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FG predicts bleak future for producers

Jonathan appoints Otti as NNPC Deputy GMD

UDEME AKPAN AND ROTIMI FADEYI Alison-Madueke

Vol. 4 N0. 971

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igeria may witness serious energy crises and other challenges without adequate investment in the petroleum

industry.

This is especially so as crude oil prices will remain low in the next seven years.

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Kwankwaso joins APC presidential race P.6

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

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PDP demands Tambuwal’s resignation as Speaker Our member in the day, APC in the night –Akpabio OBIORA IFOH, TORDUE SALEM AND WOLE OLADIMEJI

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he leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday demanded immediate resignation of Hon. Aminu Tambuwal as the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The action followed TamCONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

Boko Haram:

L-R: Chairman, Conference of State Houses of Assembly, Hon. Samuel Ikon; Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, and Senate President David Mark, during the Transmission of the Constitution [Fourth Alteration] Bill 2014 in Abuja, yesterday.

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Senators raise N20m for displaced persons

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New Constitution:

NASS transmits amendment documents to state assemblies Mark appeals for prompt passage, promises cash reward

Australia bans travel from Ebola-hit countries

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Wednesday, October 29, 2014

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PDP demands Tambuwal’s resignation as Speaker CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

buwal’s formal declaration for the All Progressives Congress, APC. The PDP in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, said it met with the PDP leaders in the House of Representatives on the defection.

“After a thorough consideration of the matter, the National Working Committee, NWC, came to a conclusion that the Hon. Speaker, as a responsible elected officer, knows full well what is needful and honourable of

him since his new party is in the minority.

“We are not unmindful of the fact that Hon. Tambuwal became Speaker on the platform of the PDP as the political party with the majority of seats in the House of Representatives and that this incontrovertible fact has not changed,” he said.

Tambuwal yesterday said that his decision to defect from the PDP to the APC was because of the division in the party in his home state, Sokoto.

He also stressed that the

defection was in line with the 1999 Constitution as amended and the standing orders of the House.

Section 50 (1) (b) of the 1999 Constitution states that: “A Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives shall be elected from among the members.”

The standing orders also do not forbid a presiding officer from being in an opposition party.

Tambuwal’s defection to the opposition party had on several occasions been pre-

dicted.

He announced his defection shortly after the House Leader, Mulikat AkandeAdeola (PDP-Oyo), moved a motion for the House to adjourn sitting till December 3.

The Speaker moved camp at exactly 12:20pm and quickly adjourned the sitting that was sparingly attended.

“In pursuit of the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and in view of the political developments in my state, I wish to formally

L-R: President Goodluck Jonathan; Kaduna State Governor Mukhtar Yero; Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris and Deputy Governor, Nuhu Bajoga, during the inauguration of new Governor’s Office complex in Kaduna, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

inform you of my membership of the APC. “This is in continuation of the great sacrifice and also the need to ensure development of constitutional democracy,” he said.

Tambuwal’s announcement was greeted with fanfare and jubilation by the members of the APC caucus of the House.

They described the development as a historic one.

Members of the caucus, led by Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, had moved to a briefing room shortly after plenary, where they hailed Tambuwal for his decision to dump the PDP. Gbajabiamila described the move as unprecedented and in line with the Constitution and the Rule Book of the House.

“All we can say is that his decision to join the APC is a historic event and we welcome and applaud the Speaker’s defection.

“We have all along known that this day will come.

“The Constitution requires that the Speaker and his deputy will be elected by members among themselves, and he is a Speaker who was elected by all parties,” he said, adding that the “APC members would continue to support the cur-

rent leadership.”

He ruled out the possibility of removing Tambuwal from office, but admitted, however, that the PDP was still in the majority in the House.

Similarly, Hon. Samson Osagie (APC-Edo) said that the adjournment by the House till December 3 was to enable the lawmakers to consult with their constituents and promote their political interest ahead of the 2015 general elections.

Osagie, however, ruled out possible counter-move by the PDP against the leadership of the House.

“There is unity in this house and that is the kind of unity we want to be replicated in every part of this country,” he said.

He also described Tambuwal as a bridge builder who had united the House in spite of different political affiliations of members of the parliament.

Adeola-Akande said there was nothing anybody could do for now until the PDP made its decision known on the issue.

“This is a party affair.

Members take decision on the floor based on party. So, the party will take decision at the appropriate time,” she CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

NASS transmits amendment documents to state assemblies GEORGE OJI ABUJA

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he National Assembly yesterday formally transmitted the documents containing the fourth alteration of the 1999 Constitution to the 36 state Houses of Assembly for their input to the document.

The ceremony, which took place at the National Assembly and presided over

by Senate President David Mark, was attended by the Speakers of the 36 state Houses of Assembly who collected the documents personally.

Mark appealed to the Houses of Assembly to expedite the passage of the amendment of the 1999 Constitution handed to them.

This was also as he announced an undisclosed amount of monetary reward for the first State Assembly that would turn in its report on the constitution amendment.

The Senate last Tues-

day passed the Conference Committee report of the Constitution Amendment Committee of the National Assembly, which marked the approval of the fourth amendment to the nation’s 1999 Constitution.

The transmission of the constitution amendment document to the state Houses of Assembly yesterday was in fulfillment of the constitutional requirement, which requires the consent of at least two-thirds majority of the state Assemblies to any of the items before it can stand amended.

Mark said that the essence of the constitutional amendment was to give expression to the views of Nigerians who participated in the nationwide consultations carried out by members of the National Assembly.

He reiterated that the National Assembly had no special interest to protect in the exercise and that the lawmakers acted based on

the wishes and aspirations of Nigerians.

The Senate president urged the state Houses of Assembly to do what was right and what would bring governance near to the people as well as what would be good for our current democratic system.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, told the state lawmakers that the eyes of Nigerians were on them and urged them to do what was right by assenting to the amendments without delay.

He noted that if passed into law, the amendments would guarantee the independence of the legislature, good governance and ensure that the parliament functions effectively.

The Deputy Senate President and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendment, Ike Ekweremadu, told the state lawmakers that the bill being trans-

mitted to them represented an aggregation of the will of the Nigerian people.

He noted that the legislature had long recognised that to secure the future of Nigeria in political, social and economic terms, it must invariably review our constitution to meet the aspirations and needs of our diverse people and to facilitate national development in an equitable manner.

According to him, the durability of constitutions depends on public support as citizens are less inclined to support a constitution without their input.

Ekweremadu noted that by involving citizens in the constitution review process, the legislature had indeed made a huge stride in rekindling the sense of optimism and inclusivity.

He said: “It is our conviction that this peoplecentred amendment will make Nigerians feel vested in their government, en-

courage and challenge them to remain active and engaged in the political process, raising questions, demanding answers and criticizing leaders who fail to perform.

“There is no doubt that broad citizens’ participation, which was the mainstay of the review process, will add value to the democratic process and improve the quality of governance.

“The amendments set out institutional and legal reforms, which together with sufficient political will, may help to provide for constitutional and other legal guarantees for the practice of true federalism; provide for accountability and transparency in governance; and, create an independent judicial system that would ensure the proper administration of justice in Nigeria.”

Deputy Speaker of the House, Emeka Ihedioha, who is the Chairman of the House Committee on Con-

stitution Amendment, disclosed that the committee upon inauguration formulated 43 items templates, which they took round the states of the federation to deliberate upon.

He stated that in arriving at the proposals, his committee was not out in any way to undermine any institution or persons, but to do the bidding of Nigerians.

Chairman, Nigerian Conference of Speakers and Speaker of the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, Hon. Samuel Ikon, who responded on behalf of the state lawmakers, assured that unlike in previous alteration exercises, this time around, they would do what was required of them by supporting changes that would advance the current democratic dispensation.

“Let us forget the past and I want to assure Nigerians that this time around it will be yes, yes, yes to all the issues,” Ikon said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

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Photo News

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

L-R: CEO, Supermart Nigeria, Raphael Afaedor; Dr. Chris Ogbechie of Lagos Business School; Marketing Manager, DSTV Nigeria, Chioma Afe; Group Managing Director-designate, Diamond Bank Plc, Uzoma Dozie, and Country Manager, OLX, Lola Masha, during the Society and Technology Conference and Exhibition in Lagos, yesterday.

L-R: National Operations Manager, Nestle Nigeria Plc, Dr. Atuchukwu Obiojor; Guest Speaker, Prof.

Temiye Edamisan and Corporate Affairs Manager, Dr. Samuel Adenekan, during the Nestle Nutrition Symposium in Lagos, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: President, Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria, Prof. Layi Egunjobi; President, Nigeria Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Mr. Steve Onu; Minister of Land, Housing and Urban Development, Mrs Akon Eyakenyi And Lagos State Commissioner For Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Toyin Ayinde, during 45th annual conference and general meeting of NITP in Lagos, yesterday.

L-R: Former Minister of Women Affairs, Iyom Josphine Anenih; Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Sani Ndanusa; author of the book, Dr. Patrick Ekeji; Director, Grassroots Sports Development, Ministry of Sports, Alhaji Yatmut Alhassan and former President, West Africa Football Union, Chief Jonathan Ogufere, during the public presentation of the book. Odyssey of a Green Eagle, in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

National News

116 persons died in Synagogue Church building collapse –Pathologist …rights activist wants court to stop Coroner WALE IGBINTADE AND SEGUN AWODEIN

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Consultant Pathologist, Prof. John Obafunwa, yesterday said that 116 persons died on September 12, when a guest house, owned by the Synagogue Church of All Nations, SCOAN, collapsed in Lagos.

Obafunwa, who is the Chief Medical Examiner of Lagos State, made this known while presenting a preliminary report to a Coroner’s inquest set up to investigate the cause of the collapse.

Led in evidence by Mr. Akingbolahan Adeniran, Counsel to the Lagos State Government, Obafunwa said that the final report and identification of the dead bodies would be completed in the next two weeks.

The inquest, which is being presided over by Mr. Oyetade Komolafe, was instituted by the Lagos State Government.

Obafunwa said that autopsies conducted on the bodies revealed that the victims died as a result of crush injuries also known as “traumatic rhabdomyolysis.”

He said that 46 of the bodies were deposited at the Isolo General Hospital mortuary, while 63 were taken to the Mainland General Hospital mortuary in Yaba.

According to him, six bodies were brought to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, morgue at Ikeja.

He added that the number increased to seven following the death of one of the victims rushed to LASUTH. “Some of the bodies were at the decomposing stage and mutilated, severely crushed, suffered multiple injuries, fractured bones, fractured limbs as well as skull injuries,” the pathologist said.

Obafunwa said that a team of forensic pathologists and dental surgeons conducted various tests including DNA and dental analysis

on the bodies for the purpose of identification.

“At this moment, we are putting together the autopsy report, the dental report, the photographs; we will be including the microscopic findings on the autopsy report,” he added.

He said that the team was waiting for the report of finger printing, DNA analysis as well as the list of lodgers it had requested from the church before finalising its job.

Obafunwa assured one of the victims’ husband and a South African, Anthony Van Der Byl, that the body of his wife, Louise, would be released at the completion of the report.

“We are working closely with the South African Department of Health.

“They are assisting us with reference samples and I know that we are moving closer to the end of the process,” the pathologist said.

Confirming the development, the South African High Commissioner to Nige-

ria, Mr. Louis Mnguni, told the court that the samples were still being analysed at the laboratory in Cape Town, South Africa.

Also testifying, Mr Oladotun Lasoju of the Lagos State Ministry of Works said that the ministry’s team of engineers had conducted tests on the materials used in constructing the building.

Lasoju said: “We visited the site as part of the rudiments in the investigation.

“I want to assure the court that the Lagos State Material Testing Laboratory is working assiduously, and I believe the result will be out in a maximum period of three weeks.”

However, Head of Operations, Search and Rescue, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, said that 86 bodies were recovered, while 131 persons were rescued.

The case was adjourned till Oct. 29 for further hearing.

Meanwhile, human rights

activist, Olukoya Ogungbeje has asked a Federal High Court in Lagos to stop the proceedings of the Coroner.

Ogungbeje, who is also a lawyer sued the Lagos State Government (1st defendant), Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State (2nd defendant) and Mr. Komolafe (3rd defendant) and sought for an order of court restraining further proceedings of the Coroner inquest.

Ogungbeje, through his lawyer, Olalekan Azeez, challenged the composition of the Coroner inquest arguing that it was a contradiction of the principle of natural justice and Section 36 of the Constitution, hence it was unconstitutional, null and void. The lawyer recalled that the Coroner inquest was constituted after the agencies of the state government had indicted T.B Joshua and his church of wrongdoing by adding additional structures on the building without approval.

He argued that if allowed to continue, the proceedings of the Coroner inquest will seriously occasion miscarriage of justice, as the same Coroner would based its

decision on the testimonies of the same agencies of the State, which had openly indicted Joshua and his church.

Specifically, the lawyer recalled that the Lagos State Emergency Agency, LASEMA, the Lagos State Building Control Agency, the Lagos State Fire Service, the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency, LASTMA and others made public and prejudicial reports in public domain that the building collapsed as a result of additional structures.

He added that conclusions reached by the state agencies negate Prophet’s Joshua’s claim that the building collapsed moments after an aircraft hovered round it.

He urged the court to nullify the composition of the Coroner and the proceedings so far, as well as a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants jointly and severally from further proceeding, sitting, investigating, embarking on fact finding or taking any untoward action in any manner whatsoever on any facts connected to the case.

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Wednesday, October 29, 2014

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FG predicts bleak future for producers CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke stated this at the 8th Oil Trading and Logistics, OTL, Africa Downstream Expo in Lagos. She said that the nation needed to invest $20bn yearly to prevent eventual energy crisis.

“Based on the expected growing demand driven by a growing population, I perceive significant upside for investments in the downstream sector.

“In Nigeria alone, the sector requires about $20bn annually to support the oil and gas industry activities.

Private sector participation is crucial to attracting additional funding at all levels.”

Alison-Madueke also said that the Federal Government was committed to institutionalising appropriate policy framework to foster investment and competition.

She stated that oil supply would continue to be in excess of demand in the next seven years.

“It is expected that demand growth will continue to lag behind supply growth over the next seven years with the result that overcapacity will continue to weigh on margins unless further rationalisation occurs.

“Utilisation rates will remain particularly low in Europe, where refiners are faced by weak demand growth, rising costs and a loss of competitiveness versus other regions,” she stated.

The minister said that the pace of demand growth and capacity additions in the developing world measured against the volume of capacity rationalised in the Atlantic Basin would remain key to determining the market.

Alison-Madueke explained that the region had large growing deficits in gasoline, jet/kerosene and diesel/gasoil.

She stated that the development signified plenty of growth potential. To ensure sustainability of the sector, a few challenges must be addressed.

The minister noted that energy and economic development were interlinked, stressing that

powering the economy in the 21st century would require improving energy competitiveness through the development of an energy architecture that ensured efficiency.

She added that Sub-Saharan Africa was the least sophisticated refining centre in the world, adding that there were only 24 refineries within the region with a total refining capacity of 1.6 mb/d for a population that was close to a billion.

According to AlisonMadueke, the implication of population growth for Africa was that demand for petroleum products would continue to be on the rise without commensurate refining capacity addition.

However, hope has risen for the passage of the nation’s Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB before the end of the current legislative period as the Senate Committee on the PIB is set to submit its report on the comprehensive bill this week.

The House Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Mr. Dakuku Peterside, stated that the legislators were working to ensure that it was passed into law before the end of the present legislative period.

“We have been working on the Petroleum Industry Bill. A lot of efforts have been made toward ensuring that the PIB is passed into law in a form that would make positive impact to the nation,” he said.

Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the appointment of Mr. Bernard Otti, the current Group Executive Director (Finance and Accounts) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, as the new Deputy Group Managing Director/ Group Executive Director (Finance and Accounts) of the corporation.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, also said that President Jonathan approved the creation of a new Office of the Deputy Group Managing Director of the corporation in furtherance of ongoing efforts to transform the NNPC into a commercially-driven entity.

Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, acknowledging cheers after defecting to All Progressives Congress at the National Assembly in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

PDP demands Tambuwal’s resignation CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

said.

Deputy Leader of the House, Hon. Leo Ogor, explained that PDP members were looking with eagle’s eyes for the next line of action.

He said that the PDP members of the House would look at the situation and take a position on the defection.

Ogor noted that going by constitutional provision, PDP would need a twothirds majority to remove a sitting Speaker.

“Do we have two-thirds?

That is another matter we need to ponder over.

“Well will face the party and give our explanations, but I can assure you that the party’s interest will be fully protected,” he said He stated that the Speaker’s decision was a personal one and has no major impli-

cation on the PDP as a political party.

“Let me emphasise here that the Speaker has left. Because he has gone does not mean that the PDP does not control the House.

“He sits down there as the presiding officer, we run the affairs of the House; and as people who control the House, we must go the extra mile to protect the interest of our party.

“We are not going to lose our sleep because Tambuwal defected to the APC. He has gone to APC; he has a political interest in his constituency.

“His constituency has told him that this is the party under which he can win election. Based on that, we will wish him good luck,” he added.

Ogor noted that the adjournment motion moved by the Leader of the House

had nothing to do with the defection.

He stated that the essence was to go for the oversight function and for the House to adequately prepare for the presentation of the budget.

“You are also mindful of the fact that there are primaries before us.

“It behoves on all of us to do the needful to make sure that those who want to come back can have the opportunity to work towards that.”

But the Chairman, PDP Governors Forum, Godswill Akpabio, said that Tambuwwal’s defection to APC was not a surprise to him.

He said the Speaker had always been a PDP in the day and APC at night.

The Akwa Ibom State governor spoke to journalists at the PDP national secretariat when he came to submit his senatorial ambition form.

He said: “For me, we had always suspected that the Speaker of the House of Representatives was in name a PDP member but in action, an opposition party member.

“And so, what has happened today is a culmination of what we had always suspected and I do expect that being an honourable member which he is, I will also expect that as a man of integrity, he knows the right thing to do that he was elected on the platform of PDP and today he has defected to the opposition and there is no crisis or division in PDP, so the law is very clear and the constitution is very clear.

“I want to wish Alhaji Tambuwal well in his new party and also urge him to do the needful which is obeying the rule of law and I don’t need to speak more than that.”

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Wednesday, October 29, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Imposition of candidates kills credible elections –Kukah

Gloria Usman ABUJA

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he Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, yesterday said imposition of candidates by godfathers and incumbents affects the polity and kills credible elections.

The cleric, who stated this at the National Stakeholders’ Forum on Elections organised by the Civil Society Situation Room with the theme ‘Achieving the Implementation of Credible 2015 General Elections’ in Abuja, further submitted that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, cannot bring about credible elections in Nigeria.

Bishop Kukah, who was the chairman of the forum, also noted that the nation has not undergone any form of transition of any surgical quality that would have enabled the engine of democracy move with appreciable speed.

He queried why public officers were not banned from going straight from their desks to campaign trail.

“We have not developed a culture of succession. This is why we have a system of government by the corrosive poison of anointing a

Kukah

strategy that merely seeks to perpetuate a culture of the domestication of rent seeking.

“Presidents, governors are all determined to install their own favourite or their godson and daughters as we see in the land. By forcing candidates, sitting presidents or governors simply heat up the system and frustrate outcomes in elections by contriving outcomes.

“Credibility of electoral processes is clearly a combination of many factors.

The rules of engagement, the extent to which the actors understand the rules and are prepared to play by them, the institutions and those who manage the institutions, the observers and so on, all must have a common spelling credibility.

“INEC cannot bring about credible elections in Nigeria if Nigerians do not want credible elections. If Nigerians want credible elections, INEC cannot stop them. Only Nigerians who have sown the seeds of credibility can benefit from a credible election,” Kukah stated.

Earlier in his keynote address, the INEC chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega, admitted that the electoral body alone cannot bring about a credible election, adding however that the commission is fully prepared for the 2015 general elections.

On the readiness of the electoral body, Jega stated that INEC had created a new and updated voter register as against what was used in 2011.

L-R: Mr. Steve Odjugo; President, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Mr. Bola Temowo; former president, Mrs. Oluseyi Ifaturoti; DirectorGeneral, Mr. Kola Ahmed; Managing Director, Nigeria Re/Deputy President, CIIN, Lady Isioma Chukwuma; former president, Mr. Sunny Adeda, and Rector, College of Insurance and Financial Management, Dr. (Mrs.) Yeside Adetayo, during the burial ceremony of Pa Mike Okolie, the father of Lady Chukwuma, in Asaba, Delta State, recently.

Kwankwaso joins presidential race

Adeola Tukuru ABUJA

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overnor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, yesterday joined the 2015 presidential race on the platform of the All Progressive Congress, APC. While making his declaration at the old parade ground in Abuja, he lamented that the cheap money from oil and gas sector, which Nigeria depends on, was being threatened by many factors.

According to him, these would affect the diversification of energy sources by the major energy-consuming nations, the crashing of the price of oil in the international market, the organised oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism, and the finiteness of the resource.

“We must go beyond the politics of resource control and plan the future of this

country carefully and intelligently. That future cannot be built around a finite resource.

“It must be built around resources that are limitless such as education and agriculture. Let us work together to harness these limitless resources to build a peaceful, united, prosperous and egalitarian society,” he warned.

Kwankwaso said his first priority in the country is to restore peace and security in every corner of the land, adding that lives and properties of our citizens must be protected and secured.

“Boko Haram and all forms of insurgency must be defeated. As a government, we cannot afford to live in denial. Insecurity is escalating at an alarming rate.

“Little wonder rag-tag insurgents are taking over cities and towns in the Northeast. My experiences

as Nigeria’s Defence Minister and as Special Adviser in war-torn Darfur and Somalia showed me that securing a nation and fighting and defeating armed insurgents is only achievable if the forces are professionally mobilised, highly spirited, and well armed with intelligence and munitions.

“My experiences have shown me that technology must be deployed in addition to mobilising and cultivating the support of local communities. Cross-border intelligence is a veritable ingredient necessary to defeat armed insurgents. Relegating the welfare of the Armed Forces and the Nigeria Police to the background only helps in compounding the phenomenon.

“And where low morals meet poor quality equipment, no doubt the insurgents would have an edge.

Any responsible government must take these issues seriously if protection of

Senators to raise N20m for B’Haram victims George Oji ABUJA

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enators yesterday resolved to task themselves to raise the sum of N20 million to support displaced persons and victims of Boko Haram activities in the northeastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.

The lawmakers also resolved to urge the Federal Government to call the attention of the international community, particularly the United Nations Commission for Refugees to the humanitarian crisis in the zone with a view to raising support for the affected persons.

The senators further urged the federal and state governments to redouble their efforts in bringing relief to the affected areas.

The lawmakers came up with these measures following a motion sponsored by the deputy senate leader, Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) on the sorry state of the internally displaced persons from the zone.

In his lead presentation, Ningi noted that there are about two million displaced persons from the activities of the Boko Haram from the area, who are scattered all over the country, including Cameroon, Chad and

Niger.

He regretted that the people who have been taken over by the Boko Haram have no place to go, stressing that, “For us from the northeast, election is secondary; what is primary and important to us is the security of lives and property.”

According to him, the three major towns of Borno, including Boza, Bama and Gwazo were all in the grip of Boko Haram.

The lawmaker wondered why the international community has been unperturbed in responding to the needs of the Nigerian displaced peoples given the commission’s roles in crisis

ridden countries such as Yemen, Afghanistan, Somalia, Syria, and Iraq.

Senate leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, described the situation in the northeast as one between death and the deep blue sea, noting that the best humanity could do for the people is to ameliorate their situation.

Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South) disclosed that nine local government councils of Borno State were currently under the control of Boko Haram and that people displaced from those council areas were over one million.

He contended that the people were not only dis-

placed but were in disarray and regretted that there was no coordinated and clear government arrangement to cater for these persons.

Senator Eta Enang (Akwa Ibom northeast) expressed concerns that everywhere the displaced people found themselves, they are treated with suspicion and looked down upon.

He suggested the establishment of a special committee of the senate on displaced persons, the making of a special budget for internally displaced persons as well as all senators committing to making personal donations for the displaced per-

life and property of its citizens is its primary responsibility,” he said.

Also at the event, River State governor and the factional Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Rotimi Amaechi, urged Nigerians supporting the APC to guard their votes judiciously, noting that this is the only way to vote out the ruling party.

He also called on supporters to turn out en masse and vote for the APC, saying positive change is possible. “Change, progressive change, is doable. And we are the agents of this change,” he stated.

Former PDP chairman, Chief Audu Ogbe, while rallying support for Kwankwaso said he is the president Nigerians needs, adding that Kwankwaso is in the best position with his experience as the former minister of Defense to stop the current insurgency facing the country.

sons.

Senate President David Mark in short closing remarks reiterated that the country is in a war situation because of the activities of Boko Haram and noted that as in all such situations, the country ought to make provisions for displaced persons.

He wondered why the National Commission for Refugees and the National Commission for Rehabilitation have not been up to their statutory responsibilities in catering for the internally displaced persons, stating that it is only when this was done that the international community could cue into what we are doing locally.

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National News

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

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Aspirants set to sue PDP over nomination forms Obiora Ifoh ABUJA

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L-R: Director, Office of the Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Jonathan Juma; Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Jonah Otunla and President, Association of National Accountants of Nigeria, ANAN, Alhaji Sakirudeen Labode, during the 19th annual conference of ANAN; in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Boko Haram kills 3 persons, torch police station • Jonathan meets security chiefs Rotimi Fadeyi and Inusa Ndahi

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unmen suspected to be Boko Haram terrorists on Monday invaded Kukawa, Borno State, killing three pesons, setting ablaze a police station, government lodge and other public buildings, as well as over 250 vehicles.

A resident of the town, Mallam Abor Kanembu, said the insurgents stormed the town in several Hilux vehicles and motorcycles, and moved straight to the police station, shooting sporadically, and targeting residents using rocket launchers and AK-47 rifles.

He said: “The insurgents razed down the Kukawa divisional police station and some public buildings in the town. I cannot tell the casualty figure because we had to flee the town in fear of our lives.”

Another resident of the town Mohammed Mafindi said the insurgents killed three civilians and burnt down the police station,

houses and other public buildings, including a clinic and vehicles of an oil exploration company in the Basin.

He said the incident occurred between 4:00am and 10.00am on Monday, which led people to flee the town after people were killed and over 200 houses and vehicles burnt.

“The attack was a reprisal to an earlier attack by the policemen who were on a routine patrol in the area, in which they opened fire on the insurgents.

“The insurgents immediately retaliated by killing two policemen, abducted two others, while two escaped into the bush,” Mafindi stated.

Confirming the incident, the caretaker chairman of Kukawa local government area, Alhaji Modu Musa, said the insurgents invaded the town, killing many people and burnt down the whole town, including dozens of vehicles.

Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday evening met security

chiefs at the Presidential Villa on the security situation in the country.

The meeting was held shortly after the president returned from Kaduna where he inaugurated the new government house complex.

At the end of the meeting, security chiefs declined to speak on issues discussed.

However, it was gathered that the meeting discussed the issue of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls who are still being held since April 14, as well as negotiations with the insurgents on the release of the girls.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, confirmed to State House correspondents that the issue of the release of the Chibok girls came up at the meeting.

According to him, negotiation on the ceasefire agreement with the Boko Haram sect was still on-going.

The Federal Govern-

ment had last week announced that it had reached a ceasefire agreement with the insurgents, and that the over 200 schoolgirls would be released.

But the sect reneged on the agreement when the group launched a fresh attack in Borno State. The sect also abducted 30 teenagers.

Acting Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, who was also at the meeting, declined to speak on issues discussed.

Asked on update on the search for police officers that were missing after their Gwoza training school base was attacked

by Boko Haram, Abba said 30 of the officers were still missing.

Abba, IGP

ttempts by contenders for President Goodluck Jonathan’s sole candidacy on the platform of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, to purchase the nomination and expression of intent forms was botched yesterday as they said the party told them the forms were either not ready or reserved solely for Jonathan.

Two presidential aspirants who have sworn to approach the courts are the son of former prime minister of Nigeria, Dr. Abdul Jahil Tafawa-Balewa and wife of the late winner of the June 12 presidential election, Chief Moshood Abiola, Akasoba Zainab Abiola.

They disclosed this after their unsuccessful bid to secure the forms at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja yesterday.

Tafawa-Balewa stated that the party told him that the forms were not ready and asked him to return on Thursday, while Zainab Abiola, on her part, disclosed that she was told that only one set of presidential forms were printed, supposedly for President Jonathan.

Thursday is the last day for purchase of forms in the party.

The attempt by the two presidential aspirants to pick the forms was in opposition to the sole candidacy of Jonathan declared by National Executive Committee, NEC. The PDP national leadership had also instructed all party members to abide by the endorsement.

But speaking with journalists, Tafawa-Balewa said the National Secretary of the party, Uche Secondus and National Organ-

ising Secretary, Abubakar Mustapha, told him that the forms were not ready.

He stated that it was worrisome that the two forms were not ready.

Tafawa-Balewa, who disclosed that he paid the required N22m, displaying a Zenith Bank teller with account number 1012436478 to that effect, said: “I have paid for my forms.

“I was however told that they don’t have the forms ready. No matter, I am still here. I will send some of my people here to come and pick the form.”

Reacting to the endorsement by PDP for Jonathan, he added: “I think those who endorsed the president are a body, and the body has organs. These organs are little parts of the body.

“I am appealing to the body polity, and I am going to run. Those organs do not always represent the masses that follow my part.”

He denied insinuations that he was ‘sent’ to obstruct Jonathan’s emergence.

On her part, Abiola, who disclosed that she paid for the form at Diamond Bank, stated that when she approached the leadership of the party to collect the forms, she was told that only one set of the forms was printed.

Brandishing the teller from the bank, she threatened to go to court over the matter if equity and justice was not served her.

She stated that after meeting the national chairman, Adamu Mu’azu and the national organising secretary, “they said to me they have printed just one nomination form. They told me they were reserving it for the president.”

UNICEF laments high rate of children without birth certificates Franka Osakwe

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ajority of under-five children in Nigeria have missed out on basic healthcare benefits due to non-birth registration, the United Nations, Children’s Education Fund, UNICÈF, has disclosed.

According to the 2013 Demographic Health Survey, about 43 per cent of under-five (U-5) children

are unregistered.

UNICEF Child Protection specialist, Sharon Oladiji, stated this during a workshop on birth registration organised by the National Population Commission, NPC, in collaboration with UNICEF in Kaduna yesterday.

She said birth registration was necessary for health intervention measures such as Community Management of Acute Malnutrition, CMAM, in some communities.

For instance, she explained that in CMAM, measuring the severity of malnourishment and determining the adequate health intervention measure is determined by the age of a child.

To her, verifying the precise age of a child remains a major challenge due to non-registration of births of many of them.

“The age cohort of children eligible to access health care services in CMAM sites is

six months to five years.

Many of these children are poor, live in rural areas, and have limited access to health care and education services”, she said.

Oladiji added that many children in rural areas are born without the support of a health professional or midwife, and hence the lack of birth certificates.

“These children are denied their right to some health and educational benefits. They are not in-

cluded in planning process because they simply do not exist,” she said.

In his keynote address, the Chairman, National Population Commission, Duruiheoma Eze, also lamented the low percentage of birth registration, attributing it to ignorance of mothers and caregivers on the importance of registering the birth of their newborns.

He noted that the problem is compounded by the fact that three in ev-

ery five births (62 per cent of all births) occur at home.

“Also, reliable statistics and information on death registration is difficult to come by in Nigeria. Birth and death registration coverage of hard-to-reach areas in the northern part of the country remain persistently low.

“This is due to lack of adequate public awareness on the importance of birth registration,” he said.

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South West

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Lagos directs LG chairmen, councillors to vacate offices

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he Lagos State Government yesterday directed all local government chairmen and councillors to vacate their offices immediately, following the expiration of their

tenure.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the chairmen and councilors’ three-year tenure expired yesterday.

A statement issued by

the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Aderemi Ibirogba, directed the elected officers to hand over all the property of the councils in their care to managers.

The statement also directed the chairmen to coordinate the handing over in their respective council areas.

It said that elected officials would occupy the

offices after the next local government election in the state.

The statement said the election would hold on completion of the on-going voter registration, ward

re-delineation and polling booth re-distribution by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. Lagos State has 20 local governments and 37 local council development areas.

Ogun targets N10bn revenue FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

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Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola (middle) switching on the 11.8KM public lighting along Murtala Mohammed Way, Yaba, at on Monday. INSET: The lighting on the street.

Strike looms in NAFDAC over pay EBERE NDUKWU

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strike looms at the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, as its workers have threatened to embark on an indefinite industrial action if their entitlements and other demands were not paid in the next seven days.

This was the resolution of a congress of the NAFDAC workers union in all the 36 states of the fed-

eration, the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, MHWUN, which took place at NAFDAC office in |Lagos on October 27.

According to the communiqué issued at the end of the marathon meeting signed by the secretary of the union, Comrade Anzaku Peter Joseph, the congress demanded an immediate upward review of Job Specific Allowance by National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission within one week, or members would

embark on an indefinite strike.

Other demands by the congress of MHWUN included the immediate implementation of skipping of NAFDAC workers which was stopped in 2010 and a reversion to CONRAISS salary structure, as directed by the extant circular, HCSF/EPO/ EIR/63755/T1/192 on November 4, 2014, based on National Industrial Court judgement in favour of Joint Health Sector Union, JOHESU. The congress, which

also frowned at the nonpayment of eight months pension arrears from May to December 2012 for 2012 set of NAFDAC employees, demanded that NAFDAC management should make full payment of the said arrears into Pension Fund Administrators’ accounts within one week.

The workers lamented the non- availability of funds for GMPs, training, workshops and conferences (both domestic and foreign).

Money Laundering: Court adjourns Fani-Kayode’s trial WALE IGBINTADE

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federal High Court in Lagos yesterday adjourned till November 11, the suit filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, against a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode.

Fani-Kayode is standing trial on an amended 40-count charge bordering on money laundering, be-

fore the court.

At the resumed hearing of the suit, the court registrars merely informed parties that the suit had been slated for a further date.

During the trial, EFCC had called six witnesses, including an investigating police officer, bank legal officer, relationship officer, and a former aide to Fani-Kayode.

All the witnesses had given various testimonies

as to their relationship with the accused, as well as the manner of investigations conducted on him.

The EFCC closed its case on July 10, while counsel to the accused, Mr. Wale Akoni, SAN, informed the court of his intention to file an application for a no case submission on behalf of the accused.

The judge had then adjourned the case to take addresses from counsels.

Fani-Kayode was first arraigned sometime in December 2008 before Justice Ramat Mohammed on a 47-count charge.

He had pleaded not guilty to the charge and Justice Mohammed granted him bail in the sum of N200m, with two sureties in like sum.

He was re-arraigned before Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako, following the transfer of Mohammed from the Lagos Division.

gun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, yesterday said the state would need a minimum of N10bn from Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, to enable it meet recurrent expenditure in the 2015 fiscal year.

He made this known in Abeokuta during a stakeholders’ meeting to collate their input into the preparation of the year 2015 budget, saying the expected IGR was predicated on increasing shortfall in federal allocation.

According to him, the state’s wage bill deficit as at October this year stood at N5.8bn, excluding the year 2014 and 2015 end-ofyear bonuses.

The governor stated that if the targeted IGR was achieved, it would assist the government to meet all its obligations without having to wait for the dwindling federal allocation.

He also promised that the IGR would be pursued

in such a way that does not hurt the citizens adversely.

In his speech at a town hall meeting held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, the governor said: “Today’s town hall meeting is another demonstration in that direction.”

He added: “The essence is to enable us to jointly define our priorities and collectively articulate our development agenda for the 2015 financial year.

“At this point, let me assure all stakeholders that we will continue to foster healthy partnership and ensure that our people are involved in the implementation of our programmes, knowing full well that, in the final analysis, we are accountable to the people.

Gov. Amosun

FAAN begins work on car park OLUSEGUN KOIKI

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he Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, has commenced construction work on the multi-storey car park situated at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos.

The agency said that, on completion, the car park would accommodate about 5,000 cars.

An on-line statement by the spokesman of the agency, Mr. Yakubu Dati, stated that the park occupies a 9,000 square meter land area within the airport.

Dati emphasised that the construction of the park was necessitated by the need to minimise the inconvenience experienced by airport users as a result of inadequate parking space at the airport.

He added that the proximity of the new park to the international terminal would make transportation easier for passengers.

Meanwhile, FAAN has said that the Managing Director of Caverton Helicopters, Capt. Josiah Choms, has expressed his delight over the contributions of the agency towards the development and remodeling of airports in the the country.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

9

Baker docked for killing guest with poison BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

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L-R: Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Barr. Taiwo Adeoluwa; Governor Ibikunle Amosun; Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Oluwande Muoyo, and Commissioner for Finance, Kemi Adeosun, during a town hall meeting on the 2015 budget in Abeokuta, yesterday.

Fashola commissions 11.8km streetlights

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overnor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State on Monday evening switched on an 11.8 kilometre stretch of public lighting spanning Ikorodu Road to Iddo via Jibowu and Murtala Mohammed Way, Yaba even as he appealed to residents to take ownership of the asset.

The project, which consists of 11.8 kilometres of public lighting, is broken into two sections with a section consisting of 1.2 kilometres from Ikorodu Road to Jibowu while the second consists of 10.6 kilometres on Murtala Mohammed Way (from Jibowu to Iddo). It brings to a total of 410 kilometres of roads so far lit up in the city by the government in the last three years.

Shortly after performing the ceremony, Fashola also appealed to motorists who ply the roads to obey the state’s traffic laws, especially not driving against traffic as this not only endangers their lives but also those of other road users.

The governor, who said the switching on ceremony marked the end of the construction work in the area, added however that it also marks the commencement of maintenance works to make sure that the road stays in good state of repair.

He appealed particularly to communities around the project area including churches, schools, railway compound as well as others who pass through the roads to treat the infra-

structure as a public asset adding, “It belongs to you”.

Aside providing jobs for a total of 89 people made up of 56 technicians, 12 painters, 10 welders, eight engineers and three supervisors, the project has increased the amount of functioning public lighting within the state to 410 kilometres while it signifies government’s continued commitment to light up the city ‘Pole to Pole’.

Other major highways that have benefited from the Public Lighting project in the last three years include Gbagada Expressway, Carter Bridge, Iju Road, Ahmadu Bello Way, Marina Road (Badagry) and Alhaji Masha (Surulere), among others.

Earlier, in her welcome

address, the General Manager of Lagos State Electricity Board, Mrs. Damilola Ogunbiyi, thanked the governor and the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure as well as the state’s Electricity Board for their roles in bringing the project to a successful close, adding that the lighting has connected Ikorodu Road all the way to Iddo.

Conduct bureau petitioned over Ekiti speaker’s petrol station ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

Gov. Fashola

Obasanjo’s kinsmen back Jonathan’s re-election FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

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housands of kinsmen of former President Olusegun Obasanjo from Owu Kingdom of Abeokuta, yesterday, threw their weight behind the 2015 re-election bid of President Goodluck Jonathan, whom they said means well for the country.

Obasanjo’s kinsmen, who organised themselves under the aegis of Owu Group for Better Nigeria, OGBN, said their decision to support Jonathan’s reelection was because of his humility and courage in consulting with ordi-

nary citizens.

Rising from a meeting of the group in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, leader of the group and former member of the state House of Assembly, Johnson OluFatoki, told journalists his group had noted with keen interest that President Jonathan had, within the past three years of steering the affairs of the country, planted the seeds of progress that would guarantee improved standard of living of Nigerians.

Fatoki further stated that the group’s position was because the president has improved the nation’s economy which is also re-

flected in the recent World Bank report that rated Nigerian economy as one of the world’s best 10 and leading economy in Africa.

Emphasising that Owu sons and daughters at home and in diaspora were in tandem with the decision, the group explained that it has supported the president in his political career before now, particularly in 2006 when he was contesting the Bayelsa State governorship seat which he won.

Noting that Jonathan remains one of them since he holds the chieftaincy title of Obateru of Owu Kingdom, Fatoki explained that the group was excited when

baker, Taofeek Adeyemo, has been dragged before an Ile-Ife Chief Magistrates, Court for allegedly poisoning the drink of a guest at public function with herbicide.

Addressing the court, the police prosecutor, Sgt Christian Olajide, explained that the accused committed the offence between September 24 and October 1, 2014 at Ita-Osa area of Ile-Ife, Osun State.

He also alleged that the accused unlawfully killed one Lukman Oyemola by mixing herbicide in local gin called “Pakurumo” which the deceased took and died.

He added that the offence was contrary to and punishable under section 319 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 vol 11, Laws of Osun, 2003.

While under interrogation, the accused was said to have owned up to the offence and explained that he did not intentionally kill the deceased. He said he intended adding

the poison to the drink of a colleague, who he said always cheated him and received preferential treatment from their boss.

“I thought I would get him at the naming ceremony party we attended, that was the why I put the chemical inside the Pakurumo container on his table with the hope that he would take it.

“I bought the chemical over a year ago and had been looking for means to take the life of my colleague with it, but it was a pity that another person took the poison when I went to dance,” Adeyemo narrated.

The presiding magistrate, Risikat Olayemi, did not take the plea of the accused, saying the court lacks jurisdiction to hear murder case.

Olayemi ordered the prosecutor to forward the case file to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions so the case could be filed at the appropriate court and ordered the accused remanded in Ilesa prison custody till November 20 when the matter would come up again.

the president declared his intention and readiness to contest next year’s presidential election.

He also affirmed that Obasanjo remains a strong member and leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, whose influence could not be quantified, adding, “he is a true Owu son and high chief ”.

Fatoki, who spoke with journalists after the meeting said inasmuch as Obasanjo remains a leader of the party, it was imperative his kinsmen should follow his footsteps and support the second term bid of the incumbent President.

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group in Ekiti State, the Coalition of Democracy Vanguards, has petitioned the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB, urging it to investigate the ownership of a petrol station in AdoEkiti by the Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Dr Adewale Omirin.

The group said that following the speaker’s declaration of ownership of the station, he ought to be arrested and prosecuted for allegedly breaching his oath of office.

In the petition to the CCB Office in Ado-Ekiti dated October 27 and signed by its president, Mr Femi Omoyajowo, and secretary, Hon Bolu Alabi, the group alleged that for Omirin to have claimed ownership of the T.FIVE Integrated Petrol Station in Ado-Ekiti, he contra-

vened the oath he took on August 6, 2011, when he was elected Speaker.

Omirin had last week accused the governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, of persecuting him by sealing his petrol station alongside others for allegedly contravening environmental laws, saying the station observed all necessary establishment laws and regulations.

It would be recalled that about five petrol stations constructed within residential buildings and near public educational institutions, which the state government said breached environmental laws and constituted threat to lives and property in case of fire outbreak were sealed off last week.

The group urged CCB to carry out unfettered investigations to test the veracity of the speaker’s ownership claim on the petrol station.

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South East

Okorocha approves N400m for hospital completion CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

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mo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, yesterday said his administration has approved the release of N400 million for the immediate completion of structures at the Imo State University Teaching Hospital, IMSUTH, Orlu.

He also warned the contractors handling the projects to expedite action on them for commissioning within the next three weeks.

Okorocha gave the order during his inspection visit to the Nursing department of the institution.

He decried the infrastructural decay in the hospital, attributing it to shoddy work by the contractors.

He said his efforts in the past to complete the projects proved abortive due to the attitude of contractors who continually seek variations, regretting that it has not only delayed the completion of the projects but also deprived the students conducive learning environment.

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

2015: Waiver to Agbaso may spark crisis —Stakeholders ...as 15 aspirants collect guber forms CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

Gov. Okorocha

The governor hoped that with the release of the balance sum on variation, the contractors would have no reason to delay completion of their job, while he warned that government will not spare anyone who dares default the order.

He used the occasion to offset over N200,000 medical bill of one Mrs. Chinwendu Iwu from Nwangele who had surgical operation at the Teaching Hospital but could not afford to pay.

Mrs. Iwu who could not hold back the tears of joy thanked the governor for his magnanimity and prayed God to bless him continually and help him complete his good works in the state.

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he waiver granted a former leader of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in Imo State, Chief Martin Agbaso, last week, by the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, allowing him to aspire to any position, including governorship in the 2015 general elections, has been described as a keg of gun powder that may rock the party.

Agbaso was readmitted into the party during his declaration for PDP in Owerri last Saturday after more than eight years in the opposition camp.

In a mixed reaction, some stakeholders in the party who commented on

the waiver to Agbaso, said it should be approached with caution as the move may turn out to be very volatile considering the number of aspirants that had indicated to contest for the seat on the platform of the party before the return of the APGA chieftain.

The PDP National ViceChairman, South-East, Austin Akobundu, had during Agbaso’s re-admittance into PDP, condemned him for quitting PDP initially to pitch tent with APGA and the incumbent Governor Rochas Okorocha, which led to the defeat of PDP in the Imo governorship election in 2011.

But the PDP acting publicity secretary in the state, Mr. Eyinnaya Onuegbu, said granting the former APGA chieftain waiver

was the norm and allowed for in the party guidelines.

“We at the state level only recommended, the National gave the waiver,” he said.

According to him, before Agbaso was readmitted the leadership had ensured that he had registered in his ward before granting him waiver.

He disclosed that the APGA chieftain would contest the primaries like other aspirants, adding that “there will be no preferential treatment and no anointed candidate; he will contest the primaries with other aspirants in a free and fair atmosphere.”

He said the step taken by the NWC did not mean conceding the position to Agbaso who he said has the right to aspire having been

reconciled with the party leadership.

However, one of the stakeholders from Orlu zone, Nze Austin Iwuoha said: “If Agbaso is given ticket for governorship as part of the agreement with the party leadership, the PDP will misfire but if he is going to senate it will be a different ball game.”

He disclosed that there should have been extensive consultation with stakeholders of the PDP in Imo State “because people have been managing the party for the past eight years Chief Agbaso left the PDP.” He advised against the imposition of any aspirant on the people, adding that if the PDP failed to conduct transparent primaries it would result to APC taking over in the state in 2015.

‘Rapid Response Squad’ll strengthen security in Abia’

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he Abia State Commissioner of Police, Mr Ibrahim Adamu, yesterday said the inauguration of a Rapid Response Squad is aimed at strengthening security in the state.

Adamu said this while addressing policemen during the squad’s inauguration at the premises of the Mobile Police Force Squadron 55, in Osisioma, Ngwa Local Government Area.

The police boss said given the manner of conception of the plan to set up the squad, he was sure the squad would work to strengthen security of lives and property.

“The squad came up to ensure that we improve on championing peace and security in the command, as we must rise up to address the security challenges, especially in Aba. This is why we feel there should be a matching squad that can withstand any group of criminals or any form of crime within the command.

“I am sure that the response time will be the shortest possible one to any distress call.”

On the composition of the squad, he said “coupled with what is on ground now, I have confidence in the squad.

“I am sure that crime will soon become a thing of the past in Aba. I assure the squad of all the assistance it will need to ensure that it functions effectively.”

Adamu disclosed that the command had provided a brand new Hillux van and some crime-fighting equipment for the squad to start its operations in earnest.

Also, the Squadron 55 Commander, CSP Wilson Dankwano, at the inauguration said the idea of establishing the squad was a laudable one.

He said the two weeks of rigorous training for members of the squad had impacted positively on their ability to fight crime with a great measure of success.

L-R: Vice Chairman, South East, All Progressives Grand Alliance, Hon. Uchenna Okogbuo; National Financial Secretary, Alhaji Habib Gajo and Abia State governorship aspirant, Sir Chikwe Udensi, during his collection of expression of the nomination form in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Awgu LG boss served impeachment notice DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

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ix out of 11 councillors of Awgu legislative council, Enugu State, have directed Clerk of the House to serve impeachment notice on the council chairman, Mr. Matthias Nnanna Nze. The councillors alleged that Nze rules with impunity over his subjects and had made himself incommunicado for them and their people of Awgu local

government.

They also alleged that the council chairman used thugs to disrupt the sitting of the house and inflicted body damage on the councillors.

In their sitting yesterday at the council chamber presided over by their leader, Hon. Solomon Okolo, representing Isuawa/Adukwu/ Agbudu ward, the councillors ratified and sustained the previous suspension of three members of the legislature; Kingsley Okelu,

Emeka Oji and Ugochukwu Akpa for alleged acts of insubordination and atrocities against the house.

The Majority leader, Michael Kelle, in moving a motion of urgent importance said they have officially served the council chairman, Nze, with notice of impeachment through the secretary of the local government, Mr. Bath Obasi.

Kelle said the offenses for impeachment of Nze include high handedness, and other acts that he said made

Nze become an enigma.

“All efforts to get him to discuss issues of the local government have proved abortive. I therefore move that he be impeached. We also direct the house to write the appropriate authority to set up impeachment panel in order to ensure that due process of the law is followed,” Kelle moved.

The impeachment motion was seconded by Hon. Onuoha Chukwuagozie of Ugbo\Amoli\Ogugwu\Owelle ward.

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South South

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

11

Police abort APC protest in Delta ...as party seeks cancellation of results THEOPHILUS ONOJEGHEN WARRI

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he police in Delta State yesterday aborted a planned protest by some members of All Progressives

Congress, APC, in Isoko North local government area, following the declaration of results of last Saturday’s council poll in the state.

Despite the thwarting of the protest, the party

called on the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission, DSIEC, to cancel the election as it claimed the poll did not take place in the area.

The police, however, cited security reasons for

its action.

Thousands of APC members had, as early as 7.00am yesterday, besieged the party’s secretariat situated at UghelliOzoro road, with placards bearing different inscrip-

tions, denouncing the conduct of the election which they described as a charade that never took place.

Isoko North APC Chairman, Sir Godwin Diwanbor, alleged that a woman lost her pregnancy when some of his party members were beaten up by thugs allegedly said to be loyal to a member of the National Assembly from the area.

“The planned protest around Ozoro is a reaction to the local government election that took place a day before yesterday, and to let the govern-

ment, both federal and state and every authority, know that we are not happy, and that we reject the election results.

“Any result whatsoever is rejected because of thuggery and the use of arms, shooting; the use of police and the army to beat up and even to abduct people,” Diwanbor stated.

The APC chairman submitted: “In some areas, there were no results sheets. In Okpe-Isoko, it was overwhelming that the APC was going to win the place, but the returning officer ran away with the result sheets.

I never aimed to be governor — Dickson OSAHON JULIUS YENAGOA

L-R: Director-General, Industrial Training Fund, Dr. (Mrs.) Juliet Chukkas-Onaeko; Director, Procurement, Mr. Dickson Onuoha, and Port Harcourt Area Manager, Mr. A. B. Ogaji, during an interactive breakfast meeting of stakeholders in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, yesterday.

Oil spill: Shell ordered to pay communities N75m OSAHON JULIUS YENAGOA

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hell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, has been directed to pay N75m to the 22 communities affected by the Adibawa East Buckline oil spill of May 2013.

The decision was reached by stakeholders of the environment after a joint investigation visit to the venues of the oil spill at Kalaba community in Okordia clan in Yenagoa local government area of Bayelsa State.

State Commissioner

for Environment, Iniruo Wills, had invited the oil giant and the affected communities to several meetings following the series of petition written to the ministry by the impacted communities, who said SPDC had refused to reach a compromise on compensation for them.

The commissioner, after through study and investigation, had advised Shell to pay the N75m, as against the claim of N250m demanded as compensation for the spill.

However, Shell called for another joint investi-

gation visit with stakeholders drawn from the state ministry of environment, the National Oil Spill Detection and Regulatory Agency, NOSDRA, the Directorate of Petroleum Resources, DPR, representatives of the state ministry of mineral resources, the company and impacted communities, as well as the police, who visited the site of the spill.

The assessment team also came up with the same amount of N75m the commissioner had asked SPDC to pay to the

communities at an earlier meeting held at the ministry of environment.

After the latest meeting held on Monday, the leader of the SPDC team, Dele Orobona, said the company, as a group, believed in ‘procedural approach’ in addressing issues.

He said he would brief the management of SPDC in Port-Harcourt on the outcome of the meeting.

Also speaking at the meeting, the commissioner for environment expressed concern over the plight of the impacted communities.

Graft debate: CLO offers platform for Amaechi, Wike DENNIS NAKU

PORT HARCOURT

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he Civil Liberties Organisation, CLO, yesterday said that it was prepared to offer its platform for a debate on corruption between Governor Chibuike Amaechi and the

immediate past minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike.

The two political leaders have been trading allegations and name-calling on corruption, with each calling for a public debate.

To this effect, the CLO said in a statement signed by its Publicity/Research

Secretary, Livingstone Wechie, that it was providing a platform for Amaechi and Wike to clarify the counter allegations they made in the course of political confrontations since last year.

The statement said the body was offering to organise the debate following

last weekend’s outburst between the duo, bordering on allegations of corrupt enrichment.

The CLO, therefore, suggested the Obi Wali’s International Civic Centre, or the Alfred Diete Spiff Civic Centre, or any other venue most suitable for both politicians.

G

overnor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has said that he never nursed any ambition to rule the state.

He said it was the stakeholders in the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, that choose him to run as governor in 2012.

Dickson, who was speaking during the 66th birthday and unveiling of ‘Ody-ssey’, a biography of the of the state PDP Chairman, Col. Samuel Inokoba (retd), said the PDP chairman was among those who supported his candidature by sacrificing his own ambition.

“Initially, when the group decided that I have to run, because I didn’t have any ambition to be a governor particularly at that time; if Col Inokoba was like other people who place personal interest above all, he wouldn’t have joined us, because he was one of the earliest people who sought and pursued to govern this state as a governor,” he said.

Dickson described the state party chairman as a God-fearing and committed patriot, as well as a pillar of his administration.

He stressed that his leadership as the party chairman in the state had brought decorum and stability, commending Inokoba for resisting the temp-

tation to create disunity and crisis in the ruling party, as in the recent past.

The Bayelsa governor, who led some eminent personalities to extol the leadership qualities of the state chairman, called on politicians to emulate Inokoba’s brand of politics of non-violence and consensus-building.

He also described the celebrant as a true statesman who had contributed immensely to stabilising the party in the state.

The governor observed that Bayelsa politics was characterised by treachery, disloyalty and ‘pullhim-down syndrome’ prior to the emergence of the present administration.

He urged the political class to shun acts capable of causing chaos in the state and factionalising the PDP because of the ‘strategic stake’ Bayelsa holds in the party.

Gov. Dickson

12

North

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Geidam to monitor aides’ input in projects INUSA NDAHI DAMATURU

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overnor Ibrahim Geidam of Yobe State yesterday vowed to monitor the activities of Special Advisers and Permanent Secretaries in assessing the implementation of projects and programmes that could raise the living standard of people in rural and urban centres of the state.

The monitoring, according to the governor, has become inevitable to ensure that the “dividends of democracy” and other service deliveries reach the doorsteps of people at the grassroots.

The governor made the pledge while swearing in seven special advisers and a permanent secretary at the Government House, WAWA hall, Damaturu.

His words: “Your appointments today into government were based on your individual merit, wealth of experience, integrity, and acceptance by the people to serve them with improved service deliveries along with the dividends of democracy at all levels.

“This administration deserves greater efforts from you all and has every right to expect substantial improvement in the services that you will provide to the good people of Yobe.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

2015: PDP must win Kaduna — Jonathan ROTIMI FADEYI AND A ZA MSUE

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resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, must win in Kaduna State in the 2015 elections, stressing that the party cannot afford to lose the state.

Jonathan said the state was strategic as it represents the political headquarters in the northern region of the country while also ap-

pealing for peaceful coexistence in the state.

He stated that as the 2015 elections draws nearer; the country could not afford to witness the violence that occurred in the state in 2011.

Jonathan, who was in the state to inaugurate the N9.6 billion new Government House complex while meeting with leaders of the party, urged them to work harder for the party to be able to record victory in the state.

The state governor,

L-R: Bauchi State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Sagir Saleh; new Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Mahmud Maijama’a taking oath of office before Governor Isa Yuguda in Bauchi on Monday.

PHOTO: NAN

Murktar Yero, and the party leaders in the state pledged their support for the current administration, stressing that people of the state would vote massively for PDP in next year’s general elections.

Jonathan also met with the Kaduna State Council of Traditional Rulers where he also appealed for peace in the state.

He pleaded with the traditional rulers to continue to talk to their subjects on the need for peaceful co-existence in the state.

Responding on behalf of the monarchs, the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, promised that the traditional institution would cooperate with security agents to ensure the security of lives and property in the state.

While pledging the support of traditional rulers in the state for the present administration, he appealed for the inclusion in the constitution of clear role for traditional rulers in the three tiers of government.

Earlier, while inaugurating the Government House complex, Jonathan noted that the state has witnessed progress and development for the benefit of the people.

He commended Yero

Jonathan

for the completion of the complex and many similar projects in the state.

The president noted that the governor has sufficiently demonstrated his belief in continuity, which he said was imperative for sustainable development.

Jonathan noted that his government has made provision of critical infrastructure as a centerpiece in its transformation agenda programme, stressing that the Federal Government has initiated and executed various developmental projects across the country.

He noted that Kaduna is a major beneficiary in the efforts of government to bring development to the people.

Speaking earlier, Yero said that the government house complex project was initiated and awarded in 2008 by Vice President Namadi Sambo when he was governor of the state.

Sacked Adamawa council boss heads to court LIVINUS MENEDI YOLA

E

mbattled chairman of Gombi Local Government in Adamawa State, Alhaji Umar Rufai, whose entire council was on Monday suspended by the state government, has accused the Peoples Democratic Party, PDPled government in the state of political witchhunting.

Rufai, who addressed journalists in Yola yesterday over the suspension of Gombi council

by the Bala James Ngillari-led state government in the presence of eight of the 10 legislative council members who defected with him to the All Progressive Congress, APC, said he had gone to court to challenge the dissolution of the council by the state government.

The council was suspended by the state government on Monday via a circular issued and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Ibrahim Andrew Welye over al-

legation of gross misappropriation.

Rufai in the wake of his defection to APC said the government’s action smacked of political witch-hunt.

He said the suspension, shortly after he defected to the APC along with eight legislative council members amounted to political victimisation and stifling of the freedom of association as enshrined in the constitution.

He said the government’s decision to sack

the entire Gombi council comes on the heels of unsuccessful efforts to bribe the legislators to impeach him.

“They tried to bribe the legislators to impeach me, but the legislators refused to cooperate with them. They also promised to swearin the vice chairman of the council as chairman if he played along but he also refused to accept the government bait,” Rufai said.

He explained that the defection of the entire Gombi council elected

officials with the exception of two out of the 10 legislative council members was done in response to the yearnings and aspirations of the people of his council for the APC. “The people in my council see hope in the APC and therefore we decided to act in deference to their wishes,” he said while debunking insinuations that he and his co-travellers defected in the face of their waning popularity and influence in the council.

While boasting that

his regime has been a performing one, Rufai dismissed the government’s basing of its recent suspension of his council on the outcome of an audit report which claimed the council engaged in gross misappropriation of public funds.

He said he was yet to set eyes on the audit report obtained by National Mirror which alleged among other things the expenditure of over N160 million by the chairman of the council without supporting documents.

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

13

Politics

Presidency: How Niger will vote

A

ll Progressives Congress also showed appreciable presence by holding one of the three senatorial seats, four out of the 11 federal constituency seats, three seats in the state House of Assembly out of 27 seats, courtesy of the merger of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change, CPC. Though the PDP had a firm footing and the most popular party in the state, the CPC pulled a surprise by beating it in the 2011 presidential election. The opposition candidate, former head of State, General Mahammadu Buhari, popular and with large followership in the state, polled more votes than the PDP standard bearer, President Goodluck Jonathan, in Niger State, to the amazement of all.

While, the opposition candidate polled 652, 574 votes, representing 68.46 per cent of the total votes cast, the PDP candidate polled 321, 429, 31.54 per cent in the presidential election. That result was however hinged on the lack of unity and internal crises in the party, resulting from disenchantment of members within the PDP fold.

In the 2015 presidential election, Jonathan so far faces no opposition within the ruling PDP, following his endorsement by the party’s leadership and elected governors, but, failure to agree on who should lead the APC in the election, among the array of formidable aspirants scrambling for its ticket, has made it weaker and even more fractionalised. However, should the former military ruler’s bid for the ticket be granted, it would pitch him again against Jonathan for a second time.

Thus, the political stage is getting set for another titanic clash between the two major political parties, the PDP and APC, but, this time around, pundits are mindful of what happened in the last presidential election and, to avoid a repeat, the ruling party has started tightening up loose ends, irrespective of whosoever becomes the opposition APC’s standard bearer, by putting its house in order, due to the near loss it suffered in the recent Niger East by-election through a series of meeting that centered on peace and reconciliation with aggrieved members.

It said what happened in 2011 should serve as an eye opener and, therefore, nothing should be left to chance in any election.

In Niger State, Jonathan will have the support of former Heads of State, Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar, who are strong members of the PDP. The incumbent governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, who has finally joined the contest for the senatorial seat of the Niger East, having been given the sole ticket of the zone, political appointees, members of the state House of Assembly, National Assembly, chieftains of the PDP in the state, among others are behind his candidature and working one way or the other towards achieving success in the state. Also, the camp of former Governor Abdullakadir Kure is also said to be working hard in his favour.

Equally, the power of incumbency, would not be weaved aside, as it has continued to play dominant role from 1999 in the politics of who wins in the elections. For Buhari and the APC, should he become his party’s points man again, he would have the support of Senator Ibrahim Musa of the Niger North senatorial district, the three members of the House of Representatives, three members of the state House of Assembly, state party leadership and importantly, his popularity among the people of the state, that actually got him a large chunk of the votes cast in 2011in the state, especially from Niger North, would also come to play.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has remained the party in power in Niger State, since the advent of Nigeria’s fourth democratic dispensation 16 years ago, leading in membership of the state House of Assembly, House of Representatives, the Senate and local governments as well.

Jonathan

Buhari

A PICTURE OF WHAT IS TO COME SOON, WAS DISPLAYED BETWEEN THE PDP AND THE APC, RECENTLY IN THE JUST CONCLUDED NIGER EAST BY-ELECTION IN AUGUST, WHERE BOTH SIDES WERE ENGAGED IN A FIGHT FOR SUPREMACY

A picture of what is to come soon, was displayed between the PDP and the APC, recently in the just concluded Niger East by-election in August, where both sides were engaged in a fight for supremacy over who would emerge winner.

The election, which held on August 30 was inconclusive and had to be rescheduled for the following Saturday, September 6 before the winner could be determined. However the PDP candidate, Dr. Shem Nuhu Zagbayi beat Barr. David Umar to emerge victorious in the contest.

Shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared the PDP winner and after a visit

by Zagbayi, the state governor immediately held a meeting with key stakeholders at the party secretariat, where

peace and unity topped the discussion and strategises towards 2015, according to PDP Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Hassan Saba, while addressing journalists after the meeting.

Though, the PDP eventually won, it was clear to all that it was really an Herculean task, such that Aliyu admitted that the by-election was the toughest he had ever experienced in his political history, when he received the senator elect in his office on a ‘thank you’ visit.

Disturbed by the challenges the PDP went through before winning the election, Aliyu warned that there are chances that the ruling party in the country would be confronted with more challenges, if politicians do not go back to the drawing boarding and strategise properly.

He also stressed the need for those who left the party for one reason or the other to return, appealing to the defeated candidate of the APC, Barr Umar to return to the ruling PDP with his supporters, where he defected from to the opposition party.

He explained that political events during the by-election, forced him to carry out some analysis just to enable him trace why the election was a tough nut to crack, in spite of the provision of infrastructural facilities by ruling party.

He said: “We thank God for giving us victory in this election. After the election, I took time to analyse what went wrong because since I started running for political offices in 1983, this is the toughest election I have ever encountered.”

According to him, the near loss situation faced by the PDP in the election was not because of the opposition of the APC, but as a result of enemies within the camp of the CONTINUED ON PAGE 43

14

Politics

Right Honourable Adeyemi Ikuforiji holds the record as the longest serving Speaker of a House of Assembly in Nigeria, having occupied that office since 2005. The Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker tells journalists why he is angling to govern the Centre of Excellence and why he’s shoulder high above other aspirants.

OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU brings excerpts: You just declared your intention to govern Lagos. What do you think qualifies and prepares you for the job?

Today, in Lagos, I am not only eminently qualified, but I think I am more passionate about the development of the state and its people than anyone else that I know of. People just come out, they just think, look because Babatunde Fashola was Chief of Staff and he became governor and he became celebrated, then every Tom, Dick and Harry can be governor. You even hear of people, some jobless ones, going to collect governorship nomination form as if the seat of the governor of Lagos is the same thing as the chairmanship of rural local government somewhere. I think a little bit of seriousness needs to be brought into this whole thing.

Well, those who have followed event in Lagos in the last few years would agree with me that the seriousness that we brought into the administration, I mean the leadership of the House, the legislature in Lagos is unprecedented in this country. And this was made possible through the grace of God, but also with the fact that before I became speaker, I knew what I wanted for the House. What I wanted to do with that position was very clear in my mind and from day one, I set about the business of achieving that.

I have very, very clear ideas of how to take care of the pains of common Lagosians. There are many ways of looking at it. Yes, if you go through my speech, you will want to ask questions where will you get the money? Where will you do this, where will you do that? One thing is very clear to me, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu started from N600 million monthly Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, by the time he was leaving eight years after, it was over N8 billion. He laid the foundation for it to even rise higher and of course the actualiser came to actualise the dream that was on ground.

I know we can modernise the infrastructure for this state than we have done so far. I know we can be creative about job creation and the more people we get out of the unemployment bracket, the higher the IGR will be.

We are sitting on the gold mine that is totally untapped now! Tourism and all we need to really tap into that is energy and security.

Dubai is a very good reference point and you know that. Do you know how many of our compatriots going up North to London but will first go eastwards flying seven hours to Dubai and then take another seven hours of flight to London. But from London to Lagos is only six hours’ journey. But instead of just flying straight north, you just fly all the way east and then face north-west in a six hours’ flight so you do it for between 14 and 18 hours, yet you are still happy, why? That is because somebody dreamt of turning that desert into the centre of civilisation and with just an airline, the Emirate Airline.

Lagos can serve in that position for Africa. People who are coming from Brazil, from Argentina, from US, from Europe going to any part Africa, Lagos could be their first port of call if we decide to make it so and we can do this within a short period.

If election was conducted tomorrow, what are your chances?

Concerning my chances, there is no doubt that I will win on a landslide if primary election is conducted today in the All Progressives Congress, APC. I am very sure that most of our party men are very interested in seeing Lagos governed by a man who understands party

Wednesday October 29, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

I can make Lagos the Dubai of Africa –Ikuforiji

with the support of one leader or the other except Ikuforiji. But a year and a half ago, someone told me one of the aspirants already had the nod of the leaders; they said he was the one Asiwaju Bola Tinubu wanted to use.

I pushed them aside because I knew it was a rumour and it was not possible. After about 10 weeks or so, that particular name disappeared from the scene. Another one came up and after about two months again, that one also disappeared, yet another came up.

I can assure you that some of the names that came up of recent cannot even go to Bourdillion to face Asiwaju and say they want to run. Yet, they tell people that Asiwaju has asked them to get prepared for the job. Do you tell people to get prepared with the words of mouth?

You don’t get prepared for the job of governor of Lagos in just a few days. We should just leave some of these stories for what they are. To me, they don’t exist.

In Lagos APC, two personalities are crucial in who becomes governorship candidate APC; Governor Babatunde Fashola and Asiwaju Tinubu. What is your relationship with the two and are they in support of your ambition?

I am sure everybody knows that I have very close relationship with the two of them.

Ikuforiji

I KNOW THAT WITH THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO US IN

LAGOS, WE CAN MAKE

LIFE MORE ABUNDANT FOR THE ORDINARY MAN IN THE STATE

politics and who is passionate about the development of Lagos and its people. They know that as at today, there is nobody that can compete favourably against Ikuforiji as far as that is concerned.

What are the things that are wrong with the system challenging you to contest the Lagos governorship seat?

I am not someone who easily gets satisfied with modest performance. I know that with the resources available to us in Lagos, we can make life more abundant for the ordinary man in the state. We can make our little Lagos compete favourably with most of those cities that we travel to, that we run to for holidays, that we send our children to for education and for exposure.

I want to assure you that within 18 months after I am elected and I assume office on May 29, 2015, you will ask yourself again, what was amiss before now. There are many things we have left undone. I am a product of public school, but how many of us are really happy to send our children to public primary and secondary schools today? I want everyone here to be jostling to get their wards to Lagos State public schools within the next three years and it can be done.

There are speculations that one of the governorship aspirants, Akinwumi Ambode, has been endorsed by the leader of the party. What is your take on this?

Akinwunmi Ambode was just a civil servant here yesterday. When did he join the party? When? Who will impose Ambode? You can’t impose Ambode. There are many reasons Ambode cannot be imposed and when we get to the river, we know how to cross it.

On the issue of imposition or no imposition, let me be very clear about it. A lot of rumours are making the rounds, and each and every candidate had been tagged

The same way some of the aspirants have...

Well, I wouldn’t know of other aspirants. I mean, I know of myself. In fact, Governor Fashola while in Dubai, called me and after he landed today he called me again. It is this meeting with you that stopped me from meeting with the governor.

Were they aware of your ambition?

They are very much in the know.

There is nothin new in your 10-point agenda. How do we intend to move forward if these are what we keep treating year-in year-out?

Well, let’s ask ourselves the question, have these issues been treated? Have they been treated and treated to your satisfactions. They have not been treated to my satisfaction and I want to treat them to my satisfactions.

I believe that job creation, poverty alleviation have not even been touched and if any government had really touched those in the last 15 or 16 years in this country, you should name the government.

What is the process of selecting delegates to the APC primaries?

I think the way things are, the party started with direct primaries, then some few weeks ago, we learnt of modified direct primaries. Now the emergency convention of the party is coming up, we are expecting some changes to some of those things. So until we see those changes, but whether direct or indirect, I know that no matter the number of aspirants, I will win the APC ticket for the governorship of Lagos.

In the event it goes the other way, what would you do?

Well, I am a politician and I am not that politician that sees a particular office as a do-or-die. Let me give you an insight into the type of person I am.

In 2003, I came from the United States to contest the general election and my ambition was to be the speaker of the House of Assembly. For a full year or more, I nursed that ambition and I kept praying over it and by the time we had the general election, I won with a landslide. Right from that day, I started the campaign to be speaker. I moved round all members. But along the line, I was made to understand that the leadership of the party had shown interest in a particular person.

My campaign was vigorous and look there were 17 returning members then. Out of the 17, I had 12 on my CONTINUED ON PAGE 43

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

National Mirror National News www.nationalmirroronline.net

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From The Civil Service 8,000 students head to Otukpo for Schools Sports Festival 42

ECOWAS retreat opens in calabar

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L-R. Head Of Section, Sports, FRSC, Bisi Kazeem; Deputy Corps Marshal, Training and Certification, Yemi Omidiji, and Director of Physical Training and Sports, Navy , Commodore Omatseye Nesiama, during one service one Medal Committee’s visit to FRSC ‘s Headquarters in Abuja.

60,000 pensioners challenge PITAD SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN

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ndications have emerged that the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate, PTAD, inherited approximately 60,000 complaints of untidy pension payment arrangements.

The complaints came from the defunct Civil Service Pension besides others that were obtained from federal and state Pensioners, along with concomitant death cases since it was established in August 2013.

The Director General of Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PITAD), Mrs. Nellie Mayshak, stated this in Benin City at a stakeholders’ sensitization workshop on pension management under the De-

World Bank trains 524 youths on refuse disposal

fined Benefits Scheme.

She said, “Since the departure of the PRTT, Civil Service Pension sector has experienced an overwhelming influx of complaints from pensioners who have not been paid for years. The same situation existed in Police Pension Sector but was addressed through a verification exercise in November 2012 after which the pensioners were restored to the payroll.”

She stated that it was easier for Police Pension to do this because they had a database and fewer pensioners whereas the CSPD had no database.

Of the total, she said only 1,500 cases have been successfully resolved while 6,289 have been queried and about 49,611 other complaints are still outstanding.Mrs. Nellie Mayshak

P.42

said the complaints have been one of the major challenges of PTAD arising from the defunct Civil Service Pension Office, created by the Pension Reform Task Team, which “dropped several pensioners from the payroll in 2010 after a verification exercise.”

Mayshak expressed optimism of resolving the crisis, however, and added, “Our staff have treated approximately 3,116 per month in the past three months. This rate will increase over the next few months.”

According to Mayshak, the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate is an agency of Federal Government established in August 2013 in compliance with the provisions of Section 30, Sub-section (2) (a) of the Pension Reform Act of

2004 as amended in 2014 and restated in section 42 (1) of the 2014 Act. “The purpose of PTAD is to manage pensions under the Defined Benefits Scheme, DBS, for pensioners not transiting to the Defined Contributory Scheme, DCS. This mandate was initially carried out by National Pension Commission (PenCom) until the establishment of PTAD on 26th August, 2013.”

Mayshak said that PITAD was established to “make budgetary estimates for existing pensioners and officers exempted from this scheme under Section 5 (1) (b) of this Act and Prepare and submit the monthly payroll of pensioners to the office of the AccountantGeneral of the Federation for direct payment from the

NIMET Predicts Cloudy Weather P.16

budgetary allocation maintained with the CBN’s accounts.”

“In addition, PTAD has been issuing payment instructions to the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and maintaining a comprehensive database of pensioners under their respective jurisdiction, and so far has also been able to ascertain deficits in pension payments if any to existing pensioners or the categories of officers exempted under section 5 (1) (b) of this Act.” Mayshak added that PITAD also carries out such other functions aimed at ensuring the welfare of pensioners as the commission may, from time to time, direct; and render monthly returns to the Commission on existing staff, pensioners, and deceased pensioners.

stakeholders retreat on ECOWAS opened in Calabar with a call on the Federal Government to critically evaluate its participation and commitment in relation to impacts on national interest.

Dr. Nuruddeen Mohammad, the minister of state II for Foreign Affairs and supervising minister for Information and National Orientation, made the call as he declared open the three-day retreat at Tinapa Lakeside Hotel.

He said that it was important for Nigeria to re-strategise on how best to remain constructively engaged and elicit the respect commensurate with the country’s huge resource commitment to ECOWAS. He described the retreat as epoch-making and an assemblage of highly respected Nigerians to consider a critical aspect of Nigeria’s national endeavour and the collective well-being of ECOWAS citizens.

Recalling the vision of ECOWAS founding fathers in establishing the organisation in May 1975, Muhammad said ECOWAS remained a veritable platform for economic integration in the sub-region.

He said the vision was based on the need for member states to pull their resources together in order to become competitive and have comparative advantage in the global economic affairs.

He said the ultimate goal of the founding fathers of ECOWAS was that of accelerating and maximising the economic, social and political development of the subregion.)

Railway workers task FG on container transport safety P.41

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Civil Service

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Cross River State Governor Liel Imokeh; Agricultural Resources Minister, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina; Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda and Borno State Governor Ibrahim Shettima, during the National Economic Council in, Abuja, yesterday.

NEPAD, TETfund to partner on online, distance learning –Njeze

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he Interactive Learning Network, ILN, project, a partnership product between NEPAD and Tertiary Education Trust fund, TETfund, is aimed at promoting online and distance learning programmes across the country.

Amb. Fidelia Njeze, the Special Adviser to the President on the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) was quoted as saying this in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja.

The statement, signed

by Mrs Janet Mcdickcon, Chief Press Secretary, NEPAD Nigeria, also said that the project was aimed at improving the standard of education in the country.

According to the statement, Njeze made this known during her visit to one of the six ILN centres in Abuja to assess its performance.

Njeze expressed optimism that the centre, when upgraded, with the appropriate modern technological infrastructure, would serve several stakeholders, including teachers and students effectively. ``It will be a platform through which users of various tiers of education can access information from electronic libraries worldwide. ``The Federal Ministry of Education can also access data from any edu-

cational institution in the country.``This is in line with the core objectives of the NEPAD e-Africa programme,’’ Njeze said.

The statement stated that the ILN centres were established in five pilot centres which are; University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, (Enugu Campus), Bayero University, Kano, and Kaduna State Polytechnic.

It further stated that the transmission centre at

the Tudun Wada Secondary School, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, was now under the control of the University of Abuja.

Meanwhile, Njeze has also urged the NEPAD staff to equip themselves with the necessary tools to enable them to carry out their duties effectively.

Speaking during a threeday workshop on ``Specialised Consultation and Management Development programme’’ held in Abuja.She stressed that they

must work hard in order to meet up with the standard in other African countries, especially NEPAD Kenya and South Africa, which are cited as models to other NEPAD country offices.

NAN reports that NEPAD is an initiative by African leaders, based on a common vision to eradicate poverty and to place their countries collectively on a path of sustainable growth and development to become effective payers in the world economy.’’

Tourist board manager urges Enugu residents to visit tourist

M

r Tony Nzekwe, General Manager, Enugu State Tourism Board, has urged residents to take visit the tourist sites in the coal city state to relieve themselves of pressures and stress.

Nzekwe, who spoke with newsmen in Enugu, described the state as Nigeria’s foremost tourist destination.

Counting the tourist sites, Nzekwe, said the state was endowed with ecotourism sites that was of people’s delight.

He said that one of the constraints suffered by the board in its

efforts to boost tourism was lack of infrastructures particularly, good road network.

Nzekwe, however, commended Gov. Sullivan Chime for the construction of good roads which, he said, had opened up the hinterland where most of the tourist sites were located. ``Most of the tourist attractions we have in Enugu State are located within the rural communities and access roads are of importance. ``We have Awhum Water Falls and Cave in Udi town, Ngwo Pine Forest, Cave and

Waterfalls, Ezeagu Tourist Complex, Ogbagada River, Iheneke Lake, Opi Lake System and Akwuke Attakwu beach among others. ``I can’t begin to count them, it is better experienced than imagined; we also have Silicon Hill, Isi-Ugwu Obukpa Rock Shelter, Nike Lake Resort, why not come and see for yourself,” he said.

He said that the ministry was doing everything possible to keep the Adanma Cultural Troupe alive since the troupe had travelled widely to showcase the rich culture and traditions of Enugu State.

NIMET predicts cloudy weather

T

he Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, has predicted cloudy condition with chances of localised thunderstorms during mid-morning and evening hours today.

This is contained in a weather report issued yesterday by NiMet’s Central Forecast Office.

The report was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

NiMet predicted that

central states would experience partly cloudy conditions with chances of localised thundery activities on Wednesday afternoon and night.

It predicted sunny and slightly hazy conditions for northern states.

The agency said that the inland areas would record cloudy conditions with chances of localised thunderstorms on Wednesday afternoon and night.

Medical association donates equipment to UNIUYO

T

he Medical Women Association of Nigeria, MWAN, Akwa Ibom chapter, yesterday donated water purifier to University of Uyo Health Centre to reduce water borne diseases in the university community.

Presenting the equipment, Dr Ako Akpabio, who is the immediate past President of the association, said that the gesture was borne out of the body’s many contributions toward achieving good healthcare services.

Akpabio said that the association had in the past carried out similar gesture to other institutions in the state.

She said that the equipment was donated in collaboration with UNILEVER Nigeria, the manufacturer of the pu-

rifier.

Receiving the purifier, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof.

Comfort Ekpo, commended the association for the gesture.

Ekpo, who was represented by Dr Ini Enang, the Director of Medical Services, assured the association that the equipment would be judiciously used by the health centre.

He appealed to UNILEVER to make the purifier more affordable for the benefit of the public.

Gov Akpabio

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Wednesday, October 29, 2014

17

Nigerian democracy and the danger of imposition ALEX O. ATAWA AKPODIETE

D

emocracy is generally defined as the government of the people, by the people and for the people. Inherent in that definition is participatory government. In other words, the people must have a say in who governs them and how they are governed. However, the Nigerian context of democracy is all about godfatherism and imposition of candidates for elective offices. We run a system that is close to oligarchy.

In the buildup to 2015, there have been discordant voices over selection of candidates by the political parties. A common refrain to all the parties is selection by imposition. This begs the question, are we really a democracy? Imposition may be slightly different from consensus because in the latter it is assumed that all the other aspirants and possibly delegates have arrived at a mutual agreement.

The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has apparently adopted President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2015 presidential election. The three main opposition parties are still being awaited to unveil their flagbearers. In the All Progressives Congress (APC), the main opposition party, two political war horses, General Muhammadu Buhari and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and Governor Rabiu Musa

Kwankwanso of Kano State, have declared their intention to run. There was speculation that Governor Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole of Edo State was nursing presidential interest. Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashiola, is a potential wild card for the party. And the founder and former publisher of Leadership newspapers, Sam Nda-Isaiah, has declared his intention to occupy Aso Villa under the banner of APC. It is doubtful if the Labour Party (LP) would field a presidential candidate just like in 2011 when it instead adopted President Jonathan. All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) may follow suit and do the same again, especially since most of the South-Eastern Igbo have adopted Mr. President, hoping that the region will produce the President in 2019. Some critics have stated that APGA and LP are really obfuscated extension of PDP, a point that might have been strengthened by the recent decamping of the only LP governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State and immediate past governor of Anambra State and former APGA BoT Chairman, Mr. Peter Obi, to the PDP. The National Assembly is no left behind in the fray. The Senate President, Brigadier General David Mark (rtd.) is rumored to have been adopted as the sole candidate for his Benue Senatorial District, meaning he may be returned unopposed as a senator for an unprecedented

THOUGH DEMOCRACY MAY BE GROWING IN

NIGERIA, IT STILL FACES GRAVE DANGERS fifth term. Speculations are rife that he is being strategically positioned to take over from Jonathan in 2019.

On the governorship race in the 32 states that are expected to conduct elections on February 28, 2015, the same scenario is playing out. Incumbent governors are busy endorsing and anointing their successors, while deceiving Nigerians that they have not done so. A particular governor stated that although he did not know who would be his successor, but he knew those who would not succeed him. I guess the God factor is eliminated.

Suppose God wants someone that the governor “knows will not succeed him” and what about the choice of the people?

While some states have claimed that there is no zoning under PDP, a state like Abia has seen its governor stating categorically that Abia South will produce the next governor. In fact, the state governor, Chief Theodore A. Orji, has even narrowed it to a particular area. Akwa Ibom and Rivers states have insisted on the nebulous ‘equity/power shift’ selection criterion. Delta State is still somewhat unclear, but the pendulum seems

to be swinging to Delta North Senatorial District, although the predominant Urhobo in Delta Central are also angling for the plum job. Even a recent meeting of Anioma stakeholders with President Jonathan could not smoothen the succession process in the state. The Asagba of Asaba, Professor Chike Edozie, the pointman of Anioma-for-governor-of-Delta State-in-2015 cause, has not made public the preferred choice of the zone.

At the recent South South Integration Committee meeting held at PDP Legacy House in Maitama, Abuja, which I attended as a House of Representatives aspirant, along with Dr. Esther Uduehi, Professor Sylvester Monye and Professor Izegbu, all of them PDP governorship aspirants, the party clarified that there would be no automatic ticket for anyone. In other words, all aspirants will be given a level playing field. Of course, the presidential ticket is exempted, even though Dr. Balewa, the son of the late and only Prime Minister of Nigeria, Alhaji Abubakar Tafewa Balewa, has indicated his interest in challenging Jonathan for the PDP ticket.

All these means is that though democracy may be growing in Nigeria, it still faces grave dangers. One such danger is the imposition of candidates. Let all the parties beware!

Rev. Akpodiete, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Asaba, Delta State.

Of zoning formula in Kogi and sundry issues BABANAGARI SULEIMAN ZUBAIR

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ithout any doubt, the statutory responsibility of the legislature is the enactment of laws to enable the executive carry out its role of providing security for lives and properties as well as promoting socio -economic development to improve the living standards of the entire citizens in line with citizenship participation for good governance. The stewardship of elected public officials must be open to periodic scrutiny in conformity with the principle of transparency and accountability. Accordingly, it is imperative to seek performance score card of our constituent representatives to enable us measure how faithful they are to the social contract they have with us.

In the case of Lokoja 1 State Assembly member, now that we approach 2015 general elections, it seems an appropriate question time to clear the air on the following nagging issues on the minds of the electorate. First, how many bills were so far sponsored or motions moved pursuant to the interest and aspirations of Lokoja 1 and its people in the last three years? Second, if the power to approve state budgetary appropriation lies within the legislature, to what extent could we express satisfaction with how Lokoja 1 Assembly member fruitfully utilized his oversight power in view of the perennial state of disrepair of the Lokoja Township roads, and where lies the oversight function of our dear member, when Lokoja

A LEGISLATOR WITH A SOUND CAPACITY SHOULD KNOW

HOW TO…ENGAGE THE EXECUTIVE

BY APPROPRIATE DEPLOYMENT OF PARLIAMENTARY INSTRUMENTS AT HIS DISPOSAL was recently rated the dirtiest capital city on the chart of a nationwide survey carried out on Environmental Sanitation, in spite of the huge budgetary allocation to that sector? Third, he should provide the graphic details of constituency projects to his credit, showing locations, and explain why the road adjourning UgwanKura-Kabawa School and Sardauna Junction is still in an embarrassing state of disrepair three years after his election?

Permit me to equally ask about the current status of the flood disaster victims, who in spite of their huge loses and pains, were cruelly ripped off by the handlers of disaster relief materials running into billions of naira. It is apparent our Assembly representative stood aloof in spite of the enormous oversight power at his disposal. Honorable member sir, if challenges of youth unemployment and issues of job creation are of major concerns to you,

please share with us statistical details of what you met when you assumed office, what you have done so far to address the issue, and what your critical thinking of how best to sufficiently tackle it is.

Thus, apart from the zoning controversy, there is growing concerns about decaying city infrastructure with appalling economic condition amongst the citizens for the past three year. So, assuming the reason behind abolishing the zoning principle in 2011 was to improve on quality of constituent representation, the period under focus has not witnessed significant changes in both physical development of the township or better living condition of the people. The obvious fact is that the 2011 concession to Ward D was an aberration which must never be allowed to repeat in the interest of fairness, equity and justice.

Although, it may be convenient to argue that the issues raised above lie within executive’s purvey, the summary of this submission suggests that a legislator with a sound capacity should know how to navigate the executive through lobbying to achieve solutions to most of the issues on ground, or engage the executive by appropriate deployment of parliamentary instruments at his disposal. For example, the Lokoja-Abuja dual carriage way as well as Greater Lokoja Water Scheme, which we are all enjoying today, were the evidence of parliamentary dexterity of Tunde Ogbeha as a distinguished senator of the Federal Republic.

Specifically, therefore, the slot of Lokoja 1 Assembly come 2015 is the turn

of Ward C, and all key players in this regards must be aware that report about the current zoning disorder is already receiving appropriate attention at the national headquarters of our party. So, let no one be in doubt about the readiness to carry this battle to all possible height until we reverse to status quo ante.

This struggle is not only a moral burden on all of us; it is a necessary duty of all stakeholders if we must avert antiparty syndrome in the face of hostile opposition.

Interestingly, the recently concluded National Confab endorsed zoning by overwhelming majority as a major consideration for political contest in Nigeria.

This action forecloses all issues related to zoning. In effect, zoning will share same status in the constitution as the Federal Character and the Quota System hence, zoning or no zoning shall no longer be a matter of choice but a practice compelled by the supreme law as already affirmed by the constitution of the party.

In conclusion, as we work together to ensure that right pegs are fixed in the right holes, it is highly expedient to find a common ground of turning our current challenges into greater opportunities.

Zubair (FCAI), wrote from Lokoja, Kogi State via nataraihil@gmail.com Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ nationalmirroronline.net mirrorlagos@ yahoo.com or 08164966858 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject views or photographs.

Pseudonyms may be used but must be

18

Editorial

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

KAFILAT OGBARA

MANAGING DIRECTOR/CEO

SUNDAY OLAJIDE

DEPUTY MD/CEO

SEYI FASUGBA

DAILY EDITOR

GBEMI OLUJOBI

SATURDAY EDITOR

KAYODE FASUA

ACTING EDITOR, SUNDAY

AYO OLESIN

GENERAL EDITOR

BEN MEMULETIWON

GENERAL EDITOR

DOZIE OKEBALAMA

COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD

CALLISTUS OKE

EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR

ISE-OLUWA IGE

ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF

FIDELIS LEMCHI OWOAMANAM

REGIONAL DIRECTOR, S/SOUTH

GABRIEL SUNDAY

ACTING HEAD, GRAPHICS

FG’s curious ceasefire agreement with Boko Haram

I

t is public knowledge that the Federal Government has been having failed peace talks with the Boko Haram violent Islamist sect. Most of the talks also failed because of Boko Haram’s insistence that its conditions must be the basis for peace to rain in the northern part of the country, especially. But a couple of days ago, reports had it that the FG finally signed a ceasefire agreement with the sect. The Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh, reportedly announced the ceasefire deal and ordered all field officers to comply with the agreement. Part of the peace deal involved granting freedom to the almost 300 girls the sect abducted from Chibok in Borno State last April 14/15. In the euphoria of the ceasefire deal, Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), and Coordinator, National Information Centre (NIC), Mr. Mike Omeri, claimed the schoolgirls held hostage were hale and hearty; while the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, hailed the success of the purported ceasefire deal to President Goodluck Jonathan’s shuttle diplomacy to the republics of Niger and Chad.

But a respected human rights activist in the country, Shehu Sani; and a journalist said to have been

WHAT IS REQUIRED NOW IS A SINCERE AND VISIBLE ARRANGEMENT THAT WILL TRULY END THE INSURGENCY RAVAGING PATS OF THE NORTH

involved in past negotiations with the Boko Haram, Ahmad Salkida, denied knowledge of any ceasefire deal between the Nigerian government and the fundamentalist Islamist sect. “All my attempts to confirm the ceasefire deal did not produce any result… Any statement that is not coming from the leader of the group cannot be said to be credible and will not be complied with by the group’s members… the leader is the only person they respect and listen to”, Sani said. He was most probably referring to the sect’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, whom the security agencies claimed was killed during the recent ‘battle of Konduga’ in Borno State. Reports also said Salkida, in his twitter handle of late, expressed doubts over the ceasefire deal.

As if to give credence to Sani and Salkida’s doubts about the deal, Boko Haram successfully attacked more than five Borno villages, killed 18 people and seized

more territories shortly after the agreement was made public.

Latest reports have it, in addition, that the group has abducted 30 boys and girls from Borno State, raided a market and killed five people in the process. Meanwhile, the release of the Chibok girls advertised as one of the major planks of the ceasefire agreement is in abeyance, as the girls taken hostage are still grappling with their fate under the insurgents’ captivity. Indeed, reports say the sect is insisting, despite the touted ceasefire agreement, that the girls will only be released in exchange of its members being held by the Nigerian government.

Critics have pointed out that legitimising a ceasefire agreement with a globally acclaimed terrorist organisation, like Boko Haram, is an aberration, since the group has no legal status in the comity of nations. The parties (between the Nigerian government and Boko Haram) that signed the agreement and the conditions involved are also not known. Our thinking, however, is that for a faceless group that has wilfully eliminated over 13,000 innocent Nigerians, mostly in the North-East, other parts of the North and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT, Abuja), the country’s leader, President Jonathan, ought to be the person-

ON THIS DAY October 29, 2004 In Rome, the capital of Italy, European heads of state signed the treaty and final act establishing the first European Constitution which, however, failed to be ratified by all signatory countries and, therefore, never entered into force. It would have replaced the existing European Union treaties with a single text, given legal force to the Charter of Fundamental Rights and expanded Qualified Majority Voting.

ality announcing the ceasefire agreement, with all the details of how the government started the journey, those involved in brokering it, the conditions, what costs are tenable when such conditions are disrespected, etc. But so far, unfortunately, only government spokespersons from the executive arm of government and the security agencies are the only ones parroting the nebulous ceasefire agreement, as if the FG itself has something grave to hide about its efforts to bring the insurgency up North to an end.

While Nigerians are interested in any measure the FG chooses, that will bring the insurgency to a quick end, an agreement such as the one in question, that has not reined in hostilities or attacks on innocent targets in Borno State and other locations, is objectionable. Those who brokered it should quickly revisit it. For, it does appear that they reached the truce with the wrong group. With the politics of 2015 almost approaching the cruising level, Nigerians will be quick at dismissing the ceasefire agreement claim as a hollow political statement meant to pacify agitated nerves. What is required now is a sincere and visible arrangement that will truly end the insurgency ravaging parts of the North.

October 29, 2012

October 29, 2013

Hurricane Sandy struck the east coast of the United States, killing 148 people, 138 others and leaving nearly $70 billion in damages. It also caused major power outages. Hurricane Sandy was the deadliest and most destructive hurricane of the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season, as well as the second-costliest hurricane in US history. It is the 18th named storm, 10th hurricane and 2nd major hurricane of the year 2012.

Turkey opened a sea tunnel (Marmaray) connecting Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul. Marmaray is a rail transport project in the Turkish city of Istanbul. It comprises an undersea rail tunnel under the Bosphorus strait, and the modernization of existing suburban railway lines along the Sea of Marmara from Halkal on the European side to Gebze on the Asian side.

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

19

Health & Wellbeing Ebola war not over yet until... –Rivers Health 22 Commissioner

SAM EFERARO

WITH AGENCY REPORT

A

s infectious-disease experts around the world step up efforts to develop a potent vaccine for the prevention of the dreaded Ebola virus disease, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced last week that vaccine trials would start in west Africa in December, a month earlier than planned.

Already, the organisation has taken delivery of the first batch of experimental vaccines, VSV-EBOV, amcd which is currently stored at the Geneva University Hospital. It is expected that hundreds of thousands of doses would be available by mid-2015 A high-level meeting of government representatives, including donor countries and those affected, together with vaccine manufacturers convened by WHO last week resolved to push ahead with unprecedented speed, even though the early data on safety and the immune system response to the vaccines will not all be in.

The first vaccinations of health workers and others at high risk, including burial teams, are likely to take place in Liberia, with Sierra Leone not far behind. In the Liberian trial,, the vaccines will be tested against placebo – some health workers will get the Ebola shot, while others will be given a vaccine that is protective against another disease, such as measles. The An Ebola vaccine candidate selection will be random and blinded, so that neither volunteers nor doctors know who has been given which vaccine until the trial ends.

The first two vaccines to go into frontline trials will be those made by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Johnson & Johnson, but five more will be tested as they become ready. Manufacturers have promised that larger quantities of vaccines will be available than pre-

21

Ebola: Quest for vaccine hots up

A US navy microbiologist handles a vaccine box with blood samples while testing for Ebola at a mobile laboratory near Gbarnga, Liberia.

viously thought.

T h e W H O meeting w h i c h was attended by with high-ranking government representatives from Ebolaaffected countries and development partners, civil society, regulatory agencies, vaccine manufacturers and funding agencies also discussed and agreed on how to fast track testing and deployment of vaccines in sufficient numbers to impact the Ebola epidemic.

The meeting also agreed that vaccines

THE FIRST TWO VACCINES TO GO INTO FRONTLINE RONTLINE TRIALS WILL BE THOSE MADE BY

GLAXOSMITHKLINE GSK) AND JOHNSON (GSK) & JOHNSON, BUT FIVE MORE WILL BE TESTED AS S THEY BECOME READY may have a major impact on further evolution of the epidemic. All parties are

TIMELINE October 2014: Mechanisms for evaluating and sharing data in real time must be prepared and agreed upon and the remainder of the phase 1 trials must be started October–November 2014: Agreed common protocols (including for phase 2 studies) across different sites must be developed October–November 2014:

Cochrane cautions on dangers of pneumonia

Preparation of sites in affected countries for phase 2 b should start as soon as possible November–December 2014: Initial safety data from phase 1 trials will be available January 2015: GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) grade vaccine doses will be available for phase 2 as soon as possible

January–February 2015: Phase 2 studies to be approved and initiated in affected and non-affected countries (as appropriate) As soon as possible after data on efficacy become available: Planning for large-scale vaccination, including systems for vaccine financing, allocation, and use.

Courtesy: WHO

reportedly working together to finalize the most rapid approach for developing and distributing vaccines, including direct engagement with affected communities, so that effective treatments and prevention methods are embraced and shared far and wide by the most effective ambassadors, the communities themselves.

Trials of vaccines have already begun in the U.S., U.K., and Mali, and are beginning in Gabon, Germany, Kenya and Switzerland to determine safety and dose level.

“As we accelerate in a matter of weeks a process that typically takes years, we are ensuring that safety remains the top priority, with production speed and capacity a close second,“ says Marie-Paule Kieny, WHO Assistant Director-General of Health Systems and Innovation.

Meeting participants included highranking officials from the ministries for health and of foreign affairs from Canada, China, the European Union, France, Germany, Guinea, Italy, Japan, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Norway, the Russian Federation, Sierra Leone, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

20

Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Recovery after prolonged exercises

Nutrition for Health

storing fluid and electrolytes (sodium and potassium) lost in sweat by consuming carbohydrate-electrolyte sport drink and monitor the water consumption of fluids during training that feels comfortable. This would help prevent significant weight loss from sweating and improves ability to recover quickly from training and contest.

It is also vital however, to weigh oneself before and after exercise and replace fluid losses. Water, sports drinks, watery foods that contain salt (soup, vegetable juice) can help replace fluid lost during exercise. It is essential to replace fluid and potassium losses by consuming fruits and vegetables.

The second stage to bear in mind is to consume carbohydrate and protein rich foods that would aid in repairing damaged muscle tissue and to stimulate development of new ones. This is therefore, carried out by replenishing the muscle and liver glycogen stores by replacing muscle fuel (carbohydrate) utilized while performing.

Glycogen is the source of energy most often used for exercise. Research has shown that eating 0.3-0.6 grams of carbohydrate for each pound of body weight within two hours of endurance exercise is essential to building

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

W

hen one undergoes prolonged exercises, the muscles protein and red blood cells are broken down. Some studies have shown that athletes who do either endurance or resistance type training will get the desired benefit by consuming 20-30g of high quality protein within the first hour post exercise.

Recovery is therefore defined as an act of regaining back the bodys’ normal state after a work out and adequate nutrition is recommended to help rebuild this energy.

Regular consumption of nutritional base foods would help meet the daily nutritional body needs of essential vitamins and minerals, and also stock up on much needed antioxidants like vitamins C and E that help reduce oxidization caused from the stress during exercise trainings and competitions.

Before an individual begins an exercise, it is vital to be well-hydrated since most athletes find it challenging to match fluid intake to sweat loss. Re-

adequate glycogen stores for continued training.

Waiting longer than two hours to eat results in 50 percent less glycogen stored in the muscle. Research also shows that combining protein with carbohydrate within thirty minutes of exercise nearly doubles the insulin response, which results in more stored glycogen . Protein provides the amino acids necessary to rebuild muscle tissue that is damaged during intense, prolonged exercise. It can also increase the absorption of water from the intestines and improve muscle hydration. The optimal carbohydrate to protein ratio for this effect is 4:1 (four grams of carbohydrate for every one gram of protein). Eating more protein than that, however, has a negative impact because it slows rehydration and glycogen replenishment.

Examples of foods needed during recovery state are: sports drinks that contain carbohydrate and electrolytes, banana, bread or roll with jam or honey, peanut butter and low chocolate milk, sandwich with turkey, avocado pear, whole wheat grain products and other carbohydrate and protein rich foods. One study found that athletes who refueled with carbohydrate and protein had 100 percent greater muscle glycogen stores than those who only ate carbohydrate. In-

sulin was also highest in those who consumed a carbohydrate and protein drink.

In Conclusion, it is vital to support the immune system to handle the damage by manufacturing new muscle protein, red blood cells and other cellular components as part of the process. Research has shown that adequate glycogen stores main-

Oral Health Q&A How is the tooth held in the jaws and gums?

A tooth is anchored in the jaws and tooth by a structure referred as periodontal membrane. It is a thin structures which has fibres running through them to attach and anchor the tooth to the bone. These bear directional forces placed on the tooth during chewing.

The fibres are named according to the direction they run whether vertical, horizontal, transverse or oblique fibres.

Which is the first permanent teeth to erupt into the mouth and at what age do these occur?

There are two sets of teeth (dentition) in an individual’s life both referred to as primary dentition and secondary dentition.

The primary dentition are called deciduous dentition which means that the teeth in this series, the baby teeth, are replaced by another series, the adult dentition or permanent teeth. The first in the series appear at around the age of 6.

These are the lower first permanent incisors or front teeth and the permanent molars – Back teeth. There are three adult molars in a normal series. The first ones (lower 1st permanent) molars erupt at about the age of 6.

Why do dentists and their chair side assistant wear masks and gloves?

The dental clinic is a surgery where many procedures are performed which involve contact with body fluid, saliva and Blood. To prevent the transfer of organisms, germs or infections, dentists and their assistant will then need to don face mask, sterile gloves, clothing and make sure the instrument are sterile and clean.

This will ensure that there are no risk whatsoever of contacting any disease or bugs from one person to the other in the den-

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tal clinic. This is also the reason most health personnel receive vaccination and work in a sterile environment most especially where surgical or invasive procedures are possible.

They also wear headcaps to prevent organisms from the hair getting in contact with the blood.

What is a biopsy?

A biopsy is to remove a piece of tissue for examination. The examination is done in a Lab under the microscope. The diagnosis is made using scientific stains on the tissue. It could help to make a diagnosis of a benign (not cancerous) and a cancerous growth.

What is an impacted tooth The word impact means to collide, often this can happen to any set of teeth but most commonly if the tooth does not erupt into the normal position in the mouth it is then referred to as impacted. This can bring about a lot of pain. The ‘wisdom’ third permanent molar is the most affected teeth. The gums surrounding the teeth may serve as a place where food debris can gather causing inflammation, a condition called pericoronitis which causes the mouth to be swollen and difficult to open.

What is osteomyelitis of the bone?

tained during pre and post exercise can reduce the disturbance of immune system markers as the consumption of carbohydrates can help reduce the bodys’ stress hormone response to exercise. However, regular consumption of vitamins C and E, zinc etc, have all been said to aid in the protection and support of the immune system.

ORAL HEALTH CARE The teeth are anchored in their socket to the bones of the jaw, upper maxilla and lower mandible. When a tooth becomes infected, these infections may spread into the bone, resulting in the inflammation of the bone. Osteomyelitis therefore is an inflammation of the bone.

What are dental X-rays and why are they taken?

Radiographs are another name for X-rays.

X-rays help the doctor or dentist to diagnose what cannot be seen with the ordinary eye.

It consists of the use of high speed ions directed through the part of the tissue. The remaining parts, and a film used to capture the rays. This is developed more like a photographic image. The X-rays are dangerous in high doses hence the radiographer needs to protect himself and the patient with lead aprons to capture the excess rays. The cone of the radiographic equipment is directed to the specific area to be radiographed.

The bone hard tissues absorb the rays appearing as white on the developed film whilst the tissue areas allow the X-rays to pass through appearing as dark radioluscent).

X-rays help the doctor or dentist using the result to detect abnormal/normal findings.

X-rays should be avoided in pregnant women

How many teeth are in the usual/normal dentition?

The number of teeth varies from person to person. However, for a dentition, the milk teeth is normally 20 – ten in each jaw. There are different types of teeth for different functions. They are incisors, canines premolars and molars. Children’s (initial) dentition do not have premolars but molars. Children

Dr. Samuel Awosolu Samawosolu@yahoo.co.

08108155239 dentition in each jaw (right and left side) comprise of four incisors, two canines and four canines thus, the total per jaw in all is twenty teeth. For the adult, the total number is thirty 32 – sixteen in each jaw namely i.e 4 incisors, 2 canines 4 premolars and 6 molars.

Which is the best toothpaste and toothbrush to keep our teeth clean?

Dentists normally recommend a fluoridecontaining toothpaste endorsed by the professional dental organization, in this case, the Nigerian Dental Association and the standards organization of Nigeria. Scientifically, fluoride has been found to increase the resistance of the teeth to tooth decay. However some of the parts of a country may have other sources of fluoride. Should this level be excessively high like in some areas of the country – North central and North – East there may be excessive fluoride in the drinking water more than one part concentration per thousand. In these locals, a toothpaste not containing fluoride may be used – an example is the herbal toothpaste that has been subjected to the evaluation to meet standards.

Toothbrushes should be of the soft or medium in variety. The bristles should be made of nylon fibre and they should be rounded.

The handle must be durable, strong and flexible. They can be adapted for the various needs. Toothbrushes for children are appreciated smaller. The lead of the tooth brush is also smaller. There are also tooth brushes designed for various part of the mouth.

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Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

21

Cochrane cautions on dangers of pneumonia RICHARD NDOMA CALABAR

T

he Nigerian Branch of South African Cochrane Centre has raised the alarm over the burden of pneumonia which the organization claimed is responsible for more death than malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/ AIDS. Speaking at a round table media discussion with journalists recently,

Prof Martin Meremikwu of the University of Calabar Teaching hospital described Cochrane as a health research organization which conducts researches and findings on health issues that the society can rely on, describing pneumonia as a silent killer disease which, if not given the necessary attention, would increase on the number of deaths.

The university don disclosed that 143 children

out of every 1000 births die in Nigeria, adding that Nigeria is recorded second to India globally in terms of mortality rate. ``Pneumonia kills 300,000 children in India yearly, while Nigeria is second globally with 143,000 deaths in children.

Prof. Meremikwu disclosed that pneumonia is caused by micro-organism, the environment, accidental injection of kerosene into food, abnor-

malities in the respiratory system among other causes and charged the government, well meaning organisations and relevant health bodies to rise up and address the ugly challenge.

He listed some of the ways of managing the disease in children to include, exclusive breast feeding in the first six months, regular hand-washing, clean environment, routine immunization, avoidance of

MTN Foundation Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign Walk in Enugu.

BRACED Commission calls for huge investment in health sector

C

ommissioners of Health of the BRACED Commission have called on their respective state governments within the region not to be carried away by the success recorded in fighting the Ebola Virus Disease, but to establish infectious diseases hospitals in their respective states.

It called for “a clearly discernable policy on the management operation and monitoring of mortuaries, disposal of corpses and the need to ensure that postmortem death

certificates are issued before corpses are buried”.

The Commission, comprising Bayelsa, Rivers, AkwaIbom, Cross River Edo and Delta states, has also resolved to effect cooperation and collaboration, in ensuring greater improvement in the health sector in the region.

“The building of wellequipped infectious diseases centres/isolation units within the confines of hospitals and their management by qualified staff rather than sitting hospitals where they are strongly op-

posed by communities is very vital” the commission said.

Rising from the meeting of the Commissioners of Health in the commission, it called for “greater political will and commitment on the part of the leadership of the states on health and related issues, and the development of requisite capacities and continuous training for health officials especially in managing emergencies.

The communiqué signed by the Director-General of the Commission, Ambassa-

dor Joe Keshi and Commissioners of Health of the six states, Dr. Ayibatonye Owei Bayelsa, Dr. Tamunoiyoriari S. Parker, Hon. Dr. Ememabasi Bassey, Akwa lbom, Prof. (Mrs.) Angela Oyo-lta, Cross River; Dr. (Mrs.) Aihanuwa Eregie, Edo and Dr. Joseph Otumara, Delta, also asked for the provision of effective waste disposal mechanism/sites in hospitals and management of hospital wastes to eliminate the potential danger to the public of contagious materials.

WHO, Seadogs totodistribute drugs to 900 Communities in C’River be prevalent in some under the NAS Medical tion to communities esRICHARD NDOMA CALABAR

T

he World Health Organisation WHO is partnering National Association of Seadogs to distribute and administer drugs on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) to about 900 communities in Cross River State.

This initiative is to help drastically reduce the spread of about seven NTDs which had been identified

communities in the state.

The NTDs are Lymphatic Filariasis (Elephantiasis), Onchocerciasis, Trachoma, Schistosomiasis (snail fever), Trichuriasis (whipworm), Ascariasis (roundworm) and Hookworm.

Drugs to be administered are Mectizan and Albendazole, while mosquito-treated nets will be distributed alongside.

About 100 participants

Mission and NAS Volunteers Corps were on Thursday trained in Calabar by officials of the WHO/Cross River State Ministry of Health to administer the distribution of the drugs to affected communities.

Project Director of WHO/NTDs office in the state Ministry of Health, Dr. Hillary Adie, said the world body decided to partner the association to ensure effective distribu-

pecially in Calabar South, Calabar Municipality and Abi local government areas of the state where coverage was still poor.

He said, “These drugs are free and they are for specific diseases. They are meant to help reduce the scourge of NTDs. We are calling on NAS to help ensure effective distribution, they should help us see that the masses gain a lot from this.

smoke and gaseous emissions amongst others.

Dr Ekong Udoh, who discussed the treatment of pneumonia, said that it was important to use the right anti-bodies which could be through oral or injection at the discretion of the health worker.

Udoh listed other forms

of treatment to include improved access to health facilities, increase awareness, organizing more health workshops and others.

He cautioned people not to take pneumonia for granted, adding that it kills faster than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.

GSK submits regulatory application for malaria vaccine candidate

M

ultinational pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) last week announce that it had submitted a regulatory application to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for its malaria vaccine candidate, RTS,S. The submission will follow the Article 58 procedure, which allows the EMA to assess the quality, safety and efficacy of a candidate vaccine, or medicine, manufactured in a European Union (EU) member state, for a disease recognised by the World Health Organization (WHO) as of major public health interest, but intended exclusively for use outside the EU. This assessment is done by the EMA in collaboration with the WHO, and requires products to meet the same standards as vaccines or medicines intended for use in the EU. Eligibility for the application was granted by the CHMP after agreement from WHO that RTS,S met criteria for such an evaluation.

RTS,S is intended exclusively for use against the Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasite, which is most prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Around 90 per cent of estimated deaths from malaria occur in SSA, and 77 per cent of these are in children under the age of 5.

The EMA submission is the first step in the regulatory process toward making the RTS,S vaccine candidate available as an addition to existing tools currently recommended for malaria prevention. An effective vaccine for use alongside other measures such as bednets and anti-malarial medicines would represent a advance in malaria control. To-date there is no licensed vaccine available for the prevention of malaria.

If a positive opinion from the EMA is granted, the WHO has indicated a policy

recommendation may be possible by end of 2015. A policy recommendation is a formal review process by WHO designed to assist in the development of optimal immunisation schedules for diseases that have a global public health impact, such as malaria.

A positive opinion from the EMA would also be the basis for marketing authorisation applications to National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) in SSA countries, such as the National Agency For Food & Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

A review by a European medicines agency is required by the majority of African countries prior to registration of a medicinal product manufactured in Europe. If positive, these regulatory decisions would help pave the way toward the large-scale implementation of the vaccine through African national immunisation programmes.

Dr Sophie Biernaux, Head of the Malaria Vaccine Franchise, GSK said: “This is a key moment in GSK’s 30-year journey to develop RTS,S and brings us a step closer to making available the world’s first vaccine that can help protect children in Africa from malaria.”

Mr Lekan Asuni, Managing Director, GSK Nigeria also said: “This is part of GSK’s commitment to improving the quality of human life by enabling people do more, feel better and live longer.’’

Data from the phase III vaccine trial programme conducted at 13 African research centres in eight African countries (Burkina Faso, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Tanzania) including over 16,000 infants and young children have also been included to support the filing.

22

Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ebola war not over yet until...

– Rivers Health Commissioner

Sir, what is the state of Ebola in Rivers state?

Well, we have declared that Rivers state is Ebola-free, having discharged all our 526 contacts and all the ones admitted for treatment have been discharged home.

We have a death at the treatment centre. The two cases treated have been discharged home. However, surveillance is going on. Sensitization is going on; and our schools have resumed with all the things that NUT required, I am emphasizing that all the things that NUT required were provided – the scanners, hand washing materials and containers. We have spoken to the teachers and the pupils while training of teachers and everything that was supposed to be done for schools to resume have been done. That is how far we have gone.

Strengthening research is being more advocated. What is your state doing in this regard?

I agree that some persons were talking about developing research and treatment. But, to my mind, while it is ok for that to go on, we need to strengthen our preparedness for another outbreak. What has happened so far, to me, is just a warning. I can call it a fluke, when a gentleman jumped into a plane and ran into Nigeria.

The disease is still actually residing in Liberia, Sierra

As Nigeria gets the WHO certification as an Ebola-free country, the Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Samson Parker in this interview with Health Reporter, Marcus Fatunmole says the war should not be considered over yet until the dreaded disease is eliminated in the neighbouring West African countries. According to him, more alertness and preventive measures are still required to consolidate on the success recorded so far by Nigeria. Excerpts Leone and Guinea. And, we must not forget that we have Nigerians living in these countries. The festive period is coming. A lot of Nigerians, as a tradition and culture will return home. Some of them come with whatever they carry.

So, I am a bit saddened that instead of us developing more treatment centres, more preparedness, we are relaxing, jubilating, celebrating successes. I don’t think it is yet time to celebrate. It is time however to congratulate ourselves that ‘yes, this stage, we’ve passed it’, but I read the other day in newspaper that about eight treatment centres are being shut down.

In Rivers state, we are planning to close down our own because it takes funds to keep them running.

Epidemic management is in the exclusive list of t h e federal gov

THE POTENTIAL OF HAVING ANOTHER

ONE IS VERY HIGH.

IT IS THERE, IT IS A CLEAR AND PRESENT

DANGER. I AM NOT A PROPHET OF DOOM; IT JUST HAPPENS ernment. So, the Federal Ministry of Health must come in, not only to maintain these treatment centres, but to develop other ones in the country. We cannot predict where this thing will come in through. The potential of having another one is very high. It is there, it is a clear and present danger. I am not a prophet of doom; it just happens. The United States didn’t think that it would happen to them. The man actually went into the country from Liberia. After all, he is an American, he had to go back home. He was healthy when he went back home. We may not be that lucky that it is only one person that goes back home. They will be coming in very soon in troops from Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea.

And, as we speak, I am sure some of the family members that have relatives in those countries would have been making preparation to get them back. So, I am saddened that these

treatment centres are not growing, that is the word to use. They should be growing and not relaxing, and some of them being closed down, only probably to be reopened when there is another emergency. We need to be alert as a country. We need to increase our alertness. While we are preaching to people to keep their hygiene, to maintain basic hygiene, hand washing, yes, we have achieved a lot. The Federal Ministry of Health, the state ministries have achieved a lot. But, this is the time to begin to amass armament for the battle.

How do you see Nigerian government and volunteers from the country assisting nations affected affecte by Ebola?

Going Goin there doesn’t portend danger. danger That is one step the federal government has taken a good leadgovern ership. I suggested that we must go over there and help them. That is th another anothe way of coming into this place. It I is a good decision by the federal government. It is a good decision decisio by the Council that is the National Nation Council on Health that our people from all over the counpeo try should go and help put off the sho fire there the before it comes into this room. It I is like quenching a fire in one room roo before it goes to another room. It is a very good development. The T persons that are going from Nigeria are already trained N to combat Ebola. They will use com their experience to go there. And, e they will w be taught how to keep themselves safe. And, we know themse that those ones are known. By th the time they are coming back, ti we will know how to check them.

We know how to keep th them under surveillance if th there is any problem. Our challenge is those that steal into the country. I use the word ‘steal’ into the country. You know us, a lot of us will come in, no matter how much we w guard our borders. Our colleagues, our citizens will co come com into their country. This is their country. Once they cross the border, you won’t ask them where they are coming from. w They are a Nigerians. They will go to their thei communities, they will go their villages. From Maiduguri to Lagos, Sokoto to Akwa-Ibom, La Katsina to Rivers, they will go.

Kats Have Hav you got the N200 million promised by the Federal

Government?

Yes, the Federal Government promised us N200 million. That N200 million, Lagos State N200 million, federal government N1.9 billion, from my experience of the expenditure, it appears we are playing with Ebola. We need to budget the way we are budgeting for Boko Haram. We need to go to the Senate with that kind of bill that the President went there, that look, let us prepare for this thing.

A stitch in time saves nine. Look at what is happening in Liberia.

If they can stop Liberia issue with one or two billion dollar, quickly, they will bring the money to stop it now. But now, Liberia and Sierra Leone, it is not all about money, it is prayers now. If you have anything that you can stop with money, the problem is 80 percent stopped. But, Liberia, Sierra Leone cases are not all about money. I think we have to budget as a national emergency facing us. If there is anywhere those people will go to now in West Africa, it is Nigeria because they have heard the success story of the country in its first trial. So, a lot of people will be coming to Nigeria that this is where they can get succour. So, we need to protect our people.

But, the Ministry has made it clear that its N1.9 billion was not for Ebola but for general health systems strengthening, what is your reaction to this?

Well, if that is the case, I am quoting from what the media said about N1.9 billion because the media have been saying the ministry got N1.9 billion. So, if the federal government has not released that amount of money to the federal ministry of health for Ebola, then, I don’t know where we are because it was wrongly reported.

I am appealing that the National Assembly and Federal Executive Council should come to the aid of the Federal Ministry of Health and release sufficient funds for the states also, because the fight is in the states.

Federal Government can take leadership and administrative role to oversee what we are doing. But, the fight is at the level of the state.

The Lagos state government spent over a billion, my government is going to spend over a billion too.

So far, we have hit the billion naira mark. We have hit it. And, it is not over because our centres are still on. The treatment centre is still on, the operation centre is on. People must be on high alert. When you put people on high alert, they will not just sit down and fold their hands. You have to take care of them. Logistics must continue. It is not when it happens that you begin to think about how you open centres and you begin to up the game.

You have to maintain certain level of alertness and preparation.

All that requires money. So, I think we need to budget rightly for this issue. It is not yet over until it is over in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

23

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, October 29 , 2014

I’m in movies to create good legacy 25 Kolade Shasi

Association of Bleaching Celebrities of Nigeria

Etcetera

24

Ebedi Writers Residency: A worthy legacy and its challenges After the success that has trailed the Ebedi Writers’ Residency project, there is need to replicate this effort at many other locations in Nigeria.

Wale Okediran

Jerry Adesewo

N

igeria no doubt boasts of a handful of literary Ambassadors that are a pride of any nation any day. This includes such literary giants as the late Professor Chinua Achebe of the Things Fall Apart fame; Christopher Okigbo, Abubakar Gimba, Ben Okri, Flora Nwankpa, Buchi Emecheta, Amos Tutuola, D.O. Fagunwa, John Pepper Clark, Femi Osofisan and Wole Soyinka.

In spite of this richness of Nigeria’s literary culture which is which is complemented by the recent upsurge of younger and award winning writers like Chika Unigwe, Helon Habila, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Uwem Akpan, Teju Cole, Sade Adeniran, Toni Kan, Tracia Adaobi Nwaubani Biyi Bandele-Thomas, Lola Shoneyin, Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, Sarah Ladipo-Manyinka, Rotimi Babatunde and Nnedi Okafor amongst others, the giant of Africa did not have a single writers residency in her first 50 years of existence, until Hon. Dr Wale Okediran came to the rescue four years ago with the Ebedi International Writers Residency in Iseyin, Oyo State.

In an interview conducted by Abubakar Adam Ibrahim of Sunday Trust and published on Sunday March 13 2011, Honourable Dr. Wale Okediran, a two term Secretary-General and National President of the Association of Nigerian revealed that he was inspired to think along the line of such initiative when he went home him for vacation with his wife who on getting to the their country home suggested that, rather than allow the property to waste away, he could turn it into a resort.

“The idea got a good grounding. I immediately set to work by looking around for those who have attended residencies before and could have some ideas of how to run one.” He explained, adding that that was how the likes of Alkasim Abdulkadir and Uche Peter Umez who have both attended residencies abroad before

Karo Okokoh, Obinna Udenwe, Yinka Solarin, Wale Okediran and Paul Liam

A typical creative writing workshop

The idea got a good grounding. I immediately set to work by looking around for those who have attended residencies before and could have some ideas of how to run one were invited to help start what has now become the first writers residency in the most populous African nation, Nigeria.

And, of course, in the whole of West Africa.

So far, the Ebedi International Writers Residency in its four years of existence has hosted a total of about fifty writers from across Nigeria and the African continent. Among these are two Ghanaians and four Ugandans, which include Doreen Baingana. The Nigerian fellows of the residency include the likes of Richard Alli, Dr. Dull Johnson, Jumoke Verrissimo, Igoni barret Ladi Opaluwa, Musa Idris Okpanachi, Temitayo Olofinlua, Spencer Okoroafor, Gertrude Uzoh and Elnathan John.

It is however disheartening that, four years down the line. As worthy a legacy as this initiative is, it is still waiting to be emulated. None of Nigeria’s mega rich individuals, international award winners and of course institutions believed that such initiative deserves to be replicated across the country.

In his speech on September 1, 2010, at the formal opening of the Ebedi International Writer’ Residency, playwright and

academician, Professor Femi Osofisan who chaired the ceremony said “As you are aware, such intense ventures of private sponsorship for the arts are very rare in our country. Our rich folks (and we have hundreds of thousands of them) have other means of spending their wealth than ‘wasting’ it on arts”. He concluded with a poser “shat is the value of a poem, play, sculpture or a painting to a cold bottle of beer?”

As arduous as the business of writing is, it is not yet a lucrative venture in our part of the world. This explains the reason why help is needed through sponsorships, donations, grants making and residencies like these are required.

To commemorate the four years anniversary of the writer’ resort, a special event was held on September 27, 2014 in Iseyin, Oyo State, which included the birth also, of the Ebedi Review, a publication of the Ebedi International Writer’ Residency initiated and edited by two Ebedi Fellows, Paul Liam and Obinna Udenwe.

For a nation of close to 200 million, of which we could unofficially say that a miserly 2% are writers, the Ebedi Interna-

tional Writer’ Residency is like a drop in the ocean. This is why other rich Nigerians and institutions must either complement Hon. Wale Okediran’s daring effort by providing sponsorship for the running of the resort or establish some more in other parts of the nation.

This is one legacy we must not shy away from emulating. We must not wait for another fifty years before we have another. However, the organisers need to do a lot in terms of creating awareness for the programme. Judging from the reactions of one of the 2013 fellows, Yewande Omotoso, resident in South Africa, some more work needs to be done in this regards as information about the residency is usually handed down from old fellows.

According to her, “A friend of mine, Samuel Kolawole, was here. I wanted to come to Nigeria and was looking for a way to come and make it worth my while and he recommended it. I went online and tried to find the Ebedi website. Unfortunately, at the time the website wasn’t quite running so I e-mailed Dr. Okediran and interacted with him directly and he told me what was required, I sent it in and the board commented and I got accepted.

Quite straightforward like that. I applied and was accepted. As someone living in South Africa I never heard about the residency, but I’m sure Nigerians know about it. I came to Nigeria last year for a workshop and met Nigerian writers, two of them who had done it talked about it and it sounded interesting so I got curious.

Because it’s a big opportunity, we need to publicise this and we need the internet to do that otherwise you are relying on who you know.” Another fellow, Apohia Agiresaasi, from Ugandan only got to know of it through someone who had had the fellowship previously. “I got to know about the residency because I’m a member of FEMRITE, which is the Uganda Women Writers’ Association. Barbara Oketa, who is a member of FEMRITE, was here and she was asked to recommend somebody and she picked me. I applied online but it took some time and I didn’t get a reply so I asked Barbara whether she had given me the right address and she game me Dr. Okediran’s e-mail. I sent a letter, my CV and a sample of what I was working on. I was accepted and I had to apply to Art World Africa for my air ticket. The residency is getting popular especially at FEMRITE where other writers have also applied.”

If this is further strengthened, there is no doubt that it would produce a pool of quality writers from which the panel would harvest for the project.

24

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

VOICES

Association of Bleaching Celebrities of Nigeria

Pascal Ejikeme

A celebrity

T

he Association of Bleaching Celebrities of Nigeria wishes to use this medium to inform the public that the inexcusable attitude of some of its members to their fans has been brought to its attention.

It has also been said that some members of this esteemed organisation have embarrassingly refused to shake hands with their fans and in some of these cases, the aggrieved fans are said to have been little kids. On behalf of all celebrity bleachers, we the ABNC kindly ask for your forgiveness.

You loved us when we were black and we sincerely ask you not to love us any less even now that we are light skinned.

We also want you guys to understand that we celebrities bleach our skin so that we can lighten up your screens so you will never have to increase the brightness and contrast of your TV anymore. You can ask our Nigerian movie producers why they prefer us light-skinned actors. That being said, we also want to sound a note of warning to all celebrity bleachers. According to section 19 of our annually reviewed constitution, no bleacher operating within our ranks has any right whatsoever to disrespect his or her fans. Such unruly attitude should stop henceforth. Anyone culpable of this dastardly act will be severely dealt with according to what is stated in our constitution. We want to also use this medium to pass this vital information to the rest of the public and it will be in the interest of everyone to read the following very carefully.

The ABNC is the umbrella body of all celebrity bleachers and we are responsible for every bleaching celebrity you see on TV and on the streets. We will also like you to understand that no celebrity bleacher will intentionally snub or refuse to shake hands with his or her fans. A lot of these

bleacher with bad bleaching experience is like a dog with rabies

incidents have occurred as a result of stigmatisation of bleachers by the public. Nigerian celebrity bleachers especially have been unfairly criticised by the public for having black knuckles, white body and black yansh. Therefore, the unwillingness of celebrity bleachers to shake hands in public should be regarded as a silent protest over the bizarre treatment accorded bleachers in this country. They are humans and they deserve the rights to decide their skin or vein colours. Be it black, blue, red or rainbow, it is their choice and the public must accept and respect it. After all, if you are a very observant fan, you would have noticed that all light-skinned male celebrities always wear suits or long sleeve shirts and walk with their hands in their pockets. Walking with your hands in your pockets is prescribed by this distinguished organisation to all bleachers. In cases of bleaching gone awry, please note that celebrity bleachers don’t do all these because they want to be seen as fashionably sensitive or too cool to care. They do it to avoid that embarrassing moment when you discover that your pretty celebrity face has the hands of a local ‘tie and dye merchant’.

We hope that henceforth, whenever you

see a light-skinned celebrity with pocketed hands, you will save yourself the embarrassment and kindly let him be. A celebrity bleacher with bad bleaching experience is like a dog with rabies and no sane person messes with a rabies-infected dog. We implore you non-bleachers to be more sensitive to the plights of bleachers.

To you male fans who love greeting women with a kiss on their cheeks, please be advised to keep your damn kisses to yourself whenever you see those light-skinned celebs who love tying scarves around their necks. It is not fair to expose someone’s multi-coloured neckline to the whole world because you want to prove that you can greet like an Arab. And if you are a church usher who is fond of telling people to raise their hands up during worship, better stay the hell away from any lightskinned celebrity you see in church. Allow them to worship with their hands glued to their sides. We swear, you don’t want to see that armpit. Our sincere appreciation also goes to all men out there dating a celebrity bleacher, we commend your patience. You have stood by them knowing you can’t take them to the pool because of their black yansh. And when they forced you to take them against your will to the pool, you still had to endure the fact that they got into the swimming pool fully dressed in their leggings, T-shirts and stockings. May you be rewarded handsomely for your stoicism and perseverance? One quick advice though, in as much as you may love your

Memorable Reads Q

Q

Who is your favourite author?

There are many authors I like. I prefer those who draw me closer to my roots. I mean people like Chinua Achebe; he has a way of making you know someone who behaves like any of the characters he is creating. Growing up in a typical Igbo community, you will see Okonkwo of Things Fall Apart. But I also like some pioneer Igbo writers and scholars like F.C Ogbalu, Adiele Afigbo and Ibe Nwoga.

What is unique about these writers?

I am particularly pleased with their efforts at retaining the art of Igbo literature. They did a lot in this regard. It is a pity that people are not taking over from where they stopped, and this is already leaving a gap in the system.

Cehinwetalu Agu

Actor

Q

What book are you currently reading?

To be honest, I am reading a movie script for the role I have in a new movie.

Q

How much do you spend on books annually?

I do not keep records. But I know I spend money on newspapers and books that help me to improve on my character in films. Each time, I develop a new slang in a movie, it comes from studying characters.

Q

If you should be a writer, what would be your theme?

I would like to write about the culture of my people. I will like to rekindle certain aspects of our values that are fast being lost.

Pascal Uche Ejikeme is a Nigerian artiste, who goes by the stage name, Etcetera.

bleached spouse and want to treat her to different types of adventure, it is paramount that you resist every pressure to take her to the beach.

Please listen to us very carefully; you have to protect her from bleachers’ allergies. They react to sea water like an ogbanje reacts to deliverance. And if you don’t want to be staring at your bleached spouse rolling and crying in agony on the beach sand, don’t let the sea water come in contact with her skin.

Nigerians, please stop judging us by the colour of our skin. We will never be ashamed to admit to the public that all light-skinned celebrities are bleachers because this same bleaching has made us the most preferred in Nollywood today. It has made our ladies more desirable and more noticeable by Nigerian men. It has also helped some of our colleagues who were straight up ugly become attractive.

That is why our motto is, Show me a lightskinned celebrity who doesn’t bleach and I will show you a local dog that doesn’t eat sh*t.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ARTISTE UNCENSORED He calls himself a ‘Hyphenate’; he is the multitalented writer, actor, producer and director who plays the role of Biodun, the trainer in the award winning MNET television series, Tinsel.

Olawale Oluwadahunsi

K

olade Shasi, a Psychology graduate from the University of Ilorin started acting on stage way back in secondary school, Federal Government College, Ijanikin, Lagos.

“I started acting in secondary school where I took part in a lot of stage plays.

Then, I was tutored by a very brilliant personality, Mr Ayo Fakorede who didn’t spare us the stories that we were young.

He taught us like real time actors. Then, I acted on stage Felicia Onyewadume’s ‘Echoes of Hard times’, and the popular ‘God’s Are not to Blame’. I also participated in a stage drama competition for ‘The Hospitable Clan’ where we came out as the second position in the country.

Just after secondary school, I came home to find out that the stage movie, Obaseki,

by Don Pedro Obaseki was going to be aired soon. I called the numbers on the T.V screen and I told them that I wanted to be part of the production. They gave me the address and I went. That was a major eye-opener in my acting career because I met with brilliant thespians like Richard Mofe Damijo, Norbert Young, Don Pedro Obaseki himself, and so many other veterans. Luckily for me, they were hoping to complete the cast. I was auditioned for the role of Obaseki’s son, Agbonifo and I got it. That was in 2003.

We presented it at Nigerian Law School, Lagos and other locations. We wanted to go to Benin to present it when I got admission into the university. It was such a great experience for me.

“Growing up, one of the greatest challenges for me is the fact that I have ‘so much talent’. I was once a rapper and an event planner who planned one of the biggest concerts in 2009, the Ephizee Easter concert, at Planet One, Lagos.

Streamlining all my talents into one was one of my major challenges.

The 28 year old character interpreter

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

25

I’m in movies to create good legacy–Kolade Shasi and creative director, Ephizzee Films, who is also a lecturer, acting coach and instructor at Emem Isong’s Royal Arts Academy, has also featured in several other movies and while also producing and directing his short movie, ‘Four Walls’ in 2013.

“Lecturing at Royal Arts Academy has broadened my scope as an artiste.

I give lecture majorly on Psychology in acting. I have featured in movies like Delirium, a short thriller where I played the lead role. I also played the lead role of Randy in Amaka Igwe’s short film, ‘Hi Randy’, and ‘Infinity Hospital’, where I played the role, Dudu, and a stunt driver and Charles Novia’s ‘Afro’ where I played young Afro. I had my directorial debut last year with my short film ‘Four Walls’ which centered on the need for education. However, I have left directing for some time now after listening to the advice of one of my role models in the industry, Mr Tunde Kelani, who told me that there is need to gain years of experience in filmmaking to become a very a superb director. Right now, acting is my major focus” Kolade is also a writer. He wrote an unpublished stage drama, ‘The Genesis of Nemesis’, an eight man cast, though he hopes to publish it when the time is right. He also wrote six episodes among the twenty four episodes of his soon to be released Sitcom, ‘What Are Friends For?’ “The sitcom, ‘What Are Friends For?’ is my newest work; the montage will be out this week online. It is one of the most anticipated television series because of its novelty. It is a shift from the more popular slapstick based sitcoms to a hybrid dialogue driven and slapstick comedy. I currently have twenty four episodes and it will be out on your screens by January next year. It was a whole new experience because I had to call for open auditions and choose the artistes. The inspiration for the project is from Kayode Peters’ ‘Twilight Zone’. It was supposed to be ‘Juvenile Attractions’ while I was in the university but I couldn’t do it because many of the artistes who were also students ran home after exams. I added more flesh to it and with my cast and crew; and it metamorphosed into ‘What

MIDWEEK JUMP

Morland writing scholarships available for Nigerians

T

he Miles Morland Foundation is a charity which supports culture and education in Africa, particularly the continent’s literature. In recognition of the financial challenges many emerging African writers encounter, MMF is once again offering Morland Writing Scholarships for three writers. Now in their second year, the scholarships provide a grant of £18000, paid to each writer monthly over the course of one year.

Only published writers who were either born in Africa or whose parents were both born in Africa

Morland Writing Scholarship

Are Friends For?’ It features artistes like Zack Orji, Bimbo Akintola, Kunle Fawole, Wale Adebayo and a lot of talented new acts” As an actor, what mostly endears the ‘Hyphenate’ is a very challenging movie script, where the character he plays moves him out of the ‘comfort zone’.

“I love jobs where the character is fully rounded, not one dimensional.

I love to be challenged, such that I can move out of my ‘comfort zone’. In a well written script, the character grows. I love to interpret the character before and after growth convincingly. If I see a script and a director with a good vision, I can act without being paid because legacy is what I am after, not just the money. I need to teach people how to tell good stories from the way I do mine”, he said.

If I see a script and a director

with a good vision,

I can act without

being paid because legacy is what

I am

after

kolade shasi

The Brunel University African Poetry Prize

N

ow in its second year, The Brunel University African Poetry Prize is a major new annual poetry prize aimed at the development, celebration and promotion of poetry from Africa. The prize is supported by Brunel University and Commonwealth Writers, and the winner will receive £3,000.

The prize is open to poets who were born in Africa, are nationals of an African country, or whose parents are African. Only poets who have not yet had a full-length poetry book published can enter. Self-published books, chapbooks and pamphlets are exempt

from this stipulation. Poets are asked to submit ten poems by the 30th of November deadline.

26

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FAR AND NEAR

SHOOT! 2014 targets content development, digitisation Ngozi Emedolibe

P

lateau State capital, Jos, will witness the influx of filmmakers, scholars and the media, as SHOOT! 2014 kicks off next week – Monday November, 3rd, 2014. Other confirmed participants attending the international film training capacity building workshop include information and communication officers of federal, states, local government councils and agencies of government as well as those from the organised private sector.

Venue of SHOOT! 2014 is the National Film Institute, Jos Plateau State Nigeria.

According to a statement in Jos, by Brian Etuk, NFC’s Head of Public Affairs, SHOOT! 2014 is the 8th edition of the training series with “Content Development and the Challenges of Digitization’’ as its theme.

The National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, is partnering with the NFC to mount the 2014 edition of SHOOT! The focus on content development and ways of addressing the challenges of digitisation, Etuk said, is to deepen the conversation on the migration from analogue to digital broadcasting which comes into effect next year, 2015.

Chief Executives of the Nigerian Film Corporation, Dr. Danjuma Dadu and that of National Broadcasting Commission Mr.

Danjuma

Emeka Mba have assured that the training and capacity building workshop designed to give all stakeholders the opportunity to horn their skills in preparation for Nigeria’s digital migration, will be achieved.

While content development, Dadu averred is key to a successful digital migration, the professional competence of practitioners and preparedness to deal with the migration will be in focus during SHOOT! 2014. Mba, on the other hand added that, apart from the necessary hard-

ware requirements for a successful digital migration, operators especially those with the responsibility of providing content needed be trained in preparation for the migration. Resource persons for SHOOT! 2014 are drawn from UK, France, USA Germany and Nigeria.

The 5 day training workshop costs N45,000.00 (Forty Five Thousand Naira Only) and covers tuition, feeding, training materials and practical’s, with certificates to be issued to participants in Digital Cinematography and Directing; Digital Sound Production and Non-Linear Editing, Film Marketing, Distribution/Exhibition and Production Management; Set Design, Costume and Props; and Digital Animation and Graphics.

The Corporation has trained several hundreds of practitioners in various aspects of digital film production, post production, documentary production, script writing, digital editing, cinematography, photography, lighting, sound production and many more.

Apart from opening up opportunities for employment, wealth and revenue creation, past participants of SHOOT! have performed exceptionally well in their fields of endeavour, and have continued to produce quality content for television broadcast; and films (filmmakers) that have been screened at both domestic and international film festivals.

AFRIMA: How artistes thrilled UNILAG students

T

he All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 held an entertaining concert tagged: ‘Road to AFRIMA on Campus’ at the Indoor Sports Hall of the University of Lagos which was targeted at communicating the vision and ideals of AFRIMA to the vibrant youth generation in Nigeria, the awards host country.

Present at the concert which also marked the launching of ‘Vote-Not-FightCampaign’, were big names in the Nigeria music industry as well as AFRIMA Awards’ nominees and upcoming artistes such as, 2face Idibia, Skales, Naeto C, Jaywon, Niyola, Zeez, Dammy Krane, Queen Moda, Efa, Saeon, Joel, Seriki, Capital F.E.M.I, Tony One Week and many more.

The concert was anchored by foremost Compere and Comedian in Africa, Gbenga Adeyinka the 1st.

Thousands of students adorned in their AFRIMA branded T-shirt attended the concert and were excited to see their favourite artistes perform. Funmi Oguntade, an undergraduate of the Faculty of Law said: “I’m glad to have witnessed such a great concert as this and I look forward to the AFRIMA Music Village and the Award Ceremony in November 4-7 and November 9 because I have heard that popular music stars in Africa and abroad will come”. Victor Okonkwo, another University of Lagos student at the concert expressed gratitude to AFRIMA for helping them relieve the tension of academic work through entertainment. “This is best thing that has ever happened to UNILAG and we are honoured that AFRIMA is holding the maiden edition

AFRIMA international Advisor, Rikki Stein with Students

of the ‘Road to AFRIMA’ on campus in this great institution”. The 300-level Economics student added further that, “Personally, I’m a bookworm and anytime I have opportunity for quality entertainment as AFRIMA provided, I jump on it. I hope to attend their events in November, particularly the Africa Music Summit where a lot of discussion will go on about the African music industry”.

The Executive Producer, AFRIMA, Mr. Mike Dada on behalf of the International Committee of AFRIMA expressed appreciation to artistes and students for showing up for the event and for support and commitment towards AFRIMA events.

Voting for winners continues in the 32 categories of the award till November 4, 2014.

Meanwhile, the International Committee of the All Africa Music Awards, AF-

RIMA has also received the 23.9-Karat gold plated trophy through the AFRIMA International Advisor, Rikki Stein, Nigeria.

The trophy which was produced by an award trophy making company ‘Awards4u’ based in United Kingdom, UK, was conceived and visualised by the executive producer, Mike Dada and designed by the Assistant Artistic Director of AFRIMA, Ademola Tajudeen.

Receiving the trophy, Executive Producer, AFRIMA, Mike Dada expressed excitement saying “we all feel very much relieved, delighted and fulfilled having the trophy, there is nothing as good as visualising a thing and making it a reality, this was exactly the picture of the trophy we had in mind for years and now we have it in our hands for the glory and image of Africa to the pride of prospective award winners”, Mike Dada.

Akin Adejuwon

National Troupe hosts Stakeholders’ Forum

A

s part of plans to encourage broad and effective stakeholders’ engagement in the implementation of the objectives, plans and programmes of the National Troupe of Nigeria, NTN, the leadership of the Troupe will on Thursday October 30 at the Banquet Hall of the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos host a stakeholders forum. The forum scheduled to begin at 10am, is the first since the formal establishment of the Troupe in 1991.

According to a statement from the Public Relations Unit of the NTN, the stakeholders forum, which is expected to attract personalities with strong interest and experience relevant to the growth and development of the performing arts as well as patrons of the Troupe will feature a keynote speech and a command performance of ‘Ajoyo’, a dance-drama created by the Core-Artiste of the Troupe. The keynote speech titled: ‘The Performative Expression in a Conflict Environment’ is to be delivered by the President of the Society of Nigerian Theatre Artistes, SONTA, and Head of the Department of Theatre Arts of the University of Maiduguri Professor Sunday Enesi Ododo.

Artistic Director and Chief Executive of the NTN Mr. Akin Adejuwon explained that having just taken over as the new head of the Troupe, he felt that it was important to meet and share ideas with those that have been identified as stakeholders with strong interest in the development of the performing arts. ‘I felt that the best way to hit the road running is to have this kind of engagement where we can meet to share ideas and most of all take suggestions on things we could do as an agency of government to improve on service delivery’’ he said.

Meanwhile, the National Troupe is to perform at the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Banquet scheduled for November 4, 2014 at the Presidential Villa. The Troupe is proposing to stage a dance drama ‘Heroes’ at the banquet, which will have President Goodluck Jonathan, the Vice President, Service Chiefs and other top government officials in attendance.

Business Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Tree planting is a serious business that creates job opportunities –Bisirodipe 28

Environmental pollution: Chevron to reduce gas flaring to 90% by 2015

31

FG plans cocoa expansion SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE

F

ederal government has planned to expand the nation’s cocoa industry to claim its greater share of $200bn global market annually.

With the expansion of cocoa processing and manufacturing capacity, government would retain more value of cocoa industry in the country by creating jobs for the youths and generating income for government.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, who disclosed this on Monday at the summit on Cocoa Value Addition held in Abuja, said with the repositioning, Nigeria would extract immense value out of the cocoa industry.

“The total global value of exporting raw cocoa is approximately $10bn a year; the total value from chocolates alone, all made from cocoa, is over $100bn a year while total value of all finished goods made from cocoa is estimated to be as high as $200bn a year, drawing from the same $10bn raw cocoa beans produced’’, Aganga said.

According to his statement, “With the situation today, about 76 per cent of total cocoa produced is from Africa, but less than five per cent of the wealth in the value chain is retained here. After many decades of dominating cocoa production, it is worrying that we still remain price takers and capture so little value. This is not right and this is what we have set out to ch ange”.

Aganga noted that the partner-

ship between his Ministry, the Ministry of Agriculture and Organised Private Sector, OPS, was part of President Goodluck Jonathan’s unwavering commitment towards pushing the frontiers of economic development while returning Nigeria back to its glory in cocoa industry.

He said, “This event is a unique collaboration between three parties-the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment; Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Organised Private Sector in Nigeria’s Cocoa industry.

“This is where future generations of Nigeria will remember that together, we turned the

course of the Nigerian Cocoa industry. We must, however, develop a bold vision for the Nigerian Cocoa value chain, which will define a clear road map for the stakeholders.”

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina said his Ministry was working with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment on a ministerial memo on value chain that would unlock the potential in cocoa sector.

He said the memo would be presented to the Federal Executive Council , FEC, adding that government had provided 1.4 million pods of high breed cocoa

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Stakeholders await Ogoniland clean-up, three years after UNEP 33 –Report

to farmers at no cost within two years.

This, he said would increase cocoa output from 250,000 to 300,000.

In his goodwill message, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Michel Arrior, said Nigeria is the largest trading partner with Europe with a total trade volume of $50bn in 2013.

“A good and well-functioning West Africa and Common External Tariff is a welcome development and the European Union has no trade offensive in Nigeria.

Consumer and finished products would be excluded from trading agreement with Nigeria,” he noted.

T

he Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers, NCRIB, has said that the council will spare no opportunity to eliminate fraudulent practitioners and fakes operating in the insurance industry in the country.

In a statement on Monday from the President of NCRIB, Mr. Ayodapo Shoderu, following

FLIGHT

SCHEDULE Arik Air Lag-Abj:07.15, 09.15, 10.20, 13.05, 15.20, 16.20, 16.50,18.45 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun).

Abj-Lag: 07:15, 09.40, 10.20, 12.15, 15.15, 16.15, 17:10, (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun); 12.15, 15.15, 16.15 (Sun) Lag-PH: 07:15, 11.40, 14.00, 16.10, 17.15 (Mon-Fri); 07.30, 11.40, 15.50 (Sat) 11.50, 3.50, 17.05 Sun) Abj-PH: 07.15, 11.20, 15.30 (Mon-Fri) 07.15, 16.00 (Sat) 13.10, 16.00 Sun) PH-Abj: 08.45, 12.50, 17.00 (MonFri) 08.45, 17.30 (Sat) 14.40, 17.30 (Sun) Abv-Beni:08.00, 12.10 (MonFri/Sat)08.56, 12.10 (Sun) BeninAbj:09.55,13.30

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

Med-View Airline

Chairman, Rak Unity Petroleum, Mallam Muhammad Lawan Buba (left) and Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar Onyema, during a courtesy visit to Rak Unity Petroleum at the weekend.

We will expose fraudulent operators, says NCRIB MESHACK IDEHEN

27

the conclusion of NCRIB’s annual general meeting in Abuja, Shoderu said the move to flush and expose fakes was part of its realisation of the need to promote professionalism and high ethical standards among insurance brokers.

The NCRIB president said apart from stringent registration procedure and robust induction programme for new members under its membership committee, that disciplinary

and investigation committees had been strengthened to ensure unbiased decisions on cases brought before them.

According to the NCRIB boss, the council was also engaging the National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, on a very silent but robust and result-oriented discourse over the recent deregistration of some of the council’s members by NAICOM, stressing that hopefully, within a very short period that the is-

sue would be fully resolved.

He added that through the council’s intervention, NAICOM had invited some of the deregistered brokers to update their registration and commence operation. According to the statement, the capacity building initiative had been up scaled to underscore the imperative not only for continuous learning but also to create and sustain a learning organisation.

Lagos- Abuja (Mon-Fri): 07.00, 08.50, 12.00, 16.30. Abuja- Lagos (Mon-Fri): 09.00, 14.00, 15.00, 18.30. Lagos-Yola (Mon-Fri): 8.50am. Yola-Lagos (Mon-Fri): 13.00. Lagos- PHC (Mon-Fri): 17.00. PHC-Lagos: 19.00. AbujaYola: 11.00. Yola-Abuja: 13.00.

Lagos-Abuja (Sat): 08.00, 08.50.

Abuja-Lagos (Sat): 10.00, 15.00.

Lagos-PHC (Sat): 17.00. PHC-Lagos (Sat): 19.00. Lagos-Yola (Sat): 08.50. Yola-Lagos (Sat): 13.00

28

Executive Discourse

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tree planting is a serious business that The Chief Executive of Bisrod Furniture Company Limited, Chief Giwa Bisirodipe has undoubtedly become the highest planter of trees in Africa. In this interview with UDEME AKPAN, Bisirodipe who gives an insight into his life as tree planter, politician and investor made it emphatic that planting trees is a serious business with a lot of benefits. Excerpts:

Can you tell us about your birth and exposure?

I am 75 years old. I have traversed the universe, starting from Ijebu Ode, my place of birth on 4th September, 1939. I had my early education at age nine in Wasimi African Bethel School, Ijebu Ode up till 1955. I spent16 years of my early life in Ijebu Ode before going to Lagos in 1956. In Lagos, I was admitted into the Lagos City College, Sabo, Yaba but later admitted into Yaba Trade Centre in 1958 where I completed my education in cabinet making in 1961.

After graduation, I was employed in 1961 by the Cooperative Woodwork, Orita Challenge, Ibadan, and from there, I was employed by the Western Nigeria Television and Broadcasting Service, WNTV-WNBS, Agodi, Lagos. While in these employments, I had my road side carpentry workshop (fore-runner of Bisrod Furniture) in front of my house in Yemetu Aladorin, Ibadan. My hard work in WNTV-WNBS made me the darling of all my bosses such as Chief Tunde Oshodi, Chief Engr. Maduka, Chief Ayo Ogunlade and General Manager Engr. Teju Oyeleye.

In 1970, my boss, the Controller of Programmes of WNTV – WNBS, Mr. Steve Rhodes who trusted my professional competence got me a major contract from Philip Morris Cigarette Company to build two large dancing platforms for the James Brown show tour of Nigeria. The contract provided the seed money for the expansion of my road side carpentry work which thereafter metamorphosed to Bisod Furniture Company Limited. The Company suffered a major fire on May, 1974 but was rebuilt with internal resource.

Chief Gabriel Ayodele Onagoruwa, the then General Manager of Cooperative Bank approved a bank loan of N500, 000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) without security, for my company in 1976. The loan application prepared by Oba Otundeko, CFR made possible the construction of the Ijebu-Ode factory that promoted industrial collaboration of the company with Hamilton Furniture Company, Borgnor Regis Sussex, United Kingdom.

How did you managed to establish the Ijebu Ode factory?

The Ijebu Ode factory commenced full production in 1980 with two British expatriate managers, four Nigerian managers with total 350 Nigerian workforce, contributing immensely to the social economic development of Ijebu and Ogun state. Since then, the furniture company has grown in leap and bound as household name, not only in Ogun State but throughout Nigeria. Today, there is hardly any tertiary institution in Nigeria without furniture from the company. I have travelled widely around the world attending seminars, conferences, trade fairs and management training programmers in Europe, Asia, Middle, East and Africa Countries. These travels propelled the growth of the furniture company and the forestry project establishment in 1984.

Can you tell us more about your forestry project?

My massive involvement in the tree planting campaign could be understandable. My life, family and business live in wood. The trees I planted 25 years ago now adorn the skyline of my forest demonstration centre at Ijari, a suburb of Ijebu Ode. A good number of such trees had been felled, sawed at the factory and turned into beautiful woodworks for mankind. Some

of the trees are high forest indigenous hardwood such as mahogany, cedar, teak and gmelina. They are now mother trees producing seeds for the demonstration centre’s nurseries. Today, the centre is an attraction and motivation for tree planting converts who besiege the place on a daily basis. My tree planting crusade has recorded many converts amongst them reputable Nigerians and institutions of higher learning, including the University of Ilorin, Tai Solarin University of Education and Federal polytechnic, Ilaro to mention just a few. The ambition is to see Nigeria plant one billion trees yearly. The forestry and the factory project remain major sources of employment for many Nigerians. Today, I remain committed to tree planting not only because the need to protect the environment but also generate wealth.

I have a strong an unshakable conviction that Nigeria, with a landmass of 92.4 million hectares of land can restore the lost forests of the pre-colonial through increased planting of trees in all parts of the nation.

But this would not be successfully accomplished without the cooperation and collaboration of stakeholders such as the federal, state and local governments, private investors, communal landowners, wood industries and wood exporters. I also believe that increased tree planting would assist the nation to tackle deforestation and erosion among other problems in the nation.

What other investment instruments do you believe in?

I believe in shares and bonds. Consequently, I started in shares and bonds since 1969 when I purchased Federal Government bond. My foundation shares in Ecobank made me a member of the board of the Bank at the regional level with Headquarters in Togo. For ten years, I was on the Board of Ecobank, Benin Republic and for another four years in Ecobank, Nigeria. I was for 12 years the Chairman of Ecobank Shareholders Association. It was during this tenure that Ecobank Transactional Incorporation (ETI) was restricted and returned to profitability. ETI now operates in 35 counties, including Africa and other nations.

Why are you passionate about investing in Ijebu Ode and other parts of the nation?

I am committed to the development of Ijebu Ode. Specifically, returned to Ijebu Ode in 1976 from Ibadan after 15years. I have given the rest of my life to Ijebu development. I made numerous contributions to the rebirth of Ijebu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines Bisirodipe

NIGERIA, WITH A LANDMASS OF 92.4 MILLION HECTARES OF LAND CAN RESTORE THE LOST FORESTS OF THE PRE-COLONIAL THROUGH

INCREASED PLANTING OF TREES IN ALL PARTS OF THE NATION

and Agriculture. The resuscitation led to Chief A.A.K. Degun becoming the president while I became the VicePresident. I later became the president of the Association. I was also the president, Ogun State Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, OGCIMA. My membership of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and Sectorial Chairman of Wood, Wood Products and Furniture sector of MAN made the Federal Government to appoint me as a Board member of Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti as well as a Board member of Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro. I also served as a Board member of the National Fertilizer Company, Onne Port Harcourt, Rivers State. I was made a fellow of Nigerian Institute of Management in 1993 and

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Executive Discourse

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

29

t creates job opportunities –Bisirodipe MANY PARTS OF THE NATION, ESPECIALLY THE RURAL AREAS LACK ADEQUATE WATER

SUPPLY.

GENERALLY, THE

NATION LACKS ADEQUATE INFRASTRUCTURE AND FACILITIES REQUIRED FOR EFFICIENT AND

SUSTAINABLE OPERATIONS.

THESE HAVE IMPACTED

NEGATIVELY ON EFFORTS OF INVESTORS TO BOOST INVESTMENT IN MANY

SECTORS OF THE NATION’S ECONOMY

ment. In the Zero party election of 1989, the influence of political heavy weight made me to lost, the chairmanship election but later won the lections of 1991 and 1992 as the chairman of the Local Government Area for three times. I was appointed by the Ogun State government in 1994 as a member of the Technical College about 1996. I contested and lost the senatorial election in 2003. I was appointed chairman Ogun State Market Development Board in 2003. I resigned barely one year after and was immediately appointed Chairman, Ogun State Agricultural Development Cooperation.

awarded TUYOS Entrepreneurship award in 2010. The Forest Association of Nigeria and Forest and Forest Products Society have recognized my afforestation programme with distinguished forester award of Honour.

I am the patron of the alumni association of my Alma master, Federal Science and Technical College Yaba.

How did you manage to venture into politics?

It was during the military period that I was appointed by Military Governor Gen. Oladayo Popoola, along with three others as Management Committee members for Ijebu-Ode Local Government in 1986. I was eventually appointed by Military Governor Gen. Raji Rasaki Government as the Chairman of the Local Govern-

What were your major feats?

During my period as chairman of Ijebu Ode Local Government, I produced the master plan for the redevelopment of Itoro Hall Secretariat Complex, built Modern Itale Market near the Awujale Palace, as well as Imowo Ram Market, among other projects. In addition, I led the Committee for the creation of Ijebu Ode State in 1991. All these endeared me to my people as a patriotic political leader. It is on record that the paramount ruler, Awujale of Ijebu-land, the Alayeluwa Oba (Dr.) S.K. Adetona, CFR J.P honours me with chieftaincy title twice for my achievements.

In 1985, I was honored with the title of Fesogboye, and in 1992 with the title of Atunluto during the foundation laying ceremony for the rebuilding of Itoro hall.

I was instrumental to the resuscitation of the age long Regberegbe age grade in line with Ijebu tradition. This was attested to by Alaiyeluwa himself, Oba Dr. S.K. Adetona, when he wrote in HIS autobiography thus: “For awhile, the activities of the Regberegbe were on the decline until Chief BisiRodipe came to see me and pressed hard for a revival. His argument was sound.

No national constitution could take away our cultural heritage and the manner in which we gathered. Ijebu was in need of the rebirth of the Regberegbe. He wholeheartedly supported it.”

What motivated you to establish the monumental Bisi mega hall and hotel complex?

The project was put in place to mark my glorious 75th birthday. It attests to my continued interest in the sustainable development of Ijebu Ode and by extension

the entire state. In other words, it is a consolidated investment which attests to my commitment, love and patriotism. It would serve as another source of employment and income generation for the Ijebu heroes like Balogun Kuku, the Odutolas, the Balogun Shoye, the Okunnowo, the Alaiyeluwa Oba Dr. S.K. Adetona who have all laid economic and education foundation for future generations of Ijebus to follow. I have the unshakable believe that Ijebu land, and Ijebu Ode in particular, must complement and benefit from the mega status of Lagos State which is about an hour drive, by providing facilities capable of attracting and sustaining the interest of Nigerians at home and aboard.

These and other people should have a befitting place to stay whenever they visit Ijebu.

Specifically, what are the major preoccupations of this facility?

The facility aims at boosting investment in Ijebu Ode and its environs and by extension other parts of Nigeria. It is my hope that investors, tourists and other people and organisations would come to make ample use of this facility. It is a suitable place for many engagements, especially lectures, seminars, conferences and retreats. In other words, it constitutes a nice place for many stakeholders to meet and impart knowledge and skills. It is a nice place for recreation and relaxation. Consequently, we welcome investors, potential investors and tourists to come here to hold their events, especially as it has modern facilities to meet their expectations.

How friendly is the nation’s environment?

The nation remains one of the most promising investment destinations in the world. The country is endowed with many resources such as crude oil, natural gas, minerals, renewable, agricultural products among others. The nation also has favourable policies and incentives, capable of attracting serious investors from many parts of the world. Already, there are many local and foreign investors who can attest to the existence of Nigeria as a major investment destination in the world.

What are the challenges that stare investors and others in the face?

Indeed, there are many constraints. For instance, power supply remains inadequate and unstable. Most of the roads are still in bad condition. Many parts of the nation, especially the rural areas lack adequate water supply. Generally, the nation lacks adequate infrastructure and facilities required for efficient and sustainable operations. These have impacted negatively on efforts of investors to boost investment in many sectors of the nation’s economy. Some operators who have made efforts to put their facilities, including power do so at additional costs. These costs have been passed in form of high prices to consumers. In other words, it is general public that bear the final burden.

But it has also been noted that as a result of high cost of production, it is impossible for many of our locally produced goods and services to be competitively in the global market.

What do you think should be done?

A lot can be done. It is the duty of the government at all levels to ensure that adequate facilities are provided to promote investment in the nation. These include good roads, pipe borne water, hospitals, post offices, electricity, schools and libraries. These and other facilities or utilities would go a long way to support business and other endavours. The government and its agencies should also put in place adequate measures to enhance security in all parts of the nation. These and other measures would go a long way to promoting investment in the country.

30

Business News

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

TUC set for strike over minimum wage MESHACK IDEHEN

T

he Trade Union Congress, TUC, of Nigeria said it has drawn the battle line with the National Assembly over the decision to move minimum wage from the Exclusive to the Legislative List.

The congress said the National Assembly’s action means that state governments and other employers of labour are at liberty to determine what to pay their workers, contrary to what currently obtains, where the National Assembly fixes a national minimum wage.

President and General Secretary of the TUC, Mr Bala Bobboi Kaigama and Mr Musa Lawal in a joint press statement singled out the Senate as the arm of the legislature that is particularly insisting on pauperising Nigerian workers.

According to TUC,the Senate must immediately reverse the decision or face a long drawn-out mass protest of unprecedented dimension. The decision is wicked, unpatriotic and grossly irresponsible and must never see the light of day.

The labour leaders told journalists unlike its counterpart the House of Representatives that the Senate is playing ignorance of the principle and concept of the minimum wage as practiced in decent societies all over the world. Again and again we have written and intimated them on global trends and best practices on the issue, he said.

They explained the senate’s position will undoubtedly encourage the state governments…to start paying ‘starvation’ wages to their workers, whereas the current minimum wage of N18,000 cannot even meet the immediate needs of the poor masses. This is

sure to heat up the polity and lead to predictably unsavoury consequences.

“The fundamental underlying principle for the fixing of national minimum wage is to ensure that workers, especially the un-unionised and unskilled, are not exploited by their employers to the extent that the worker’s take-home pay

cannot sustain him,” it said.

The TUC leaders accused fifth columnists of trying to scuttle the oncoming 2015 general elections by taking an action that all Nigerians will rise against.

“The timing of the decision, so close to the preparation for general elections in 2015, might actually be an attempt by the unscru-

pulous characters to provoke a national industrial crisis at a time when the nation is barely managing to cope with ongoing ones.

“Nevertheless, unless the Senate wisely reverses its decision pronto, we, as Nigerian workers, shall not hesitate to resort to that option,” the labour leaders added.

ABEN calls for govt’s legislation on internet usage ABOLAJI ADEBAYO

T

he Association of Business Educators of Nigeria, ABEN, called on the governments at all levels to regulate use of internet and social media through adequate legislation.

In a communiqué at the end of its 26th annual conference signed by its national president, Dr. Titus Umoru, ABEN said this should be done without infringing on freedom and rights of citizens.

The communiqué recognised potentials of social media as instruments for projecting business education and called on parents and guardians to monitor young ones so that social media are employed for acquisition of knowledge rather than for engaging in vices.

The association, which held that Nigeria was moving towards a period when social media would hold centre stage in social-economic development, called on stakeholders to see Facebook and other social media as veritable instruments for social and economic changes anywhere in the world.

The association also charged heads of institutions as well as members of ABEN to desist from the practice of deceiving accreditation agencies in respect of physical and human resources available for programmes being presented for accreditation.

It also wanted TETFUND to remove all barriers inhibiting legitimate access to funds for research, training and infrastructural development.

The communiqué, which observed that business education facilities were inadequate in quality and quantum in most Nigerian institutions, added that they are often poorly maintained where they are adequate.

It also condemned instability in higher education sector in the country, saying incessant labour and student unrest had handicapped efforts to produce qualitative business educators.

“The acquisition and mastery of business skills are not enhanced by spasmodic learning, but by intensive and continual engagement of learners with equipment and faculties.

We thus call on all stakeholders to critically examine all contentious issues and reach agreement to ensure academic calendars are not continually disrupted,” it stated.

L-R: Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr. John Ugbe; Nigeria representative in Big Brother Africa Season 9, Lilian Afegbai, and General Manager, Marketing, MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr. Martin Mabutho, during Lilian’s visit to MultiChoice office at the weekend.

ECB fails 25 banks in health check but problems largely solved

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oughly one in five of the euro zone’s top lenders failed landmark health checks at the end of last year but most have since repaired their finances, the European Central Bank said on Sunday.

Painting a brighter picture than had been expected, the ECB found the biggest problems in Italy, Cyprus and Greece but concluded that banks’ capital holes had since chiefly been plugged, leaving only a modest 10 billion euros ,7.87 billion pounds, to be raised.

Italy faces the biggest challenge with nine of its banks falling short and two still needing to raise funds.

The test, designed to mark a

clean start before the ECB takes on supervision of the banks next month, said Monte dei Paschi ,BMPS.MI, had the largest capital hole to fill at 2.1 billion euros.

The exercise provides the clearest picture yet of the health of the euro zone’s banks more than seven years after the eruption of a financial crisis that almost bankrupted a handful of countries and threatened to fracture the currency bloc.

While 25 of the euro zone’s 130 biggest banks failed the health check at the end of last year with a total capital shortfall of 25 billion euros, a dozen have already raised 15 billion euros this year to make repairs.

A recent investor survey by

Goldman Sachs found they believed the ECB ought to ask lenders to raise an additional 51 billion euros of capital for the tests to be credible.

Although investors may take heart, it remains to be seen whether the exercise can spur banks to lend more as the region’s economic growth stutters to a virtual halt.

European Central Bank Vice President Vitor Constancio said the results could encourage banks to lend.

“There is some pick up ,in demand, but it is still slight,” Constancio told Reuters. “All this now can really start to change the environment and we hope it will also change the reality.”

France in new pledge to cut budget deficit

F

rance’s finance minister says the country plans to cut its budget deficit by €3.63.7bn, £2.84bn, $4.6bn, next year in a bid to meet European Union rules.

The minister, Michel Sapin, made the promise in a letter to the European Commission.

The plan is an update on the coun-

try’s original draft budget for 2015.

The Commission has until Wednesday to decide whether or not to accept the proposal.

Mr Sapin said he had found the money because of lower-than-expected costs on interest payments, as well as lower contributions to the EU’s budget.

He said France had also gained

income through higher tax income, which it pulled in by being tougher on fraud and ending some company tax allowances.

The country has missed a number of budget deficit targets and has struggled with high unemployment and low growth.

Earlier this month, the French government said it would reduce

its budget deficit to below the EU threshold of 3 per cent of GDP by 2017, two years later than promised.

That forecast indicated the public deficit would fall to 4.3 per cent next year, but to 2.8 per cent by 2017.

Mr Sapin said at the time that growth would remain weak, projecting that the economy would only grow very slightly this year.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business News

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

31

NAMA earns multiple awards for efficient service OLUSEGUN KOIKI

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L-R: Head, Business Office, Warri/Sapele Branch, Diamond Bank Plc, Celestine Okafor; Adminstrative Consultant, Living Your Dreams Initiative, Kanayo Ekwemuka; Segment Head, Micro Emterprises, Diamond Bank, Adaeze Ume; Creative Director, Hesey Designs, Eseoghene Odiete ; Head, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Propositions, Diamond Bank, Chima Nnadozie, and President, Eobuwa Fadama 3 Cassava Farmers’ Co-operative Mercy Akpowowo, at the Diamond Woman Enterprise Series organised by the bank in Benin, at the weekend.

he Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, says that for the third time in a row, it has comes tops in the discharge of outstanding performance in service delivery.

The agency stated that assessment was carried out by an autonomous survey; Independent Service Delivery Monitoring Group, ISDMG. A media statement by the spokesman of the company, Mr. Supo Atobatele stated that the Independent Survey Monitoring Group, a non-governmental organization, which canvasses transparency in public institutions, at a dinner recently in Abuja, conferred three different awards

Environmental pollution: Chevron to reduce gas flaring to 90% by 2015 SYLVER EMEKA-OKEREKE

D

isturbed by the growing environmental pollutions, caused by routine gas flaring, Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL, as well as its joint partner, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, have vowed to reduce gas flaring in the country to about 90 percent by 2015.

Already, the company said it had invested over $7 billion to achieve over 60 percent of the flaring, disclosing that before the end of 2015, the joint partnership would have reduced it by 90 percent.

Chairman and Managing Di-

rector, Chevron Nigeria Limited, Mr Clay Neff, who gave the indication in Lagos recently said, the country has been losing huge revenue yearly from gas flaring.

He said continuous gas flaring in Niger Delta has remained an impediment to socio-economic development of the country, assuring that the problem would be a thing of the past.

Between 2008 and 2013, the company was able to reduce flaring of associated gas, AG, from its oil fields by 60 per cent and expects further reductions by over 9 per cent by end of next year.

The natural gas projects being handled by Chevron Nigeria Limited according to data gath-

ered from the company include Escravos Gas Plant ,EGP, project, Escravos Gas-to-Liquids, EGTL, project and the Sonam Field Development project, West African Gas Pipeline project, Ohaji South field project, and Agura Independent Power Plant project.

The eradication of gas flaring and other environmental hazards would reduce the devastating effects of climate change, currently ravaging the socio-economic status and health of the world.”

Pollution is the introduction of particulates, biological molecules or other harmful materials into the earth’s atmosphere, possibly causing disease, death to humans, and damage to other living

Expert spots key to Nigeria’s connectivity ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN

I

nvestment in the best aerial fibre technologies has described as the key to the nations connectivity problem.

Chief Executive Officer, Phase3 Telecom, Mr. Stanley Jegede said that if the country must enjoy strong, secure, quality network investment must be made in the best aerial fibre technologies.

Jegede who made the remark after his company was given the Nigeria Customer Service Award in Abuja stated that the award was the result of the modest efforts the entire Phase3 family invested in using the best aerial fibre technologies to build a strong, secure, quality network to ensure the con-

nectivity of all Nigerians and the West African sub-region with the rest of the world.

He said, “To be recognised and celebrated with a Nigeria Customer Service Award is a great honour and an indescribable feeling of joy.

We are grateful to God and thank our clients, partners, stakeholders and well wishers for their trust in our capabilities and continuous patronage through the years.”

Jegede said that the Phase3 family understands that the customer is King and theirs is an uncompromising vision to always provide the most reliable, unparalleled and world-class broadband network services to its clients and it is with humility that they thank their customers and everyone who voted for them as they ac-

knowledge the Nigeria Customers Service Award.

He added that the company hope to continue to deliver on the promises made to its clients, partners and the industry.

The company had announced in September of this year that it has added Multi-Protocol Label Switching ,MPLS, services to its growing network to enable clients, both new and existing access as well as share large amounts of data from multiple locations even in the most remote of locations.

A development that is testament to Phase3’s talents, innovations, contributions and commitments to ensuring its clients connectivity needs are met at all times and in all spheres”.

organisms such as food crops or the natural or built environment.

The atmosphere is a complex natural gaseous system that is essential to support life on planet earth. Stratospheric ozone depletion due to air pollution has been recognised as a threat to human health as well as to the earth’s ecosystems.

Indoor air pollution and urban air quality are listed as two of the world’s worst toxic pollution problems in the 2008.

on NAMA for what it described as ‘’sterling performance of the agency.’’

Atobatele stated that this year’s award was particularly instructive as the agency was voted for “Effective and Efficient Service Delivery; Most Outstanding Public Institution in the Transport Sector; and Most Outstanding Public Institution in Nigeria.”

He stated that the award and certificate were received by the Company Secretary of NAMA, Barr. Paul Oki who represented the Managing Director, Engr. Ibrahim Abdulsalam at the ceremony.

A trophy was later presented to the agency as the most outstanding public institution in transport and aviation category by Prof.

Sam Egu, a lecturer with the University of Jos who was also the chairman of the occasion.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Director-General of the outfit, Dr. Amadi Chima stated that the parameter used in selecting the outstanding awardees was based on transparency in conducting government business, accountability, policy and programme implementation, physical discipline and prompt response to correspondence.

He revealed that over 400 institutions were assessed this year with intense voting from various platforms, which lasted about four months and brought out the best of the best as was evident in the result of the vote by Nigerians, stressing that corruption could be curtailed if people are honoured for honesty hard work, due diligence, accountability and service delivery.

Access Bank wins Best Customer Service award UDO ONYEKA

A

ccess Bank Plc has further consolidated its position as a service focused bank by winning the “2014 Best Customer Service Company Award”. The award was presented to the Bank by the Nigeria Customer Service Awards, NCSA, at a ceremony held in Abuja.

The Bank won the coveted prize after beating several other contenders in the banking services category. The award recognizes the impressive achievement of the bank over the past year particularly as it relates to the Bank’s delivery of superior customer service experience at every of its location across Nigeria and Africa.

Speaking on the award, Executive Director, Access Bank Plc, Mrs. Ojini Olaghere, said the award is a product of the bank’s

investment in people and its processes which ensures that the Bank’s customers are treated to excellent customer experience at every touch point.

“I want to assure you that Access Bank will not rest on its oars in delivering excellent service.

This award will also spur us to meet and surpass our customers’ expectations and remain the Bank of choice for all Nigerians” she said.

Also Speaking at the event, the Coordinator of NSCA, Dr. Aliyu Ilias said the award was instituted to celebrate outstanding excellent service delivery across all sectors in the country.

“I want to seize this opportunity to congratulate the winners in this year’s edition; you have served Nigerians efficiently based on the data gathered from your service consumers and we hope this award will propel and motivate you to improve in the area of Customer Service.”

32

Business News

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Italy’s Bank shares suspended L twice after ‘stress tests’ T

Guinness Nigeria announces New MD

rading in shares of Italy’s Monte dei Paschi bank was suspended twice on Monday because of heavy losses.

Monte dei Paschi’s shares eventually closed 21.5 per cent lower after it emerged as the worst performer in official stress tests.

In all, 24 of 123 banks failed the European Banking Authority, EBA, tests, designed to find out if they could withstand another financial crisis.

Share prices in most EU banks fell following publication of the results.

Lloyds Banking Group shares closed down 1.8 per cent after it narrowly passed the tests.

All UK bank shares - Barclays, RBS, HSBC, Standard Chartered and new joiner TSB - also closed lower.

Monte dei Paschi bank was founded in 1472 for the purpose of

granting loans to “poor or miserable or needy persons”.

A handful of the strongest banks saw their shares rise, including Austria’s Erste Bank and Germany’s Commerzbank.

The health check by the EBA was based on the banks’ financial health at the end of 2013.

No UK banks failed the EBA tests. Of the 24 banks that did fail, 10 of them have taken measures to bolster their balance sheets in the meantime.

There are 14 banks that still need to raise more capital. Four are Italian, two Greek, two Belgian and two more Slovenian.

Also on Sunday, the European Central Bank ,ECB, carried out an overlapping survey of 130 eurozone banks.

The ECB said 25 banks had failed its test, but 12 of those had already taken remedial action.

The ECB’s total is higher than the EBA’s because of Spain’s Liberbank, which passed the stress test but failed the ECB’s Asset Quality Review.

Certainly this was a much more realistic evaluation than previous exercises.

If this exercise to rehabilitate banks had been carried out two years ago, the impact on the recovery of the eurozone might well have been quite powerful.

But today the eurozone’s weakness is as much about the demand for credit as the supply It is all very well putting banks in a position to lend, but if households and businesses are reluctant to borrow, because their confidence in the future of the eurozone is shattered, then - like the proverbial gee-gee led to water - they won’t drink or borrow.

eading brewing company, Guinness Nigeria Plc, a subsidiary of Diageo Plc has announced the appointment of a new Managing Director, Mr. John O’ Keeffe, to take over from Mr. Seni Adetu after two and half years.

John has been in Diageo for over 20 years, and has had a very strong career.

According to a statement by the company, John started his career as a graduate trainee for Guinness Ireland, holding many marketing roles in Ireland before moving to Jamaica as Marketing Director. “Following this, John and his family moved to the Nordics where he held his first Managing Director role, and then moved to Athens where he spent 2 years as the Europe Marketing Director for Johnnie Walker.

“After this, John became the Managing Director,

UBA Foundation essay competition begins

S

L-R: Divisional Sales Manager – North, Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Mr. Yerima Ndubuisi; Managing Director, Promasidor, Mr. Olivier Thiry; representative of the best national Promasidor Distributor, Mr. Isa Tijani, and Regional Sales Manager; Mr. Umar Ahmed, at the firm’s 2014 Distributors’ Conference in London...recently

Industrial internet, companies’ performance enhancer –Angbazo ABOLAJI ADEBAYO

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he President and Chief Executive Officer of General Electric Nigeria, a global technology and infrastructure leader, Dr. Lazarus Angbazo has described the Industrial Internet as an impetus for companies to save costs and boost performance wherever they are located.

Speaking at a forum organised for GE stakeholders and customers recently, Dr. Angbazo cited Union Pacific, America’s largest railroad company, to illustrate his point to the audience at the forum. He said Union Pacific improved its productivity by wiring its locomotives with sensors that

monitor parts and supply data to algorithms that try to predict whether or when a component might break down.

“Industrial data is not only big, it’s the most critical and complex type of big data,” he stated.

The CEO explained that GE organised the event as part of efforts to create more awareness on how the Industrial internet helps speed up industrialisation.

Participants learned how GE’s “industrial internet” and automation solutions could help their businesses.

The forum focused on the Industrial Internet, Industrial Big Data and Real-time Operational Intelligence, RtOI, as well as Remote Monitoring & Diagnostics

and High Performance Automation solutions.

Dr. Angbazo said, “Getting the most out of existing infrastructure is the new priority for business in Africa.”

According to him, “The Industrial Internet transforms the way companies work by driving new possibilities to maximise asset availability and boost profit margins.” He added that the Industrial Revolution radically changed the way we use energy and make things.

“The Internet Revolution altered how we communicate, consume information, and spend money. A combination of these two transformations is what we now call the Industrial Internet.”

Russia & Eastern Europe based in Russia before returning to Ireland, to take-up his current role as Global Head of Diageo Innovation and Global Head of Beer & Baileys.

John has been a Board Member of Guinness Nigeria Plc for the past two years. John has a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) in Economics & Marketing from Cork University.

Given his track record as a successful Managing Director in a significant emerging market, his depth of experience on Guinness stout and across the wider portfolio and the knowledge he has built of Guinness Nigeria Plc, John brings a unique combination of skills to the role.

Mr. O’ Keefe will resume in November 2014. To ensure a smooth transition, Seni will work alongside John until the end of December 2014.

tudents in senior secondary schools across the country have been invited to submit entries in the 2014 United Bankfor Africa Foundation National Essay Competition.

A statement from the bank explained that the foundation is the corporate social responsibility and sustainability initiatives arm of the bank and uses this annual competition to challenge the reading, research, writing and critical thinking skills of Nigerian students.

It stressed that the competition, which is in its fourth consecutive year, has witnessed increased participation from students since it was first launched in 2011.

The statement said that going by the success recorded in the country, the bank is taking the competition to other parts of Africa.

According to the statement, similar essay competitions are going on simultaneously in Senegal and Ghana as part of the bank’s continued efforts to intellectually challenge African youths to improve their capacity to compete in an increasingly global world.

“The essay competition is a follow up to our Read Africa initiative, which involves giving out literature books to secondary school students to help rekindle the reading culture. With the essay competitions, we are seeking to further challenge the students,” it said.

It added that eligible senior secondary students willing to participate in the competition are expected to send in handwritten entries on the topic ‘Is Social Media a safe place to make friends?, to the UBA Foundation’s office in Lagos.

Three Dana Air passengers win iPhones OLUSEGUN KOIKI

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ana Air said that three of its loyal passengers have been rewarded with iPhone 5s as part of initiatives by it to consistently reward its clients.

The airline in a statement by its spokesman, Mr. Sam Ogbogoro stated that the emergence of the winners was sequel to the recent introduction of the flydana mobile app that offers the convenience of searching, booking and paying for preferred flights while using mobile devices on the go.

Ogbogoro stated that the lucky winners were picked during a reward event monitored by the Consumer Protection Unit of the

Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, and anchored by Dana Ambassador, Mr. Bright Okpocha, aka, Basket Mouth.

Ogbogoro stated that Dana Air had always stimulated the market with innovative products aimed at providing seamless solutions to the travelling public and that the airline was passionate about rewarding guests for patronage while ensuring quality customer experience both on ground and aboard their flights.

He added, “Each of our guests is a beneficiary of our simplified business solutions and our commitment is to constantly align our products to suit the demands of the flying public as well as offer periodic incentives to reward their loyalty.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

EnergyWeek Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Nigeria, Angola will continue to lead in oil output 35

Lead poisoning: Activists accuse govt of abandoning 30 communities 36

33

Local Content attracts investors –Nwapa 37

Stakeholders await Ogoniland clean-up, three years after UNEP –Report

Oil pollution in Ogoniland

The United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP, had over three years ago, published an authoritative report targeted at achieving a thorough clean up of Ogoniland.

UDEME AKPAN and CHIDI UGWU report that the government and others have started to express interest in the cleanup of the area.

F

or over five decades, the people of Ogoniland in Rivers State had to lived with many fallouts of petroleum production, especially oil and gas pollution.

These and other forms of pollution greatly affected the people who engage in various occupations, including agriculture. The situation was expected to improve shortly after the presentation of the United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP report for at least a reason. The comprehensive report was carried out to ascertain the en-

Ogoniland has a tragic history of pollution from oil spills and oil well

fires, although no systematic scientific information has been available about the ensuing contamination vironmental issues in Ogoniland as well as chart the way forward for its cleanup.

The report stated, “Ogoniland has a tragic history of pollution from oil spills and oil well fires, although no systematic scientific information has been available about the ensuing contamination. This report represents the best available understanding of what has happened to the environment of Ogoniland – and the corresponding implications for affected populations – and provides clear operational guidance as to how that legacy can be addressed.”

“When oil reaches the root zone, crops and other plants begin to experience stress and can die, and this is a routine observation in Ogoniland. At one site, EjamaEbubu in Eleme local government area, LGA), the study found heavy contamination present 40 years after an oil spill occurred, despite repeated clean-up attempts.

Most of the contamination is from crude oil although contamination by refined product was found at three locations. The assessment found there is no continuous clay layer across Ogoniland, exposing the groundwater in Ogoniland (and beyond) to hydrocarbons spilled on the surface, “it stated.

The report stated that at two-thirds of the contaminated land sites close to oil industry facilities which were assessed in detail, the soil contamination exceeds Nigerian national standards, as set out in the Environmental Guidelines and Standards for the Petroleum Industries in Nigeria, EGASPIN. The report has it that at 41 sites, the hydrocarbon pollution has reached the groundwater at levels in excess of the Nigerian standards as per the EGASPIN legislation. It made it known that the most serious case of groundwater contamination is at

Nisisioken Ogale, in Eleme LGA, close to a Nigerian National Petroleum Company product pipeline where an 8 cm layer of refined oil was observed floating on the groundwater which serves the community wells.

“Fish tend to leave polluted areas in search of cleaner water, and fishermen must therefore also move to less contaminated areas in search of fish. When encountered in known polluted areas, fishermen reported that they were going to fishing grounds further upstream or downstream.

Despite community concerns about the quality of fish, the results show that the accumulation of hydrocarbons in fish is not a serious health issue in Ogoniland but that the fisheries sector is suffering due to the destruction of fish habitat in the mangroves and highly persistent contamination of many of the creeks, making them unsuitable for fishing, “it stated.

The report made it known that where a number of entrepreneurs had set up fish farms in or close to the creeks, their businesses have been ruined by an ever-present layer of floating oil. It made it known that the wetlands around Ogoniland are highly

CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

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Energy Week

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Stakeholders await Ogoniland clean-up, three years after UNEP –Report

Jonathan

Alison-Madueke

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33 degraded and facing disintegration. The study concludes that while it is technically feasible to restore effective ecosystem functioning of the wetlands, this will only be possible if technical and political initiatives are undertaken.

“The Ogoni community is exposed to petroleum hydrocarbons in outdoor air and drinking water, sometimes at elevated concentrations. The report stated that they are also exposed through dermal contacts from contaminated soil, sediments and surface water. The report stated that since average life expectancy in Nigeria is less than 50 years, it is a fair assumption that most members of the current Ogoniland community have lived with chronic oil pollution throughout their lives, “it stated.

The report stated the damage contamination has done on man when it painted a graphic picture of communities, including Nisisioken Ogale whose people drink water from highly contaminated wells. The report stated, “Hydrocarbon contamination was found in water taken from 28 wells at 10 communities adjacent to contaminated sites. At seven wells the samples are at least 1,000 times higher than the Nigerian drinking water standard of 3 μg/l. Local communities are aware of the pollution and its dangers but state that they continue to use the water for drinking, bathing, washing and cooking as they have no alternative.”

For instance, it stated that Benzene was detected in all air samples at concentrations ranging from 0.155 to 48.2 μg/m3. Approximately 10 per cent of detected benzene concentrations in Ogoniland were higher than the concentrations WHO and the United States Environmental Protection Agency, USEPA, report as corresponding to a 1 in 10,000 cancer risk. It stated that many of the benzene concentrations detected in Ogoniland were similar to those measured elsewhere in the world.

The report concluded that the environmental restoration of Ogoniland is pos-

Dawah

I am expecting

that in due course, learnings from the

Ogoni restoration work can and will

be applied in other parts of

Nigeria,

facing similar environmental degradation problems

Sunmonu

sible but would take 25 to 30 years before making many recommendations. It recommended that the restoration of mangroves be viewed as a large-scale pilot project in which multiple approaches to clean-up and restoration, once proven, can be replicated elsewhere as needed in the Niger Delta. Specifically, it stated that immediate steps must be taken to prevent existing contaminated sites from being secondary sources of ongoing contamination while further risk assessments and investigations are undertaken for detailed planning of the clean-up of Ogoniland during a recommended Transition Phase. The report stated all sources of ongoing contamination, including the artisanal refining which is currently ongoing in the creeks, must be brought to a swift end before the clean-up of the creeks, sediments and mangroves can begin.

“A campaign in Ogoniland to end illegal oil related activities should be jointly conducted by the government, oil companies and local authorities. It should include an awareness component highlighting the disproportionate environmental footprint

of artisanal refining (borne by all sections of the community) and spell out training, employment and livelihood incentives that will encourage people away from participating in this illegal activity, it also stated.

However, hope does not seem to be lost.

A few days ago, the Federal Government renewed its interest in the programme when it established Multi-Stakeholder Committee to start work on the programme. The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke stated that the 14-member Committee is saddled with the immediate responsibility of proposing a focused engagement and implementation plan with clearly defined steps.

The group is also mandated to advise the Hydrocarbon Pollution Restoration Project, (HYPREP) Advisory Council on the manner in which assets and funds of the project may be held and utilized. AlisonMadueke stated that the establishment of the Committee is a direct response to the yearnings of the Ogoni people and other stakeholders for inclusion in the effective engagement by government to activate an enduring and robust environmental restoration of Ogoniland.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

“It is based upon the further recommendations of the HYPREP Advisory Council, that I have reached out to patriotic Nigerians from within and outside the Ogoni community to constitute this Multi-Stakeholder Consultative Committee,’’ she stated.

Alison-Madueke further stated that it is expected that this Committee will brainstorm and develop suggestions for a clear and actionable roadmap for the restitution of the Ogoni people and restoration of the environment for healthy living conditions.

“I am expecting that in due course, learnings from the Ogoni restoration work can and will be applied in other parts of Nigeria, facing similar environmental degradation problems,’’ she added.

The Committee has as its chairman, Dr. Jamila Shu’ara, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources. Its members include: His Majesty, King Godwin N.K. Gininwa, Chairman, Rivers State Council of Chiefs and Traditional Rulers, and Gbenemene of Tai Kingdom, Legborsi Saro Pyagbara, President, MOSOP, Prof. Ben Naane, Prof. Rosaline Konyan, Dr. Abraham Olungwe, Mr. Friday Kpelo, all representatives of the Ogoni community. Others members include: Ambassador Daouda Toure, UN Resident Coordinator, Shuaibu Otori, Representative of the Office of the Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mr. John Lahu, Representative of the Ministry of Environment, Jube Jemide, Representative of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Jonathan Okehs, representing the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Mr. Austin Igboko, Representative of Shell Petroleum Development Company, Mr. George Oguachuba, Representative of Total and Mr. Angelo Madera, Representative of Nigeria Agip Oil Company.

The government may not be alone. Shell has already stated in its report that the company has put in place measures to tackle oil spill whenever it occurs in Ogoniland.

“SPDC is committed to cleaning up all spills from its facilities, irrespective of cause.

Fifty were remediated along the SPDC JV’s Right of Way in Ogoniland in 2013. Due to increased access to Ogoniland SPDC was also able to make progress on verifying the condition of non-operating facilities and equipment. This identified 125 additional sites in need of remediation within Ogoniland, many as a result of crude oil theft and other criminal interference since 2011.

Unfortunately this work is taking place in the midst of continuing high levels of crude oil theft and illegal refining. This means that the number of spill sites requiring remediation within the SPDC JV’s Right of Way is dynamic, “it stated.

It stated, “As recommended by UNEP, SPDC reviewed its use of bio-remediation as the principal clean up technique and assessed that it is an internationally recognised method appropriate for certain conditions in the Niger Delta. SPDC is continually reviewing its clean up practices to align with international best practice and the application of the bio-remediation technique has been amended in SPDC’s revised remediation procedures to provide more detailed guidance to staff and contractors.

In addition, SPDC is working with several additional remediation options recommended by independent experts to ensure that the most appropriate techniques are applied in all impacted sites. SPDC has trained Ogoni contractors as remediation consultants to build local capacity.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Energy Week

Wednesday, October 29 , 2014

35

Nigeria, Angola will continue to lead in oil output Stories: Udeme Akpan

T

wo nations - Nigeria and Angola would continue to dominate oil output in Africa because of their huge crude oil reserves.

The International Energy agency, IEA stated in its latest report that the two nations would continue to be the largest oil producers by far, but with a host of other producers supplying smaller volumes.

“Sub-Saharan demand for oil products doubles to four million barrels per day, bpd in 2040, squeezing the region’s net contribution to the global oil balance, “it stated.

The agency stated that coal supply grows by 50per cent, and continues to be focused on South Africa, but it is joined increasingly by Mozambique and others.

“The capacity and efficiency of the subSaharan energy system increases, but so do the demands placed upon it, and many of the existing energy challenges are only partly overcome, “it stated.

It stated that in 2040, energy consumption per capita remains very low, and the widespread use of fuelwood and charcoal persists.

The agency stated that the outlook for providing access to electricity is bittersweet: nearly one billion people gain access to electricity by 2040 but, because of rapid population growth, more than half a billion people remain without it.

“Sub-Saharan Africa also stands on the front line when it comes to the impacts of climate change, even though it continues to make only a small contribution to global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions, “it stated.

“Economic and social development in sub-Saharan Africa hinges critically on fixing the energy sector,” said IEA Chief Economist Fatih Birol.

“The payoff can be huge; with each additional dollar invested in the power sector boosting the overall economy by $15.”

In an “African Century Case”, the IEA report shows that three actions could boost the sub-Saharan economy by a further 30% in 2040, and deliver an extra decade’s worth of growth in per-capita incomes by 2040.

It stated that increasing access to modern forms of energy is crucial to unlocking faster economic and social development in sub-Saharan Africa.

The agency stated that more than 620 million people in the region (two-thirds of the population) live without electricity, and nearly 730 million people rely on dangerous, inefficient forms of cooking.

It stated that the use of solid biomass

Oil vessel

(mainly fuelwood and charcoal) outweighs that of all other fuels combined, and average electricity consumption per capita is not enough to power a single 50-watt light bulb continuously.

“A better functioning energy sector is vital to ensuring that the citizens of subSaharan Africa can fulfill their aspirations,” said IEA Executive Director Maria van der Hoeven. “The energy sector is acting as a brake on development, but this can be overcome and the benefits of success are huge.”

In the IEA’s first comprehensive analy-

sis of sub-Saharan Africa, it finds that the region’s energy resources are more than sufficient to meet the needs of its population, but that they are largely under-developed.

The region accounted for almost 30% of global oil and gas discoveries made over the last five years, and it is already home to several major energy producers, including Nigeria, South Africa and Angola.

It is also endowed with huge renewable energy resources, including excellent and widespread solar and hydro potential, as well as wind and geothermal.

OPEC basket price rises to $82.48 per barrel

El-Badri

T

he price of organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC basket of 12 crudes has risen from $81.67 to $82.48 per barrel, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The new OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

Available statistics showed that the OPEC Reference Basket fell $4.77 to stand at $95.98/b in September, as sluggish demand and ample supply continue to weight on the oil market.

OPEC stated in its report that ICE Brent was down almost 85per cent from the peak seen in June 2014. The Brent-WTI spread narrowed to $5.54/b, the lowest since July 2013.

It stated that expectations for world economic growth in 2014 and 2015 remain unchanged at 3.2 per cent and 3.6per cent respectively, following a re-basing on 2011 purchase power parity.

“Global oil demand growth in 2014 is

Commodity

Units

Price

Change

% Change

Time(ET)

Crude Oil (WTI)

USD/bbl.

94.21

+0.67

+0.72%

13:17:57

Crude Oil (Brent)

USD/bbl.

97.20

+0.20

+0.21%

13:37:23

TOCOM Crude Oil

JPY/kl

66,500.00

+40.00

+0.06%

13:16:32

NYMEX Natural Gas

USD/MMBtu

4.10

+0.07

+1.64%

13:16:53

Source: Bloomberg

Source: Oilprice.com

anticipated to reach around 1.05 mb/d, unchanged from the previous report, “it stated.

The cartel stated that growth this year has been supported by positive performance of China, Brazil and Saudi Arabia, offsetting lower-than-expected growth in some OECD regions.

“In 2015, world oil demand is forecast to rise by 1.19 mb/d, in line with last month’s forecast. Non-OPEC oil supply growth in 2014 is forecast at 1.68 mb/d, in line with the previous report. Growth was seen coming mainly from the US, Brazil and Canada, while Mexico, Indonesia and the UK are expected to see a decline, “ it stated.

It stated that non-OPEC supply is expected to increase by 1.24 mb/d in 2015.

OPEC NGLs is seen growing by 0.2 mb/d in 2015 to average 6.03 mb/d.

The cartel stated that in September, OPEC crude production averaged 30.47 mb/d according to secondary sources, an increase of 402 tb/d from the previous month.

“Demand for OPEC crude in 2014 remains unchanged from the previous report at 29.5 mb/d. In 2015, demand for OPEC crude is seen averaging 29.2 mb/d, in line with the previous expectations, “it stated.

36

Energy Week

NCDMB sets up committees, seeks ideas on content dev

T

he Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, has inaugurated 10 sectorial committees of the Nigerian Content Consultative Forum, NCCF, with a charge to them to generate ideas for the development of Nigerian Content in the oil and gas industry.

Set up by Section 57 of the Nigerian Content Act, NCCF sectorial committees include Fabrication; Finance, Insurance and Legal Services; Shipping and Logistics; Education and Training; Petroleum Technology and Multinationals.

Other committees include Materials and Manufacturing; Information and Communication Technology; Engineering and Essential Services, which covers Medical Services, Health, Safety & Environment, Catering & Hospitality.

In his speech at the event, the Executive Secretary of the Board, Engr. Ernest Nwapa explained that the objective of constituting the NCCF committees was to provide a platform for information sharing on upcoming projects and local capabilities.

He said that the committees will also be expected to articulate and recommend strategies for developing Nigerian Content and charged the members not to use the forum for unhealthy debate.

According to the Executive Secretary, the NCCF would be effective if the groups come up with policies that will benefit the generality of members, adding “this government listens to messages that are intended to benefit the entire group and not one or two persons.

You have to help us so that we can get solutions required to move forward.”

Recalling the appreciable progress that had been recorded with the implementation of the Nigerian Content Act in the past four years, Nwapa admitted that some challenges had also been noted, hence the need to taps ideas from stakeholders through the NCCF. He further stated that Nigerian Content had been positioned Nigerian Content to make key inputs into government’s policies and advised stakeholders to harness and utilise the opportunity appropriately.

The Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, NCDMB, Mr. Patrick Obah expressed hope that the NCCF would foster institutional collaboration and serve as a spring board to integrating the oil and gas industry with other sectors of the economy.

He commended President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for signing the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Bill into law and making Nigerian Content a key plank of his economic policies.

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Lead poisoning: Activists accuse govt of abandoning communities STORIES: CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

O

nly eight out of the 38 communities affected by lead poisoning in the Zamfara state have been remediated leaving thirty communities still suffering the deadly effects which broke out four years ago.

This is part of the revelations which emerged at a programmes organised by the Global Rights, Partners for Justice in Abuja.

Speaking at the programme, which had the theme, Protecting host community rights: An assessment report of extractive host communities in Nigeria, the Executive Director, Centre for Community Excellence, CENCEX, Mr. Adamu Kotorkoshi, disclosed that thirty communities affected by lead poisoning as a result of artisanal mining activities in Zamfara state have not yet been remediated.

Kotorkoshi said efforts to get the federal and state governments to come to the aid of the people have not yielded any positive result, as many are still afflicted by brain damage, impotency among other diseases resulting from the affects

of lead poisoning in the villages.

“Among the 38 communities contaminated by the lead poisoning in Zamfara state, only 8 communities have been remediated,” he stated.

Specifically, the Executive Director attributed the delay on the insensitivities of the people in authorities stressing that four years after the incident the Senator representing the affected zones was yet to visit the villages.

According to him, there is a total failure of government’s constitutional responsibility with regard to addressing the issues of artisanal mining and the negative implications.

He regretted that despite the negative implications of the artisanal mining in these villages it would be hard to stop mining activities in the areas considering the nature of the people’s livelihood, stressing this form of mining remains the only means of their livelihood.

He added that at the moment thousands of children are undergoing treatment but both federal and state governs have failed to do anything reasonable to help these people.

“As I speak to you thousands of

Mining site

children are undergoing treatment and governments both at the federal and state level are not doing anything. If Doctors without Borders decide to leave Zamfara today what will be the fate of these children” he queried.

Also, at least 734 children below the age of five, out of 5,395 kids within the age bracket, have been confirmed killed by lead poisoning between 2010 and March 2013 in Zamfara State.

Dr. Nasiru Umar Tsafe of the Nigerian Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme,

Abuja gave the figure at the weekend, during a presentation on ‘Epidemiological Response to Lead Poisoning in Zamfara State, 2010-2013,’ at a symposium on lead poisoning, organised by the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto.

According to him, as at March, 2013, the number of children under five, who had been treated, was 2,070 (62.8%) while 3,198 others still require treatment.

Besides, 30 out of the 38 villages that require emergency intervention were yet to be remediated.

foundry firms recently for engaging in unspecified standards of pole manufacturing, just as it plans to extend its capacity to have a wider coverage for its inspectorate activities.

“Our task of enforcing electricity technical standards goes beyond the value chain of Discos, Gencos and transmission as it includes Independent Power Plants, IPPs, International Oil Companies, IOCs, and even household electrical installations,” he said. However, there are indications that the country’s nascent power sector reforms are under serious threat as a result of the supremacy battle between the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission and the Electricity Management Service Limited.

The rivalry between both agencies manifested at the National Assembly on Thursday during a public hearing by the House of Representatives Committee on Power on a Bill for an Act to establish the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Authority.

If passed into law, the NEMSA Bill will empower the EMSL to carry out some functions, which NERC says will overlap with its duties as the regulator of the power sector.

While the Ministry of Power,

EMSL, Senate and House committees on Power and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria were of the opinion that the bill would empower the electricity management company to ensure standards in the sector, NERC argued that the company’s functions as proposed in the bill would conspicuously conflict with its roles and that of other subsisting institutions.

The Chairman, House Committee on Power, Mr. Patrick Ikhariale, gave reasons why the bill, which has passed first and second readings, was important and how it would impact on the economy.

He, however, did not state whether or not it would cause overlapping of functions between the agencies.

Ikhariale said, “The essence of this bill is to bring about an alternative that will be highly involved in ensuring technical conformity, safety regulation and adherence to best practices.

“The principal role of this agency is, therefore, enforcement of technical standards, inspection, testing and certification of electrical equipment, materials, power systems and networks, to mention a few, in the Nigerian electricity supply industry.”

EMSL halts fake installations, vows to improve standards T he Federal Government has said its agency; the Electricity Management Services Limited, EMSL, will improve technical standards in the Nigerian electricity market as it tackles the use of substandard power equipment fake installations.

The Managing Director of EMSL, Engr. Peter Ewesor while noting that its mandate is not to regulate the sector but to enforce regulations and codes said, “We have been passing the message to say we are not a regulator but an enforcement agency to ensure that the regulations, codes and specifications that have been made are eventually enforced in the industry.”

Engr. Ewesor who spoke to Na-

NERC Chairman, Sam Amadi

tional Mirror at the weekend said the privatised utility companies are expected to make over N3trillion investment to improve the generation, transmission and distribution services within the next five years and that calls for an agency that would ensure that critical assets are checked for standards.

National Mirror also gathered that there will be another public hearing on the agency’s Act, the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Authority, NEMSA, which would give a legal backing to EMSL operations.

An official in the Federal Ministry of Power also hinted that the report of the technical committee to harmonise EMSL and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, recommended that both agencies should exist in the sector in line with international best practice.

It said while NERC remains the electricity market regulator, EMSL will continue to enforce technical standards and certify technically fit equipment and power sector companies.

The MD of the agency in his brief also noted that the agency was able to halt the activities of some

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Energy Week

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Local Content attracts investors –Nwapa UDEME AKPAN

T

he implementation of the Nigerian Content Act has attracted a new crop of Nigerian investors who are no longer satisfied playing second fiddle roles to expatriates.

They have started to commit huge resources in owning hi-tech assets and facilities to be used in executing projects in the oil and gas industry, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, Engr. Ernest Nwapa has said.

He stated that after commissioning a workshop established by Benkline Nigeria Limited for the repair of oil and gas pumps, refurbishment and refitting of mechanical seals, gear boxes and associated equipment that many Nigerians were no longer interested in acting as agents for foreign partners.

Nwapa stated, “We were investing alongside their partners, learning how to manage the business and operate complex equipment, repair and even do research and development.”

Nwapa noted that the newly developed bullish attitude of Nigerian investors validate the wisdom of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in

signing the Nigerian Content Bill into law in 2010 as well as the commitment of the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke in supporting the implementation in a structured and sustainable manner.

According to him, “we are happy that the industry has come to accept this as a way of life and we no longer have to push and pull in all directions.

What is going on today is a continuous collaboration between the government and the industry, between Nigerian companies and Original Equipment Manufacturers, OEMs.” He dispelled the notion that the Board was forcing OEMs to set up in Nigeria, stressing that the local oil and gas industry provided sufficient business and market to justify investments in-country.

The Executive Secretary maintained that many locations overseas where services were hitherto performed for the Nigerian oil and gas industry before the passage of the Nigerian Content Act were smaller and less equipped than most facilities being set up by Nigerians since the Act came into effect.

He added, “A few years ago, we were told that many oil and gas equipments were very intricate and if not well used can

create disasters for the oil and gas industry. But valves are now being taken out from the fields, tested and maintained here and put back successfully.”

Speaking further, Nwapa commended Benkline for successfully partnering with OEMs- Frank Mohn AS of Norway and Eurofiliases of France to deliver hi-tech services in the industry, adding that the Board was promoting the same policy under its Nigerian Oil and Gas Park Scheme, NOGAPS, as a strategy to get OEMs to work with small and medium enterprises and mentor them to manufacture some of their components.

He challenged international and indigenous operating companies to patronize Nigerian service companies who set up facilities, adding that government was committed to support every investment that is made in-country.

The Executive Secretary reiterated that the value of new investments made by Nigerian service companies in the last four years had hit $5bn, noting that the development pointed to massive investments that would come into the industry in the next five years.

The chairman, Board of Directors, Benkline Nigeria, Mr. Larry Osai advised Nigerian investors to partner with persons

Nwapa

and firms that can contribute resources and knowledge so as to grow their companies and leave legacies.

He also commended the company’s partners for buying into the Nigerian Content policy and helping Benkline maintain a good presence in the oil and gas industry, adding that the new workshop will close the gap in the quality service maintenance of rotating equipment.

Osai attributed the company’s growth to the government’s local content policy, stating that “they put legislation in place and left it in the able hands of NCDMB under the leadership of Ernest Nwapa. He has not only pragmatically delivered on the mandate, but he is religiously committed to it.”

Total begins development of Egina project

T

he development of Egina project has started barely after a few days after the ground breaking of the scheme in Lagos.

Investigations showed that the execution of the scheme was ongoing at site. A source stated that the groundbreaking ceremony for the start of construction of major infrastructural development associated with Egina project, took place at the Lagos deep sea oil & gas free zone, LADOL. This ceremony is another major milestone for the project as it marks the start of this incountry facility development, in which the modules built in Ni-

Egina facility

geria will be integrated onto the FPSO in 2017.

This important milestone is coming after many others already achieved in the past few months, such as the procurement of the drilling tubulars, the gas export and water Injection line pipes, the first wellheads set, the steel cutting in-country for living quarters and subsea manifolds and finally last week, the sail away of the Drilling Rig West Jupiter to Nigeria.

“Egina is a key project for Total in Nigeria and a strong partnership with the Nigerian government, other international companies, IOCs, and local con-

tractors. Projects such as Egina empower Total to further demonstrate our true commitment to the Nigerian economy and its people”, said Elisabeth Proust, Managing Director/Chief Executive, Total Upstream Nigeria Limited, TUPNI. In furtherance of the Nigerian Content Development policy and with the project’s detailed engineering being carried out in Nigeria, Total has ensured that Samsung Heavy Industries and other main Engineering, Procurement & Construction, EPC, contractors are contributing to the development and growth of other Nigerian yards such as Aveon, SCNL, Pipe Coaters Nigeria Limited, PCNL, EWT/ Nestoil in Port Harcourt area and Nigerdock, Dorman Long in Lagos.

TUPNI has a 24per cent interest alongside the OML 130 partners: NNPC (Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation), SAPETRO (South Atlantic Petroleum) of Nigeria, CNOOC Limited of China and Petrobras of Brazil.

When completed, EGINA will

add 200,000 barrels of oil equivalent to Nigeria’s production.

Total is a leading global energy brand and a world-class operator in gas and petrochemicals with operations in more than 130 countries.

In response to rising energy demand, the Group is stepping up its growth in solar energy and biomass.

Total is investing in solar R&D, especially in the field of photovoltaic solar power. Our goal is to validate the most efficient technologies, to help diversify global energy supply.

It stated that employees from Total and its affiliates have been spearheading advances in vital steps in the photovoltaic value chain for almost 30 years, in order to create a reliable, efficient and competitive sector.

“Our partnership with SunPower has given new impetus to our solar expansion. We have also proven our expertise and cemented our partnership with Abu Dhabi by participating in the Shams concentrated solar power plant project, “it stated.

37

NDDC moves to build human capacities

T

he Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has begun a series of capacity enhancement workshops on Blue Ocean Strategy Formulation for its Management staff as a means of equipping them to improve service delivery to the people of the Niger Delta region.

The training programme, which will run for two weeks, was declared open by the NDDC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Sir (Barr) Bassey Dan-Abia, at the Le Meridian Hotel Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, where he stressed the need for continuous update of knowledge for the staff to enable them play their roles in repositioning the interventionist agency.

He said that training and retraining ranked high in the priorities of the current Board and Management of the NDDC, noting that the policy was meant to empower staff with all necessary tools so that they could contribute effectively to the commission’s achievement of its set corporate objectives.

Bassey Dan-Abia said: “The importance of strategic planning in public service organizations like ours cannot be overemphasized because as the saying goes, those that fail to plan; plan to fail. In public service, the goals are not as simple as making profit for the organization; but also include value for money, efficient service delivery, stakeholders’ satisfaction amongst others.”

“We must constantly strive to satisfy our communities and stakeholders, who are our customers.

Our success in deploying sustainable development in the Niger Delta lies mainly in our ability to utilize the tools of strategic planning.”

Sir Dan-Abia further said that the capacity enhancement workshop would expose the senior officers of the commission to a new way of thinking on how to increase the value of NDDC through innovative ideas that would meet or exceed the expectations of the various stakeholders.

He stated that the Blue Ocean Strategy is a vital tool for the commission as it was operating in an environment where resources were scarce and plans or budgets were under constant scrutiny.

“The Governing Board of NDDC has decided that henceforth every programme and project being embarked upon by the Commission must go through the proper strategic planning process. Management has directed that proponents of new projects/programmes must submit the Concept Notes before such projects or programmes can be included in the NDDC budget,” Dan Abia said.

The facilitator of the training programme, Mrs. Gloria Efemini said that their role would be to stimulate exchange of ideas and inspire original thinking.

38

Energy Week

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

The African oil and gas powers

T

he Republic of Gabon After the North African patch, the next great regional petroleum play is the ultraprolific Gulf of Guinea. This incorporates the Niger Delta, Bights of Benin and Biafra as well as the Equatorial Guinea, Gabonese and Cameroon offshore. There is the neighboring Congo-Angola-Namibia offshore to the South. The experts characterize the deltaic basins, which gave rise to the prolific, petroleum fields in the Gulf of Guinea and in the Egyptian Delta, at the point of their geological onset. as being the locus of a triple junction. The huge deposits of sediments deposited by the rivers Niger, Nile and Congo formed deep sea fans (especially in the Niger and Congo) giving rise to extremely rich reserves that hold great promise for the majors into the new millennium.

The former French colony state of Gabon is a beneficiary of the region’s abundant hydrocarbon largesse due to the littoral fortunes of the geological formations. Appropriately, its known and proven fields are mostly offshore in the costal waters between Port Gentil and the peninsula town of Omboue. There is in addition a sizeable new field at offshore Lucina close to the nation’s southern borders with the Republic of Congo.

Gabon’s primary onshore field hugs the coast in the east-west axis at Rabi and Kounga. Much of the petroleum lifted from this field is connected by pipelines to the refinery at port Gentil, which converts it into downstream products for both local consumption and export. With relatively expensive oilfields to develop - due to rain forest and offshore high-tech constraints - the Gabonese oil play is mainly for the majors.

With a 2009 population of just 1.48 million inhabitants including a sizeable number of ,French (10 per cent) and guest laborers from

Nigeria, Benin Republic and Togo, the Republic of Gabon’s GDP, PPP, oscillates around $ 32,682 billion per annum. This yields a per capita income of about $13,032. This has been for many years and remains the very highest in sub-Saharan Africa. It is not as if its, relatively speaking, new found wealth would dwindle in the foreseeable future as its proven reserves by the turn of the century stood at 2.5 billion barrels. With annual production of 302,000 barrels, the nation’s current reserves would last for at least twenty years even if annual productions are sustained at the current levels.

Gabon has a narrow profile of imports sources - primarily France externally and Ivory Coast regionally. Quite a large proportion of the mining and hardware originates from the North American region.

It has an even narrower spectrum of recipients for its exports. The

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

The World of Oil and Gas With

DR. OSSIE A. ESIEMOKAI

United States is the primary destination of the bulk of its hydrocarbon exports while Pacific Asia is where the hardwoods (mahogany, ebony etc.) and softwoods (Okoume) are consigned. The need to consolidate and widen its bilateral trade relations has led the country to actively woo both its core partner countries as well as new prospects. This it has done through the promotion of important, high profile oil industry conferences as well as trade shows.

One such trade and investment overture was the classical effort when a compact delegation consisting of the Gabonaise Ministers of Foreign Affairs - Ms.

WITH ANNUAL PRODUCTION OF 302,000 BARRELS, THE NATION’S CURRENT RESERVES WOULD LAST FOR AT LEAST TWENTY YEARS EVEN IF ANNUAL PRODUCTIONS ARE SUSTAINED AT THE CURRENT LEVELS

Gabon national flag

Pascaline Bongo, Commerce and Industry’s Andre Dieudonne Berre and the Mines, Energy and HydroResources own Jean Ping. It was smooch-fest at its most urbane and sophisticated. The entourage held hunch-down meeting at Congress and with deputies at the Departments of Energy, Defense and State. There were key presentations at the hallowed Center for Strategic and International Studies and at the Press Club. With considerable élan and panache Ms Bongo, who doubles as President Omar Bongo’s daughter, made out some time to present a generous donation to a local AIDS charity.

There was also ample opportunity to drum up business for the then newly opened Trade Liaison Office in Miami.

This representative bureau was to look across the waters of the Atlantic and drum up trade prospects from the Caribbeans and Latin America. The bottom line of the mission was that Gabon was open to do business...good business with investors in oil production and related fields. The considerable success of the mission was aided by the fact that it came at the inception year of the economic Camelot tenure of President Bill Clinton. It was also buoyed no doubt, by the kind of confidence that can only reside in a national industry that had the extraordinary input of the petroleum industry whiz-kid Dossou Aworet. He had worked for many years as a super-technocrat in the Gabonese ministry and was then serving as the Governor of OPEC affairs and the country’s representative at the African Petroleum Producers Association, APPA. He founded later in 1993, a

UK-based oil company Petrolin Group of which he is still the Executive Chairman. Above all else, the mission took place at a time the late Mr. Ron Brown was holding fort at the U. S Department of Commerce. More than any single person before and since after him, Secretary Brown, had by far the closest understanding (imbued with eclectics and devoid of patronizing cant) of what the United State’s existing and prospective global trade clients really want or need. And Ron Brown, bless his soul, lived and died in the singular pursuit of that objective. For the brief period Bill Clinton’s pal served, he got results. But death had other plans....

Gabon, was not oblivious of the politically induced turmoil and strife within the territories of its neighbors hence it opted to liberalize its political or rather democratic atmosphere. It must have possibly drawn a major lesson from the conflict riddled legacy that derived from the long despotic rule of Mobutu Sese Seko in nearby Zaire. Omar Bongo elected to liberalize the political system rather that to be compelled by trouble in the cities or fire from the bushes. Understood?

And in the last two decades, most bush fires in Africa had been, and unfortunately remain the AK-47 variant of firings. The second realization was that it is a precondition for foreign investors especially from the developed Western nations to bring in the much sought after investments.

At that point in time, the Gabonese had one of the stiffest equity and royalty regimes of any African country save probably Libya.

It, as a rule, required a minimum of twenty five percent equity participation and royalty rates of between eleven to twenty percent.

Dr. Ossie A. Esiemokai, retired Resident Director of Academics, The Premier University of Sao Tome and Principe is the author of ‘The Gulf of Oil’ which is now in print.

CONTINUED NEXT WEEK

Afren prepares to start oil production in Lagos

A

fren Plc, a major oil and producing firm has embarked on drilling targeted at making Lagos a major producing state in the nation.

The drilling which is ongoing at Oil Prospecting License, OPL 310 also brightens as Afren Plc makes significant progress in the drilling.

The company stated in its report that following the discovery of a significant light oil accumulation (216 ft of net stacked pay) at the Ogo-1 well, Afren and Partners Optimum Petroleum Development Ltd and Lekoil Limited commenced drilling on the planned Ogo sidetrack (Ogo-1ST).

The report stated that the ongoing drilling is targeted at testing both the down-dip extension of the four-way dip closed structure at the

Ogo discovery and a new play of stratigraphically trapped sediments.

It stated that based on the method popularly known as Logging While Drilling (LWD) and application of mudlogging data, the well encountered hydrocarbon intervals in the same Turonian, Cenomanian and Albian reservoirs that were successfully drilled and logged at the Ogo-1 well.

“All of the reservoir intervals came in high to prognosis, potentially indicating a larger structure than estimated post the drilling of Ogo-1. The LWD and mudlogging data also indicate that the syn-rift section encountered a 280’ true vertical thickness gross hydrocarbon interval, ”it stated.

It stated that the partners who believe that wireline data need to be acquired over the

Cenomanian, Albian and Synrift sections prior to selecting zones for testing.

The Chief Executive of Afren Plc, Mr. Osman Shahenshah said, “We continue to build an excellent exploration track record with more successful wells in Nigeria and the Kurdistan region of Iraq, notably the play opener south of Lagos.

“I am confident that with our track record of project delivery, exploration success and financial discipline, we are well placed to continue to realise significant value from our existing portfolio and for our shareholders, “it stated.

The firm expressed optimism that the drilling would culminate in the production of commercial crude oil in Lagos.

However, experts that expect Lagos will

become the 11th oil producing state in Nigeria, thus assisting to boost the economy of the state.

Afren Chairman, Egbert Imomoh

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Industry & SMEs

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

39

NSAP: Stakeholders want proper implementation of scheme The Federal Government plan towards increasing food production and create 3.5 million jobs, received a boost with the newly launched National Schools Agricultural Programme, NSAP, initiative. However, stakeholders say the target of the scheme would only be achieved with proper implementation. ABOLAJI ADEBAYO reports.

W

ith the introduction of National Schools Agriculture Programme, NSAP, the federal government has initiated new strategy to boost domestic food production by 20 million metric tonnes and create about 3.5 million jobs by 2015.

The NSAP initiative has been lauded

by Stakeholders who believe it is capable of attracting more youth into agriculture.

However there are fears in some quarters that scheme may go the way of other policies that were either abandoned or fail to achieve its target.

In a statement at the flag off of the scheme last week, the President Goodluck Jonathan said the scheme would be managed through the administration’s Agriculture Transformation Agenda, ATA, programme targeted at positive youth development.

He said, “The ATA programme is targeted at positive youth development, to harness the power of the young people to make better choices. Through our programmes, we have been able to provide articulate leadership training, guidance in career options, competence and confidence initiatives to youths.

“The NSAP initiative is a catch them young programme that will give them opportunity to see agriculture as a business enterprise.”

The president also expressed delight that Nigerian farmers had been able to produce over 70 per cent of the nationwide target of 2015.

He said there was an unprecedented 15 per cent sufficiency in rice production and even as the nation maintained the position of the largest producer of cassava in the world at about 35 metric tons annually.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, said the administration has been giving mechanised farming priority, which earlier berthed the N50bn Agricultural Mechanisation Programme.

Adesina said Nigeria had made remarkable transformation in agriculture, adding that cutlasses and hoes would be kept at museums.

“Hoes and cutlasses are not technologies and that is why this administration has made historic landmarks in the past six years in its transformations agenda.

Because of the hoes and cutlasses, the youths have always seen farming as a poor man`s job.

“Youth Empowerment and Agriculture Programme was also launched by the president to develop young agricultural farmers. I am delighted, with the establishment of the NSAP, to engage our young ones to begin to see agriculture as a viable and profitable business,” Adesina stated.

He disclosed that all the students present at the event would be automatically

Jonathan

Adesina

registered under the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme.

He said the present administration was supporting farmers through electronic inputs via voucher on their mobile phones, which is first in Africa and recognised around the world.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on NSAP, Dr. Baraka Sani said the initiative was a human capital initiative to build economic growth.

Sani said the NSAP was to build on the leadership opportunities of the youths, using a known approach but a non-formal curriculum.

“The initiative is to bring out hidden talents in our youths, which basically the curriculum will not bring out,” she said.

She added that youths under the scheme were registered free and would help participating schools to see the economical side to school farming.

It was said that the initiative would kickstart in 12 schools, which would later expand to other schools across the nation.

The Chief Executive Officer, Elephant Group Africa, who is also the President,

Rice Millers and Importers Dealers Association of Nigeria, RiMIDAN, Dr. Tunji Owoeye, said the gesture was the right step in the right direction.

According to him, government was not only involving agribusiness stakeholders but it is involving youths, agro-based businesses owners and school children.

“We are making significant impact to the sub-conscious being of the Nigerian youth to build on the successes of government in pushing agriculture to a mechanised form.

“Government is organising developmental programmes and incentives for youths and providing subsidised inputs. Government is providing the legislative enabling environment and supporting youths to boost our GDP and increase the number of those engaged in farming,” Owoeye said.

Owoeye said the scheme needs to be back up by finance and equipment by the government. He said each school must be well equipped for the scheme to be a success as an economic enhancement scheme.

The NSAP initiative is a comprehensive agricultural programme that will introduce young students to various opportunities in

the sector and to build technical and entrepreneurship skills in students to run agriculture as a business and to equip school leavers with practical skills to create jobs.

According to the federal government, in the pilot scheme, the School Agriculture Club, SAC, will be established in 12 selected schools across the six geo-political zones, each comprising of 120 students.

The focus is on vegetable production, horticulture, aquaculture, poultry, apiary and livestock production, small scale irrigation, processing and packaging.

Owoeye said an effective implementation of NSAP will act as a catalyst for agricultural development, economic growth and poverty alleviation by closing the gap between existing farmers and diversifying the economy.

Apart from describing the initiative as being timely, the President, Oyo chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Adegoke Ogunniyi, said the scheme would be the best initiative if properly executed.

He said through the scheme, the orientation of the youths would have been changed positively towards agriculture, which many youths have been running away from.

With this scheme in schools, many youths would have seen economic opportunity in agricultural sector and would be happy to embrace it, take it up as jobs instead of depending on government for jobs.

Meanwhile, Ogunniyi said the initiative would be a waste of time and resource if government does not create enabling environment in terms of infrastructure, finance, market and the like.

The Director General/CEO of Federal Institute of Industrial Research, FIIRO, Dr. Mrs. Gloria Elemo wants research institutes like FIIRO to be involved in the scheme for provision of required equipment and machines. She also tasked government to partner with private organized sector, OPS, in the training aspect based on their experience.

Oyo hoteliers lament multiple-taxation by govt ABOLAJI ADEBAYO

H

otelier Association of Oyo State has expressed frustration over heavy financial demands by government agencies, saying it was unfortunate that small scale businesses were subjected to multiple taxes from several groups and government establishment.

The President of the Association, Chief Jerome Adoroh said over the weekend during the association’s 10th year anniversary, fund raising and awards ceremony at Premier Hotel, Ibadan that it was becoming a worri-

some trend with many taxes levied on their businesses.

“For example, we have to pay for land use charges, business registration, electricity fee, advertising fee, poster fee, association levy and so many others and it is uncalled for and illegal.

We are calling on government to address this issue. We will take this mater seriously. If the government fails to tackle the problem, maybe we will take legal action and head to court to reverse the situation,” she said.

The president said the event was an historical one, being the first ever by the association in the state and its environs.

She said the association also felt it was necessary to honour prominent dignitaries for their meritorious services to the association, the state and the nation as a whole.

Adoroh said the event also afforded them the opportunity of raising funds for the construction of a befitting secretariat for the association.

Among those honoured at the programme were Chief Adebayo Akande, Mr. Solomon Ojedayo, Prince Adekunle Sijuwade, Maj. Gen. Adewole Adejumo (rtd) and renowned gospel musician, Yinka Ayefele.

40

Cocktail

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Horse rescued from swimming pool

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irefighters in Arizona said a horse that fell into a pool on its owner’s property was rescued without serious injury.

The Mesa Fire Department said the horse, which is allowed by its owners to roam freely on the property, fell into the swimming

pool Saturday and was unable to climb out on its own.

The equine was tranquilized by a veterinarian, and crews were able to wrap straps around the horse and lift it back to dry land.

The homeowner said the horse is doing well following its ordeal.

Oddities

Man shoots 500-pound black bear in his house

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Florida man shot and killed a black bear Wednesday night after the animal broke into his home for a second time to eat from a bag of dog food.

Victor Peters, 64, at first thought that his house had been burglarized after dicovering a large hole in his win-

Remorseful robber returned cash -Police

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olice in California said an accused gas station robber returned to the business nearly three hours after the crime to apologize and return the stolen money.

The Eureka Police Department said Cyle Warren Abbott Jr., 23, allegedly displayed a black handgun at the gas station shortly before 6:14 a.m. Saturday and stole an undisclosed amount of cash and two bottles of beer.

Police said Abbott returned to the station just after 9 a.m. to apologize and return most of the cash. The suspect surrendered when officers arrived, the department said.

Abbott allegedly told officers he was trying to turn his life around, and had planned to use the cash to start a new life somewhere else.

Police said Abbott told

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them the weapon he displayed during the robbery was a BB gun and he took them to the location where he said he abandoned the item, but officers were unable to locate it.

Abbott was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on suspicion of robbery and a probation violation. He was ordered held in lieu of $50,000 bail.

dows and wall Wednesday morning. Half of a 35-pound bag of dog food was the only thing missing.

By 8:30 p.m. the culprit returned; Peters looked outside a window and saw a black bear approaching the hole, which he had not patched.

“I’ve seen a lot of black bear. I hunt,” Peters told the Orlando Sentinel. “I’ve never

A large black bear.

seen one this big.”

He estimated the bear’s size at 400 or 500 pounds.

After failing to scare the bear away, Peters shot the animal in the head with a hunting rifle when it came back inside his house and bore its teeth.

Greg Workman, spokesman for the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, told the Sen-

tinel that the scene was a “mess.”

The organization is investigating the incident, but Workman said “it sounds like [Peters] did what he should have done.”

Black bears are known to be opportunistic eaters, scavenging food in the fall months in preparation for winter hybernation.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Civil Service

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

41

FG inaugurates N144m agric equipment T

he Federal Government yesterday in Gusau inaugurated four agricultural equipment hiring centres worth N144 million to boost mechanised agriculture in the state.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, said at the inauguration that the four centres cost the Federal Government N144 million.The minister said there would be 20 tractors, power tillers, harvesters and planters, among other modern farm machinery in each centre, located in each senatorial zone with one at the state centre.

Adesina said a total of 1,200 centres would be established across the country before the end of the year, in line with President Goodluck Jonathan’s directive.

He explained that farmers would access the equipment under the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme,

with the federal and state governments paying 50 per cent of the cost of hiring the equipment.

He added that the days of corruption in providing tractors for farmers were over, as it was now in the hands of the private sector.

Adesina said the ministry would support farmers in Zamfara with N193 million to have free access to tractor services in the next four months. ``This will enable farmers in the state to cultivate 8,000 hectares extra, increase food production by 32,000 tonnes and create 1,000 jobs,” he said.

The minister said that farmers in the North had benefited from the GES scheme, as they represent 75 per cent of the scheme’s beneficiaries.

He urged farmers to support President Jonathan so as to continue to enjoy government’s support in boosting agriculture.Earlier, Mr Saidu Abdulsalam, the Chairman, All Farmers Associ-

ation of Nigeria (AFAN), Zamfara branch, said there were more than three million people in the state and 90 per cent of them farmers with 250,000 family farms.

He said AFAN was in support of the President as his term in office had

enabled members to feel government’s presence on the farms for the first time .

He appreciated the Federal Government for allowing farmers in the state to participate in the GES scheme. Mr Waziri Ahmadu, the Executive Director,

Wholesale and Finance, Bank of Agriculture (BOA), said the centres would enhance efficiency, increase food production and raw materials for industries.

The director said BOA was collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Agri-

culture to replicate same landmark achievement in Kebbi.

Ahmadu said the bank had resolved to align its budget with the principles of Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) to further boost agriculture in the country.

L-R: National President, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, Comrade Samson Ugwoke; National President, NonAcademic Staff of Universities, Comrade Ladi Iliya; President, National Association of Academic Technologists, Comrade Sani Suleiman and National President, Academic Staff Union of Universities, Dr Nasir Fagge, during the National Education Summit in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Railway workers task FG on container transport safety CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

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he workers of the Nigerian Railway Corporation have tasked the federal government on the imperatives of container safety across intermodal transport chain in Nigeria.

In his address in commemoration of the ITF Container Safety Action Day at the headquarters of Nigerian Railway Corporation at the weekend, the President General of the Nigeria Union of Railway Workers (NUR), Comrade Raphael Okoro expressed great concern on the safety of workers and other people that come in contact with containers in their transportation from one destination to another through intermodal transport chain.

In a statement signed by the NUR Secretary General, Segun Esan, noted that to check the huge danger inherent in poorly regulated and improper handling of containers, Okoro

has given 4-point advice to the federal government to ‘open discussions in the National Assembly on this issue to confirm its support for the ITF position on container safety; endorse and take practical steps to implement the global recommendations by the International Labour Organization ( ILO), International Maritime Organization (IMO), and United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) on container safety; adopt the provisions of the ILO/IMO/UNECE Code of Practice on Packing of Cargo Transport Units into national legislation; and adopt national ‘chain of responsibility’ regulations which extend the general responsibility and legal liability to ensure that the container is safe along the transport chain which includes the consignors, packers, loaders and most importantly the clients, rather than pursuing the truck or the loco drivers and operators’.

Okoro said it has be-

come necessary for Nigeria as a signatory to the conventions of International Labour Organization to adopt the regulations of relevant international regulatory bodies so as to improve safety standards around

container packing and transportation in Nigeria.

“As a Union, our major concern is the huge potential risk faced by the workers and members of the public who come in contact with the containers along their movement

from one destination to ers are at great risk due to overloaded containers or another. shifting cargo as a result Incorrect packing of dangerous goods has the of unstable loads, causpotential to cause leak- ing the vehicles to end in ages, fires and explosions. disaster.

A container filled In this case, the drivers of the conveyors of the con- with scrap material, for tainers and other road us- CONTINUED ON PAGE 42

san, at the meeting, recently.

At the maiden conference on National Newborn Health Conference in Abuja, stakeholders comprising international organizations such as the United States Agency for International Development, USAID, United Nations Children Fund, UNICEF, World Health Organization, WHO, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Save the Children among others, said it was high time the country developed result-oriented measures that would reverse preventable deaths among its mothers and children.

Represented by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr Linus Awute, Alhassan lamented the position occupied by the country on the continent in mother and child deaths statistics and called for continued support from the stakeholders.

While highlighting few successes achieved and emphasizing government’s preparedness to tackle the challenge headlong, the Minister said: “Over the last decade, limited progress has been made in addressing the high rate of neonatal mortality in Nigeria. The rate of

FG initiates new roadmap for saving lives in Nigeria MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

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he Federal Government and its local and international health partners are currently brainstorming on development of new roadmap for preventing avoidable deaths, especially those of mothers and children in Nigeria.

The meeting aims at saving about 3,750,000 by 2025, as recommended by the ‘Lancet Every Newborn Series’, which was launched by the Supervising Minister of Health, Dr Khaliru Alhas-

progress to addressing this mortality driver has been slow, partially rooted in the complexities of diagnosis, training, policy and availability of life-saving newborn health commodities.

“Globally, nearly 3 million newborns die each year and 2.6 million babies are stillborn. Nigeria, with a population of over 170 million, houses the continent’s highest annual number of newborn deaths as more than 250,000 babies die in their first month of life every year, accounting for more than a third of all under-five deaths.

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Civil Service

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

World Bank trains 524 youths on refuse disposal

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he Coordinator of State Employment and Expenditure for Results, SEEFOR, programme of the Delta Government, Mr Benson Ojoko, said the World Bank project has trained 524 youths on refuse disposal.

Ojoko, who stated this in an interview with newsmen in Asaba, said that those trained were 42 private sector participants, 82 supervisors and 400 semi-skilled and unskilled youths.

He said that the capacity-building programme provided the youths with guidelines on how to do the job effectively and gave them opportunity to share work experiences.

He said that the state government was collaborating with the World Bank on the project, explaining that the 524 persons were among 2.000 youths recruited across the state for the purpose.

According to him, the 524 youths will be engaged in Asaba, the state capital while the others will work in Warri, Udu, Sapele and Ughelli, beginning from November, 2014.

Ojoko explained that the cities were grouped into 160 zones, with 800 households in each zone, adding that the beneficiaries would be engaged for a period of 12 months by the SEEFOR. He said that after the 12-month period, the private refuse-collection service providers engaged by the state government would re-engage the youths as employees.

He added that SEEFOR had earlier recruited 2,000 youths and enrolled them in skill acquisition centres across the state.Ojoko said that the skills acquisition training will last six months, adding that beneficiaries would be provided starter packs at the end.

World Bank President, Jim Yong Kim

L-R: Chairman, Adamawa Civil Service Commission, Alhaji Salihu Umar; Rector, Adamawa State Polytechnic, Prof. Bobbo Umar, and Ustaz Umaru Zingina, during the Islamic New Year 1436 Hijira lecture in Yola, on Sunday.

PHOTO: NAN

8,000 students head to Otukpo for Schools Sports Festival JOEL AJAYI ABUJA

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o fewer than 8000 students will, between 6th to 16th November 2014, converge in Otukpo in Benue State to participate in this years’ School, Sports Festival tagged “Mark of Excellence,” put together by the Nigeria School Sports Federation, NSSF. This is even as N25 Million cash donation has been released by the Na-

tional Sports Commission, NSC, for the success of the 7th edition of the schools’ sports competition.Speaking with newsmen recently, at the Media Center of Abuja National Stadium, President of NSSF Mallam Ibrahim Muhammed revealed that the prospective students will take part in 21 sporting events.

Out of the total sporting events, three of them including Baseball, Dart and Traditional Sports are grouped in the non-scor-

ing/demonstration sports while19 others including football, athletics, basketball are regarded as scoring sports. Cricket and Golf have been added among the sports to be competed for.

According to him, “every arrangement is being made to enable our children in school to showcase their talents. Already, we have gone for first, second and final inspection where the competition will take place.

Schools where students will camp have been identified.

“Apart from athletics and long tennis which will take place at Makurdi, every other sporting event will take place at Otukpo.

Most of the events will take place in schools. This year is a unique year because we have got lots of support from the National Sports Commission, NSC. While calling on wellspirited individuals, corporate organizations and state government to lend their support, MallamMuhammed commended the

leadership of NSC led by Minister of Sports and NSC Chairman Dr Tammy Danagogo for releasing more money for the competition when compared with what has been obtainable in the recent past.

Earlier, Sports Minister Dr. Danagogo represented by Director Grassroots Sports Development AlhajiAlhassanYakmut assured of his readiness to ensure that much efforts are made in fishing out burden talents from the schools system.

Railway workers task FG on container transport safety CONTINUED FROM PAGE 41 instance, can present a tents of a container can serious danger to those bring about uneven loadrequired to inspect or un- ing which certainly will have adverse impact on load it”, Okoro said.

He added that “In Nige- the vehicle carrying the ria and just as it happens container.

In fact, there are occaaround the world, we have had instances where the sions where road trucks actual weight of the con- and trailers carrying container exceeds the safe tainers have deposited their containers on other working load.

This can damage cranes vehicles killing many lives mid-air leaving the con- and destroying propertainer to crash down on ties”, Okoro added.

Okoro expressed his workers. Similarly, poor load distribution in a con- displeasure on the lack tainer or overweight can of regulations on the safe cause derailment to the transportation of containtrain while false declara- ers which made trailer and tion of weight and con- locomotive drivers to be

unaware of the content or weight of the containers carried. He said drivers had no way of making sure that the cargo was correctly packed and leaving the drivers with no information needed to reduce the risk of injury, explosion or other hazards in any event of accidents. Okoro opined that the drivers and those within immediate space of the accident suffer greatly more often.

“This is why we are of the view that all those involved in the transport and handling of containers along the supply chain

need to be fully informed of the contents, actual weight, state of packing, stowage, lashing and securing of cargo including the eccentricity of the centre of gravity (CG) of the loaded container so that legal liability and general responsibility that ensures safe passage of containers can be encouraged and extended to include all those along the supply chain”, Okoro said.

It would be recalled that the first container was invented in 1957 by Malcom P. McLean to achieve more convenient intermodal

transportation of goods in containers without the contents being unloaded or repacked.

The invention has replaced previous methods of transporting goods in barrels, sacks, and wooden crates and has achieved seamless movement of goods in containers between ships, trucks, and trains. With about 35 million containers with standardized twist-lock mechanism in the world and steady growth in number of same, freighting and packing have posed great risk and danger.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Wednesday October 29, 2014

43

Presidency: How Niger will vote CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 PDP, who worked against the party during the election.

He said: “After my analysis, I realised that the election was tough, not because of the opposition, and if you will all analyse, you will realise that we were not competing with the opposition, but we were competing with people who claimed to be members of the PDP, who were working against us. While some did it for selfish reasons, some did it for revenge and most importantly some did it for greed.

“Some also where given money to use for the election, and they did not use it.

Some people sat down, calculated what it would cost us to take care of our agents, it was given and yet it didn’t trickle down to some of them.”

Currently in the state, there are no major defection of supporters from either the PDP to the APC, though, before the by-election in August, the state PDP acting chairman, Barr Tanko Beji, said the party welcomed some members of the opposition, who allegedly defected to the ruling party in Suleja area of the state, a claim which the opposition debunked.

Electioneering campaign programmes are yet to kick off publicly, but there are under ground ones going on on both sides to sell their candidates and their parties to the people in the state.

Though, the posters and bill boards of candidates seeking election into the state Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate and governorship, adorned the state,

Abubakar

those of presidential aspirants are not yet really seen around, except those of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the APC, pasted in strategic areas of the state.

Some of the dividends of democracy of the President Goodluck Jonathan that may likely warm the heart of the state to his candidature are the construction of the MinnaSuleja road, which is on going, the construction of the 700 MW Zungeru dam project, though it is yet to commence full operation, despite series of efforts by members of the National Assembly of the seven benefitting state of Niger, Kwara, Benue, Plateau, Kebbi, Kogi and Nassarawa, among other federal presence in the state.

Aliyu

Kure

AS THE ELECTION APPROACHES, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT A REPEAT OF HOW THE PEOPLE OF

NIGER STATE VOTED IN 2011

DURING THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION WOULD BE REPEATED AGAIN IN Hence, as the election approaches, it is unlikely that a repeat of how the people of Niger State voted in 2011 during the presidential election would be repeated again in 2015.

But, the fight, political watchers said, is

2015

obviously going to be between the ruling party and the major opposition party in the state, but this time, just as the PDP will not leave any thing to chance in its quest to win, the APC will also not rest on its oars.

I can make Lagos the Dubai of Africa –Ikuforiji CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14 side, the other person had four and one person was on the line. But when we got to a point and I saw that we could run into trouble if we were not careful, the two of us will lose because we just heard the leadership saying let them go to the floor of the House. The other person was my brother from Epe; I was from Epe Constituency I, he was from Epe Constituency II and we know that 17 of the returning members didn’t want a greenhorn to come and be their speaker if not for the fact that the leadership said they are zoning it to Epe. So on May 31, two days before inauguration, we were in a meeting where the leadership said we had zoned these positions and they even gave names of members who would occupy those seats except the one for the office of speaker.

They said they will leave us to decide who the speaker will be.

You know what I did? I didn’t want Epe to lose the speakership. I went to the bathroom, I wept profusely and then returned to my colleagues and they said let’s vote and I said no, we don’t want to vote. The leadership of the party already told us that the speakership position is zoned to Epe and I want to thank members of the House for accepting that decision of the leadership. So, they were disarmed.

IT IS NOT A DOOR-DIE. I ONLY HAVE THE BURNING DESIRE OF LEADING THIS STATE BECAUSE

I KNOW AND BELIEVE I CAN OF WHAT

BRING INTO IT

Ikuforiji

Now I said those of us from Epe we have already gone home, we have consulted with our leaders and elders and the issue had been settled. So, I conceded to Pelumi. That was how we settled it.

But since God knows my heart, and since it was predetermined that I will be speaker, by December 2005, when I least expected it, Pelumi was removed and I became speaker till today. And since then, Nigeria had witnessed a speakership like no

other in the history of the nation.

So really, it is not a do-or-die. I only have the burning desire of leading this state because of what I know and believe I can bring into it.

How have you been able to escape the banana peel as the longest serving speaker in Nigeria?

It’s very simple. Number one thing, you need the grace of God. You also really need to be selfless. You need to know your onion better than anybody else.

Look, you must put others before yourself. You know the Lord says love your neighbours as thyself, but in this game,

you must love your neighbour more than thyself, because in the legislature, the spirit of parliament is such a tough one.

What do you have to say on zoning?

W Asiwaju came from this zone, from this my constituency, Ikeja and Fashola is from Surulere, that is west and central senatorial districts respectively.

Lagos East has been producing speaker since 1999. I started the fight for zoning. In fact, it was in Ikorodu at one of the meetings that I said look, that we have held the legs and everything of the lion for our party to enjoy because when you keep the House, I mean the Legislature in order, then government can run smoothly. The East has done that since 1999, it is time for them to allow the East to be the one with the spoon to dish the food to others.

And of course, I told Asiwaju also when we were discussing about some of these things. So, don’t make a mistake when people started saying it is Epe’s turn. They were not talking of East again, they are mentioning specifically Epe. Do you know why they were saying it is Epe’s turn? It’s because they know you have loyal and capable son in Epe. It is not all these new-found sons, but the one they knew, that is the speaker of the House. That is why people are saying it is Epe’s turn.

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Politics

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

AHEAD 2015 GENERAL ELECTIONS

Ondo PDP secretariat remains closed –Caretaker committee HAKEEM GBADAMOSI AKURE

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ollowing the closure of the Ondo State secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, by men of the Nigeria Police, the Chairman of the newly inaugurated PDP Caretaker Committee in the state, Dare Adeleke, said the secretariat remained closed.

A statement issued and signed by Adeleke yesterday and made available to

journalists in Akure, the Ondo State capital said the step was taken to ensure safety of lives and properties at the secretariat, adding that the dissolution of the executive council of the party at all levels by the National Working Committee, NWC, still subsist; assuring that the Caretaker Committee is committed to the promotion of peace, justice and fair play to reposition the party in the state.

The statement read:

“The Ondo State PDP Caretaker Committee wishes to notify the entire PDP family in the state that the party secretariat in the state shall remain closed for now.

“This step is to avoid unauthorised access and possible destruction and or pilfering, consequent upon the dissolution of all the executive councils of the party across the tiers of the state by the NWC of the party.

“The committee assures

all the teeming members of the PDP in Ondo State of its unwavering commitment to the promotion of justice, peace and fair play and calls on all aggrieved members to remain calm and be law abiding.”

Security agents had on Monday sealed off the PDP secretariat located at Oyemekun road area of the state capital following the dissolution of the party executives at all levels in the state by the NWC of the party.

L-R: Senator Kabiru Gaya; former Kogi State governor, Alhaji Audu Abubakar; All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain Chief Audu Ogbe and Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, during his declaration as a presidential aspirant in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Race for Abia-South hots up as Nkwota picks nomination form GEORGE OPARA UMUAHIA

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ampaign activities in Abia-South senatorial district has heated up diametrically as Chief Chris Nkwonta, yesterday, picked the expression of interest and nomination forms to run for the

election to replace Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, currently occupying the seat but running for the state gubernatorial race.

Nkwonta, a businessman from Akwete Ndoki in Ukwa East Local Government, said he picked the form to improve on the achievements of his pre-

decessor, saying he offered to represent his zone in the Senate because it is the turn of Ukwa to produce the senator for the zone, their Ngwa neighbours having taken eight years.

He said he decided to go to the Senate rather than the governorship position he had earlier indicated

interest in “because politics is by nature dynamic,” adding that it should not be surprising that he made a change of heart.

He said the political development in the state has made it imperative for him to go for the senatorial ticket rather than governorship.

‘Big names’ can’t intimidate me at poll –Aspirant JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

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n a veiled reference to former Governor Joshua Dariye, a senatorial aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Emmanuel Go’ar, has said he won’t allow “big names” in Plateau Central zone to intimidate him ahead of the 2015 general elections.

Former Governor Dariye is currently representing the zone which Goar, currently representing Kanke/ Kanam/Pankshin federal constituency in the House of

Representatives is eyeing.

Speaking with journalists yesterday shortly after picking his nomination form, Go’ar said gone are the days when big name is one of the criteria for winning election in Nigeria, saying those seeking for election at any level will have to present their score cards before electorate for assessment.

He said: “I am not at all intimidated; election is a period of reckoning, where every contestant will present his score card for assessment and proper scrutiny. I am not intimidated

by names or names dropping, I depend on God and my record of achievements as a legislator.”

The two-term lawmaker said that he feels more qualified to occupy the senatorial seat of the Central zone, adding that people of his constituency have seen his activities and believed strongly that he should leave the green chambers for the red chambers to represent them.

He said the fact that many people are contesting the senatorial seat with him only goes to show the beauty of democracy,

stressing that if there is no competition in a political race, people will conclude that something is wrong fundamentally.

He used the opportunity to debunk the insinuation that the governor has endorsed or anointed some people to contest, saying: “The governor has not endorsed anybody. The ground is level so I can challenge anybody who wants to contest with me. So, let us go out there and sort out our credentials, we present them to the public. The public will assess us and give us what they can give us.”

Enugu PDP crises: Mu’azu snubs Chime ADEOLA TUKURU ABUJA

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nugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime, yesterday received his worst embarrassment at the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, national headquarters when the party’s National Chairman, Adamu Mu’azu, kept him for five hours without attending to him.

A furious Chime left the Wadata Plaza in anger, in company of the recently handpicked acting Enugu State chairman of the party, Mr. Ikeje Asogwa.

Chime is angling to move up to the Senate as replacement for the Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, generally believed to have excelled both in the legislative business and as a principal officer of the National Assembly and is also seeking re-election.

Chime arrived at the PDP national secretariat as early as 11.00 am, hoping to see the party’s National Working Committee, NWC, or the national chairman, but was unable to see either even after waiting for over five hours.

Sources informed our reporters that the crises rocking the Enugu State chapter of the party heightened following the curious resignation of Engr. Vita Abba as state chairman last weekend, forcing the governor, who had boasted to the national leadership of the party that “I don’t come here to visit anybody; I have never done that before,” to make a repeat visit.

Also, the disrespect shown by Chime to President Goodluck Jonathan, PDP NWC and other PDP chieftains, who unsuccessfully intervened in the controversial “chicken impeachment” of the erstwhile deputy governor, Sunday Onyebuchi, made the PDP leadership to snub Chime.

Impeachable sources told National Mirror that the party had pleaded with Chime to drop Onyebuchi’s impeachment but, the governor would have none of that.

It was also gathered that the governor’s insistence that only his anointed aspirants would run in the 2015 general elections, excluding Senator Ayogu Eze, who is also eyeing the governorship seat and Ekweremadu who is working hard to return to the Senate, also contributed to the snub.

Chime had yesterda brought Mr. Asogwa to the PDP to introduce him to the party leadership, but the controversial manner of Asogwa’s emergence made the NWC refuse to see them so as not to create the impression that Asogwa had been endorsed by the national body.

Mu’azu, PDP Chair

Delta LG poll: Ika-South APC supporters celebrate victory THEOPHILUS ONOJEGHEN WARRI

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ubilation has continued to trail the victory of All Progressives Congress, APC’s counsellorship candidate in Ika South Ward 7, at the just concluded Delta State council poll.

APC supporters yesterday took to the streets to celebrate what they described as victory of light over darkness.

Hundreds of jubilant supporters drawn from Agbor Alidinma, Obi Agbor and Obi Iduhon communities, which made up ward 7 matched

through the various villages to celebrate the victory.

At the conclusion of the peaceful voting and counting of votes, Reverend Francis Mormah Onyeka, the Delta state Independent Electoral Commission, DSIEC, returning officer for the ward, declared Mrs Isioma Grace Aghaulor, candidate of the APC, as duly elected, having received the majority of the vote cast at the election.

Mrs Aghaulor scored 260 votes to defeat the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate in the election, Ms. Evelyn Efe, who scored 242 votes at the poll held last weekend.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

45

GSK 9-month pre-tax profit falls 26%

•Equities dip further by 1.1% JOHNSON OKANLAWON

T

he Nigerian unit of drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline yesterday said its 9-month pretax profit fell 25.9 per cent to N2.06bn, compared to N2.78bn declared in the same period of 2013.

The company’s turnover however rose to N23.2bn during the nine months to the end of September, from N21.3bn recorded in the same period of last year.

Meanwhile, equities

market sustained the negative mood from previous day, as the benchmark index dropped further.

The All Share Index lost 1.13 per cent to close at 38,286.56 points, compared to the decline of 0.92 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 38,724.15 points.

Market capitalisation shed N145bn to close at N12.7trn, higher than the decline of N81bn recorded the preceding day to close at N12.8trn.

The prevalent mood in the market was negative, as 37 stocks declined

in value against 17 price gainers.

Rakunity Plc led the gainers’ table with 19 kobo or 61.29 per cent to close at 50 kobo per share, followed by Mobil Plc with N9.48 or 5.87 per cent to close at N170.98 per share.

7UP Plc rose N8.97 or five per cent to close at N188.52 per share, while Evans Medicals Plc appreciated 10 kobo or 4.90 per cent to close at N2.14 per share.

May and Baker Plc was nine kobo or 4.81 per cent to close at N1.96 per share.

On the flip side, Union

Bank Plc dropped 58 kobo or 6.57 per cent to close at N8.25 per share, while Union Homes REIT Plc lost N2.37 or 4.98 per cent to close at N45.22 per share.

NASCON Plc fell 43 kobo or 4.96 per cent to close at N8.24 per share, while Dangote Sugar Plc declined 37 kobo or 4.93 per cent to close at N7.14 per share.

Ashaka Cement Plc dipped N1.57 or 4.89 per cent to close at N30.51 per share.

A total of 398.9 million shares valued at N2.80bn were traded in 4,579 deals.

Unilever pre-tax profit dips 49% in nine months JOHNSON OKANLAWON

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igerian unit of Anglo–Dutch multinational company Unilever said yesterday that its pretax profit for the nine months ended September 30 fell 49 per cent to N2.54bn, compared to N5.03bn recorded in the same period of 2013.

The company’s household product maker’s revenue also dropped to four per cent to N43.6bn, from N45.6bn in 2013.

The company had said in September that it will be investing as much as 150 million Euro ($194m) across its production lines in a move to en-

hance local production capacity as well boost relations with domestic raw material suppliers.

The company’s global Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Paul Polman said then that the company has invested 50 per cent of its turnover in Nigeria in the last three years with the country now holding around 50 per cent of all its investments in Africa.

The company’s Kenyan unit also said last month that it intends to invest $190.7m in infrastructural development as it seeks to exploit East Africa’s growing middle class, armed with more disposable income whose

demand for consumer goods have increased.

“Our Nairobi-based site, which is the hub of the East African business, will not be able to meet the rapidly growing business needs of our consumers by 2016,” said Paul Polman, Unilever chief executive in an interview with Smart Company.

The new development – a factory and a warehouse- is expected to replace the current one which dates back to 1950s when the international FMCG firm opened shop in Kenya when it acquired a 50 percent stake in East African Industries at the

time.

At the end of the first quarter in March, the company posted an after tax profit of about N751m. This is a drop of about 41 per cent from the corresponding first quarter profit figure in the preceding year.

The 2013 profit figure for the company was a decline of 14.1 per cent from the peak profit figure of N5.60bn earned in 2012.

The company closed the first quarter with sales revenue of N13.8bn, a moderate decline of 2.8 per cent from the corresponding revenue figure in 2013.

Global shares rally on earnings, data, bond prices slip

G

lobal equity markets rose and bond prices eased yesterday on solid corporate earnings on both sides of the Atlantic and an upbeat United States consumer confidence report that more than made up for weak American housing and industrial data.

Market moves were mostly muted ahead of a two-day Federal Reserve meeting that begins on Tuesday, when the US central bank will likely reinforce its stated willingness to wait a long while before hiking interest rates.

The Fed is expected to announce the end of its massive bond-buying stimulus, known as

quantitative easing.

The dollar index pared losses after the Conference Board reported US consumer confidence hit its highest in seven years in October, reducing worries over disappointing data on domestic home prices and durable goods orders.

Major US stock indexes hit session highs on the consumer sentiment report and corporate earnings that are beating expectations at a higher rate than recent quarters.

With 245 companies in the Standard and Poor 500 having reported earnings so far in the third quarter, 73.5 per cent have beat analyst ex-

pectations, according to Thomson Reuters. Over the past four quarters, 67 per cent of companies have beat estimates.

In Europe about a quarter of companies listed on the STOXX Europe 600 benchmark have reported results so far, with 66 per cent beating profit forecasts, Thomson Reuters data show.

“The strength of the current earnings season justifies owning equities, and we think there will be a recovery in the equity market,” said James Butterfill, global equity strategist at Coutts in London.

MSCI’s all-country world stock index rose 0.77 per cent, while the

pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index of leading companies rose one per cent to 1,318.23.

On Wall Street, the Dow Jones industrial average rose 61.5 points, or 0.37 per cent, to 16,879.44.

The S&P 500 gained 12.09 points, or 0.62 per cent, to 1,973.72 and the Nasdaq Composite added 53.64 points, or 1.2 per cent, to 4,539.57.

The dollar index, which measures the greenback against a basket of six currencies, was last down 0.18 per cent at 85.341.

The dollar weakened against the euro, with the euro zone currency last at $1.2742, up 0.35 per cent on the day.

Source: NSE

Market indicators All-Share Index 38,286.56 points Market capitalisation 12.68trn

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

RAKUNITY

0.31

0.50

0.19

61.29

MOBIL

161.50

170.98

9.48

5.87

7UP

179.55

188.52

8.97

5.00

EVANSMED

2.04

2.14

0.10

4.90

MAYBAKER

1.87

1.96

0.09

4.81

WAPIC

0.66

0.69

0.03

4.55

GOLDBREW

0.88

0.92

0.04

4.55

NEM

0.76

0.79

0.03

3.95

INTENEGINS

0.52

0.54

0.02

3.85

ROYALEX

0.53

0.55

0.02

3.77

LOSERS COMPANY UBN

OPENING 8.83

CLOSING 8.25

CHANGE

% CHANGE

-0.58

-6.57

UHOMREIT

47.59

45.22

-2.37

-4.98

NASCON

8.67

8.24

-0.43

-4.96

DANGSUGAR

7.51

7.14

-0.37

-4.93

ASHAKACEM

32.08

30.51

-1.57

-4.89

IKEJAHOTEL

3.11

2.96

-0.15

-4.82

NEIMETH

1.07

1.02

-0.05

-4.67

SKYEBANK

2.66

2.54

-0.12

-4.51

FBNH

12.34

11.82

-0.52

-4.21

NPFMCRFBK

0.98

0.94

-0.04

-4.08

FGN Bonds Offer

Bid Description

Price

Yield

Price

Yield

13.05 16-AUG-2016

1.80

100.95

12.42

101.10

12.32

15.10 27-APR-2017

2.50

105.30

12.56

105.45

12.49

16.00 29-JUN-2019

4.67

111.15

12.74

111.45

12.66

16.39 27-JAN-2022

7.25

117.25

12.67

117.55

12.61

14.20 14-MAR-2024

9.38

108.40

12.64

108.70

12.59

10.00 23-JUL-2030

15.74 81.75

12.70

82.05

12.65

Closing Market Prices of October 28, 2014

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

29-Jan-15

10.80

11.11

23-Apr-15

10.30

10.84

03-Sep-15

10.55

11.59

NIBOR Tenor

Rate (%)

O/N

10.6250

1M

12.5182

3M

13.3194

6M

14.1879 The Fixings of October 28, 2014

46

Capital Market

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stock exchange daily equities summary Equities as at October 28, 2014 1st Tier Securities

1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

47

Community Mirror The Cocoa Corporation of Nigeria will be helpful to grow Nigeria’s share of the global market as it targets to control at least 30 percent of the market by 20:20.

Court remands mother of four in prison for stealing

48

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT – DR. AKINWUNMI ADESHINA

Shettima donates relief materials to women in Borno INUSA NDAHI MAIDUGURI

F

irst Lady of Borno State Hajiya Nana Kashim Shettima has distributed food items to over 500 women to mark

the New Islamic Calendar Year in the state.

This has she also appealed to the people of the state to strengthen their relationship with one another and live in peace irrespective of their reli-

Artisans appeal to govt over relocation order WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

T

he Association of Phone Technicians and Accessories Dealers APTAD, Kogi State chapter, has appealled to the state government to exercise restraint over the notice to vacate the Obasanjo Square and relocate to Zango Daji area of the state capital.

The appeal was contained in a letter addressed to the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism jointly signed by the chairman, T. Salifu and the Secretary, Ebuka Ugwuagu, a copy of which was made available to newsmen in Lokoja.

The Association called

on the state government to see the members as their children, young vibrant youths who are determined to embark on self susteanance in the face of the current hydra headed unemployment problems facing the country.

While reacting to reacting to a letter from the office of Commissioner for Culture and Tourism titled: Notice To Vacate Obasanjo Square with reference No KG S / M C T / H C S / 5 / 1 6 / VOL.V65 dated October 13, 2014, the group stated that it was aware of the inter-ministerial meetings chaired by the Secretary to the State government, SSG, and all the decision taken.

gious, ethnic, political and regional background.

Hajiya Shettima further enjoined the parents particularly mothers to be more committed to the cause of educating and enlightening their subjects by way of installing moral values in them so that the younger generation should have a better future.

The food items include bags of rice, semovita, vegetable oil, cartoons of macaroni and spaghetti among others.

“I am, therefore, appeal-

ing to all our 500 beneficiaries carefully selected from Zakaria, Umurari, Ngananman, Ba yan Quarters, Bayan Texaco and Shagari low cost Housing Estate Maimalari to make good use of the relief materials or poverty alleviation items as well pray for lasting peace in our state and nation at large,” Nana said.

“At this point, let me crave your indulgence and express my heartfelt appreciation to our amiable, dynamic, courageous and committed servant of the

people, our one and only governor of the masses, Kashim Shettima for standing firm by the people at this trying moment of our state and the nation at large.

“This I believe can be attributed to your selfless service, courage to stand by the people, determination to salvage Borno and above all your dependence on Allah to serve humanity”, she added.

While commending the understanding, support and encouragement of the people to the administra-

tion of Governor Shettima, the first lady implored the people of the state to continue to support the government towards moving the state to greater height.

In her remarks, Borno APC Women Leader Hajiya Kakinna, appealed to women of the state to support the present government in its struggle to bring back peace to the state, stressing that, without peace no meaningful development can take place anywhere in the world.

Kogi trains youths in skills acquisition WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

T

he Kogi State Government has trained no fewer than 8,000 youths in various skill, acquisitions as part of efforts to tackle unemployment problems.

Governor of the state, Idris Wada disclosed this while speaking at the closing ceremony of the eight batches of youth advancement and development for Kogi, YAD4KOGI, at the training camp in Ashaya, Kabba in Kabba/Bunu local government of Kogi state.

Wada restated the commitment of his administration to train youths for economic development and rebuild self esteem in them.

The governor explained that in line with determination to take out youths from the street and social vices, the state government will

continue to impact positively on the youths to achieve the greater height.

The State Commissioner for environment, Pastor Stephen Tayo Aremu who represented the governor, stated that the government is committed to human development.

Wada, therefore, urged the participant to make use of what they have learnt during the two weeks training exercise for development of themselves, local governments and state in general.

Speaking earlier the Special Adviser to the governor on Youth and Women Development, Dr. Mrs. Temitope Shinkaye, expressed gratitude to the state governor for his passion for development and provision of employment opportunities through the various programmes he has initiated in the state.

People in front of the Nigerian Legion Office, Ikoyi which was gutted by fire in Lagos, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Cleric urges prayers for 2015 ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

T

he General Overseer of CAC Canaan Land Ministry, Prophet Hezekiah Oladeji, has called for urgent prayers for the country to sustained unity beyond the forthcoming 2015 general elections.

Oladeji, who said prayers were needed to stave off disintegration, lamented that the evils that had eaten deep into the country’s fabrics were

threats to sustained peace and growth.

The cleric, who spoke in a statement in Ado Ekiti, canvassed a rethink and change of attitude on the part of all Nigerians especially men who he said over 80 per cent of the crises plaguing the nation to.

Oladeji, said it was part of the need to pray for the country that his Ministry organized a two-day Prayer and Deliverance Session tagged: “Men like an Eagle” at Mountain of Mercy, Erio Ekiti specially

designed to bring men to God. According to him, the sessions would be anchored by other clerics including Pastors Samuel Olu Alo, Peter Ilesanmi and Amos Ojo while gospel singers like: Glorious Adebayo, David King and Oluwaseun Ologun, would render songs to the glory of God. The cleric said “men are occupying virtually all the sensitive and rewarding elective and appointive positions in the

country and no efforts should be spared to bring them to God. “We must have leaders that would respect humanity because no country can grow where bad people are ruling. Our men must not only be disciplined, they must be Godly as well.

“Apart from that, men are always the target of the evil world. They need to be fortified at wall times to be able to overcome the challenges of the world,” he said.

Community Mirror

48

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Court remands mother of four in prison for stealing WALE

IGBINTADE

A

n Igbosere Magistrate’s Court yesterday remanded in prison custody a 36-year old mother of four, Ebele Okere, for allegedly stealing the sum of N15million under false pretence.

The defendant who CHANGE OF NAME

ONWUKWE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Onwukwe Chinonso Confidence,now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Chinedu Chinonso Confidence.

All former documents remain valid.

NYSC,general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OCHEKWU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Charlice Ajuma Ochekwu now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Charlice Ajuma Idoko. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

AYO: Formerly known and addressed as Sadiq Kazeem Ayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Sadiq Kazeem Ayodeji. All former documents remains valid. General public take note.

is an alleged Facebook scammer resides at 14 Uba Street Nkpor Onitsha, in Anambra state.

Okere, who was arraigned before Magistrate Adeola Adedayo, is facing a two count charge of stealing and obtaining by false pretence preferred against her by the police.

The Police prosecutor CHANGE OF NAME

IHEME: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Iheme Chidimma Joy, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Odey Chidimma Joy. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ARIYO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ariyo Abimbola D., now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Yaqub Abimbola D. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Azeez Oluwapelumi Ebun, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adetola Osofodunrin Ebun. All former documents remains valid. General public should please take note.

MONEY MAKER’S SECRETS!

CHANGE OF NAME

CHIMEZIE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Chimezie Chinwendu Favour now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Osuji Chinwendu Favour.All former documents remain valid.NYSC and the general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ADEWUYI: Formerly known as Miss Adewuyi Moriam, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okunnu Moriam. All former documents remain valid.

General public note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OGBONNA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogbonna Oluchi Grace, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Okeja Oluchi Grace. All former documents remains valid. General public should please take note.

and make profit from it, which she knew to be false.

The prosecutor argued that the offence is punishable under section 312 and 285 of the criminal law of Lagos state of Nigeria 2011.

When the charged was read to her, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the two charges.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Apostle Emeka Eze Emmanuel Anyanwu Stephen Nwarata Caroline Anunobi Charles Igboaka Ifeanyi Ofole Pius Okonkwo

- Chairman - Vice Chairman - Secretary - Women Leader - Patron - Treasurer - Financial Secretary

1.

2.

3.

To Spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the World To Draw People closer to God To Assist the Needy

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, of the Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: STEPHEN NWARATA SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

CHAKFEM DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION This is to notify the general public that the above named Association has applied for Registration, with the Corporate Affairs Commission, under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990

THE TRUSTEES ARE: HRH Da Raymond Yonbish Rev. Ibrahim Tonbe Barr. Joseph Ditep Kwatmak Dr. Dimulak Mwanmut Dr. Harry Makput Mr. IShaku Samaila Jilemsam Mr. Donatus Yahanna

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To promote cultural, social and economic development of Chakfem people 2. To engender social cohesion, promote peaceful co-existence and ensure the overall security of Chakfem people in all facets of life.

3. To promote positive economic, social and political collaboration between the Chakfem people and its neigbours.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within twenty-eight (28) days of this publication.

SIGNED: SUNDAY YAKUBU ESQ.

NDOKWA FISHERMEN ASSOCIATION KWALE

This is to inform the general public that the above named association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under the part C of the Company and Allied Matters Act 1990.

CHANGE OF NAME

DIMKPA: Formerly known and adressed as Miss Confidence Stephanie Dimkpa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Confidence Stephanie Odili. All former documents remain valid. University of Port Harcourt, NYSC and the general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

UMEAWUSIOFOR: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Umeawusiofor Esther Ogoma, now wish to be known and Addressed as Mrs Ifeanacho Esther Ogoma.

All former documents remain valid.

NYSC and general Public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known as (Shogbesan) Olayinka Akinkunmi Family, now wish to be known and addressed as Akinkunmi Akinola Olayinka For Akinkunmi Family. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Adesanya, Saidat Olasunkanmi wish to be known and addressed as Kolawole Saidat Olasunkanmi. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OTERI: Formerly known and adressed as Miss Elohor Oteri, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Elohor Emmanuel Ejedimu.

All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

FAMILY CHANGE OF NAME

We formerly known as Mrs Anizoba Gloria Nwunoma, Mrs Anizoba Deborah Ngozi, Anizoba Samuel Chekwube, Anizoba Peter Chukwujekwu, Anizoba Paul Chukwunenye, Anizoba Mercy Ogechukwu, Anizoba Gloria Obiananma, Anizoba Edith Ifeoma, Anizoba Helen Chukwunonso, Anizoba Tessy Nneka now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Anizor Gloria Nwunoma, Mrs Anizor Deborah Ngozi, Anizor Samuel Chekwube, Anizor Peter Chukwujekwu, Anizor Paul Chukwunenye, Anizor Mercy Ogechukwu, Anizor Gloria Obiananma, Anizor Edith Ifeoma, Anizor Helen Chukwunonso, Anizor Tessy Nneka.All former documents bearing the names remain valid. General public take note

AUCTION! AUCTION!!

The Commissioner of Police Anambra State is calling on the owners of these vehicles,motorcycles parked at Ukpo divisional Police Station .the items include ,One Toyota Sienna Car with Reg. No Awk.977 BF,One Accidented L300 Bus Reg.no XL 499 UWN and 18 Motorcycles parked at Divisional Police Station Ukpo Dunukofia Division are by this publication advised to claim their Vehicles, and motorcycles with proof of ownership before it will be auctioned within 21 days from the date of this publication.

Signed SP Ogbonna Dominic, Divisional Police Officer Dunukofia Division

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE ROOT OF JESSE CRUSADE AND PRAYER MINISTRY

The general public is hereby notified that the above named MINISTRY has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2004.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Mr. Awubare Moses - Chairman Mr. Amano Emmanuel - Vice Chairman Prophet Erute Benson - Secretary Mr. Edigbe Augustine - Treasurer Mr. Ometabor Fidelis Mr Ashaka Cletus

Revd. Adetoyese Ezekiel Adesina Mrs. Adetoyese Mary Olubunmi Mr. Adeniji Oluwafemi Mr. Oladiran Kolawole Adesina Mr. Adediran Adesola Abioye

- General Overseer - Treasurer - Secretary

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:

1.

To promote unity & peace among the association 2. To eradicate the uses of chemicals and stop the pollution of our lakes and rivers.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: MR. AWUBARE MOSES - CHAIRMAN

PUBLIC NOTICE

LIFE GUIDING PARTNERS ASSEMBLY

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Assembly has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2004.

1.

2.

3.

To preach, teach and propagate the gospel of the Lord Jesus.

To establish churches, prayer mountains, and mission houses.

To promote Christian faith through tracts and crusades.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: TRUSTEES

PUBLIC NOTICE

SHEIKH SEYIDINA HAMZAT MUH’D MORONFOLU FOUNDATION

The general public is hereby notified that the above named FOUNDATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2004.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Rev. Prince Onyekachukwu 2. Evang. Princess Abaku Isaac 3. Christian Ledum Kpande 4. Rev. Onwudiwe Haram 5. Grace Philip

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Olukemi Eniola Omolade Oparinde, now i wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Olukemi Eniola Omolade Tanimowo.

All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

charge before the court was meant to divert the attention of the court from the initial case filed by the defendant at the Special Fraud Unit at Ikoyi.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Eze Chistiana Amarachukwu, Now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Nwankwo Christiana Amarachukwu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

IWEZOR: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Iwezor Hope Oluchi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ibearugbulem Hope Oluchi. All former documents remain valid. The general public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part ‘C’ of the Company and Allied Matters Act 1990.

CHANGE OF NAME

AJAYI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ajayi Oluwatoyin Seyi, now wish to be called and addressed as Mrs. Oluyede Oluwatoyin Seyi.

All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

AMINAT: Formerly known and addressed as Yisau Oluwakemisola Aminat, now wish to be known and addressed as Yisau Aminat Victoria. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Grab Your Copy Now! Call 08103285106.

Ask for Samuel.

SABBATH OBSERVERS HOLY SPIRIT CONVENTION INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY

The defendant through her lawyer, Mr. G. Ojakovo, prayed the court to grant the defendant bail in the most liberal term.

He submitted that the

CHANGE OF NAME

NWAGU: formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwagu Chinyere Angela, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Alluh Philip Chinyere Angela. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

This is to inform the general public of the loss of certificate of notification of land granted to NNAM Nigeria Limited with File No KG 524 Maitama District, Abuja. All effort to trace the missing document proved abortive. If found please return to NNAM Nigeria Limited No 4 Malcom Frazer Street Asokoro or AGIS Abuja or call 08033454501. General public please take note.

How to Make Big Money Online in 7 Days in exciting new book. Simple, Easy and Produces Fast Results.

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1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Inspector Marcus Okon told the court that the defendant committed the offence sometime in 2012, at Allen in Ikeja area of Lagos.

According to the prosecutor, the defendant obtained the money from one Sunday Okpere, with pretence that she would use the money to buy items

- Chairman - Secretary

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:

1. To give life to those who have no life spiritual and physical 2. To guide those who have no guidance 3. To partner with those who want to succeed 4. To assembly together under the umbrella of our Lord Jesus Christ Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: CHAIRMAN

1. Sheik Jubril Ademola Moronfolu 2. Sheik Tirimizh Babatunde Moronfolu 3. Sheik Mustapha Moronfolu 4. Sheik Hayatudeen Moronfolu 5. Seydat Fatimoh Moronfolu Badmus 6. Seydat Sekinat Moronfolu Olawale 7 Seydat Rukaya Moronfolu Johnson

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.Propagate Islam as Religion of peace 2To propagate the teaching of Islam 3.Encourage the study of the holy Qu’ran and Islamic Knowledge Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: TRUSTEES

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

49

World News

It is depressing that some of our people have turned themselves into mere fronts for foreign investors, thus defeating the fundamental objective – Zimbabwean President, Robert Mugabe

Australia bans travel from Ebola-hit countries

WORLD BULLETIN Tanzania to begin major port construction next year

•Sierra Leone says action wrong, discriminatory

PAUL ARHEWE

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

A

ustralia became the first developed country yesterday to shut its borders on citizens of the countries worst-hit by the West African Ebola outbreak, a move those states said stigmatized healthy people and would make it harder to fight the disease.

Australia’s ban on visas for citizens of Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea followed decisions by the U.S. military to quarantine soldiers returning from an Ebola response mission and some U.S. states to isolate aid workers. The United Nations said such measures could discourage vital relief work, making it harder to stop the spread of the deadly virus.

“Anything that will dissuade foreign trained personnel from coming here to West Africa and joining us on the frontline to fight the fight would be very, very unfortunate,” Anthony Banbury, head of the U.N. Ebola Emergency Response Mission (UNMEER), told Reuters in the Ghanaian capital Accra.

Liberia’s President Ellen

Johnson Sirleaf urged Australia to reconsider its travel ban.

“Anytime there’s stigmatization, there’s quarantine, there’s exclusion of people, many of whom are just normal, then those of us who are fighting this epidemic, when we face that, we get very sad,” she told a news conference.

Neighbouring Sierra Leone called the Australian move draconian.

“It is discriminatory in that

... it is not (going) after Ebola but rather it is ... against the 24 million citizens of Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea,” Information Minister Alpha Kanu told Reuters. “Certainly, it is not the right way to go.”

The virus has killed almost 5,000 people since March, mostly in those three countries.

Nine U.S. cases have prompted states such as New York and New Jersey to ignore federal advice and quarantine all

health workers returning from the region.

A Texas nurse who caught Ebola in the United States while treating an infected Liberian patient left hospital on Tuesday after being declared free of the disease.

“I’m so grateful to be well, a smiling Amber Vinson, 29, told reporters at Emory University Hospital before hugging the doctors and nurses who treated her for two weeks.

A health worker checking the temperature of a woman leaving Guinea at the border with Mali in Kouremale, recently.

PHOTO: Reuters

South Africa releases images of Meyiwa’s suspected killers

S

outh African police have released composite images of two men suspected of killing national football captain Senzo Meyiwa.

Meyiwa, 27, was reportedly shot on Sunday after burglars entered his girlfriend’s house.

Police have offered a reward of 250,000 rand (£14,000; $23,000) for information about the attack.

Meyiwa’s death has once again highlighted the high rates of violent crime in South Africa.

Intruders entered the house in Vosloorus, south of Johannesburg, at around 20:00 (18:00 GMT) on Sunday.

Before releasing the pictures,

police had described two of the suspects: one said to be tall, dark-skinned and slender with dreadlocks; the other was said to be short, dark-skinned and wellbuilt.

The men demanded mobile phones and valuables while a third man remained outside.

National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega told a press conference that Meyiwa was then shot once in the upper body as he moved towards the door. The three men then fled.

The footballer was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.

His funeral is expected to take place on Saturday.

Tanzania will launch construction of a major Chinese-funded sea port in 2015 to boost the trading capacity of the east African nation, a presidential statement read.

The planned Indian Ocean port at the small town of Bagamoyo is some 75 kilometres (45 miles) north of Tanzania’s economic capital and main port Dar es Salaam.

The announcement late Monday followed the signing of deals in China, where President Jakaya Kikwete visited Sunday.

“We will do whatever is possible to ensure the project is carried out and completed, because of its great economic benefits for the entire country,” Kikwete said in a statement, adding that construction would start in July.

Mugabe addresses parliament amid raging succession battle Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe opened parliament yesterday, steering clear of a succession struggle raging in his ZANU-PF party following his wife’s sensational attempt to force his deputy out of office.

As the 90-year-old addressed the new parliament, dozens of ZANU-PF members sang his praises outside the building, but also taunted each other over factional allegiances in the party that has run Zimbabwe since independence from Britain in 1980.

Mugabe, one of Africa’s longestserving leaders, said he would invest in infrastructure, offer free fertilizer and seed to farmers and revise tax and labor laws to improve an investment climate clouded by his nationalist policies.

UN warns Spain against migrant deportations

The two intruders demanded mobile phones and valuables

South Africa’s president, Jacob Zuma, has led tributes to the football captain.

“We mourn the death of this young footballer and team leader whose life has been taken away at the prime of his career,”

Zuma said.

Team-mates have also expressed their grief.

South Africa midfielder Dean Furman told the BBC Meyiwa was “just the nicest guy you could wish to meet”.

The UN yesterday warned Spain over plans to instantly deport migrants who clamber over the border fence into its North African territories, saying Madrid could end up breaking international law.

“UNHCR is concerned over a proposal by Spain to legalise automatic returns of people trying to cross border fences into its enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla,” said the UN refugee agency’s spokesman William Spindler.

Spindler told reporters that UNHCR understood the “complexity” of border management in the two enclaves, which are tucked into Morocco’s Mediterranean coast.

But blanket, on the spot deportations could fall foul of the 1951 Refugee Convention, an international treaty protecting people who flee their homelands, he said.

50

Politics

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

2015 GUBERNATORIAL UPDATE GEORGE OPARA AND ADEOLA TUKURU

T

wo gubernatorial candidates on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, from Abia State, Uche Samson Ogar and Chief Chikwe Udensi, respectively, yesterday picked the expression of intent and nomination forms of their different parties to contest the gubernatorial primaries from PDP and APGA secretariats in Abuja.

While presenting the forms to his teeming supporters with fanfare and jubilation, Ogah, who was the first gubernatorial aspirant from Abia to pick the forms, despite not being favoured with the zoning arrangement called on the people to sustain their support for him, saying that

Abia: Ogar, Udensi pick PDP, APGA guber forms support for him is the foundation for a better Abia State, promising not to disappoint them if elected governor in 2015, since according to him; he cannot afford to disappoint God who has called him to serve.

This was just as former National Secretary of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, Chief Udensi, yesterday bemoaned what he described as “unfortunate absence of infrastructural development” in Abia State, promising to reverse the trend.

He said this while picking the expression of interest and nomination forms of APGA for the governorship ticket yesterday in Abuja, declared that “I have come

to rescue Aba and Abia.”

The N12 million forms were handed over to Udensi by APGA National ViceChairman, South East, Hon. Uchenna Okogbue, who promised transparent, free and fair primary to all aspirants, stressing that the party believes in internal democracy and good governance.

Director General of the Uche Sampson Ogah Campaign Organisation, Amb Empire Kanu, urged the people to spread the news of Ogah’s plan for the state and ensure that that dream of becoming the state governor in 2015 was realised, charging them not to waiver or be deceived by those he described as unserious who are only bent on scuttling the aspira-

tion of serious contenders like Ogah whose blueprint for the development of the state cannot be matched.

Udensi said: “Abia State governor, Chief Theordore Orji, did not only fail in Aba, he equally failed in the entire Abia State. So, I have come to redeem Abia”.

Stressing that he would not only transform Aba but the entire Abia State, he pointed out that his achievements as ALGON National Secretary speak volume on how he can galvanise the opportunities in the councils to develop the state. Udensi was accompanied by a large number of supporters and drummers, who sang his praises and danced about at the party secretariat.

Kaduna’s ex-SSG joins guber race A ZA MSUE KADUNA

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ormer Secretary to the Kaduna State Government, SSG, Alhaji Samaila Yakawada, has formally picked his nomination and expression of interest form to contest the governorship election of the state under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Yakawada, who served as SSG under late governor of Kaduna State, Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, was also a former commissioner and local council chairman in the state.

He declared after picking his form that he is offering himself for service to the people of Kaduna State, adding that after

due consultations with his fellow stakeholders in the state, he was convinced that his years of experience in public service, coupled with his knowledge of the developmental needs of the people of the state, has given him the needed acceptability amongst inhabitants.

He said the time has come for development-oriented individuals of the state to critically aspire for more-enhanced service delivery and make up their minds on who is best suited for the realisation of those aspirations.

He added that residents of Kaduna State should deliberately decide the course their destiny should take and act upon it for their sake and those of their unborn children.

Osun guber poll: APC warns PDP against unsubstantiated claims, rumour •You are being haunted by your deeds –PDP BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

S L-R: Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega; Executive Director, PLAC, Clement Nwankwo; Catholic Diocese of Sokoto Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, and Chairman PLAC Board, Senator Khairat AbdulrazaqGwadabe, during National Stakeholders’ Forum on 2015 Elections in Abuja, yesterday.

Why Jonathan is yet to declare for presidency –Prof Chukwu OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

F

ormer Health Minister, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, has said that President Goodluck Jonathan’s cautious approach to his presidential declaration was an indication that the outcome would be for the overall interest of the nation.

Chukwu, who was at the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, national secretariat yesterday to submit his gubernatorial nomination form said: “He is very methodical in his approach to things, he is the most democratic leader and the most coherent leader in terms of policies for this country and he is one man that is

... As Ekpotu picks guber form for A’Ibom addressing the fundamentals of Nigeria and by the time he is through, people will appreciate God for his great performance.”

He said: “Let us give him time, why are you in a hurry, what difference will it make if he declares today or tomorrow, he has said he will give an answer at the appropriate moment, can we respect the democratic principle and allow him do so? He will do so.”

Saying that he remains the only aspirant in Ebonyi that was invited to the race by the peoples and therefore remains the candidate to beat, he said: “While I was Health Minister, Eboyians invited me to contest;

they feel I was good enough for that office. Many of you are aware that the only ambition that I have in life is service, so I am always enthusiastic about service.

Meanwhile former deputy governor of Akwa Ibom State, Engr Patrick Ekpotu, has picked the PDP gubernatorial nomination form for the election.

Friends and associates of Ekpotu, who served as Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Information, Culture and Ethical Orientation during the administration of Obong Victor Attah, were at the Wadata House headquarters of the PDP in their numbers to obtain the form on his behalf yesterday.

One of the leaders of the Ekpotu 2015 Movement, Otuekong Idongesit Udokpo, said Ekpotu served meritoriously between 2007 and 2011, during the first tenure of Governor Godswill Akpabio and he “is coming into the race with an enviable wealth of experience.

Udokpo noted that having an experienced administrator who understands the dynamics of governance, especially the unique architecture of a fast developing state such as Akwa Ibom, with its complexities, will be a blessing to indigenes of the state, who yearn for credible and people - oriented governance.

equel to the allegation that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was behind the report of the purported recount of votes which gave the party’s candidate in the August 9 governorship poll, Senator Iyiola Omisore, additional 100,000 votes, the Osun State All Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday called on security agencies in the state to prevail on the opposition party before it creates chaos in the state.

In its official reaction to what it called “offensive campaign of lying through the media to create confusion within the state,” issued in Osogbo yesterday by its spokesman, Barr.

Kunle Oyatomi, APC said the “rumour and unsubstantiated claims” by PDP is capable of creating anarchy, warning it to desist from propagation of lies, capable of destabilising the state.

But in a swift reaction, Osun PDP’s Director of Media and Publicity, Prince Diran Oduyemi, said “APC is being hunted by its deeds. PDP has not issued any statement re-

garding the development at the ongoing verification exercise. The massive jubilation that followed the information that shook APC to its base from across the country is enough sign that Nigeria is tired of seeing Aregbesola presiding on the affairs of Osun State.”

Denying that neither PDP nor its governorship candidate, Otunba Iyiola Omisore, knew nothing about the figure circulated online, PDP said why APC is linking it to the report is what should be of concern the people of Osun State, saying: “We advise APC members and beneficiaries of the fraud perpetrated on August 9 not to have high blood pressure just yet because the real nemesis will soon catch up with them.”

But the ruling party, in its statement however insisted that the online report that created a stir over the claim by the alleged PDP - sponsored falsehood that its candidate is about to be declared the ‘actual’ winner of the August 9 election, was a close call to anarchy and a criminal action that should be addressed by law-enforcement agencies.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North

Wednesday October 29, 2014

Drunken policemen assault NBA chairman, others WOLE ADEDEJI ILORIN

D

runken policemen from the ‘A’ Division on patrol in Ilorin, Kwara State, have allegedly assaulted a Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, chairman and two other lawyers in the state capital.

The chairman, Mobolaji Ojibara, was beaten up black and blue for daring to go on a rescue mission of his members who had earlier been bundled into a police patrol van and conveyed to

the divisional headquarters where they were allegedly manhandled.

Narrating their experience, one of the lawyers, Mr. J.O Ijaodola, said he was visiting his colleague, Seye Adeboye, at Asa Dam Road when he got a phone call that Seye’s father and others at a Celestial Church had been arrested and were being brutalised by policemen.

Ijaodola said on getting to the premises, they met ‘wild-looking’ policemen talking on top of their voic-

es, maltreating the elder Adeboye, the head of the church and other members, which made the lawyers to seek for the senior one among them to approach and douse tension.

The lawyer said they identified themselves to the senior policeman, who concealed his name tag, and pleaded that Pa Adeboye was the father of one of them.

He said they were ordered to be brutalized, alongside others, and were subsequently bundled into

the van and driven to the station.

At the station, according to Ijaodola, the policemen, reeking of alcohol, became wild, forcing the lawyers to put a phone call to their chairman, Ojibara.

The situation, however, was said to have degenerated because the arrival of Ojibara turned the drunken policemen violent as they pounced on him.

He said he was rough handled and kicked in the groin, assaulted with gun butts.

51

FCT police nab 9 suspected robbers, criminals OMEIZA AJAYI ABUJA

T

he Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Command of the Nigeria Police Force has announced the arrest of four suspected armed robbers who allegedly terrorised residents of Apo. Acting on a tip-off, the police said its surveillance team at the Apo Division arrested the suspects during one of their robbery operations last Friday.

Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, ASP Okechukwu Peter, said members of the syndicate had been previously incriminated in cases of a similar nature before their arrest.

Peter gave the names of the suspects as Ademola

Kareem (alias Arrow), Michael Eze (alias Mopol), Abraham Kareem and Kelvin Okafor (alias Century Guard), at Durumi.

He quoted the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Wilson Inalegwu, as saying that a locally-made pistol and short double-barrel gun with three live cartridges were recovered from the suspects.

Other items recovered from the suspects include a Mercedes Benz car with registration No. BF 788 KRD, one laptop, charms, nine wrist watches, jewelries and female accessories.

The command also paraded five suspects rounded up during a raid on a suspected criminal den at Jidhu village in Lugbe, Abuja.

Katsina generates N1bn revenue monthly — Shema JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

K Chief Whip, Plateau State House of Assembly, Mr. Timothy Golu (right), receiving his nomination form for House of Representatives from the state Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Organising Secretary, Mr. Michael Dachom, at the secretariat in Jos, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Alleged kidnapped guber aspirant resurfaces IGBAWASE UKUMBA LAFIA

A

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship aspirant in Nasarawa State, Mr. Chris Mamman, who was reported to have been kidnapped last Monday by unknown persons at the Aren Eggon’s palace in Nasarawa Eggon, has resurfaced.

Narrating his ordeal to journalists yesterday, the governorship aspirant said he was rather whisked away by some security operatives from the hands of hired thugs who were out to lynch him at a meeting convened by the Eggon tra-

ditional council to see how the three Eggon sons in the governorship race could reach a compromise.

He said the reason why he was attacked was because of his popularity and the acceptability of the two other contestants from his Eggon ethnic nationality.

According to him, “ the attack was politically motivated.”

Mamman said: “I want to use this forum to address you on the rumour making rounds that the attack on my person is because of misappropriation of funds belonging to the Eggon Cultural Development Association,

ECDA, which before now I was its president.

“As for the money collected at the last ‘Azihilli Day’, meant for the construction of Eggon House, it will interest you to know that I have fully rendered the account to the Aren Eggon and the acting president of ECDA and his executives when I resigned to contest for the PDP primaries.”

The immediate past ECDA president therefore challenged any Eggon person who gave him any money up to the tune of N25m or whatever amount was being alleged to come out and say so.

“I am simply scandal-

ised by this outrageous lies and deliberate falsehood,” he maintained.

atsina State generates N1bn monthly as Internal Generated Revenue, IGR, Governor Ibrahim Shema has said.

Shema also said the state was in 2007 generating N130m as IGR, but that the amount went up in recent years as result of better revenue collection process.

He said the state had introduced measures to improve on its IGR, adding that two of such measures include the autonomy given the state’s Board of Internal Revenue and outdoor advertisement.

Shema spoke when he was given a certificate of

honour by the Regional Manager of the World Bank (DFID) on Growth Employment, Mr. Kevin Conroy.

He said there was a huge potential for tax collection in the state, stressing that there was need for the country’s tax system to be restructured to achieve maximum result.

The governor said the need to restructure the country’s taxation could not be over-emphasised, and that the same was an important component to the growth of any society in the world.

He assured of his administration’s determination to collaborate with international partners for the growth and development of the state.

PVCs: One million voters uncaptured in Plateau, says REC

T

he Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Plateau State has said that more than one million voters were yet to be captured.

Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mr. Habu Dzarma, disclosed this in Jos yesterday as the commission prepared for the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs. He told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, that the

commission would use the three-day period to give PVCs to those captured, while fresh registration for those uncaptured would take place between November 13 and 19.

The REC urged voters to strive to collect the PVCs in the first two days to avoid any rush on the last day.

Dzarma advised the people to take the registration seriously and warned that there would be no extension.

He said that persons

without the PVCs would not be allowed to vote.

Dzarma said that INEC would conduct fresh registration in 527 polling units scattered through 11 local government areas for those that had not been captured.

A breakdown of the areas showed that fresh registration would be conducted in 162 polling units in Jos North, 130 polling units in Jos South, while 133 polling units would be affected in Quan-Pan local government.

n Seyi, eyi. All note.

STHER HO ESgeneral

MARANKWO valid.

AMILY,

nka for public

OMOLUKEn valid

52

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

OYOLU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogochukwu Mary Oyolu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ogochukwu Mary Efobi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHRISTOPHER: Formerly known and addressed as Christopher Joyce, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Izuora Onyinye Joyce. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known as Miss Okeyoyin Adeola Omolola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adewuyi Adeola Omolola. All former documents remain valid. LAUTECH Teaching Hospital Ogbomoso and general public should please take note

Formerly known as Miss Nusirat Oluladun Olukola now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oyesina Nusirat Oluladun. All documents remain valid.

Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso NYSC and general public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ibrahim Halimat Sadiat, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akande Halimat Omolara. All former documents remain valid. LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso and general public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Abidoye Baslrat Olaitan, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Yusuf Baslrat Olaltan. All former documents remain valid.

NYSC and LAUTECH, Ogbomoso and general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Awoleke Foyalemi Veronica, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adeluyi Foyalemi Veronica. All former documents remain valid.General public take note

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Fatoki Muinat Abimbola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Egberongbe Muinat Abimbola.

All former documents remain valid.

Ogun State Civil Service Commission and General Public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ajidagba Fadekemi Motunrayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ajala Fadekemi Motunrayo..All former documents remain valid.General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Obagun Janet Oluwayemisi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Soetan Janet Oluwayemisi. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note

MOKA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Esther Moka now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Esther Dickson Enetomhe.

All former documents remain valid.

NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OLAYIWOLA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Olayiwola F. Janet, now wish To Be Known And Addressed As Mrs Janet David Ologun. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME

CHUKWU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Chukwu Mercy Eberechi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Okochi Mercy Eberechi.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

EZE: We formerly known and addressed as Mr. Eze Augustine Sunday And Mrs Eze Anthonia Ifesinachi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Nweze Augustine Sunday And Mrs Nweze Anthonia Ifesinachi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OKAFOR: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Okafor Ifeoma .H. now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Okorie Ifeoma .H. All former documents remain valid. General Public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OPATA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Opata Shehu Tijani, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Abdulazeez Shehu. All former documents remain valid. Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB) Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

NWOYE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwoye Gracemary Ekwutosi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Nweke Gracemary Ekwutosi. All former documents remain valid.

ESUT and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly called and addressed as Miss Bello Omotayo Omowumi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Babatunde Omotayo Omowumi. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

I, Mr Amushie Victor .C. lost the Original Irrevocable Power of Attorney of Plan No. AGS/EN22/2014 between Dr. Josef Umunnakwe Onoh & Mr Amushie Victor .C. at Ekulu West Enugu North L.G.A. Enugu State with Reg. No. 69/69/1668. Ministry of Lands Enugu and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

EZUGWU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ezugwu Obioma Rachael, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Odoh Obioma Rachael. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

This is to inform the genera public that the School formerly called Girls Secondary School Ezinifite, now wish to be called Ezinifite High School Ezinifite Aguata. All former documents remain valid.

WAEC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

UZOAMAKA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Uzoamaka Chioma Nora, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ani Chioma Nora. All former documents remain valid. NYSC, ESUT and general public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

CLIQUE BROTHERS CLUB

The general public is hereby notified that the above named club has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part”C” the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.Ubazuolu Okwodu 2. Sunday Onyimauche 3.Henry Ijeoma 4.Emma Elechi 5. Chijoke Aguh

- Chairman - Secretary

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:

1. To protect the interest of members of the club 2. To foster and promote the spirit of oneness among the members of the club 3. To give assistance to members in need.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28days of this publication.

SIGNED: OMOROGBE MOSES ESQ (SOLICITOR)

CHANGE OF NAME

OBOT: Formerly known and addressed as Ofonime Etim Obot, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Ofonime Bassey Abai. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

JAMES: Formerly known and addressed as Felicia Ojochemi James, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Felicia Ojochenemi Edibo. All former document remained valid. NYSC and General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adio Taiwa Ola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olayimika Taiwo Ola. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Oreselu Rozalinda Oluwaseyi was the same Person as Oludare Silvia Oluwaseyi now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adeniji Silvia Oluwaseyi. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Aina Abiola Elizabeth, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Odu Abiola Elizabeth. All former documents remain valid.General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

AKWEKE: We formerly known and addressed as Akweke Isaac Onyedumekwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Chukwudum Isaac. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Stella Ohonba, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Stella Imuetinyan Uduehi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

AKPODIETE: Formerly known and address as Akpodiete Josephine Okeoghene now wish to be known and address as Seimiebo Josephine Okeoghene. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Olufade Olayinka Wemimo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adeoye Olayinka Wemimo.

All former documents remain valid.

First Cardiology Consultant and General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Lemboye Mariam Omowumi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Sulaimon Mariam Omowumi.All former documents remain valid.General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

IBEKWE: Formerly known and addressed as Ibekwe Eunice Ginika, now wish to be known and addressed as Ojewoye Oluwafunke Eunice. All former documents remain valid. ESUT and general public take note.

YOLANDA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Smith Stacey Yolanda, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ogundipe Stacey Smith. All former documents remain valid.General public take note

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that Otone Rhoda is the same one person as Otone Anife Rhoda, that henceforth wish to be known and addressed as Otone Anife Rhoda.

All former documents remain valid, Osun State Polytechnic, Iree and general public should please take note.

NWACHUKWU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwachukwu Chinonye, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ezewuiro Chinonye. All former documents remain valid NYSC and the general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwachukwu Jane Ernest, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Jane Chinweotuto Obughikem.R. All former focuments remain valid. NYSC and the general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

CHINELI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Chineli Udoka Sheila, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ani Udoka Sheila. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ONUEKWUSI: Formerly known as Miss Onuekwusi Ogechukwu Peace, now wish to be known as Mrs. Dike Ogechukwu Peace. All former documents remains valid. NYSC and General public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME

OJIYI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ojiyi Hermia Chioma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Nziwu Success Chioma.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

IHINOSE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ihinose Anthonia Ifadah, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Frank O. Anthonia. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

NWAFOR: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwafor Ngozika Linda, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Orji Ngozika Linda. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ACHUKWU: Formerly known and addressed as Achukwu Ifeoma Francisca, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Eze Ifeoma Francisca. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

UGBOAJA:Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ugboaja Onyinyechi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Chukwuemeka-Eboh Onyinyechi.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

LEGAL NOTICE

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE PROBATE DIVISION BIRNIN KEBBI, KEBBI STATE Whereas the person whose name is set out in the first column here under died date and place stated in the said column. Whereas the person whose address had claimed relationship with the said deceased is set in the second column here under has applied to the High Court of justice for GRANT OF LETTER OF ADMINISATRATION of the personal property.

Notice is hereby given that the said LETTER OF ADMINISTRATION will be granted to such person unless a notice to prohibit the grant there of is filled in the probate Registry High Court of Justice Birnin kebbi, within TWENTY ONE DAYS from the date of publication of this notice.

Name and Address of Deceased Ahmed Umar Diri (Insp of Prison) Late Medium Security Prison Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi Sate

SCHEDULE

Applicant Name and Address Nura Umar C/O Nigerian Prison Service Zuru Kebbi State

Who died on 6th day of September, 2014 Dated at Birnin Kebbi on the 20th day of October, 2014 ABUBAKAR SIDDIQ BELLO Probate Register

CHANGE OF NAME

ALAUSA: Formerly known and addressed as Alausa Adetutu Ajoke, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Surakat Basirat Adetutu. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

IKECHUKWU: Formerly known and addressed as Alozie Appollos Ikechukwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Alozie Appollos Nwokocha. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

ABIOLA: Formerly known and addressed as Abiola Adetoun Banjo, that I became Abiola Adetoun Olawale due to marriage to Mr. Olawale Kehinde. That I got divorced on March 19, 2012 and now wish to be called and addressed as Abiola Adetoun Banjo. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

YUSUF: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Yusuf Ganiyat Pelumi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adebayo Ganiyat Pelumi. All former documents remain valid.General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Fasasi Bukola Basirat, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Fadiran Bukola Basirat.

All former documents remain valid.

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LOSS OF DOCUMENT

This is to notify the general public that the Original Letter of C of O with Reg. as No,66 Page 66 in Volume 1990S of Land Registry, Alausa covering BLK. 22 PLT. 2 Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1, belonging to Omokayode Aremu Anjorin is missing. The general public and Lands Bureau, Alausa, please take note.

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PUBLIC NOTICE

GODS WORD HOLINESS & SOUL WINNING CHURCH

The general public is hereby notified that the above CHURCH has applied to the Corperate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2004.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

1. Mr. Chibuike Okaforuba 2. Mr. Cyprian Onjiugo 3. Mrs. Ifeoma Okaforuba 4. Mr. Okorie Chinedu Gideon 5. Mr. Paul Okafor Nkemjekwe 6. Mr. Daniel Okeke

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

- General Overseer - The Assist. General Overseer - General Secretary - Treasurer - Financial Secretary - Auditor

1. To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ 2. To establish Missionary/Bible/Seminary schools that will produce able and God fearing people for the future of our country and world at large.

3. To teach believers on how to demonstrate God’s righteousness.

4. To provide assistance for the needy in the society.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within twenty-eight (28) days of this publication.

SIGNED: BARRISTER EUNICE OKOYE (08034075440)

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

No loss of form, really. It’s all a matter of adaptation and I think this will also be a matter of time –Liverpool striker, Mario Balotelli

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

53

Sport

Meyiwa: NFF mourns with South Africa 55

Danagogo orders payment of Falcons’ bonuses …each player to ppocket ocket $12,000 JOEL AJAYI ABUJA

M

inister of Sports, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, has ordered the management of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, to pay all entitlements of the players, coaches and officials of the victorious Super Falcons.

Danagogo who gave the order while receiving the team at his office within the Abuja National Stadium, disclosed that the National Sports Commission (NSC) had approved all their monies meant for the just-concluded African Women’s Championship (AWC).

National Mirror gathered that each player is expected to smile home with nothing less than $12,000 (about N2million) as part of their match bonuses right from the group stage to the final of the competition.

The match bonus is aside other outstanding allowances owed each member of the team who have been relocated from their usual Serob Hotel to the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja since last night.

While welcoming the players and their technical crew led by Coach Edwin Okon, the

minister expressed satisfaction with the performance of the team in Namibia adding, “Our Super Falcons have distinguished themselves as those whose names should in the country’s Hall of Fame.

“This is a team who have shown uttermost discipline, dedication, passion and patriotism. I will never forget the fact that you people were ready to make sacrifice whether or not there is crisis in NFF or money.

“All their entitlements have released and handed over to NFF secretary who will hand them over to you.”

Coach Okon assured of their readiness to go all out and emerge victorious in next year’s F I F A Wo m e n’s World Cup.

Nasarawa United defender, Olayinka Onaolapo (l) holding off a Sunshine Stars’ player during their league match

NFF crisis: FIFA gives Nigeria Friday final deadline

...minister jolted, holds peace meeting EVEREST ONYEWUCHI SPORTS EDITOR

W

orld football governing body, FIFA, yesterday, gave Chris Giwa and his group Friday, October 31 deadline to withdraw their case in a Jos Federal High Court and back off from their claim of Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, leadership or else, Nigeria will be banned same day.

In a letter yesterday, signed by its Secretary General, Jerome Valcke, FIFA said that

Nigeria will “be suspended at midday Nigerian time” on Friday, if by that time Zurich had not received proof that the case challenging the NFF Executive Committee led by Amaju Pinnick had not been withdrawn.

FIFA referred to its previous letters dated on September 9, 2014 and October 2, 2014 on the lingering crisis and finally warned that if Nigeria was banned, her case would only be opened at the next FIFA Congress fixed for May 28/29, 2015.

Valcke said that Friday’s deadline was set for the NFF

disputants to fall in line, to avoid “a lengthy ban for Nigerian football.”

Jolted by the finality tone of the letter, the Minister of Sports, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, immediately held a peace meeting with Giwa and Pinnick groups over the Sword of Damocles about to fall on their heads.

Danagogo at the meeting, enjoined the factions to, in the interest of the game and the country, withdraw their case in court, make peace and resolve their differences.

He said this had become necessary as it was the only way for a smooth administration of football and to avoid constant confrontation with FIFA. “I am calling on Nigerians to prevail on the factions in the NFF crisis to come to a round table and discuss the way forward. I have met with them and have told them to make peace by making sacrifices.

They should withdraw the case they have in court as that is the only way we can avoid the threats of FIFA ban.

“I cannot stop people from

going to court nor can I stop the court from hearing cases brought before it. What we advise is for matters of this nature to be taken to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) which is the right body to hear such cases so that we avoid the threats of FIFA ban all the time,” the minister begged.

On the outcome of the meeting with the Giwa and Pinnick factions, Danagogo said both sides resolved to return to their groups to consult and come back to him with their resolutions today.

54

Sports

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Assault:

Balotelli

Gattuso

escapes police hammer

R

eports yesterday said controversial Liverpool striker, Mario Balotelli, will not face police action over earlier reports that he threatened a woman for taking pictures of his Ferrari.

Greater Manchester Police was called last Thursday “following reports of threatening behaviour” involving the Reds forward, who is understood to have been visiting his mother’s home.

But having spoken to the woman who had made the initial call, officers found no reason to continue the investigation or speak to the Italy international.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: “Police were called to Pewsey Road, Wythenshawe, just after 3pm on Thursday October 23 2014, following reports of threatening behaviour.

“Officers have since spoken to the complainant and no criminal offences were disclosed and no crime recorded. No further action will be taken.”

Gattuso makes quit U-turn

O

Romelu Lukaku

Lukaku hails Eto’s ‘impact’ E Balotelli

verto striker, Romelu verton Lukaku, has said that Luka he is i blessed to play forward Samuel with veteran veter at the club followEto’o a their 3-1 victory over ing th Burnley last Sunday.

Bur Eto’o hit his first brace for the Toffees b at a Turf Moor, with Lukaku also on tarLu g e t for his fourth league goal of the season.

Lukaku h highlighted his spe-

cial relationship with the former Barcelona hitman, whom he considers an inspirational mentor.

“Samuel is a world class player who has scored so many goals throughout his career and I’ve been blessed to be working with him,” the 21-year old said.

“I spend most of the time with him. I come in at the same time as he does, I leave at the same time. We do everything

together on and off the pitch as well.

“We see each other quite often. He comes to my house, I go to his house. I try to learn as much as I can from him and he tells me stories about how he worked when he was younger.

“I hope to be like him in the future.”

FI Crete Coach, Gennaro Gattuso, has changed his mind over his decision to quit the Greek club.

The 36-year-old former Italy midfielder announced he would leave Crete after a 3-2 loss at home to Asteras Tripolis on Sunday.

The defeat left Crete with nine points from the seven games Gattuso had presided over.

But he has performed a Uturn after talks with the club’s administration and a show of support from fans.

“After many hours of discussions with members of the board and with the organised supporter groups of OFI, and after the love I have been shown generally by the city of Heraklio, I have decided to take a step back and make a new start,” Gattuso said yesterday.

“I want to start from the beginning again and the aim is for us to be stronger and more united than ever.”

Gattuso was sacked by Swiss club Sion in May 2013 after 11 league games, and fired by Italian second-tier club Palermo that September after six Serie B games.

Injury: Mourinho faults Spain over Costa

C

helsea Manager, Jose Mourinho, has blamed Spain Coach Vicente del Bosque for Blues’ Diego Costa’s recent injury troubles.

Costa scored nine goals in seven matches in a prolific start to his Stamford Bridge career, but

he has missed their last three fixtures with a hamstring problem.

However, the 26-year-old is now back in full training and could return in Saturday’s west London derby at home to QPR in the Premier League.

“Diego has the hamstring prob-

lem because he played two wo matches in three days when he e was not with us,” Mourinho contended ended When asked whether he hoped Costa’s injury problems were over, the Portuguese gaffer replied: lied: “He still has to play for the national team in November!”

C o s t a was missing yesterday as Chelsea took on Shrewsbury in the fourth round of the Capital One Cup.

Costa

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

55

NICEGA 2014: Host gets Airtel, Coke largesse PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

T

elecommunications company, Airtel, has donated N1.5 million cash and materials worth over N1million to Niger State College of Education ahead hosting of the Nigeria Col-

lege of Education Games, NICEGA. next month.

Head, Commercial Operation (North) of Airtel, Mr. Jerry Essien, who presented the gifts to the COE’s Provost who is also Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Professor Farouk Hassan Abdulrasheed, said the

donation was part of the network operator’s Corporate Social Responsibility.

National Mirror gathered that other items donated were 1, 500 TShirts, 3, 000 wrist bands, 150 bandana as well as 1, 000 face caps.

According to Essien, Airtel has deployed other items to help cre-

ate awareness during the games.

This include NICEGA official web page, feather banners, pullup banners and Airtel branded canopies to provide shield at the games venues.

“We plan to stage a drama on Airtel insurance during the opening ceremony to educate

students, staff and athletes on the benefits of the product and how to subscribe to the scheme,” Essien said.

Prof. Abdulrasheed thanked the telecoms operator for its contribution to the games, saying the gesture would ultimately aid the college’s development.

FIFA names Bale, Toure, others in Ballon d’Or shortlist

F

Late Senzo Meyiwa in Orlando Pirates colours

Meyiwa: NFF mourns

with South Africa

N

igeria Football Federation, NFF, yesterday commiserated with the South Africa Football Association, SAFA, over the tragic death of Bafana Bafana captain Senzo Meyiwa.

Meyiwa, who is also captain of local top club Orlando Pirates, was murdered on Sunday night at the house of his girlfriend and mother of his child, in Vosloorus, outside Johannes-

burg.

“The Nigeria Football Federation and the entire Nigeria football family are in deep mourning over the killing of Senzo Meyiwa who still had his life ahead of him,” NFF’s General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu, said in a letter.

“The snuffing out of the life of one of the glowing stars of South African football is as tragic as it is unfortunate.

“We note that he was murdered by gunmen in the apartment of the mother of his child, and it is our hope and prayer that the security agencies will bring the perpetrators of the terrible act to justice in quick time.

“Senzo’s killing has come at a time that Bafana Bafana are in good standing to qualify for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations finals and at a time that South

African football at senior level is looking to be on true revival path. This makes his tragic departure much more painful.”

Meyiwa had kept clean sheets in all four matches played by Bafana so far in the qualifying series for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, helping South Africa to maintain its place on the top of Group A which also has Nigeria, Sudan and Congo Brazzaville.

…Burial scheduled for Saturday

T

he slain Bafana Bafana goalkeeper and captain, Senzo Meyiwa, will be buried in his home town Umlazi in Durban this Saturday.

Chairman of Orlando Pirates, Dr Irvin Khoza, who made this known yesterday, said the late player’s family had consented to the date.

Khoza had been joined on Monday by Premier Senzo Mchunu, his Deputy Mr. Willies Mchunu and Cabinet, as well as the Secretary General of the ANC in Kwazulu Natal, Mr. Sihle Zikalala, to visit the Meyiwa family in Umlazi.

It was also gathered yesterday that the government of Kwazulu

Natal had met to finalise arrangement for the burial.

“Senzo was like a son to me,” Khoza recalled, adding, “He came to Orlando Pirates as a 13-year-old boy.”

“It was heart-warming to see the KwaZulu-Natal leadership put aside their busy diaries to join in visiting the Meyiwa fam-

ily.

“I left Gauteng with the strength I received from the football family. SAFA, the PSL, its clubs and its Sponsor ABSA, were strengthened by the Minister of Sport, Mr. Fikile Mbalula, in demonstrating through actions that it could not be ‘business as usual’.”

IFA yesterday, named Wales forward, Gareth Bale, and Cote d’Ivoire midfielder, Yaya Toure among the 23 shortlist for the 2014 Ballon d’Or award.

Bale, record transfer fee striker from Tottenham to Real Madrid last season is the only player from Briton on the shortlist Bale, 25, scored 22 goals for Real Madrid last season, as the La Liga side won the Champions League.

Reigning African Footballer of the Year, Man City’s Toure is the only African nominated. While Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo will be looking to retain the award, his Barca counterpart, Lionel Messi, who has won the award three times in the last four years, is also on the shortlist, alongside team-mate, Neymar.

The 23 shortlist will be reduced to three in December before the winners are announced on 12 January, 2015 in Zurich.

The following 23 men in alphabetical order: Gareth Bale (Wales), Karim Benzema (France), Diego Costa (Spain), Thibaut Courtois (Belgium), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Angel Di Maria (Argentina), Mario Goetze (Germany), Eden Hazard (Belgium), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden), Andres Iniesta (Spain), Toni Kroos (Germany), Philipp Lahm (Germany), Javier Mascherano (Argentina), Lionel Messi (Argentina), Thomas Mueller (Germany), Manuel Neuer (Germany), Neymar (Brazil), Paul Pogba (France), Sergio Ramos (Spain), Arjen Robben (Netherlands), James Rodriguez (Colombia), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany), Yaya Toure (Côte d’Ivoire).

WORLD RECORD

Best selling group Vol. 04 No. 969

N150

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

The Beatles have amassed the g reatest sales for any g roup. Alltime sales have been estimated by EMI at over one billion discs and tapes to date.

Tambuwal and the gale of defections

N

ews that Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal has finally left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) didn’t All Progressive Congress (APC) come as surprise, even though it makes for an interesting reading. With the development, the electoral aces will not only become wild, they will also become unpredictable. These are interesting times and we are watching with bated breath the shenanigans that are now replacing genuine political discourse. Before Tambuwal’s exit, that of the former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi took the country by storm, leaving most of his former party colleagues embittered and betrayed. Even when Obi has tried to put a brave face to it, his reasons for the defection are yet to be taken in good faith by

Okay Osuji (okegbuchulam@yahoo.com) 08034729256 (sms only)

those he left behind.

And now that Tambuwal is rocking his party’s boat, it will be interesting to see how the PDP handles his exit in the days to come. Already, there are rumours that PDP members in the House of Representatives are spoiling for a fight over the Speaker’s continued stay at the helm of affairs. In such charged milieu, the APC members seem to be having the upper hand, as they have vowed to resist any move to remove Tambuwal from his exalted seat.

But is the Speaker fazed by all these political fireworks going on around him?

Only time will tell. Before now, many observers had predicted the defection of Tambuwal from the PDP, going by his open flirtation with the APC. In the past one and half years, he had unabashedly portrayed himself as a Janus- faced politician who is not ashamed of being found at the caucus meetings of both parties discussing how to outwit each other. For him, it was a case of running with the hares and hunting with the hounds and he seemed to have lapped up the negative publicity with relish. No one was in doubt that Tambuwal was only waiting as to when to jump the PDP ship.

He is someone with a political ambition that far outstrips his present jaunt as Speaker of House of Representatives. Taking into consideration how he emerged from obscurity to clinch the Speaker’s seat one would hazard that Tambuwal is one that will do anything to wield political power. It will be interest-

RUMOUR HAS IT THAT HE IS BEING PROMISED THE GUBERNATORIAL SLOT FOR

SOKOTO

STATE ON THE PLATFORM OF APC ing to note that he emerged Speaker in a controversial circumstance after leading other Turks to renege on his party’s zoning arrangement. Before then, the PDP had zoned that position to the Southwest and it was expected that Mulikat Akande-Adeola would be anointed the party’s flag bearer. But in a sudden twist, the Sokoto-born politician co-opted some of his colleagues to carry out a coup d’état Ironically, it was the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) members in the House from the Southwest that backed Tambuwal for the position of Speaker, if only to spite the PDP representatives from their zone. In the contest that followed, Tambuwal beat Akande-Adeola with 252 votes as against the latter’s 90 votes. Today, the ACN has metamorphosed to APC and with the Speaker as one of their ardent cheerleader. Rumour has it that he is being promised the gubernatorial slot for Sokoto State on the platform of APC. That could turn out to be true,if it is considered that Tambuwal has always been in good company with the incumbent,

Alhaji Aliyu Wammako. When Wammako was suspended from the PDP for anti party activities, it was Tambuwal who publicly denounced the punishment, calling it an unconstitutional and self serving decision. Even at that, both have been friends having been members of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) before defecting to PDP. It is a case of revolving door politics of which both are grandmasters.

Intriguingly, if Tambuwal accepts to run for Sokoto Government House, it would have been a payment for political support. And with that the Speaker would have gone full circle in the slippery world of Nigerian politics. With all his friends now in the APC, it was a matter of time before Tambuwal joined them and so far he has not disappointed. Now the battle will shift to the House floor with its entire ramification for the 2015 elections and the ability of PDP to win the presidency. Reading his body language, Tambuwal could be counted as one of those ill at ease with President Goodluck Jonathan going for a second term and this defection will only go to reinforce the belief that he is bent on denying his former party electoral votes from Sokoto State. From look of things, it would be a Sisyphean task to unseat him from the Speaker’s seat given the relative strength of the opposition and Tambuwal knows that.

But it will still be dangerous to allow him the comfort of operating from the position of strength in the House. Even though the present parliament is coming to an end, the authority of the Speaker to influence government policies and legislations cannot be underestimated.

It is a relief, that Tambuwal finally came out from the closet to reveal his political affiliations and end months of speculation and how far he goes to stamp his authority on the home turf, would go a long way in determining whether his present move was a leap of faith or leap in the dark.

Sport Extra

Tennis: Djokovic targets ‘Federer overthrow’

F

ormer world number one, Novak Djokovic, yesterday said he would take over the position from current holder Roger Federer.

Djokovic is defending

his title at the Paris Masters this week, his first tournament since the birth of his first child Stefan last week, and will then be heading to London’s O2 hoping to win the World ATP Fi-

nals again.

The Serb leads Federer by 2,230 points in the world rankings, but has 2,500 points to defend, while his Swiss rival can gain points as he lost in the semi-

finals of both events.

“The way I feel right now, I feel like I’m already number one, Djokovic, who topped the rankings at the end of 2011 and 2012, said.

“For me, this is the

most important ment in my life. goal is to finish year at the top of world. Of course, a big objective for But it is as well Roger.”

moThe the the it’s me. for Djokovic

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