarding the mortgage repayments, I read that the borrower is supposed to open up a bank account and have the funds for the monthly mortgage repayments sitting in there for the Lender to deduct. Is there a secure transmission process for this? Since one of our many “specialties” in Nigeria is the art of “mass scamming”, is there a process for earning the public’s trust by ensuring that their accounts are not compromised in the process of direct debiting but the NMRC? What is the plan for communicating pending withdrawals? What happens if the home owner is debited twice in error, causing all their other checks to bounce?

I know I have asked some hard questions, but please be aware that these are the very same questions your marketing staff will have to answer over and over again, as your target first time buyers start to even warm to the idea of obtaining a mortgage to own a home immediately. You see, one of the most admirable qualities of the Nigerian, is that we are not given to the notion of “instant gratification”, and prefer to wait until we have our money together through hard work and strong savings habits, before we consider ourselves

27

deserving of owning a home.

Your ability to flesh out your plan, and sell it to one of the most skeptical people ever created, will show how much effort was put into this program, and ultimately how successful it becomes.

Finally, allow me to praise your default reporting plan, as well as your refinance criteria.

I am very much in agreement with the plan to wait until a borrower is six months before refinancing. A pattern of home owner seriousness should show at that time, and a repayment history should be accessible to all Lenders, to help with refinance underwriting and approval. I also believe in the audit process, as it is the best way to weed out banks that just cannot get their act together, and comply with the NMRC rules and regulations.

Nigeria’s mortgage future is yours to mould, and we hope you will do a good job. It is important to conclude this letter by thanking you all so much for the hard work you have put into this laudable program.

Again, thank you so much for letting me out forward my questions on your underwriting standards to you, and I am truly excited to see this proxxxxx gram unfold.

Sincerely, Adenike Fasanya-Osilaja Comments and questions are welcomed and I hope you will make it a fantastic day.

HOPEFULLY, SUCH WORKSHOPS ARE ALREADY IN PLACE FOR

resident, Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, NITP, Mr Femi Olomola has urged the Federal Government to empower professionals to handle town planning regulations, aimed at ensuring organised settlements.

Olomola said government lacked the requisite manpower and experience to handle new developments and needed to privatise the sector for normalcy and efficiency. ‘’The laws are there, but we don’t have the machinery to enforce, the government hasn’t got capability, they don’t have the capacity as well to come up with what I consider an adequate system to actually cope with the level of developments here and there. ‘’Government should be looking at how they can privatise the town planning system; there is nothing fantastic about it which cannot be privatised’’, he stated.

Continuing, he said, ‘’If government comes up with a policy, let there be a consortium of pro-

Bayelsa raises alarm over oil pollution threat

B

ayelsa state government has raised fresh concerns over incessant pollution of its communities, caused by the exploitation of oil and gas in the state by multinational companies.

The government has warned that any oil company, whose operation causes pollution of the environment would be made to face the consequences in line with the law.

Commissioner for Environment, Mr Inuro Wills, gave the warning in Yenagoa.

Giving the warning, after visiting the Kolo Creek oil fields, where a leak in the oil pipeline discharged crude into the farmlands and vegetation, said that the pipeline leak at the Kolo Creek manifold in Otuasega, Ogbia local government area of the state, had contaminated the environment.

The Commissioner also disclosed that the oil facility belonged to Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria, SPDC. According to him, the state government had taken steps to ensure

IMPLEMENTATION PRIOR TO LOAN DISBURSEMENTS

ABOUT THE WRITER Fasanya-Osilaja a lawyer and mortgage expert has owned and operated Marvel Ventures Mortgage, Inc. (www.marvelmortgage.com), a Chicagobased Mortgage Brokerage Company since 2000 and has worked in the US Mortgage industry since 1996. She also consults and facilitates industryrequired activities, from set up of mortgage organisations to documentation, training and compliance.

fessionals, town planners, architects, engineers, we are giving you the whole of Iganmu to manage.

There should be no illegal development, there should be no collapse of building, give them the brief and let them work out the modalities on how to achieve it’’.

He disclosed that what they do is to report to government, saying it could be fine-tuned. ‘’It is until we do that, it is only then when we can be talking on having the kind of environment we desire. As long as we rely on either the federal government or the state government or the local government system to cope and to give us the kind of environment we want, we are just joking.’’, he added.

The NITP boss therefore noted that Lagos state government had experimented with revenue collection and regulation of the building industry, with some measure of success, adding that it would still need professionals for excellence.

Sertiake

that the oil firm promptly cleaned up the impacted area. ‘’We will carefully consider what to do next whatever the cause of the spill may be, whether it is as a result of sabotage or equipment failure. There has to be consequences even if it is caused by sabotage because, clearly, there is a pattern of occurrence. Almost on a daily basis, there is one oil spill or the other in Bayelsa’’. Wills said He maintained that government and the people of the state would no longer tolerate incessant pollution of their environment.

According to him, oil firms in the state carried out their operations in the state without being sensitive to the environment. ‘’The pollution at the Kolo Creek oil field is yet another demonstration of how oil and gas production is done in Nigeria, especially in the Niger Delta region.

Continuing, he said, the activities of the oil companies threaten our environment; they put the health of our people in danger and destabilise the economy of the region.

He therefore criticised the Joint Investigation Visit, JIV, a process currently adopted by oil companies and other stake holders in accessing oil spills, insisting that the procedure had outlived its usefulness.

Wills equally noted that the state had begun an overhaul of JIV process to enable the participation of more stakeholders and make it more transparent, NAN.

Real Estate & Environment

28

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Source: www.bhg.com

Erosion project: NEWMAP pays N493m compensation OLUFEMI ADEOSUN ABUJA

N

igeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project, NEWMAP has begun the payment of compensation to those affected by the ongoing construction work at the gully erosion sites in Edo state.

The World Bank financed project is aimed at tackling the challenges of severe erosion impact s in seven states of the South-eastern states of Abia, Anambra, Cross River, Edo, Enugu and Imo. It would be recalled that Edo state government had early this year approved the payment of over N1 billion as counterpart funding/implementation of NEWMAP intervention in gully erosion sites across the state.

According to a statement from the Project Office in Abuja, the exercise which started with Auchi gully site is in compliance

with World Bank guidelines on such assisted projects, which require that payment of compensation be borne by the state governments through counterpart funds.

Speaking during an opening ceremony in Auchi, Edo state, the Project Coordinator, NEWMAP, Engr. John Adisa informed the Project Affected Persons (PAPs) as well as the communities that the compensation was strategic to the successful execution of the projects in the area.

While assuring that the project would be carried out with due diligent, he called for the cooperation of the community.

On his part, the Edo NEWMAP Social Officer, Mr. Chris Abode explained that the compensation was being paid to a total number of 122 PAPs and not to those who had already lost their properties to the ravaging gully erosion in the community.

“This is not the totality of

gully erosion affected persons, but this is the total number of persons directly affected by the operations of the contractor on the projects.” he said Abode further noted that more money was being expected from the World Bank that would benefit greater number of persons in the community than the present 121 being compensated.

According to him, there is a plan o involve other members of the communities affected by the erosion through remediation programme.

The Officer also noted that the compensation exercise which was a culmination of earlier enumeration and verification processes taken by a World Bank consultant and officials of Edo NEWMAP. He also added that while some other member states in NEWMAP were still struggling to pay their counterpart fund, Edo state had not only been able to meet up with its compensation payments, but was far ahead in its counterpart

fund obligation.

Reacting, the Otaru of Auchi, Alhaji Aliru Momoh commended Governor Adams Oshiomhole on his efforts at ensuring that those directly affected by construction works at the erosion site were promptly compensated.

Otaru, who expressed his happiness for witnessing the commencement of the payment of the compensation, urged the beneficiaries to spend the funds judiciously.

Completed road in Plateau State

African Ministers renew call

E

nvironment Ministers across Africa have renewed their call for a strong and universal climate change agreement with increased flows of funds, including market and finance opportunities, capable of fulfilling Africa’s development aspirations.

With countries set to approve a new climate change agreement un-

der the UN in Paris in December, African ministers stressed the region’s readiness and requirement for accelerated private and public financing of low-carbon development.

Africa, with its vulnerable populations and vast potential, has perhaps the most to lose from climate change and the most to gain from an effective climate change agreement.

da M A in

E ki du M

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

29

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Houses

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Gowon estate residents spend N3.5m on road repairs

R

esidents of Gowon Estate in Egbeda, a suburb of Lagos state, have commenced the repairs of dilapidated roads in the community with over N2 million.

The project is being coordinated by the Community Development Association, CDA, of the estate, which raised the fund.

News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that loads of laterites had been piled up on 34, 401, 411 roads, 3rd and 4th avenues in the estate.

Also, tippers were observed offloading sand in different parts of the estate while some residents were seen monitoring the ongoing rehabilitation as tractors embarked on grading

ls on climate change pact

This was part of the recommenations arising from a meeting of Ministers of Environment across African countries, which took place n Marrakech, Morocco, last week.

A Delegate Minister in charge of nvironment of Morocco, Ms Haima ElHaite, was quoted as saying uring the meeting, “I agree with Ministers that the last 10 years in the

implementation of the Clean Development Mechanism is a very valuable asset and that market mechanisms can play a significant role in raising the level of ambition, and supporting climate action.”

Also speaking, the UNFCCC Deputy Secretary Richard Kinley said that in the last eight months before Paris, focus must shift from restat-

ing negotiating positions to finding common ground solutions.

“All countries have something to gain from the Paris agreement and it is in everyone’s interests to reach a strong conclusion as soon as possible this year. If Heads of State come to Paris, it must be to adopt an agreement that is robust and ready for them,” he maintained.

of 34 road.

NAN reports that the residents had spent about N1.5 million in 2014 to fix some of the roads that were completely impassable.

Speaking on the rehabilitation, Mr Nathaniel Okoro, the Chairman of the CDA, told NAN that government had abandoned the roads since 1976, when the estate was built.

Okoro said that the residents, many of whom are retirees, had decided to pull their hard earned money together to fix the roads. ``We are putting our resources to fix roads to make life easy for us having suffered many years of abandonment by the federal, state and local governments responsible for handling the situation. ``The Federal Government has forgotten us; the state government has forgotten us, so we as a community decided to do what we can within our means to make our lives comfortable. ``The efforts by the CDA in the northern part of the estate have been cumbersome, but it could have been worse if we continue to wait for these tiers of government. ``So far, we have been able to

raise close to N2 million to start the rehabilitation. Some of the roads that are motor able are due to the efforts we put in last years, this year we have discovered that some of the important roads are becoming unmemorable,’’ he said.

Okoro said that the cost of making life comfortable was borne only by the residents and that it would continue until the government decides to look at the plight of the people.

He added that if the fund contributed failed to achieve the expected target, residents would sit down again to make contribution.

According to him, the residents cannot afford to tar the roads because of its cost implication, but would grade them and pour hardcore stones to make them last.

Okoro said that the poor condition of roads had made businesses to suffer, while the cost of vehicle maintenance had increased because of the deplorable condition of the roads.

The chairman, however, urged corporate bodies to assist the CDA in making life comfortable for the people, including the senior citizens.

30

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Dubai to get mandatory affordable housing quotas

D

ubai Municipality has concluded plans to introduce mandatory affordable housing quotas for all new residential developments, expected to bring a wide range of benefits to the emirate.

The move, according to a new report from international real estate consultants, Cluttons would create further maturity in the market, saying it is long overdue, With the residential market in Dubai now meandering through the second half of the current property cycle and with values stabilising following the tremendous growth recorded in 2013 and the first half of 2014, the timing for the introduction of such legislation is ideal, the firm says.

According to Steven Morgan, chief executive officer of Cluttons Middle East, the issue of affordability has been one that has been quietly bubbling away in the background for some time.

‘With the introduction of the Federal Mortgage caps and the doubling of property registration fees, we saw genuine end users in the market forced into a holding pattern as they attempted to make the transition from rented accommodation to owner occupation,’ he said.

‘The surging rents, driven by the exceptionally strong underlying demand, which was linked to the robust economic growth, meant that household finances were coming under tremendous pressure on several fronts,’ he pointed out.

‘Now of course, with rents starting to show greater stabil-

ity, households have a window of opportunity to consolidate their finances and make that leap to owner occupation. The prospect of those on monthly incomes of between AED4,000 and AED12,000 being able to control their rental outgoings will no doubt go some way to aiding the speed at which deposits can be amassed,’ he added.

He also pointed out that it is important to remember that there is a huge pent up demand for affordable housing in the UAE and with rental affordability thresholds being breached in many cities;

we welcome the news on this key issue.

According to Cluttons, the idea of affordable housing is not a new concept and it has served cities such as London well, where developers are liable to provide affordable housing for developments starting with as little as ten units.

In particular it has aided in the creation of diverse communities, while allowing people from all financial backgrounds to live alongside one another.

‘There have of course been exceptions to the rule, where developers have been permitted to build

off-site affordable housing, with land costs being cited as the primary driver for this. Dubai stands to learn a valuable lesson from this as the authorities in London have often been criticised for effectively creating lower income neighbourhoods through this method,’ said Cluttons’ international research and business development manager, Faisal Durrani.

He explained that Dubai is clearly not short of affordable neighbourhoods. Karama and Satwa are two key stands out areas that evolved organically at the edges of the Deira-Bur Dubai and

IMF Work on the Environment

W

Dubai Property

Rental demand in UK remains buoyant

U

K is positive with demand for homes in the private rental sector as price increases mean that many cannot afford to buy their own homes.

But the demand for would-belandlords is also set to increase with changes to the UK pension sector allowing people to take money out of their pension pots expected to result in hundreds investing it instead in the buy to let sector.

Ironically, this could see prices continue to rise, making it more costly to get into buy to let but it will keep demand for rental properties high. Indeed the latest data from the Association of Residential Lettings Agents shows that a third of agents have reported an increase in the cost of monthly rent for tenants.

This is particularly true in the South East of England where 41% of agents in the region have re-

Jumeirah districts, respectively.

‘During the course of expansion of any city, affordable districts often tend to spring up on the fringes of the main commercial districts and this has been the case with Dubai as well. Karama and Satwa have over time been absorbed into the city, but we would strongly argue against deliberately creating affordable areas through the sanctioning of offsite affordable housing provisions as there are social implications to consider alongside the impact it can have on the urban fabric of a city,’ he added.

ported an increase and it is down to the fierce competition for rental property 40 prospective tenants per branch in February.

If you are lucky enough to be letting a prime property in a sought after address in London then you could be benefitting from rich foreign tenants who are paying the entire cost of six or 12 month tenancies and deposits in advance in a battle to secure homes in London’s best addresses.

In some cases this new breed of tenant from Russia, the Ukraine, China and Nigeria are paying over £200,000 up front on a two bed flat in London costing £3,500 per week.

But even more ordinary buy to let landlords are benefitting.

The most recent data suggest that seven out of 12 regions in the UK have seen rent prices rise in the three months to February 2015,

with the North East and South West of England leading the way at 3.1% and 2.5% price growth respectively. There was also growth in East Anglia, the North West of England, Northern Ireland, the South East of England and Yorkshire and Humber.

Two and three bedroom newly let properties seem to be the most popular and have seen the largest growth in rent, up 4.5% and 3% respectively year on year.

On top of this the average annual void period, the length of time between rental property tenancies, for residential landlords in the UK has dropped to its lowest level since 2002. The latest regular survey from Paragon Mortgages shows that in the first quarter of 2015 it was just 2.4 weeks.

So, with the latest Land Registry index showing average home prices increased by 0.5% in February, prospective first time buy-

ers are still facing challenges getting on the housing ladder.

At the same time research suggests that over 90% of tenants in the UK don’t think they will be able to afford a property as rents continue to escalate and property prices stay firmly out of their reach.

A recent study found that just 7.5% of tenants feel confident that they will be able to afford to buy their own property in the future despite the government’s recent initiatives like the Help to Buy scheme, the stamp duty changes and the recent Budget announcement on ISA savings.

However, any effect of the new Help to Buy ISA won’t filter few for several years and first time buyers may be waiting until the result of the general election before committing themselves, so demand for rented homes is not about to disappear anytime soon.

hile economic development is critical for lifting people out of poverty and raising living standards for the broader population, it also causes harmful side effects, particularly for the environment with potentially sizeable costs for the macro-economy.

For example, rising atmospheric accumulations of greenhouse gases could substantially raise global temperatures, posing considerable risks. Poor air quality is a major human health problem.

And road congestion can impose substantial burdens on urban economies, by reducing the productive time of the workforce.

Fiscal instruments (emissions taxes, trading systems with allowance auctions, fuel taxes, charges for scarce road space and water resources, etc.) can and should play a central role in promoting greener growth. These instruments are, effective at reducing environmental harm, so long as they are carefully targeted at the source of the problem, e.g., emissions.

Cost-effective (i.e., they impose the smallest burden on the economy for a given environmental improvement)—so long as the fiscal dividend from these policies is exploited (e.g., revenues are used to strengthen fiscal positions or reduce other taxes that discourage work effort and investment); Strike the right balance between environmental benefits and economic costs—so long as they are set to reflect environmental damages.

And there is plenty of scope for fiscal reform. Many countries subsidize the production and consumption of fossil fuels (rather than charging to discourage their use).

Aviation

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

31

Policy inconsistency, bane of industry professionals’ career devt – Stakeholders Stakeholders and professionals in the aviation industry have identified inability of government to fashion consistent policies, particularly after the collapse of Nigeria Airways several years ago, as responsible for the high unemployment rate among top technical personnel in the country’s aviation industry. OLUSEGUN KOIKI writes.

I

n the past four years, the Federal and Kano State Governments alone have trained at least 227 ex-militants and other unemployed youths as aircraft pilots and engineers under the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, and Kano Youth Development Programme respectively.

Of this number, 100 were trained in Jordan by Kano State Government while 127 ex-militants acquired skills as pilots and aircraft maintenance engineers in various institutions in North America, Europe, Asia and South Africa.

This figure is apart from those trained by several other organisations and individuals in the sector. In all, over 1,500 students have been trained in piloting and other related aviation professions in the past five years.

Most of those trained as pilots have not only attained the Private Pilot Licence, PPL, but they have also acquired their Commercial Pilot Licence, CPL, which allows them to operate commercial airplanes. For the students to graduate, they accumulate about 250 hours of flying time.

However, just very few of those with CPL are type-rated on airplanes. Although, the Special Adviser to the Presidency on Niger-Delta Matters, Hon. Kingsley Kuku told journalists recently in Lagos that 29 of those trained in aircraft piloting were type-rated on particular aircraft at the Lufthansa airlines in Frankfurt, Germany and CAE Aviation facility in Oxford, United Kingdom.

But, majority of fresh graduate pilots are yet to be type-rated on any aircraft brand, a situation, which has made them unemployable by the operating airlines in the country who are not willing in most times ready to train pilots for the sector.

The President, Airline Operators of Nigeria, Capt. Nogie Meggison last week raised an alarm on the unemployment of over 500 pilots and engineers fresh graduates from different aviation colleges in the country and beyond.

Meggison explained that the number of unemployed pilots was increasing at a high speed. According to his statistics, before the training of over 100 pilots by the Kano State Government, there were about 200 unemployed pilots in the sector.

He added that another 52 youths were recently trained by the Federal Government on the amnesty programme while fresh batches of 100 students graduated from NCAT and other 40 from International Aviation College, IAC, in Ilorin, Kwara State.

Meggison said unless something fast was done, such development constitutes a disincentive to the growth and development of the Nigerian aviation industry.

He urged the Federal Government to put in place an employment policy that would

Aircraft engineers at work

It Is shameful that NIgerIaN lIceNsed youth pIlots are Now drIvINg ‘Kabu Kabu’ to maKe eNds meet. thIs Is totally uNacceptable. Not that there are No jobs, but avaIlable jobs are taKeN by foreIgNers ensure that aviation professionals were engaged by both indigenous and foreign carriers operating in the country.

Meggison said though, some domestic carriers have done well and are engaging some of the pilots, but there was still room for improvement.

To check the high unemployment rate in the sector, Meggison called for the creation of an enabling policy that would check the influx of foreign pilots and engineers in the industry, stressing that there are no fewer than 1,000 foreign pilots engaged by both local and foreign registered airplanes in Nigeria.

He stated that apart from the 1,000 foreign pilots, there are over 500 foreign aircraft engineers employed in the country.

He said, “The government should compel foreign carriers to set up a line station for aircraft maintenance in the country and employ local engineers to assist in turning around the growth of the sector. They should look into other avenues also, if policies are not put in place the challenge of unemployment of pilots and engineers may not be resolved as soon as possible.

“It is shameful that Nigerian licensed youth pilots are now driving kabu Kabu to

make ends meet. This is totally unacceptable. Not that there’re no jobs, but jobs are taken by foreigners in the country. Over the years, the aviation industry has grown.

About six years ago, the number of private jets has increased from 20 to 150.

“Even, commercial airplanes have grown from 20 to 100, but it has not reflected to the employment of our youths, who are trained as pilots.”

Besides, in order to ensure that Nigerian pilots are given employment by the indigenous airlines, the Minister of Aviation at a forum in Lagos in February pronounced the mandatory “one Nigerian pilot in the cockpit” rule for all domestic commercial airlines.

He said that the policy should take effect

by July 1, 2015. Also, as part of acquiring the Air Operator’s Certificate, AOC, by intending carriers, Chidoka mandate the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, to ensure that such carriers show their training and developmental programmes for professionals in the sector. He declared that without this, NCAA should not issue such an airline an AOC. The Managing Director, Med-View Airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole was pessimistic about the number of unemployed pilots

and engineers in the sector but agreed that some of the technical personnel are not engaged in the industry.

He however, attributed the collapse of the former national carrier, Nigeria Airways to the lack of adequate training and type-rating for fresh pilots in the sector, but informed that the airline in the past two years had trained 16 pilots including three females in Miami, United States of America, U.S.A. for the sector.

Bankole agreed that training and typerating of pilots would improve employment generation for the industry, but decried that most of the indigenous carriers were not interested in training of technical personnel, rather, they preferred to engage in poaching from other airlines.

He said, “Where are the 500 pilots and engineers in Nigeria? In our airline we have Nigerians that were trained by Nigeria Airways. The liquidation of Nigeria Airways led to dearth of professionals. We have only NCAT and now the Ilorin International Aviation College that trained people as pilots.

“How many pilots are produced annually by these schools? Who produced the 500 pilots? Which schools did those unemployed pilots attend? The country needs to reproduce. Some of us went through rigorous training before we can be where we are today.

“However, in order to solve this problem, I believe the incoming government should ask individual airlines to come together and advise the government on how to improve the sector. We need commitment from individual carrier on manpower development to grow the sector.”

Also, the President, Aviation Round Table, ART, Capt. Dele Ore, recently described the situation as sordid.

Ore, blamed the pilots’ joblessness on the absence of a well thought out government policy, lamenting that the development had led to a situation whereby the “whole industry was being taken over by Filipinos and other foreigners.”

According to him, government cannot force the local airlines to employ Nigerians as some of them are facing hard times to survive.

But he advocated a “deliberate government policy” that would encourage airlines to ensure that a Nigerian passport holder sits on the cockpit of every aircraft flying in the country’s airspace.

“We cannot force them. We can only induce them with tax incentives in some areas so that they can employ Nigerian pilots. You must do some things for the airlines so they can also survive. I pat your back and you pat my back,” he added.

32

Aviation

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Med-View boss renews call for national carrier StorieS: oluSegun KoiKi

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or the Nigerian aviation industry to attain its desired goals, the Federal Government has been advised to re-establish a national carrier for the country.

The Government has also been called upon to intervene in the high interest rates charged the airlines in the country by financial institutions.

The Managing Director, MedView Airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole stated these recently in an interview with aviation correspondents at the airline’s headquarters in Lagos during the unveiling of another Boeing 737-400 classic aircraft of the company.

Bankole pointed out that the liquidation of the former national carrier, Nigeria Airways, was a wrong decision by the government and stressed that for a country as large as Nigeria to reach its potentials, it was necessary for it to have a national carrier that would project its image in the committee of nations.

He mentioned some of the coun-

tries with national airlines to include South Africa Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Air Maroc, Etihad and Emirates among many others, maintaining that Nigeria required a national carrier with strong management.

Besides, he pointed out that the financial environment for the airlines was not conducive and said the interest rates of double digits charged the operators unlike single digit in other climes was not favourable to them.

He insisted that aviation as the window to any country’s development should be given the priority it deserves and urged the incoming administration to look critically into the financing of the airlines.

Bankole also appealed to other airlines in the country to collaborate for the benefit of the flying public, maintaining that no airline could go it alone.

He also tasked the government to ensure establishment of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul, MRO, facilities in the country, disclosing that there are over 900 MRO companies around the world.

Med-View Airline MD, Muneer Bankole

He said, “We have multiple taxation from every quarters in this industry; the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria collects its own, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, does the same and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, too collects charges from us. And in most cases, some of these charges are the same. Also, we pay to Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, and several government agencies. This should be addressed by the incoming government.

Sabre urges travel agents on innovation, collaboration

T

ravel agent companies in the country have been advised to embrace technology, innovation and collaboration if they are to operate successfully in a rapidly evolving industry like aviation where zero commission is fast becoming the order of the day.

The Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Sabre Travel Network West Africa, Mr. Gbenga Olowo, gave the advice at a one-day Business Luncheon for chief executives of leading travel agents in the country.

The event, which played host to major stakeholders in the travel distribution business, was with the theme, ‘The Ambitious and Discerning Travel Agent.’

Olowo noted that agents that

could be regarded as ambitious and discerning are those with foresight and a clear picture of what the future holds.

He emphasised that agents outside the internet space were at a disadvantage and needed to quickly rethink the way they do business, adding that it was pertinent also for them to strengthen their businesses by using 21st century real time travel technology applications and solutions, which he said Sabre Travel Network provides.

He further urged them to embrace the spirit of collaboration; with likeminded and equally matched the International Air Transport Association, IATA, accredited travel agents having similar business models and

Managing Director, Alpha First Travel & Tourism Academy, Mr. Soji Amusan, Chief Executive Officer, Sabre Travel Network Nigeria, Mr. Gbenga Olowo; M.D. Interguide Air Services, Mrs. Stella Olowo; CEO, Babcock Centre for Executive Development, Babcock University, Prof. Ekundayo Alao; Country Manager, British Airways, Mr. Kola Olayinka and former M.D., Nigeria Airways, Mr. Andrew Okunuga, at the 2015 Sabre Agency Strategy Forum held recently in Lagos.

ideologies on one hand as well as integrating non-IATA agents by applying various online booking and payment solutions.

The day’s activities at the forum were divided into three interactive sessions. Session one, which was tagged; ‘Getting Online and Being Successful’ was anchored by Mr. Hamish Broom, Director Business Development, EMEA Sabre Travel Network who delivered a paper titled: ‘The Future Is Called Online Collaboration.’

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Airside shegzzy4live2000@yahoo.co.uk 08186007273

Task ahead for Gen. Buhari in aviation sector

T

he expectations are high.

Several aviation stakeholders and the flying public expect the incoming government led by Gen. Mohammadu Buhari to hit the ground running immediately it is sworn-in on the 28th May, 2015.

In fact, there are several burdens on the shoulders of the incoming government.

From the settlement of the severance benefits of about N70bn to the workers of the defunct national carrier, Nigeria Airways, the agitation for the re-establishment of another national airline, multiple designations for foreign carriers to the reformation of the country’s airports; the expectations are indeed very high.

Buhari may deliver in the other sectors of the economy, but Airside is worried that the incoming administration just

like its predecessors may not achieve much for the sector especially when the government throughout its campaign trains never made any categorical statement on aviation.

Airside predicts that within the next one year, if the sector’s workers don’t see any clear cut policy for the industry, the unions would lead the workers out to carry placards against the today’s bride.

The current conducive environment may be too hot or inconvenient for the government. Will Buhari and his team be able to bear the heats when they start? Only the next one year would tell. But, the country’s aviation industry requires lots of government attention for it to attain its goals and stop being the sleeping giant.

NATCA and unending crisis

F

or the umpteenth time, the Air Traffic Controllers, ATC, under the auspices of Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Association, NATCA, embarked on a warning strike over welfare and professional issues last Thursday.

The six hours warning strike jolted airline operators and air travellers who had hoped to catch a flight to several cities within the country and some early morning flights to Ghana and some West Coast countries.

The six hours was like six days to air travellers who had hitherto planned their schedules. Definitely, some appointments that couldn’t be fulfilled as earlier scheduled may never be fulfilled again.

Airside insists the ATC and its umbrella body are not fair to the air travellers and other users of the nation’s airports on the said day. Their incessant threat to embark on strike over welfare and professional issues is uncalled for especially when the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, had already approved all their demands, but only awaiting the approval from the Ministry of Aviation.

Airside thinks the body should have given the government the benefit of doubt, rather than allowing the airlines to lose several millions of naira and creating inconvenience to the travelling public. Time to be considerate is now.

NAMA commences airports’ navigational aids calibration project

T

he Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, said in order to further boost the safety of the nation’s airspace, it has commenced the calibration of its navigational aids at all the airports across the country and en-route stations across the country.

The General Manager, Public Affairs, NAMA, Mrs. Olajumoke Adetona in a statement stated that the routine calibration exercise, which was intended to determine the precision and accuracy of these navigational aids is being handled by the Agency for the Safety of Aerial Navigation in Africa, ASECNA, of Senegal.

Adetona stated that the exercise was in collaboration with NAMA engineers and was expected to last for about two weeks.

She added that the exercise would involve the calibration of the agency’s Instrument Landing Systems, ILS, Very High OmniDirectional Radio Range, VOR, Distance Measuring Equipment, DME, Path Approach Precision Indicators, PAPI and Air Field Lighting Systems.

Other facilities to be calibrated according to the statement included the Communication Radio Coverage across the nation.

Commenting on the calibra-

tion exercise, the Managing Director NAMA, Engr. Ibrahim Abdulsalam, noted that the operation was “targeted at putting all the navigational aids at the nation’s airports and en-route stations in optimal capacity in line with ICAO standards to continue to generate precise and accurate signals to guarantee the safety of air navigation in Nigeria.”

Meanwhile, NAMA stated that in order to facilitate easy access to security personnel on duty at its headquarters in Lagos, its management has established telephone lines at both the headquarters gate and its annex gate in Lagos Airport.

Insurance

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

33

recovers N.6m unpaid Takaful operators need to expand ICPC pension for 65 year-old retiree beyond comfort zone – Expert Meshack Idehen

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Tayo elebIjo

T

akaful operators need to expand beyond their comfort zones in order for the potential of Islamic insurance to be further realised, according to Mr Abdulla Mohammad Al Awar, CEO, Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre.

In his opening keynote speech at the 10th Anniversary Special Edition of the World Takaful Conference in Dubai last week, Mr Al Awar said that the growth of the takaful industry has lagged behind that of Islamic finance in general and operators should be creative and challenge themselves to expand takaful. Though the global takaful market is worth US$28 billion, with GCC countries contributing 62 percent of the gross takaful premiums, the previously robust takaful growth has slowed down to some degree, noted Mr Al Awar. He cited that growth of Islamic insurance in 2013 was 7.6 percent against 16 percent in 2012.

Although the three biggest takaful markets are UAE, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia, there is a need to explore other markets, where the takaful industry is still in its initial stages, he said.

NAICOM House

Takaful market penetration is still low especially in Islamic majority countries such as the GCC states where the penetration rate stands at 1.1 percent. In Indonesia, which has the world’s largest Muslim population, only 5 percent of the people have knowledge or understanding of takaful. This provides opportunities for Islamic insurance, said Mr Al Awar.

To address the key challenges facing takaful, Mr Al Awar called for solutions, such as expanding awareness, reducing operating costs and adhering to Shariah standards and regulations effectively. He advised takaful operators to learn from the Islamic banking industry

which has succeeded in addressing the needs of the Muslim community. He also suggested looking into microtakaful to cater to the low-income Muslim community.

Islamic finance has provided appropriate solutions to the markets of the region against the crises in financial markets in recent years, said another speaker, Mr Ebrahim Obaid Al Zaabi, Director General of the UAE Insurance Authority, IA. In record time, Islamic insurance has proved to the world that it is capable of coping with crises, overcome challenges, keep up with life’s economic requirements and provide appropriate alternatives without prejudice, he said. It has achieved a global presence.

South Korea Insurers to meet Lloyd’s over sunken ferry

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wo Korean insurance companies and the national shipping association are planning talks with Lloyd’s over reinsurance claims related to the illfated ferry Sewol, which sank last April off the country’s southwestern coast with the loss of 304 lives.

A delegation consisting of executives of Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance, Korean Re and the Korea Shipping Association, KSA, have departed for London to meet their counterparts at Lloyd’s, the world’s largest insurance market.

Chonghaejin Marine, the operator of the Sewol ferry, purchased insurance policies for its passen-

gers from the KSA, which compensates up to KRW350 million (US$320,000) per person in the case of disasters. The KSA signed reinsurance contracts with Samsung and Korean Re to hedge risks, and the two companies in turn bought reinsurance cover from Lloyd’s.

“We will file claims for compensation with Lloyd’s. If the negotiations go smoothly, we will get full payment,” said Mr Cho Seongyun, a senior manager at the KSA. The full passenger insurance payments for the 304 deaths total KRW106.4 billion. Mr Cho said that KSA waited until now to hold

talks with Loyd’s as it needed the government’s report over the incident as part of legal documents for the claim.

However, it will not be easy for the Korean parties to get full payments from Lloyd’s, industry executives say. Lloyd’s is expected to argue that Sewol’s operator is accountable for the disaster because it had failed to operate the ferry according to proper regulations.

The government’s report said that Sewol, which was carrying carrying 476 people, was over-loaded and its operator had altered the 6,825-ton ferry’s structure to hold more passengers and cargo.

he Resident Consultant (Media and Event) of the Independent Corrupt Practice Commission (ICPC), Mr Folu Olamiti, said reprieve has come the way of Mallam Adamu Umar, a retiree of Sabon Gari Local Government, Zaria in Kaduna State, who has been living in abject poverty since he retired five years ago having been denied his retirement benefits.

Olamiti said in a statement that Umar claimed to have worked at the local government for 13 years, and in a petition forwarded to the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Mr Ekpo Nta, alledged that the Kaduna State Local Government Staff Pension Board had denied him his retirement benefits (Gratuity and Pen-

sion) since 2010.

He said following ICPC’s intervention and commencement of investigation into the matter, that it was discovered that the pension board was indebted to Mallam Adamu at the sum of N554,263.80 (five hundred and fifty four thousand, two hundred and sixty three naira, eighty kobo).

“When all hopes were lost and he was dying from bouts of old age related diseases, one of his relatives enlightened him of how he could seek recourse through the anti corruption agency.

Upon intervention by the Commission on the matter, the sum of N554, 263.80 owed Mallam Umar Adamu as Gratuity and accrued Pension of 53 months was paid to him.

In addition the pension board immediately perfected the payment of Mallam Adamu’s monthly pension as it was supposed to be”, Olamiti explained.

Insurance Tips

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hat your travel insurance policy should cover •medical and health cover for an injury or sudden illness abroad (including those arising from any pre-existing conditions) •24-hour emergency service and assistance •personal liability cover in case you’re sued for causing injury or damaging property •lost and stolen possessions cover •cancellation and curtailment (cutting short your trip) cover •extra cover for activities that are commonly excluded from standard policies, such as jet skiing The policy should cover the whole time that you’re away. Multi-trip policies may specify a maximum number of days’ travel.

Your policy may also have •personal accident cover •legal expenses cover •financial protection if your airline goes bankrupt before or during your trip Many insurers will extend cover if you ask them. If not, shop around for a specialist policy.

Common travel insurance policy

exclusions •most policies will not cover drink or drug-related incidents •where possible, ensure that your policy does not exclude terrorism •you must take reasonable care of your possessions or your policy will not cover you Travel insurance buying tips •Shop around to find a good price and the right product rather than opting to travel without cover •Cheaper policies will usually have less cover – for some, the price seems most important, but is it worth the initial saving?

•Consider annual multi-trip insurance if you make several trips a year – you’ll save time and money •If travelling within the European Economic Area, you will need an EHIC as well as travel insurance Common travel insurance policy exclusions •most policies will not cover drink or drug-related incidents •where possible, ensure that your policy does not exclude terrorism •you must take reasonable care of your possessions or your policy will not cover you.

34

Insurance

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stakeholders foresee brighter outlook for insurance, pension sectors With series of reforms already made, including some regulatory policies by regulatory authorities to enhance operators’ compliance with global best practices and to restore public confidence in insurance and pension’s industry, stakeholders are beginning to predict brighter prospects for growth in the sectors in the years ahead. MESHACK IDEHEN writes.

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he Nigeria insurance industry has in the last couple of years, witnessed series of reforms and policy initiatives that analysts believed had helped to move the sector on the path of sustainable growth if properly leveraged in the years ahead.

For the pension sub-sector of the industry however, its performance, analysts have noted may not have been encouraging enough, particularly when viewed on the basis of alleged numerous irregularities by operators in documentation and management of depositors contributions now associated with the Contributory Pension Scheme, (CPS).

The alleged poor management capacity of some of the Pension Funds Administrators, (PFAs), was a source of concern for the Senate President, Mr. David Mark, who raised the alarm over the lapses.

These are coupled with alleged incidences of gross abuse of office and weak accountability for contributor’s deposits.

These situations notwithstanding, experts are hopeful that the sectors will record massive consolidation and expansion, based on corporate governance principles the NAICOM and PENCOM are entrenching at all levels of insurance and annuity businesses.

Insurance expert and Managing Director of Conrad Clark Nigeria Limited, Mr. Joachim Adenusi, is of the view that the unlimited potential and prospects ringed with doing insurance and pension management business in Nigeria has been reasonably and adequately identified by regulators and operators alike.

He explained that the burden of non-compliance with the International Financial Reporting Standards, (IFRS), which in the past hindered operators from playing in the big and lucrative league of international insurance business has been reasonably addressed by the National Insurance Commission, (NAICOM).

According to him, insurance practitioners in Nigeria can latch on to the No Premium, No Cover Policy to take the industry to a height never before witnessed, adding also that the new sense of orientation and purpose with which insurance is now being practiced in the country is more than enough reason to be hopeful this and in the coming years.

He pointed out for instance that last year marked a watershed in the annals of insurance and pension management history and practice in the country, and a departure from the industry’s past, considering the fact that both the insurance and pension industry are

Mark

Commissioner for Insurance, Fola Daniel

These siTuaTions noTwiThsTanding, experTs are hopeful ThaT The secTors will record massive consolidaTion

and expansion, based on corporaTe governance principles The

naicom and

pencom are enTrenching aT all levels of insurance and annuiTy businesses currently experiencing a boom period, while at the same time, also poised for regional and continental expansion in a way never witnessed before.

Immediate Past President of the National Council of Registered Insurance Brokers, NCRIB, Mrs. Liade Osijo, told National Mirror that though sectoral challenges still exist, that indications have over the course of the year, continually emerged to show that the insurance/pension industry will soon occupy its pride of place, as far as contributions to national development was concerned.

She noted also in particular that the introduction and implementation of the “No Premium, No cover” policy by the NAICOM, has successfully changed the face and practice of insurance business in Nigeria and around the continent.

Pointing out also that the planned emulation and introduction of the No Premium, No Cover policy by other countries in the region, including Ghana, Liberia and Sierra- Leone, is an indication that the insurance sector in Nigeria achieved something very significant in the outgoing year, the former NCRIB president said the responses and feedbacks from operators’ shows the policy; alongside other initiatives from the country’s insurance sector was a positive move for an otherwise previously struggling industry.

The disclosure by the Nigeria’s Insurers Association, (NIA), that only 12

out of the over 50 insurance companies operating in the country dominate the industry is a source for concern for the industry, said insurance practitioner, Mr. Lucky Igunbor, who is of the opinion that previous years were years of mixed fortunes and blessings for the industry’s players.

Igunbor, who is the Managing Director of City Insurance Brokers Limited said: “The lack of depth, the prevalence of professional shallowness due to lack of training opportunities for operators and low capacity utilisation that still pervades the insurance industry to a large extent must be halted through stringent implementation of all the development and growth policies that were introduced and implemented in the course of the previous years”.

He maintained that a situation where only 12 underwriting companies presently control large chunk of the insurance mar¬ket in Nigeria despite the best efforts of the regulators and forward looking firms was not good enough or sustainable for the indus¬try and the economy in the long term, adding also that the coming year will present more opportunities and challenges for the industry.

“We as operators need to consolidate and improve on the encouraging performance of the industry in 2013.

To do that, issues like late or non-submission of financial reports, rate cutting, demarketing and other vices that ails the sector must be comprehensive-

ly looked into and properly addressed”, he suggested.

Driving home the point inherent in the pitfalls of allowing only few companies to control and dominate the industry, Insurance Broker, Mr. Gabriel Osibogun, again made reference to the NIA report which explained that the market positions of the insurance firms were determined by their gross pre¬mium income written some years ago.

He noted with apprehension that with the NIA maintaining in the report that 90 per cent of the other operators that make up the numbers of companies in the industry are contending with the left-over markets left by the big operators, that creating a level playing field should form one of the main concerns of regulators in the years ahead.

National Mirror gathered from sources within NAICOM that less than 31 out of the 60 insurance companies operating in the country have submit their audited accounts to the commission as at November 2014 Bancassurance Expert, Mr. Obasi Ngwuta, said the introduction of guidelines for the practice of micro and Takaful insurance by NAICOM, is another significant milestone that was recorded during the course of the past years.

He said with the release of the guidelines that vast majority of Nigerians and potential insurance customers will now be captured into the nation’s financial system; a move he added will go a very long way to¬wards boosting the country’s economy.

Harping thus on the need to deepen and enlarge the insurance industry in Nigeria through mass market participation in 2015, Managing Director of Riskguard-Africa Ni¬geria Limited, Mr. Yemi Soladoye, said operators in the industry must concentrate more on market expansion instead of premium growth.

Soladoye said insurance firm’s concentration on premium growth instead of expanding the market and deepening the industry was inimical to growth, adding that the future of the industry can only come from market expansion.

Taken together, and inspite of the unlimited growth prospect being envisaged by the industry, the inability to comprehensively boost insurance penetration and aid national food security through risk bearing support to farmers and agro allied businesses by the Nigeria Agricultural Insurance Corporation, (NAIC), is a neglect analysts believe should be urgently tackled by the Federal Government and other regulatory agencies in the sectors.

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Money Banks’ earnings up amid policy, infrastructure constraints

35

With many banks posting impressive returns in the just ended first quarter of this year even in the face operational constraints, analysts believe that the Deposit Money Banks, DMBs, may have improved in key area of efficient cost management and innovative products and services to deliver better returns on their shareholders’ funds. UDO ONYEKA reports.

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he huge profits made by banks in 2014 and in the first quarter of 2015, appear more to many stakeholders as magical owing to the harsh environment in which the financial institutions operate as well as the stringent regulatory measures being introduced by the monetary authorities to improve the efficiency of the industry.

Many stakeholders wondered if Nigerian banks were actually operating in a different environment from other businesses.

While it may be difficult to outrightly rule out some opportunistic gains of foreign currency round-tripping and some cheating on customers in buoying banks profitability, many think declaration of huge profits of financial institutions is an outcome of the reforms in the sector and the creativity of the banks, in designing attractive and compelling products.

For instance,12 banks recorded gross earnings of N1.4tn during the first three months of this year, according to information obtained from the Nigerian Stock Exchange and the banks’ websites.

The banks include Access Bank Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, Diamond Bank Plc, First Bank of Nigeria Limited and Skye Bank Plc. Others are United Bank for Africa Plc, Union Bank Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, Sterling Bank Plc and Stanbic IBTC Bank.

The amount is N106bn or eight per cent higher than the approximately N1.3tn the 12 banks made during the first six months of 2013.

According to the 2014 half-year results of the banks, ETI made the highest gross earnings, with N226.2bn, followed

by Zenith Bank, First Bank, UBA and GTB, which recorded N184bn, N173.3bn, N138.3bn and N132.9bn, respectively.

Others are Access Bank, N118bn; Diamond Bank, N98bn; Skye Bank, N63.8bn; Fidelity Bank, N63.2bn; Stanbic IBTC Bank, N61.5bn; Union Bank, N49.6bn; and Sterling Bank, N48.6bn.

The reports showed that the 12 banks made N223bn as profit after tax in the half-year period. This is 14.98 per cent or N38.9bn lower than the N262bn they made last year.

Nigerian banks have been recording bumper gross earnings on yearly basis after a Central Bank of Nigeria bailout in the wake of the 2009 banking sector crisis returned virtually all of them to profitability.

The bumper profits have made some of them to increase investments in technology and expansion in order to align themselves with modern trends in form of digi-

CBN Gov., Emefiele

Oduoza

a major focus for the

Bank this year

is to strengthen market positions with distinctive customer propositions in

chosen segments in order to deliver longterm sustainaBle and efficient growth as well as strong shareholder returns tal, Internet and electronic banking.

According to analysts the gradual phaseout of COT charges, which will conclude in 2016, when customers’ accounts will no longer be debited for transactions on current accounts and the CBN increase of the Cash Reserve Ratio on public sector funds from 50 per cent to 75 per cent in 2014 were some of the major regulatory headwinds that might further affect the banks’ results in the coming years if the lenders failed to pass the cost to customers. Others are the increase in banks’ capital base from 15 to 16 per cent for those with international operations; and increase in their liquid assets holding from 30 to 35 per cent.

Also in the first quarter of 2015, United Bank for Africa, UBA, Plc, has released results, show significant growth in earnings and profits in the first three months of the 2015 financial year.

The results, which cover the period January to March 2015, show that the Bank witnessed a significant 22 percent growth in gross earnings to N83.1bn as at March 2015 from a comparative figure of N68.1bn made in the first three months of the 2014 financial year.

Also the bank recorded an even higher 36 per cent growth in profit before tax to N18.4bn as at March 2015 compared to N13.5bn as at March 2014. The bank’s profit after tax also grew by 35 percent to N17bn from N12.6bn within the same period.

Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Phillips Oduoza, expressed his satisfaction on the Bank’s great start to the year, despite the uncertainties that characterized the Nigerian economy during the first quarter of 2015.

“We witnessed what can best be described as a quantum leap in our profit and balance sheet drivers. Besides the significant growth in profits, I am also impressed by the 6 percent quarter-to-date growth in deposits and the low 1.6 per cent Non-Performing Loans, NPL, ratio, which reflects our prudence. It shows our focus on both profit drivers and risks within our operating environment” Oduoza said.

Speaking on the operations of its African businesses, Oduoza said that they contributed over one-fifth of the group’s earnings in the first quarter. He expressed optimism of a more positive outlook as the bank’s Pan-African operations increasingly gain critical mass across the African markets.

“We remain focused on cross selling initiatives and niche market play, as we remain committed to building a leading PanAfrican financial services franchise and delivering superior value to our shareholders.” Oduoza explained.

Also Guaranty Trust Bank, G T Bank, in the first 2015 has recorded a 17 per cent growth in Gross Earnings to N79.02bn, from N67.58bn recorded in the compara-

tive period of 2014, underpinned by strong growth in interest income and effective management of operating expenses and cost of risk. Profit before Tax was N32.65bn, an increase of 17 per cent from N28.01bn reported in Q1 2014.

The Bank reported a Q1 2015 Profit after Tax of N26.56bn an increase of 15 per cent over the N23.11bn reported in Q1 2014.

The Bank closed Q1 2015 with Total Assets and Contingents of N3.15 Trillion, customer deposits of N1.69 Trillion and Shareholders’ Funds of N357.59 bn. The Bank’s non-performing loans improved to 3.06 per cent from 3.40 per cent in the comparative period of Q1 2014. The loan book also grew by 28 per cent to close at N1.30tn in Q1 2015, from N1.02trn in Q1 2014.

Commenting on the financial results, , the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Bank plc Segun Agbaje, stated that “a major focus for the Bank this year is to strengthen market positions with distinctive customer propositions in chosen segments in order to deliver long-term sustainable and efficient growth as well as strong shareholder returns”.

Other banks that have released their first quarter results showed increase in their earnings.

According to Former President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, CIS, and Managing Director, Signet Investment Securities Limited, Mr. Oladipo Aina are declaring huge profits because they are now facing their core business area. He said before now banks were into a lot of things including “recharge cards business.”

“You know in the past because the banks put their hands into a lot of businesses many of those businesses backfired. Now I think there is also stiffer regulation and monitoring which has put every banker on his toes.”

Managing Director, Partnership Investment Co. Plc, Mr. Victor Ogiemwonyi, said the good results being declared by financial institutions are not unusual given the low base they are rising from after the recent crisis.

He said “The provisions and write offs in last two years means they have less provisions against their profits this year. There is also the fact that most of them have benefited from the high interest rate regime that has kept treasury and bond prices high to their benefit. This is more so considering that they paid three per cent interest on customer savings and buy government treasury Bills at 12 per cent risk free. They have also benefited from efficiencies resulting from Technology adoption. You will agree with me that our banks have adopted technology far better than any other sector of our economy,” he said.

36

Taxation

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tax on the go, anywhere, anytime T

he tax system since medieval times has undergone reforms, these reforms focused on taxpayers are meant to increase service delivery and customer satisfaction. The FIRS is not left behind as reforms have been undertaken with a view to make our operations friendlier, convenient and conform to global best practices. In order to simplify the payment method, FIRS has designed a new payment platform called e-tax Pay. What is e-tax Pay? E-tax Pay is an online self-service tax payment system whereby the taxpayers are given an opportunity to pay their taxes through their banks’ online payment portal. It is an initiative put in place by FIRS in collaboration with Nigerian Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) and approved collecting banks. This is to assist taxpayers pay their taxes with maximum ease. Taxpayers can do it themselves using the electronic service channels provided by their bankers. (These service channels will include the banks internet banking, ATM and other mobile banking platforms.)

Conditions to meet before using etax pay platform • You must have registered and obtained Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) • You must have an account with the bank • You must have sufficient funds in the account to cover the tax liability/transaction

Federal Ministry of Finance, Abuja

Steps to take to make payment through e-tax pay platform Having satisfied the condition of obtaining a registered TIN, an existing account and sufficient funds, then; • Select the service (e-tax Pay) from the list of services displayed on the bank self-service channel or request for this service from the bank branch • Provide all the required information including the taxpayer`s TIN. • Select the tax type (e.g. Company Income Tax, Pre-operation Levy, Value Added Tax, etc.)

• Enter the amount to be debited from the account provided • Confirm that all the information provided are correct and valid • Submit the request.

When this process is completed the platform will notify FIRS online real time. Also FIRS has online access to the tax portal to view transactions real time to know taxpayers that have made tax payments.

Taxes that can be paid using the etax pay channel You can use the e-tax pay channel to pay all taxes/levies collected by the FIRS. They include: • Petroleum Profit Tax • Education Tax • Companies Income Tax • VAT • Personal Income Tax/PAYE (Residents of FCT and non-Residents) • Withholding Tax

Finance Minister, Okonjo-Iweala

• National Information Technology Levy • Capital Gains Tax • Pre-operation Levy • Late filing penalty.

• Stamp duties Documentation required when you want to pay tax.

• Prepare the relevant tax returns • Compute tax payable or prepare remittance schedule (CIT/PAYE/ WHT/VAT) • Fill the relevant self-assessment forms Benefits of using e-tax Pay • Promotes transparency and boost the taxpayer’s confidence and trust in the tax system

Ag. Executive Chairman FIRS, Samuel Ogungbesan

• Promotes voluntary compliance • It is convenient, saves time and compliance cost; as taxpayers can do it themselves within the confine of their offices without going to the banking hall.

• E-taxpay solution streamlines the process flow in tax remittance, with all banks collecting for FIRS using their various channels.

• Banks integration to the NIBSS e-taxpay is a veritable avenue for enabling all forms of tax payments/collections particularly from the bank accounts of payers to the designated bank accounts of FIRS. • This solution harmonizes online tax assessment with e-taxpay platform; which gives convenience of assessment and remittance.

• NIBSS collection platform has been integrated to the system(s) of FIRS for data acquisition and online real-time notification of transactions.

• The security of payment is intact as the platform leverages on the robust security infrastructure of banks.

• It makes account reconciliation easy for FIRS. • It enhances effective budgeting and forecasting due to the availability of adequate information on details of tax revenue realized over a period of time.

Security of the e-tax Pay Platform The e-tax pay service is safe and secure. The platform leverages on the security measures provided by the service channels of the banks. The system through NIBSS validates taxpayer’s information against FIRS records and automatically notifies FIRS. … fast track your tax payment, use the e-tax Pay.

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Capital Market

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

37

Q1: Access Bank posts N14bn profit J ohnson o kanlawon

A

ccess Bank has declared a profit after tax of N13.7 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2015, up 11 per cent from N12.3 billion recorded in the same period of 2014 The bank return on average equity of 19.2 per cent improved by 50 basis points from 19.7 per cent in the first quarter of 2014 According to the result presented to the Nigerian Stock Exchange, gross earnings stood at N76.7 billion in the review period, up 34 per cent from N57.3 billion in the corresponding period of 2014, of which interest income and non-interest income comprised 17 per cent and 47 per cent growth respectively.

Interest income grew by 17 per cent to N46.4billion in the first quarter from N39.6billion in the three months of 2014,benefiting from a loan portfolio growth in 2014 and improved yields on fixed income securities.

However, non-interest income rose N30.4billion in the first quarter , compared to N17.6 billion in the first quarter of 2014, increased by 47 per cent, supported bygrowth in net trading income.

Operating income stood at N54.0 billion, an increase of 28 per cent from N42.2 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2014, while profit

NSE DG, Oscar Onyema

before tax for the quarter rose 21 per cent to N16.5 billion, from N13.6bilion in the same period of 2014.

Analysis of the bank’s balance sheet showed lans and advances recorded a modest growth of two per cent to N1.15 trillion in the review period, from N1.12 trillion in December 2014.

Customer deposits dropped to N1.39 trillion, down four per cent from N1.45 trillion in December 2014, resulting from run-off ofexpensive funds and replacement with stable and lower cost deposits, as the bank strives to sustain margins The bank’s total assets was up two per cent year-on-year to N2.14 trillion

United Capital assets hit N95bn

U

nited Capital Plc, an investment banking firm, has announced a total total assets to N95.29billion for the financial year ended December 31, 2014, up from the N 79.48billion reported in 2013, an increase of 20 per cent.

A statement from the bank said cash and cash equivalents made up 33 per cent of the group’s assets, while financial assets made up 61 per cent of total assets.

It explained that shareholders’ funds as at the end of 2014 was N 9.31billion and the company’s return on average equity was 21 per cent, highlighting continued value creation for share holders.

The statement stressed that the company generated gross earnings of N 4.68 billion in 2014, up 2.3 per cent from 2013.

The company said that total gross earnings were

driven primarily by fee and commission income of 39 per cent and investment income of 35 per cent.

The company also grew net interest margin, which is income generated from funds under management by 103.08 per cent, while other income also rose 42.5 per cent over its 2013 value and contributed 16.2 per cent of total gross earnings.

The profitability of the company improved over 2013, culminating in profit after tax rising by five per cent to N1.84 billion, up from 1.76 billion in 2013 with a profit margin of 39 per cent.

However, operating expenses increased by 18.6 per cent from 2013 to close at N2.4 billion in 2014 from N2.1 billion in 2013.

The company said its management is confident of its ability to sweat the growth in assets to

achieve greater profitability in future.

“Management’s current drive is for a reduction in cost to income ratio through income growth from all the businesses as well as the deployment of recently acquired IT Infrastructure to drive efficiency.

“The company continues to play a leading role across its areas of operations in trusteeship, investment banking, asset management and securities,” the company said.

It added that the company looks forward to expanding its scope of operations to comprehensively cover the entire investment life-cycle.

“It is the firm’s belief that as concerns over the political and economic landscape begin to ease, marked growth will be seen in the various business lines,” the company added.

Wigwe

in the first quarter of 2015 compared to N2.10 trillion in December 2014, while capital adequacy ratio stood at 19.6 per cent from 18.4 per cent in December 2014.

On the asset quality, the bank said credit quality was sustained in the first quarter as the percentage of nonperforming loans to total gross loans improved to 2.1 per cent from 2.2 per cent as at December 2014, while coverage ratio (with regulatory risk reserve) increased to 165 per cent in the three months , from 154 per cent as at December 2014.

On the operational efficiency, net interest margin stood at 5.9 per cent in the first quarter of 2015 from 7.1 per

cent in 2014,underlined by increased funding costs, while cost to income ratio improved by 220 basis points to 62.2 per cent, from 64.6 per cent in 2014,driven by revenue uplift during the period.

Speaking on the results, the Group Managing Director of the bank, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, noted that the bank’s financial performance in the first quarter of 2015 marks steady progress towards key strategic objectives.

He said, “Our focus remains on the delivery of sustainable value to our shareholders. We continue to deepen and broaden our top-tier corporate relationships whilst optimisingand growing our diverse retail customer base to support low-cost liability growth.”

However, the bank has announced a gross earnings of N245.2billion for the financial year ended December 31, 2014, an increase of 18.5 per cent, from N208.9billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2013.

The bank’s profit for the year also rose 18 per cent to N42.9billion in the revie period, from N36.3billion recorded in the same period of 2013, while its total assets appreciated to N2.10trillion, up 15 per cent from N1.84trillion recorded in 2013.

Loans and advances to customers increased to N1.11trillion, from N786billion recorded in 2013, while assets classified for sale stood at N23.4billion, from N2.8billion in 2013.

Yields on bonds may fall this week

Y

ields on local debt could ease this week, while subscription rates for Kenyan Treasury bills may slip as banks build cash reserves.

Yields on Nigeria’s local debt are seen falling further this week, with renewed appetite from both local and offshore investors and increased liquidity from maturing bonds.

Nigerian bonds market has seen increase demand after a peaceful general election spurring interest from local investors and foreign investors.

“The market was all bullish from a range of interest by investors taking position after the successful election,” one dealer said.

Traders said market could get a liquidity boost from maturing

April 2015 bonds, raising demand for local debt as holders are likely to reinvest in the market.

Nigeria raised N70 billion at lower yields across all tenors at a bond sale last week.

Yields at the secondary market have fallen across the maturities with the 2016 paper down to 14.06 per cent from 14.96 per cent last week, while the yield on the 2022 debt fell to 14.02 per cent against 14.87 per cent. The yield on the 2024 debt traded at 13.91 per cent from 14.81 per cent.

Demand for Kenyan Treasury bills could fall as banks stockpile their reserves due to tightening local currency liquidity, while traders expect yields to remain steady.

The central bank will sell Treasury bills of all

maturities worth a total of 8 billion shillings at two separate auctions.

“I don’t see much change in yield. It’s been fairly flat,” said Alex Muiruri, fixed income trader at Kestrel Capital.

“A lot of money that would go into the T-bills will go into building reserves for the banks,” Muiruri added, saying he expected to see lower subscription rates.

The yield on the benchmark 91-day bill fell to 8.408 percent at this week’s auction from 8.422 percent last week, while yields on the 364day and 182-day bills both rose.

The yield on the 182day bill yield stood at 10.252 per cent from 10.248 per cent last week, while the yield on the 364-day bill climbed to 10.576 per ent from 10.564 perc ent.

38

Features

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Buhari needs whole atlantic

Police brutality

Nigeri's pariah status in the eye of the world as the most or one of the most corrupt nations of the world may soon become a thing of the past as soon as the Mohammadu Buhari government comes on board as OUR CORRESPONDENT examines the impending reform in the country's police and judiciary by a yet to be constituted Professor Yemi Osinbajo-led committee.

R

umours are rife that the Mohammadu Buhari regime which will be inaugurated on May 29 is starting the anti-corruption crusade using the Nigeria police and judiciary as the guinea pigs. Reason: Nigerians have long time ago termed these two bodies as the most corrupt government agencies in the country.

An impeccable source has revealed that the Vice President-elect Prof Yemi Osin-

bajo has been charged with the responsibility of leading the committee that will reform the police and the judiciary so that the Buhari-led government will hit the ground running in June, at least to justify the confidence reposed in them by the millions of Nigerians who gave them an overwhelming mandate on March 28.

Prof Osinbajo is a reputable transformer who won the hearts of million Lagosians for his landmark reforms in Lagos State as the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Nigerians have no iota of doubt that by the time the legal luminary finishes his assignment, the Nigeria police and judiciary will not remain the same again.

The Nigeria police for instance, is long overdue for proper cleansing as the force has become synonymous with corruption.

If wishes were horses, Nigerians would have, no doubt, called for a total sack of all the entire policemen in Nigeria and start a fresh recruitment so that the new breed of officers will not be contaminated by the old brigade in the force. The image of the police has been so bastardized so much so that Nigerians often say that if an armed

NO NIGERIAN IS HAPPY ABOUT THE ROT IN THE POLICE AND HOW THE OFFICERS HAVE MESSED UP THE FORCE. WE BELIEVE THAT PROFESSOR OSINBAJO HAS WHAT IT TAKES TO TRANSFORM THE POLICE robber and a police strayed into your compound and you have a riffle, it is saver to kill the police first and then go after the robber later.

Aside from the illegal road blocks on Nigerian roads whereby the police harass car owners, drivers and extort money from them, it is a general knowledge in the country that some high officers in the force are accomplice to robbers. No wonder therefore when the former military president, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida asked former Inspector General of Police, Aliyu Atta about the whereabouts of the notorious armed robber who was tormenting the entire country in the early 90’s. Lawrence Anini became king in Edo and its environs in those horrible months.

Dare-devil Anini made himself a national embarrassment and the police were helpless while the Edo-state robber ravaged the

country with impunity.

Then came this day when in Lagos when IBB asked Atta saying: “My friend, where is Anini?” That question was the turning point in the hide-and-seek game between Anini and the police. That intervention, so to say, from General Babangida was the signal from the top to the police to swing into action and eventually got Anini arrested. The revelation from the Anini saga especially as told by one of his gang members, Sunday Osunboh did a lot of devastating damage to the image of the police in Nigeria. Some police officers were accused of hiring arms to the robbers and some were even apprehended.

Nigerians have long stories to tell about the Nigeria police and it gladdens the heart to note that the incoming government is taking a look at how to buy back the prestige and respect of the force. “This is the

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Features

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

39

waters to cleanse police, Judiciary best piece of information I have heard after the Buhari election,” Dipo Olawale, an astute police watch expert told National Mirror. “No Nigerian is happy about the rot in the police and how the officers have messed up the force. We believe that Professor Osinbajo has what it takes to transform the police.”

Not too long ago, precisely in November 2012, three policemen were dismissed from the force and made to face the wrath of the Nigerian law when they were charged with illegal possession of firearms and accepting N105,000 bribe from an arms dealer. The accused, Ishaya Ibrahim, 34; Torsham Ishem, 32; and James Isah, 36, were jointly charged with conspiracy, illegal possession of firearms and unlawful dealings with firearms, contrary to the constitution. Also charged along with them was a suspected arms dealer, Selzing Chenwan, 23, who was intercepted with some firearms by the dismissed officers; but allegedly bribed them with the amount to go free.

According to the charge, the offence occurred on September 23, 2012 when the police officers intercepted an Opel Vectra carrying several AK-47 riffles allegedly belonging to Chenwan, the forth accused.

Mr. Chenwan was said to have negotiated with the trio to collect one AK-47 each and N105,000 bribe to set him free.

It was, however, alleged that on getting free, Mr. Chenwan immediately hid the riffles and reported to the Special Task Force, STF, that he had been dispossessed of N105,000 by some police officers at a check point. He led the STF men to the check point where the police officers were arrested with three AK-47 rifles and the cash. Following their arrest, they were subsequently detained, subjected to an orderly room trial, found guilty and dismissed from the force in November 2012.

This is just a tip of the iceberg from the catalogue of atrocities being perpetrated on a daily basis by the Nigeria police. Talk of public assault, rape, police brutality, bribe and huge money collected as bail at police stations and Nigerians will tell you that our police are worthless than nothing.

Yet they claim to be our friends. It is obvious that the police need more than this old slogan to bring back their battered image.

Yes, the police are not well paid and do not have enough personnel to secure the country. It is also argued that the police do not have a budget of their own even as the principal law enforcement agency in Nigeria. According to records, with staff strength of less than half a million and consisting of 36 commands grouped into 12 zones and seven administrative organs, the police actually have a long way to go.

But the argument is that even if the police recruit two million personnel in addition to what they have, the damage has been done and it will take the whole water of the Atlantic Ocean to wash off the mess the force has sunk into.

The Nigeria Police (NPF) is designated

by Section 194 of the 1979 constitution as the national police of Nigeria with exclusive jurisdiction throughout the country.

Constitutional provision also exists, how-

Anini and others

71 PER CENT OF THE OVER 2,200 BUSINESSES QUESTIONED SAID CORRUPTION WAS A MAJOR OBSTACLE TO THEIR OPERATIONS, SECOND ONLY TO CRIME AND POLITICAL INSTABILITY

IGP, Suleiman Abba

ever, for the establishment of separate NPF branches "forming part of the armed forces of the Federation or for their protection of harbours, waterways, railways and airfields." Although generally considered an attractive career, the NPF experienced endemic problems with recruiting, training, inefficiency, and indiscipline, and it lacked expertise in specialized fields. Corruption and dishonesty were widespread, engendering a low level of public confidence, failure to report crimes, and tendencies to resort to self-help. Police were more adept at paramilitary operations and the exercise of force than at community service functions or crime prevention, detection, and investigation.During the Obasanjo period, an attempt was made to expand the NPF by reducing the recruitment age from nineteen to seventeen and by enrolling demobilized soldiers, but it failed.

The use of excessive violence in quelling student disorders led the AFRC in June 1986 to direct the police to use only rubber bullets in containing student riots. Reports

of police collusion with criminals were common, as were official appeals to police officers to change their attitude toward the public, to be fair and honest, and to avoid corrupt practices. In an effort to reduce bribery and to make identification of offenders easier, police officers on beats and at checkpoints were not allowed to carry more than N5 on their person.

Some past Inspectors-General of Police had had an herculean task trying to stop road blocks but to no avail. In defiance of the "operation no road blocks" policy, some officers have continued mounting road blocks and extorting money from motorists with impunity. These bad eggs within the police force who taint/mar the image of the police should have been checked but the scenario has become a cankerworm without with the police cannot function.

In fact, an adept follower of the Nigeria police once said that taking the police out of the road is like taking fish out of the water.

“They will not survive,” he said.

There is hardly any doubt that the administration of justice in Nigeria craves for serious reform too like the police in order to cope with the challenges dictated by 21st Century changes and developments e.g. the advent of the internet, the mobile phone, increase in terrorist acts

and crimes hitherto unimagined e.g. the senseless and brutal kidnapping and or killing of fellow human beings. Recently the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) released “its first ever crime and corruption survey last Thursday in Abuja”.

The report’s statistics deal with impact assessment of corruption on Nigerian businesses based on the experiences of many entrepreneurs. Of course there was a general consensus that corruption impedes businesses. According to the report, “71 per cent of the over 2,200 businesses questioned said corruption was a major obstacle to their operations, second only to crime and political instability”. The corrupt public institutions were the police and customs, as well as utility companies such as the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), in that order of notoriety.

Paradoxically, the judiciary represented by the nation’s courts were rated by the report to be least corrupt.

Whatever the veracity of the findings what should be a source of worry is that the judiciary is listed as corrupt at all, even if “least”. The real food for thought lies in the reactions of the public which by all standard damn the judiciary as being as corrupt. One commentator in an attempt to damn Nigeria’s courts, ridiculed Nigeria’s standard altogether! According to him Nigeria’s judiciary might be “least corrupt in Nigeria i.e by Nigerian standards but probably most corrupt in the world, by international standards”.

The often celebrated Transparency International (TI) corruption Index is all about perception. We must therefore be alarmed that Nigeria’s judiciary is perceived as part of the cancerous corruption rot underdevelopment Nigeria.

“Corruption, is the mother of all crimes and is antithetical to any notion of justice, equity and fairness in judicial administration,” an expert said.

40

Global Business

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Japan, U.S. report progress T on trade talks

Another crunch week in Greek bailout saga

J

apan and the United States reported progress in top-level trade talks on Sunday that could pave the way for a broader trans-Pacific trade deal, although Tokyo cautioned that a bilateral accord was unlikely in time for a summit next week.

Japan’s Economy Minister Akira Amari and U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman both said they had made good progress in the first of two days of cabinet-level discussions.

“We exchanged opinions about areas where Japan and the U.S. will cooperate in dealing with others” in the multilateral talks, Amari told reporters. “We confirmed progress made at working-level meetings with regard to remaining issues.”

Access to Japan’s farm market and the U.S. car market remain obstacles to a bilateral deal between the two nations, vital to the success of a long-delayed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) pact. The world’s biggest and third-biggest economies account for some 80 per cent of the economic output of the 12-member TPP. The ministers will meet from 9.30 a.m. on Monday (8.30 p.m. EDT on Sunday) to discuss remaining issues and “will earnestly hold discussions tomorrow about each specific item”, Amari said.

Before the talks, Amari said Japan would not accept a U.S. demand to

Bags of rice

boost minimum access for its rice imports, while pressing Washington to further open the U.S. carparts market.

He reiterated that he did not expect a deal before a summit between President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Washington on April 28, but nonetheless hoped to make progress.

“Negotiations can’t work if one side makes no concessions, but there are various domestic restrictions,” Amari told public broadcaster NHK. “Rice, in particular, is produced acrossJapan, so we are carefully negotiating while feeling a domestic sense of crisis. I can promise it won’t result

in anything shocking.”

Japan is prepared to allow an import quota for U.S. rice of 50,000 tonnes a year, just a quarter of the U.S. demand, the Nikkei newspaper reported on Saturday.

“We will not swallow the U.S. demand or close to it,” Amari said, adding that a breakthrough could be made in talks on bilateral car trade.

Japan has sought immediate abolition of a 2.5 per cent tariff on U.S. imports of auto parts, but Washington, under pressure from the politically powerful auto industry, wants to maintain autorelated tariffs as long as possible, the Nikkei reported.

China makes big cut in bank reserve requirement

C

hina’s central bank on Sunday cut the amount of cash that banks must hold as reserves, the second industry-wide cut in two months, adding more liquidity to the world’s second-biggest economy to help spur bank lending and combat slowing growth.

The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) lowered the reserve requirement ratio (RRR) for all banks by 100 basis points to 18.5 per cent, effective from April 20, the central bank said in a statement on its website www. pbc.gov.cn.

“Though the growth in the first

China president Xi Jinping

quarter met the official target of around seven per cent for 2015, the slowdown in several areas, including industrial output and retail sales, has caused concern,” said a report published by the official Xinhua news service covering the announcement.

The latest cut, the deepest single reduction since the depth of the global crisis in 2008, shows how the central bank is stepping up efforts to ward off a sharp slowdown in the economy.

“The size of the cut is more than expected,” said Shenwan Hongyuan Securities analyst Chen Kang.

“It’s going to release around a trillion yuan (in liquidity) at least.”

Weighed down by a property downturn, factory overcapacity and local debt, growth is expected to slow to a quarter-century low of around seven per cent this year from 7.4 per cent in 2014, even with expected additional stimulus measures.

However, the last RRR cut was seen as more defensive by some economists, as it served primarily to offset increasing capital outflows that were exerting a drain on the

money supply, making it difficult to guide real lending rates down.

Indeed, Chinese bankers have proven resistant to extending more credit, saying they are also under orders to maintain profitability and reduce the amount of bad loans on their books, but their intransigence appears to have frustrated Beijing.

On the corporate side, executives say they are wary of embarking on fresh investments, given weak demand and weakening producer pricing power.

As a result think-tanks and advisers to the government are polarizing into those calling for more stimulus to arrest the slowdown and a rival camp emphasizing structural reforms as the route to sustainable growth.

“The amplitude of the reduction reflects a more aggressive policy signal,” said Xie Yaxuan, macroeconomics research director at China Merchants Securities.

“The reduction should help make up for the negative growth of foreign exchange in the first quarter, which created a hole in the monetary base,” he said.

he threat posed by Greece beyond its borders may have diminished but efforts to agree an economic reform program to free up bailout funds and avert default will capture world attention this week.

Euro zone finance ministers meet in the Latvian capital Riga on Friday with both sides saying time is running short to keep Greece afloat. But with Athens yet to produce a program of reforms that is deemed acceptable, there is little confidence they will pull off a deal.

Germany said last week it was unrealistic to expect euro zone countries to be able to pay out a new tranche of aid this month.

“No one has a clue how we can reach agreement on an ambitious program,” Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, elected on a promise to end austerity, is balking at politically sensitive reforms of the pension system and labor markets and a privatization program to which his predecessor had agreed.

Athens is dangerously close to running out of cash.

Officials told Reuters it will need to tap all the remaining cash reserves across its public sector -- a total of two billion euros -- to pay civil service wages and pensions at the end of the month.

Without a deal in Riga, Athens could soon be forced to choose between making those payments or

Greece Prime Minister, Tsipras

meeting upcoming debt bills. Greece must pay almost one billion euros in May to the International Monetary Fund, which has made clear it will accept no delay.

“We now put a 40 per cent probability on a Grexit, coupled with a sense that this is still rising with no clear sign of a reversal,” Nomura senior political analyst Alastair Newton said.

“The main reason is what we see as the continuing propensity for rhetoric not just to dominate, but to overwhelm substance in the exchanges between Greece and its eurozone partners.”

Soft economic indicators in the United States and China last week buoyed financial markets, with a weak Chinese GDP reading boosting expectations of monetary stimulus

by Beijing while lacklustre U.S. data dampened prospects of an early interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve.

VW boss voted to remain despite leadership clash

T

he chief executive of Volkswagen, Martin Winterkorn, has won the backing of the company’s top bosses, following a clash with the chairman.

The six-member executive committee of the German carmaker’s supervisory board praised Mr Winterkorn’s “vigour and success” and proposed extending his contract.

The move is seen as a defeat for VW chairman Ferdinand Piech.

He had “distanced himself” from Mr. Winterkorn in a recent interview.

Those comments prompted speculation about Mr. Winterkorn’s future at the company.

However, Mr. Piech, who is a

VW Passat

member of the executive committee, was outnumbered by five to one, according to company sources quoted

by Reuters.

Mr Winterkorn is “the best possible’’ chief executive of Volkswagen, according to a statement issued by the committee and had its “full support”.

VW chief executive Martin Winterkorn was backed unanimously by a panel When Mr Piech made the comments, VW board member Wolfgang Porsche said Mr Piech had given his “personal opinion”.

Mr. Piech - who is a former chief executive of the car maker - did not specify the nature of his issue with Mr Winterkorn.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Ex-militants give conditions to work with Buhari tants group congratulated General Buhari for his victory at the polls, appealing to him to ensure that the people of the region were carried along in the APC led government in order to sustain the existing peace in the region.

While also speaking on recent destruction of oil pipelines in Urhobo land by aggrieved youths, he condemned the action calling on the federal government to ensure Urhobo youths

are given the contract for the surveillance of oil facility in their land.

“The agreement between Federal Government and ex-militants should be maintained. The Ex-militants would work with Buhari only if he plays by the rules and respects the amnesty programme in order not send youths in the region to the creeks.

“APC led government must carry the people of the region

along and cater for the welfare of our people especially the youths for the existing peace to be sustained”, the former militant leader stated.

He thanked Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan for the support given to President Goodluck Jonathan during the last Presidential election while congratulating Senator ifeanyi Okowa for his victory as next governor of Delta State.

he Police Command in Rivers has confirmed the abduction of Cassidy Ikegbudu, Chairman, Caretaker Committee of Ahoada East Local Government Area.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Ahmad Muhammad, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt that Mr. Ikegbudu was abducted in the early hours of Saturday.

Mr. Muhammad said the police received report of the abduction of the council chairman and that “the command is aware of the incident involving the caretaker committee chairman.

“Action has been put in place to rescue him safely,’’ he said.

The All Progressives Congress House of Assembly candidate for Ahoada East Constituency 1, Eric Apia, told NAN that armed men Grand children of Olorogun of Warri Kingdom, the late Chief Oritsegbiten Popo Edodo, at the funeral in Warri. abducted Mr. Ikegbudu from his village, Yiboko, early on Saturday.

“Reports received from his family said there was exchange of fire between security personnel attached to the chairman and the armed men. at a stakeholders meeting orgaful electioneering campaigns. he leaders and members of “The armed men later took the nized by the party’s South-South The members also called on the the All Progressives Conchairman away, dragged him to a Zonal Chairman,Hilliard Eta, in national leadership of the party gress, APC, in Cross River nearby river and went away in a Calabar, the Cross River capital. to ensure the removal of the state have passed a vote of no confidence speed boat,’’ Mr. Apia said.

Mr. Eta described the meeting chairman, Usani Usani, to save the on the executives of the party in Mr. Apia said Ahoada East was as “a post mortem to ascertain why party from extinction in the state. the state for allegedly mismanagsupposed to have a re-run election The members took the decision the party in the state performed for the House of Assembly and that ing N350 million meant for successvery poorly in the elections.” shooting began last night.

The APC ‘performed poorly’ in the general elections in the state where it lost the presidential, governorship and parliamentary elections and was unable to get 25 per cent in the first. The party has, group, Progressive Law- corruption, we have resolved to corruption.

The group called for the removal however, accused the ruling Peoyers Forum, has offered offer pro-bono legal services to all of constitutional immunity pres- ples Democratic Party in the state free legal services to all government agencies,” he said.

He said the agencies concerned ently protecting sitting governors of electoral irregularities. government agencies responMr. Eta also lamented that many sible for fighting corruption un- can take advantage of the offer to and presidents from facing corrupmembers of the Cross River State der the incoming Buhari admin- cut down the high cost of prosecut- tion charges.

Executive Committee boycotted The group, which is also part ing corrupt persons. istration. the meeting.

He described their “There are too many thieves of the All Progressives Congress’ Speaking Thursday at a meabsence as an act of insubordinadia briefing, the group’s National that need to be made an example legal team, said the incoming Nation that would no longer be tolerCoordinator, Silas Onu, said the for prospective ones to learn from, tional Assembly and State Houses ated, saying they had been duly pro-bono service will be for govern- therefore the cases on corruption of Assembly should seriously coninformed of the meeting days ago. ment agencies saddled with the re- may overwhelm the internal law- sider the urgent need to remove “If the party at the national level sponsibility of fighting corruption yers of these agencies,” Mr. Onu the immunity clause from the conworked like Cross River chapter stitution. against public officials, past and said.

“This has allowed a window to then we won’t have the victory we Mr. Onu said the group agreed present.

“To demonstrate our commit- with the president-elect, Muham- disregard our laws and encourage got today,” he said.

“After getting over N350 million, ment to support the fight against madu Buhari, on the need to halt impunity,” Mr. Onu said.

the party is still where it is. Over N100 million for the Presidential and National Assembly elections, N24 million accrued to the state chapter from the sale of forms and others came in under various subheads.”

The party leader also confirmed reports that the Rivers State governor helped to finance the APC in the South South.

“I cannot say exactly how much the Rivers Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, helped the state with,” he said.

“I know candidates who went to election with empty hands irrespective of the huge money gotten.”

“I wanted a situation whereby the entire state executive members will be here to discuss as a family,so they explain how more than N350 million was used.

“Money is meant to be in the account of the party not an individual account and accessed when the party has need for it”.

Other leaders of the party from across Cross River also spoke during the meeting.

THEOPHILUS ONOJEGHEN WARRI

A

n ex-militant leader in the Niger Delta region, General Lucky Johnson has given the incoming administration led by President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari conditions under which former agitators in the region would work with his government.

General Johnson who spoke on behalf of Urhobo ex-militants (Gbarigolor-Ewu Axis) said former agitators in the region would work with President Buhari only if agreement reached between militants who fought for the betterment of their people is respected after the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan who is from the region.

Addressing newsmen yesterday in Warri, the former mili-

Police confirm abduction of Ahoada-East LG chairman

T

How Cross River APC mismanaged N350m campaign fund –Members

T

Group offers free legal service in prosecuting corrupt officials

A

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Buhari can’t end corruption –Catholic Archbishop RICHARD NDOMA CALABAR

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he Calabar Catholic Archbishop, Bishop Joseph Ekuwem has urged Nigerians not to expect any miracle from the president-elect Gen. Mohammadu Buhari about solving Nigeria’s problems with one stroke saying Buhari is not a magician.

Ekuwem made the remark while fielding questions from journalists in Calabar and said that vital fabrics of the Nigerian society like the traditional institution, the judiciary, the pulpit have all been corrupted by politicians and as such routing out the rot in the system would require a consistent demonstration of will by both the elected and appointed leaders in public and private sectors for a long period.

“Though the expectation of the people is high on the need to end corruption in Nigeria; it is however sad because it had eaten deep into the vital fabrics of the Nigerian society such that General Buhari, when he assumes power would not be able to wipe it out with just one stroke and as such should do his best and take the country to the next level and hope that someone would continue in his footsteps after him,” the cleric said.

“Buhari is not here now as a military leader but as a democratically elected president so it is not going to be an easy process as it was when he was a military ruler. All we should expect is that he should take Nigeria one step forward and at the end of his stay hope that there would be someone with the same mind who will take the country another step forward.”

The cleric maintained that Nigeria has over the last fifty years been plaque by many wrong things and in a democratic government there are other elected people who might not see things from the President’s point of view and so has to

contend with them in driving the country forward .

‘What about all those who would be around him who were also elected? It is not going to be an easy process because it is not a military rule where he would have the opportunity to gather people of like mind to drive the process and execute what he wants and cut out the wrong ways we have acquired

for over fifty years.”.

The Catholic Archbishop stated that Nigerians have tolerated bad leadership for a long time and both Christians and Moslems have been praying for purposeful leadership and with the coming of Buhari, it is hoped that it would not be another moment of disappointment to their expectations.

“It seems easy to govern Nige-

CALABAR

A

gainst the background of petition to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, by a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr. Obono Obla, against Governor Liyel Imoke, his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Ita has maintained that the governor has been prudent and transparent in the management of the resources of the state. He described the allegation against his boss as absolute trash, lacking in substance and

graphical divide, our history, ethnic and tribal differences and the corruption”.

Ekuwem charged the president-elect to be fair to all parts of the country and people of all religions and ensure that he does his best for the country and prove that his doggedness to rule the country is based on goodwill and faith to do good for the country.

Scene of fire at Ogbe-Ijoh market.

Ex-parliamentarian kicks against cancellation of elections RICHARD NDOMA CALABAR

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ormer member representing Calabar Municipality/ Odukpani federal constituency at the lower House of the National Assembly, Hon.Eturbom Dr. Nya Asuquo at the weekend condemned calls in some quarters

for the cancellation of some major elections because of irregularities as claimed by observers in some polling units across the nation.

Asuquo dropped the charge while fielding question from National Mirror at his palace in Calabar urging those calling for cancellation to seek redress at the election tribunal rather that agi-

Imoke prudent in management of state’s resources –Aide RICHARD NDOMA

ria because we tolerate and swallow a lot of rubbish. Instances where many countries would have risen and be on the streets and march to respond to bad leadership and show government the reaction of the people, Nigerians would just watch and the people who govern would say ‘just don’t worry, they will soon forget’. The reason for this docility is our geo-

truth.

According to him, the petition

by Obla was outright crucifixion, motivated purely by politics.

He said the entire petition drips with falsehood, and accused the petitioner of being a habitual blackmailer and a failed lawyer who was nearly disbarred from the law profession for unethical conduct.

“His claim that N15 billion was given to the Cross River State Government by the Federal Government to cushion the effect of the loss of Bakassi is completely untrue. No such money was ever given to Cross River.

“He also raised doubts about

the ownership of Songhai Farm established by the Imoke-led administration. It is only a man with dubious and unstable character like Obla who would seek to suggest that the Farm which belongs to the state government, is owned by the governor.

“In what showcases Obla as a chronic peddler of falsehood and an inconsistent character, he had lied not long ago that the state government collected N18 billion from the federal government meant to cushion the effect of the loss of Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon. How do you reconcile N15 billion with the N18 billion he earlier alleged?”

tating for cancellation of an election which the Independent Electoration Commission INEC and electorates had dissipated enormous energy and time to conduct.

“The problem with Nigeria politicians is that none of them would want to ever accept defeat,” Asuquo said. “As soon as you lose in an election it is common to attribute it to irregularities. There`s an electoral law in the country that if you fail in a manner that you were cheated take the case to the electoral tribunal and present your facts and if there are merits, then the tribunal would declare you winner. This is beyond international observers to call for cancellation.”

The former university of Calabar lecturer maintained that cancelling the whole elections does not make any difference adding that it was only the tribunal that has the right to determine the outcome of any controversial election result.

He kicked against calls to cancel some results of the elections particularly in Cross River State particularly in some wards where PDP won against the Labour Party.

“The people had known PDP with its umbrella symbol for long.

A lot of people particularly in the rural communities don`t even know the Labour Party`s logo.

That was why they failed woefully,” he added.

The former parliamentarian averred that there was nothing wrong with the way and manner in which the elections were conducted adding that the security agents and officials of the Independent Electoral Commission INEC conducted the elections with much decorum and no impunity.

Asuquo urged those who are agitating for cancellation to borrow a leaf from president Goodluck Jonathan who lost in the election but chose to accept defeat for the peace and unity of the nation.

Asuquo also charged the incoming administrations of Gen. Mohammadu Buhari and that of Prof. Ben Ayade of Cross River to embark on a paradigm shift in favour of the poor and not to further embark on privatization of Government owned investments but rather embark on commercialization of government owned businesses.

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Politics

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

43

uccess in Nasarawa –Shekwo gotiation during the merger process. We have a lot of hope that we will benefit from that. More so, this was the only state that the president-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, had had then and he has never hidden that and that is why he is very close to our governor as he has a very cordial and resounding relationship with Al-Makura.

We are hoping that our governor would attract so many federal presence to our state, which we know he (the governor) will surely do, because he is in a hurry as I told you, even now he has not relented.

What is your take on the mass exodus of members of the opposition political parties, especially PDP, into the APC fold following its unprecedented victory at the just concluded general elections in the country?

Well, you know one thing I have come to learn in life is that sometimes it is easier to manage failure than to manage success. And again, I come to also see that it is true that failure is an orphan, but success has many attractions. So I am not surprised that everybody is trooping into APC because of the success. But those who had foresight; they saw the success of APC even months before the elections and they crossed over.

But this is a political party that is fair to everybody.

As long as you have come to contribute positively to the progress of Nigeria, you are welcome. But if you have

negative thoughts, you will be shown the way out, that is very true. We are going to be very careful; we are going to watch those who are coming just to exploit the victory, we will know them. Those who are coming with something positive to contribute either to Nasarawa State or to Nigeria as a whole, will be welcomed and they are going to be treated as members of the family.

But the truth of the matter is that today we have a government that is very serious, with a leader that is tested, a leader that everyone knows, a leader that cares for Nigeria; so I am sure that as a party and a government that would be led by General Buhari, we will be careful in selecting those that would work with him because if you don’t have the same ideology or same conviction with him, whether you are in this party or not, he is not going to invite you to work with him. So, he is going to be very careful in selecting those that would work with him.

To people that are coming, well this is a political party and this is democracy, we cannot close our doors to anybody. But then, we will be careful to ensure that their coming is genuine; genuine in the sense that they have something positively, something developmental, something progressive to contribute to either Nasarawa State or Nigeria. If they have not, we will also show them the way out. We don’t want those that will come and create chaos for us.

APC to Nigerians: Disregard speculations about ministerial appointments, zoning of offices OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU

A to democratic process instead of resorting to violence.

Now that the state Assembly would be comprised of 19 members as against PDP’s five members in the coming political dispensation, what would be your expectation in the atmosphere of governance in the state?

We in the APC are very disciplined politicians. Today we are in the majority. We have more than 2/3 in the house of assembly. We are expecting a very peaceful and resounding relationship between the lawmakers and the governor. We are of the same family, we all belong to the same party; so we are expecting a tremendous cooperation and this time around, the frustrations that were faced by the governor before have been removed, because if he could perform regardless of the opposition, then you could imagine what would happen when the House majority belongs to the same family. So we are very happy in the APC to perform the way we have performed in Nasarawa State. We are looking forward to a very blissful relationship between the House and the executive. In any case, the party is there and would serve as an ombudsman, as parent, as an institution that is always there to create all the balances, goodwill. So I am excited.

The APC government in the state would no longer be an orphan as the central government would be controlled by the same party, do you see Nasarawa State benefiting from that change of baton?

Yes, I thank God that Nasarawa State had served as the point of negotiation during the merger of some political parties, because it was the only defunct CPC state in the whole federation and CPC was part of the merger consequently, Nasarawa State was the nucleus for ne-

ll Progressives Congress, APC, has urged Nigerians to disregard the wild speculations making the rounds concerning the appointment of ministers and the zoning of offices under the incoming Muhammadu

Buhari administration.

In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, APC said there is no truth to anything that has been dished out by the hyperactive rumour mill concerning the issues of appointment, especially the zoning of National Assem-

bly’s principal positions and other offices.

It said that in the true tradition of the APC, all issues of public interest will be handled transparently and conveyed to Nigerians through the usual communication channels.

Mohammed said: “No appointments have been made and no offices have

been zoned. The main concern of our party at the moment is to ensure a smooth transition and to hit the ground running, in the overall interest of the long-suffering people of Nigeria.

“At the appropriate time, Nigerians will be informed of the appointments made and the offices zoned.”

S’West PDP urges Ekiti APC lawmakers to embrace peace ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

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outh-West Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has harped on the needlessness of the political war being waged against the Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayo Fayose, by the All Progressives Congress, APC, legislators in the state House of Assembly.

PDP National ViceChairman, South-West, Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe, said developments from the recent general elections should have taught Nigerians the need for peace in the interest of progress, development and sustenance of democracy.

Ogundipe said in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, yesterday that the manner the outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan placed national interest above per-

sonal interest and conceded defeat to the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, should be a touchstone for all.

He said: “The recent general elections in the country ought to have taught decent politicians on the need to place corporate interest above personal one. We need peace in the state and

the country at large.

“Those opposed to Fayose must know that he is God-sent at this time. He won the governorship election last June. This year, he has led the Ekiti State PDP to win the presidential, National Assembly, and the House of Assembly elections and winning 100 per cent. What evidence does

anybody need to know that Fayose is in control of the politics of the state?”

Wondering why the APC lawmakers, who had barely 40 days in office should be preoccupied with plot to remove a governor who still had about three and half years tenure, Makanjuola however, advised them to rather engage in stock taking.

APC not forming one-party state –Gov Ahmed WOLE ADEDEJI ILORIN

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wara State governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, has said the sweeping victory of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the just concluded general elections was not to form a one-party state in Nigeria but an indication that power has returned to the people.

Speaking after receiving

his certificate of return at the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, office in Ilorin, Ahmed said the development has simply sent a message to elected public officers to do well while in office.

Ahmed said the outcome of the elections simply indicated that whoever was given the opportunity to serve and was not doing well could be removed through the ballot.

He commended INEC for restoring the credibility of Nigeria’s democracy with a widely applauded conduct of the general elections.

Speaking earlier, Kwara State Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Dr. Emmanuel Onuchenyo, tasked all who emerged winners in the elections not to go on political slumber but start the race towards 2019 in earnest.

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Politics

ike ‘suspense’ in a drama or movie, Tarabans and indeed Nigerians waited with anxiety for the announcement of the final result of the Taraba gubernatorial elections held on April 11.

From Sunday, April 12 to Monday, April 13, evening, many people kept vigil with their minds focused on Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, state headquarters, along Wuro Sembe road Jalingo, calling journalists and some officials there to get feelers as to the direction of the result.

While results from across the country kept streaking in and new governors from North, South, East and West of the country continue to emerge, Tarabans waited extra hours for the declaration of their new governor, which till today has not emerged.

Taraba governorship election has been one of the most keenly contested, and perhaps the most watched by Nigerians because one of the leading candidates is a woman.

With the change of guard expected at the Aso Rock Villa on May 29, most states especially in the North switched their loyalty to the incoming All progressives Congress, APC-controlled Federal Government and voted massively for the party at the state levels to remain in the main stream.

Many had expected that the APC will clinch the state with Senator Aisha Jummai Alhassan, from the Northern zone, as two of the three leading candidates in the election, Arc. Darius Dickson Ishaku of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and Chief David Sabo Kente of Social Democratic Party, SDP, who are all from the Southern part of the state would divide their votes to the advantage of Aisha who many tipped to make history as first female governor in Nigeria.

Many had posted on the social media that Senator Alhassan, fondly called ‘Mama Taraba’ won the governorship of the state, when the result of seven out 16 local governments came in and she was leading by 8,000 votes.

This triggered state and nationwide celebration as many concluded she has won the election and made history as first female governor.

When all results from across the 16 local government areas arrived INEC state collation centre in Jalingo, the PDP candidate, Arc. Ishaku garnered 317,198 against the APC’s Senator Alhassan who polled 262,386, giving Ishaku a margin of 54,812 votes.

The Returning Officer for the election, Prof. Mohammad Kyari, citing some provisions of the Electoral Act, as amended, and the Nigeria Constitution, declared the election inconclusive.

Kyari said the number of canceled votes in the elections totaling 127,125 were more than the margin between the PDP and APC candidates.

He explained that the constitution of Nigeria and the Electoral Act requires that when the difference between the total canceled votes in an election is higher than the margin between the first and the second persons, elections should be declared inconclusive and a run-off held, between the two.

Explaining further, Taraba State Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Alhaji Ahmed Makama explained that there will be a run-off between PDP and APC before April 28 as the constitution requires elec-

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Drama, intrigues after INEC declared Taraba guber poll inconclusive As the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared Taraba State gubernatorial election inconclusive, JUSTIN TYOPUUSU recalls the moment of the declaration and where the pendulum will likely swings as Tarabans and indeed Nigerians await the outcome of the runoff election of April 25.

POLITICAL WATCHERS IN THE STATE ARE PREDICTING THAT

WITH PDP AHEAD WITH 54,812 AND THE RUN-OFF

ELECTIONS TAKING PLACE IN PDP

STRONGHOLDS,

APC CHANCES OF WINNING THE POLLS ARE SLIM Ishaku, PDP

Alhassan

tions to be held at least 30 days to the inauguration of a new government.

INEC therefore fixed the run-off election between APC and PDP for April 25, to be conducted in the whole of Donga Local Government Area as well as some polling units in Bali, Karim Lamido, Takum, Ussa, Wukari, Yorro and Zing councils.

returning officer, Prof. Kyari, when it was evident that only five out of the 165 polling units had issues.

Thanking Tarabans for coming out en masse to vote for him, Ishaku called on his supporters to remain calm as they await the new date for the run-off election.

But the APC state agent, Umar Gambo, commended INEC for the decision and said his party accepted the decision of the electoral umpire wholeheartedly.

PDP kicks; APC lauds INEC In a quick reaction, PDP state agent in the election, Mr. Rebo Usman, accused INEC of injustice against the PDP, saying there was no reason for the cancellation of the entire result of Donga council as only five out of 165 polling units had issues.

He said: “Even if we were declared winner here, we have concluded plans as a party to challenge the cancellation of the entire result of Donga to reclaim the votes electorates gave us at the polls in the local government.”

A PDP chieftain and senator representing Taraba South in the National Assembly, Emmanuel Bwacha, had called on INEC to sack the returning officer sent to the state and a more credible and transparent person put in his place to complete the assignment.

Bwacha said the state returning officer had no power by law to cancel the entire results of 165 polling units in Donga council area of the state when there were issues in only five polling units, adding that it was flagrant abuse of the process.

His words: “INEC said they had issues in only five polling units in Donga Local Government and the returning officer cancelled the entire result in the local government.

But in Bali Local Government, there were issues in more than 20 polling units, yet, they didn’t cancel the result in the local government because APC won in the council.”

PDP candidate, Ishaku, while reacting to the declaration expressed dismay over the cancellation of the Donga result by the

Factors that may shape the run-off election As Tarabans go the polls again for a run-off election between APC and PDP, a number of factors may likely decide the outcome of the result.

First, it is worthy of note that the PDP won the presidential elections and all the three senate seats in the state. This is just as the party won 15 out of the 24 seats in the House of Assembly, APGA won one, SDP one and APC 7. These members elect would work for the success of their party (PDP) in the run-off In all the areas that run-off election is to hold, APC only won in Bali and Jalingo, the rest of the other local governments were won by the PDP; this will likely count in the run-off election.

In Donga council, where results were cancelled, PDP won with 37,069 against the APC’s 10,087 votes. PDP won Wukari with 64,608 and APC polled 16,268. In Zing, PDP polled 28,005 and APC got 5,224.

In Karim Lamido, PDP scored 36,455 and APC 21,023, just as the party won Yorro with18,696 against APC’s 6,936. In Takum, PDP polled 23,769 and APC 12,793. It was the same victory story for the PDP in Kurmi and Ussa.

If the performance of the PDP candidate at the poll, which gave the APC candidate a gap of 54,812 in the inconclusive election, is anything to go by, then the party will be going into the run-off with confidence of winning.

Analysts and the public have commended the APC candidate for putting up a good fight, even as a woman, but are predicting that the religious factor which is playing a role in the election will not favour her.

PDP supporters are blaming APC supporters, mostly Muslims for the violence that was witnessed in Jalingo and across the state.

The posture by the APC candidate that she won election and her victory cannot be denied her and the arrest of her supporters by the army with dangerous weapons portends danger in the days to come if urgent security steps are not taken.

For instance, three people were killed in Gembu, Sardauna Local Government Area and six others in Sunkani in Ardo Kola Local Government Area of the state.

APC supporters also allegedly attacked and burnt the house of the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Barr Timothy Gibon Kataps, former SSG, Amb Emmanuel Njiwah and the member representing Mbamga constituency in the state House of Assembly, Hon Abel Peter Diah.

With the alleged violent attack by APC supporters and the unjust cancellation of Donga result by the returning officer, which led to the killings of many in the state, extra security surveillance must be put in place in addition to the curfew already in place in Jalingo, Gembu and Donga.

Political watchers in the state are predicting that with PDP ahead with 54,812 and the run-off elections taking place in PDP strongholds, APC chances of winning the polls are slim.

As permutations continue among the two parties going in for a run-off, all eyes are now set on April 25, to see who will coast home to victory, hence the drama is still far from over.

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Politics

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

45

All Progressives Congress, Senators

Saraki, Kwara Central

Tinubu, Lagos Central

Adeyeye Osun Central

Boroffice, Ondo North

Malaye, Kogi West

Aliero, Kebbi Central

Wamakko, Sokoto North

Tejuoso, Ogun Central

Kwankwaso, Kano Central

Akume, Benue West

Sunmonu, Oyo Central

Adamu, Nasarawa West

Peoples Democratic Party, Senators

Uba, Anambra South

Kashamu, Ogun East

Orji, Abia Central

Murray-Bruce, Bayelsa East

Mark, Benue South

Akpabio, A/Ibom West

Olujimi, Ekiti Centrral

Ekweremadu, Enugu West

Uzodinma, Imo WEst

Jang, Plateau North

Ordia, Edo Central

Enoh, C’River South

APC SENATORS •Binta Masi Garba (Adamawa North) •Ahmadu Abubakar (Adamawa South) •AbdulAziz M. Nyako (Adamawa Central) •Isah Hamma Misau (Bauchi Central) •Ali Wakili (Bauchi South) •Suleiman Nazif (Bauchi North) •Barnabas Gemade (Benue East) •Akume George (Benue West) •Abubakar Kyari (Borno North) •Ahmad Zannah (Borno Central) •Ali Ndume (Borno South) •Francis Alimikhena (Edo North) •Bayero Nafada (Gombe North) •Goje Danjuma (Gombe Central) •Abubakar Gumel (Jigawa N/West) •Sabo Mohammed (Jigawa S/West) •Muhammad Shitu (Jigawa N/East) •Suleiman Hunkuyi (Kaduna North) •Shehu Sani (Kaduna Central) •Barau Jibrin (Kano North) •Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano Central) •Kabiru Gaya (Kano South) •Mustapha Bukar (Katsina North) •Abu Ibrahim (Katsina South) •Umaru Kurfi (Katsina Central) •Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North) •Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central)

•Bala Ibn Na’Allah (Kebbi South) •Dino Melaye (Kogi West) •Abdulsalami Ohiare (Kogi Central) •Abdulrahman Abubakar (Kogi East) •Shaába Lafiagi (Kwara North) •Bukola Saraki (Kwara Central) •Rafiu Ibrahim (Kwara South) •Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central) •Olugbenga Ashafa (Lagos East) •Adeola Olamilekan (Lagos West) •Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa West) •Salihu Hussain Egye (Nasarawa South) •Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi ( Niger North) •Mustapha Sani (Niger South) •David Umaru (Niger East) •Olanrewaju Tejuoso (Ogun Central) •Gbolahan Dada (Ogun West) •Ajayi Boroffice (Ondo North) •Tayo Alasoadura (Ondo Central) •Olusola Adeyeye (Osun Central) •Babajide Omoworare (Osun East) •Isiaka Adeleke (Osun West) •Monsurat Sunmonu (Oyo Central) •Buhari Abdulfatai (Oyo North) •Adesoji Akanbi (Oyo South) •Ibrahim Gobir (Sokoto East) •Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto North) •Ibrahim Abdullahi (Sokoto South)

•Bukar Baba Ibrahim (Yobe East) •Ahmad Lawan (Yobe North) •Kabir Garba Marafa (Zamfara Central) •Tijjani Yahaya Kaura (Zamfara North) •Ahmed Rufai Sani (Zamfar West)

PDP SENATORS •Mao Ohuabunwa (Abia North) •Theodore Orji (Abia Central) •Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South) •Bassey Albert Akpan (A/Ibom North) •Godswill Akpabio (A/Ibom West) •Nelson Effiong (A/Ibom South) •Uche Ekwunife (Anambra Central) •Andy Uba (Anambra South) •Stella Oduah (Anambra North) •Ben Murray-Bruce (Bayelsa East) •Emanuel Paulker (Bayelsa Central) •Ogola Foster (Bayelsa West) •David Mark (Benue South) •Rose Oko (Cross River North) •Gershom Bassey(C/River South) •John Enoh (Cross River Central) •Alfred Joseph (Delta Central) •Peter Nwaboshi (Delta North) •James Manager (Delta South) •Ogba Joseph (Ebonyi Central) •Samuel Egwu (Ebonyi North)

•Sunday Oji (Ebonyi South) •Clifford Ordia (Edo Central) •Mathew Urhoghide (Edo South) •Duro Faseyi (Ekiti North) •Fatimat Raji-rasaki (Ekiti Central) •Biodun Olujimi (Ekiti South) •Gilbert Nnaji (Enugu East) •Ike Ekweremadu (Enugu West) •Utazi Chukwuka (Enugu North) •Philips Aduda (FCT) •Joshua Lidani (Gombe South) •Samuel Anyanwu (Imo East) •Uzodinma Goodhope (Imo West) •Achonu Nneji (Imo North) •Danjuma La’ah (Kaduna South) •Philip Aruwa Gyunka (Nasarawa North) •Buruji Kashamu (Ogun East) •Yele Omogunwa (Ondo South) •Jeremiah Useni (Plareau South) •Joshua Dariye (Plateau Central) •Jang Jonah (Plateau North) •George Sekibo (Rivers East) •Olaka Nwogu (Rivers S/East) •Osinakachukwu Ideozu (Rivers West) •Mohammed Hasan (Yobe South) •Abubakar Sani Danladi (Taraba North) •Bashir Marafa (Taraba Central) •Emmanuel Bwacha (Taraba South)

46

Politics

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Rivers: Wike, 15 others get CoR from INEC DENNIS NAKU

PORT HARCOURT

R

ivers State governor-elect, Chief Nyesom Wike and his deputy, Dr (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, yesterday received their certificates of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. Also, 15 winners of the April 11 National Assembly election in the state, including three senatorselect were presented with certificates of return.

The certificate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP candidate who won the Tai/Eleme/Oyigbo federal constituency seat, was not among the ones presented, even as he was asked to go to Abuja to collect same.

INEC National Commissioner in charge of Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Rivers states, Mrs Thelma Iremiren, presented the certificates at

•Amaechi’s commission of inquiry’ll fail –Gov-elect •Fulfill your campaign promises –INEC the INEC headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital yesterday.

Mrs. Iremiren urged all elected officials to live up to the expectations of the people, saying: “During the campaigns, you made some promises. Try and fulfill them. People desire better lives, basically food, shelter and clothing.

Speaking after collecting the certificate of return, Wike said he would not witch-hunt anyone, adding: “This is not the time to fight, but to move Rivers State forward.”

While promising to promote development in the state, he said despite plots by the All Progressives Congress, APC, to manipulate the mandate of the people through the judiciary, the PDP will never be intimidated.

Wike said that the sur-

vival of PDP in the state was because God has destined the party to liberate the state, pointing out that “the people of Rivers State will never regret their support for the PDP during the elections.”

He added: “We assure PDP members in Rivers State that the intimidation tactics introduced by the outgoing adminis-

tration through phantom judicial commission of inquiry will fail. We shall continue to stand by our members.”

Wike further said after the May 29 handover date, his administration will commence development in full swing, calling on APC gubernatorial candidate in the last election, Dr. Dakuku Peterside and

other gubernatorial candidates to join hands with him to develop the state.

He promised that the resources of the state will never be used to cause conflict, pointing out that people and residents will enjoy his administration.

Meanwhile, presentation of certificates of return to winners of the state House of Assembly

elections was deferred because INEC was still collating the results of the reschedule elections in six constituencies of Emuoha, Ahoada East, Etche and Opobo/Nkoro.

National Mirror reports that most winners of the various Houses of Assembly positions who had come to collect their return certificates were disappointed.

Delta lawmaker assures constituents of improved development THEOPHILUS ONOJEGHEN WARRI

T

he member representing Burutu state constituency at the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Daniel Yingi, has assured the people of the area that he would continue to influence development projects to the council to make life better for his constituents.

At a ceremony to celebrate his re-election into the House, Yingi said he would work with other organs of government in the state to meaningfully better the lots of his people, who he thanked for the massive support given him during the April 11 House of Assembly election.

He said: “I’m very grateful to my people for voting me to represent them for a second term in Delta State House of Assembly. I want to assure you that I will work with other organs of government at the state level to influence more development projects to better the lives of the people in Burutu Local Government Area.”

Dedicating his electoral victory to Almighty God, he solicited for the support

of the people to collectively develop the area.

In their separate addresses, the newly elected House of Representatives’ member, Hon Julius Pondi and Barr Newworld Safugha described the victory of Hon. Yingi as a result of his exemplary leadership as a grassroots politician who does not discriminate against anybody, irrespective of political affiliation.

They said the lawmaker deserved a second tenure as compensation from his people for the sustainable development he embarked upon in various communities in his constituency during his first tenure.

APC protesters on a solidarity walk for Imo and Taraba states gubernatorial elections cancellation in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

INEC declares 3 PDP candidates winners of Anambra re-run poll ...As APGA rejects result F E RANCIS

ONITSHA

KPONE

I

ndependent National Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday declared Onyebuchi Offor, Francis Okoye and Francis Ezeani of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, winners of Saturday rerun election held in Ekwusigo, Anaocha one and two state constituencies respectively.

Ikechukwu Umeh of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Aguata

one constituency was also declared winner, thereby making the ruling APGA in the state coast to victory with 27 seats out of 30.

Meanwhile, the leadership of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in Anaocha council area has rejected the re-run election declared by INEC, saying that it does not reflect the wishes of the people APGA also condemned in strong terms, the activities of security agents and

INEC, who they alleged collaborated with PDP in aiding and abetting election malpractice in the area.

It therefore called on INEC to announce its candidates; Hon Ejike Okechukwu for constituency 1 and Hon Azubuike Okoye for constituency 2 as winners of the election based on results collated at each polling units which showed that APGA clearly won the said election.

In a press conference

held in Neni, the headquarter of the council area, chairman of Anaocha Local Government Area, Hon Ikeobi Ejioffor, flanked by the party candidate, Hon Okechukwu for constituency 1, APGA chairman for Anaocha Local Government Area, Sir Erastus Ifeanyi Orji, among others said the result is unacceptable by APGA as they claimed it was marred with fraudulent practices.

Polls: Fadahunsi drags APC, Omoworare to tribunal

P

eoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate for Osun East senatorial district, Prince Francis Fadahunsi, has petitioned the election petition tribunal hearing complaints about the last National Assembly polls in the state.

Fadahunsi, it was learnt, filed the petition in the premises of Federal High Court, Gbongan road, Osogbo, during the weekend.

Mr. Kayode Oduoye, has also petitioned the tribunal challenging the outcome of the poll.

Oduoye, who is challenging the victory of the

The PDP chieftain is challenging the victory of Senator Babajide Omoworare of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who was returned elected by In-

dependent National Electoral Commission, INEC. Also, the PDP candidate for Ifelodun/Boripe/ Odo-Otin federal constituency in the last election,

ADEOLA TUKURU

UPP mourns Chukwumerije

ABUJA

N

ational Chairman and presidential candidate of United Progressive Party, UPP, Chief Chekwas Okorie, has mourned the death of Sen-

ator Uche Chukwumerije, saying that his death is a big loss to Nigeria, and in particular to Ndigbo, especially at this time when there is confusion on the way forward for Ndigbo in

the Nigeria project.

In a press statement signed by Okorie yesterday in Abuja, he said a great Iroko tree in Nigeria has indeed fallen; describing the late Senator Chuk-

incumbent lawmaker, Mr. Yinka Ajayi, was also sighted in the premises of Federal High Court with some of his witnesses during the weekend.

wumerije as a man of tremendous integrity and uprightness, adding that Chukwumerije conducted and carried himself in all circumstances with dignity, maturity and grace.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Index slides 0.9%, market stable STORIES: JOHNSON OKANLAWON

T

rading in equities closed on a negative note on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, as some investors took profits from the gains recorded last week.

The All Share Index depreciated 0.81 per cent to close at 34,721.61 points, as against the increase of 0.49 per cent recorded on Friday to close at 35,005.05 points.

Market capitalisation lost N97 billion to close at N11.8 trillion, in contrast to the rise of N59 billion recorded on Friday to close at N11.9 trillion.

Analysts at Meristem Securities attributed the

bearish market to profittaking on large cap stocks especially in the consumer goods sector.

“We expect the much awaited earning releases to determine the direction of the market during the week, and thus expect some days of gains and losses, a repeat of the previous week’s performance,” the frim said.

On sectorial indices, the NSE 30-Index, the Lotus Islamic Index and the Alternative Securities Market remained flat at 1,607.58 points, 2,225.85 points and 1,214.94 points respectively.

The Banking Index gained 0.37 per cent to close at 405.23 points, while the Insurance Index added 0.28 per cent to close at 146.46

points.

The Consumer Goods Index declined 0.40 per cent to close at 888.96 points, but the Oil and Gas Index fell 0.54 per cent to close at 411.35 points.

The Industrial Index shed 1.30 per cent to close at 2,082.81 points.

NASCON Plc led the gainers’ table with 43 kobo or 5.06 per cent to close at N8.92 per share, followed

by Ashaka Cement Plc with N1.00 or five per cent to close at N21.02 per share.

Flour Mill Plc gained N1.70 or five per cent to close at N21.02 per share, while Vono Products Plc appreciated five kobo or 4.95 per cent to close at N1.06 per share.

Cement Company of

Northern Nigeria Plc was up 54 kobo or 4.85 per cent to close at N11.68 per share.

On the flip side, Costain Plc shed 24 kobo or 4.95 per cent to close at N4.61 per share, while NAHCO Plc depreciated 34 kobo or 4.96 per cent to close at N6.52 per share.

Ikeja Hotel Plc dropped 24 kobo or 4.95 per cent to close at N4.61 per share, while Dangote Flour Plc dipped 23 kobo or 4.95 per cent to close at N4.42 per share.

Eterna Oil Plc lost 15 kobo or 4.79 per cent to close at N2.98 per share.

A total of 395.2 million shares valued at N2.69 billion were traded in 4,496 deals.

Q1: Sterling Bank posts N3.9bn profit

S

terling Bank Plc has announced a profit after tax of N3.9 billlion for the financial year ended December 31, 2014, an increase of 25 per cent from N3.1 billlion recorded in the same period of 2013.

The bank’s net operating income was up 6.1 per cent to N16.2 billion, from N15.3 billion in the corresponding period of 2014 on the back of a growth in non-interest income and a 10.4 per cent reduction in impairment charges.

According to the results presented to the Nigerian Stock Exchange,

net loans and advances also increased by 5.7 per cent, from N371.2 billion to N392.4.0 billion due to the lender’s selective approach to asset creation.

Besides, shareholders’ funds increased marginally by 4.3 per cent, from N84.7 billion to N88.4 billion due to profit accretion, while total assets excluding contingent liabilities advanced by 2.1 per cent from N824.5billion to N841.9 billion.

Speaking on the result, Managing Director, Mr. Yemi Adeola, said the first quarter perfor-

mance was in line with expectations, having recorded a 25 per cent growth in bottom-line earnings.

He attributed the growth to non-interest income, which rose by 32 per cent to N8.0 billion on the back of a 51 per cent increase in fees and commission.

“We recorded a marginal increase in operating expenses, which was slower than the growth in net operating income resulting in a 14 per cent improvement in profit before tax.

“Overall, the Bank

G

said Rick Meckler, president of hedge fund LibertyView Capital Management in Jersey City, New Jersey.

The stimulus aims to overcome a stubborn lack of growth and US equity investors are responding to earnings that are good but not enough to push shares to new record highs, Meckler said. The US stock market remains range-bound, he said.

In Europe, mining stocks helped Britain’s top share index rebound on China’s stimulus measures to support stuttering growth in the world’s biggest consumer of metals. The FTSE 350 mining index rose 1.9 per cent.

MSCI’s all-country world index rose 0.43 per cent while the pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index of top regional shares gained 0.8 per cent to 1,619.92.

Shares also rose on solid corporate results. Investment bank Morgan Stanley reported its most profitable quarter since the financial crisis. Shares rose 1.1 per cent to $37.17.

On Wall Street, the Dow Jones industrial average rose 226.05 points, or 1.27 per cent, to 18,052.35, while the S&P 500 gained 18.14 points, or 0.87 per cent, to 2,099.32 and the Nasdaq Composite added 41.83 points, or 0.85 per cent, to 4,973.64.

The euro slid against the dollar amid worries that Greece might leave the single currency zone. The euro was down 0.46 per cent at $1.0755.

Against the yen, the dollar rose 0.36 per cent to 119.33 yen while the dollar index rose 0.25 per cent to 97.773.

Government debt yields continued to vanish across the euro zone. Belgium be-

Source: NSE

Inter-Bank Rate Naira

US Dollar

$1

N197.00 Market indicators All-Share Index 34,721.61 points Market capitalisation 11.83trn

Stock Updates GAINERS

achieved a 19 per cent pre-tax return on average equity (annualized),” he added.

During the period, he explained, the bank achieved a return on average assets of two per cent by prioritizing efficiency in the management of its balance sheet in response to a difficult operating environment.

He said, “Loan growth will remain steady and disciplined. We are very optimistic that our earnings growth momentum will be sustained in the remaining quarters of the year.”

Global shares up on China stimulus, as dollar rises

lobal equity markets snapped back yesterday from a worldwide decline the previous session on China’s steps to stimulate its economy and solid corporate earnings, while the euro weakened amid worries that Greece may default.

European stocks shrugged off declines in Asia where Chinese shares fell sharply on fears of a regulatory crackdown on the world’s hottest stock market, which offset the People’s Bank of China’s most aggressive move yet to bolster the slowing economy.

The Chinese central bank reduced the amount of cash banks must hold as reserves in a move to help spur lending and combat a slowing economy.

“What’s helped the market today is the story about more stimulus in China,”

47

came the sixth euro zone country to sell five-year bonds at a negative yield after Finland, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and France.

Rate (%) Inflation

8.2

MPR

13

Crude oil price

$58.96

COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

NASCON

8.49

8.92

0.43

5.06

ASHAKACEM

20.02

21.02

1.00

5.00

FLOURMILL

34.00

35.70

1.70

5.00

VONO

1.01

1.06

0.05

4.95

CCNN

11.14

11.68

0.54

4.85

NEIMETH

0.95

0.99

0.04

4.21

UAC-PROP

11.40

11.88

0.48

4.21

WAPIC

0.51

0.53

0.02

3.92

ROYALEX

0.52

0.54

0.02

3.85

UPL

4.47

4.64

0.17

3.80

CHANGE

% CHANGE

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

COSTAIN

1.00

0.95

-0.05

-5.00

NAHCO

6.86

6.52

-0.34

-4.96

IKEJAHOTEL

4.85

4.61

-0.24

-4.95

DANGFLOUR

4.65

4.42

-0.23

-4.95

ETERNA

3.13

2.98

-0.15

-4.79

AIICO

1.09

1.04

-0.05

-4.59

HONYFLOUR

3.49

3.33

-0.16

-4.58

TRANSEXPR

1.35

1.29

-0.06

-4.44

UNILEVER

43.43

41.65

-1.78

-4.10

7UP

170.01

163.10

-6.91

-4.06

FGN Bonds

Bid

Description

Offer

Price

Yield

Price

Yield

13.05 16-AUG-2016

1.32

99.14

13.74

99.29

13.62

15.10 27-APR-2017

2.02

102.24

13.79

102.39

13.70

16.00 29-JUN-2019

4.19

106.54

13.87

106.84

13.78

16.39 27-JAN-2022

6.77

110.60

13.91

110.90

13.84

14.20 14-MAR-2024

8.90

101.24

13.94

101.54

13.89

10.00 23-JUL-2030

15.26 69.93

15.08

70.23

15.01

Closing Market Prices of April 20, 2015

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

Exchange

Rates (N)

23-Jul-15

10.18

10.45

WAUA

270

15-Oct-15

11.78

12.50

USD

197

07-Apr-16

12.70

14.48

EURO

214

CFA

0.32

YEN

1.64

SWISS FRANC

NIBOR Tenor

Rate (%)

202

O/N

14.5417

1M

15.3919

POUNDS STERLING

293

3M

16.4450

SDR

273

6M

17.4846 The Fixings of April 20, 2015

48

Capital Market

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stock exchange daily equities summary Equities as at April 20, 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)

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

New Mediterranean migrant distress calls as EU meets

50

“We have learned lessons of humility (Ebola crisis). We have seen that old diseases in new contexts consistently spring new surprises” WHO Director-General Margaret Chan

Paul arhewe

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

Z

Foreign nationals carrying their belongings before boarding a bus back to Zimbabwe from a temporary refugee camp in Chatsworth, south of Durban, South Africa, on Sunday.

capital Johannesburg and Durban who have been hunting down foreigners.

At least seven people have been killed and 307 suspects arrested in the worst ethnic violence since 2008, when 62 people died, mainly in Johannesburg’s townships.

Numbering 12 million people, the Zulus are the largest ethnic group in South Africa and Zwelithini, their traditional leader, retains great influence over his

49

World News

South African monarch denies inciting anti-foreigner attacks ulu king Goodwill Zwelithini yesterday denied whipping up xenophobic hatred in South Africa after he was accused of triggering violence that has left at least seven people dead and forced thousands from their homes.

Zwelithini had made an angry speech last month blaming immigrants for rising crime and saying they must leave the country, in an outburst seen as inciting the spate of attacks on Zimbabweans, Somalians, Malawians and other foreigners.

Addressing a tribal gathering of several thousand Zulus in the port city of Durban the king insisted he had been misrepresented.

“My speech... was directed at the police, calling for stricter law enforcement, but that was never reported,” he said.

“The public was instead given another side of my speech, which has been twisted and misrepresented.

“This violence directed at our brothers and sisters is shameful.”

South African authorities have struggled to contain mobs in the economic

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

subjects.

Wearing a suit and tie rather than his royal animal-skin dress, he told the audience that he had never called on his people to attack foreigners.

“Had I said that, this country would be in ashes,” he said to loud cheers.

Yet many in the stadium, which was built for the 2010 football World Cup, booed when foreign dignitaries were introduced and during multi-faith prayers.

WORLD BULLETIN

Kenyan activist wins environment prize

K

enyan environmental activist Phyllis Omido has won the prestigious Goldman prize.

She is being recognised for her campaign against a battery smelting plant accused of damaging the health of a community in the city of Mombasa.

As an employee at the plant, she was inspired to act after her baby son was diagnosed with lead poisoning.

The annual Goldman prize highlights the work of community activists and comes with a $175,000 (£117,000) award.

Omido was originally employed by the battery smelting plant in the Mombasa slum settlement of Owino Uhuru to manage its community relations.

Ethiopia in mourning for victims killed by ISIS

E

thiopia has declared three days of mourning following the killing by the Islamic State (IS) of more than 20 Ethiopian Christians in Libya.

The Libyan branch of IS on Sunday released a video showing one group of men being beheaded on a beach and another group being shot in a desert.

Ethiopia’s government has now confirmed that the people shown being killed were Ethiopian migrant workers.

IS and other jihadist groups are present in several Libyan towns. are in a serious condition.

Ethiopians have taken to social meUN Special Representative in So- dia to express their shock, anger and malia Nicholas Kay has condemned grief following the killings, reports the the attacked and said he was “shocked BBC’s Anne Soy. and appalled by [the] loss of life”.

Al-Shabaab, an affiliate of al-Qaeda, is battling Somalia’s government for control of the country.

At least 13 people have died over the past two days in a series of atenegal is failing to protect thoutacks which have been blamed on alsands of boys in Islamic boarding Shabaab. schools from forced begging and Among the victims was an MP from torture at the hands of their teachers, Puntland and African Union soldiers rights groups said yesterday. from Kenya and Burundi, according Tens of thousands of boys known as to the risk management group Salama “talibes” -- the vast majority aged under Fikira.

12 -- are forced to beg in Senegal’s streets BBC Somali analyst Mary Harper by often brutally abusive Koranic teachsays al-Shabab has become increas- ers known as marabouts, according to ingly active in Somalia’s semi-auton- campaigners. omous region of Puntland, targeting Making a profit from forced begging government and military officials. has been outlawed since 2005, with a maxAn offensive launched last year by imum sentence of five years in prison.

African Union and Somali governBut Human Rights Watch (HRW) and ment troops in southern Somalia has the Platform for the Promotion and Propushed al-Shabaab fighters north tection of Human Rights (PPDH), a cointo Puntland. They have hideouts in alition of 40 local organisations, said in impenetrable mountains, from which a report Monday that Senegal had prosthey launch their attacks. ecuted “only a handful of cases”.

Bomb kills UN workers during attack in Somalia

A

suicide bomb attack on a United Nations vehicle in Garowe, the main city in Somalia’s Puntland region, has killed seven people, police said.

The UN children’s fund, Unicef, says four of its staff are among the dead.

Police commander Ahmed Abdullahi Samatar says that he believes

that one of the bodies belongs to the man who blew himself up.

Al-Shabab, which is battling Somalia’s government for control of the country, has said it carried out the attack.

Witnesses have told the BBC that 10 people were killed but this has not been confirmed.

Unicef said that in addition to those killed, four other of its staff

The attack on the vehicle killed seven people and has left seven others wounded.

Senegal failing to protect child beggars - Campaigners

S

50

World News

Moscow dismisses Norway’s protests over Arctic islands visit

R

ussia yesterday dismissed Norway’s protests over a weekend visit to a Norwegian archipelago by a delegation that included Russia’s deputy prime minister Dmitry Rogozin.

During a visit to the Arctic on Sunday to inaugurate Russia’s new floating research station, the delegation stopped by Norway’s Svalbard islands.

Rogozin, who oversees defense in the gover nment among other things and is known for his nationalist views, has been slapped with sanctions barring him entry to the European Union and non-EU Norway over his position on Russia’s annexation of Crimea.

Norway demanded that Moscow explain why he visited the islands given the sanctions imposed on him.

In response, Russia’s foreign ministry dismissed the accusations as “absurd” and said that the dele gation made the stop for “logistical reasons”. The ministry also cited a 1920 treaty g ranting access to the islands to nationals of all signatory nations including Russia.

“They are simply jealous that we took a dip on the North Pole,” Rogozin said on Twitter.

Russian television on Monday showed Rogozin and the environment and the economic development ministers talking to researchers who are to spend at least three months at the station. An Orthodox priest blessed the station, sprinkling holy water on the officials and researchers.

Tuesday, April 22, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

New Mediterranean migrant distress calls as EU meets

N

ew distress calls have been received from migrant boats in the Mediterranean, as EU ministers met in Luxembourg to discuss the crisis.

Italy and Malta said they were working on rescues of at least two boats in distress with hundreds on board.

The EU added the migrants issue to its agenda after a boat sank early on Sunday with hundreds feared drowned.

EU ministers are under pressure after last year’s decision to scale back search-and-rescue efforts.

Italian PM Matteo Renzi said on Monday that his country was working with Malta to rescue at least two boats in distress.

He said one of the vessels was a dinghy off thwoe Libyan coast with about 100-150 people on board. The other was larger boat carrying 300 people.

The Maltese navy told the BBC that there were a number of new incidents involving rescues being co-ordinated off Libya by the Italians.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) also said it had received a distress call from a boat sinking in the Mediterranean with at least 300 migrants on board.

The caller said about three boats needed help in interna-

Migrants, who are trying to reach Greece, are rescued by members of the Greek Coast guard and locals near the coast of the southeastern island of Rhodes, yesterday.

tional waters and 20 people had died.

But IOM spokesman Joel Millman told the BBC the organisation was still trying to verify the details and it was unclear whether the call was related to the Maltese and Italian rescues.

Earlier, the Greek coastguard said a vessel carrying dozens

of migrants had run aground off the island of Rhodes. Three people were killed and 80 rescued, it said.

Some EU ministers argue that patrols have to be expanded again, that funding should be increased. Others suggest that camps could be set up in North Africa to allow migrants to apply for asylum before they have

US, Ukraine start military training, defying Russian fury

T

roops from the United States and Ukraine kicked off joint training exercises yesterday intended to help bolster Ukraine’s defences against incursions from RussianAbacked separatists in the

east.

Speaking under driving rain at a military base in the western region of Lviv, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said the country’s armed forces needed to be rebuilt from scratch to de-

ter foreign threats.

The exercises, dubbed “Fearless Guardian-2015,” sparked an enraged reaction from Russia, which described them as a potential cause of destabilization. Moscow continues to dismiss mounting

For APC, getting the transition right means all Continued from back page Technocrats will on the other hand come in from a detached and hopefully, unbiased standpoint. Without preconceived ideas or mindset, a well-chosen set of technocrats may help unravel the rot that has eaten deep into the oil and maritime sectors, two money spinners, yet hemorrhaging government departments that are adequately represented in Dr. Jonathan’s transition team. Although these are only matters of perception, it is not at all surprising that they have

to cross the Mediterranean.

If there were easy answers they would have been found already, but if the goal is to save lives there really are only two choices.

Either you have to prevent people leaving in the first place, or you have to rescue them when the people-smugglers have cast them adrift.

raised serious questions about the sincerity of government in regard to this aspect.

Of course, it is not all politicians who have a hemmed attitude to these things. For this reason, a fair chance should go to them even if to give them a benefit of the doubt.

But the technocrats should form the bulk. The committees must be constituted with people with a background in government. When they know the inside workings of government, they will know what to look for, what to vouch for, what to accept and

what not to accept on its face value.

What will work for the incoming administration and for the best interest of the nation is a strong set of committees, drawing heavily from experts in the several fields and a set of good, independent auditors. In formulating their action plans, no one involved in this should lose sight of the fact that the poor are at the center of the new government’s policies.

Buhari’s emergence as President has already unleashed an upsurge of patri-

otic zealotry and strong sense of probity and accountability that is flaring and sharpening with each day.It is, therefore, important for the country that both General Buhari and the party have agreed that a good step to the successful take-off of the new administration is one that is defined by the quality of its handover team, itself driven by knowledge and experience and certainly not by patronage.

Garba Shehu, Director,Media and Communications,APC Presidential Campaign Council,Abuja.

evidence of its involvement in fomenting and supporting a separatist insurgency in Ukraine that has claimed more than 6,100 lives over the past year.

The 300 U.S. Army paratroopers involved in the training travelled to Ukraine last week and will be working alongside 900 national guardsmen.

“The majority of the participants here from the Ukrainian side have endured difficult trials on the front,” Poroshenko said at the inauguration ceremony for the exercises.

Fighting in the east has ebbed substantially since the signing of a February ceasefire deal, but sporadic clashes still break out along the 450-kilometre front line separating government and rebel forces.

The truce deal includes provisions for all “armed formations” to be pulled out of the country.

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

51

Community Mirror I have said it time after time, that if there is no transportation there will be no tourism. It is all about destinations, how quickly you can get there, that is what the rail and the road expansion in Badagry will do.

Lagos State Governor – Babatunde Raji Fashola

Council threatens to shut Ladipo market DARE AKOGUN

E

xecutive Secretary of Mushin Local Government Area of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Bello has threatened to close down Ladipo Market if the crisis rocking the auto spare parts market persists.

Bello gave the warning

at the weekend during interaction with journalists, stated that he cannot fold his hands and watch total breakdown of law and order in Mushin by the warring factions.

He said he was aware of the lingering crises in the market and was ready to arrest the situation so that it will not escalate.

On his efforts, he said he has invited the two

parties involved in the matter, the executives of the traders and Monday Lawrence, the leader of cemetery workers, for discussion.

He said he was aware that the cemetery was contracted to Lawrence but does not know if the contract involved collection of tolls in the market on behalf of Mushin LG. Bello noted that the

warring factions are from Igbo extraction and he cannot understand why they cannot settle their rift amicably.

For the past weeks, there has been crisis in the market between the traders and cemetery workers over collection of tolls from traders.

The crisis is between the traders under the umbrella of Ladipo Central

Executive Committee, LACEC, led by Comrade Kinsley Ogunor and cemetery workers led by Monday Lawrence.

Trouble started after Lawrence faction disbanded the executives of the market and took over the management of the market.

LACEC executives alleged that Lawrence and his group printed receipts

and started collecting tolls in the market without informing the LACEC officials.

An attempt by the LACEC task force to stop them resulted in bloody clash in the market.

Many traders were wounded following the clash last Thursday and early Friday during which guns, machetes and axes were freely used before the police later brought the situation under control.

It was not the first time the groups were fighting at the market. Last month, there was fighting and eight workers were arrested and charged before Ebute-Metta Magistrates’ court for causing mayhem in the market dominated

by Igbo auto spare parts traders.

Man charged with raping daughter

A

Butchers at Idi-Araba meat market Lagos.

PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

Lagos lawmaker-elect thanks constituents DARE AKOGUN

A

ll Progressives Congress, APC candidate who emerged victorious in the House Assembly election in Mushin Constituency 2 Hon. Sobur Olayiwola Olawale ‘Omititi’, said he owes his victory to the constituents.

Omititi polled 34, 097 to defeat his Peoples Democratic Party opponent, Mayowa Adejorin, who polled 22,197.

In a statement on Monday, he said he was grateful to the people of Mushin, including traditional rulers, religious leaders, market men and women, artisans, society groups and the youths, for repos-

ing their confidence in him.

He thanked them for standing their ground and resisting those he described as agents of darkness who attempted to scuttle the people’s wish.

“In spite of this intimidation, our people stood firm and defied the attempt to deny them their franchise. This has shown that the people indeed have become not only politically awaken, but defenders of democracy.”

He noted that the overwhelming support from the electorate during the election replicated their commitment to justice, fair play and equity.

Omititi who was a onetime Special Assistant on Transportation to former Governor Bola Tinubu

says that his experience in public service through political participation will enhance his private assistance to the people.

“They will get a good and quality representation, selfless service the kind they have not experienced before. I will bring governance to their doorstep.

“I am conscious of the fact that sovereignty resides with the people, they are my first priority and they shall feel my impact greatly”, he promised.

He acknowledged the efforts of the APC National Leader and Former Governor of Lagos State Bola Tinubu, in giving direction to the party and for providing a strong platform to provide a credible opposition that wrestled power from

a sitting president for the first time in the history of the country.

Omititi

47-year-old man, Solomon Ojo, was on Monday arraigned in an Ota Senior Magistrates’ Court in Ogun over alleged rape of his daughter.

Ojo, who lives at No. 15, Abinuyo St., Ijoko, in Ota, is facing a one-count charge of rape.

The Prosecutor, Sergeant Rosemary Brown, told the court that the accused committed the offence sometime in 2013 at about noon at his residence.

Brown said that the accused forcefully had carnal knowledge of his daughter (name withheld).

She said that the offence committed contravened Section 358 of the Criminal Code, Vol. 1, Revised Laws of Ogun State, 2006.

The Magistrate, Miss Temitope Adebutu, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

Adebutu said that the sureties must have landed property within the court’s jurisdiction and swear to an affidavit of means.

She said that the sureties should also provide evidence of one year tax payment and submit photocopy of this to the court.

The case was adjourned to June 3 for hearing.

52

North

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Bauchi South roots for Dogara as speaker …tackles detractors on religious tolerance EZEKIEL TITUS BAUCHI

Z

Senator-elect for Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani (middle) presenting wheelchairs to physically challenged people in Kaduna, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Insurgency: Borno sponsors 100 orphans to study in Kano INUSA NDAHI MAIDUGURI

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orno State government in collaboration with Kano State government has sponsored 100 orphans to be enrolled in various primary schools up to university level in Kano State.

Governor Kashim Shettima, who was represented by Borno State Head of Service, Barrister Yakubu Bukar, while addressing the pupils shortly before

their departure to Kano State, congratulated the orphans and commended the two states for the effort aimed at educating pupils from primary up to tertiary level.

He said: “This opportunity came as a result of the scholarship offered by the government of Governors Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano and his counterpart in Borno, Kashim Shettima.

“I hope the gesture will greatly reduce the burden on Borno State in taking

care of all children who lost their parents to insurgency in the state, I also hope the relationship that exists between the two states will be sustained,” Shettima said.

Speaking earlier, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajja Fanta Baba Shehu, described the gesture as timely, saying the sponsored orphans were carefully selected from some local governments that was critically hit by

the Boko Haram insurgency.

She added that Governor Shettima, his counterpart, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and five others will serve as guardians to the orphans who will acquire education for the development of the state.

Our correspondent gathered that Kano State government had earlier sent delegation to Borno State to work out modalities for the scholarship programme.

Gunmen kill 7 in Taraba, scores missing JUSTIN TYOPUUSU JALINGO

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unmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen in the early hours of yesterday attacked some villages in Donga Local Government Area of Taraba State, killing at least seven people with scores still missing.

Local residents said the herdsmen first attacked and burnt Ayiase village in Takum Local

Government before heading for Tse-Gbaun and Gaza villages in Donga Local Government Area.

An eyewitness told National Mirror that the gunmen killed Msugh Gaza and three of his sons in Gaza village, while three others were killed in Tse-Gbaun and Ayiase villages.

“The attack happened in the early hours of today (Monday), and the area is not safe as I talk

to you, so we cannot search for missing relations. But we have recovered seven dead bodies so far,” he said.

Police spokesman Joseph Kwaji, said efforts to reach the DPO of Donga for details of the attack failed, as his phone was switched off.

But an aide of Acting Governor, Alhaji Sani Abubakar Danladi, said the acting governor has directed that military

personnel be deployed to the area to maintain peace.

There has been threat of attack in the area by Fulani herdsmen and many residents have fled the area for fear of their safety.

Donga Local Government is one of the areas that run-off election is to hold this Saturday and the attack has led to exodus of people from the area.

Buhari’ll not fail Nigerians, says Wamakko

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overnor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State has assured Nigerians that Presidentelect, Gen Muhammadu Buhari, will not fail the nation.

“The APC-led Federal Government under Buhari will strive to meet the expectations and yearnings of Nigerians, irrespective

of religion, ethnic or cultural differences,’’ he said.

Wamakko spoke on Monday in Sokoto when members of Correspondents’ chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, paid him a courtesy visit.

“Buhari will ensure social justice, adherence to the rule of law, youths and women empowerment, im-

provement of security and the power sector.

“All Nigerians will be treated equally and fairly under Buhari; the electorate in the country as well as the international community will find Buhari to be a worthy democratic leader,’’ he added.

Wamakko said the peaceful conduct of the 2015 gen-

eral elections was a victory for democracy, and urged Nigerians to continue their support and prayers for the new administration to deliver.

He commended Nigerian journalists for their objective coverage of the general elections, which ensured peace in the state and the country.

onal chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bauchi South senatorial district, Alhaji Musa Adamu Lar, has solicited support of new members of the House of Representatives to back the speakership ambition of Hon Yakubu Dogara from Bauchi State.

This is as Lar also tackles those he described as enemies of democracy and detractors of Dogara for preaching hatred against his personality among Muslim communities in the North because of his status as a Christian.

The APC zonal chairman said: “The federation of Nigeria is a secular state as provided for by the constitution, hence the need to carry everybody along if the offices of the president and that of the senate president

is to be occupied by Muslims.”

The chairman lamented that those opposed to Dogara occupying office of the speaker because of his religious background are ignorant of the constitution.

Lar said Dogara was eminently qualified for the position of speaker due to his background as a legal practitioner, reliability, vast experience as member of the House of Representatives for three tenures.

Speaking further, Lar said that based on the zonal arrangement, the North East deserves the speaker slot, adding that the credible person for the position is Dogara.

The zonal chair man therefore urged leadership of the APC to ensure inter nal democracy in the party, in line with the party’s slogan of change through justice, fair ness and equity.

Soldier killed on Bauchi-Darazo road E ZEKIEL TITUS BAUCHI

A

27-year-old private in the Nigerian Army, John Emmanuel, attached to Sector 1 Baga road, Maiduguri, Borno State, was on Sunday killed on Bauchi-Darazo road while attempting to cross the road.

The deceased, according to a statement by Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, in charge of Bauchi State Police Command, Haruna Mohammed, was travelling in a Sharon bus but stopped to ease himself when he was hit by another Sharon bus while crossing the road.

The police spokesman, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP, said the accident occurred at 2:50pm, adding that policemen from Darazo division rushed the deceased to Darazo General Hospital, where he was certified dead on arrival.

“On April 19, 2015, at 14:50hrs there was a fatal motor accident at Darazo, along Bauchi-Darazo road.

“Accident occurred when one Private John Emmanuel, male, 27 years, of the Nigerian Army, No. 13NA/70/6061 attached to Sector 1 Baga road, Maiduguri, Borno State, who was also a passenger in a Sharon bus with registration number AA 992 KWR, stopped to ease himself, but was hit by a red Sharon bus with registration number AE 436 PKM while crossing the road.

“Scene of accident was visited by police patrol team attached to Darazo division and victim was rushed to General Hospital, Darazo, for medical attention where he was certified dead on arrival by a medical doctor,” DSP Mohammed stated.

The PPRO further said the remains of the soldier were later released to the Army through one Captain Maiwada in charge of the Army unit in Darazo on request.

He, however, stated that the driver was arrested, adding that investigation was in progress.

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

53

Sport

Silva blow for Parisians

I could not have wished for a better beginning to a year as this. I hope I can take this form to the French Open –Serbian tennis star, Novak Djokovic

54 Kwara United line-up

Glo League: NFF bans 2 refs, Charles, Matador

…as Kwara United begs fans T he Referees Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has suspended until the end of the current season, Referee John Charles and Assistant Referee Ogunta Matador, for poor performance in a Glo Premier League Week 4 match last Sunday.

Both referees were on duty when Sunshine Stars FC hosted Dolphins FC of Port Harcourt in Akure. The homers won the game 2-1.

Chairman of the NFF Referees Committee, Alhaji Yusuf Ahmed Fresh, said the two officials were suspended for “gross misconduct and performance below the required standard.”

Meanwhile, ahead of tomorrow’s midweek matches, the management of Kwara United has tendered an unre-

served apology to their supporters and fans for the 1-3 loss to Heartland on Sunday in llorin.

The management in a statement in llorin yesterday, jointly signed by its secretary, Dele Oguntokun, and general manager, Haruna Maigidansanma, said the result was an unfortunate one and unacceptable to the club.

“It was a shocking result that we were not expecting at all but you know in football you win some you lose some.

“All I can say for now is that we will take it on from there and make necessary amendments ahead of Wednesday’s clash with 3SC in Ibadan and in our subsequent games too.

“We will not blame anyone for the loss but we will take full responsibility for the poor outing,” said the statement

made available to supersport.com.

The statement commended the matured way the fans conducted themselves last Sunday and promised that the management we do all it can to put things right.

It appealed to the fans and supporters alike not to lose confidence in the team but continue to rally round the side to finally make the team formidable one.

The management said it will summon a meeting with the technical crew to find out what the problem was that led to the heavy defeat and possibly guide against future occurrence.

The heavy defeat against Heartland left the Afonja Warriors on five points from possible 12 in the four-week old Nigeria premier league.

54

Sports

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

UEFA Champions League…

Bayern

gets Lamn boost R

eports yesterday confirmed d Bayern Munich captain, n, Philipp Lahm, as available e for today’s Champions League e quarter-final second leg match with h FC Porto at the Allianz Arena, afterr the Bavarians suffered a shock 3-1 1 loss in the first leg in Lisbon.

The versatile World Cup winnerr missed his club’s win at Hoffenheim m on Saturday after being struck down n by gastroenteritis.

Bayern also expects Bastian Schhweinsteiger to recover from an ankle e injury and a bout of flu by tomorrow, w, but winger Franck Ribery is doubtful ul with an ankle complaint.

Arjen Robben, David Alaba, Meehdi Benatia and Javi Martinez have e already been ruled out for this tie.

Bayern vs Po Porto

“Bastianm could play,” Bayern Coach, Pep Guardiola, said yesterday, adding, “He’s in good health again.”

O n Ribery and his a n kle complaint, Guardiola said: “Let’s wait and see.

But I don’t think Franck can play.”

Juan Berna, who was forced off at half-time in Saturday’s Bundesliga win at Hoffenheim, is expected to also be available.

‘Ancelotti caused Modrid’s woe’

C Modric

Today’s Today Toda d y’s ’s fixtu fixtures fi ures s

Barcelona vs PSG

roatia national team Doctor, Boris Nemec, has blamed Real Madrid Coach, Carlo Ancelotti, for the potential season-ending injury caused Madrid’s midfielder Luka Modric after the gifted player cupped his latest injury.

Having been an influential figure in Madrid’s stunning start to the campaign, during which the side recorded a 22-game winning run, Modric’s season has been disrupted by a number of lengthy spells on the sidelines.

The 29-year-old made his return from four months out against Schalke in March but his brief return was cut short as he sustained knee ligament damage in Saturday’s 3-1 win against Malaga.

“Ancelotti didn’t spare Luka at all after he returned from his long-term injury,” Nemec said yesterday.

“He played 90 minutes in every match.

Ancelotti has put Modric under a lot of pressure, instead of giving him time, little by little,” the Croatia team doctor added.

Lamn La L Lam amn

r o f w o l b a v l i S ians s i r a P P

aris Saint-Germain captain, Thiago Silva, has been ruled out of today’s Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Barcelona at Camp Nou. Silva, 30, was forced off after 21 minutes of the first leg due to a thigh injury, with his replacement David Luiz struggling as PSG went on to lose 3-1 at the Parc des Princes last week.

The Brazilian missed PSG’s 3-1 Ligue 1 victory at Nice on Saturday and has not recovered.

“Originally named in the Paris Saint-Germain squad for the Champions League quarterfinal second leg away to FC Barcelona on Tuesday (today), defender Thiago Silva has withdrawn from the squad with injury,” a PSG statement said.

Coach Laurent Blanc has a selection dilemma for this encounter, however, with Serge Aurier suspended and Thiago Motta also out injured.

Needing his side to score at least three goals to qualify, Blanc will be able to welcome back Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marco Verratti after the duo completed their one-match suspensions having sat out the first-leg defeat.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Canada 2015:

55

Oshoala

Falcons set for World Cup training tour MERCY JACOB

T

he Super Falcons will begin their pre-World Cup training tour on May 19 in Toronto, Canada where they will remain till they move to their match venue in Winnipeg.

Falcons are currently in Abuja preparing for a 2016 Olympics qualifier against Mali at home on May 9.

Meanwhile, former Super Falcons

star, Maureen Mmadu, has warned that only the right attitude to preparation can help the team to excel at the World Cup in Canada, saying the employment of foreign coach will achieve little or nothing.

Reports recently suggested that the authorities had hatched plans to engage an expatriate for the Falcons in view of the difficult opposition they would encounter at the World Cup scheduled for June.

“We have been at the World Cup for

NPUGA 2015 gets date

T

PAUL EREWUBA

C

oaches of the eight schools that qualified for the final of the Etisalat U-15 Schools Cup holding on May 25 in Lagos, have weighed in their chances at lifting the trophy.

Rimi College, Kaduna will tackle Army Secondary School, Sokoto, while Winners College, Akure, Ondo State will meet Washington Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha, Anambra State.

Greensprings Secondary School Lekki, Lagos will face Asegun High School, Oyo State, while Government Secondary Imo State will meet Govern-

Danagogo

he 6th Nigerian Private University Games (NPUGA) has been scheduled to hold from December 10 to 20 this year at the Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State.

Decision to stage the bi-annual games in December was reached during the NPUGA Council meeting held at Crescent University, Abeokuta, Ogun State recently which attracted over 20 directors of sports from private universities across the country.

President of the Association, Akintunde Akinola told National Mirror that the resolution would afford the participating universities to prepare for the sporting events such as football, volleyball, basketball, chess, athletics, scrabble, swimming,

seven times and we have not made our dominance in Africa to count on performance,” Mmadu, who currently coaches in Europe, said.

“We have good players but our attitude to preparing for tournaments is bad.

“Therefore, in this situation, there is little or nothing a foreign coach can do if we do not change the attitude. The Falcons would not compete favorably with the world’s best players by playing friendly games with club boys in Nige-

table tennis and tennis which will be competed for.

Akinola, who is also Director of Sports at Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State added that this would also enable the host institution to complete the construction and renovation of various facilities for the 11-days event.

“This edition will be more competitive, considering the interest shown by some new universities for the competition,” Akinola said.

“We will continue to send inspection team to the host university to ensure the management keeps its promise of providing state of the art facilities that will make the event the best in the history of NPUGA in Nigeria,” he added.

ria only.

“If we need our team to be strong we have to play Grade A friendly matches to help know how we fare mentally, physically and tactically for a very big competition like the World Cup. It does not matter if the coach is foreign or local, but the right thing has to be done if we want to get result.”

The Falcons will face Sweden, Australia and the United States in Group D, a fixture that observers have described as tough for the Nigerian women.

Etisalat Cup: Coaches talk tough on final ment Model School, Bida, Niger State to determine winner of the top prize.

Organisers said each of the teams will play three matches, after which they will proceed to the finals.

Etisalat’s Head, Events and Sponsorship, Modupe Thani, explained that a total of N3.8m prize money including bursary awards to students would be won.

“The School that comes first will win N2m with N50, 000 bursary award to each of the students, while the second will win N1m with a bursary of N30, 000

for each student and the school that emerges third position will receive N750, 000 with a N20, 000 bursary ward to each student.

“We can only urge students and teams to put in their best in the competition,” Thani said.

åPinnick

Aliyu makes stadium pledge PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

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iger State Governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, says he will continue the funding of the Minna new stadium project until May 29 when he will hand over to the incoming administration in the state.

He explained that about N600million had been released to contractors handling the project as mobilization fee while 10 per cent work had been executed.

Aliyu, however, expressed satisfaction with work done so far, despite what he called tech-

nical challenges.

The Commissioner in charge of the project, Alhaji Garba Tagwai, commended the contractors for their commitment to the time frame.

“The contractor is currently requesting for the sum of N288 million to enable him pay for the clearance of vital equipment ordered to ensure completion of the stadium,” Tagwai said.

Aliyu Babangida

WORLD RECORD

Fastest marathon marathon dribbling dribbling two two basketballs basketballs Fastest

N150

Vol. 05 No. 1095 Tuesday, April 21, 2015

The fastest marathon dribbling two basketballs is 4 hr 39 min 12 sec by Darren Weissman (USA)

For APC, getting the transition right means all

F

or more than a week since the out-going Jonathan administration named its own Transition Committee, curiosity has acquired a new meaning all over Nigeria. There is not a day that passes without speculative reporting, 100 percent of it based on falsehood on what the in-coming government’s team will look like, who is heading its committees, and so forth. Some have even been reporting imaginary fights over this or that office.

For the country’s new governing party,the All Progressives Congress,APC, a transition committee is not only to serve the purpose of diagnosis. A good transition committee must also draw

Guest Columnist

Garba Shehu

up a plan of action. This alone makes these first early steps to be be challenging. They must be handled with extreme care. If not so handled, the transition may turn into a flashpoint and an unnecessary distraction.

In last few days, there appear to be indications that both the APC and the newly elected President, General Muhammadu Buhari have found a common ground on the Transition Committee.

That should help to move the country from its current standstill.

Addressing correspondents at a news conference at his country home in Daura, Katsina State last week, the in-coming President announced that “I will make sure that it is not too big because if it is big, they will start thinking of how they will make the choice of ministers either for themselves or those they want to be ministers. But, my hope and my idea is to get knowledgeable and experienced technocrats that are really patriotic and to study the handing over notes by ministries and make recommendations.”

In an interview with The Nation in its edition of Friday April, 17th, the National Chairman of the Party, Chief OdigieOyegun spoke loud and long on the same issues, stating that “we will raise a transition committee to crosscheck whatever papers or records they are handing over to us. In our case, we need a lot of more consultations and be sure that the right caliber of people are there.

“We will study the handover note and

IT IS VERY CLEAR

GENERAL BUHARI’S PRIORITIES THAT

FIT PERFECTLY TOGETHER WITH THOSE OF THE PARTY make sure that all issues are put in proper perspective for the new government.

“If there are grey areas which experts will have to put us through, we will not hesitate to seek their help.”

From the foregoing, it is very clear that General Buhari’s priorities fit perfectly together with those of the party.

It is important that the incoming administration gets this one right because everything will depend on it. It may not be right at this point to question the goodness of the faith of the out-going administration. The President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has earned an incredibly high amount of goodwill following his acceptance of the outcome of the election, which itself had the effect of deescalating tensions not just among Nigerians but all over the continent. But the President’s committee on transition and hand-over looks to be a trickish one. It seems to be like one drawn to “massage” the numbers and ensure safety for “team Jonathan”. Some names on that list have certainly made the eyes pop out of their sockets. In the President’s list, you have

men and women who reflect the worst of our prejudices; men and women who have made themselves the mouthpieces for everything regressive.

This is one reason why President Buhari and his party cannot be too careful on choosing who they will give their part of the assignment to. There is no room for complacency in doing this either.

Nothing that puts the new government at a risk should be allowed to happen. What is required of the job is a diagnostic and a forensic understanding of the handover notes. I have my respect for politicians. After all, they are the ones who led the party to this overwhelming mandate.

But if they are given this job, they won’t be an incisive as is needful. Let us not underrate or under-estimate the amount of damage that has been done to national institutions, the economy and politics by the 16-year mismanagement of the country by the PDP. It is the combined effect of their unseriousness, shortcomings and their mistakes that have reduced the once dominant ruling party to a paltry minority stakeholder in the states and the National Assembly following these elections.

As General Buhari has himself mentioned, politicians will come with natural expectations when given this job. In a manner of speaking, they may compromise the ability of the incoming government to get a full understanding of the issues, in other words a good snapshot of the nation, its systems and institutions at the time of this handover.

A membership of the transition committee will naturally confer a sense of already-being- there on many a politician.

They will see themselves as the natural successors of the outgoing administration. Some among them already have a sense of victory, a sense of indictment and a sense of entitlement.

Continues on page 50

Sport Extra

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ritish boxer, Amir Khan, is hoping to fight Manny Pacquiao in Abu Dhabi later this year, whether he beats Floyd Mayweather or not on May 2 in Las Vegas.

Khan turned his attention to a clash with the Fili-

Boxing: Khan aims pay day with Pacquiao pino great after becoming frustrated in his efforts for a fight with Mayweather, a meeting he has been hankering for over since 2013.

Reports also said Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob

Arum, has proposals for a bout against Khan, which could take place in November or December this year.

The Bolton welterweight takes on Chris Algieri in Brooklyn on May 29 and,

providing he comes through that fight, his next outing could be against Pacquiao.

“I want this fight against Manny. It’s a dream of mine to fight in that part of the world,” Khan yesterday,

even as he prefers to fight later in the year as well, with any September outings ruled out because his strict observance of Ramadan would end in a rushed preparation.

Khan

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