Binder1

FG plans Calabar-Kano gas pipeline CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

Alison-Madueke

Vol. 4 N0. 861

T

he Federal Government is planning to construct the longest

gas pipeline in the country from Calabar via Ajaokuta to Kano State.

This is part of efforts aimed at ensuring steady supply of gas to meet grow-

ing market demand.

Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the Nigerian National Petroleum CorCONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

N150

Obasanjo, others in talks to free abducted girls Tears, grief, protests mar Children’s Day celebration

HENRY IYORKASE, FRANCIS SUBERU, BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA AND ADEOLA TUKURU

F

ormer President Olusegun Obasanjo has met with people close to the Boko Haram sect in an attempt to broker the release of the 276 schoolgirls kidnapped a month ago, a source close to the talks told AFP yesterday.

The talks last weekCONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

Pension assets hit N4.3 trn, PENCOM to double enrollees P.4 ADVERT HOTLINES

For advert bookings and information, please contact: LAGOS 01-8446073, 08113947415 08113947419 08113947420 08113947422 ABUJA 08113947421 PORT HARCOURT 08113947418 OGBESE 08113947424

First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan (middle); Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Zainab Maina (2nd left); wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Helen Mark and members of the Children’s Parliament, during the Children’s Day celebration in Abuja, yesterday.

Boko Haram kills 14 soldiers, DPO, DCO, 9 policemen in Yobe, Borno ...12 civilians also die in the attacks

Criticisms mount over Akpabio’s ex-govs’ pension bill

P.6

P.11

2

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

3

4

Photo News

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Zainab Maina (left) and Permanent Secretary, Dr. Habiba Lawal, during a press briefing to mark the 2014 Children’s Day in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO ROTIMI OSASONA

L-R: Sarkin Bai Katagun, Adamu Bulkachuwa; Director-General, National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Mallam Yusuf Usman and Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, during this year’s International Monument Day in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mr. George Sinivie (left) and Bayelsa State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Iniruo Wills, at stakeholders’ forum on dangers of pipeline vandalism in Yenagoa, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

L-R: Treasurer, Society of Security Practitioners of Nigeria, Mr. Ibe Nnah; President, Mr. Davidson Akhimien and Vice President, Chief Unugbe Irheren, during a press conference on security in Nigeria, in Lagos, yesterday.

National News

Pension assets hit N4.3 trn, PENCOM to double enrollees TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

P

ension Operators, PENOP, in the country yesterday said the total assets of the Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS, had risen to N4.3 trillion with about six million workers accounting for the contributions.

Giving the hint at a press conference on the World Pension Summit Africa Special slated to hold between July 7 and 8 in Nigeria, the National Chairman of the group, Alhaji Musibau Yola, said that as commendable as the current initiatives by the National Pension Commission, NPC, and other stakeholders to make the

CPS succeed, there was still a lot to do to ensure that millions of Nigerian workers that were not captured are enrolled in the scheme.

Yola said that there was nothing to celebrate in the figures of the enrollees when it is noted that there are about 16 million workers in the country even as he pointed out that pension’s five per cent contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP, was rather too low and therefore needed to be urgently propped up.

The PENOP chief however, commended PENCOM for developing appropriate laws and regulatory frameworks which have the po-

Emir of Gombe dies in London DANJUMA WILLIAMS GOMBE

E

mir of Gombe, Alhaji Shehu Usman Abubakar, died yesterday in a London hospital.

The news of his death came just as plans were underway to mark the 30th anniversary of his ascending the throne.

A statement issued by Governor Ibrahm Dankwambo and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Abubakar Bage, said the Emir died while receiving treatment at a London hospital yesterday evening.

The statement added that burial rites would be announced soonest.

tential of moving the sector forward and boosting the enrollee’s figures in the nearest future.

He described the planned summit as a desirable step towards growing the pension industry at it would cre-

ate an avenue for all stakeholders to share experiences on how the industry is being positioned in various countries’ development agenda, especially in translating its huge socio-economic potentials to national advantage.

In her remarks at the forum which featured two cofounders and chairmen of the World Pension Summit, Mr Eric Eggink and Harry Somorenberg, the Director General of PENCOM, Mrs Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, re-

called the various initiatives that had been taken by the commission to re-position the industry on the path of sustainable growth, promising that within the next few years the CPS’ enrollees would have been doubled.

Terrorism: FG to re-open case against Ndume ISE-OLUWA IGE ABUJA

A

Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday granted the request by the Federal Government to re-open its case against Senator Aliyu Ndume, who is standing trial over an alleged link with Boko Haram sect.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole, in a ruling, specifically gave the Federal Government the nod to file additional proof of evidence containing serious incriminating evidence against Ndume.

The court also gave government the liberty to call more witnesses to establish its fresh evidence against the senator for admissibility purposes.

The Federal Government had earlier closed its case in the matter until recently when it filed an application to call more witnesses.

Ndume had vehemently opposed the application But ruling on the application yesterday, Justice Kolawole held that it would be against his judicial powers to shut out any evidence.

He however held that documents tendered and marked rejected cannot be tendered again, through any of the witnesses.

Ndume was charged before the court in 2012 for allegedly having link with Boko Haram.

Government through its counsel, E. Orji, a a lawyer in the office of the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation, in a motion urged the court

to allow him file additional proof of evidence against Ndume.

But Ndume’s counsel, Mr. I. A. Kaigama, in his response told the court that the motion will over-reach the judgment of the Court of Appeal.

He described the motion as a gross abuse of the process of the court which has no fact to convince the court to grant it.

Ndume’s trial followed allegations made against him

by Ali Konduga, a former spokesman of the Boko Haram sect, who is currently serving a prison term after his conviction over terrorism-related charges.

Ndume has appealed against two rulings delivered by the trial court on December 11 and 12, 2012.

Justice Kolawole, had in both rulings admitted as evidence against Ndume, alleged call logs from a mobile telephone firm, which indicated that the Senator had telephone conversation with Konduga.

Digital video discs containing call-data records, including findings based on investigations carried out by the Special Investigation Panel of the State Security Service, were also admitted in evidence against him.

The materials admitted in evidence disclosed that there were 73 instances of mobile telephone conversation between Ndume and Konduga.

However, Ndume is claiming that the materials admitted in evidence against him were inadmissible.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

5

FG plans Calabar-Kano gas pipeline CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

poration NNPC, Mr. Ohi Alegbe, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja yesterday.

According to the statement, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, gave the hint while delivering a paper entitled “Encouraging investment in gas production, supply and consumption” at a threeday national conference on gas resources organised by the Senate Committee on Gas Resources.

“By the end of the year, we will be commencing, via Public Private Partnership (PPP) scheme, the nation’s longest pipeline from Calabar via Ajaokuta to Kano State,” Alison-Madueke stated.

Represented by NNPC Group Managing Director, Mr. Andrew Yakubu, the minister said that at present, the Federal Government was constructing the East-West pipeline while the Lagos end segment of the Escravos to Lagos Pipelines System, ELPS, was nearing completion.

She explained that almost 500km of new gas pipelines had been completed and commissioned, including the doubling of the capacity of the EPLS between Escravos and

Oben and the extension from Oben to Geregu and River Imo to Alaoji.

The minister said that by the end of 2018, the backbone pipeline infrastructure for gas would have been delivered, concluding an initial phase of over 2,500km of gas pipeline infrastructure development.

She said that government was strategising to leverage on the full potential of gas to achieve massive impact on the economy and the national Gross Domestic Product, GDP. “We are focused on jumpstarting gas supply to enable usage in gas to power, gas based industrialisation, compressed natural gas for transportation and commercial usage, cooking gas for domestic usage and regional pipeline for gas export,” the minister stated.

She said that for government to support the aggressive short-term demand growth in the power sector, a domestic gas supply obligation regulation, which mandated a certain amount of gas supply for the domestic market, pending the full maturation of the market, was introduced.

Alison-Madueke expressed confidence that the market would ultimately drive itself for supply growth, adding that the long run expectation was

for less dependence on supply via obligation.

In order to boost investor confidence in natural gas, she said government had reviewed the contractual framework for gas through the development of world-class standardised gas supply agreements in addition to Network Code, which governed the flow of gas across the nation’s pipeline network and provided rules for open access.

Alison-Madueke noted that the use of natural gas instead of petrol had translated into significant savings for over 4,000 taxi drivers in Benin who were

already using this alternative energy source.

The minister also said that the Federal Government’s efforts at eliminating gas flaring was making significant impact as flare out rate dropped from 25 per cent to 11 per cent of production.

“Many of the International Oil Companies, IOCs, are fast approaching full flares out as the gas obligation and infrastructure growth have all combined to enable utilisation of hitherto flared gas,” Alison-Madueke stated.

She called on stake-

holders to put more effort towards full market liberalisation and address the very urgent challenge of increasing supply to the power sector.

Yakubu, while presenting a paper entitled: “Nigeria’s gas resources, current and future expectations”, put the country’s current gas production at about 8.5 billion cubic feet per day (bcf/d).

He explained that of the total production, 3.5bcf/d (41 per cent) “is exported, 2.3 bcf/d (28 per cent) is consumed domestically for power and industries, 1.2 bcf/d (15 per

cent) is used in the domestic sector.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Gas Resources, Nkechi Nwaogu, said that Nigeria with per capita consumption of natural gas put at about 1.06kg, ranked lowest in Africa with only five per cent of her citizens having access to domestic gas.

She explained that the aim of the conference was to look at ways of filling the huge gap between gas production and utilisation in the country and reducing routine gas flaring for the benefit of the nation and its citizens.

Members of Women for Peace and Justice in conjunction with Fatimah Tinubu Child Foundation during a special denominational prayer for the release of abducted Chibok girls to mark the Children Day in Lagos, yesterday.

Obasanjo, others in talks to free abducted girls CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

end at Obasanjo’s farm in Ota, Ogun State included relatives of senior Islamist fighters, intermediaries and the former president, the source said on condition of anonymity.

“The meeting was focused on how to free the girls through negotiation,” said the source, referring to the kidnapped schoolgirls, whose abduction has triggered global outrage.

Nigeria’s response to the mass abduction has been widely criticised and the hostage crisis has brought unprecedented international attention to Boko Haram’s five-year extremist uprising.

Obasanjo, who left office in 2007, has previously sought to negotiate with the insurgents, including in September 2011 after Boko Haram bombed the United Nations headquarters in Abuja.

Then, he flew to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, to meet relatives of former Boko Haram leader Mohammed Yusuf, who was killed in police custody in 2009.

The 2011 talks did not help stem the violence and some at the time doubted if Obasanjo was dealing with people with the authority to negotiate a ceasefire.

The former head of state, who remains an influential figure in Nigerian politics, refused to take questions when reached by phone earlier yesterday.

But the source told AFP that Obasanjo had voiced concern about Nigeria’s acceptance of foreign military personnel to help rescue the girls.

“He said he is worried that Nigeria’s prestige in Africa as a major continental power had been diminished” by President Good-

luck Jonathan’s decision to bring in Western military help, including from the United States.

Mustapha Zanna, the lawyer who helped organise Obasanjo’s 2011 talks with Boko Haram, said he was at the former president’s home on Saturday.

But he declined to discuss whether the Chibok abductions were on the agenda.

“I was there,” he told AFP, explaining that Obasanjo was interested in helping vulnerable children in Nigeria’s embattled northeast.

Zanna had represented Yusuf’s family in a wrongful death lawsuit filed against the government following his death in police custody.

It was not clear if Obasanjo’s weekend meeting had been sanctioned by the government.

Obasanjo backed Jonathan’s 2011 presidential campaign but the two are

widely thought to have since fallen out.

According to the source, Obasanjo supported a prisoner-for-hostage swap that would see some of the girls released in exchange for a group of Boko Haram fighters held in custody.

As a private citizen with damaged ties to the presidency, Obasanjo likely does not have the authority to negotiate any deal on the government’s behalf.

Abuja has officially ruled out a prisoner swap but sent intermediaries to meet Boko Haram in the northeast to negotiate for the girls’ release.

The source identified one of the envoys as Ahmad Salkida, a journalist with ties to Boko Haram who was close to Yusuf before his death.

The security conference in Paris recently saw Nigeria and its neighbours

vow greater cooperation to tackle Boko Haram because of the potential threat to regional stability.

Meanwhile, protests, tears and grief marked this year’s Children’s Day celebration yesterday over the abduction of 276 students of the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, by the Boko Haram insurgents.

The schoolgirls were taken captive by the dreaded sect about six weeks ago.

There were protests across the country, with the demonstrators, including state governors, demanding that government ensure the immediate release of the girls.

In Enugu, thousands of primary and secondary school children wept openly while praying for the safety and speedy release of the abducted girls.

The children roused the

audience at the Michael Okpara Square, venue of the event, with the passionate words of prayer they voiced while raising their hands towards an imagined direction of Sambisa forest and beseeching God to send his angels there to rescue their colleagues.

They also carried placards denouncing the abduction of the schoolgirls and calling for their immediate release and the cessation of harassment of school children and their teachers in the North.

Led in the prayers by the State Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, Rev. Godwin Madu and the State Secretary of Christian Association Nigeria, Rev. Emeka Ejim, the children stressed that there was no room for celebrations of this year’s event since their abducted CONTINUED ON PAGE 6>>

News

6

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Boko Haram kills 14 soldiers, DPO, DCO, 9 policemen in Yobe, Borno INUSA NDAHI DAMATURU

F

ourteen soldiers, the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Hassan Thlama of Buni Yadi Division and the station’s Divisional Crime Officer, DCO, and 12 civilians were among the victims of Boko Haram attacks in Yobe and Borno state yesterday.

The terrorists launched their attacks in Buni Yadi, Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State and Chinene village in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno

State.

Buni Yadi is about 55 kilometres from Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, and had witnessed several attacks, particularly one on the Federal Government College, which claimed the lives of over 55 students sleeping in their dormitories.

Our correspondent gathered that the terrorists, using Hilux vehicles with military camouflage, Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, petrol bombs and Rocket Propelled Launchers, invaded Buni Yadi from 5pm to 9pm on Monday, targeting security formations

in the town.

The attackers were also said to have come with Armoured Personnel Carriers, APCs, and were reported to have told residents not to panic as they did not come for them.

They subsequently bombarded the Nigerian Army and police formations in the town, leading to the killing of 14 soldiers and 11 policemen, including the DPO and the DCO. They also destroyed many government properties, including the Magistrate’s Court, the local government secretariat, several vehicles

and the palace of the Emir.

A top security source in Damaturu, who confirmed the incident, said: “The gunmen took all the security operatives in Buni Yadi unawares and wreaked havoc on mostly policemen and soldiers.”

He confirmed that apart from 11 policemen and 14 soldiers killed, two persons suspected to be civilians who were caught up in the crossfire also died.

A resident, Mallam Jubrin Usmanu, told our correspondent that the gunmen came for security operatives only, as they did not attack

L-R: Minister of FCT, Bala Mohammed; Kogi State Governor Idris Wada; Vice-President Namadi Sambo and Managing Director, Kogi Investment and Properties Ltd, Mr. Moses Okino, during the foundation laying of Kogi House in Abuja on Monday.

Obasanjo, others in talks to free abducted girls CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

colleagues were still going through the horror of captivity in the custody of the terrorists.

They called on the government to intensify efforts to ensure the quick release of the captives and find ways to prevent such occurrence in the future.

Amidst flowing tears, Miss Precious Ede, who prayed on behalf of the children said: “We did not come here to celebrate; rather we came here to express our anguish at the continued plight of our mates in the hands of the Boko Haram.

Presenting the address of President Jonathan on the occasion, Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime denounced the abduction of the school children and the rampant bombing and burning of schools, leading to the closure of some schools and colleges in the North-East.

In Lagos, it was protests galore as hundreds of peo-

ple in different groups took to the streets to clamour for the rescue of the abducted Chibok girls.

Different groups, who participated in the “Bring Back our Girls” protests across the state yesterday include the Nigerians United Against Terrorism, NUAT, led by Mrs. Lailai Daniels; the Association for Formidable Educational Development, AFED, led by Mrs. Ifedola Dada, the Al-Mu’minaat Social Advocacy Project, SAP, led by Mrs. Sherifah Yususf-Ajibade, The Young Muslims Association, TYMA, led by Abdulazeez Ajala, and the Pure Heart Foundation, PHF, led by Mr. Abdulraheem Lukman.

Others are the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, MSSN, Lagos State Area and the League of Muslim Schools Proprietors, LEAMSP, Lagos State chapter.

Some of the protesting groups gathered at different areas with placards and marched through Ikeja to the Lagos State secretariat,

Alausa, while others, including the NUAT marched from Maryland to the Freedom Park, Ojota.

The protesters, who marched in solidarity to demand for the release of the abducted school girls, were attended to by police officers attached to the Governor’s Office as Governor Babatunde Fashola and other members of his government had gone for the Children’s Day parade at the Police College, Ikeja.

The governor used the occasion to announce free bus rides for students in uniform in both public and private schools, to and from school, across the state.

Yesterday’s Children’s Day celebration was devoid of the usual fanfare as pupils of the various schools marched round the venue to the acknowledgement of the governor.

The pupils were all dressed in red vests with the inscription “Bring Back Our Friends” rather than

their usual school uniforms.

Speaking on behalf of AFED, Dada said the protest was meant to demand for the immediate rescue of the over abducted 200 schoolgirls, saying children were now afraid of going to schools for fear of being kidnapped.

Fifteen-year-old Shukrah Yusuf, an SS1 Student of AlSiddiq College, Mile 12, Lagos, told our correspondents that the abduction of the schoolgirls was appalling.

She said: “When I heard it, I felt very sad that schoolgirls were abducted and I learnt that some were converted from Christianity to Islam. That is not what Allah said we should do, it’s not by force, one can only encourage them, not the way the terrorists are doing it.

In Abuja, Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina, lamented that terrorists had taken away the joy of the Children’s Day celebration with the kidnapping of the girls.

residents.

He said that only those who might have been hit by stray bullets while trying to escape from the deadly attacks, died during the invasion.

Usmanu added that the attackers asked residents of the Emir’s palace to move out before the place was set on fire.

Another security source said bodies of the victims were first evacuated to the General Sani Abacha Specialist Hospital in Damaturu before they were moved to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital mortuary for identification and claim by their relatives yesterday.

Those injured, he added, are currently receiving treatment at different hospitals in Damaturu and Maiduguri.

Efforts to speak with the spokesman of the military operatives in Damaturu, Lt. Eli Lazarus, were unsuccessful as at the time of going to press.

Eight people were also killed when some terrorists, using motorcycles and armed with AK-47 rifles, stormed Chinene village of Chikidr-Joghode-Kaghum ward of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

During the attack, two churches, shops and residential houses were set ablaze.

Chinene village, a border community with Cameroun, is about 130 kilometres drive from Maiduguri.

The insurgents, according to sources, also hoisted their flags in Ashigashiya Ward and other hilly border villages with Cameroun and are currently celebrating what they now claimed as their strongholds.

A resident, Mr. Joshua Jidda, told our correspondent that the gunmen invaded Chinene, about 2am yesterday and opened fire on sleeping residents, killing eight people, including an old woman in her 80s.

He gave the names of those killed to include Bulama Dajiba, Bulama John, Haruna Kwatha, Haruna Wadda, Births Kurma, Haruna Waruda and Shaibu Galva.

“Some terrorists came to our community yesterday evening when we were asleep, they shouted Allahu Akbar in Arabic, meaning God is great and shot sporadically at fleeing residents, killing eight people, while two of our members sus-

tained gunshot injuries.

“They had a field day as we cannot confront them when all of them were carrying AK-47 rifles and petrol bombs. After the killing, they later went to our two churches and set them ablaze, including some shops and residential houses.

“As I am talking to you now, we are yet to bury the dead as most people have fled the area for fear of further attacks.

“We are destabilised as if we don’t have a government or security in place. It is worrisome indeed,” he said.

An official of the local government, Nglamuda Ibrahim, told journalists in Maiduguri, that the people of the area were still trapped.

Ibrahim said information available showed that the gunmen were preparing to launch another round of offensive from their hideout.

He said: “As we speak now, I am still receiving distress calls from them.

“They were all crying and calling for help.

“No soldier or police official had gone there yet.

“The Boko Haram gunmen mounted their flags in Ashigashiya, which is now like their headquarters.

“In last night’s attack, six churches were burnt, eight persons were killed and several others seriously injured.

“We cannot count the number of houses that were burnt in Chinene village of Chikide-Joghode-Kaghum Ward.

“They also attacked Amuda village where one person was killed and several others injured.”

The Police Public Relations Officer, Gideon Jubrin, could not be reached as all his phone numbers were switched off, but a top police source confirmed the deadly attacks in Chinene.

Meanwhile, an 18-yearold man, Abba Saiva, and another unidentified person were yesterday killed when some suspected members of Boko Haram sect ambushed some motorists from Warabe village of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

Our correspondent gathered that the gunmen laid ambush in Wakane ward between Warabe village about 8:45am and opened fire on one of the vehicles conveying some passengers to Maiduguri, killing Mallam Abba and the other person.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

National News

Wednesday May 28, 2014

7

Children’s Day celebration

Children from the Blind Special Education Centre in Bauchi during the Children’s Day, yesterday.

Tower of Refuge Motherless Babies Home celebrating the Children’s Day with other children in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI

Children celebrating the Children’s Day at Saint Luke Chaplaincy, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole inspecting a march past by students during the Children’s Day celebration in Benin City, yesterday.

School children in Ekiti State during a solemn procession to the Governor’s office over the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls to mark this year’s Children’s Day in Ado-Ekiti, yesterday.

Pupils of Ogbete Primary School in Enugu North Local Government Area of Enugu State in a march past during the Children’s Day celebration, yesterday.

Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (left) congratulating Yanmife Lawrence after symbolically registering her into primary one in the Lagos State Public Nursery and Primary School on Children’s Day in Lagos, yesterday.

L-R: Deputy Speaker, Rivers House of Assembly, Mr. Leyii Kwane; Deputy Governor, Mr. Tele Ikuru; Governor Chibuike Amaechi and his wife, Judith, during the solidarity prayer for the abducted Chibok Schoolgirls in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun and his wife, Olufunso, flanked by children during the interdenominational prayer session for the release of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls in Borno State, to mark this year’s Children’s Day at the M.K.O Abiola International Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta, yesterday.

School children having fun during Children’s Day show at the National Theatre in Lagos yesterday.

8

News

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CHILDREN’S DAY

Celebrities protest girls’ abduction FRANCIS SUBERU

T

Protesters in Markurdi on the abducted Chibok schoolgirls, yesterday.

PDP responsible for Chibok girls’ abduction, says Amaechi DENNIS NAKU

PORT HARCOURT

G

overnor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State on Tuesday blamed the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, for the recent abduction of over 200 students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State by members of Boko Haram.

Amaechi made the allegation while addressing children and other members of the public at an interdenominational church

service marking the 2014 Children’s Day celebration held at the Alfred Diete Spiff Civic Centre, Port Harcourt yesterday.

Rivers State Government had cancelled the Children’s Day celebration, saying it would rather hold special prayers for the release of the Chibok girls.

The governor, who admitted that Nigerians were guilty of the crime against Chibok girls, by voting the ruling party in power, said the change needed in the

country was to vote out the PDP in 2015 general elections.

According to him, “The blame is on us; your parents and those of us who are in government. We owe you the responsibility of safety; we owe you the responsibility of good education so that you can become for us the future parents when we depart this world. He explained that God allowed the incident to occur in order to expose the leaders, pointing out that the level of corruption in the country had become uncontrol-

lable, even as he slammed the PDP for pursuing the 2015 political ambition rather than giving premium to the predicament of the abducted school girls and the lingering insecurity in the country.

Amaechi however charged Nigerians not to relent in praying for safe release of the girls, adding that Rivers State decided to mark this year’s Children’s Day celebration with a solemn assembly to share in the pains of the victims and their parents.

Number of abducted girls unknown -Coalition INUSA NDAHI MAIDUGURI

T

he ongoing military search should not be limited to the over 200 abducted Chibok schoolgirls, the Federal Government was advised on Tuesday.

Government was equally charged to ensure that everyone presently held captive by the terrorist group must be freed should they agree on swap deal with the Boko Haram.

The advice was given by the coalition of civic societies, NGOs, youth organisations, students, trade unions and associations at a peace walk/rally in Maiduguri.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Ahmed She-

hu, who was the convener of Alliance for Peace, who said a register has been opened for the roll call of those abducted at different times by the terrorist group, lamented that no one can give the exact number of those held captive by the sect.

He said many of those in captivity were even believed to have been killed by their families.

Shehu said: “Before Chibok girls, a lot of other girls were abducted, in Dikwa, Konduga and Gwoza.

“We are urging stakeholders to stand up to work for our internal security, we are suffering, our people are daily being killed, murdered, slaughtered, their homes and all

they worked for destroyed, villages and towns burnt.

We are suffering from pains of the Nigerian system. This is not about which state, region; tribe or religion you belong to, this is about Nigeria, and internal security.

“We should not lose hope, we should not lose what we have, (Nigerian) we must unite inspite of our political, religious and regional differences, we should rise against sentiment and corruption, terrorism has never stopped children from going to school in Pakistan and Afghanistan and so it cannot stop our children from going to school and seeking education and knowledge.”

Shehu while appealing

to the abductors of the girls to release the innocent girls unconditionally, asked the Federal Fovernment to “go extra-mile even if it means paying for their (abducted girls) release.

he usual fun and fanfare that follows the annual celebration of Children’s Day worldwide was lost yesterday in Lagos as most individuals and groups used the opportunity of the day to lend their voices to the campaign for the release of the abducted pupils of Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.

At the Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota, Lagos, celebrities and youths under the aegis of Nation Builders Network converged to demand for the release of the over 200 abducted school girls.

The celebrities, who were all dressed in red crested “Bring Back Our Girls” T.shirt took turns to address the crowd in an emotionally charged atmosphere.

Rachael Oniga in her speech pleaded with the abductors to release the girls, whom she said are the future of this country.

She called on Nigerians to be security conscious and to stand together behind the President in the fight against terrorism.

Gloria Young on her part said she was sad even though the day was meant to be a happy one. According to her, she cannot be happy as a mother knowing that over 200 innocent school girls are in captivity.

Florence Onuma in her speech tried to imagine herself being in the shoes of the parents of the abducted school girls. According to her, the nation and her leaders are passing through trying times and she is personally grieved knowing that one of those girls could have been her daughter.

Ekiti children charge Jonathan on abducted girls ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

S

chool children in Ekiti State have appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to make serious efforts without delay on how the abducted girls will rejoin their friends and family members.

The Speaker, Children Parliament, Ekiti State, Mr Ilesami Oluwaseun, also called on the country’s leaders to find lasting solution to the problems bedeviling the nations, saying the problems had created fear, sorrow and a bleak future for Nigerian

children.

The children spoke during a solemn rally they held in Ado Ekiti over the continued detention of the abducted Chibok school girls on the occasion of the Children Day. Among the inscriptions on the children’s placards are: “We say No to Abduction”, “We have right to good education”, “United for Peace”, “Bring Back the Chibok Girls”, “We want our Sisters Back”, “No to Violence”, “Enough to Terrorism”, “Rescue our Friends Now”, “We have right to life and Liberty” and “We have the right to Freedom”.

Uduaghan says Nigeria winning war against terrorism THEOPHILUS ONOJEGHEN WARRI

A

s Nigerians wait for the release of over 200 abducted Chibok Secondary School girls in Borno State, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State has assured that Nigeria was winning the war against

Boko Haram.

Uduaghan spoke yesterday at the Unity Hall, Asaba, Delta State during 2014 Children Day prayer session with children in the state for the unconditional release of kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls.

He also asked Nigerians to join hands in prayers, as it is only God

that can help the country win the ongoing security challenges.

According to the Delta State Governor, Nigerians should remain steadfast and continue to support President Goodluck Jonathan administration and security forces to win the war against the sect which he described was against humanity.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

9

Ondo gets first female speaker HAKEEM GBADAMOSI AKURE

A

female lawmaker representing Okitipupa Constituency II at the Ondo State House of Assembly, Jumoke Akindele, yesterday emerged as the new Speaker of the Assembly.

Akindele, who became the first female speaker in the 37 years of the state’s existence, defeated another lawmaker, Hon. Oyebo Aladetan, representing Ilaje Constituency II, in a keenly contested election to fill the vacant post after the death of Samuel Adesina in February.

The Deputy Speaker of the House, Dare Emiola, who presided over the election, had earlier called for nomination from the floor of the House, while Hon. Alex Banuso from Akoko North East Constituency I nominated Soji Akinkuolie. His nomination was

seconded by Kunle Olujuyigbe.

In the second nomination, Hon. Olotu Fatai from Akoko North-East nominated Akindele and her nomination was seconded Kemi Adesanya from Akure-South.

For the third nomination, Gbenga Edema nominated Aladetan while Olatunji Dairo seconded it.

All the nominees accepted their nominations.

But Akinkuolie, who had earlier accepted his nomination, failed to participate in the election, just as he did not vote for himself and was not voted for by those nominated him.

However, Akindele emerged the speaker at the end of the contest, having secured the highest number of lawful votes, and was declared the winner of the election.

In her inaugural speech, the new speaker promised to keep all the members

I emulate Awolowo, says Aregbesola BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

O

sun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, has said that his guiding principles are patterned after one of his role models, Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s slogan of “Freedom for All and Life More Abundant.”

He disclosed this at the dinner organised for Osun ‘One-Day Alternate Governor’, Master Habibllah Ayoola Ayodele.

The governor stated that his guiding principle was to become an agent of positive change, which would impact on the people in a way that will improve their conditions.

He said those who seek power for the sake of it and other personal gains often realise that power without social enhancement for the society’s responsibilities is useless.

In his remarks, the state’s ‘One-Day Alternate Governor’, Ayodele, said he was overwhelmed by the enormity of the purposeful leadership provided by the governor to the people of Osun State.

Ayodele, who was se-

lected as the overall best student in Omoluabi High School Debate held among public secondary schools in the state, said that he had learnt the virtues and values of hard work and diligence from his parents who he described as his role models.

He said he knew that Nigeria will only survive its many ‘man-made afflictions’ when good people who understudy society like Aregbesola assume positions of leadership.

About his impression of governance of the state, Ayodele averred that he had never had any negative impressions about politics and governance of Nigeria, only that political scene in the country scares a good number of well-intentioned Nigerians.

His words: “I have never had any negative impression about the politics and governance of my country. If good people like Governor Rauf Aregbesola stay out of politics, bad people are in it, then the good will suffer and the bad will take preeminence.

together as one, just as she promised to protect the rights of women and children in the state.

The speaker also promised not to let her colleagues who nominated her down,

just as she promised responsive, robust, responsible and vibrant leadership.

She, however, admonished her colleagues to ensure that the synergy that exists between the execu-

tive and legislative arms of government remain cordial for the state to witness more positive development.

Performing her first legislative assignment as speaker, Akindele dissolved

all the committees of the Assembly and directed the clerk to retrieve all the properties of the Assembly in the custody of the chairmen within the next 24 hours.

L-R: Secretary, Association of Licenced Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria, Oyo State, Mr. Ojo Omogbai; member, Mrs. Olufunke Balogun and Head of Department, Private Guards and Companies Unit, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Mr. Abraham Fagbemi, during the opening of a workshop for private guards in Ibadan, yesterday.

2005 crash: Bellview loses bid to stop pilot’s family’s suit WALE IGBINTADE

T

he National Industrial Court, NIC, in Lagos yesterday dismissed a preliminary objection filed

by Bellview Airlines Limited against a suit filed by family members of the late Captain Lambert Imasuen, the pilot of Bellview Boeing 737-200 aircraft that crashed on October 22, 2005.

Justice Peter Lifu, in a ruling assumed jurisdiction, and dismissed the objection of the airline challenging the authority of the NIC to adjudicate on the matter.

The family late pilot had had dragged the airline be-

fore the NIC over non-payment of the compensation due to their late father.

The aircraft was on its way to Abuja from Lagos when it crashed at Lisa Village area of Ogun State, killing all 117 persons on board.

The court in its ruling held that the NIC was the appropriate court with jurisdiction to entertain and determine the case, being a matter pertaining to contract of employment of the late captain, who died in the course of his employment with Bellview Airlines.

Besides, the court held that the case involved issues of unfair labour practices,

adding that the NIC, under the constitution, had the jurisdiction to entertain same.

The suit was filed in representative capacity on behalf of the family members by Imuwahen Lenita Imasuen, who is the eldest child and administrator of the estate of the late pilot.

Apart from Bellview Arilines Limited, other defendants are Kayode Odukoya, Tunde Yusuf, Gabriel Olowo, Emmanuel Ombu, Abisoye Mohammed, Kola Sobande, Chimara Imediegwu and Alex Iheuwa - all directors of the airline.

According to the suit filed on behalf of the claimant

by Yusuf Asamah Kadiri

of Jackson, Etti & Edu Law firm, the family lamented that despite several demands, the airline and its directors have failed to pay them their entitlements eight years after their father died while working for the company.

In a supporting affidavit, the claimant (Imuwahen) averred that immediately after the death of her father, she and other family members proceeded to Bellview’s office as was required of the victims of the crash, and they were informed of their entitlement to $100,000 as compensation for the death of Captain Imasuen, as a victim of the air crash.

We’ve not borrowed from banks -Ajimobi

G

overnor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has said that, in spite of dwindling federal allocation to the state, his administration had not taken loan from any financial institution to execute the various development projects currently going on in the state.

The governor also dismissed the rumours making the rounds that his government had given priority attention to foreign contractors in the ex-

ecution of projects in the state.

He stated that over 70 per cent of the projects were being given to indigenous contractors.

The governor stated these on Monday while fielding questions from newsmen on a live programme on the stateowned media organisation, the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State, BCOS, as part of activities marking the third anniversary of his adminis-

tration.

Ajimobi said that his administration had been prudent in the management of the meager resources accruing to the state from the federal allocation and internallygenerated revenue, to better the lot of the people of the state.

The governor, who said that all the roads currently being dualised in Ibadan, Oyo, Ogbomoso and Iseyin would be completed by June, assured that work on the du-

alisation of Idi Ape–Basorun-Akobo-Olorunda Road, which is being estimated to gulp a total sum of N7bn, would commence soon.

On the recent arrest of a factional leader of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Mr. Mukaila Lamidi, alias Auxiliary by the police, Ajimobi said that the arrest was carried out by the officials of the Lagos State Police Command following gun running allegation.

10

South East

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

I’ve repaid N26bn loan inherited from past govt -Okorocha CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

I

mo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, yesterday disclosed that his administration had repaid about N26bn loans inherited from the previous administration, just as he has scored his administration high in infrastructural development.

He said that, in all, the government has less than N15bn still outstanding as loans.

Giving the breakdown in Owerri, the state capital, at a press briefing to mark his third anniversary in office, the governor explained that the N6bn the immediate past administration took two months before the 2011 election from United Bank for Africa, UBA, had been repaid, with a high interest rate.

He said that his administration also repaid another N16bn loan, bringing the total of loans repaid to N26bn.

According to him, “we

had a bond of N13.5bn that we inherited from the previous administration which we pay N355m monthly deducted at source from the Imo State account for the past three years.

From the bond collected, the governor explained further that the administration pays N329m interest, which he described as very high.

“Suffice it to say that today having paid all that the state has less than N15bn still outstanding loans, which far better than some states.

“I am aware that some states had borrowed close to N900bn, while others have N100, N200bn loans to repay,” he pointed out.

Okorocha said that every single resources of the state had been properly utilized, adding that it was untrue that ‘Imolites’, particularly those working for him, are kept hungry.

“Everybody working for me is comfortable, except I have not allowed corruption to thrive.”

How Adigwe inflated price of Afribank shares –EFCC WALE IGBINTADE

A

prosecution witness, Emmanuel Al-Hassan, in the ongoing trial of yesterday former Managing Director of the defunct Afribank Plc, Sebastian Adigwe, told a Lagos High Court how Adigwe allegedly bought 360m ordinary shares of Afribank shares at inflated price.

Led by counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Dr. Khrushchev Ekwueme, Al-Hassan told Justice Olabisi Akinlade that Adigwe induced the management of Afribank Trustees & Asset Management Company (a subsidiary of the group) to purchase the bank’s shares for a higher price than their actual worth at the capital market.

According to him, while N8bn cheque was issued by Afribank Trustees for the buy-back of the shares, the cheque later found its way to Adigwe’s office through his personal assistant, Dayo Afolabi, who allegedly collected it.

His words: “During investigation, we discovered that a cheque valued N8bn was issued in favour of Spring Capital by Afribank Trustees Limited. But, the same cheque was again delivered by hand at the office of the 1st defendant (Adigwe).”

Al-Hassan further told the court that while Afribank shares traded on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) for N5.75 on January 27 and N8.66 on February 11, 2009, the shares were purchased by Afribank Trustees for N22 per unit under a buy-back arrangement involving Spring Capital Limited.

The witness, an operative of the EFCC, insisted that his team’s investigation pointed to Adigwe as the hand behind the higher price quoted for the shares. ‘’It was also discovered during investigation that the same cheque raised in favour of Spring Capital Limited was forwarded to Union Bank Plc the day it got to the first defendant (Adigwe). The N8bn was for payment for Afribank shares of about 360m plus.’’

Husband, Dr. Chike Akunyili (left); former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi (second right) with team of doctors treating ailing Prof. Dora Akunyili at an Indian Hospital, yesterday.

Ebonyi begins repayment of N15bn bond in June

G

overnor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State yesterday said the state government would in June commence the repayment of the N15bn bonds it obtained from the capital market.

He made the disclosure at a news conference in Abakaliki organised as part of the activities to mark the 2014 Democracy Day celebration in the state.

He said the bond would be repaid within seven years and that the repayment period would make it convenient for his administration and its successor to save enough funds for governance in the state.

The governor disclosed that the value of the bond

facility approved for the state was less than what it applied for.

Elechi, however, added that ``we still got the highest amount among other state governments which also applied for the facility.’’

He said the bond was approved in spite of opposition and petitions against it, claiming that “it was still approved due to the prudent way we managed the earlier one we got.’’

The governor said that he had met contractors executing various projects in the state and had promised to effectively fund them to enable them to complete all ongoing projects.

“The international mar-

ket project, for instance, is remaining the reclamation of its 49-hectare land in a swampy area, and we are about to re-award the contract of one of the slots due to the contractor’s poor performance,” he said.

He decried the recent collapse of the Centenary Tower built by the government at the cost of N60m.

Elechi said that the government was unhappy because it was a loss of the huge sum used in executing it.

“The project was supposed to have been completed this week for the democracy celebrations, so, anybody saying that we are not mindful of the development is lying.

“We have immediately commenced investigations into the incident by inviting the contractor, engineers and members of the state centenary committee for explanations.

“The contractor and engineers are to submit their reports in writing, after which we will consult the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE, for clarification to determine further actions,” he said.

On the refusal of Abakaliki Rice Mill Company to relocate to the new site assigned by the government, Elechi said he would ensure the relocation was effected by the end of his tenure in 2015.

Confusion trails UNIZIK VC selection process CHARLES OKEKE AWKA

T

he crisis arising from the struggle by the competing forces for the vice chancellorship of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has deepened with Prof. Gregory Nwakoby, a key contender for the position, accusing some members of the Governing Council of the university of flouting the selection process and denying him victory.

Nwakoby, who claimed that he took part in the selection process for the post

and later allegedly emerged as top contender with 80.65 per cent mark, said yesterday that he is being denied the UNIZIK vice chancellorship because he refused to offer gratification of N30m to some council members.

A professor of Law and former Dean of the Faculty of Law of UNIZIK Nwakoby is currently the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Administration, He had earlier participated in the selection exercise held on May 24, 2014.

He told journalists yesterday that the alleged voting exercise involving the

council members on Monday May 26 at which the person who he said previously came second was adjudged first and the best was illegal and untenable.

He said that it was wrong and vexatious for eleven members of the council to sit on Monday, May 26 and conducted what he described as an illegal voting exercise at which his closest rival was declared winner.

According to Nwakoby, the selection exercise had indeed ended with himself (Nwakoby) emerging winner on the May 24.

Speaking on his grievances, Nwakoby alleged that some people were working against him because he refused to give bribe.

Claiming that he has won the contest for the vice chancellorship before the council proceeded and allegedly declared his rival as the winner, Nwakoby challenged the council to give him his certificate of return as the Vice Chancellor of UNIZIK. Nwakoby, who asked President Jonathan to dissolve the council of UNIZIK for allegedly being partial, threatened to go to court over the issue.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

SERAP asks Akpabio to withdraw ex-governors’ pension bill

A

civil society group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has criticised the N100m Pension Bill passed by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly for former governors of the state.

In a statement issued yesterday in Lagos, the group said the legislation passed on Monday by the state assembly was ``immoral, unfair, unconstitutional, unreasonable, and a rip-off on a massive scale.’’

The statement signed by SERAP’s Executive Director, Mr Adetokunbo Mumuni, said: ``Akwa Ibom must be the only place on the planet where such pension scheme exists.

“Governor Godswill Akpabio must now put Akwa Ibom ahead of his own personal bank balance by immediately withdrawing this bill.’’

The group urged Nigerians not to be made to ``subsidise these bloated pensions and clearly unde-

served perks.’’

According SERAP, signing the bill into law would amount to fundamental breach of the governor’s constitutional oath declaration to serve the interest of justice, transparency and accountability.

It said that the legislation would further impoverish the people of the state as they would be saddled with payment of unjust pensions for their political leaders.

“SERAP is appalled by this apparently unfair and discriminatory law.

“There is absolutely no justification for such law at a time the pension systems across the country are in poor shape, and pensioners continue to be denied the fruit of their labour.

“The governor cannot lawfully give to himself a steady stream of public funds for life at a time millions of pensioners face cut to their pension schemes and remain in poverty without any state support.”

It said that the initiative had undermined the professed fight against corruption by President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

The bill, as passed, seeks a life pension at a rate equivalent to the salary of the incumbent governor for former governors and their deputies.

It also provides for former governors, a provision of funds to employ a cook, chauffeurs and security guards at a sum not exceeding N5m per month, and N2.5m for former governors and their deputies.

The former governors would also be entitled to free medical services for his person and spouse, at a sum not exceeding N100m per annum and N50m for former deputy governors.

The bill also seeks to provide for former governors, a befitting accommodation not below a five-bed room maisonette in either Abuja or Akwa Ibom State.

Oshiomhole commissions water projects for Army SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN

G

overnor Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole of Edo State has commissioned two industrial borehole projects built by the government for the use of officers and men of the Nigerian Army 322 Artillery Brigade in Benin City.

The two projects will provide 100,000 litres of water in overhead tanks and are connected to power generators whenever electricity in the national grid fails.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Oshiomhole said the gesture would end the hardship of potable water scarcity being suffered by the soldiers in the past five years.

The governor praised the efforts of the soldiers in stemming crime in the state, saying, “Edo State Government is indebted to officers and men of the army as represented by men of the 4 Brigade.

“You have in addition to your constitutional role identified with the government and people of Edo

State by participating in the internal security of the state.”

He commended the brigade commander for selfless leadership and his ability to attract facilities to the barracks.

In a remark, the Commander of 4 Brigade, Brig.Gen. Okechuchwu Azinta, commended the governor for providing the boreholes for his men and officers.

He assured the government of the army’s commitment to the fight against crime in Edo State.

Delta police arrest five suspected cultists THEOPHILUS ONOJEGHEN WARRI

T

he Delta State Police Command has said that five persons suspected to cult members have been arrested during initiation at Ekakpamre town, Ughelli South local Government Area.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Celestina Kalu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP, yester-

day said the command patrol team acted on a tip-off information by a good spirited villager that one Difference Blessed was being initiated by a cult group called Apyee and quickly swung into action leading to the arrest of the five persons.

Kalu, in the statement, said: “Based on the information, the patrol team, in concert with the local vigilance group, swung into action and arrested one Ejiro Idjekjure, Ebruwriohior Kelly, Innocent Egadigbe, Emmanuel Agboron and

Sunday Emma Onorhovwo.

The suspects, she said, are believed to be members of Apyee secret cult.

“One battle axe was recovered from them. The culprits will be made to face the full wrath of the law at the end of investigation,” the police spokesperson stated.

She also said that the command recovered a suspected stolen vehicle with registration number AA245JJT at Agbor after a manhunt on a group of fleeing armed bandits.

South South

11

12

North

Wednesday May 28, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Voter cards theft: Four monarchs, 11 others charged to court WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

K

ogi Police Command has charged no fewer than 15 suspects before Magistrate Court 1 sitting in Lokoja for allegedly forceful taking away Permanent Voter Cards meant for distribution in the state

The suspects include four traditional rulers and 11 others. They were alleged to have carted away permanent voters’ cards currently being distributed by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Kogi State The traditional rulers are, Mallan Ibrahim

Mamud, the Okatama of Jamata and a third class chief, Alh Jubril Idris, the Ogidiga of Ohono, Mallam Musa Abu, the Ohiho of Iziho and Mallam Shaibu Momoh, the Ohiho of Gbaude Others suspects are Musa Adekeke, Musa Amodu, Gambo Audu, Yakubu Alli, Salisu Musa, among

others The suspects were arrested at the weekend, detained and later arraigned before a Chief Magistrate Court yesterday.

The prosecution alleged that the traditional rulers were charged for trying to truncate the 2015 general election, criminal conspir-

acy and theft, contrary to section 97(e), 167, 287 of the Penal Code Law Prosecution said the suspects attacked one INEC official Onwajeheri Gabriel who was issuing out permanent voters’ cards to members of the public at Ijiho Primary School It was further alleged that the suspects in their bid to truncate the forthcoming general election, conspired and forcefully carted away a carton containing some permanent voters’ cards, adding that about 433 cards were later recovered by the police from the accused persons while 535 cards are still missing.

The prosecution said that owing to the weight of the offence committed and

the fact that investigation is yet to be concluded, the accused persons should be remanded in prison custody The accused persons however pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Counsels to the accused persons, Chief Moses Enwerem and M J Samuel who stood in for the accused persons both opposed the submission of the police prosecution, saying the offence was not capital and as such bailable The defence counsel said the traditional rulers were never arrested by the police and that they were only arrested when they attempted to make peace in their respective domains.

Nigeria exports minerals at ridiculous prices -Minister JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

L-R: Director, Administration and Finance, Faskari Local Government Area, Alhaji Sale Tsagero; Vice Chairman, Alhaji Sale Garba; General Manager, Wacot Ltd, Mr. Subirkumar Dey; Head, Corporate Responsibility, Mr. Anuuj Bathia and Acting General Manager, Human Resources, Malam Abubakar Halliru, during the inauguration of Sakkai Cotton Farmers Cooperative Society office and free health camp at Sakkai in Katsina State, yesterday.

Plateau signs N865m contract for digitalisation of broadcasting station JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

F

ollowing the selection of Plateau Radio Television Corporation by the Federal Government as pilot scheme for the digitalisation of broadcasting stations in the country, the state government has signed an N865 million contract for the upgrading of the state television station.

State Commissioner of

Information, Mrs. Olivia Dazyem who signed the contract on behalf of the government with Pinnacle Communication Limited, urged the contractors not to compromise standards despite the need to speed up work.

Dazyem who lauded the governor for working tirelessly in providing a conducive atmosphere for the media in the state to operate, also thank the Federal Government for choosing PRTVC as a pilot

station for the take off of the digitalisation scheme in the country.

She said: “In view of the expectation of the Federal Government and Governor Jonah Jang and the people of Plateau State, you should not compromise standard and you also need to speed up work so that we can meet up with our deadline. We cannot afford to fail in our responsibility, so quality work is what we expect.”

Dazyem, who said the contract specification is between 24 weeks, said government will live up to her responsibility of playing her role in ensuring that the contract is carried out as duly signed.

Chairman of Pinnacle Communication Limited, Lucky Omoluwa who signed on behalf of the company, said the firm will work within its power to ensure that the contract is completed as specified.

Niger govt condemns APC’s attempt to blackmail Aliyu PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

N

iger State Government has described APC’s harsh and poorly thoughtout criticism of the Dr Mu’azu Aliyu-led Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, government in the state as cheap blackmail.

Reacting to APC’s claim that most of the projects executed by the current administration with

bonds were substandard, the Commissioner for Information, Communications and Strategy, Danladi Ndayebo expressed surprise that the opposition party delved into an area it clearly has little or no knowledge about.

The statement said, “It is amazing that a party that claims to have a blow-by-blow account of the goings on in government does not know that the state government has

since paid up the six billion naira bond it took to finance some important projects in the state,” “Whether APC likes it or not, the Dr Aliyu-led PDP government in the state has done more than any previous government in the state, emphasising that there are landmark achievements of the current administration that are difficult to ignore.”

On roads alone, the state government cited the massive reconstruction of all

the major roads in the state capital, Bida and Kontagora.

It also drew attention to Kutigi – Fazhi road , rehabilitation of Minna industrial layout road network, Batati-Dabban road, LumaBabana Road, Bonu-Gurara Waterfalls; Mokwa-Raba road, Birigi-Lapai Gwari, Lapai-Gulu- Muye road and several others which make APC’s claim on the state of infrastructure in the state untenable.

N

igeria is blessed with over 400 abundant mineral resources but is exporting same at ridiculous prices that have little or no value addition to the country.

Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arch Musa Sada made this known in Katsina State yesterday. The minister said the country has 44 mineral types distributed at more than 450 commercial quantities that are of good grades.

Sada however,said exporting these abundant minerals without value addition “will not help the

technological and industrial growth of the country.”

Represented by Mr. Ehidi Imo, the Director, National Steel Raw Materials, said some of the abundant minerals include iron ore, cassiterite, precious stones and metal, kaolin, chromite, talc, asbestos, silica, and so on.

He said industrial minerals such as kaolin, quartz, limestone, marble, silica sand, and clays are being upgraded and put into diverse use in the country, but that same could not be said of metallic minerals like gemstones and precious metals.

Igbos in the North decries effects of insurgency DANJUMA WILLIAMS GOMBE

I

gbo Delegates Assembly, IDA, in the 19 northern states and Abuja have called for the unconditional release of the over 250 Chibok Secondary School girls abducted since April 14, 2014 by the Boko Haram sect.

The union which says it is in full support of a corporate and peaceful Nigeria also called on the Federal Government to use all possible means to secure the lives of the girls unharmed.

The assembly stated this

in a communiqué made available to newsmen after a crucial meeting held in Lokoja, Kogi State and signed by Chief Damian Inyamah, the President-General, Chief Ben Ngwakwe, Acting Secretary-General and other executives of the association.

The body strongly condemned the spate of bombings in some northern parts of the country such as Nyanya, Kano, Borno and Jos and urged the Federal Government to seriously beef-up security in all parts of the country in order to avert further occurrences.

Wednesday May 28, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

13

Politics

Aregbesola flags off reelection campaign STORIES: BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

O

sun state governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola flagged off his reelection campaign in Ile-Ife with an assurance to further raise ante of development in the state if given another term.

Speaking at the rally held at Ife Technical

College, Ife and attended by leaders and supporters of the party from Lagos and Osun states, Aregbesola said he embarked on series of developmental project to satisfy yearnings of Osun people for better society, adding that his administration in the last three years has completed tarring of about 50.7 kilometres of roads in

Ife federal constituency while over 1, 400 tablets of knowledge, Opon imo, were given to students from the constituency.

He said his administration has also initiated and completed several projects in health sector all designed to benefit the masses, declaring that Yoruba people have never been part of reactionary since

independence and urged people of the state to vote for APC to allow the party execute its other life changing programmes for the benefit of the people.

Speaking earlier, chieftains of the party all urged people of the state to vote for performance ahead of sentiment and assured them of better performance if Aregbesola is reelected for

another term.

The state chairman of the party, Elder Lowo Adebiyi said achievements of Governor Aregbesola since assumption of office has made it easy for APC to record victory in the August 9 poll and charged party members to collectively work and convince members of opposition parties to support Aregbesola’s reelection bid in the interest of the state.

73 DAYS TO GO

Guber poll: Referendum for ruling party -Lawal-Oloki

T

Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (left) dancing with his supporters during the official flag-off of his re-election campaign for second term in office, at Government Technical College, Ile-Ife, Osun State, yesterday

Beware, Boko Haram in Lagos, cleric warns OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU

G

eneral Overseer of Resurrection Praise Ministry International, Archbishop Samson Mustapha Benjamin, has alerted Lagosians to be security conscious, warning that Boko Haram elements are already in the Centre of Excellence.

Archbishop Benjamin also stated that they may extend their nefarious activities to media houses, especially ones that have written what they felt unpalatable about Prophet Mohammed before.

The renowned cleric said he raised the alert so that security agents as well as Lagosians could be more security conscious so as not to be caught off guard.

Lamenting that the

sect has dragged Nigeria’s image into the mud, he assured that they would never have the last laugh, even as he stressed that the sect has sponsors at the highest level.

He said: “This sect has eaten deep into our system and it is quite unfortunate to learn that those we trust, our top dogs, people that are supposed to serve their fatherland with love, strength and faith are now the villains sponsoring evil.

“That a country that has God, peace and love as its topmost priority, is slightly becoming ranked as a terrorist nation is unfortunate. We don’t have to allow these calamities to continue, we have to put a stop to all these terrorism.

Our children no longer feel safe to walk the streets, let alone go to school.

“We all have to be security conscious now and be mindful of the devices of the enemy. We won’t allow Boko Haram to spoil the reputation of this peace keeping nation, moreso, we can’t allow them to put us in bondage. We can’t allow them to destroy our future, by rendering useless our children, by damaging the mind of our youths. They are only a form of distraction and should be tackled in like minds”, he said.

Specifically warning ThisDay newspaper, Benjamin asked security at Kirikiri prison to be more on the alert, just as he warned that the sect was also planning “to bomb Jebba and Lokoja bridge, so as to break the link between the North and the South.”

Alleging that the sect members in prison are not

left in the lurch as they still get support from their members outside, he alerted that those in prison are also using the opportunity to recruit more members.

“Mostly, the prisons are used as evangelical avenue to recruit new followers, this is a place where Nigeria is presented as an idolatrous country, because of our coat of arms and the bowing at the National Assembly using these as their brain-washed ideology.

“Their followers and believers while in prison, communicate through cell phones provided and sent to them by powerful Nigerians in high positions and these cell phones are inserted into mostly cooked moulded food like Semovita with prepared instructions and guidelines written on pieces of note,” he added.

he reelection bid of Osun state governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola has been described as a “referendum” that will go in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 2015 general elections.

To this end, all members of the party in Osun state have been charged to work towards returning the governor to office in the forthcoming poll because political destinies of many office seekers on the platform of APC in 2015 poll may be determined by the outcome of the governorship election. The United States of America based, Prof. Adekunle Lawal-Oloki disclosed this while addressing newsmen yesterday in Osogbo.

Lawal-Oloki, who is vying for the seat of Osogbo/ Olorunda/Ifelodun/Orolu federal constituency in the House of Representatives in 2015 general elec-

tions, warned APC members against complacency, saying that the governor has done the better part of the campaign through his numerous achievements.

“Various achievements of Governor Aregbesola have prepared a solid foundation for our campaign and many people that were before now non-partisan, because of what they have seen him achieved for the state in the last three and half years have been coming to us to identify with the APC. “But as committed party members, we all need to reach out and bring in more people into APC to win landslide on August 9.

The governorship poll is not about Aregbesola, but is for all people of Osun State, for them to continue to enjoy dividends of democracy through numerous programmes and initiatives of Mr. Governor.”

Olumilua’s daughter emerges Accord running mate

T

he governorship candidate of Accord, Barrister Kole Ajayi, has picked Mrs Bolanle Olumilua-Oyesanya as the party’s new deputy governorship candidate.

Olumilua-Oyesanya, a lawyer, is daughter of the former governor of old Ondo State, Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua, from Ikere-Ekiti,

in South senatorial district.

According to Ajayi, she replaced Mr Akin Adeolu, who was earlier nominated but later withdrew for personal reasons.

A statement from the Kole Ajayi Campaign Organisation, said the nomination had since May 7 been forwarded to INEC in Abuja.

14

Politics

Wednesday May 28, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Royal endorsement won’t deter us from our goal –Solomon do is to go behind his chosen, preferred, aspirant, mobilise people behind him, and provide a level playing field. It is not even for them to do that, it is the provision of the constitution; that is the tenet of democracy – provide a level playing field. And there must be transparency.

Whoever wins becomes the party’s candidate, every other person queues behind him. It is not by pronouncement; it is not by proclamation.

Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon is the Minority Whip at the Senate. Representing Lagos West, he has thrown his hat into the ring in the race for Lagos State governorship come 2015. In this interview with journalists, he talks on why he wants to govern the centre of Excellence, forclosing his return to the upper chamber of the National Assembly among other salient issues.

OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU brings excerpts: You’ve made known your intention to run in the APC governorship race in Lagos, but there is this feeling in some quarters that the business of governorship in Lagos is in the hands of a few people, among whom you’re not in reckoning, if you didn’t get the ticket, will you return to the Senate?

Well, I am going to take that to be a comment and not a question. Nevertheless, I will try to respond to it. The business of governorship cannot be left in the hands of a few people. Let me quickly say that democracy translates to participatory governance, which means everybody gets involved; you participate. And that differentiates it from a dictatorial government, which is just about a few people, and that was what we had during the military era.

When we are talking of democracy or, in this instance, governance in the state, it cannot be in the hands of a few, no matter how enlightened, no matter how ‘powerful’ they are. It has to be in the hands of everybody. I am sure nobody has come out to say we’re not looking in your direction; we’re looking in this other direction. We may have some perceptions, or interpret certain utterances, but the level we are now – for instance, in my party – we are in a new party, and the leadership of that party, from day one, in response to cynicism from some people, said, ‘look, we are guaranteeing internal democracy.’ Because there was the accusation that, ‘all these parties, you’re not allowing internal democracy.’ And they kept saying, ‘yes, we’re guaranteeing internal democracy.’ I remember when Chief Bisi Akande spoke on this, because he was the first person to give something close to a manifesto, of sorts, before the official launch of the party, he said apart from fighting corruption, we are going to make sure we imbibe the culture of internal democracy. So, anything that will

Solomon

make the party look at another direction, instead of a particular direction, will make it short on internal democracy. So, to me, it’s about perception. Some people may say the body language of the leadership is tilting towards this person; at the end of the day, it’s about perception.

I say this because I relate with the leadership; none of the leaders have said, ‘I don’t think you can go,’ or ‘you’re not going,’ or has sent somebody to me to say ‘you’re going back to the Senate.’ As far as I am concerned, the issue of the Senate is closed; I am not going back to the Senate. Maybe we should start with that, I am not going back to the Senate; that is settled.

LET ME SAY THAT IN MAKING THE

PRONOUNCEMENT,

KABIYESI WAS

EXPRESSING HIS

PREFERENCE.

HE HAS

ALSO EXPRESSED HIS PERSONAL OPINION

A few days ago the Oba of Lagos practically shut the door on other aspirants when he endorsed Akinwunmi Ambode.

What effect do you think this would have on your ambition? Are you not considering, in the circumstances, working with Ambode?

Let me say that in making the pronouncement, Kabiyesi was expressing his preference. He has also expressed his personal opinion. We’re talking of a party now; I don’t know which part or provision of the constitution of the party that says a traditional ruler endorses or can endorse. Whatever he says is his personal wish, which is not the same thing as the wish of the generality of the people. At the end of the day, we have a party structure. Let me also tell you that he made the pronouncement at a time when we had not even concluded putting party structures in place. So, it couldn’t have been in consultation, with anybody.

We’ve had different opinions since then. We deliberately did not come out to say anything about it because we felt it was a political statement. And what do you do with political statements? You either respond or you leave it. In this case, we decided to leave it.

In our own case, such statements would not deter us. It will not deter the party man. You go around, meet them.

They are determined. This time around they want to have a say in who becomes their candidate, and who eventually rules their state, because we are all stakeholders, just like any other person. What is the weight of a vote? Every vote carries the same weight, regardless of the status of the individual. So, what anybody can

Consensus or primaries, which would you recommend to your party?

Now we have a much bigger party; that means it has also increased our stakeholders. And let me also remind you: recently, we had a very aggressive membership mobilisation drive which brought a lot of people into this party. These people now are interested.

Whatever you do, you must make sure it can stand the test of time. So, you don’t take things for granted. What I will recommend is to have primaries. It will put everybody’s mind at rest. What we’re saying now – maybe I should let you know the thinking of party members: they are not talking of gubernatorial election alone; they are saying, at every election, presidential, governorship, national and states’ assembly, let there be primaries.

We’ve done it before; we did it in 1998/99, the heavens did not fall. Nothing happened, and that was how Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerged. It was direct primaries, everybody voted in his or her ward, and they collated everything and he emerged. At the end of the day, everybody else queued behind him. So, that’s my recommendation any time, and it is in line with what the party has already started doing. They’ve done it in three states: They did in Anambra, they did in Osun, they did it in Ekiti. Even in the cases of Osun and Ekiti, it is very instructive. There were unopposed candidates, but because the party insisted that whether you are half or one, there must be direct primaries, they still went ahead and did the primaries. That is how it is supposed to be. That is how we can groom this democracy.

We believe you’ve been consulting with political leaders in the state. Have you consulted with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and what did he tell you?

Yes, I’ve consulted with him. There’s no way you’d want to run for governorship, or any serious political office and you don’t meet your leaders. I met him and he said, ‘well, you can go ahead with your ambition; at the right time we’ll roll out the party programmes, but right now we are busy putting up the party strucCONTINUED ON PAGE 44

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

National Mirror National News www.nationalmirroronline.net

15 15

From The Civil Service FCTA pulls down failed structures 16

Bauchi State Civil Servants collecting their April salary in Bauchi on Monday.

PHOTO:NAN

NIWA warns against night travel on waterways in Lagos

T

he Lagos Area of the National Inland Waterways Authority recently called on passengers and ferry operators in the state to desist from night travel for safety.

The Area Manager, Alhaji Mu’azu Sambo, made the call against the backdrop of a recent boat mishap at the Bonny Cantonment, Victoria Island, which claimed the life of a

passenger out of nine persons on board.

Sambo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the waterways were not safe at night for users.

``Lives that are being lost to boat mishaps are a serious concern to us. ``One of the main causes of mishap on our waterways is night travel; our waterways are not il-

Nigeria-Niger Joint Commission gets office to facilitate trade JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

T

he Nigeria-Niger Joint Commission for Cooperation, NNJC, has established an office in Katsina state to facilitate trade relations between the two countries.

Commissioning the office

yesterday, NNJC Secretary General, Ambassador Abduljalil Abubakar said the office would facilitate cross border as well as boost trade and ensure food security in the two countries.

Represented by the Assistant Secretary General of the cooperation, Ambassador Aminata Toure, Abubakar said the state gov-

Katsina State Govt. approves N600m for work bulls, other P.16 inputs

ernment provided structure, operational vehicles and other facilities for the office.

He said the initiative would also strengthen cordial relationship between the people of the two countries.

The state commissioner for commerce and industry, Aliyu Abdullahi said the state government would con-

tinue to support initiatives aimed at facilitating trade relation with foreign investors.

Abdullahi then called on investors to come to the state as it has a lot of investment opportunities to offer them.

Our correspondent reports that the office was named Kano-Katsina-Maradi Cross Border Initiative on Trade and Food Security.

Nigerians pray for Chibok schoolgirls, as the world celebrates Children’s Day P.42

luminated. ``The boat can collide with anything; collision has been reported of two boats or more hitting a wreck at night,`` Sambo said.

The NIWA boss said that the authority had set a 7p.m. time limit for daily operations on the water to safeguard lives of users. ``The ban on night travel takes effect from 7p.m., and it is put in place in order to safeguard people’s lives as a result of absence of illumination on water ways,`` he said. ``Let people co-operate with the government by adhering to this,’’ he urged.

Sambo said that the authority had stepped up its waterways safety enlightenment campaigns and

Niger spends N399m on 291 women groups empowerment

enforcement of regulation across the navigable routes in the state.

He said that the authority’s safety compliance team had started visiting all the jetties, educating and enlightening commuters and ferry operators.

The authority’s Head of Marine Department, Mrs Sarat Suleiman, said that the recent boat mishap happened when the authority had closed operations on waterways. ``People were illegally moved on waterways in the night; we did not expect any boat to be on water by then. ``Operators and passengers should stop using waterways at night; it is not safe; we have been telling them.

P.42

16

Civil Service

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ministry trains youths for food production HAKEEM GBADAMOSI, AKURE

I

n its bid to reduce unemployment and to increase food production in the country, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has designed series of programmes to build youth capacity across the nation.

This was disclosed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Ibukun Odusote while declaring open a one week training workshop on Tractors Operation and maintenance organised by the Agricultural Mechanics and Machinery Operators Training Center (AMMOTRAC) in Akure, Ondo state capital.

Odusote who explained that the workshop will focus on tractor as an important power source said the programme will expose the youths to other farm machinery and implements that are used on the farm.

According to her, the training will also help to upgrade the skills of the trainees for those who have been in the system while those who never handled

tractors before will be able to operate fully at the end of the training programme.

Odusote said “ we need tractor operators and mechanics to do their best to prevent frequent breakdown breakdown which render tractors useless soon after their purchase.

It is for this purpose that we have gathered you together to build your capacity as stakeholders in mechanisation service delivery. “ The Permanent Secretary however promised that the ministry will continue to demonstrate its commitment to food production and also improve on mechanisation delivery services saying the ministry will ensure that all the 200 agricultural equipment hiring centers under the private sector initiative are functional to provide employment to those trained in tractors operation and maintenance.

Speaking earlier the Head of AMMOTRAC, Abiodun Ladeinde said the center has contributed to the success of agricultural transformation agenda by training different levels of operators.

L-R: Director of Administration and Finance, Lagos Central Business District (CBD), Mrs Bolanle Owolabi; Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on CBD, Mrs Derin Disu and her Counterpart on Information and Strategy, Mr Lateef Raji, at a news conference on activities of CBD in the last one year in Lagos.

PHOTO:NAN

Ladehinde explained that the center has introduced extensive operators training programme for Youth Empowerment in Agricultural Programme saying “ Participants were also trained on maintenance, trouble shooting and how to rectify techni-

Katsina State Govt. approves N600m for work bulls, other inputs

T

he Katsina State Government on Tuesday approved N600 million for the purchase of work bulls and production of local farm implements.

Gov. Alhaji Ibrahim Shema, disclosed this in Katsina while inaugurating a committee for the distribution of the work bulls and other farm implements to the farmers in the state.

He said that gesture was aimed at encouraging farmers to continue

to engage in farming activities and enhance food production.

Shema said that his administration would also empower members of blacksmith industry in the state and urged the fabricators to produce quality farm tools that would last longer.

The governor, however, urged the committee to ensure that only genuine farmers benefit from the loan facility.

Responding, the Chairman of the com-

mittee, who is also the Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Musa Adamu, assured the governor that the committee would go round the state to select genuine farmers.

Adamu commended the state government for initiating numerous projects aimed at improving agricultural production to guarantee food security in the state according to the News Agency of Nigeria.

FCTA pulls down failed structures OMEIZA A JAYI

T

he Federal Capital Territory FCT Administration yesterday announced that it has carried out structural stability tests on 48 abandoned buildings in the territory to even as it pulled down those that

failed the integrity test.

FCT minister, Senator Bala Mohammed who made the disclosure at an enlarged Operations Briefing Session at his official residence in Abuja, explained that one of the buildings on Plot 3, Sabongida District however failed the integrity test and has therefore

been demolished according to statutory Urban and Regional Planning regulations.

According to him, the FCT Administration through the Department of Development Control also removed two abandoned but failed structures at Apo Mechanic village.

cal faults as well as train participants on machinery management.

He however solicited for government support in developing the center noting some challenges affecting the center to include, security, inadequate staff, offices and equipments and

lack of official vechicle for the center.

He commended the Transformation Agenda embarked upon by the Federal government in making the country self sufficient in the area of food and material production and said AMMOTRAC is working

in tandem towards realizing these objectives.

He called on the participants to make use of the opportunity of the training saying the training will be holistic covering three major domains of learning of cognitive, affective and psychomotive.

Kaduna Govt to plant 500,000 tree seedlings to combat desert encroachment

T

he Kaduna State Government says it has concluded plans to plant 500,000 tree seedlings as part of efforts to protect its forests and prevent desert encroachment in the state.

The Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Abubakar Abbas, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in kaduna.

Abbas said the seedlings would be distributed to the 23 local government areas and schools after the launch of this year’s state-wide tree planting campaign.

The commissioner said the trees would be planted following experts’ advice to halt desert encroachment.

According to him, the

state is prone to desert encroachment due to intense human activities which have depleted its forests. ``The recent demands for firewood and charcoal due to the high cost of kerosene and gas have also affected soil fertility. ``It has contributed to the problems of land degradation, soil erosion and drought that endanger livestock population.’’

Abbas further said that desert encroachment and climate change had increased the rate of deforestation in the country.

He advised the people in the northern part of the country to plant trees at all times due to their importance to healthy living and national economy.

He warned against unnecessary tree felling, adding that the defaulters would be prosecuted.

Kaduna State governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Views

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

17

Reforming the power sector reforms IBRAHIM KANGOGO Continued from yesterday

T

he generating and distribution companies are facing deviations between the projected business plans presented by them and the actual situation on ground presented by National Electricity Commission (NERC) and the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE). This is bigger than what can be handled within the limits of the agreement with government as the official assumptions given by BPE and NERC for the privatization have been seen and proved to be incorrect.

The Federal Government needs to be able to stick to its own side of its agreement with the investors by ensuring that agreed cost is covered and the agreed return to investors to cover their financial exposure is guaranteed. This is what is called ‘take or pay’ for generating companies, and ‘cost plus’ for distribution companies. The true position is that the financial sector is heavily exposed already in the power sector, and the uncertainties arising from the present situation of the FG not meeting its own side of the transaction increases the financial sector’s risk perception of the power sector.

Thus additional financing to cover the gaps would hardly come if there is no change in the way the situation is evolving, especially with the fact that losses announced

at takeover by the new investors are remarkably higher (up to double) than the assumptions. Again, there is not any kind of bankable guarantee that the investors can use to get more funds from financial institutions to cover the gap that this situation is producing. Indeed, this is where the regulator, NERC, needs to step up to protect the interest of all parties in the industry -investors and consumers alike, if the industry is to grow and power is to be made available to Nigerians.

Coupled with less revenue than was advised, the new investors have to make more capital injections higher than expected to improve power supply and cover operational costs. The problem of the cost of gas supply to power the electricity station is another major issue that the government must resolve, especially with the additional National Independent Power Project (NIPP) across the country. If not, the available gas is so low that it cannot power the sector and this will take us back to square one. The possible consequence of this is that the firms who have to reduce the operational loss may result into more expensive tariffs to the customers, and slow down the electrification expansion with no significant increase in electricity supply to the customers.

As there are reasons to say that the government has breached the commercial rules under which the privatization

THE PROBLEM OF THE COST OF GAS SUPPLY TO POWER THE ELECTRICITY STATION IS ANOTHER MAJOR ISSUE THAT THE GOVERNMENT MUST RESOLVE process was carried out and bidders made their commercial offers, something needs to be done by the government to avert a looming danger in the power sector, which may include power sector collapses, social unrest, financial system stress, highly uncertain medium/long term sustainability with slowing down of investment which will not attract foreign investments into the country.

Going forward, the government should take the lead to create a better environment through initiatives that will connect the government and its institutions, investors, and the financial sector. A government financial intervention in the form of government payment of its share of agreed subsidy will be the most appropriate in order to ensure that electricity is not priced out of the reach of the generality of the people. The agreed

once-and-for-all-tariff adjustment to reflect the reality on ground for each company may need to be done, as this is needed for the initial power sector correction. It is expected that as power availability improves, the tariff rate might come down with time just as in telecoms industry.

Furthermore, the investors need access to financing to cover the revenues gap on top of what they have already committed to during the privatization, as cash shortfall in the sector is a reality and obviously the power sector, as a whole cannot produce the money needed to run it. Stabilization fund from which the generation and distribution companies could tap into will be a fine model to use to bridge this initial gap. Such model should include grace period, maturity period and very low interest rate consistent to inclusive growth aspiration of the government.

Though the government has its limitations but its intervention is needed to address most of the gap as well as creating policies or measures that will improve the credibility to ease the access to credit facilities and attract new investments into the power sector. This will bring about excellent implementation of the transformation agenda of the government.

Concluded Dr. Kangogo, is of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Children’s Day: Child soldiers and warlords BOBSON GBINIJE

N

o nation can cardinally tread the path of continuity, growth and progress if it does not fundamentally strategize for the future of its children.

It is, therefore, the absolute grundnorm and also morally imperative for every society to imbibe and practices the principles of maxima debetur pueris revential (The greatest respect is due to the children).

The Heraclitian dictum posits that society will always be in a state of flux and conflict. But the rancid intensity of bellicosity in most African nations and the use of our children as child soldiers call for immediate cessation. Child soldiers are teens used by African warlords to prosecute their demonic ambition for power, fame and wealth. The essayist Joseph Conrad (1857-1924) asserts that “All ambitions are lawful except those which climb upwards on the miseries or credulities of mankind”.

In preparing the child soldier for war he is first and foremost indoctrinated and infused with propaganda to psychotically hate the so-called enemy. He is then given a terrorist and sadistic mindset which heightens his sanguinary proclivities. He now becomes an expert in handling all ranges of riffles, missiles and rocket propelled grenades. This prototype and phenomenal monster is let loose on the streets and battle fields under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

With acerbic pungency he becomes an oubliette in the cacophony of gun powder.

The staccatos and flurry of bullets become his resonant poetry. The horrendous decimation of lives, property and raping of his

THIS HIDEOUS CRIME AGAINST CHILDREN IS TURNING OUR WORLD INTO AN UNCONSCIONABLE

COLLECTIVITY WITHOUT SPIRITUALITY, BEATIFIC VISION AND DIVINE AFFLATUS mothers’ age becomes his social tradition. He becomes quintessentially reflective of the Hara-kiri instinct. His naïve and parochial mental binoculars cannot fathom that he is filing the blades of the guillotine that will be used to behead him. The warlord luxuriates in this grotesque childhood drama.

A warlord in most cases masquerades as a revolutionary fighting to liberate his people from oppression, poverty and death. They are usually endowed with the power of oratory. Their popular revolutionary speeches are taken from Karl Marx, Engels, Stalin, Mussolini, Fidel Castro etc. The one from the Chairman Mao Tse Tung runs thus, “A revolution is not the same as inviting people to dinner, or writing an essay, or painting a picture.

A revolution is an insurrection, an act of violence by which one class overthrows another”. He further said “political power grows out of the barrel of the gun”.

There are warlords and there are indeed warlords. Some warlords are genuinely propelled to fight because of obvious political oppression, economic

strangulation, tribal annihilation, social marginalization, religious discriminations and injustice etc. But the use of teens as juvenile soldiers and cannon fodders in the political cannonade of warlords must be discontinued and condemned in no uncertain terms.

This hideous crime against children is turning our world into an unconscionable collectivity without spirituality, beatific vision and divine afflatus. The warlords must opt for the path of dialogue or prosecute their senseless wars without breaching the principles of sic utere tuo alienam non laedas (so use your property as not to damage the property of another).

When the war is over there is an armistice, the African child soldier finds it difficult to live a normal life because of the multifaceted effect of his previous soldier-life.

The sociology and psychology of violent crime must have emasculated his mental vitality. He remains a function of grotesque variables with a predisposition to violent crimes.

The larger society is then prone to his butchery propensities. It is difficult to salvage him from Traumatic Stress Disorders (TSD) and the hyacinth temperaments, because the time spans of his idiosyncratic gestation from childhood through adolescence to old age was defective. He will rather grow from childhood to obsolescence.

We call on the United Nations, African Union etc, to protect the African child from the horrors of war and the ghoulishly bellicose antics of warlords. The idea of warlordism should be discarded. All warlords must be held accountable after the end of the war at the International Court of Justice (ICJ)

for crimes against humanity. All necessary international charter, conventions and legislations protecting the right of the child must be whipped up against them.

The atrocities of the Lords’ Resistance Army in Uganda, perpetrators of the genocide in Burundi, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Somalia, Eritrea; Abubakar Shekau of Boko Haram, leaders of the sadistic Revolutionary United Front (RUF) Army in amputating the hands and legs of innocent children in Sierra Leone; the Sudanese government in the lethal use of the Janjaweed guerillas to annihilate the black Africans in the Darfur region and all the warlords in the seemingly endless war in the Cote d’Ivoire and Congo Democratic Republic must be brought to book. The action against the exLiberian warlord, Charles Taylor must be commended.

Finally, Africa is the continent of the future and the prospect of growth and development is concretely embedded in our ability to channel our every effort towards the development of our children through sound education superimposed in the moral high ground. Our African warlords must be prevailed upon to shun wars and imbibe the concept of dialogue and leave our children alone as the world marks Children’s Day. Happy Children’s Day! Chief Gbinije, founder of Mandate Against Poverty, wrote from Warri.

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

Editorial

18

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

KAFILAT OGBARA

MANAGING DIRECTOR/CEO

BANKOLE MAKINDE

DEPUTY MD/CEO

SEYI FASUGBA

DAILY EDITOR

GBEMI OLUJOBI

SATURDAY EDITOR

KAYODE FASUA

ACTING EDITOR, SUNDAY

AYO OLESIN

GENERAL EDITOR

BEN MEMULETIWON

GENERAL EDITOR

DOZIE OKEBALAMA

COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD

CALLISTUS OKE

EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR

ISE-OLUWA IGE

ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF

FIDELIS LEMCHI OWOAMANAM

REGIONAL DIRECTOR, S/SOUTH

KING ODODORU

HEAD, GRAPHICS

Jonathan, America on Boko Haram

T

he United States of America, apparently in response to President Goodluck Jonathan’s recent outburst in France that the Boko Haram Islamist sect is part of the al Qaeda global terrorist network, insisted that the violent sect that has been terrorizing the country, especially in parts of the North, was not an affiliate of al-Qaeda.

At a summit hosted by President Francois Hollande of France on the security situation in Nigeria, Jonathan was quoted as saying that the group was the “al Qaeda of West Africa.” In attendance at the summit were the presidents of Niger Republic, Republic of Chad, Cameroun and Benin Republic, all of whom are Nigeria’s neighbours. There were also representatives from the US, Britain and the European Union. But a statement credited to the US Consul-General in Lagos early last week quoted America’s Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Wendy Sherman, as saying: “Boko Haram is its own terrorist group, … for the most part, we treat Boko Haram as its own terror organisation…”

We recall, however, that in 2012, the US designated the Boko Haram sect as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO), a step

ALL THE CONDITIONS THAT MADE NIGERIAN SECURITY AGENCIES

NON-PERFORMERS IN THE FIGHT SHOULD ALSO BE DECISIVELY TACKLED in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria which the Jonathan government promptly disowned.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Martin Uhomoibhi, had told the Federal House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by Rep. Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje, in Abuja, that the action was wrong. Quite obvious, however, is the fact that President Jonathan’s fresh insight into Boko Haram’s modus operandi and his designating the militant Islamic sect as Africa’s al Qaeda was spurred by the April 15 abduction of over 234 girls from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State by members of the group. Identified

by Sherman as “the girls of the world, not just of Nigeria”, their abduction has drawn the anger of the world, with protests staged in many countries. Jonathan has

also not only realised and accepted the need for global assistance in the bid to rescue the girls, his trip to France for the security summit and his utterances at the event amplified his desperate search for an end to the insurgency in the country and not just freedom for the abducted girls.

But the Presidency’s reversal of itself after it repudiated the US designation of Boko Haram as an FTO is one of the reasons critics accuse the Jonathan government of being too slow and impotent in tackling the insurgency. Some feel the FG initially played down the Boko Haram threat, believing that the security forces were in control of the situation. One analyst observed, for example, that it wasn’t until more than two weeks after the kidnappings that the Presidency called a meeting of government officials, including the authority of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok to discuss the incident. Even then, the Federal Government was still at a loss as to the whereabouts of the children. The government missed the point when it failed to nip the sect in the bud at its breeding stage. And now that its violent activities are full-blown, the President says he adopted a ‘soft approach’, in addition to

ON THIS DAY May 28, 1975

May 28, 2010

Fifteen West African countries signed the Treaty of Lagos, creating the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a regional group of fifteen West African countries. Its mission is to promote regional economic integration. Considered one of the pillars of the African Economic Community, the organization was founded in order to achieve “collective self-sufficiency” for member states by creating a single large trading bloc.

In West Bengal, India, a train derailment and subsequent collision killed 141 passengers. The Jnaneswari Express derailment occurred in the West Midnapore district of West Bengal, India. It was disputed as to whether sabotage or a bomb caused damage on the railway track, which in turn led to a train’s derailment before an oncoming goods train hit the loose carriages resulting in the deaths of at least 141 passengers.

military operation against the insurgents. But Nigerians know that the government’s military operation, ‘soft approach’ and other short, medium and long term measures meant to curb the insurgency have not been much fruitful. The insurgents are becoming more daring instead of being deterred.

Therefore, it would appear that foreign intelligence, surveillance, investigation and even military presence may be needed for the country to make headway in combating the terrorism in the country. But full blast military presence seems out of the bargain, if the statement credited to Sherman that the US is not “putting boots on the ground” in Nigeria for the girls’ rescue, is anything to go by. In the end, therefore, what Nigeria might benefit from the foreign coalition could just be quality intelligence.

Consequently, since France has shown the way, it would in the long run be the responsibility of Nigeria and its immediate neighbours to put heads together on how best to cooperate and eliminate insurgency in their axis. For, not only Nigeria is at risk. All the conditions that made Nigerian security agencies nonperformers in the fight should also be decisively addressed.

May 28, 2011 Malta voted on the introduction of divorce. The divorce referendum was held to consult the electorate on the introduction of divorce. During the referendum, a majority of the voters gave their approval for the legalisation of divorce. At that time, Malta was one of only three countries in the world, along with the Philippines and the Vatican City, in which divorce was not permitted.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

19

Health & Wellbeing ‘Malnutrition causes irreversible brain damage’ 22

World Health Assembly approves lifetime vaccination for Yellow Fever 21

Watch out for Hepatitis C FRANKA OSAKWE

P

ermanent skin Tattooing has become the fashionable thing for celebrities and fashion lovers in recent times but experts have warned that this could be a lifethreatening fashion trend.

This is because those who undergo skin piercing and tattooing are at high risk of contracting hepatitis C Virus as unsterile tattooing equipment and needles could transmit infectious diseases, such as hepatitis.

Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the virus can cause both acute and chronic hepatitis infection, ranging in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious, lifelong illness.

It is a bloodborne virus and the most common modes of infection are through unsafe injection practices; inadequate sterilization of medical equipment in some health-care settings; and unscreened blood and blood products.

Unlike hepatitis B which is also deadly, hepatitis C has no vaccine and its management is often expensive and most times unsuccessful, which is why a consultant oncologist at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Dr Muhammed Habeeb urged in an exclusive interview with National Mirror that everyone should avoid being infected.

“While the patient may be vaccinated against Hepatitis A and B, to prevent the liver from exposure to them, HCV has no vaccine so the best option is prevention.

“Chronic infection with HCV can lead to liver disease, and a heavy burden is being put on healthcare services as rates of liver disease related to HCV, such as cirrhosis or liver cancer, is on the increase”.

According to the oncologist, 57 per cent of liver cirrhosis cases and 78 per cent of liver cancer result from Hepatitis C Virus (HCV).

“The virus is thought to be carried by as

Those who undergo skin piercing and tattooing are at high risk of contracting hepatitis C

many as 180 million people across the world.

Although treatment may sometimes be successful, it is often accompanied by unpleasant side effects which can lead to people stopping treatment before it’s worked” He explained that the most common means of contracting hepatitis C is through infected blood and blood products.

“The groups at increased risk of Hepatitis C include anyone who has injected drugs, received blood products, had a tattoo or skin piercing, been incarcerated,

POPULATIONS AT INCREASED RISK OF HCV INFECTION • people who inject drugs • recipients of infected blood products or invasive procedures in health-care facilities with inadequate infection control practices • children born to mothers infected with HCV • people with sexual partners who are HCV-infected • people with HIV infection • people who have used intranasal drugs • people who have had tattoos or piercings.

Primary prevention • hand hygiene: including surgical hand preparation, hand washing and use of gloves; • safe handling and disposal of sharps and waste; • safe cleaning of equipment; • testing of donated blood; • improved access to safe blood; • training of health personnel.

Source: WHO

undergoing dialysis, had multiple sex partners or practiced sex in a way which increased the likelihood of blood-to-blood contact or was born to a mother with Hepatitis C” He disclosed that in a very few cases, people have contracted hepatitis C by sharing objects that can have a tiny amount of blood on them, such as a toothbrush, razor, or tools used for manicures.

Unfortunately, hepatitis C may sometimes occur without symptoms (asymptomatic). Dr Habeeb said only about one in four people will have symptoms during the first six months of a hepatitis C infection. This stage is known as acute hepatitis C and symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, anorexia and lethargy. Signs may include jaundice and tender hepatomegaly (the condition of having an enlarged liver).

“After an acute infection, follow-up for at least six months will show whether viral clearance occurs or chronic infection is established.

About 20 per cent of adults with acute HCV infection spontaneously clear the virus within six months, but may remain anti-HCV antibody positive over a vari-

able duration.

Eighty percent of people who become infected with chronic HCV develop chronic infection. Most will develop liver failure and few may develop liver cancer and liver cirrhosis,” he further said.

For chronic hepatitis C, the oncologist said the symptoms could vary from case to case and these may include: feeling tired all the time, headaches, depression, problems with short-term memory, mood swings, indigestion or bloating, joint and muscle aches and pain, itchy skin , flu-like symptoms, abdominal pain, pain in the liver area (which is located in the right upper side of your abdomen).

According to WHO, when treatment is necessary, the goal of hepatitis C treatment should be cure. The cure rate however depends on several factors including the strain of the virus and the type of treatment given.

20

Health & Wellbeing

Nutrition for Health

I

t is vital to be more cautious about the high mercury content in fish. Fish formerly was considered safe instead of meat because of its useful heart healthy sources of high-quality lean protein, vitamin B and essential fatty acids like omega 3 which are good for the brain, heart and eye development in babies and children.

Fish is also low in saturated fats and contains important nutrients such as selenium, vitamin D, magnesium and iron. Fish get omega-3s from microalgae in which smaller fishes consume and are eaten by the carnivorous fish which humans consume. Because the oceans, lakes and rivers have suffered from onslaughts of toxic chemicals as a result of human activities such as mining, burning of waste and hydroelectric dams, mercury levels found in water have drastically increased.

Dr. Mankowski a chemist and long time associate of mines noted in his report that, “worldwide, the heavy metal with the highest accumulation rate is mercury.

It is also the most difficult to chelate or extract from the blood”.

She has traced this mercury accumulation to the intake of fish.

Bacteria in the water cause chemical changes that transform mercury into methyl mercury and fish absorb these toxic substances from water as they feed on other aquatic organisms. When consumed by humans can be very toxic.

Adult exposure to methyl-mercury can result in numbness, tingling in the extremities, hormonal imbalance, central nervous system problems, which includes anxiety, depression, confusion, irritability, insecurity, phobias and fatigue.

Exposure to a developing fetus or young child can result in neurological abnormalities such as slow development, learning problems or brain damage. Long-term exposure to mercury can cause permanent

damage to the e brain and kidneys of frail persons of any age. Oftentimes, entimes, central nervous rvous system damage mage caused by merercury poisoning ng is irreversible.

Looking at all these negative gative effects however wever, there are some exceptions, and nd the solution is to understand what types of fish are the he least contaminated.

The types of fish that tend to suffer the least amount unt of toxic contamination happen to be some of the best sources of fat and antioxidants. Examples are sardine, tilapia, crab (domestic), crayfish, croaker (atlantic), oyster, etc. Fish with moderate mercury levels are: catfish, cod fish, Lobster, tuna, sea trout, etc. Those with highest in mercury levels are King Mackerel, Swordfish, tilefish, Shark. Larger fish which consume smaller fish tend to have highest mercury levels.

According to the US Food and

Glossary of commonly used dental terms

Continued From Last Week • Preventative treatment : Any action taken by the patient, assisted by the dentist, hygienist, and the office staff that serves to prevent dental or other disease. Sealants, cleanings and space maintainers are examples of preventative treatment.

• Primary teeth : The first set of teeth that humans get, lasting until the permanent teeth come in.

Also referred to as baby teeth.

• Prophylactic odontonomy : A procedure done to a tooth to remove decalcified areas that are susceptible to decay, exposing healthy tooth structure.

• Prophylaxis : The scaling and polishing procedure performed to remove calculus, plaque, and stains from the crowns of the teeth.

• Prosthesis : (DENTAL) Any device or appliance replacing one or more missing teeth.

• Prosthodontics : The dental specialty dealing with the replacement of missing teeth and other oral structures.

• Pulp : The hollow chamber inside the crown of the tooth that contains its nerves and blood vessels.

• Pulpotomy : The removal

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

High mercury content in fish: Choose wisely!

Chizoba Nwobu chizobanwobu@yahoo.com 08065651922 (sms only)

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

of a portion of the tooth’s pulp.

Q • Quadrant : The dental term for the division of the jaws onto four parts, begging at the midline of the arch and extending towards the last tooth in the back of the mouth. There are four quadrants in the mouth; each quadrant generally contains five to eight teeth.

R • Rebase : The process of refitting a denture by replacing the base material.

• Receded gums : A condition characterized by the abnormal loss of gum tissue due to infection or bone loss.

• Referral : When a dental patient is sent to another dentist, usually a specialist, for treatment or consultation.

• Reline : The process of resurfacing the tissue side of a denture with a base material.

• Replantation : The return of a tooth to its socket.

• Resorption : The breakdown and assimilation of the bone that supports the tooth, i.e., bone loss.

• Restoration : Any material or devise used to replace lost tooth structure (filling, crown) or to replace a lost tooth or teeth (bridge, dentures, complete or partial).

• Retainer : A removable dental appliance, usually used in orthodontics, that maintains space between teeth or holds teeth in a fixed position until the bone solidifies around them.

• Retrograde filling : A method of sealing the root canal by preparing and filling it from the root tip, generally done at the completion of an apiocoectomy.

• Ridge enhancement : (bone replacement) The placement of a synthetic bone material, or freeze dried bone, inserted immediately after an extraction into the socket of the tooth. This is done to prevent collapsing of the surrounding bone.

• Root : The part of the tooth below the crown , normally encased in the jawbone. It is made up of dentin, includes the root canal, and is covered by cementum.

• Root Canal : The hollow part of the tooth’s root. It runs from the tip of the root into the pulp.

• Root canal therapy : The process of treating disease or inflammation of the pulp or root canal. This involves removing the pulp and root’s nerve(s) and filling the canal(s) with and appropriate material to permanently seal it.

• Root planning : The process of scaling and planing exposed root surfaces to remove all calculus, plaque, and infected tissue.

S • Scaling : A procedure used to remove plaque, calculus, and

Drug administration “pregnant women or women who may become pregnant, nursing mothers and young children can safely eat up to 12 ounces per week of cooked fish purchased in restaurants and stores, if they choose a variety of different species such as shellfish, canned fish, smaller ocean fish, or farm-raised fish”.

By choosing wisely therefore, thebenefitsof adiethighinfishcanstill outweigh the risks. Purchase fish that are smaller and younger, non-predator,

nonno fatty and avoid those that are long-lived and larger in size and then limit the number of meals you eat of certain fish each week or month. You may also introduce more plant-based omega-3s to your diet.

The American Journal of Preventive Medicine however says that “no one should cut fish out of their diet altogether because fish contains too many healthy nutrients that are essential for growth and development, especially in pregnant women and their babies”.

ORAL HEALTH CARE Dr. Samuel Awosolu Samawosolu@yahoo.co.

08108155239 stains from the teeth.

• Sealant : A composite material used to seal the decay-prone pits, fissures, and grooves of teeth to prevent decay.

• Six-year molar : The first permanent tooth to erupt, usually between the ages of five and six.

• Socket : The hole in the jawbone which to tooth fits.

• Space maintainer : A dental appliance that fills the space of a lost tooth or teeth and prevents the other teeth from moving into the space. Used especially in orthodontic and pediodontic treatment.

• Stainless steel crown : A pre-made metal crown, shaped like a tooth, that is used to temporarily cover a seriously decayed or broken down tooth. Used most often on children’s teeth.

• Subgingival scaling : The removal of calculus and plaque found on the tooth below the gum line.

• Supra gingival scaling : The removal of calculus and plaque found on the tooth below the gum line.

• Systemic : Relating to the whole body.

T • Tartar : see calculus.

• Temporomandiblar joint (TMJ) : The connecting hinge mechanism between the upper jaw and the base of the skull.

• Third molar : The last of the three molar teeth, also called wisdom teeth. There are four third molars, two in the lower jaw two in the upper jaw, on each side.

• Torus : A bony elevation of normal bone. Usually seen on the upper palate behind the front teeth or under the tongue inside the lower jaw.

• Treatment plan : A list of work that the dentist proposes to perform on a dental patient based on the result s of the x-rays, exam, and diagnosis. Often more than one treatment plan is presented.

V • Veneer : An artificial filling material, usually plastic, composite, or porcelain, that is used to provide an anesthetic covering over the visible surface of a tooth.

Most often used on front teeth.

W • Wisdom teeth : See third molar.

End. CLASSIFICATIONS OF DENTAL CARIES CLASS I - occlusal decay CLASS II - interproximal decay CLASS III - on anterior teeth, interproximal surfaces, but not involving the incisal surface.

CLASS IV - lesion on the interproximal surface and involving the incisal surface of the incisor or cuspid CLASS V - caries on the gingival 1/3 of the tooth, and below the height of contour on the labial, facial, and lingual surfaces of the teeth.

CLASS VI - cavities in the incisal edges and smooth surfaces of teeth above the height of contour.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

21

World Health Assembly approves lifetime vaccination for Yellow Fever MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

T

he World Health Assembly, WHA, has approved lifetime vaccination for Yellow Fever. The decision was part of over 20 resolutions passed by the 67th WHA, supreme decision-making body of WHO concluded at the weekend in Geneva, Switzerland.

WHA’s decision on Yellow Fever therefore means everyone vaccinated against the disease can now live the rest of their lives immune to the disease.

Yellow fever is an acute systemic illness - a hemorrhagic fever transmitted by mosquito Aedes aegypti, and some other species. Citizens of some countries of the world, including Nigeria, are required to be vaccinated before they are allowed into other countries. Many Nigerians were humiliated in South Africa in 2012 as a result of absence of certificate on vaccination against the disease resulting in a diplomatic row between the two countries before it was amicably settled.

Before WHA’s lifetime endorsement, anyone vaccinated against the disease was assumed to be protected for 10 years. Part of the resolution of the WHA made available by World Health Organization, WHO, said: “Yellow fever is a disease specified in the International Health Regulations (2005) for which countries may require proof

of vaccination from travellers as a condition of entry under certain circumstances, and may take certain measures if an arriving traveller does not have this certificate in his possession.

“The Health Assembly adopted revised provisions on yellow fever vaccination or revaccination under the International Health Regulations (2005). These include extending the validity of a certificate of vaccination against yellow fever from 10 years to the extent of the life of the vaccinated person.

The revised provisions are based on the recommendations of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on immunization following its scientific review and analysis of evidence,” the body said.

Besides, WHA, while setting new post-2015 Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, agenda, approved the extension of health-related MDGs. Though there was no specific time given for the attainment of the goals, WHA expressed belief that member countries would further intensify efforts to ensure the realization of the MDGs. WHO said of WHA’s position on MDGs: “Member States approved a resolution on health in the post-2015 development agenda, stressing the need for ongoing engagement in the process of setting the agenda. This includes a need to complete the unfinished work of the health Millennium Develop-

ment Goals, newborn health, as well as an increased focus on non-communicable diseases, mental health and neglected tropical diseases.

The resolution also stresses the importance of universal health coverage and the need to strengthen health systems.

“Accountability through regular assessment of progress by strengthening civil registration, vital statistics and health information systems are crucial. Member States emphasized the importance of having health at the core of the post-2015 development agenda,” the global health body added. Besides, WHA has set the target of less-than-one-percent

reduction of newborn and stillborn deaths, globally.

This means that Nigerian government and its local and international supporters must work harder to bring the figures which are still very high for both to those targets.

WHO notes that “The first-ever global plan to end preventable newborn deaths and stillbirths by 2035 calls for all countries to aim for fewer than 10 newborn deaths per 1000 live births and less than 10 stillbirths per 1000 total births by 2035.

“Every year, almost 3 million babies die in the first month of life and 2.6 million babies are stillborn (die in the last 3 months of

pregnancy or during childbirth). Most of these deaths could be prevented by costeffective interventions. The Plan’s goals will require every country to invest in highquality care before, during and after childbirth for every pregnant woman and newborn and highlights the urgent need to record all births and deaths,” WHO stressed.

Meanwhile, member countries of the body have agreed to ensure availability of essential medicines to their people.

Essential medicines for every country depend on prevailing health needs of such countries. For instance, since Nigeria is endemic with malaria and maternal and child health challenges, it is expected that

NGO sets to empower people living with HIV SAIDAT ALAUSA

A

Rotary Club of Ibadan, Jerico Metro, conducting free eye test on students of St. Teresa High School in Ibadan, reecently.

PHOTO: NAN

OAU, UNAAB, others get World Bank’s $150m for health research, others MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

T

he World Bank has challenged African universities to dwell more on researches that affect the lives of people of the continent and thereby reducing the continent’s dependence on developed climes.

The bank said this at the launch of its “Centres of Excellence”, for some Sub-Saharan universities, dominated

by Nigeria recently. World Bank is supporting the project with $150 million, which it expects to help the beneficiaries conduct more research into reduction of maternal and child mortality, disease prevention and control, sanitation and water, agriculture among other pertinent essentials of human lives.

Speaking at the launch of the project, comprising delegations of universities from Nigeria, Ghana, Benin,

Burkina-Faso among others in the sub-region, World Bank Country Director, Marie Marie-Nelly said the institutions should see the opportunity as a platform to compete with the rest of the world in various research that touch on human lives.

Marie-Nelly, represented by Prof Foluso Okumadewa, said the objective of the project was to promote regional specialization among participating universities in areas that address specific and common regional development challenges.

Some of the universities are: University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun state; Bayero University, Kano; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife; University of Jos and Redeemers’ University.

She informed that science, technology and mathematicsrelated specializations were being focused in the project.

“You may want to ask, why is the support to ad-

drugs for the treatment of the conditions will not be difficult to be procured from the countries that produce them.

WHO succinctly put the decision thus: “WHO’s strategy to help countries improve access to essential medicines was approved. Key principles include selecting a limited range of medicines on the basis of the best evidence available, efficient procurement, affordable prices, effective distribution systems, and rational use.

The WHO essential medicines list was recognized as a valuable tool that enables countries to identify a core set of medicines which need to be available to provide quality medical care.

vanced studies in science, technology and mathematics-related disciplines so critically important in Africa?

Take the examples of Benin, Burkina Faso, and Cameroon, less than 6% of the higher education graduates are in engineering and technology fields. More than 50% are in social sciences, business and law. This share of science graduates is not enough to help Africa’s fastgrowing economy to diversify and be able to sustain strong growth in future. Who will build the water and sanitation systems, roads, and take Africa fully into the digital age?

We need to train young people that can strengthen the continent’s capacity in science, technology, engineering and math.

“It is not by coincidence that the Asian tiger countries have more than 40% of the young people learning about Science and Technology.

This Africa Centres of Excellence project will invest over 70 million in building capacity to train the future generation of Science and Technology graduates. That is what is needed to create African Lions. Effects of the project, according to her, will impact health, agriculture among others.

“While this project alone will not solve Africa’s problem and poverty today, it

will help to lay the real long term foundations for development. That means educating and training African children and youth.

Through the education of thousands of talented Nigerians and West African youth into scientist, this Africa Centres of Excellence project will generate Africa capacity to solve African problems,” she added.

non-profit organisation, Jewel Empowerment Foundation (JEF) has announced plans to organise a two-week vocational workshop for indigent people living with HIV and help curb the growing incidence of stigmatisation in the country, The theme of the workshop, “Curb the stigma, Give relevance,” according to the organisers is to make a long lasting positive realignment in the lives of young people living with HIV. Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, the President of the foundation, Fisayo Ajisola said the organisation is concerned about helping people discover and rediscover their hidden potentials, which will as a result make them skilful, independent and responsible in the society.

“The programme is borne out of the passion to eradicate all forms of stigmatisation and segregation faced by people living with HIV,” she said.

Firm advocates regular BP for hypertension control SEKINAH LAWAL

A

phar maceutical company, New Heights Pharma Ltd., has advocated the need for regular blood pressure monitoring by the Nigerian public as an effective control strategy to prevent the high prevalence of Hypertension in the country.

During a media parley held to commemorate the World Hypertension Day recentlythe company’s managing director, Pharma, Ogheneochuko Omaruaye, said: “We decided to add our voice to the movement for proper monitoring of blood pressure because trends of prevalence suggest that it has increased in economically developing countries

in recent years while it remained stable or decreased in developed countries.”

“The purpose of the World Hypertension Day, usually held on May 17th, is to promote public awareness of hypertension and to encourage citizens of all countries to prevent and control this silent killer, the modern epidemic. According to WHO report, one in three adults has hypertension.”

22

Health & Wellbeing

Every day, thousands of Nigerian children die from malnutrition. For those that survive, Prof. Ngozi Nnam, President, Nutrition Society Of Nigeria says they tend to develop ‘an insult in the brain’, this means that the brain is stunted and the IQ reduced by at least 13.5 points. She speaks more on the danger of malnutrition in this interview with FRANKA OSAKWE. Excerpts

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

‘Malnutrition causes irreversible brain damage’ A WELL NOURISHED CHILD WILL PERFORM BETTER IN SCHOOL,

MORE EFFECTIVELY FIGHT OFF DISEASE AND DEVELOP HIS FULL POTENTIAL AS

To many people, malnutrition has to do with a child not having enough food to eat and he looks so thin. Is that all there is to the condition?

AN ADULT

No. This is a condition that occurs when there is a deficiency of certain vital nutrients in a child’s diet which may affect the growth, physical health, behaviour and other functions of the body. Malnutrition can also occur in children when a child’s diet does not contain equal proportion of the nutrients. This might mean the diet is high in calories but deficient in vitamins and minerals. In this second instance, the child might look overweight but is actually malnourished. So being malnourished does not necessarily mean the child will look thin.

At the completion of six months, breast milk alone is not sufficient to meet the child’s nutritional needs. The child will need complimentary food to fill the gap between the total nutritional needs of the child and the amounts provided by breast milk. The mum should start with porridge made from any of the local staples such as rice, maize, millet, sorghum, yam, potatoes, and plantain. The porridge should be thick enough to stay easily on the spoon. Thin porridges that could be fed from a feeding bottle, or drunk from a cup should be discouraged.

She can start by giving one or two teaspoons of porridge twice a day as the new food may surprise the baby, then gradually add legumes, animal foods, vegetables and fruits, but continue breastfeeding. She should Increase the quantity of porridge and vary the presentation of food as the child gets older.

What is the prevalence rate of malnutrition in Nigeria?

The 2013 report by the federal ministry of health, for instance, shows that 41 percent of Nigerian children less than five years are stunted as a result of malnutrition. Also the last National Demographic and Health survey (NDHS) shows acute malnutrition level as high as 53 percent in the North-West, 49 percent in the North-East and 22 percent in the south-east. This figures makes Nigeria one of the six countries globally that account for half of all child death from malnutrition.

What are the effects of malnutrition in children?

Poor nutrition in the infancy period predisposes the child to chronic diseases in adulthood. During this period, a child is likely to die from micronutrient deficiency diseases and common illnesses such as pneumonia, diarrhoea and malaria due to weak immune system.

Inability to provide adequate nutrient for proper development of the brain leads to insult to the brain – reduces IQ by 13.5 points; it leads to stunted brain and stunted development which translates to stunted nation. The effect is irreversible. Malnutrition has continued to be a major health issue in Nigeria, being the major cause of Child death annually. Those that suffer beyond the age of five, suffer lifelong physical and cognitive impairments. A well nourished child will perform better in school, more effectively fight off disease and develop his full potential as an adult.

The physical signs of malnutrition are; Stunting, Underweight, Wasting, Kwashiokor, Marasmus.

You once emphasised the importance of nutrition in a child’s first 1000 days. How important is this?

The first 1000 days is the Period when foundation for physical and mental development of the child is laid. It is the periods of growth spurt when cells, tissues and organs

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Severely malnurished child

are developed and bones are formed. So, this is a critical window of opportunity to provide the child with adequate nutrition for proper growth and development. This is when infants and children are most vulnerable and at greater risk of malnutrition leading to stunting, wasting, underweight and micronutrient deficiencies.

Again, Up to 70 percent of brain development happens during pregnancy, 15 percent during the first one year of life and almost completed by second birthday. At least 50 brain neuro-transmitters are affected by the intake of nutrients in the first 1000days.

This period starts when the child is inside the womb to the second birth day. Nutrition can affect your baby’s development, health and well being for the rest of their lives.

There are four key stages in the first 1000 days; pregnancy, breastfeeding, weaning and toddler stage.

Good nutrition is needed during the pregnancy period, for adequate brain development. Without adequate nutrition, the child is at risk of developing various chronic noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and obesity later in life. With adequate nutrition, a mother to be can prevent small pelvis, obstructed labour, low birth weight babies and possible death of foetus.

Why so much emphasis on breast milk? conception. This is because some micronutrients like folate and iodine will affect the foetus. Some nutrients such as protein, iron, folate, iodine, fatty acids and carbohydrates are needed for proper brain development.

As the foetus develops, adequate supply of all the nutrients is needed to meet the needs of the growing foetus. It is important for the mum to take a lot of fruits, vegetables and protein sources.

After birth, exclusive breast feeding should be given to the baby for the first six months, followed by supplementary diets containing necessary nutrients such as protein, iron, folate, iodine, fatty acids and carbohydrates.

What are the nutrients needed for a child’s brain development?

Adequate Nutritional intake for a mum to be should begin before and shortly after

Nnam

Breast milk is nature’s perfect food for babies. It is a complete food able to meet the nutritional needs of the infant and sustain the rapid growth and development of the baby.

It contains anti-infective factors, which protect the baby against infection. Breast milk contains approximately: 3.80 percent fat, 1.20 percent protein, 7.00 percent lactose, 0.21 percent ash, 87.60 percent water.

Mothers should start breastfeeding within the first 30 minutes after birth to allow the baby take colostrum – the yellow and thick milk secreted for the first few days after delivery. Colostrum contains more antibodies and white blood cells than later milk. It gives the baby the first immunization against bacteria and virus.

Babies should be positioned properly to ensure the mouth is well placed on the nipple and the brown area surrounding the nipple. Allow the baby to suck enough on one breast to assess the milk which is concentrated before putting him on the other breast.

Mothers should practice frequent, ondemand breastfeeding day and night – this helps the milk to flow very well.

If mother has to miss a breastfeed, she can maintain her supply by expressing milk, which can be fed by cup during her absence. Expressed breast milk is safe for up to 8 hours at room temperature. If refrigerated or frozen, it may be safe for up to 24 hours. Mothers should be on nutritionally adequate diet to facilitate breast milk production.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

23

Arts Lounge

Why I quit oil job for writing –Ayo Dada 25

Presidency assists ailing Nollywood star

26

Technology drives new distribution platforms in arts

Like every facet of life, technology is transforming the way art is practised and perceived, opening new frontiers people never dreamt of:

Online platfrom iROKO TV

Olawale Oluwadahunsi

R

emember vividly a hilarious commercial used by one of the commercial banks in Nigeria! A man from the village dressed in Igbo regalia walked into a bank expecting to receive the money sent by his son from overseas. The chief was hoping to wait for the usual five hours, but received his money in about five minutes! In a raving awe, he shouted to the amazement of everyone “Just like that?”

The cashier that attended to him replied “Just like that”. The man continued looking in astonishment at the tastefully furnished banking hall with several computers and shouted even more “Hmm! TE-C-H-I-N-O-L-O-G-Y” and everyone burst into laughter.

In the same vein, technology has found its way into the art world transforming almost every aspect of it from production to distribution.

In the music industry, so many songs and albums were produced and distributed in flat, round-shaped disks popularly known as records and tapes. I remember vividly that I particularly loved the artistic designs that adorn the front and back cover of Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s records.

Also, tapes or cassettes with long thin plastic films are used and they are played with radio cassette recorders. However, in the early nineties, the introduction of technology through continuous research developed the technique of using compact discs (CDs) and Digital Versatile Discs (DVDs) to compress songs and albums. This was very much embraced with both hands by everyone because the use of records was quite cumbersome to carry. Also, it does not contain enough space to embed enough files in it.

In the movie industry, around the sixties, seventies and eighties, the only avenue where films could be watched were in the cinemas and film houses especially on weekends and public holidays. These films are usually shown thrice daily. There is usually long queue of people at these cinemas who buy tickets before or on the day. This method of getting entertained through movies is quite interesting as it encourages togetherness among friends, families and couples. This is method, though the oldest, is still being practiced till today as technological research can only make it more comfortable by innovating improved facilities for sound and other

Online streaming platforms

technicalities but not creating products that can replace it or make it a once upon a time event. This can also be said of stage drama where people go to watch plays.

Technology can only improve the standard of facilities which is manifesting already in the wonderful effects of light and sound to the awesome admiration of the audience. This is to make the drama more appreciated, valued and memorable.

For individual view and appreciation, research in technological advancement introduced the use of video cassettes. The video cassettes were used to record, mass produce and distribute films, so that everyone can watch films in the comfort of their homes. They are inserted into video players to be played. However too, this was a burden to transport about as it is quite heavy in recent times. I remember that a neighbor close to me used to buy films to watch during leisure time especially every weekend. It got to a point that the video cassettes filled two big travel bags. It was so marveling. However, just like the music industry, the advent of CDs and DVDs through technology has ‘made life easy’.

Book publishing and marketing of art materials by artists like paintings, textile artworks, photography and sculpture are not left out from the current wind of change technology exudes. Books, from time immemorial, are produced by publishing houses, marketed on television, newspapers and radio houses, and sold to bookshops and schools (if they are educational materials), by direct contact between individuals. So also are artworks. Artists usually hold exhibitions to promote and

Jason Njoku and Bastian Gotter

sell their crafts. They attract the populace by advertising their exhibitions before time in media houses. They also make sure they use choice places locations to attract the ‘right’ kind of people to buy their art works.

In the early 2000s, technology went a step further to influence the distribution of art materials by introducing MP3s, Mp4s and the internet. This is otherwise now as online distribution. . The development of audio compression file formats such as MP3, allows users to compress music files into a high quality format, compressed down to usually a 3 Megabyte (MB) file A wonderful attribute of online distribution is its constant and uninterrupted directness. Through this medium, an artist can get their work into the public sphere of interest easily with potentially minimum business overhead. This often leads to cheaper goods for the consumer, increased profits for the artists, as well as increased artistic freedom.

Online distribution also opens the door to new business models. For instance, an artist could release one track from an album or one chapter from a book at a time instead of waiting for them all to be com-

In addition to providing global users with easier access to content, online stores allow users to choose the songs they wish instead of having to purchase an entire album

pleted. This either gives them money to help continue their projects or warns that their work is not financially viable. This is hopefully done before they have spent excessive money and time on a project deemed unviable.

There is some controversy surrounding whether online distribution should be considered a positive or negative for the various media industries. However, the rise of online distribution has upset the traditional business models and resulted in challenges as well as new opportunities for traditional retailers and publishers. One of such controversies is piracy. With piracy affecting sales, the music and movie industry in Nigeria are still in a hot battle to make sure it is checked totally as it circumvents the sales that originally belongs to the artistes, to the pirates.

The transition into the online space has boosted sales, and profit for some artists.

It has also allowed for potentially lower expenses such as lower coordination costs, lower distribution costs, as well as the possibility for redistributed total profits. These lower costs have aided new artists in breaking onto the scene and gaining recognition.

In the past, some emerging artistes have struggled to find a way to market themselves and compete in the various distribution channels.

The Internet may give artists more control over their music in terms of ownership, rights, creative process, pricing, and more.

In addition to providing global users with easier access to content, online stores allow users to choose the songs they wish instead of having to purchase an entire album from which there may only be one or two titles that the buyer enjoys.

On television, one of the major changes to traditional television is that almost all network shows are now available online.

YouTube, Amazon, and other Internet based video services allow users to watch network shows on demand on their computers. Also, MTN DoBox and Afrinolly are applications that can be used to watch films online.

The phenomenon of books going digital has given users the ability to access their books on handheld digital book readers.

One benefit of electronic book readers is that they allow users to access additional content via hypertext links. These electronic book readers also give users portability for their books since a reader can hold multiple books depending on the size of its hard drive.

24

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

VOICES

A peek inside Nigeria’s film industry Sandra O yewole

I

n April 2012, it was reported that the US hedge fund, Tiger Global Management, had invested $8 million in iROKOtv, the world’s largest online distributor of licensed Nollywood films. This substantial injection of funds to scale-up iROKOtv’s video streaming operations was testimony to the growing international prominence of Nigeria’s film industry. Nollywood, as Nigeria’s film industry is popularly known, produces on average 1500 films per year. This makes it the largest film industry in Africa and globally, second only to Bollywood. The industry’s phenomenal growth in the last two decades is nothing short of incredible.

Nigeria’s film industry was born many decades ago. It comprises English language films (Nollywood), the Yoruba film industry, the Kano film industry (Kannywood) which produces films in Hausa, Igbo language films as well as those in other indigenous languages of Nigeria. The direct-to-video (VHS, VCD and DVD) distribution system which is a hallmark of Nollywood was triggered in 1992 with the film Living in Bondage, the first commercially successful movie shot straight-to-video. It heralded a new era of Nigerian filmmaking demonstrating what could be achieved with few resources and lowering barriers to entry for many talented filmmakers.

Nigeria’s diverse cultural traditions and lifestyles (180 million people, 300 tribes and some 500 languages), offer a wealth of material from which the country’s filmmakers skillfully draw to recount simple stories of daily life that resonate with Nigerians, as well as audiences sharing a similar culture and heritage across Africa and the African diaspora. These colourful and entertaining stories capture the imagination of audiences; they echo

their life-experiences, feature a strong moral theme and yes, juju (black magic). Newer generations of filmmakers, however, are focusing on harder-hitting social issues such as rape (Tango with Me), domestic abuse (Ije) and cancer (Living Funeral). Nollywood is recognised as an expression of the depth and breadth of Africa’s cultural diversity. It is enabling Africans to tell their own story.

Although Nollywood’s distinctive story-telling holds broad appeal, the films produced have tended to be of low technical quality. Films with predictable storylines have been churned out according to tried and tested formulae. For many years, filmmakers made films without a formal script, with actors simply making up their lines as they went along. In recent years however, filmmakers are working hard to shed amateur practices and placing greater emphasis on enhancing the quality of films produced.

To a large extent, the Nigerian film industry remains informal with a structure that is understood and that works for its filmmakers. It is a notorious fact that in spite of Nigeria’s copyright law, which expressly provides for written contracts to prove ownership of films, chain of title (the bundle of documents that prove ownership of the rights in a film) has not been an important factor in raising film finance in Nigeria. This can be attributed to the operations of Nigerian film marketers who have for many years monopolized the business of financing, producing and distributing English language films in Nigeria. The marketers operate networks of shops and other outlets and wield significant in-

Oyewole

fluence over which films are made and sold. Revenues are almost exclusively derived from home video rentals and sales and this has, to a large extent, worked in their interests. It is this model that helped catapult Nollywood on to the world stage.

The industry’s informality and the

TO A LARGE EXTENT, THE NIGERIAN FILM INDUSTRY REMAINS INFORMAL WITH A STRUCTURE THAT IS UNDERSTOOD AND THAT WORKS FOR ITS FILMMAKERS

absence of a plan, outlining how to capture a return on investment, has deterred other forms of private financing and closed the door on potentially lucrative distribution opportunities in overseas markets where chain of title is a prerequisite. However in recent years, filmmakers, independent of the marketers have begun to emerge. These filmmakers, with business proposals, the right contacts and perseverance, are able to secure finance from public and private sources. Several of films produced by these independent filmmakers also have the required chain of title agreements in place. Quite a few are now being premiered in Nigerian cinemas and selected countries around the world. The theatrical release means that filmmakers can now derive revenue from ticket sales.

In the 1980s, Nigeria’s cinema-going culture went into decline, triggering the phenomenal growth of direct-tovideo production mentioned earlier.

At that time, television broadcasting of Nigerian films was very limited.

This, coupled with rampant piracy and the poor quality of outputs, significantly dampened revenue generating opportunities. The launch of the first Africa Magic Channel on Digital Satellite Television (DStv) in 2003 and the opening of Silverbird Cinemas in 2004, however, went a long way in improving the distribution channels and revenue streams available to Nigerian filmmakers. The National Film and Video Censors Board has to date licensed up to 80 fee paying cinemas and DStv now has 8 Africa Magic fee-paying channels broadcasting Nigerian films in the languages of 53 countries. In 2011, the launch of iROKOtv’s video streaming platform created additional incomegenerating and distribution opportunities for filmmakers.

Sandra Oyewole, an intellectual property lawyer, is Partner, Olajide Oyewole LLP

MEMORABLE READS Which author is your favourite?

René Lodge Brabazon Raymond. That is the man commonly known as James Hadley Chase. As you know, he was the best thriller writer of his era.

What do you like about him?

I marvel at his style when it comes to thrillers. I respect his descriptive ability. It leaves the reader with a lot in visuals. I often tell people that his description has the ‘visual element’. As a film maker, I am impressed by his works, and after watching some of his films, I feel a lot could still be done about them He was a great writer.

Which of his works left a lot of impact on you?

IFEANYI ONYEABOR Film Director

All his works did. In fact, I grew up on his works. I was drawn to reading by his works. When you read his books, you realise that each is unique: suspense-filled, action-packed. There is never a dull moment. He used his books to capture the essence of a good movie.

Which of his books is your favouite?

‘No Orchid for Miss Blandish’, ‘I’ll Bury My Dead’, ‘Tell It to the Birds’…In fact there is something unique about his books.

What is your annual budget for books?

I don’t have. I cannot put a figure to what I read. But reading means a lot to me.

You do not like African writers?

I love them. I read them, but I love Chase.

If Onyeabor writes a book what would be its theme?

It will be on the art of filmmaking. It will be on the movie industry. In fact, I am working on something in that regards.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

25

ARTISTE UNCENSORED

Why I quit oil job for writing

–Ayo Dada

Charles Ayo Dada, recognises his passion for poetry. That is why he is offering this gift through his new publication, ‘The Sage’.

To reward his creativity, ‘Ghost of Zina’ has been widely studied in the academic circles

Olawale Oluwadahunsi “It’s a collection of written thoughts of a wise man, first visualised with deep sense of understanding, creativity and spirituality to different endeavor and dealings of mankind. It is the meeting point of truth, light and wisdom”. The book which is budding radiantly like Charles’ other publications was recently presented to the First Lady of Lagos State, Dame Abimbola Fashola. She gave a wonderful applause to the book particularly for its spirituality and ingenuity. He noted “The first lady loves the book for its spirituality. She is a very spiritual person”. The book, borne out of a fifteen year ‘outrageous’ research with inspiration from the author’s privileged childhood tour of cities and cultures including the Arab, Americas and other French territories, including his previous painful experiences due to life’s unpredictable twist.

Born on October 13, 1971 in Brussels, Belgium, he had grown up to know nothing but life in the diplomatic circles. The son of a former Nigerian Ambassador to Belgium was exposed to the bubble of a chauffeur-driven life and parties his dad hosted for the crème de la crème of host countries. But with all the splendour, he wanted more; which is to be fulfilled with his inner passion. His quest to explore the essence of his blood flow, ‘creativity through the imaginative exploration of the pen’ led him to quit a mouth-watering job with Mobil Oil Producing Company as an accountant.

He recalls: “This was my dad’s idea of a proper, more rewarding job. But I wanted something else. I couldn’t handle the monotony, doing the same thing every day.

MIDWEEK JUMP

both locally and internationally.

University of Lagos, Lagos State University, Redeemers’ University, Obafemi Awolowo University, Covenant University, Babcock University, among others have explored the aura

of the book’s poetic resplendence There was no human engagement whatsoever in the job. I was just grappling with figures. I was so sick and tired with them.

There was nothing creative. What I was doing had no life of its own. There was no sense of fulfilment. Why does a human being have to grapple with figures?”

However, the inspiration from a heart break of an ex-dear girlfriend, led him to scribble down over two thousand poems,

Dada

from which he culled about sixty for a poetry collection. In his words, “It was a painful experience; I thought the relationship will never end”. Reeling from a cocktail of both psychological and physical trauma, he had reasoned that it would be nice to “leave a legacy for whoever would find my dead body one day”; hardly did he know that the book will enlighten his path to stardom in the world of arts.

The book, ‘Ghost of Zina’ vetted by renowned playwright, Professor Karen King Aribisala, of the University of Lagos, gave a new outlook to the world of poetry because of its simplicity and creative imagination. It’s a book that will keep any literature greenhorn to the edge of the seat, with eyes glued to its heart rendering pages. To reward his creativity, ‘Ghost of Zina’ has been widely studied in the academic circles both locally and internationally. University of Lagos, Lagos State University, Redeemers’ University, Obafemi Awolowo University, Covenant University, Babcock University, among others have explored the aura of the book’s poetic resplendence

Amaka Igwe: Life and times of Nollywood icon

Olamide, Burna Boy for Lasgidi Concert 2014

The Creative Entrepreneurs Association of Nigeria (CEAN) with the support of the British Council, Nigeria will hold Creative Enterprise Sessions, dedicated to the memory of Amaka Igwe, one of Nigeria’s foremost film producers, writers, directors and a leading player in the motion picture industry on Wednesday, May 28, 2014 from 10:00 am. It holds at British Council office in Lagos.

Lasgidi All-Star will take place at the Bespoke Centre, Lekki on May 29, 2014. Some of the superstar performances expected to grace the stage include: Olamide, Burna Boy, Wizkid, Sean Tizzle, Mavin All-Star, EMEAll-Star, Oritse Femi, Burna Boy Waje, Alabai, Davido & HKN Gang, Orezi, Ice Prince, Chidinma and others.

Lasgidi All-Star Concert is designed to celebrate the arts and music of Nigerian origin and it is packaged to become one of the biggest nights in Nigerian music. The concert was rebranded from Ikeja All-Star Concert.

Igwe

Dada

both in research and drama. In a dramatic consonance, the book was nominated for the Pat Utomi Literary award (a national award) which he narrowly lost in 2006.

Due to the success of his first published work, he was given the opportunity to publish a culturally integrating book, ‘Retold Retouched: Three Tales of The Tortoise’, written by Mr Segun Sofowote in 2007. The book was recognised with a NOMA publishing award nomination, the only Nigerian nomination for publishing in Africa that year.

Wajo holds at Freedom Park

Freedom Park

Wajo is a platform for diverse dance expressions.

It’s a gathering of dance professionals and otherwise. It is a monthly event that makes available different dance genres to dance lovers and enthusiasts. It is also a networking opportunity. It’s free entry and holds on the 29th of May, at Freedom Park, Lagos Island.

26

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FAR AND NEAR

Presidency assists ailing Nollywood star Ngozi Emedolibe

F

inally, succour has come the way of Nollywood artiste, Chike Bryan, who was diagnosed with kidney failure from the Presidency. Bryan, the National President of the Screen Writers Guild of Nigeria, SWGN, has been ailing for nearly eight months, after it was detected in a Lagos hospital that his kidneys were failing.

But after a delegation of Nollywood artistes made a plea to the President, Goodluck Jonathan, he graciously approved the sum of N10m for Bryan’s

treatment.

The sum which was first announced

by Ibinabo Fiberisima, the National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria during the 2014 Africa Movie Academy Awards ceremony in Bayelsa State, was eventually handed over to the writer on Monday, May 26 at his home on Kola Ajiboso Street, Ijegun, Lagos, where he has been restricted to by the illness.

The paper learnt that so many Nollywood personalities like Ifeanyi Dike, Emma Oguguo, Ibinabo Fiberisima, Stanley Okoronkwo, Fidelis Ewata were there to witness the presentation of the sum to the ailing Bryan.

At the Africa Movie Academy Awards, Ibinabo Fiberisima, had taken time, to thank President Goodluck Jonathan for the gesture. “Today I want to use this opportunity to thank the President for responding to our pleas about one of us, Chike Byran, who is sick. The President has made available some money for his treatment,” she had said.

An elated Bryan also used the opportunity to thank his colleagues in general and the President in particular. “I cannot thank you people enough for this gesture. I am also deeply appreciative of this gesture by the President. God will protect and guide him in his endeavours”.

Dickson

NICO: Seeking cultural solution to insecurity Joel Ajayi

T Soyinka

Rhodes

Soyinka for commemorative exhibition on Elder Rhodes

I

t has been confirmed that Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka will declare open the two week commemorative exhibition in honour of Steve Rhodes.

It kicks off on Thursday, May 29, and will involve exhibition of photographs and other memorabilia in memory of the music impresario and ‘ElderArtsman’, who passed on six years ago (May 29, 2008) at 82.

The opening ceremony to be graced by other eminent Nigerians -- especially close associates and followers of career of late Rhodes in music, artistic production and cultural activism -- and the general public, will begin at 4pm at the Museum Gallery of Freedom Park, Old Colonial Prison, 1 Hospital Road (by Broad Street), Lagos.

Designed especially to celebrate late Rhodes eminent contributions to the Nigerian (and African) music and artis-

tic heritage, the exhibition will showcase rich and resourceful collection of photographic recordings of his over six decades of illustrious career.

The commemorative event, which will also feature screening of ‘METAMORPHOSIS: The Music of Steve Rhodes’ (produced and directed by Femi Odugbemi), is organised by the Steve Rhodes Foundation (SRF) -- founded in the aftermath of Elder Rhodes’ passing – as well as the Steve Rhodes Memorial Anniversary Committee led by senior citizen, artiste and art patron, Mrs. Francesca Emanuel.

Steven Bankole Omodele Rhodes was many things rolled into one: a veteran broadcaster, musician and showbiz impresario who bestrode the arts community for over six decades, producing, managing, creating and advocating for the arts and culture.

he issue of how Nigeria’s indigenous culture and traditional governance systems can be employed in furthering good governance in contemporary Nigeria was the central concern of traditional rulers who gathered for the National Institute for Cultural Orientation’s (NICO) national conference, which held in Kaduna, from 26th to 27th May. NICO’s Executive Secretary, Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, disclosed this in Abuja, at weekend while fielding questions from journalists on a Live Radio Media Chat in the Living Room of Bush House Nigeria, a radio programme on the Network Service of Radio Nigeria.

According to him, with what is happening presently in the country, “there is need to embrace our culture, cherish its inherent values and accord it a place of pride in all aspects of our development agenda”.

Also, in order for contemporary Nigerian democracy to richly enjoy good governance, we would have to know and select good cultural aspects from the traditional system of governance, such as family systems and values, honesty, peace and integrity and infuse them into the contemporary Nigerian democratic practices through According to him, “The Conference which has four traditional rulers from each state federation as core participants, scheduled and held at the Arewa House, Kaduna, with the theme: ‘Culture, Peace and National Security: The Role of Traditional Rulers in Nigeria’s

Ayakoroma

Democracy’.

This year’s national conference is the second in the series of the programme organised by NICO since its debut in 2012. The Institute is focusing on traditional rulers because they are the primary peace agents, custodians of culture as well as our spiritual fathers; hence, the need to continually sensitise them to underscore the importance of the sustenance of the culture of peace and security to national development, and to further promote a culture of peace and non-violence among the citizenry.

“The discourse on the question of peace and national security is very apt at a time the issue is on the front-burner in our national life”.

Ayakoroma also, maintained that NICO was looking at the cultural perspective, using traditional rulers to provide lasting solutions to peace, especially now that the country is working toward the 2015 elections, so that the royal fathers will know what roles to play.

NICO scribe further stated: “The maiden edition of the conference gave NICO the platform to interact with traditional rulers.

AVOA to empower Nigerian youths

E

hi Omukhuale, the President, Association of Voice Over Artistes of Nigeria (AVOA), said on Monday that 100 youths would be trained to become professional voice over artistes.

Omukhuale, who disclosed this in an interview told NAN in Lagos, that voice over artistes had yet to be recognised as professionals in the country. ``The 100 youths will be selected from the six geo-political zones of the country because voice over is a profession that can enable practitioners to earn a living. The

idea is to erase the wrong impression of Nigerians about voice over artistes, that it is not a dependable profession,’’ he said.

According to him, the training is part of the association’s contributions toward improving the standard of living of the youth. ``The purpose of the training is for Nigerian youths to appreciate and embrace voice over as a reliable and dependable profession. ``It is also for local and foreign musicians to embrace our indigenous voice

over artistes and to give them international recognition,’’ Omukhuale said.

The president said there was the need for youths to be empowered in order for them to be meaningfully engaged. ``The association will work vigorously to make sure that voice artistes are recognised as a reputable profession. ``These will be achieved through constant grooming as well as training and retraining of youths in the profession which will enable them to be able to earn a living,’’ he said.

Omukhuale noted that voices over artistes were going into extinction, saying that there was a need to revive the declining fortunes of the profession. ``Ever before now, voice artistes were performing everywhere, but today, we don’t have many people that are interested in becoming voice over artistes. ``The situation is due to the people’s perception of voice over artistes that they are not a reliable profession but I must say that such perception is wrong,’’ he said.

Business Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Nigeria considered high risk investment destination –LCCI DG 28

Minister fosters job creation through digital initiative 31

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Why International Oil Companies continue to sell oil blocks

Auto Policy: Massive ship diversion looms in Nigeria, says group FRANCIS EZEM

A

bout one month after the Federal Government kicked off the implementation of the new auto policy, which imposed 75 per cent duty and levy on all categories of Fully Built Units FBU, of vehicles, the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents says Nigeria will soon begin to experience massive diversion of ships to neighbouring African countries.

Freight forwarders under the aegis of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, NAGAFF, and Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents ANLCA had a fortnight ago embarked on a work to rule action to protest what they called ‘sudden’ enforcement of the new auto policy by the Nigeria Customs Service on the orders of the Federal Ministry of Finance.

Under the new policy contained in the 2014 fiscal policy, all used cars and buses will attract a 35 per cent flat import duty, as against the former 10 per cent and 20 per cent duty respectively and this has taken off since April.

Similarly, the new policy also imposed a 35 per cent levy on all used vehicles imported into the country, which takes effect July 1, 2014, a development stakeholders believe will end up enriching the seaports of sister African countries such as Republic of Benin, Togo and Ghana,

among others.

President of the association, Mr. Lucky Amiwero, who spoke in a telephone interview, noted that the auto policy is one policy the government needed to take a closer look at given its likely effects on the other sectors of the economy, especially given that it is connected to the transport system, which is the life wire of any economy.

According to him, with the commencement of the first leg of the policy, which imposed 35 per cent duty on buses and cars, which attracted 10 per cent and 20 per cent respectively, importers have commenced the diversion of their ships to neighbouring sister countries seaports in search of

better duty rates.

According to him, this is a very hard decision these importers had to make in order to remain in business, arguing that at 70 per cent duty and levy respectively, in addition to other sundry charges associated with the Nigerian seaport environment, the prices of such vehicles may go beyond reach and therefore become difficult to sell.

It was gathered that under the new tariff regime, 2001 model of Toyota Camry, called ‘Pencil Light’ in the Nigerian auto parlance, which used to attract about N220, 000 duty or less will not attract over N450, 000 duty and levy, a development that would increase its former selling price

from about N1 million to over N2 million.

Investigation also showed that under the new policy, Volkswagen bus, which before now attracted about N120, 000 duty on the basis of 10 percent will now attract over N350, 000 when the 70 per cent duty and levy are applied, a development that will also raise its market price from about N700, 000 to about N2.2 million.

“Nigeria as a country of over 160 million population does not have mass transit system, what she has is a confused transport system and this new policy, which will create a lot of imbalance in the system, will negatively affect other sectors of the economy if not reversed”, Amiwero argued.

T

he Federal Government has come under scathing criticism over its reported plan to hire foreign public relations firms to manage its response to the kidnapping of over 200 girls of Government College, Chibok, Borno State.

According to The Holmes Report, the Holmes Group’s website which is reputed worldwide as a source of knowledge and infor-

33

FLIGHT

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

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

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

Med-View Airline

L-R: Commissioner, Market Competition and Rates, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Mr. Eyo Ekpo; Chairman, Dr Sam Amadi and Commissioner, Legal, Licensing and Enforcement, Dr Steven Andzenge during a Press Briefing on NERC Reviews Tariff in Abuja on Monday.

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Chibok: PRCAN carpets FG over hiring of foreign PR firm DAVID AUDU

27

mation about the public relations business, the Nigerian government representatives have met about five public relations firms in London regarding the assignment, as it attempts to counter mounting criticism both inside and outside the country.

The Holmes Reports further reported that the development follows the mass abduction of schoolgirls by the Boko Haram militant group more than a month ago.

Activists from the #BringBackOurGirls group have ramped up

pressure on the government, amid international uproar over the girls’ disappearance.

Condemning the move by the Federal Government, the Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria, PRCAN, said that the purported decision to engage foreign public relations firms was neither strategic nor advisable as it instead represented a needless strategic gaffe added to the many avoidable missteps of the Federal Government in handling its communication and reputational chal-

lenges.

In a statement jointly signed by its president, Chido Nwakanma, vice president, John Ehiguese and Secretary General, Muyiwa Akintunde, PRACN stated: “The purported search is premised on a wrong foundation of white washing Nigeria before foreign media and audiences. However, the real challenge before the Federal Government of Nigeria lies elsewhere and that is at the home front with its citizens, representing the primary stakeholders.”

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, May 28, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Nigeria considered high risk inv The Director General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Muda Yusuf, says that investors from Europe and West have cut back on investing in Nigeria due to their perception of the country as a high risk zone. In this interview with ABOLAJI ADEBAYO, he insists that it is the responsiblity of government to provide an enabling environment for business.

Knowing how serious the challenge of electricity is to the industrial growth in Nigeria, what are the stakeholders doing on generating power for industrial growth?

The power issue is one of the biggest challenges being faced in the Nigerian economy today, it has huge implications for the kind of productivity we have, it is a challenge we are suffering.

Our economy is not comparative because the cost of doing business is so high, the costs of products are so high and all these things contribute to the challenge of competition so, the power situation is a very big issue now. We have seen some reforms that the privatisation of the generating plants, distribution plants and transitions plants although that is being managed by the government, it is not easy for you as an investor, as an industrialist to worry about the challenges of production and also being worried about the challenge of generating power.

The ideal thing to do, which is the model that the government is trying to do is to have the business of power generation and to be completely independent of the business of industrial production because when we talk about enabling environment in the business economy: infrastructure and skill, government has a responsibility either to provide infrastructure directly or facilitate or catalyse the provision of such extraction because on the back of infrastructure, a lot of things happen, a lot of multiplied effects are generated for the large economy.

If you don’t have infrastructure you can’t create jobs, if you don’t have infrastructure you can’t industrialise, if you don’t have infrastructure you can’t transform your economy. So, infrastructure is the key but it has to be provided by government or it has to be facilitated by government.

How can government facilitate the generation of power?

Well, the government has privatised now, we now have private investors in place. Clearly those investors have very serious challenges, they have challenges with funding and manpower. Many of them, the investment they got into they didn’t have a very good understanding of the investment

before they went into it in the first place.

They knew it would be profitable when they went for it but it is not as if they have very sound technical knowledge in the business.

So, now that they have taken over, we have beginning to see a lot of gaps. If it were like some other products like say consumer product industry, we can leave them to their fate but because they on their own volition invested in it so if there is any error they should bear the responsibility but because it is an infrastructure issue, because it is power issue, there is a major public demission in it therefore the government can just not afford to be looking and allow them to fail.

Just as we have in the banking sector. At the time banks were set up in the Sanusi time, he could have just allow the banks to fail, if they fail in any cause of a business that is the headache of the shareholders but because of the public interest angle in it, Sanusi did not allow all those banks to go under because of some other systemic implications. The same thing applies to this power situation has been some judgment errors on the part of the investors, there must have been limitations in capacity, technical and funding but we are already stuck with them so government has a responsibility to find a way to support those providers to succeed not so much in the interest of business themselves but in the interest of international investor and to the interest of the larger economy that is what you do when you are dealing with an investment that has a developmental impact or implication.

There have been a lot of challenges, challenges about cash availability, government has to intervene; there are challenges about security of pipelines over the gas, government has to intervene; there are challenges even in terms of funding government has to intervene. The investors need a form of guarantee order by the government. To raise the kind of the capital required, government has to sponsor them because this is not just about those investors, it is about the larger economy because power issue is not just a business issue, it a development issue so, that is what I mean when I say government has a role either to provide directly, or facilitate the provision of the infrastructure.

To what extent have insecurity and insurgency affected commercial and industrial activities in Nigeria?

There have been a lot of challenges about

insecurity. First, is the question of perception; many investors particularly foreign investors have a very negative perception now of the county because if they perceive a country as unsafe it will affect your capacity to attract investors and if you attract investors you are likely to be attracting investors that have little appetite for risk. We have some quality investors who don’t have large appetite for risk so once you have this kind of environment such investors will not come in here to invest, we are now likely to see more of Asians than those from the West because a typical Asian can afford to take a bigger risk than an average investors from Europe or from USA. So, we have more of them there in this kind of environment, their appetite for risk is very high so it is also not good for the economy. That will mean that it is only the sectors in which we have a high profit because for people to take high risk there must be high returns so, if they are people that are taking high risk then this place will become a high risk zone then we should be looking at high returns from their investments. If we are looking for high returns they will not invest in the areas of which the country needs to create jobs, they may not invest in the real economy; they may just be investing in financial services, they may be investing in buying and selling.

Short term investment is what we likely to see if we have an environment that is perceived as high risk.

So, the perception is an issue. Then for a lot of investors in the affected areas, many of them have actually closed shop many of them have relocated either to another location within the country; most of them have even left the country because what kind of business can you do now in the northeast that can lead to profit? Physically, it has affected some people doing business there.

The level of economic activity in that area now has gone down drastically. Then, there are some companies down south that produce for the entire country so, that has affected their sales too.

Some of them told us that their sales have dropped down because they cannot take the risk of going to that region to market their products. There are some investors that also source materials from the North especially grains and things like that. Their raw material suppliers have also been affected and therefore affected their production and their outputs. These are some of the implications of the current insecurity

The medial have been doing a lot of role in all those areas but we need to also develop the capacity of the media to understand the economy better so that when analysing policy the competency will be there apart from just talking to people, they should also have their own capacity to also analyse government policy

Muda

in the country.

With the current situation in the country now how do you perceive the economy of the country in year 2020?

Well our prayer is that the insecurity situation will not last forever the need is that there is a new momentum now to curb the terrorism there is global coalition now that is supporting the initiative the government too has been now under serious pressure to do more that what it has been doing before so our prayer and hope is that from this point forward we are likely to see the reduction in the activity from this insurgency and progressively I am sure we are beginning to start understanding how to back up the problem because it is a new problem and a new kind of security challenge, which we are not used to that is why there have been this kind of problem but gradually I am sure we will be able to address it and am hoping that the activity of this people somehow will being to reduce preferably to actually review the strategies and do the right things to understand the problem better and construct the strategies to. If that is so then the future for the economy is always good because the economy is big and its likely to continue to be bigger especially if we are able to get some other reform right if we are able to reform our oil

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Executive Discourse

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

29

vestment destination –LCCI DG In any economy, government has its role; the private

sectors have their role.

The private

sectors are to bring capital to

invest, they will only bring capital if they are sure that they will make profit and in process of

investing, they

will create jobs, pay tax which is the revenue to the government

and gas sector for instance and get NNPC or all these government direct involvement out of the way, that sector will unleash significant growth and development for this economy because the economy is one if the areas in which this is been slow down and it is one of the areas which we have the highest potential out of oil and gas is in the area of domestic refinery because as you know we are spending billions of dollars today for importing petroleum products Nigeria is the only OPEC country that is importing fuel so if we are able to reform the oil and gas a lot of things will come from the downstream from the petrochemical industry, the fertilizer industry, the refinery industry all sort of things can come under it.

With the Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan put in place by the Federal Government what do you think can be achieved?

It is a new plan and because of the kind of problem that the plan is design to solve it is not something that we can get just very quickly. When we are talking about industrialisation, it is not the plan that would bring about industrialisation in itself. The plan can only propose the roadmap for industrialisation, roadmap in the area of developing, maybe industrial clusters for instance, roadmap in the area for creating the right thing for industrialisation, roadmap

in the area of trade policy, tariff policy that can support industrialisation. So, there are so many aspects to it, the concept is good, at least you can only get to where you are going if you know where you are going; if you don’t know where you are going you can’t get there.

But the private sectors should have a role to play in making the environment conducive,

are they putting everything to the government?

In any economy, government has its role; the private sectors have their role. The private sector is to bring capital to invest, they will only bring capital if they are sure that they will make profit and in process of investing, they will create jobs, pay tax which is the revenue to the government.

That is what the private sector will bring to the table and that is why when we talk of public sector partnership that is what they are saying that private sector experts will come into the state, then the government will also ensure that the environment is right for that capital to come in and make money. So, that is the model of partnership.

People have been saying that Nigerians prefer buying imported goods due to the fact that they are cheaper than those produced here, what can you say about that?

It is a competitiveness and productivity issue. Now there is a lot of poverty in the

land and the average Nigerian will think of what he can afford before he thinks of what is good for him for what he likes. Affordability is number one and when you have a country where out of 60 per cent of the population is actually poor the probability of going for cheap things is very high although in the long run what you think is cheap will be more expensive because if you go for some cheap things, by the time you are buying 6, 7 of such things because of their short life span you would realise that you have spent more than going for one quality product but at that point in time, that is what you can afford, so, that is one issues.

Does Nigeria really have better quality products than the imported ones?

Nigerian cables are better than imported ones; they have a reputation so much that people go to other countries to fake Nigerian cables. Even some of the Ankara wax that are produced here have higher qualities than the imported ones, some people go to fake them and bring them here.

If they are not of quality, they will not fake them. Also our beverages industry, foods and soft drinks industry, fruit juice, they are quality products by any standard even our pharmaceutical industry, they are not doing badly most of the fake or bad pharmaceuticals that we have in the economy today are imported ones. Because of the help of NAFDAC and others, we can keep to some standard. So, in terms of standard, our people are trying but the cost of producing standard goods is very high.

Maybe that is why the government set up a committee to look into the Nigerian products, how they can be standardized and come out with National Quality Policy?

Yes, it is a good idea but I know that NAFDAC and SON have been doing some works already on that but if this new arrangement is to bring about another improvement, fine, there is always room for improvement anyway but investors need to be supported to produce quality products at a good price in terms of infrastructure, funding, etc.

Finally sir, how do you appraise the role of media in the economy growth of Nigeria?

Well, the media has been doing quite well in the economy. They have been canvassing policy, they have been partnering with advocate institutions like Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other business organisations, at least, to project the concerns of business, to ensure that the business environment is improved and to also ensure that there is less corruption because corruption also impact negatively on the investment environment. Also they have been promoting reforms in power sector, in telecom, in oil and gas.

The media has been doing a lot of role in all those areas but we need to also develop the capacity of the media to understand the economy better so that when analysing policy the competence will be there apart from just talking to people, they should also have their own capacity to also analyse government policy.

30

Business News

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

BOI, UNIDO partner on industrial standardisation initiative

A

n initiative by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation UNIDO to raise the level of industrial standards in Nigeria yesterday received a boost from the Bank of Industry BoI when the bank consented to a request from UNIDO to further facilitate the programme’s awareness drive.

According to the Executive Director, Business Development, BoI, Mr. Waheed Olagunju, who accepted the request on behalf of

the bank from the UNIDO country and West Africa Director, Dr. Patrick Kormawa at a stakeholders’ consultative forum held in Lagos, the positive impact of the initiative was critical to the realisation of Nigeria’s industrial revolution plan.

He disclosed that a major barrier faced by some industries and SMEs when seeking to access the BoI’s loan facilities was the lack of a standards culture.

“We have agreed to chair the

subcommittee that was set up to sensitise MSMEs in the country on the need for standardisation and we are delighted to play this role in partnership with UNIDO because for most products finance is one of the important factors of production and all we are talking about is production and to ensure that investments are secured they must be standards compliant,” he said.

He noted that the initiative was a most welcome development be-

L-R: Senator Hope Uzodima; Chairman, Auto Nation Africa, Chief Ugochukwu Nsofor; Representative of Mr. President, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga and U.S. Consul-General, Jeffry J. Hawkins at the commissioning ceremony of Precision Auto Care by Mr. President in Lagos, recently.

Critics have embraced new auto policy -Jonathan ...Inaugurates world’s biggest Precision Auto Care Centre EMMANUEL OGBONNAYA

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan has revealed that those who initially doubted the vision behind the new auto policy announced by his administration have now turned advocates of the policy having realised the positive impact it will have on the country’s economy.

He said this while inaugurating an integrated, state-of the art Precision Auto Care Centre owned by Kunech Group, in Lagos.

President Jonathan also noted that the implementation of the new automotive policy would create more direct and indirect jobs across different sectors of the Nigerian economy.

Jonathan, who was represented by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, said, “Since my approval of the new auto policy on October 2, 2013, about 12 companies have signified intention or have already started making investments in the production and assembling of cars in Nigeria.

These include those that doubted the policy at the beginning .Even those who said that Nigerians

could not do it are now part of the new automotive policy and have now become advocates of the policy. In fact, within the last seven months, Nigeria has made more progress with the new automotive policy than it has made in the last 30 years.”

He stated that the policy will help create jobs in different clusters in the country and across the entire automotive value chain.

It will also fast-track the growth and development of other intervening industries such as automotive spare parts, auto servicing, steel industry, rubber, and petrochemicals and plastic industries among others.

“The automotive industry in Nigeria currently employs about 2,500 people, but it expected that the implementation of the new automotive policy will generate more than 700,000 direct and indirect jobs,” he said.

While commending the Kunech Group for investing in Nigeria, the president said that the country had recorded significant progress in the automotive sector since the new auto policy was approved about seven months ago, adding that about 12 companies had already indicated interest in assembling cars in the country.

OLUFEMI ADESOUN ABUJA

A

s part of the efforts of government to ensure that consumers get value for money, the Federal Government yesterday sealed the Automated Teller Machines, ATMs,belonging to UBA Plc and Union Bank.

The UBA bank located in AP Plaza, Wuse 2 and the Union bank branch in the Central Bank Districts are found to be using ATMs and counting machines that are not properly certificated by the appropriate authority.

Apart from the sealing of the ATMs, the Weights and Measures Department of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment who conducted the exercise, also carted away counting machines of the affected banks.

There have a been various complaints from customers across the

cause there was no way Nigeria can achieve competitive industrialisation without adhering strictly to standards, he stressed that standardisation was critical to the success of Nigerian revolution industrial plan and the National enterprise development programme that were jointly launched by President Goodluck Jonathan in February.

He said that the bank believed that the initiative was a win-win situation for them and their customers because: “when SMEs in particular come to us and apply for loans we try to ensure that they will be NAFDAC and SON compliant in order not to put our investment into jeopardy not only our investment but the savings of promoters because when a project goes bad the promoter also suffers loses.”

Earlier in his remarks, Kormawa, had disclosed that the forum was the first being held with the private sector in its effort to help Nigeria establish a global level of standardisation that will aid in the removal of technical barriers to domestic, regional and international trade.

“This initiative will take four years to accomplish in Nigeria and will cost UNIDO 12.08million

Euros, in the end it will address one of the key drivers of trade that will establish an infrastructure to promote made in Nigeria products and ensure that industrialisation is put at the highest level,” he said.

The UNIDO country director was optimistic that in four years time the initiative will have established a national quality policy in the country; established a national body to accredit NAFDAC and SON as well as industries; successfully establish a metrological institute in the country that will help ensure that all products meet prescribed specifications.

“By the end of that time we would have also improved the capacity of industries to create and establish conformity assessment bodies and create awareness for the usage of a national quality service by industries and consumers,” he said.

In a presentation by UNIDO’s accreditation consultant, Stephen Cross, the national quality infrastructure policy will support the development of the missing standards and quality control bodies to improve the quality of goods and services exchanged in the Nigerian, regional and international markets.

FG seals UBA, Union Bank’s ATMs over non-certification country over the malfunctioning of some ATMs which have often times led to debiting without payment and other sundry complaints.

Speaking during the exercise, Mr. Salim Mohamed, a legal metrology in the Weight and Measure Department of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment, stated that both banks contravened the provision of weight and measure Act by deploying machines that were not certificated by the appropriate authority.

Mohamed said the compliance exercise began in 2012, noting that it would continue until all organisations using weight and measure equipment in the country comply with the provision of

the law.

Asked if there was a basic stipulation regarding the standard of measurement, he stated that the country was following the regulations set by the International Organisation of Legal Metrology, IOLM, the intentional body that provides regulation for the texting of equipment.

On whether the department could not go beyond sealing the defaulting ATMs, he said there were other sanctions, stressing that the punishment meant out to defaulters depended on the enormity of offence committed.

In the case of Union and UBA banks, Mohamed stated that invitation had been extended to them to state their side of the story.

‘Why 48-hour cargo clearance is not feasible in Nigeria for now’ FRANCIS EZEM

E

minent freight forwarder and managing director of Mac Tonnel Nigeria Limited, Mr. Tony Nwabunike has said that the projection for 48-hour cargo clearance in Nigeria’s seaport industry may remain a mirage until certain measures were put in place to drive the system.

Nwabunike, who spoke in a telephone interview, observed that 48-

hour cargo delivery possible only in an environment where stakeholders, especially freight forwarders and clearing agents are connected electronically to facilitate on –line, real time business transactions.

He regretted that in the Nigerian situation, over 80 per cent of the freight forwarders are computer literate; leaving about 20 per cent literate ones to transact their businesses electronically, a development that will continue to stall

the projected 48-hour cargo delivery.

“In all honesty, 48-hour cargo delivery is achievable in Nigeria but it is not feasible for now due to obvious reasons. Freight forwarders are critical to cargo delivery process and greater majority of them cannot use the computer or an Information Communication Technology ICT, so it is not feasible now even if other stakeholders are computer literate”, he further insisted.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

T

he Federal Ministry of Communications Technology has trained 2,000 Nigerians in E-Lancing and Microwork as part of effort to meet the Federal Government’s transformation agenda.

The ministry said in a progress report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Monday in Abuja that the exercise recorded some 50,000 Nigerians now earning money on the platform.

It said that the ministry’s job creation drive and economic development programmes was to ensure that the beneficiaries perform basic digital tasks to boost productivity in the service.

It said that E-Lancing was the practice of outsourcing work online without being a full-time staff, adding that it helps businesses cut down cost and ensures efficiency and legitimacy in the

T

he Chairman, Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON, Capt. Nogie Meggison, has criticised the proposal in some quarters seeking the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, to carry out inspection of leased aircraft in the country, as against the current destination inspection carried out by the agency’s inspectors.

Meggison insisted that if such proposal scales through, it would relegate safety to the background, adding that the development of the entire aviation sector would also be in jeopardy.

He explained further that if allowed, aircraft that do not fit into the Nigerian CAA specifications in terms of airworthiness could be flown in by the airline operators.

He said the usual practice where, aircraft safety inspectors from the NCAA, travel to the maintenance facility or the manufacturers facility or country of sale to carry out the necessary check on the aircraft before being flown into Nigeria was the best industry practices.

He said defects or faults found by NCAA inspectors on any aircraft requiring rectification could be carried out at the seller’s or C-Check Maintenance Repair Organization, MRO), before such planes are flown into Nigeria.

He also said allowing NCAA inspectors to travel to the place where the aircraft is originating

31

Minister fosters job creation through digital initiative informal sector.

The report described Microwork as a project management technique that delineates a project into smaller tasks that could be done by separate units, adding that it helps companies to keep operating costs at a minimum.

It said that a workshop was held to educate and train participants on how to create a user profile and to manage their accounts on the various micro-work and e-lancing platforms.

The report said that participants at the workshop were given general information and tips on how to source jobs on the platform, improve their profile of

AON boss condemns proposed NCAA’s inspection of aircraft in Nigeria OLUSEGUN KOIKI

Business News

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

from would not only give the inspectors technical exposure on the job, but would allow them carry out detailed checks on the airplane before it is brought into Nigeria .

Meggison said the availability of aircraft repair organizations in the country where such aircraft are based or repaired would enable the NCAA inspectors to point out defects that could easily be fixed out there.

He mentioned that if any aircraft with technical defects or lacks compliance with airworthiness directive is flown into Nigeria, without NCAA inspectors being given the opportunity to inspect them before importation into Nigeria, it could become a problem for both the regulator and the affected airline operator.

Meggison however stated that AON has not been officially notified by “the so - called operators or individuals” who are pushing for aircraft to be inspected locally, saying that such call may not mean well for the industry.

He said allowing such proposal to see the light of day may have adverse consequences on the safety and standard of aviation in Nigeria.

Meggison observed that though the heavy cost borne by airline operators for aircraft inspection by NCAA could be reduced through buying of economy seat tickets for the officials as opposed to the current arrangement when the airlines are expected to provide a business class ticket, this traveling cost should be reduced.

work, work efficiently and get paid effectively.

It said that plans are on ground to partner with the Rockefeller Foundation on digital jobs initiative.

“The Rockefeller Foundation estimated the size of the industry to be worth over 4.5 billion dollars in 2010, and is set to rise exponentially to 20 billion dollars by 2015.’’

The report said that the project had facilitated the roll out of the Naija Cloud Initiative in 36 states and the FCT which created a market for Nigerian Microwork and E-Lancing companies.

NERC pegs electricity fixed charge at N750 CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

T

he Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi has said electricity Fixed Charge, FC, which was to rise to N1,500 by June 1st in the Multi Year Tariff Order, MYTO, for 2014 has reduced to N750 for some customers while their Energy Cost ,EC, may increase slightly.

Amadi who disclosed this during an official briefing on Monday said, “NERC on May 21 approved the review of MYTO. This review will take effect on June 1, 2014. The review has re-

duced the fixed charge component that would have taken effect on 1st June, 2014.”

He explained that some positive variables triggered the significant changes in the tariff review: ‘Whilst MYTO in 2012 had projected a 13 percent inflation rate, it was by March 30, at 7.8percent, less than 5.2 percent of the projection; exchange rate of $1 to N178 from Central Bank Nigeria data was also less as at March 30 to N157.30 per $1, 11.6percent less than the projected.’

Amadi noted that the review result however indicates a reduction of the wholesale tariff payable to Generation companies, Gencos, from June 1st adding

that with increased generation capacity and favourable economic indices, tariff cost will drastically reduce.

He said, “Many customers by 1st June should be paying a Fixed Charge, FC, of about N1500 but the adjustment has resulted in a decrease in that the fixed charge will not change but will remain at the N750” On the Energy Charge for the 2014 MYTO Amadi said, “What we will see is that most of the consumers did not have any increase in their EC apart from Residential Two, R2, customers that have N1 increase in some places.

L-R: Director, e-Governance, Federal Ministry of Communication Technology, Mr. Tope Fashedeni; Chief Corporate Services Officer, Smile Communications Nigeria Limited, Ms. Lee-Ann Cassie, and Country Manager, Ericsson Nigeria, Mr. Kamar Abass, at the 2014 Cyber Nigeria Forum and Africa Innovation Award held in Lagos recently.

Airtel backs youth ICT empowerment KUNLE A ZEEZ

A

global telecommunications company with operations in 20 countries across Asia and Africa, Bharti Airtel, has reiterated its commitment to further support human capital in African economies across the region through the investment of ICT develop-

ment and other initiatives.

Speaking during this year’s New York Forum Africa, Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Africa, Mr. Christian de Faria, said, Africa is a continent with a young population, adding that the population was a powerful tool for development.

“Yet, the youth can only actively participate in positively transforming the continent if it is well

prepared. That is why relevant training for the youth and an enabling ICT infrastructure is vital for the emergence of Africa as a dynamic economic centre.” de Faria took an active part in the third edition of the New York Forum Africa held in Libreville, centered on the theme of transforming the African continent through local processing of its vast natural resources.

32

Business News

Al Grain enters noodles market on healthy choice platform

C

onsumers of noodles now have even more choice with the formal entry into the market of a new brand, Al Grain, positioned as a healthy choice. Al Grain is a whole grain noodles product manufactured in the N7bn green field plant of Al Grain Foods Limited,Lagos.

Economist and founder of the Centre for Values in Leadership Prof Pat Utomi led a star cast of guests from banking, industry, government as well as Nollywood at the unveiling of the product Friday, May 23 at Golden Tulip Hotel, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos.

According to Mr Anthony Obidulu, Chairman of Al Grain Foods Limited, Al Grain is a noodle brand produced to the highest hygienic standards using Global Best Manufacturing practice standards. Al Grain comes in two flavours of chicken & shrimp and beef.

Obidulu stated that “Al Grain noodles offers rich and healthy nutrition with unique African flavour”.

Al Grain is positioned as noodles for the health conscious because of its formulation and extensive use of natural ingredients. It comes in two flavours and two packs.

The Al Grain initiative would complement the efforts of government in developing local content in the food industry especially with its huge investment in manufacturing and entrepreneurship.

Speaking at the launch, Utomi called for greater focus by both the Government and private sector players on agriculture and manufacturing. He remarked that a synergy between agriculture and manufacturing would be the surest route to creating jobs to reduce unemployment amongst Nigerian youth.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

T

he Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, said an Abuja court order on its leadership would not affect the supply and distribution of petroleum products by its members.

The Chief of Staff to the Obasi Lawson executive-led IPMAN, Chief Ukadike Chinedu, gave the assurance in Abuja.

It would be recalled that an FCT High Court had on May 16 restrained Chief Obasi Lawson from parading himself as President of IPMAN pending the determination of the suit.

The Plaintiff, Mr. Chinedu Okoronkwo, being a factional president of the association, in a suit number FCT/HC/4141/2014, urged the court to restrain Lawson from the act. ‘‘The court order restraining Lawson as the association President would not in any way affect

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

IPMAN assures of fuel supply despite crisis the operations of the members of the association. ‘‘The marketers across the nation have been adequately sensitised on the need not to let the nation down over the development,’’ he said.

He expressed hope that a large percentage of its members would not support the alleged nationwide industrial action by the Okoronkwo led group.

He urged the members not to be distracted by the court verdict adding that Lawson-led executive would go to court to vacate the order.

He further called on them to be law abiding and not to allow the prevailing situation to deter them from rendering the expected services to the nation.

Chinedu also assured Nigerians of steady supply of petro-

leum products and advised that nobody should engage in panic buying at any point.

While urging them not to be distracted by the court verdict, Chinedu stated that Lawson-led IPMAN Executives would go to court to vacate the order.

He said Lawson led IPMAN Executives had instructed their lawyer to take every legal step to challenge the action at the FCT. He therefore called on the supporters of his principal to be law abiding and not to allow the prevailing situation to deter them from rendering the expected services to Nigerians.

Also speaking the Counsel to Lawson-led IPMAN, Mr. Reuben Wanogho, said that the court order was capable of bringing ridicule to the judiciary and could result to judicial anarchy.

Bankers elect Osibogun as new CIBN president, other officers

B

ankers in the country have elected Otunba (Mrs) ‘Debola Osibogun, FCIB, as President/Chairman of Council to pilot the affairs of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria for the next two years, a statement from the institute said.

Other officers elected alongside Otunba Osibogun according to CIBN, include Dr. Segun Ajibola, FCIB, who emerged as the 1st Vice President; Dr. Uche Olowu, FCIB, 2nd Vice President; Mr. Bayo Olugbemi, FCIB, National Treasurer while Barr.

Deji Olanrewaju, FCIB, Head of Department, International Law, Babcock University; Mr. Wale Adeyemi, FCIB, Chairman, Lagos

Branch, Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria; Dr. Gabriel Okenwa, FCIB, Deputy General Manager, Zenith Bank Plc, and Mrs. Tinu Thompson-Ajayi, FCIB, Chairperson, Association of Professional Women Bankers of Nigeria were elected as Council Members.

“The election of Otunba Osibogun, the second woman to be so elected in the history of the Institute took place at the CIBN 2014 Annual General Meeting held in Lagos.

Otunba Osibogun who succeeds Dr. Segun Aina, OFR, FCIB, Immediate Past President, is the 18th on roll call of CIBN Presidents’’, the statement said.

OAAN hosts LASAA MD

A

s part of its wider consultation with major stakeholders in the Outdoor Advertising industry, the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency, LASAA, led by Mr George Noah was hosted recently by the executive members of the Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria ,OAAN, at their secretariat in Lagos.

Speaking at the meeting, President of the cOAAN and the Managing Director of Charella Limited, Mr. Charles Chijide thanked the LASAA team for making out time to visit the association despite his busy schedule. Speaking further, Mr. Chijide used the opportunity of the meeting to express the many concerns of his members particularly as it concern key areas of LASAA’s

operation.

According to Chijide “my members are concerned that there is a plan by LASAA to increase rates. We also understand that the cost of attending the forthcoming exhibition is high for our members. Speaking further, he noted that OAAN members have also expressed fear that the newly formed association for state advertising regulatory bodies (OARAN) will do more harm than any good. He noted.

In his response, the Managing Director of LASAA, Mr. Goerge Noah thanked the OAAN leadership for the warm reception noting that part of why he came was to clear the air concerning some of the wrong impression being created about some of LASAA’s activities lately.

L-R: Director, Academic Planning, Prof. Wilson Herbert; President, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, Abuja Chapter, Mr. Ishili Emmanuel and Director, Finance and Strategy, Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, Mr. Olusola Olufemi, at the association’s Anti-Fraud Workshop in Abuja, on Saturday.

PHOTO: NAN

NCC tasks telcos on corporate governance KUNLE AZEEZ

C

ompanies operating in the Nigeria’s telecoms market have been urged to comply with new corporate governance guidelines set by the Nigerian Communications Commission.

The Code of Corporate Governance for the Telecommunications Industry 2014 seeks to foster good corporate governance practices in the Nigerian Telecommunications industry. The provisions of the Code are based on international best practices.

Speaking on the code, the Executive Vice-Chairman, NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah, said it is now common knowledge that enthronement of good corporate governance standards and practices in organisations encourages corporate success and business sustainability, stressing that the

importance as well as relevance of corporate governance codes is now firmly established.

According to him, the need to develop a sector specific Corporate Governance Code for the Nigerian Telecommunication Industry was necessary to address the peculiarities of the sector that are not typically dealt with under broadly-aimed Codes.

He said this was more so in view of the fact that the telecommunications sector though dominated by privately-held companies is of strategic importance to the economy at a macro level, and has considerable impact at the micro level.

“As the telecommunications industry’s regulator, the NCC, in keeping with our core values proactively undertook industry-wide consultations with a view to determining the industry’s corporate governance needs and the best

approach to be adopted in addressing the issue of corporate governance in the sector,” he said.

Speaking on the genesis of the development of code, Juwah said, “Thus the Nigerian Telecommunications Sector Corporate Governance Working Group, CGWG, with membership drawn from across the Nigerian telecommunications sector, the NCC and Corporate Governance Consultants/ experts was inaugurated on October 24, 2012 by our Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Mr. Okechukwu Itanyi.

The CGWG developed this Code of Corporate Governance for the Telecommunications Industry.

“The Code of Corporate Governance for the Telecommunications Industry is a voluntary code of leading practices which aims at regulating corporate behavior and practices of companies within the industry.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

EnergyWeek Wednesday, May 28, 2014

OPEC daily basket price rises to $107 35 per barrel

FG to amend electricity law as technical group submits document 36

33

Seplat, Azura sign gas supply/purchase deal 37

Seplat production facility

Indigenous oil and gas firms are gradually increasing their stakes in the nation’s oil and gas industry as a result of increased divestment of the International Oil Companies, IOCs. UDEME AKPAN reports that more divestments are likely in the coming months.

W

ith the successful discovery of crude oil in 1956 and massive investments that followed, there were strong indications that the International Oil Companies, IOCs would dominate Nigeria’s oil and gas industry for a very long time. First, the technologies involved in the process were foreign. Second, many Nigerians did not know much about the then emerging industry. Third, the required huge capital huge was not easily available.

Expectedly, these and other great expectations became real. The IOCs, including Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited, Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, Total E & P Nigeria Limited, Chevron Nigeria Limited,

Why International Oil Companies continue to sell oil blocks Things seem to be changing fast in favour of the indigenous firms involved in exploration and production of crude

oil and natural gas. In other words, the divestment of the

IOCs has enabled the

indigenous firms to deepen and expand Addax Petroleum and Nigeria Agip Oil Company successfully held forte for many years. The contributions of a few indigenous firms that emerged were very insignificant.

But things seem to be changing fast in favour of the indigenous firms involved in exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas. In other words, the divestment of the IOCs has enabled the indigenous firms to deepen and expand their capacities in the industry.

However, the questions some observers are asking are: why are the IOCs divesting? Can the indigenous opera-

tors cope and what is the future of the industry without increased involvement of the IOCs? Indications are that the IOCs are supporting the Federal Government privatisation policy which aims at placing more oil blocks at the bosom of indigenous operators. Second, the divestment is said to be fuelled by increased insecurity and hostilities in oil and gas communities.

Third, it is also said to be a function of delay in the passage of the nation’s Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB into law.

The African Oil and Gas report stated, “Nigeria’s oil and gas sector has

recorded a rash of divestments by International Oil Companies, IOCs, over the twin problems of internal insecurity of investment and the delay in the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, in the country’s parliament.

Nigeria’s crude oil reserve estimated at nearly 40billion barrels and over 600 trillion cubic feet of gas reserve may now be explored by local players with financial muscle and technical capacity as the IOCs divest their equity due to various reasons. Shell, Total, ConocoPhillips and Agip have sold over a 45 per cent stake in the seven oil concessions in five transactions.

Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell reportedly sold its 30 per cent interest in Oil Mining Lease (OML30) with share production of 11,000 barrels per day (bpd) in the Niger Delta to Shoreline Natural Resources Limited, while French energy company, Total has also CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

34

Energy Week

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33

Avuru

Alison-Madueke

Yakubu

Why International Oil Companies continue to sell oil blocks sold 20 per cent stake and operating mandate of its Nigerian offshore project to a local unit of China Petrochemical Corporation for $2.5bn.

It stated that Conoco Philips, a United States oil company, also ceased from oil exploration in Nigeria and thereby disposed of its assets in the country. The report said that Brazil’s national oil Petrobas is yearning for buyers for its $5bn valued assets in Nigeria’s oil industry. Petrobas controls eight per cent of Agbami offshore oil block operated by Chevron.

Expectedly, the indigenous oil firms have recorded an increase in rig count, indicating increased exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas.

The nation’s rig tracking sheet shows a consistent increase in the drilling activities of indigenous operators, compared with the majors who have dominated the scene for about 50 years.

For instance, Total and Chevron were absent from shallow water and land rig activities in April 2014 while firms like Conoil, Sahara and Newcross have maintained rigs on both land and swamp locations in the last four months. Available data showed that Conoil, Sahara and Newcross collectively hold working interests in over 7,200 sq kilometres of acreages on eight oil prospecting leases and two oil mining leases.

Another firm, Frontier Oil has a contract with a rig company to complete two gas wells, drill a water injection well and drill two new wells, one of which is an appraisal hole. In effect, it’s a five well contract, to be implemented from June 2014. Niger Delta Petroleum completed one well on its Ogbele field as a dual completion gas well, completed and hooked up another as an oil well, which almost doubled its output.

Pillar drilled and completed two wells on its Umusati field in the last four months, releasing the rig at the end of March. Platform has just completed work over of some wells, which increased its production by 50per cent of

The PIB has not only affected the

IOCs. The indigenous operators are not

immuned. They stand vulnerable to the various challenges that abound in the

industry, especially the prolonged delay of the PIB

what it was producing before February 2014. Energia released a rig at the end of March after completing yet another well. This very aggressive player has 8,000BOPD in capacity.

Prime Energy is ready to tackle a second well. They’ve been producing from one for upwards of a year. Century Energy finally moved a rig to location on the Atala fields in the swamps of Bayelsa State, after waiting 14 months to resolve the state government’s suspicion of its farm in deal. It will spend 60days reentering and conducting an extended test on the only well on the field, drilled by Shell.

Another indigenous producer, Seplat Petroleum Development Company has not only bought many oil blocks but also resumed production in late April 2014 after 36 days of forced shut-in. So did the NPDC/Shoreline Natural Resources Joint Venture. The producing wells from these two operations were down due to Trans-Forcados terminal loading line leak which happened on March 4, 2014, according to data available at the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR. The African Oil and Gas report stated that available figures have it that Seplat ordinarily produces about 60,000BOPD

from Oil Mining Leases (OMLs) 4, 38 and 41, in the Western Niger Delta. The report stated that NPDC/Shoreline Resources does about 45,000BOPD from OML 30. “OML 30 Station was down with 32 strings due to TFP leaks”, DPR sources explain It stated that Heritage Oil, the British explorer which owns an effective working interest of 30.71per cent in OML 30, hinted at the challenge in its ‘outlook for 2014’, published in its 2013 annual report. But the story was hidden in plain sight. “As a result of an enforced shutin at OML 30 during the first quarter of this year, total production, net to Heritage, for 2014 is estimated in the range of 14,500-18,000 BOPD”, the report said.

Seplat sources say the company will report the losses in its quarterly report, the first one it would publish since it got listed on the London and Nigeria Stock Exchanges in April 2014. “Reporting that you shut in for 36 days isn’t the most endearing way to start addressing an investor audience”, says Sam Ojibua, an Africa focused oil and gas analyst, “but that’s why you’re a listed company; to be open, transparent”.

The firm has almost completed a 10 kilometre pipeline to state company NNPC operated Warri Refinery, to which it will deliver its equity crude from OMLs 4, 38 and 41. The payment will be by crude swap. NNPC is having challenges of frequent vandalism on its own 67 kilometre crude transport pipeline to Warri Refinery, so the arrangement is a win-win.

Seplat is an independent oil and gas exploration and production company incorporated and operating in Nigeria with strategic focus on Nigeria. In July 2010, it acquired a 45per cent participating interest in, and was appointed operator of, three on-shore producing oil and gas leases located in the western Niger Delta basin of Edo and Delta states (OMLs 4, 38 and 41) which include the Oben, Ovhor, Sapele, Okporhuru and Amukpe fields.

Investigations showed that the indig-

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

enous firms may continue to break new grounds at least for a reason. The promoters of the firms and other stakeholders have been in active service of many IOCs for several years. Consequently, they are believed to have the capacity and experience to succeed in business.

Many of the indigenous firms have foreign firms as technical partners. They also network constantly with operators from different parts of the world, thus ensuring that adequate resources can always be mobilised to tackle challenges in the globalised industry.

But there is an extent to which the indigenous firms can go without the PIB. This is because the Bill is targeted to introduce reforms in the industry. For instance, the PIB aims at restructuring as well as repositioning the industry for sustainable development. The PIB is also expected to provide new policies and incentives, capable of boosting investment in many sectors, especially exploration, production, refining, distribution and marketing of crude oil, natural gas and petroleum products.

Some stakeholders, especially lawmakers believe the PIB would be passed into law this year. For instance, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Ita Enang, who raised hope on the Bill stated, “As a member of the committee, I can authoritatively confirm to you that the PIB is one of our prioritised bills. It had passed second reading and we are working towards submitting our report for the third reading and final consideration of the senate.”

But many people think differently.

Executive Director, Spaces for Change, Mrs. Victoria Ohaeri as example. “From the body language we are getting, it is doubtful if the PIB will be passed into law. It does not appear that much has been done to give hope that the PIB will be passed into law soon. A lot of work still needs to be done to give us hope that we have gotten to the point of passing the PIB into law” she said.

The Director is not alone. An energy analyst, Mr. Zaka Bala stated in a telephone interview that ordinary pronouncements would not culminate in the passage of the PIB. He said, it is only the commitment of political class that can do so. Instead of commitment, Bala stated that different politicians and others have made many promises in the past without working to fulfill them.

He stated, “I doubt the PIB will be passed because the legislators and other stakeholders have made many pronouncements in the past without keeping them. Incidentally, the technocrats who know the importance of the PIB do not have the powers to pass the PIB into law. It is a pity.”

The analyst, who noted the negative consequences of the PIB on the IOCs and others stated that it can also constrain indigenous operators from making progress in the industry.

As he puts it, “The legislators and others should know that the PIB has not only affected the IOCs. It should not be delayed any longer because the indigenous operators are not immuned, but stand vulnerable to the various challenges that abound in the industry, especially the prolonged delay of the PIB.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Energy Week

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

35

OPEC daily basket price rises to $107 per barrel Udeme Akpan

T

he price of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC basket of 12 crudes has risen from $106.82 to $107.00 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).

The price is in excess of the $100 per barrel which the 2014 budget of many nation’s were based, meaning that the budgets would be successfully executed.

The Secretary General of OPEC, Dr. Abdalla S. El-Badri stated, “Today, we see a relatively balanced market. And looking at market indicators, we expect this to be the case for the rest of 2014. There is steady demand growth and enough supply to meet demand, with both stocks and spare capacity at comfortable levels.

He stated that OPEC crude production is currently close to 30 million barrels a day. This is what is required by the market.

OPEC is making sure its consumer’s needs are being met.

The Secretary General stated, “And in terms of prices, they have held fairly steady for the past two years or so, at a level that has been acceptable to both producers and consumers.

He stated that there has been talk that the supply side is undergoing something of a ‘revolution’ as new sources, particularly from outside of OPEC, enter the market.

Oil vessel

looking at the developments of one of the main medium-term drivers for non-OPEC liquids. Here, I am talking about North American tight oil.

He stated that tight oil adds depth and diversity to the market. But questions remain over its sustainability in the long-term.

The Secretary General stated, “We see North American tight oil, including NGLs, reaching 4.9 million barrels a day by 2017/2018, before declining thereafter.

He stated that many tight oil wells are experiencing sharp decline rates, which means that operators need to ‘drill, drill, drill’ just to maintain production.

El-Badri stated, “In the long-term, nonOPEC supply expansion will slow. And after 2018, it is OPEC that is expected to supply much of the additional liquids capacity.

OPEC is expected to supply around 11 million barrels a day of additional liquids between 2018 and 2035. In contrast, the figure for non-OPEC additions is 3 million barrels a day.

El-Badri stated, “These are developments that some have suggested will transform the oil market forever. But we need to be careful about what these changes really mean.

It is essential that we put things into some context, and examine the market over all timeframes.

He stated, “Over the past few years we have seen an upswing in non-OPEC liquid supplies. However, I should highlight that between 2009 and 2013, OPEC and nonOPEC each provided about 3 million barrels a day of additional production.

“In the medium-term, the non-OPEC supply expansion will continue. We see it increasing by over 4 million barrels a day between 2013 and 2018. Over the same period it means the call on OPEC liquids remains fairly stable.” He stated.

He stated, “Thus, non-OPEC supply will play an important role in the coming few years. However, this should be viewed as a periodic shift.

El-Badri stated, “This is apparent when

Unlicensed contractors have no business in power projects –LECAN Chidi Ugwu ABUJA

L

icensed Electrical Contractors Association of Nigeria, LECAN has declared that unlicensed contractors have no business in executing electrical projects saying those who do that risk arrest and possible prosecution.

LECAN’s North West Zonal Coordinator, Hon. Isa Onuku, who disclosure at press briefing organised by the association in Abuja, said the association had initiated moves to check the activities of unlicensed contractors stressing that most of the electrical accidents are caused by the activities of such unscrupulous elements.

Onuku, who also indicted former staff of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) saying some of them are in the habit of engaging such contractors for their selfish interests advised consumers to desist from dealing with unlicensed

contractors.

‘On a daily basis we catch people who are not licensed doing electrical projects, especially the defunct PHCN officials’ he said.

He said that already it has intimated and secured the backing of Kan Consortium, owners of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company He also alleged that in most cases meters are being processed and issued without the inputs of LECAN, stressing that in such cases inspection of the building, and other safety regulations are not followed.

LECAN has alleged that its members are excluded in the efforts to close the existing gap in pre-paid electricity metering gap in the country by the distribution companies.

The North-West Zonal Coordinator of LECAN, Mr. Isa Onuku, who made the allegation in Abuja claimed that that in most cases, inspection of the building, and other safety regulations are not followed when

meters are processed and issued without the inputs of LECAN. “In most cases meters are being processed and issued without the inputs of LECAN, in such cases inspection of the building, and other safety regulations are not followed” he said.

This is coming on the heels of the planned roll out 480, 000 in five years by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).

Chief Executive Officer, Abuja Disco, Mr. Neil Croucher, said that the target intends to cover a monthly rollout of 8,000 meters.

“Yes, our intention on meter rollout is about 8,000 meters a month, which is about 96,000 meters in a year. Again, following today’s discussion, and in about four to five months that we’ve been here, we’ve recognised that metering is an absolute key area.

“We would be looking at ways that we could increase the rollout and as rapidly as

Commodity

Units

Price

Change

% Change

Time(ET)

Crude Oil (WTI)

USD/bbl.

100.66

-0.48

-0.47%

15:58:31

Crude Oil (Brent)

USD/bbl.

105.99

-0.73

-0.68%

15:58:20

TOCOM Crude Oil

JPY/kl

65,400.00

+120.00

+0.18%

14:59:31

NYMEX Natural Gas

USD/MMBtu

4.47

+0.03

+0.77%

15:58:34

Source: Bloomberg

Source: Oilprice.com

possible. There would be logistics and challenges, of course; but we have to manage the project. We have to make sure that those meters are rolled out on a solid platform,” Croucher said.

He added that the 8,000 monthly target could be increased, if it would be possible to do so within the five-year period.

Croucher also observed that discos have not been accessible to customers.

To this end, he said that Abuja Disco intends to create an effective customer care centre that would capture every customer they have made contact with.

“So, we want to make it easier for customers to get in touch with us, tell us their concerns, and in our case, we want to establish a single call centre that would be able to serve the purposes,” he added.

It is recalled that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has said that the metering gap in the sector cannot be closed in a short while.

Although NERC explained that it was working hard to make sure that electricity distribution companies provide meters for their customers, it however noted that the metering gap in Nigeria was huge.

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi, while speaking on the sidelines of an event in Abuja recently, said, “Our expectation is that metering will increase, but let’s be very careful here.

36

Energy Week

GE signs technology deal with Devon Energy

G

eneral Electric, GE Oil & Gas which has offices in Nigeria and other nations has sealed a new Technology Collaboration Agreement with Devon Energy Corporation.

The deal aims at to accelerate the development and testing of products in the field to enhance the performance and economics of unconventional oil and gas projects.

Under the alliance, GE will collaborate with Devon Energy on driving technology advancements for artificial lift systems used for increasing the flow of liquids from production wells, advanced drilling technologies and water treatment solutions.

The announcement took place at a groundbreaking ceremony for GE’s new Global Research Center (GRC) in Oklahoma City, a hub for global oil & gas innovation and field testing of products to determine commercial viability.

Scheduled to open next year, the Center is part of GE’s threeyear effort to triple R&D investment in the oil and gas industry.

Focused on accelerating midto later-stage oil and gas technologies, the Oklahoma Center will capitalize on its close proximity to GE customers and to an important oil and gas producing region.

The Center will focus on solutions related to production systems, well construction, water use optimization, CO2 solutions and energy systems, and will draw on the company’s cross-business expertise to drive breakthroughs in the oil & gas space.

Lorenzo Simonelli, president and CEO, GE Oil & Gas said, “GE is committed to leading the unconventional resource revolution and technology is the core of how we will win in this space.

Through increased R&D investment, the creation of tech hubs, like Oklahoma City and Rio de Janeiro, and new partnership models, we are getting closer to our customers and bringing best-in-class technologies to market quicker. This approach is helping our customers be more efficient and productive and delivering growth for GE. ” Mark Little, chief technology officer, GE said, “Breakthrough technologies in natural gas have radically transformed the global energy landscape over the past decade. We look at innovation through a broad lens. GE’s global technology portfolio spans many industries. In Oil & Gas, we’re bringing the benefit of this perspective and partnering with great customers like Devon to push new frontiers in Oil & Gas production.”

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FG to amend electricity law as technical group submits document CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

T

he Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC said it has received the final revised document of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry Standards, NESIS, from the Technical Working Group, TWG. The conclusion and submission of the final document by the technical group paves way for harmonisation of the existing regulations in the power sector with provisions of the Electricity Power Sector Reform, EPSR, Act 2005.

The document, which took 18 months of long professional experience and intellectual project to complete, is expected to add some value to the nation’s power sector, as it shall guide the operations of the power sector, as well as tactically replace the 18-year old law - CAP 106 Regulations.

With the development, regulations, such as, the Electrical

Installations Regulation (CAP 106) of Law of Federal Government of Nigeria, which was promulgated in 1996 by the federal ministries of power and justice in consultation with the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), which has become obsolete, has been reviewed in line with the EPSR Act 2005.

Recall that a 24-man TWG on the electric networks construction standards was inaugurated

by NERC in December 2012 in Abuja.

Speaking during the event, NERC Chairman/CEO, Dr. Sam Amadi, expressed his satisfaction with the quality of work done by TWG. “This important national project has become necessary in order to address and stem the incessant substandard installation and supply activities of utility operations, licensed contractors and electricity consumers. It is no longer news that the current supply and installation practic-

es, to say the least, are suboptimal and highly inefficient.

“That’s why the commission initiated the review of CAP 106 Regulations. Recent events in the power sector demands greater and prompt action in order to maintain standards in the design, construction and operations of electrical systems to ensure reliability and safety. Based on feedbacks received from the secretariat of TWG and the commissioner (ES&S), the commission is highly impressed and satisfied with quality of work done thus far,” Amadi said.

In his remarks, TWG chairman, Mr. F. A. Somolu, praised NERC for being the first regulator in NESI to have the foresight to recognise the need to repeal the CAP 106 Regulations. “(This is) due to the advancement in technology and modernised work ethics, which have combined to render the document obsolete. It is evidently clear that the CAP 106 Regulations has outlived its useful life;

Prof. Nebo

thus, it is not in tune with the present arrangement in the Nigerian power sector and advancement in technology,” Somolu, who was represented by TWG vice chairman, Prof. Usman Aliyu, said.

He urged the commission to “expedite action in doing all that is required in effecting and enforcing the NESIS so that an efficient and effective NESI is realised for safe, adequate, reliable and affordable electricity supply in the country.”

NDPHC hands over Akute transmission station to TCN UDEME AKPAN

T

he Niger Delta Power Holding Company, NDPHC has handed over the newly-built largest power transmission plant in Nigeria to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

NDPHC, the operator, of the NIPP projects had commissioned the plant located in Oke-Aro community, Ogun State last year, but completely handed the plant to TCN at the weekend, having completed the provisions of the contract.

The TCN is therefore expected to fully utilise the state-of-the-art facility to improve power supply to Nigerians.

The Deputy General Manager, Civil Field Operations, NDPHC/ NIPP, Claudius Ogunrinde, said: “The project has been completed

Transmission station

and commissioned, and the company has been running it under the provisions of the contractual terms.

Today marks the proper and complete handover of the facility to the TCN. “We are here to examine the effectiveness of what we have done about a year ago and some of the factors listed to be improved upon, and we have seen that most of them have been done and the job is excellently executed to the RFP specified standard, he said.

He explained that the TCN was allowed to take partial control of the facility since last year with a clause in other to acquaint them with the technology and ensure that the plant start serving Nigerians.

“The clause was that: In case any of the equipment has problem, they have a warrantee for one year, the

contractor that did the job (EPC,) should also be around to help solve the problem and guide the staff on how to run the station without problems, so the warranty is over today and it becomes the baby of TCN completely,” he said.

To aid electricity consumption

by Nigerians, the transmission plant is meant to step down power from 330kva to 132kva and then to 33kva. The 33kva is where the Discos and consumers are getting supply from. The facility now has four feeders radiating on 33kva and two of them have been in service for about six months while another two has been added, waiting to be commissioned in the next three weeks.

TCN Boss, Engr Adeoye, assured that the station would boost power supply to Lagos and Ogun states significantly and ease the load on Ikeja West transmission station at Ayobo, Lagos.

He said: “The quality of the job done on the station is perfect. Its one of the best stations we are inheriting, and I hope it will serve us properly in Lagos.

“The station is going to relieve Lagos region, because the bulk of power we consume in Lagos is around Ikeja Industrial Area, and we all share the power from Ikeja West. Now that we have this, Ikeja area is going to be satisfied abundantly, which means there will be relief in the other parts of Lagos.

So, it will have effect on the whole of Lagos.

On the maintenance structure,

he said the TCN has its qualified team which are on standby to carry out the back up maintenance of the station frequently. “So, I can assure you that it is in good hands,”.

The station is yet to operate at full capacity, but Adeoye said plans are at advanced stage to upgrade some facilities that that would aid its service delivery.

“There are attempts to load the station fully, the product is ready now and their district colleague would take supply on 33kva, and their is also an intention for us to have 33x2kv line radiating from here in Oke Aro, so that is our next plan,”he said.

Giving details of the plant, Adeoye said: “This station is 330/132/33kva. For the consumers that are close to the plant, they will get relief on the 33kv feeders, others at around Oworonshoki, Gbagada, Somolu and environs will get supply on 132kva from here. Prior to that, the consumers from OworonshokI take supply from Ajah which is now overloaded.”

Project Consultant and Site Manager, Philip Oglla, said: “Our work is to check the quality of work on site to make sure that the execution of work is in line with the technical specification of Request for Proposal (RFP). The project has been conceived since 2010 and we can guarantee you that everything is perfect, the mechanical work, electrical and mechanical work is done in line with the standards of execution.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

UDEME AKPAN

S

eplat has signed a fiveyear Gas Sales Agreement, GSA, with Azura Edo Independent Power Project, to supply 116 MMscf/d at $3/Mscf from 2017, the company says in its interim report.

African Oil and Gas Report stated that the Nigerian E&P firm assures that its expansion of the Oben gas processing facilities remains on track, to enable the company expand production, in order to meet the fast growing domestic demand for gas.

It stated that Seplat is working to increase its gas production capacity to 390MMscf/d by 2017, from around 150MMscf/d currently.

The report stated that the Azura-Edo IPP comprises a 450MW open cycle gas turbine power station; a short transmission line connecting the power plant to a local substation and a

Energy Week

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Seplat, Azura sign gas supply/purchase deal short underground gas pipeline connecting the power plant to gas from the Oben facility.

It represents the first phase of a 1,500MW power plant facility. This first phase of the plant is expected to come on stream in 2017.

The reported that the firm’s strategy is to “achieve a major step forward” with the GSA for the Azura Edo independent power project. This contract with Azura “underpins Seplat’s major investment programme to upgrade the Oben gas plant and expand our domestic gas business”, SAYS Austin Avuru, Seplat’s Chief Executive Officer.

It quoted Seplat as stating that it failed to win the most

prized acreage in the ongoing divestment by Shell, TOTAL and ENI because its bid “was not the highest priced offer”.

The firm explained that this was why its “strong bid” for Oil Mining Leases, OMLs, 29 and 24 “did not lead to the company’s selection as preferred bidder”.

The hydrocarbon fields on the acreage could deliver as much as 160,000BOPD and 300MMscf/d at peak, with focused, aggressive work programme.

A joint bid by Midwestern Oil and Gas and Mart Resources is said to have won OML 18, while a consortium of Nigerian and Canadian companies named Cresta is the preferred bidder for OML 25. When contacted,

Oil rig

Midwestern Oil and Gas simply responded: “We’d talk about it later”.

Still more sources are sounding “very sure of their facts”, than ever before, and as the bid round winds down all the names and figures will soon be out in the open.

The Seplat statement can be interpreted to mean that the company is not sorely disappointed with the outcome. Seplat is confident that there is “a substantial pipeline of other material opportunities that are being pursued”, according Austin Avuru, its Chief Executive Officer.

“We will retain our focus on acquisition opportunities where we can leverage Seplat’s technical and financial strength,” he said.

Seplat’s net cash position currently is approximately $ 285 million, following receipt of the gross proceeds of the IPO of $535m and repayment of the MPI shareholder loan of $48 million, it said in the statement.

“All of our development projects remain on track, and we are confident of delivering our target production exit rate for this year of 72,000 BOPD, and of recovering as much of the production lost in the period as possible”, Mr. Avuru noted.

How DPR arrested manager, two others over illegal oil factory CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

T

he Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, has uncovered and sealed an illegal engine oil manufacturing factory in Usubu village, near Kontagora in Niger State.

DPR discovered the factory during a routine inspection and monitoring led by its Zonal Public Relations Officer, PRO, Muhammed Saidu accompanied by security operatives in Niger.

The Security Operatives from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, personnel, led by ASP Ademola Oyasola, arrested the Manager and two other persons from the factory.

Briefing newsmen at the end of the exercise, Saidu said the company was operating without approval from DPR as well as operating in an unsafe

environment.

He explained that before anybody could engage in petroleum product business in Nigeria, he must be licensed by the DPR in accordance with petroleum industry law.

According to DPR’s spokes person, the company was endangering the lives of the women and children who it was exposing to dangerous chemicals without protection.

Saidu said that the products of the company could not be anything of standard since it was operating illegally.

He stated that DPR would put the products to its laboratory test to ascertain its composition and standard.

He however paid the 38 workers of the company a N1000 each as their unpaid wages and sealed the factory.

“This factory remains sealed while investigation will be carried out as to the source of their raw materials.

“The company produces two types of engine oil called Ribcon auto oil and zikon super engine multigrade oil.

“The activities of this company are illegal and it is also dangerous to health of these innocent women and children it engaged,” he said.

The factory manger, while answering question from newsmen said that the company got approval from the Standard Organisation of Nigeria, SON. Ambi also said that the company did not have licence from the DPR, saying that his boss, who was not in town applied for licence.

The name of the company is IMN Auto Parts Limited located in a village called Usubu, near Kotongora.

The team of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, led by an Assistant Superintendent, Mr. Ademola Oyasola, arrested

three persons from the factory.

The three persons arrested are the manager of the company, Mr. Philip Ambi, the Sales Representative, Emeka Anatusi and Secretary, Mrs. Grace Asilonu.

Oyesola told newsmen that the arrested persons would be taken to NSCDC Headquarters in Abuja and handed to the legal unit for prosecution.

DPR, Director, George Osahon

37

Expro makes $2bn worth contracts in 40 years

E

xpro, an international oilfield services company operating in Nigeria and other nations has won $2bn in the past 40 years.

This milestone was achieved at the end of Expro’s 40th anniversary year, thanks to a number of contract wins, including almost $500m in the last quarter alone.

Expro attributes this success due to its market-leading position in deep water well testing and subsea landing string services, the re-emergence of its production systems business and the strengthening of its position in the Gulf of Mexico and Middle East. This is combined with important contributions across its six global regions.

The company’s North America order book increased significantly with a number of key large bore subsea completion landing string and offshore well testing contracts for major international and smaller independent companies.

As a result of these wins, Expro is making some strategic investments in the North America market, which includes a $2.5m expansion of its operational facility in Broussard, Louisiana.

The company’s Middle East region grew considerably with stronger positions in Algeria and the Kurdistan region of Iraq, as a result of key land based well testing and early production facility contract wins. These contracts will provide Expro with the opportunity to introduce a range of new technologies, products and services into these Middle East markets.

Expro’s European business received a welcome boost from a number of contract extensions in the North Sea as a result of continued customer recognition of the company’s technology, service quality and track record.

These extensions were supplemented by important large bore subsea completion landing string contracts in Azerbaijan and also the UK. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the company bolstered its position in Ghana and Angola, through additional well test and large bore subsea completion landing string contracts.

It also made significant progress in South East Africa, Chad and a number of other Central West African countries.

Across the region, the company now has a number of fully integrated exploration and appraisal well testing contracts, from land to deepwater locations, plus a number of early production facilities that are accelerating first oil production from client fields.

Expro’s business in Asia strengthened throughout the year with new contract wins and extensions in Indonesia, Australia, Brunei and Thailand.

38

Energy Week

Afren supports EITI on transparency

A

fren Plc has thrown its weight behind the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, EITI in order to achieve increased transparency and accountability in the oil and gas industry.

The firm stated in a statement that it became a Supporting Company of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative a few weeks ago.

The EITI is a global coalition of governments, companies and civil society working together to improve openness and accountable management of revenues from natural resources.

It provides a robust methodology for monitoring and reconciling company payments and government revenues at the country level.

Afren operates in a number of countries around the world that appear in the lower half of Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index.

Several of these are EITI candidates or fully compliant. We support and comply with the relevant reporting processes in each country.

We also endorse the EU and UK government’s commitment to ensure that listed and other large oil, gas and mining companies disclose payments to governments on a project-by-project and country-by-country basis.

Afren is an independent upstream oil and gas exploration and production company listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange and a constituent of the Financial Times Stock Exchange Index of the leading 250 UK listed companies.

Afren has a portfolio of assets spanning the full cycle exploration and production (E&P) value chain.

Afren is currently producing from its assets in Nigeria and the Kurdistan region of Iraq and holds further exploration interests in Ghana, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, the Kurdistan region of Iraq, Congo Brazzaville, Kenya, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Seychelles, Tanzania and South Africa.

The firm stated, “We place great emphasis on achieving exploration and appraisal success, as this is integral to creating value for our shareholders. Our dedicated E&A team is responsible for identifying exploration ideas, prioritising our prospect inventory, ensuring efficient deployment of capital and executing our exploration and drilling activities.

It stated that in 2013, our exploration and appraisal campaign yielded remarkable results, with the play-opening discovery in OPL 310, offshore Nigeria, one of the largest discoveries in the world last year and the successful drilling and testing results on the Ain Sifni and Barda Rash PSCs, Kurdistan region of Iraq. Our E&A success has resulted in net 2P reserves addition of 34.1 mmbbls and a 2P reserves replacement ratio for 2013 of 201 per cent.

The firm stated, “The growth in our production platform has enabled us to generate high-margin predictable cash flows for the Group, which in turn has enhanced our financial flexibility to undertake our work programme efficiently.

It stated that in 2013, our production was at the upper end of guidance, having achieved an average net production 47,112 boepd – representing a increase of 7.5 per cent (excluding discontinued operations in Côte d’Ivoire) from the previous year.

UDEME AKPAN

T

he Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC has called on Electricity Distribution Companies to make it a duty to expedite action on complaints brought to them by electricity customers, before they get to the NERC forum office.

The Chairman/CEO of the Commission, Dr. Sam Amadi gave the marching order during the inauguration of members of three forum offices, namely, Benin, Jos, and Yola on the 20th of May, 2014.

He said that the forum will serve as an appellate court, to dispense with complaints that may not have received satisfactory outcomes by the Customer Care Unit (CCU) of the distribution companies.

“The structure of the forum members reflects fairness and knowledge, made up of people who will feel the pulse of the people because they live among them”, Amadi said.

Each forum has five members with representatives from the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), the Consumer Protection Council (CPC), and the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE. He said that it is the prerogative of the forum to protect electricity customers, pointing out that the forum must be seen to be impartial and neutral as this will affect their judgment and provide transparency to the forum and by extension to the Commission”.

The inaugurated forum members and the soon to be commissioned forum offices of Benin, Jos and Yola will bring the number of NERC forum offices to eleven.

Forum offices already existing include the

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NERC seeks quick resolution of complaints

Abuja, Eko and Ikeja forum offices. The others are Enugu, Port-Harcourt, Kano, Kaduna and Ibadan forum offices.

Meanwhile, NERC has also tasked the DISCOs to close the metering gap; at the same time urged for standardisation of customer estimation, avoidance of extortion and exploitation by both the utility companies and the customers.

Amadi said, “With the wide gap in metering, which was put at 54.8 per cent in 2012, resulting in very high estimation it became necessary to introduce a temporary measure for billing customer who is not effectively metered”.

He said the Customer Service Standard

Regulation on meters stipulates that, “if there is no electricity meter to record electricity usage at a customer’s supply address, the Disco must base customer’s bill on estimated energy consumption, which is calculated in accordance with a method approved by the Commission”.

Basically, estimation should be on verifiable scientific method for monitoring and dispute resolution purpose. It must also be reflective of local consumption pattern and close to a actual readings previously obtained.

The Commission’s Chairman stated that other basis for consideration in estimation is power availability and issues associated with system losses; that is, commercial losses.

Amadi enjoined the Discos to intensify metering programs to reduce estimation over medium to long-term. He also warned against the practice by some Discos who apply the unapproved estimation method that is based on averaging billed energy.

He said that amendment were made to the capacity charge after it discovered errors in the generation tariff order, and thereby directed GENCOs to recalculate their projected revenues based on the correct figures.

Amadi said, “Both the capacity and energy payments that were received by the hydro generation plants prior to the correction were inflated”, and the correction will not affect their regulated revenue but would rather ensure that tariff falls in line with energy payments.

a Memorandum of Understanding, MOU with EFCC to phase out quackery in the system.

The Chairman said that NSE Egbin Branch was known for her dynamism and was well represented in national activities.

“We promote engineering learning and practice in our environment.

“The branch has also made great contributions in developing the technical capabilities of Egbin staff through workshops and seminars,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Managing director of Egbin Power Plc, Mr. Mike Uzoigwe said the pipeline vandalism has happened several times.

He said, “There are times the develop-

ment will be reported and immediately authorities mobilise to fix it, the vandals come back to vandalise the same or another facility. It is something that happens frequently.

Uzoigwe said “But the pipeline vandals should be discouraged from vandalising the facility. It is in the best interest of everyone to protect the pipelines so as to ensure adequate gas is supplied to power stations. It is adequate gas supply that will enable the nation to generate more electricity for transmission and distribution to consumers in different parts of the nation.

He said another challenge that comes to mind is lack of proper maintenance culture.

The plant was not properly maintained for a long time.

Sam Amadi

NSE tasks FG on effective gas supply to power plants

T

he Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE has tasked the Federal Government to ensure efficient supply of gas to the nation’s power plants.

The increased supply is targeted at enabling the plants to generate more energy for transmission and distribution The Chairman of Egbin Chapter of NSE, Mr. Lanre Siddiq, who made this known at the 2014 Engineering Week Celebration in Lagos said that lack of gas supply has constrained the plants from generating commercial energy in the nation.

He stated, “By now power generated will have increased a lot but due to insufficient gas supply, the power generation is dropping.

“Here in Egbin, for the past two weeks, we have been managing the little we have and that is why there is drop in power generated here,” he said.

The chairman said that if the government could improve on gas supply to all the power plants in the country, there would be a tremendous improvement in electricity supply.

He urged the government to expand the existing grid so that it could be able to evacuate energy generated from all the power plants.

“Government should work in the area of National Grid expansion.

“For a long time now the grid has been very weak, it needs to be expanded so that it will be able to effectively evacuate energy generated by power plants,” he said.

Siddiq said that the Council for Regulation of Engineering (COREN) had signed

Egbin power plant

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Industry & SMEs

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Local, foreign industrialists to showcase products at Lagos fair IT IS AIMED AT PROMOTING INDUSTRIAL SYNERGY BETWEEN

NIGERIA’S INDUSTRIAL PLAYERS AND THEIR Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga

STORIES: ABOLAJI ADEBAYO

L

ocal and foreign industrial concerns will converge on Lagos next month as part of efforts to forge partnerships that could have direct impact on the nation’s industrialisation drive.

The forum is a Specialised Trade Exhibition being packaged by Aulic Nigeria Limited, the company that manages the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, in association with Ukraine International Exhibition Centre, and HiBC Heritage International Business Concept U.GMBH..

The exhibition, which is holding between 6th and 15th of June 2014, with the theme “Boosting Nigeria’s Development through Creative and Innovative Industrialisation” is organised to create an opportunity for a healthy partnership between international industries and local business community, the organisers said.

The Managing Director, Aulic Nigeria Limited, Dr. (Mrs) Chika Ezeh, who said the exhibition is organised purposely to match the Nigerian business community with foreign producers, revealed that there are some products and services, which are either not known here in Nigeria or which are too expensive for majority of people.

She explained that the producers of such products are already on ground to introduce their products to the consumers and business merchants so as to be the distributors and or producers of such products in the country.

Ezeh said that her company would be playing the role of a middleman between the foreign industries and the interested local business individuals, creating smooth relationship between them for such local business in-

Ezeh

dividuals to be able to have direct dealing with the industries.

She explained that the foreign companies coming to the event could also be contacted by those looking for jobs as many of them would be ready to offer employment opportunities having been ready to set up their factories in Nigeria.

She said, “Many of our partners are ready to bring their factories here and this is worth pursuing. And that is why we have to put up all efforts to make this exhibition worthwhile.”

She noted that out of more than 119 foreign companies from various companies that showed interest to participate in the exhibition, 29 are already in Nigeria with their representatives and products.

The exhibition would be staged indoors. “The entire exhibition this time around would be indoors, as against the normal outdoor exhibitions Nigeria is used to. We want to deviate from that tradition and go by the international standard”, Ezeh said.

The Aulic boss who lamented the negligence and dilapidated condition of the Lagos International Trade Fair complex for a long time before it came under the management of her company, said the complex is being renovated to the international standards.

Speaking on other facilities being put in place to ensure the success of the exercise, Ezeh said, “New structures and lines of businesses have been designed and established. The complex and facilities have renovated and re-equipped to meet international standard.

“Now, there is a Nigeria Customs licensed Bonded Terminal for clearing of goods in the complex. This will make clearing of goods for the exhibition less stressful.

“There are warehouses for

COUNTERPARTS FROM THE OTHER PARTS OF THE GLOBE easy and safe storage of goods no matter the size and quantity of the goods. The complex has standard halls and galleries of various sizes designed for trade exhibitions and other uses.

Other facilities include clinic, hotels, as well as event management services to cater for workshops, seminars and other presentation.

She added that the organiser has also provided tourism services to acquaint the exhibitors with the Lagos environment and other parts of the country during and after the exhibition as well as putting in place travelling Agency to take care of their travelling arrangement as they wish.

Meanwhile, the Managing Director appealed to the business owners in Nigeria to take the advantage of the exhibition as business gurus from about seven countries will discuss and give them details about business opportunities in other countries which they can leverage on.

The objective of the exhibition, according to Ezeh, is to stimulate more interest in creativity while more attention is paid to new global trend of innovation in the developmental struggle of Nigeria.

It is also aimed at promoting industrial synergy between Nigeria’s industrial players and their counterparts from the other parts of the globe as well as attracting foreign direct investment, FDI, into the country.

The industries expected at the exhibition according to Ezeh, include agro-allied industry, automotive and machinery industry, building and construction industry, furniture, processing and packaging industry, and others.

39

Expert sensitises youths to job opportunity in plank business

T

here are many small and medium enterprises, which can be embarked on to generate money for the teeming unemployed youths instead of waiting for government for white collar jobs, one of such is found in plank business.

The Chief Executive Officer of Illa-Billahi Venture, Alhaji Aliyu Shittu, said that the plank business is a very lucrative business which the unemployed youths can venture into.

He said the business does not require huge capital to start, noting that planks are being exported and as a result, contributing to the foreign income.

According to him, one may partner with a plank producer base on the type of agreement between the two and become the distributor of that producer. He said the distributor may also be an exporter of the product after learning the rudiments of exportation process.

Shittu, therefore advised the

youths to take advantage presented by the business instead of being idle by being distributors if not the producer because according to him, the cost of plank production may be beyond their capability. He explained that being a distributor does not require much capital, just for such a distributor to get a space for the storage of his planks.

He also advised the governments to encourage the young ones and lure them into the business through seminar and funding.

According to him, only through the small and medium businesses can the rate of unemployment be reduced in the country.

“If our graduates can be enlightened and encouraged in taking up these businesses, the unemployment will be reduced.

Let them see this business as business for the graduates, not the one meant for the uneducated”, Shittu said.

FG, banks plan new funding strategy for SMEs

T

he Federal Government is partnering commercial banks across the country to fashion out a new funding mechanism that will give SMEs increased access to cheap funds.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, disclosed this during a meeting with SME Desk Managers of Banks in Abuja.

Aganga noted that the new initiative was aimed at removing barriers militating against banks’ lending to MSMEs as part of renewed efforts to increase their capacity to create jobs, generate wealth and transform the country’s economy.

He said, “The rate of unemployment in Nigeria is becoming alarming and staring us in the face. There is no gainsaying the fact that the best way to checkmate the situation is to have a virile Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises sub-sector. The recent survey conducted by SMEDAN, in conjunction with the National Bureau of Statistics, revealed that we have close to 20 million MSMEs in Nigeria.

“The figure represents over 80 per cent of the total number of enterprises in the country and accounts for 75 per cent of Nigeria’s total employment base. If we don’t create an enabling environment for this important sub-sector to thrive, we will all suffer its negative consequences.”

He added, “The MSME community has been complaining bit-

terly of not being able to access cheap funds from the banks. They have also said that where services are available, it takes the banks ‘forever’ to process them. The vision of the Ministry of Trade and Investment is to increase the contribution of SMEs to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product from 10 per cent to 30 per cent and increase export earnings through SMEs from three per cent to 25 per cent within the lifetime of this administration.

“To be able to achieve this, we have identified commercial banks and development finance institutions and are partnering them to come up with SMEfriendly products or re-design existing products to enhance access to finance by SMEs. We want to partner the banks to remove the barriers inhibiting them from lending to SMEs at a reduced interest rate.”

Aganga said that SMEDAN was currently carrying out an SME Rating Project to minimise the risks associated with SMEs by training and re-training them to become more competitive and attractive for funding by commercial banks.

“I am aware that banks’ problems with SME operators border on perception of SMEs as high risk borrowers, largely due to their informal nature, inability to prepare bankable business plans, poor record keeping and discriminatory cultural practices, among other things’’, he said.

40

Cocktail

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Man catching baby in mid-air after fall from second-story window

A

mazing footage shot

by CCTV cameras in China captured a thrilling moment that was perilously close to being a complete disaster.

In the video, a man can be seen looking up at something that is out of the picture. As it turns out, the thing that got his attention was a 1-year-old baby who had somehow managed to get out onto a second-story window ledge.

With the help of another man, Mr Li of Guangdong

Province was able to safely catch the infant as it tumbled towards the ground after falling off the ledge.

“Some people put down cardboard to avoid serious injuries to the baby if I fail to catch him,” Li said, according to News.com.au.

The baby avoided serious injury and was returned to its anxious mother.

“I didn’t think too much at the time. I was just afraid of failing to catch him,” Li said. “It was nothing but human instinct to do so.”

Healthy baby boy born to woman in coma

A

California woman gave birth to a healthy five-pound, nineounce baby boy on Thursday, even though she wasn’t able to welcome him into the world herself.

Melissa Carleton has been in a coma for than 10 weeks, but she was still able to bring West Nathaniel Lande into the world via caesarean section at a San Francisco hospital.

The 39-year-old has been in a semi-comatose state since she underwent emergency surgery to remove a large

brain tumour.

“I was just so happy to have a healthy baby, healthy son,” Brian Lande, Carleton’s husband, told NBC News. “It’s a feeling of immense relief joy and immense sorrow for Melissa not able to be awake for it.”

Now that the baby has been delivered, Carleton will be transferred to a brain rehab clinic and begin undergoing intense therapy in an effort to wake her. Carleton’s future is uncertain, but Lande is hopeful that she will recover and be able to meet West.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oddities

Man wearing pig mask, toy helmet arrested for impersonating police G reater Manchester Police arrested a man who put on a pig mask, toy helmet and reflective jacket in order to perform “comical parodies” about the behaviour of law enforcement officials.

New Moston man Steven Peers was arrested on suspicion of impersonating a police officer after he put on the costume to call attention to how GMP officers conducted themselves during anti-fracking protests.

The 46-year-old was arrested after being stopped by an officer outside a police station.

“My reaction to being arrested was total disbelief. I was wearing a toy hat and a pig mask and was arrested for impersonating a police officer.

It’s ridiculous,” Peers told the Manchester

Evening News. “If they want to take it to court

they will be a laughingstock because there is

no substance to it whatsoever.”

The arrested man wearing a pig mask and toy helmet standing next to a British police officer.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Civil Service

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

41

L-R: Director Admin/Human Resources, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Ado Solomon; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Students and Youth Affairs, Comrade Jude Imagwe and the Representative of DG. NOA; Director, Orientation and Peace Education, Mr. David Manya Dogo in a parley during the award ceremony of NOA second National Youth Essay Competition in Abuja yesterday.

Nigerians pray for Chibok schoolgirls, as the world celebrates Children’s Day A

s the world celebrates Children’s Day on Tuesday, May 27, the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has called for concerted efforts to protect children and their interests.

A statement issued by the UNICEF’s Communications Specialist, Mr Geoffrey Njoku, in Abuja on Monday said: ``Every day in the media, we hear of one form of abuse or the other against children, rape of underage children, child trafficking and so on.”

The statement said that the recent abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls in Chibok aptly underscored the urgent need for collective action to protect the children. ``We need to create a protective environment for our children to ensure a bright future for them,’’ it said.

The statement noted that the protective environment was based on the recognition that all children were entitled to protection, as enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child and Nigeria’s Child’s Rights Act 2003.

Observers, therefore, insist that the import of the statement should not

be lost, as Nigeria celebrates this year’s Children’s Day with over 200 young citizens under the captivity of some ruthless terrorists.

They emphasise that the celebration is totally overshadowed by the plight of the innocent girls from Chibok who have been having some harrowing experience in the den of the Boko Haram terrorists.

However, the plight of the Chibok girls is not an isolated case, as the Boko Haram insurgents attacked and killed several students of Federal Government College (FGC), Buni Yadi, Yobe, barely two months before the girls’ abduction.

The sect also carried out a similar attack in Yobe in September 2013, killing over 40 students at the College of Agriculture, Gujba.

In July 2013, 42 students were massacred when the Boko Haram insurgents invaded the hostel of Government Secondary School, Mamudo, also in Yobe.

During the invasions, the terrorists killed or abducted several students, while killing some teachers and torching some school buildings.

The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) said that during the carnage, over 170 teachers were killed by the Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State alone.

Against this backdrop, analysts insist that this year’s Children’s Day is an opportunity for every Nigerian to reflect on the threats facing children, their education and their future.

The situation appears quite grim; as it has somewhat become the in-thing for the Boko Haram group to attack defenceless students in their dormitories.

For instance, the group purportedly sent threat letters to two all-boys secondary schools -- Government College and Mount St. Gabriel College – in Makurdi, Benue State.

The Principal of Government College, Mr Godfrey Ugudu, said that he received two letters from the sect, threatening to invade the school and abduct the students before compelling them to marry the abducted schoolgirls.

In a show of solidarity, some groups of Nigerian children threatened to boycott this year’s Children’s Day celebration if the kidnapped girls from Chibok were not found before the day.

Master Idara Thompson, the Speaker of the Children’s Parliament, relayed the children’s position at the 2014 Children’s Parliament Retreat in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.

Thompson called for the deployment of the country’s security operatives to schools across the country to protect the children.

He said that the government’s failure to give maximum protection to children had exposed the children to evils such as abduction, theft, sexual abuse and forced labour, among others. ``Our government must rise up and tell the world that they are capable of protecting children. ``As children, we need protection against child thieves; sexual abuse from teachers, close relatives and friends to our families; we also need protection against forced labour from other members of the society. ``We need our voices to be heard on certain issues, especially those affecting our lives like health and socio-economic conditions, which we are supposed to be involved in,” he said.

Besides, Thompson stressed that it was disheartening that some state governments had yet to

domesticate the Child Rights Act. Miss Msendo Ahwah, a member of the Children’s Parliament, noted that children would be able to meaningfully participate in the country’s development efforts if they were properly secured. ``I see no reason why we should be here discussing child participation when there is a more important issue. ``On May 27, we are celebrating Children’s Day. Supposing my sister is among the abducted girls, what am I celebrating when my sister is nowhere to be found?’’ she queried.

Ahwah urged the government to strengthen its efforts to rescue the abducted girls, adding that until that was done; no Nigerian child would feel safe anymore.

The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) stressed that this year’s Children’s Day should be used to drum up support for the Bring Back Our Girls campaign.

Chief Nengi James, the CLO Chairman in Bayelsa, said: ``This year’s Children’s Day should be used to mobilise children nationwide to join the campaign for the release

of the schoolgirls abducted from Chibok. ``How can we be celebrating when over 200 Nigerian children are in an unknown, unsafe place, staying with criminally minded and cold-blooded killers? ``Nigerian children should use the day to pray for the abducted girls,’’ he added.

However, some state governments have cancelled the celebration of this year’s Children’s Day and Democracy Day in honour of the abducted girls.

Mrs. Elizabeth Sonubi, Ogun State’s Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, said the Children’s Day would be dedicated to praying for the release of the Chibok schoolgirls.

Sonubi said that the ministry intended to use the day for prayers and children’s counselling ``so that they will know what is going on and be vigilant as well”.

However, Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, the Secretary to the State Government, said that the cancellation of the Democracy Day’s celebration was to identify with parents of the abducted girls, while resiCONTINUED ON PAGE 42

42

Civil Service

Increased poultry production will demand more grains, says association

T

he Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) has said that the Nigerian livestock industry depended on grains, hence, an increase in poultry production would demand increased grains production according to a report by the NewsAgency of Nigeria..

The National President of the association, Dr Ayoola Oduntan, said this in a press statement issued on Tuesday in Lagos.

The statement said grains production was not increasing at the same pace with the growth in the poultry industry.

It also said that food production had not measured up with the rapid population growth, resulting in the hike of food and

feed prices. ``The Nigerian livestock industry mostly depends on the grains produced within the country augmented by some importation. ``Increased poultry production will demand more grains; the grain production is not going up at the same pace as poultry. ``This is of great concern to the poultry industry in Nigeria. ``Food production has failed to keep pace with Nigeria’s rapid population growth, hence food and feed prices are constantly rising. ``The prices of maize doubled during the last decade, encouraging maize production in Nigeria,’’ the statement said.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Niger spends N399m on 291 women groups empowerment PRISCILLA DENNIS, MINNA

N

o fewer than 291 women co-operatives groups are to be trained and empowered by the Niger state government in conjunction with the Directorate of special projects under SURE-P at the cost of N399 million as part of measure to address gender disparity,

fight poverty and creat jobs for them.

Niger state Commissioner for Gender affairs and social development Hajiya Hassana Adamu, who stated this in Minna during a press conference said about 2,910 women are expected to benefit from the programme.

According to her, at the end of the training programme, equipment

and the sum of N250,000 would be given to each of the co-operative groups, adding supervision and monitoring team have been put in place to ensure judicious use of the funds.

She explained that the co-operatives groups were properly screened to ascertained the authenticity of all the cooperative groups to be

financed by the state and local governments in a 40% and 60% ratio.

Some of the vocational skills to be embarked upon by the groups, she said are fish farming, food processing, poultry farming and animal rearing, noting that 22 trainers have been employed to train beneficiaries in the 3 senatorial zones in the state.

Civil service commission chairman seeks upward review of workers’ salaries

T

he Chairman, Sokoto State Civil Service Commission, Alhaji Mujitaba Ahmad, on Tuesday advocated for an upward review of workers’ salaries in Nigeria according to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria.

Ahmad made the call when he briefed newsmen on the forthcoming 42nd Annual Conference on Civil Service Commissions in the Federation taking place from June 1 to June 6 in Sokoto. ``This is the only way to rid the nation’s rot-plagued civil service of corruption. ``The upward review of workers remuneration will stop them from looking for ways to augment their meagre salaries. ``Such ways to augment salaries are usually illegal and they lead to corruption and other related offences.’’

Ahmad said that the proposed new salaries should be able to adequately meet the daily needs of workers and their families.

He stressed the need for workers in the country to work tirelessly, honestly and patriotically, adding that the civil service, at present, was bedevilled by greed and lack of patriotism. ``The reform agenda as being pursued by the Federal Government should be

replicated across Nigeria. ``The civil service, as it is now, in Nigeria lacks direction and only God can help salvage it.’’

Ahmad stressed the need to insulate the civil service from political interference, while merit should be the priority.

Acting Executive Secretary, National Investment Promotion Council, Alhaji Hassan Abubakar (right), handing over to his Successor, Mrs Salamatu Umar, in Abuja recently.

Nigerians pray for Chibok schoolgirls, as the world celebrates Children’s Day CONTINUED FROM 41 dents of the state would also use the day to pray for the girls’ release. ``In deference to the current mood of the nation over the abducted girls at Chibok, Ogun State has stepped down its activities to mark Democracy Day. ``This decision is to identify with the parents of the over 200 schoolgirls abducted over a month ago by the Boko Haram sect,” Adeoluwa said.

Similarly, Borno State Governor’s wife, Hajiya Aishatu Shettima, in collaboration with the state’s Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, has cancelled this year’s Children’s Day celebration.

Her Press Secretary, Mr Muhammad Hassan, said that the cancellation was a mark of respect for victims of the insurgents’ attacks, adding that the day would

be used to offer special prayers for the safety and quick release of the abducted schoolgirls.

Gov. Babangida Aliyu of Niger also said that the Children Day and the Democracy Day would not be celebrated with the usual pomp.

Mr Danladi Ndayebo, the Commissioner for Information in Niger, said that the days would be used to pray for the nation.

Ndayebo said that the Ministry of Gender Affairs and Social Development would mobilise children across the state to pray for the release of the abducted girls on the Children’s Day. He said that on May 29 – Democracy Day – residents of the state would be mobilised to pray for God’s intervention in efforts to stamp out terrorism and restore peace in the NorthEast and Nigeria at large.

Nevertheless, Senate

President David Mark has called for prayers for the survival of the Nigerian child.

In a statement signed his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, Mark stressed that Nigerians should pray against a situation in which Nigerian children were becoming endangered species in the hands of abductors and kidnappers.

He said that the situation called for a sober reflection on the way forward, as ``I cannot rationalise why the children, who represent the future of Nigeria, suddenly became the targets of evil men.’’

In a goodwill message to mark this year’s Children’s Day, Mark specifically bemoaned a situation where over 200 schoolgirls in Chibok, abducted by the Boko Haram sect, were still in captivity. ``In spite of the outcry

across the world on the abduction of the Chibok girls, their captors remain adamant. This is inhuman, barbaric, insane and condemnable by all right thinking members of the human race. ``As parents or guardians, we owe our children care and protection. How do we explain to generations yet unborn that our girls abducted from their school by unknown persons are still being held more than one month after? ``This is a challenge to all of us; we cannot fail these children. All of us must put on our thinking caps and strategise on the way out,’’ he said.

Mark urged all Nigerians to jettison religious, political or ethnic considerations and work for the unity of Nigeria, while partaking in the campaign against insurgents. ``With the cooperation

and collective will of all of us, we shall surely overcome,’’ he added.

Mark said that the National Assembly, in realisation of the dangers facing children in today’s world and the need to address these dangers, passed the Child Right Bill into law.

He urged some state governments, which had yet to domesticate the Child Rights Act of 2003, to do so without further delay.

As the children celebrate this year’s Children’s Day, concerned citizens urge all Nigerians to pray for the safe return of the abducted schoolgirls from Chibok.

They also underscore the need for all Nigerians to protect the children’s interests, adding that the activity entails the input of the community, the government, the traditional and religious leaders, the civil society and the media.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ANIEFIOK MACAULEY UYO

T

he Resident Electoral Commissioner in Akwa Ibom, Dr. Gabriel Ada has disclosed that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, will employ the use of card reader in 2015 general elections to curb rigging and other malpractices observed in previous exercises.

“To curtail some of the excesses recorded in previous elections in Nigeria, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will in 2015 election employ the use of card reader to authenticate real voters,” Ada said.

Ada who made the disclosure on Tuesday during an interaction with newsmen in Uyo the state

Politics

Wednesday May 28, 2014

43

2015: Card reader will reduce election rigging – INEC capital said the new method will among other things allow the commission to authenticate genuine voters, safeguard the quality of election and ensure that everyone’s vote count.

“The card reader will help to authenticate voters at the polling unit. If my officials come back with figures above the people authenticated by the machine, then we will know that they rigged and we would not hesitate to cancel election in such unit,” he said.

According to him, a total of 1.6 million voters which were registered in Akwa

Ibom, only 1.4million were issued with the permanent voter card disclosing that with new registration commencing on Wednesday in all the polling units across the 329 wards of the state, 205 polling units that were affected by non issuance of card will to re-register afresh.

He therefore urged those who are yet to collect their permanent voter card during the just concluded distribution exercise to visit the registration units for their cards or else will need to go to the commission’s office in their respective local government areas after

the end of the registration adding that the card reader will not recognise temporary voter cards.

Ada who said the commission has learnt some lessons from previous elections in the country, noted that the electoral umpire was now working to move beyond being an election management body to a body that can conduct election that meets international standard to the satisfaction of all.

He stated further that to forestall late arrivals of materials at the polling units the commission has introduced a system termed ‘superank’ as according to

him the system is intended to bring INEC officials closer to their polling units before the election day to ensure that they arrive at the unit before 8am on the election day.

While expressing satisfaction with the card distribution exercise in the state, Ada regretted that cards were snatched in Uyo, Ikono and Nsit Ubium local government areas.

EiE to promote RSVP campaign TOYEEB OLAYINKA

E

nough is Enough Nigeria, EiE, a coalition of individuals and youthled organisations committed to a culture of good governance and public accountability is set to raise fund towards the promotion of good governance in the country.

The fundraising dinner which will hold on Saturday, June 14 at the Duchess Zion centre, Victoria Island, Lagos is aimed at supporting programmes and initiatives of promoting good governance through its Register, Select, Vote,

Protect, RSVP campaign ahead of the 2015 elections.

According to the organisations Executive Director, Mrs Yemi Adamolekun the event will not only bring about the dividends of democracy the populace has been yearning for, but will also lead to recommitment and rededication of Nigerians to build a greater nation, adding that every Nigerian interested in good governance should support the fundraising dinner as their support will deepen the group resolve to continue the good work in quest of good governance in the country.

2015: Group insists on no zoning in Plateau JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

L-R: Oyo State PDP governorship candidate, Mr. Femi Babalola; Media Consultant, Mr Laide Akano and chairman of the forum, Mr Laide Oyelude, during the Guest Forum in Ibadan, recently.

Abducted girls: Private teachers demand more action from FG OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU

N

ational Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) Lagos Mainland chapter yesterday joined the global world to demand for the release of Chibok school girls from the bondage of Boko Haram, demanded more action from federal government.

The protesters who are teachers and students of various schools in Yaba marched to Yaba Local Council Development Area secretariat to register their grievances.

Addressing the protesters, chairman of the council, Hon Jide Jimoh in his address said Federal Government should stop playing politics over the abduction of the schoolgirls, saying effort should be made to rescue them alive.

“The abduction of over 200 girls is an issue that is very barbaric, satanic and devilish. At any point in time, I always think about it if they were to be my children how would I feel by now.

“Therefore, Federal Government should wake up and work together with the people to free these girls.

President Jonathan should not play politics with their lives at all”, he added.

To the association he said “I salute your courage for this solidarity support on the rescue of our girls that have been withheld for the past 45 days.

“But let us not stop praying and be committed to God that these people who have been found killing people would be arrested by God. And our girls will be rescued by God himself.

On his part, chairman National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Lagos Mainland Chapter; Mrs Ope

Williams represented by Mrs Johnson Tokunbo said “we are here to raise our voices that the government should work hard to bring back our girls. Therefore we urged armies and others to work together to rescue our girls and bring them back alive.

“Ordinarily, the girls should have been part of the elaborated programme organised by schools and private organisations to mark this year children’s day, she said.

The association used the opportunity to present a copy of their letters to the chairman.

A

group under the auspices of Plateau North Political Front, PNDF has dismissed claims in some quarters that there is a zoning arrangement to rotate the governorship position among the three senatorial zones in the state.

According to them there had never been any circumstance where the governorship position had been zoned to any senatorial district, either covertly or otherwise, challenging anybody with such claims to step forward and present his case and fact where such agreement is in the political history of Plateau State.

PNDF chairman Evangelist Daniel Izang, while addressing journalists said “We make bold to challenge any person or group of persons with any evidence as to the kind of

convention where such tailored arrangement were made in the state.”

He said the demand

by Central and Southern senatorial zones that 2015 governorship slot be conceded to them is highly incongruous and unfit to true democracy, noting that they shall respect the political feelings of the other zones in their quest to seek for the highest political office in the state and that they must realize that such goals can only be achieved without recourse to mutual suspicious, blackmail or force.

Izang noted that the zone has a lot to still offer the state and it is only logical that it should be accorded the right and privileges to represent candidates of Northern extraction because they have been tested and found to be trustworthy in good governance as exemplified by Da Jonah Jang.

44

Politics

Wednesday May 28, 2014

PDP accuses APC of destroying billboards in Nasarawa IGBAWASE UKUMBA LAFIA

N

asarawa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has been accused of destroying all billboards erected by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state.

This accusation was made by Agabi Campaign Organization, a campaign organisation of a governorship aspirant in the state on the platform of the PDP, Alhaji Yusuf Agabi.

In a statement signed by its spokesman, Isa Daudu, and made available to National

Mirror in Lafia, the state capital yesterday, the campaign organisation accused the leadership of the APC in the state of masterminding the massive destruction of billboards erected by supporters of the PDP in the state.

E x p r e s s i n g disappointment over recent castigations and insults from the Nasarawa State government on the personality of the PDP governorship aspirant, Alhaji Agabi, through sponsored advertorial in some national dailies because Agabi has indicated interest to contest the governorship

seat in 2015, the statement added: “We would have neglected and keep mute to such attacks using state resources by the incumbent APC government under Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, but feel we have to, since it is becoming more practical than media propaganda.

“The campaign organisation is compelled to react to the incident which took place on May 18, which President Goodluck Jonathan’s billboards as well as that of the governorship aspirant, Alhaji f Agabi, were destroyed by thugs in Lafia purportedly sponsored by the APC

leadership in the state.”

Saying that as any other Nasarawa indigene, Agabi has the constitutional right to practice politics and also competent to contest for any elective position in the state and under any political party of his choice, the campaign organisation urged the APC to desist acts capable of overheating the polity of Nasarawa state.

The statement also advised Governor AlMakura to acknowledge the fact that politics is a game that produces a winner, as not all contestants will emerged victorious at polls.

Osun State PDP gubernatorial candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore; Mr. Sunday Laoye; PDP National Secretary, Prof Wale Oladipo and state chairman, Alhaji Gani Olaoluwa when Osun State Deputy Governor’s brother, Mr. Laoye decamped to PDP recently at the party secretariat.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

One shot dead over leadership tussle in Delta THEOPHILUS ONOJEGHEN WARRI

A

t least, one person has been reportedly shot dead in renewed community leadership tussle in Ekpan, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.

National Mirror gathered that the incident happened around 5:30pm yesterday at Bunkering Junction before the ever busy NPA Expressway.

A source in the community told National Mirror that trouble started when the community chairman, whose tenure was alleged to have expired refused to vacate his position. The incident resulted into fighting between youths loyal to both factions.

One of the youths alleged to be son of a prominent chief in the area rushed home to collect gun and shot at one of the youths identified as Samuel, a 15-year old, three times on the chest.

Another source gave the name of the prominent chief as Double Chief Sapele, residing in Bunkering road.

The incident has left the community in disarray as men of Joint Task Force have been drafted to the

area to restore peace.

However, it was gathered that the other faction has threatened to retaliate and burn down every house belong to the family of the suspected killer last night.

Although, details of the incident were still hazy at the time of filling this report, residents of the area, it was learnt, had already deserting their house over the threat to attack the area.

Effort to confirm the incident from Divisional Police Officer, DPO incharge of the area proved abortive as calls placed to his telephone line were not picked. Also, the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Celestina Kalu, could not confirm the incident, claiming that she has not been briefed.

Uduaghan

Royal endorsement won’t deter us from our goal –Solomon CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14 tures.’ We agreed that putting up party structures will not stop me from meeting people, going ahead with my plans.

You’ve been chairman of a local government, member of House of Representatives, and member of the Senate for two terms, what is next? What are your chances of getting the party ticket, given the possibility that you’re believed to be independent-minded?

In all modesty and humility, I am being asked now to assess myself, and I’ll say that I stand a good chance of clinching the party ticket in a transparent, free, and fair primary election. I’d gone through this root before, and I know what it requires, I know what it takes.

And I have also said that it would be foolhardy of anybody to join a political race without doing self-assessment. In Lagos State, anybody from our party throwing his hat in the ring in 2011 would have been foolish, because there was no way he would have defeated the incumbent.

In the same way, I think I have done my own assessment, and with respect to members of my own party, I know their thinking; I know where they are leaning

towards. And I know that they are agitating very strongly that this time around they should be allowed to indicate their preference. With that in place, I stand more than a good chance of clinching the ticket, and finally by the grace of God. What would you do if there was a free and fair primary election and you did not win?

A free and fair primary election? Oh, I’ll queue behind whoever wins. If there was none – we‘ll leave it till that time. We will act accordingly.

What happens if you lose in a flawed primary election, there are speculations that you would move out of the APC? The people would have spoken and there is nothing you can do, it becomes our party issue. You rally round whoever emerges, and try to work out things together. But if the primary in flaved, where some people think they can outsmart the others, we’ll act accordingly.

You’re so passionate about governance, what is driving that passion?

If you find yourself in a vocation, in a

trade, in a calling, you want to move ahead, you want to make an impact, you want to get to the top of that calling. I started as local government chairman even though my first election was House of Assembly.

But even as a local government chairman, I realised how ‘easily’ you could impact on your community at the executive level; moreso when you have access to them, they have access to you, you relate with them, you can solve most of their problems. I know what the problems of the majority or the average Lagosian are, and the solutions to them are very simple; you don’t even need to go to Harvard, you don’t even need to go to Cambridge, just relate with them, and you have the civil service behind you, you’d go places, you’d solve the problems and you’d create a legacy even successive governments cannot change. Because if a policy is good, if a programme is good, nobody changes it; they just pass it on and on.

I believe I can serve, I believe I have what it takes to govern Lagos; not just to govern so that they call me ‘His Excellency’. It’s not about ‘His Excellency’; it is about impacting on the lives of the people. At this point in time it is the uppermost thing that should be on the mind of anybody.

Solomon

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

STORIES: ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

T

he Ekiti Youth Emancipation Movement, EYEM, has alleged of plans by the governorship candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ekiti and Osun states, Mr Ayodele Fayose and Senator Iyiola Omisore, to bring in thugs comprising miscreants from Osun State and Niger-Delta militants under the guise of poll monitors.

EYEM, in a statement by its President, Taiwo

T

Olatunji, alleged yesterday that Fayose and Omisore had already succeeded in registering spurious groups as monitors in the June 21 governorship election in Ekiti State.

“Their real intention is to use these so-called monitors as cover to bring in thugs and guns. These poll monitors, we gather, had already been registered

Fayose’s vests and cause mayhem so that Ekiti people would think Fayose was responsible for violent activities in the state.

Aluko disclosed that these vehicles were being branded in other parties’ colours at the Ekiti Government House and urged the police to act promptly in order to prevent the state from being plunged into anarchy.

But the APC State Director of Media and Communication, Mr Segun Dipe denied it saying that it is typical of Ayo Fayose.

“He likes flying the kite and throwing red herring.

That’s his next plan and we thank him for disclosing his next line of action.

“We can’t clone them because we don’t clone fake products. We are not focusing on PDP; we are focused on Ekiti people because we have a pact with the people of Ekiti State,” the APC spokesman said.

with INEC and would be deployed to all polling units with cloned voter’s cards on election day with the mandate to destroy ballot boxes and papers wherever APC is leading in the poll,”Olatunji stated.

The group which said the PDP was worried that Fayemi would record a sweeping victory in the election hence and has planned to cause a stalemate, maintained that they are waiting to see how the aliens will be in possession of

T

governorship election.

Daniels said that a text message which reads: “I can win the June 21 election without Ekiti teachers and civil servants, FAYEMI boasts, says I am only being magnanimous with payment of 27.5 per cent TSS,” has been circulated to many phone users in the state.

Describing the text message as “another failed attempt by the petty opposition in the state to pitch teachers and civil servants against the Fayemi administration, Daniels said: “The opposition is like a drowning man grasping at every straw in sight. The

voter’s cards in Ekiti State.

The group consequently called on residents of Ekiti State to be vigilant and defend the state from encroachment by the violent elements.

But the Director of Media and Publicity, Ayo Fayose Campaign Organisation, Chief Gboyega Aribisogan, who described the allegation as untrue, said it was rather the ruling APC that had concluded plans to rig the election.

Aribisogan said: “The

ruling APC government is planning to rig by making use of polling observers, monitors and others. And to us in PDP, EYEM must be one of such frivolous groups” The PDP chieftain said “Omisore has no reason to come to Ekiti on the day of election to do anything. And we want to make it clear that we don’t have interaction with the Niger Delta people, so this is a lie”.

Aribisogan said: “As a matter of fact, they suspect that EYEM is the brain

24

DAYS TO GO behind such evil intention because they never knew the group.

“It is faceless. For them to have had such in mind means that they are the one planning to rig the poll,” he said.

Ekiti State Deputy Governor Modupe Adelabu during a sympathy visit to Mr Femi Ayodele, at the Emergency Ward of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti, when the deputy governor visited the victim of the political attacks, recently.

Bamidele seeks arrest of APC chair over allegation of bombing

T

he Labour Party governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Hon Opeyemi Bamidele, has called for immediate arrest of the interim chairman of the

Fayemi disowns sms to teachers, civil servants he Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation, KFCO, has urged the people of Ekiti State to disregard a text message being circulated to phone users in the state, saying such did not emanate from the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate, Dr Kayode Fayemi.

KFCO spokesman, Dimeji Daniels, in a statement in Ado Ekiti yesterday described the text message as an attempt by the drowning opposition in the state to grasp at whatever straw is in sight to save itself from the imminent defeat awaiting it in the June 21

45

Group accuses Fayose, Omisore of plot to import thugs as monitors

APC members impersonate to cause mayhem -PDP he Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ekiti State has alleged that some members of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state wear PDP vests and as well use PDP branded vehicles to cause mayhem.

PDP State Secretary, Dr Tope Aluko, alleged that APC was using some of its members who had formed the habit of wearing Fayose/PDP vests and also riding in a Fayose branded bus about the state, beating up people and causing mayhem in the state.

Aluko stated in a letter written to the Ekiti State Police Commissioner, Mr Felix Uyanna, made available to the press in Ado Ekiti yesterday, that the letter became necessary in order for the police to investigate the allegation.

Aluko alleged that the APC had planned to use its thugs to impersonate PDP members by wearing

Politics

Wednesday May 28, 2014

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the Labour Party, LP, confused as they are, used to boast that teachers and civil servants were behind them.

“The realisation that no one queued behind them as the June 21 election approaches has given vent to serious frustration, which has made them resort to puerile, childish and senseless propaganda aimed at toying with the emotions of the hardworking, respectable and responsible teachers and civil servants in the state, whose lot has been bettered by the Fayemi administration through several worker-friendly policies.”

ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state, Chief Jide Awe, over allegation that the opposition are planning to bomb the state.

Bamidele said: “It would be a great security threat and shirking of one’s responsibility should the police play ostrich about such weighty allegation, cognizance of the litany of bombings and killings that had been witnessed in some parts of the country, culminating in the death of thousands of innocent Nigerians”.

The LP flagbearer, in a statement by his media aide, Ahmed Salami, absolved the governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, of culpability in the violence that erupted at the venue of the party’s mega rally in Ikere on Saturday, saying that the governor did not invade Ekiti with thugs as claimed

by APC. He charged the Inspector General of Police and the

Director General of the State Security Service to invite the APC chairman to Abuja to provide evidence to substantiate his allegation.

The APC chairman had at a press conference in Ado Ekiti on Monday alleged that the opposition were planning to attack the State Government House and the APC State Secretariat located in Ajilosun Area with explosive device.

While exonerating his party of such evil intention, Bamidele said that the LP could not be part of any plot that would lead to death of innocent lives.

He said: “The PDPcontrolled Federal Government has consistently been alleging that APC was responsible for the series of attacks being caused by the Boko Haram sect, it never mentioned LP for once.

“This is a pointer to the fact that the whole world has known which party is

desperate for power.

“In Ekiti State, the APC, which is the ruling party has been behind over 90 per cent of the violence that have dogged the ongoing electioneering campaigns by various parties for the June 21 election.

The attack on our members and AIT crew during our mega rally in Ikere Ekiti and similar attacks in several other towns like Ilawe, Okemesi, Ilupeju were suffice to conclude that the party is becoming so hardened by the day.

“They are desperate to retain power, even when it is apparent that they have been rejected by the people. So, if the APC has an inkling about any plan to bomb Ekiti, then it should look inward because we learnt the APC has disagreement with the thugs it imported from Kwara, Lagos and Edo states and this might be responsible for such threat”, Bamidele said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

46

IMF’s Lagarde attacks financial sector for blocking reform T he managing director of the International Monetary Fund has warned that progress to change the financial system has been “too slow” and blamed the industry for blocking reform efforts.

Speaking yesterday at a conference on inclusive capitalism in London, Christine Lagarde said behaviour in the financial industry had “not changed fundamentally in a number of dimensions since the crisis”.

While acknowledging that the sheer complexity of the financial sector was one reason for this delay, the IMF chief also blamed what she called a “fierce industry pushback”.

Reeling off a list of recent scandals including Libor and money laundering, Ms Lagarde said “some prominent firms have even been mired in scandals that violate the most basic ethical norms”.

“While some changes in behaviour are taking place, these are not deep or broad enough.

The industry still prizes short-

term profit over long-term prudence, today’s bonus over tomorrow’s relationship,” she added.

Regulators around the globe have imposed about $5.8bn in penalties for attempts to manipulate market benchmark rates. The sum is expected to climb further as regulators conclude their investigations and the number of private lawsuits rise.

Several banks have pushed back against action by regulators, delaying settlements or refusing to admit wrongdoing.

HSBC, JPMorgan and Crédit Agricole resisted claims that they manipulated the Euribor interest rate before they were charged by the European Commission last week.

Jamie Dimon, chief executive of JPMorgan, has been an outspoken critic of tougher regulation, warning that customers would have to pay more for credit or be denied certain financial products as a result. He has slammed new capital rules as “anti-American”.

Meanwhile in the UK, Barclays is appealing a £50m fine related to dealings with Qatari investors during its 2008 fundraising.

In her speech, Ms Lagarde said ending the problem of banks being too big to fail was a priority, adding that tougher regulation and tighter supervision were necessary.

The IMF head was confident that new capital surcharges for banks deemed of systemic importance would work, adding that increasing the capital ratio by 2.5 percentage points could reduce the systemic risk of a trillion dollar bank by a quarter. “This is a big deal,” she said.

But beyond tighter regulation, Ms Lagarde also called for enforcement bodies to be given greater resources.

“Rules are only as good as their implementation. This calls for greater resources, and independence, for the supervisors who perform such a vital public duty, day in and day out,” she said.

Overall “more vigour” was

needed across efforts to monitor the shadow banking sector, as well as better progress on cross-border issues. First on the agenda should be a framework on how to unwind megabanks in an “orderly way” in case of failure, she said.

“This is a gaping hole in the financial architecture right now, and it calls for countries to put the global good of financial stability ahead of their parochial concerns.”

Ms Lagarde’s words highlight concerns that five years on from the collapse of Lehman Brothers, regulators still do not have the tools to ensure a failed bank does not cause widespread economic disruption or require huge injections of public funds.

Sir Jon Cunliffe, deputy governor for financial stability at the Bank of England, warned earlier this month that important elements of the new international regulatory regime for financial services were still in the design and agreement stage.

Source: NSE

Market indicators All-Share Index 40,061.24 points Market capitalisation 13.22trn

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

FIDSON

2.67

2.80

0.13

4.87

AFRIPRUD

3.09

3.24

0.15

4.85

CUSTODYINS

2.94

3.08

0.14

4.76

FO

186.54

194.00

7.46

4.00

ACCESS

9.33

9.70

0.37

3.97

UACN

60.80

63.00

2.20

3.62

VITAFOAM

4.00

4.12

0.12

3.00

ETI

15.25

15.70

0.45

2.95

NEM

0.77

0.79

0.02

2.60

WAPCO

110.06

112.50

2.44

2.22

LOSERS CHANGE

% CHANGE

CAVERTON

6.34

5.73

-0.61

-9.62

Default: NSE fines six companies N19.3m

OANDO

19.02

18.05

-0.97

-5.10

JOHNHOLT

1.21

1.15

-0.06

-4.96

FORTISMFB

6.27

5.96

-0.31

-4.94

AGLEVENT

1.45

1.38

-0.07

-4.83

JOHNSON OKANLAWON

EVANSMED

2.70

2.57

-0.13

-4.81

AIRSERVICE

2.15

2.05

-0.10

-4.65

RTBRISCOE

1.14

1.09

-0.05

-4.39

NEIMETH

1.02

0.98

-0.04

-3.92

ROYALEX

0.55

0.53

-0.02

-3.64

T

he Nigerian Stock Exchange has wielded the big stick on six companies for failing to meet the deadlines for submission of their earnings reports for the financial year ended December 31, 2012 and 2013.

The NSE’s X-Compliance Report”, showed that the defaulting companies have been fined a total sum of N19.3m.

The report is a transparency initiative of the Exchange, which is designed to maintain market integri-

JOHNSON OKANLAWON

T

he Industrial sector of equities halted bearish trend on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, as more investors showed preference for the stocks.

The Industrial Index recorded highest gain of 2.02 per cent to close at 2,548.17 points, followed by the Banking Index with 1.05 per cent to close at 415.93 points.

The NSE 30-Index appreciated 0.66 per cent to close at 1,827.85 points, but the Insur-

ty and protect the investors by providing compliance related information on all listed companies.

Sanctions were applied on erring companies by the NSE in accordance with the provisions of Section 14 of Appendix 111 of the listing rules.

The report indicated that International Energy Insurance was fined N5.4m, while Aso Savings and Loans Plc was penalised N5m.

Others are Abbey Building Society Plc, N.2m; Ikeja Hotels Plc, N5.5m; Interlinked Technologies Plc, N2.9m, while National Salt

was fined N.3m.

Post-listing rules at the NSE requires that quoted companies should submit their reports, not later than three months after the expiration of the period.

Most quoted companies including all banks, major manufacturers, oil and gas companies, breweries and cement companies use the 12-month Gregorian calendar year as their business year. The business year thus terminates on December 31.

NSE’s regulatory filing calendar indicates that the deadline for submission of annual report for compa-

nies with Gregorian calendar business year is March 31.

However, the NSE provides that where a filing due date falls on a weekend or holiday, the filing will fall due on the next business day.

However, the NSE had extended the regular deadline for all quoted companies by 30 days as a general concession in recognition of challenges being faced by companies, especially with regards to adoption of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

Industrial sector lifts index by 0.8% ance Index dropped 0.05 per cent to close at 142.37 points.

The Consumer Goods Index shed 0.85 per cent to close at 1,015.19 points, while the Oil and Gas Index added 0.09 per cent to close at 368.01 points.

The Lotus Islamic Index was up 0.81 per cent to close at 2,7725.50 points. The Alternative Securities Market remained flat at 950.94 points.

In all, the NSE’s All Share Index rose 0.76 per cent to close at 40,061.24 points, as

against the decline of 0.19 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 39,755.47 points.

Market capitalisation appreciated N101bn to close at N13.2trn, in contrast to the loss of N25bn recorded the preceding day to close at N13.1trn.

On the gainers’ table, Fidson Healthcare Plc rose 13 kobo or 4.87 per cent to close at N2.80 per share, while African Prudent Plc appreciated 15 kobo or 4.85 per cent to

close at N3.24 per share.

Custodian Insurance Plc added 14 kobo or 4.76 per cent to close at N3.08 per share, while Forte Oil Plc gained N7.46 or four per cent to close at N194.00 per share.

Access Bank Plc added 37 kobo or 3.97 per cent to close at N9.70 per share.

Caverton Plc lost 61 kobo or 9.62 per cent to close at N5.73 per share, while Oando Plc shed 97 kobo or 5.10 per cent to close at N18.05 per share.

COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

FGN Bonds Offer

Bid Description

Price

Yield

Price

Yield

13.05 16-AUG-2016

2.23

101.75

12.10

101.90

12.03

15.10 27-APR-2017

2.92

107.20

12.09

107.35

12.03

16.00 29-JUN-2019

5.09

113.90

12.24

114.20

12.17

16.39 27-JAN-2022

7.67

118.40

12.57

118.70

12.52

14.20 14-MAR-2024

9.80

108.95

12.58

109.25

12.53

10.00 23-JUL-2030

16.16 80.00

12.98

80.30

12.93

Closing Market Prices of May 26, 2014

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

28-Aug-14

10.75

10.50

20-Nov-14

10.65

10.40

7-May-15

10.35

10.10

NIBOR Tenor

Rate (%)

O/N

11.1250

1M

12.4859

3M

13.4400

6M

14.4054 The Fixings - NIBOR, NITTY and NIFEX of May 27, 2014

47

Wednesday May 28, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Community Mirror The terrorists have declared war against the citizens of Nigeria and Nigerians must rise up as one people to fight and win back our country.

PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN

Community threatens to sue IG over unlawful arrest CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

C

ommunity leaders of Eziobodo Autonomous Community in Owerri West Local Govern-

ment Area of Imo State, has said they would seek for redress in the law court over unlawful arrest of over 70 community members by the Imo state police command.

The members of the community were arrested following a violence protest over land compensation by some of the host communities of Federal University Technology Owerri, FUTO,

which led to destruction of school properties on May 7, 2014.

The traditional ruler of the community, Eze Lucky Okoro, said that the community had resolved to sue

L-R: Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulwahab Oba (second left); Chairman Ilorin West Local Government Area, Alhaji Tajudeen Sulu Oloje and Chairman, Local Government Service Commission, Alhaji Yusuf Kayode Maja at the commissioning of water project, during the CPS’s empowerment programme at Ajikobi Ward, Ilorin, recently.

Olikan receives staff of office in Ondo HAKEEM GBADAMOSI AKURE

T

he newly installed, Olikan of Etikan in the Ilaje Local Government area of Ondo State, Oba Adeleke Oyetakin, was yesterday presented with the Staff of Office by the state government putting to rest the controversies surrounding the selection of the new mon-

arch.

The presentation of the staff of Office and instrument of office climaxed with the ruling of an High court which ruled in favour of Oyetakin, as the authentic ruler of the ancient town selected by the kingdom.

Speaking during the presentation, the state governor, Olusegun Mimiko who was represented by the Commissioner for Local

Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bamiduro Dada noted that the processes that led to the emergence of Oyetakin, followed the laid down rules and regulations.

He said that the state executive council gave approval to the selection after studying the process, but said the judicial process delayed the installation of Oyetakin as the new monarch

of Etikan kingdom.

“The State Executive Council approval after the exercise was studied and we discovered that it followed due process, we are a government that respect the right of every citizen of the state and when some of the contestants went to court we have to also respect the judiciary and when the case was decided we don’t have to waste time again.

NHIS launches insurance scheme in Kogi

T

he National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS, has launched a health insurance programme for members of the Emoriko Mutual Health Association, in Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi state.

An indigent student of the community was also awarded a scholarship by the Executive Secretary of NHIS, Dr.

Femi Thomas, during the launch.

The lucky beneficiary, Augustine Sunday, a 16year- old SS 2 student of Emoriko Secondary School, was described by natives as a brilliant child of great hope, whom the community looks up to for succor and glory. The scholarship is for up to the university level.

The scholarship was

an unscheduled dimension to t he formal flag of the insurance scheme, as officials of NHIS led by Dr. Thomas, were touched by the palpable poverty that stared guests as they trooped into the community for the event.

Dr. Thomas, who was overwhelmed with emotion as the similar conditions of his own childhood came flushing back

to him, told the story of his humble early years in Ikoro Ekiti, in Ijero Local Government Area of Ekiti state.

According to him, “I grew up in similar circumstances of poverty and lack, such that almost cut me off from opportunities and hope. But God intervened and sent help my way, just as he gave me shoulders to lean on. Today,

by His Grace, we are here”.

Imo State Police Command and the Inspector General of Police for not rendering apology to the victims since the arrest.

According to the traditional ruler, men of the Imo police command stormed his community on May 7, 2014 and raided the entire community and arrested over 70 members of the community.

He said among those arrested were men and women whose ages ranged between 60 and 70 years including youths and some strangers in the village.

The royal father wondered why the police would

come to arrest innocent members of his community who were never involved in the protest, stressing that the community was not involved in the wanton destruction of properties of the institution.

Eze Okoro said though he has advised the youths of the community against any form of reprisal attack, while accusing the police of not apologising to the community, stressing that most of his subjects who were arrested were assaulted in the cell by inmates, while others suffered untold inhumanly acts during their stay in the police custody.

Insurgency: SSPN calls for closure of borders DARE AKOGUN

T

he Society of Security Practitioners of Nigeria, SSPN, has called on the Federal Government to consider the option of closing the border in the North Eastern part of the country to allow for effective border patrols in combating the current terrorism bedeviling the nation.

Even as it advised government at all levels, to jettison politics and come together in the spirit of true nationalism, in combating the war against crime and terror.

Addressing a press conference in Lagos, the President of the security practitioners Mr. Davidson Akhimien, harps on the need to carry out a thorough personnel audit on all security personnel in agencies and departments of government, with a view to fishing out infiltrators and saboteurs.

He said “our nation has been able to surmount numerous security challenges

and successfully prosecuted others to a manageable risk level at both home and abroad. However, the new found dimension of crime and criminality in the society is utterly condemnable.

“We at SSPN note with great concern the barrage of security problems security agencies have had to contend with in the last four years which we are currently finding overwhelming, but not insurmountable”.

The society of practitioners recommended that the federal government should carry out an immediate review of and updating of the inventory of the armed forces arsenal, to be in tandem with the requirements of modern warfare and exposing them to much more international training.

Akhimien, advised on the need for setting up of a think tank of core security experts, drawn from the public and private security sector, he requested for the inclusion of reservist and ex-security servicemen in the government national security architecture.

48

Community Mirror

Niger empowers women groups PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

N

o fewer than 291 women co-operatives groups are to be trained and empowered by the Niger State government in conjunction with the Directorate of Special Projects under the SURE-P programme.

The project, which is at the cost of N399 million is part of measures to address gender disparity, fight poverty and create jobs for them.

Niger State Commissioner for Gender Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Hassana Adamu, disclosed this in Minna, during a press conference saying that about 2,910 women are expected to benefit from the programme.

According to her, at the

end of the training programme, equipment and the sum of N250, 000 would be given to each of the cooperative groups, adding that supervision and monitoring team have been put in place to ensure judicious use of the funds.

She explained that the co-operatives groups were properly screened, to ascertain the authenticity of all the groups to be financed by the State and Local Governments in a 40% and 60% ratio.

Some of the vocational skills to be embarked upon by the groups, she said are fish farming, food processing, poultry farming and animal rearing, noting that 22 trainers have been employed to train beneficiaries in the three senatorial zones in the state.

Wednesday May 28, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NRC moves to decongest Lagos roads FRANCIS SUBERU

I

n a bid to further decongest the inner city routes within the Lagos metropolis, the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, has perfected plans to introduce new train services in the city to ease transportation problems

in the metropolis.

The new services which is expected to take effect from June 2, 2014 follows the introduction of new Diesel Multiple Units, DMUs, with a minimum of 10 coaches on each of the trains.

According to a release signed by the Director of Public Relations, Nige-

ria Railway Corporation, Mr. David Ndakotsu, he said the Lagos mass transit train will run 18 trips daily.

The release read in part: “The DMU will run 8 trips per day at a fare of N750.00 while the standard service will run 10 trips per day at N230.00 with stops at all stations. The

new train service will also run 6 trips on Saturdays.”

It is believed that the introduction of the additional train services will help reduce congestion on Lagos mass transit trains and provide the public with an improved, efficient and reliable train service especially at peak periods.

Kinsmen kill village head in Bauchi EZEKIEL TITUS BAUCHI

T

he Bauchi State Police Command has stated that the Village head of Barno Gwaram, in Misau Local Government Area of the state, was killed after Zuhur prayer in an altercation with his kinsmen.

In a press statement made available to Community Mirror by the police spokesman, DSP Mohammed Haruna, said that the accused hit their victim on the head with sharp objects, who later died while receiving treatment in the hospital he was rushed to.

The accused persons Samaila Magaji 55-year-old and Musa Dantata, of the same address perpetrated

the act, the police added.

According to the statement, the command is not leaving any stone unturned as it is currently investigating the circumstances to unravel the situation that lead to the death of the village head.

Eye witness told Community Mirror that the accused persons earlier had a misunderstanding with the deceased even before they meet at the mosque for Zuhur prayer.

Angered by the development, a group of hoodlums on retaliation mission swooped on the accused, who were beaten and are on the point of death before being rescued by the police, they are currently receiving treatment at the General hospital, Misau.

Nasarawa earmarks N3.1bn for construction of markets

T

he Nasarawa State Government on Tuesday said it had set aside N3.1 billion for the construction of modern markets across the state.

The Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr. Emmanuel Bras-Yaji, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lafia.

According to him, the construction of the new markets is to boost socioeconomic development and reduce unemployment and youths’ restiveness in the state. ``The state government has done its best in promoting activities in commerce and industry thereby improving on the standard of living of its people.

A portion of Gombe-Bauchi high way washed away by erosion at Tashan Ganji-Wuro Dole village in Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Elderly citizens to enjoy free medical care in Oyo

T

he Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has stated that any moment from now, elderly citizens who are 65 years and above would enjoy free medical treatment in Oyo State.

Ajimobi, disclosed this while receiving the Seventh Day Adventist Church led by Pastor Oyeleke Owolabi during a courtesy call on his in his office recently.

The governor said that this was part of his administration’s compre-

hensive health insurance scheme which would soon be launched for the benefit of the people of the state.

He noted that the scheme, which would be the first in the history of the state, was part of his administration’s determination to make the people enjoy a healthy and longer life.

Governor Ajimobi, equally disclosed his government’s readiness to introduce a new education scheme where students would enjoy free food, and

also be provided with free uniforms with a view to providing quality education in the state.

Governor Ajimobi, while stressing his administration commitment in maintaining the culture of obedience, decency and integrity with a view to discouraging the culture of impunity, commended the Church for its service to humanity, stressing that the church had always been at the fore-front of social, economic, intellectual and moral develop-

ment. in his remarks, the leader of the delegation, Pastor Owolabi commended the Ajimobi administration for its urban renewal programme and its religious tolerance, stressing that the state had remained the only in the comity of states with religious liberty.

He pledged the readiness of the church to collaborate with the state government in its developmental drive, particularly in the areas of education and health

Wednesday May 28, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

49

World News

More than 50 rebels killed as new Ukraine leader unleashes assault 50

(EU is) too big, too bossy, too interfering.

–BRITISH PRIME MINISTER, DAVID CAMERON

Sudanese woman sentenced to death for apostasy ‘gives birth in jail’ PAUL ARHEWE

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

A

Christian Sudanese woman, sentenced to hang for apostasy in a case that sparked an international outcry, has given birth in jail, a Western diplomat said yesterday.

“She gave birth to a girl today,” said the diplomat, who is familiar with the case of Meriam Yahia Ibrahim Ishag, 27.

“The mother and the baby seem to be doing OK,” said the diplomat who asked for anonymity.

But he said: “It’s a cruel treatment to be in such a situation.”

The case of Ishag has sparked global outrage since a Khartoumarea court sentenced her to death on May 15.

Born to a Muslim father, she was convicted under the Islamic sharia law that has been in force in Sudan since 1983 and outlaws conversions on pain of death.

“To give birth in jail... is certainly not the best place, for physical and psychological reasons,” the diplomat said.

Ishag’s husband, who is Christian, did not respond to telephone calls yesterday.

Human rights activists have said Ishag is being held at a women’s prison in Khartoum’s twin city Omdurman with her first child, a 20-month-old son.

“We gave you three days to recant but you insist on not returning to Islam. I sentence you to be hanged,” Judge Abbas Mohammed Al-Khalifa said as he passed the verdict against Ishag, addressing her by her father’s Muslim name, Adraf Al-Hadi Mohammed

Abdullah.

Khalifa also sentenced her to 100 lashes for “adultery”. Under Sudan’s interpretation of sharia, a Muslim woman cannot marry a non-Muslim man and any such relationship is regarded as adulterous.

“I am a Christian and I never committed apostasy,” Ishag calmly told the judge before he passed sentence.

London-based Amnesty Inter-

national said Ishag was raised as an Orthodox Christian, her mother’s religion, because her Muslim father was absent.

The foreign diplomat said of her case: “For the image of Sudan, it’s certainly no good.”

Britain and Canada last week summoned the top Sudanese diplomats in their countries over Ishag’s case, which they say conflicts with Sudan’s international human rights obligations.

Meriam Ibrahim with her husband, Daniel Wan

200,000 children may starve in Somalia as aid runs dry –UNICEF

T

he United Nation’s children’s agency said Tuesday that 200,000 children may die of starvation this year in war-ravaged Somalia if it does not raise enough funds to provide vital aid.

“If funding is not received immediately, UNICEF will have to suspend essential life-saving health services within one month,” spokesman Christophe Boulierac said.

UNICEF, which has been providing 70 percent of all health

services in Somalia, has so far received just 10 percent of the $150 million it needs for its activities in the country this year, he said.

The lack of funding is dramatic, amid warnings that the troubled country, which was hit by an extreme famine less than three years ago, could be sliding back into a food crisis.

Some 50,000 children under the age of five are already suffering from severe malnourishment and UNICEF warned that

could balloon to 200,000 without aid from the UN agency.

Somalia was the hardest hit by extreme drought in 2011 that affected over 13 million people across the Horn of Africa, with famine zones declared in large parts of the war-ravaged south.

Some 250,000 people, around half of them young children, died in Somalia during that famine, according to the UN, which has warned that poor rains and conflict could be paving the way for a new food emergency.

Dodovi added that the six who died were digging illegally on land belonging to a mining company in the town of Kyekyewere when the accident happened late on Monday.

The accident is the second to occur in Kyekyewere in just over a year. In April last year, 17 people who were trespassing

on another mine’s land were crushed when their illegally dug shaft collapsed.

Long known for its rich ore deposits, Ghana’s central gold mining areas have recently seen an upsurge in illegal mining, driven by relatively high prices for gold.

Many of the miners trespass

S

South Africa’s economy shrinks prompting recession fears South Africa’s economy has contracted for the first time since the global crisis five years ago, raising the spectre of recession in Africa’s most developed economy.

Statistics South Africa reported Tuesday that the economy shrank by 0.6 percent in the first quarter, a stunning reversal amid a rapid boom elsewhere in the continent.

The South African economy has struggled to recover since the 2009 crisis and the possibility of another recession, two consecutive quarters of negative growth, is not being ruled out.

“This makes for grim reading,” said Razia Khan, Africa’s regional head of research for Standard Chartered Bank.

The first quarter contraction -which is annualised and adjusted for seasonal variations -- was blamed largely on a slump in the mining sector and a significant drop in manufacturing.

Khan said the figures showed an end to a crippling a platinum strike, now in its fifth month, and serious economic reforms were “even more of an imperative.”

“In their absence, growth might continue to languish at these weak levels.”

The worse-than-expected data comes during the first full day on the job for South African finance minister Nhlanhla Nene.

The 55-year-old was sworn in as South Africa’s first black finance minister on Monday, tasked with overseeing “radical” social and economic reforms in President Jacob Zuma’s new five-year term.

Egypt extends presidential election voting by one day

A malnourished child lying on a bed in Banadir Hospital in Mogadishu

Ghana gold mine collapse kills six illegal miners

ix people were killed and three others injured when a mine collapsed in Ghana’s gold-rich Ashanti region, a local official said yesterday.

“They got a little bit deep and the whole (thing) caved in,” said Francis Dodovi, spokesman for the Ashanti region minister, Samuel Sarpong.

WORLD BULLETIN

and dig open-air pits by hand or with excavators in a form of small-scale mining called “galamsey”.

While small-scale mining is illegal for foreigners, thousands of Chinese and other nationalities have also flocked to Ghana’s gold belt in recent years to mine.

Egypt’s election commission has extended voting in the presidential election for a third day amid reported low turnout, State TV has reported.

Government officials, media and the military harangued voters to go to the polls Tuesday in what was supposed to be the final day of the vote, worried that turnout was weaker than expected. The frontrunner, former army chief AbdelFattah el-Sissi, is trying to garner an overwhelming show of support.

Monitoring groups and el-Sissi’s rival candidate reported low turnout by early Tuesday. Closer to sunset, numbers increased.

The election commission extended the voting one more day, Wednesday, citing complaints that migrant workers have been unable to vote where they reside because of laws making doing so difficult.

50

World News

WORLD BULLETIN

Wanted Hezbollah commander killed in Syria A senior Hezbollah commander branded by the FBI as one of the world’s most wanted terrorists was killed fighting in Syria, residents of his village in southern Lebanon told a news agency, yesterday.

Powerful Shiite movement Hezbollah has deployed thousands of fighters into neighbouring Syria to back President Bashar al-Assad’s army as he battles insurgents who have been trying to overthrow him for the past three years.

“Fawzi Ayoub was killed fighting in Syria. His funeral was held in (his home village of) Ain Qana yesterday (Monday). Many people came to the funeral, to give their condolences to his family,” a resident of the village said on condition of anonymity.

Pope says favours celibacy for priests but door open to change Pope Francis said he believed that Roman Catholic priests should be celibate but the rule was not an unchangeable dogma, and “the door is always open” to change.

Francis made similar comments when he was archbishop of Buenos Aires but his remarks to reporters on a plane returning from a Middle East trip were the first he has made since becoming pope.

“Celibacy is not a dogma,” he said in answer to a question about whether the Catholic Church could someday allow priests to marry as they can in some other Christian Churches.

CHANGE OF NAME

DIKE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Dike Ifeoma Mary, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ohiri Ifeoma Mary. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OGUNLEYE: Formerly known, called and addressed as Ogunleye Ruth Folake, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs Awoleye Ruth Folake. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

More than 50 rebels killed as new Ukrainian leader unleashes assault

U

krainian aircraft and paratroopers killed more than 50 pro-Russian rebels in an assault that raged into a second day yesterday after a newly elected president vowed to crush the revolt in the east once and for all.

The unprecedented offensive throws a challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has said he reserves the right to defend Russian speakers under threat, but whose past assertions that Kiev is led by an illegitimate “junta” were undermined by the landslide election victory of billionaire Petro Poroshenko.

Reuters journalists counted 20 bodies in combat fatigues in one room of a city morgue in Donetsk. Some of the bodies were missing limbs, a sign that the government had brought to bear heavy firepower against the rebels for the first time.

“From our side, there are more than 50 (dead),” the prime minister of the rebels’ self-styled Donetsk People’s Republic, Alexander Borodai, told Reuters at the hospital.

The government said it suffered no losses in the assault, which began with air strikes hours after Ukrainians overwhelmingly voted to elect 48-year-old confectionery magnate PoroshenCHANGE OF NAME

UGBOGU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ugbogu Nkechi Franca now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Nwankudu Nnadozie Nkechi Franca. all former documents remain valid.

Ugwunagbo Local Govt Arera, Local Govt Service Commission and general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

IBEBUNJO: Formerly known, called and addressed as Jephthan Chisom Ibebunjo, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Jephthan Chisom Roberts. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSOCIATION OF HAIRDRESSERS OWO

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part C of the Companies and Allied Matter Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Mrs. Bosede Okundalaye 2. Mrs. Yemi Adamolekun 3. Mrs. Saudat Olumoba

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

1. To foster unity among Hairdressers in Owo Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, (C.A.C) P.M.B 198, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Irosi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED: BARRISTER CHARLES ADEKIYA 08055530922

A military truck with armed pro-Russian militants driving through a police check-point towards the airport of the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk , on Monday. Photo: Reuters

ko as their new president.

Putin demanded an immediate halt to the offensive. Moscow said a visit by Poroshenko was not under consideration, though it has said it is prepared to work with him.

Until now, Ukrainian forces have largely avoided direct assaults on the separatists, partly because they fear tens of thousands of Russian troops massed on the border could invade.

But Poroshenko and his government appear to have interpreted his victory as a clear mandate for decisive action. He won more than 54 percent of the vote in a field of 21 candidates, against 13 percent for his

closest challenger.

Poroshenko and other leaders in Kiev may have calculated that the election, by bestowing legitimacy on the authorities, makes it harder for Putin to justify intervention.

Putin said in recent weeks he would withdraw troops from the border.

A NATO military officer said most of them were still there, although some showed signs of packing to leave.

The new Ukrainian government assault began even as Poroshenko was holding his victory news conference in Kiev.

After rebels seized the Donetsk airport on Monday,

CHANGE OF NAME

STANLEY: Formerly known and addressed as Stanley Okoye Onyedikachi, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Loqman Fairuz Okoye. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

NDUKWU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ndukwu Maureen Ogochukwu, now wish to be known addressed as Mrs Dike Maureen Ogochukwu. All former documents remain valid N.Y.S.C. and general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

ADEDEJI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adedeji Tolulope Clara, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Afolayan Alabi Tolulope. All former documents remain valid.Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Govt, Local Govt Service Commission Ondo State and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OLAJA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Olaja Esther Adachukwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Nwankwo Ada Esther. All former documents remain valid. General Public to take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ADOLE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adole Ojone Stella now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ameh Ojone Stella. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

DORE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Dore Elithea, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Marcus Elithia.

All former documents remain valid.

Bayelsa State Hospital Management Board and general public take note.

SKYTEAMS TRAVELS &TOURS LTD

Israel tour packages for both adult and children South Africa Tours, Dubai Tours Brazil Tours

Other services

We offer Travel Insurance, Hotel Reservation and VISA Appointment & Protocol Services for individual and Corporate Company.

Contacts:

08027631109, BBM Pin: 2B209F19; Watsapp: 08133849900

Ukrainian warplanes and helicopters strafed them from the air, and paratroopers were flown in to root them out.

Shooting carried on through the night, and on Tuesday the road to the airport bore signs of fighting. Heavy machinegun fire could be heard in the distance in mid-morning.

On the airport highway, a truck - the kind that rebels have used to ferry dozens of fighters across the region - had been torn apart by machinegun fire.

Blood was sprayed across the road and splattered on a billboard seven meters above.

CHANGE OF NAME

NGURUKWEM: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ngurukwem Uchechi Esther, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chilaka Uchechi Esther. All former documents remain valid. A.I.F.C.E, UNN, IMSU and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

RASHEED: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Rasheed Sakirat Aramide, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oyelade Sakirat Aramide. All former documents remain valid. N Y S C and the general public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

U.S. to keep 9,800 troops in Afghanistan

P

resident Barack Obama will seek to keep 9,800 U.S. troops in Afghanistan after the war formally ends later this year and then will withdraw most of those forces by 2016, senior administration officials said yesterday.

Obama’s decision is largely in line with what military commanders have been seeking and will allow the president to fully end the American-led military effort by the time he leaves office.

The two-year plan is contingent on the Afghan government signing a bilateral security agreement with the U.S. While current Afghan President Hamid Karzai has declined to sign the agreement, U.S. officials are confident that either of the candidates seeking to replace him would give his approval.

The plan calls for the U.S. military to draw down from its current force of 32,000 to 9,800 by the start of next year. Those troops would be dispatched throughout Afghanistan and focus on counterterrorism missions and training Afghan security forces. They would not be engaged in combat missions.

Over the course of next year, the number of troops would be cut in half and consolidated in the capital of Kabul and at Bagram Air Field, the main U.S. base in Afghanistan.

CHANGE OF NAME

OLUWOLE: Formerly known and addressed as Oluwole Oluwatoyin Eniola, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Nweke Oluwatoyin Eniola. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

MOSES: Formerly known and addressed as Esther Moses Lasara, now wish to be known and addressed as Esther Suwa Lasara. All former document remain valid. General public to take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

MADU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Madu Confidence Chidimma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okonkwo Confidence Chidimma.

All former documents remain valid.

General Public to take note.

OKEKE: Formerly known and address as Miss Okeke Stella Uchenna, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okoye Stella Uchenna. All former documents remain valid. General Public to take note

CHANGE OF NAME ISAH: Formerly known and addressed as Johnson Isah now wish to be known and addressed as Johnson Innocent Atodo. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

EZEH: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ezeh Amaka Beneditha, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Amenger Amaka Beneditha. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

EGBE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Egbe Inyang Obuma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Nnanna Esther .I. All former documents remain valid. Aba North L.G.A and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

KANU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Queen Chinenye Kanu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Queen Chinenye Ekeke. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Wednesday May 14, 2014

How I escaped Jos blasts –Onazi 52

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

51

Sport

Whether I will compete at Rio 2016 Olympics? I think time will tell “if” and “if not” –USA multiple swimming gold medalist, Michael Phelps

•Kick-off 8pm

Coach Keshi watching his players in training.

Keshi toughens Eagles against Tartan Army Glo tasks team to …as Mba misses Scotland friendly

S

uper Eagles boss, Stephen Keshi, his assistants, Dan Amokachi, Hyauondonou Valere and Ike Shorunmu on Monday evening took the team through a rigorous training session that was adjudged needful by most of the players.

The tough training was needed to re-energise the Eagles for tonight’s international friendly match with Scotland’s Tartan Army.

The game will kick-off at 8pm this evening at Fulham FC Craven Cottage stadium.

At the end of the rig-

orous training, Assistant Captain, Vincent Enyeama, said the players needs such a regime because some of them have been off action for up to a week and need reawakening.

“You don’t play the World Cup every year and time,” Enyeama said of the session that lasted from 7:10pm to 9:20pm.

Central defender, Azubuike Egwuekwe, says the World Cup has effectively started for him. “My brother the training was tough and good,” he said of the event that was held at the Fulham training ground

under very chilly conditions with temperature reading 13 degrees celcius and rain drizzling throughout the training.

All the players seemed determined to convince Keshi that they are ready for Brazil, but homebased winger, Ejike Uzoenyi, shone like a million stars, same for Ramon Azeez, Michael Uchebo, Victor Moses, while the regulars did not fail to impress with skipper Joseph Yobo showing that he was still the commander in the defence line.

Keshi said after the training that the players

needed such a session to re-energise them and get them ready for the task of playing against the best in the world at Brazil 2014.

Italy-based Nnamdi Oduamadi, who missed the first training session arrived camp after lunch time and said he regrets the visa mix-up he had that led to him arriving late to camp.

Meanwhile, Francebased Sunday Mba is the only invited player yet to arrive in London. Mba was expected in camp last night and will surely miss tonight’s game with Scotland.

beat Scotland

T

elecommunications Company, Globacom, has advised the Super Eagles to use today’s international friendly game with Scottish National team to perfect their strategies for a glorious outing at the Brazil 2014 World Cup. Super Eagles will trade tackles with the Tartan Army at the Craven Cottage, home ground of English Championship side; Fulham this evening. The match is the commencement of Eagles’ last preparation for the World Cup. “Like all Nigerians

at home and abroad, we look forward to seeing the Super Eagles in top flight as they tackle Scotland in London,” Globacom said in a statement in Lagos yesterday According to the company, “We have limited time left before the Eagles begin their World Cup campaign against Iran, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Argentina in the group stage. We therefore expect the Eagles to use this match to demonstrate their capability. They should however play safe and avoid unnecessary injuries that could set the team back.”

52

Sports

Wednesday May 28, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

How I escaped Jos blasts –Onazi

S

uper Eagles midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi, says he feels fortunate to be alive after he narrowly avoided last week’s bombings in Jos, capital of Plateau State.

The twin blasts at a crowded railing station and market killed at least 118 people.

Onazi, 21, who was born in Jos, had just left the popular Jos Main Market last Tuesday, when the first blast rocked the area.

“I am very, very lucky, just by the grace of God,” the midfielder, who plays for Italian Serie A side, Lazio, told BBC Sport.

Onazi is now with the Eagles in London where they are preparing for today’s friendly against Scotland and he says he has been struggling to erase the memories of that dark day.

Recounting his lucky escape, he said: “It was just like an ordinary day. Happy faces and friendly warmth that makes you feel happy to be back home.

“We had gone to the railway

Onazi

market to get something. I think it was 15 minutes later when we heard the loud blast from the place. And suddenly, people were just running.

“There was chaos and pandemonium. There was smoke, I was confused, lost and just wondered what had happened. I had no idea what was going on and it was scary. All my life I have never heard a bang or boom like that.”

The second blast killed some of the rescue workers who had rushed to the scene, which was obscured by billows of black smoke.

A week later, far away from the city where his parents are based and preparing for his first World Cup with the Super Eagles, Onazi insists the unrest back home has made it difficult to focus on football.

“Some will say I should be happy py to be alive but I just feel concerned cerned about the security challenges llenges in Jos and Nigeria as

a country,” he said.

“I was born and bred in a peaceful Jos. I may be fortunate enough to live outside the place right now, but I still have my family and friends who live in the city.

“I always get worried when there are reports of terrible incidents there on a regular basis.

It’s sad and depressing to live with this.

“Personally, I think there is a need for a holistic approach to solving this problem once and for all.

“Innocent people are dying and the government seriously needs to step up security across the country.”

Another blast happened in Jos days after that incident, in an explosion that targeted football fans watching the European Champions League final between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, the authorities said.

‘Suarez ‘ll be ready for World Cup’

U

ruguay’s World Cup camp yesterday said it is “cautiously optimistic” that star striker Luis Suarez will be ready for the competition as he continues to recover from knee surgery.

The Liverpool forward went under the knife last week Thursday to repair damage to the meniscus in his left knee, raising doubts whether the 27-year-old will be ready for

the global showpiece which kicks off in under three weeks’ time.

The Uruguay team doctor, Alberto Pan, is hopeful that Suarez will recover in time for the tournament, but could not give a specific date of the striker’s return.

“The core of the concept of his return was expressed in the initial statement made in the immediate post-operative period and we can happily say that Luis’ participa-

Transfer:

operation.

“Today (yesterday), he is painless and is working on fitness itness and supporting essentials,” ssentials,” the doctor or added.

Uruguay kick off its World Cup campaign against Costa Rica on June 15.

5.

Toure drops PSG switch hint M

Toure

tion in the World Cup is not ruled out,” Pan said.

“It is very risky to give exact dates. We cannot have absolute certainty or clear numbers but the post-operative period has been very good.

“Luis is not ruled out of the World Cup, but you cannot talk about specific times.”

Pan, however, said Suarez was in good spirits following his minor

anchester City midfielder, Yaya Toure, has sensationally said that he could not rule out a possible move to Paris Saint-Germain, amidst pay row with the Etihad side.

Toure’s future has become subject to heated speculation after his agent suggested the Ivorian star was underappreciated and disrespected at City.

Toure backed his agent’s comments, even as he also admitted he would like the chance to return to former club Barcelona at some point in the future.

The big player, who is currrently with his country’ss squad sq quad d ahead of the World Cup p which h begins next month, has ref refused fused ed to rule out a possible future e switch to PSG who has as been n linked in recent days.

“I think it would be an hon-our to be part of PSG one e day. Iff I could help,” he said.

He however played down do own wn suggestions a summerr m move o e ov could be on the cards.

“Given the magnificent ent ntt sease ea ason Manchester City have ave had, had d, everyone talks about me and and eveverything is open,” Toure e added. add d ed..

“My agent, Dimi“M My agen ent, t, D im mii try Seluk, is hangtelephone ing on tthe in he tel elep eph hone and he knows what he has to do, I have complete confidence in him. knows “Nobody what can happen tomorrow, my attention is World o tthe on he Wor rld Cup and and we will afterwards.” w wi ll see ll see aft fterward ft rds. ds ” Seluk his S Se lu uk re rreiterated iterated e ed viie from view from last stt week week ek that tha Toure Tour To ure e should shou sh o ld d be be offered offere of red a job jo b on n City’s City’ y’ss backroom y’ back ba ckro ck r om staff ro sta aff f finishes when he finish hes playing.

Suarez

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Wednesday May 28, 2014

53

Hat-tricks ‘rain’ in Week 15

G

ombe United put up a resurgent performance as they battled from two goals down to hold Enugu Rangers to a 3-3 draw in the game played at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in spite of a hat-trick from Osagona Ighodaro.

Warri Wolves were also held to a home draw by visiting Sharks FC as a second half strike from Tayo Fabiyi helped the Blue Angels steal a point away from home.

New entrants Giwa FC recorded the biggest result of the day as they beat visiting Kaduna United 4-0 at the Rwang Pam Stadium in Jos, with Ibrahim Shuaibu bagging a hat-trick.

Enyimba were also big winners as they beat Nembe City

3-0 in Aba. A late strike from Adamu Hassan helped reigning champions Kano Pillars claim a 2-1 home win over El Kanemi.

While Muyiwa Lawal’s late free-kick gave Sunshine Stars a 1-0 home win over Nasarawa United.

Kufre Ubong’s second half strike gave Akwa United a 1-0 home win over Lobi Stars with Governor Goodswill Akpabio watching from the stands.

Former Heartland foward, Esom Tochukwu, came back to haunt his old club as his solitary strike gave FC Taraba a 1-0 home win over the Naze Millionaires while in Umuahia, Abia Warriors subjected Crown FC to a 3-0 defeat.

Ighodaro’s feat fails to save Rangers

Week 15 results Pillars

2

1

El-Kanemi

Sunshine

1

0

Nasarawa

Enyimba

3

0

Nembe

Wolves

1

1

Sharks

Akwa

1

0

Lobi

Taraba

1

0

Heartland

Abia

3

0

Crown

Giwa

4

0

Kaduna

Rangers

3

3

Gombe

Team

P

Pts

1

Sharks

15

27

2

Nasarawa

15

24

3

Enyimba

15

22

4

Sunshine

15

22

5

Akwa

15

22

6

Lobi

15

22

7

Taraba

15

22

8

Pillars

14

21

9

Dolphins

15

21

10

Abia

14

21

11

Giwa

14

21

12

Wolves

15

21

13

Bayelsa

13

20

14

Crown

15

20

15

Rangers

15

18

16

Warriors

15

17

17

Heartland

15

17

18

Gombe

15

16

19

Kaduna

15

15

20

Nembe

14

13

Today’s fixtures Lobi

T Ighodaro

NPL Table

vs

Bayelsa

Heartland

vs

Akwa

Crown

vs

Taraba

Sharks

vs

Abia

Gombe

vs

Wolves

Nasarawa

vs

Rangers

Action in one of the centres last weekend

NNL: Perfect start thrills Biffo AFOLABI GAMBARI

N

ew Coach of Nigeria National League (NNL) side Kogi United, Abdullahi Biffo, has expressed delight with his players’ perfect display in their 3-1 home win over TEAP FC in the resumption of the league on Saturday.

Biffo, who took over the reins at the club last week, saw the goals coming early until the rout was completed against the visitors.

The coach commended the players’ maturity, saying the side would get better with subsequent matches towards achieving the promotion goal.

“We have crossed this hurdle as we have noticed where we need to make amends,” Biffo said, adding, “I hope to build on the team I inherited and with patience, we will get there.”

Kogi United has now garnered 25 points and will this weekend will be up against Ranchers Bees in Kaduna.

hree goals from Osaguona Ighodaro were not enough to propel Enugu Rangers as they were held to a 3-3 draw at home by Gombe United at the weekend.

Ighodaro opened scoring in the 11th minute to give the hosts a deserved lead.

The lanky striker scored again in the 39th minute to extend the lead for Rangers who celebrations were instantly marred by a spot-kick rightly awarded to visiting Gombe at the other end.

Adamu Mohammed missed the resulting spotkick for the visitors, to the relief of the fans inside the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.

Ibrahim Abubakar however

scored in first half added time to pull a goal back for the Desert Scorpions before the break.

Both teams sought to impose themselves upon resumption of the second half, but It was Ighodaro who scored yet again to complete his hat-trick on the hour-mark.

Adamu Mohammed made up for his earlier miss as he pulled a goal back moments later for the resilient Gombe side, and he scored again in the 85th minute to spoil an otherwise exciting evening for the hosts.

Ighodaro is now the League’s top scorer with eight goals so far, one ahead of former Shooting Stars strike partner Gbolahan Salami who now plies his trade at Warrior Woilves.

Lahm demands midfield role

G

ermany captain, Philipp Lahm, yesterday said he would prefer to play as a holding midfielder at the World Cup, insisting he does not want to feature on his traditional left side of defence.

The 30-year-old, who has 105 international caps and was primarily deployed in the engine room under Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich this past season, has spent most of his career at fullback, capable of operating on either flank.

“I have said a number of times now that I don’t want to play at left-back any longer and my stance hasn’t changed,” Lahm said.

Lahm

“If I had to choose between left-back and right-back, I would choose right. I don’t have any preference if I had to choose between right-back and holding midfielder, though.

“I feel more like a midfielder at the moment, because that’s where I have played most of the season. But I have no doubt that my position will be all clear before we travel to Brazil.”

NNL: Stores in relegation fight PAUL EREWUBA

S

tationery Stores of Lagos must win eight of the fifteen matches to be played in the second stanza of the Nigeria National League, if they hope to escape relegation this season.

Stores, who are coached by Fatai Amoo, sit slightly above the relegation zone.

The once popular Lagos club returned to the league scene this year after spending many years in the cooler, with an ambition to play their way into the prestigious Nigeria Premier League (NPL).

But the Adebajo Babes are now struggling to maintain a top spot, following their unimpressive performance during the first round of the country’s first division.

Before the NNL went on midseason break, Stores ended in the 12th position after winning 18 points from the available 45 points.

But Amoo believes he can steer the team out of relegation waters.

“It is a big task that we are facing now but it is not a mountain that is insurmountable,” the former Super Eagles assistant coach said.

“We are positive in our thinking and we are working hard to ensure we avoid relegation,” he added.

54

Sports

Wednesday May 28, 2014

w

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

orld cup countdown

Iran finds strength in the Diaspora so far been unable to progress beyond the group phase at the FIFA World Cup. They finished their debut campaign with a point, courtesy of a 1-1 draw against Scotland. But their first win came in the second appearance when a golden generation, boasting the likes of Ali Daei, Karim Bagheri and Mehdi Mahdavikia, came up with a memorable 2-1 defeat of USA. Their last participation at Germany 2006 saw them head home with a point after a 1-1 draw against debutants Angola.

After taking up his job in 2011, Coach Queiroz started rebuilding with Iranian players

in the Diaspora. Among them are Germany-Iranians, Daniel Davari and Ashkan Dejagah; Dutch-Iranian, Reza Ghoochannejhad; Swedish-Iranian, Omid Nazari and Iranian-American, Steven Beitashour.

Expectedly, the Portuguese coach has selected goalkeeper Davari, midfielder Dejagah and open field attacker Ghoochannejhad in his squad for Brazil 2014 World Cup. It remains to be seen what impact the presence of these players will make on the pitch against Nigeria, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Argentina when hostilities begin.

Iran squad:

EVEREST ONYEWUCHI

I

ran qualified for the imminent FIFA World Cup in Brazil as group winners and much is expected from Team Melli or The Persian Stars, as the team is variously called, at the Mundial.

Under former Real Madrid and Portugal coach, Carlos Queiroz, the Asian champions opened the preliminary competition brightly, beating the Mal-

dives 5-0 to progress. They met with little challenge in the next phase, maintaining their undefeated run as they finished section winners with three wins and three draws.

However, despite logging an average of nearly three goals per match in the previous round, the fourth round proved to be more difficult for the strongly favoured Iranians. The Persian Stars found the net just twice in the opening five matches during which they lost twice

and drew once to see their quest for a ticket threatened.

With so much at stake, Queiroz’s side rose to the occasion to see off both Qatar and Lebanon, before overcoming hosts South Korea 1-0 in the round’s final match to seal their return to the FIFA World Cup. Iran had participated in three previous World Cup finals in Argentina (1978), France 1998 and in Germany 2006.

But despite their pedigree within Asia, the Lions have

Javad carries the burden

F

illing the void left by Mahdavikia is captain Javad Nekounam, who has quickly established his place as the team’s talisman.

Aside from providing leadership, the skipper provides creativity alongside former Osasuna team-mate, Masoud Shojaei.

Arguably Iran’s standout player, Nekounam currently plays for Kuwaiti side, Al Kuwait SC. Nekounam, nickname ‘Neku’, played in Spain’s La Liga with Osasuna for six years, where he played against the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

The 33-year-old was one

short of making his 150th appearance for the Spanish outfit, before being released, joining Iranian side, Esteghlal.

A defensive midfielder, Nekounam likes to break up play and sit as a typical midfield anchor man. In addition to controlling the midfield, the Iranian captain also has an eye for goal from range, very similar to the style of play of Frank Lampard.

Belgium-based striker Reza Ghoochannejhad stands out among the emerging generation, while Fulham man Ashkan Dejagah shores up the midfield alongside Andranik Teymourian.

Goalkeepers: Daniel Davari (Eintracht Braunschweig/GER), Rahman Ahmadi (Sepahan Isfahan), Alireza Haqiqi (Sporting da Covilha/POR), Sosha Makani (Foolad), Ali Reza Biranvand (Naft Tehran) Defenders: Hossein Mahini (Persepolis), Jalal Hosseini (Persepolis), Ehsan Hajsafi (Sepahan Isfahan), Amir Hossein Sadeqi (Esteghlal), Hashem Beykzadeh (Esteghlal), Khosrow Heidari (Esteghlal), Ahmad Alenemeh (Naft Tehran), Mohammad Reza Khanzadeh (Zob Ahan Isfahan), Pejman Montazeri (Umm Salal SC/QAT), Steven Beitashour (Vancouver Whitecaps FC/CAN) Midfielders: Mehrdad Pouladi (Persepolis), Reza Haghighi (Persepolis), Andranik Teymourian (Esteghlal), Ghasem Hadadifar (Zob Ahan Isfahan), Bakhtiar Rahmani (Foolad), Javad Nekounam (Kuwait SC/KUW), Ashkan Dejagah (Fulham/ENG), Masoud Shojaei (UD Las Palmas/ESP) Strikers: Mohammad Reza Khalatbari (Persepolis), Mehdi Sharifi (Sepahan Isfahan), Karim Ansarifard (Tractor Sazi), Reza Ghoochannejhad (Charlton Athletic/ENG), Alireza Jahanbakhsh (NEC/NED), Sardar Azmoun (FC Rubin Kazan/RUS), Reza Norouzi (Naft Tehran) FACT-FILE

Group Matches Monday, June 16 vs Nigeria (Curitiba) Saturday, June 25 vs Argentina (Belo Horizonte) Wednesday, June 25 vs Bosnia-Herzegovina (Salvador)

Javad

Capital: Tehran Population: 77.17million Appearances: 4 (First in 1978) FIFA Ranking: 37th Nicknames: Team Melli, The Iranian Lions, The Persian Stars Record Scorer: Ali Daei (109) Most Capped Player: Ali Daei (149) Captain: Javad Nekounam Coach: Carlos Queiroz

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net CHANGE OF NAME

SANYAOLU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Sanyaolu Opeyemi Dorcas, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Olanrewaju Opeyemi Dorcas. All documents bearing former name remain valid.

General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

NWOKEABAYI: Formerly Known and addressed as Miss Nwokeabayi Chinenye Joy, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ezembakwe Chinenye Joy. All former documents remain Valid. NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

NDUKWE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Elewechi Diana Ndukwe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Elewechi Anya. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ADEFARATI: Formerly known and addressed as Adefarati Oluwakemi Abiodun, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Kolawole Oluwakemi. Eunice. All former documents remain valid. The general public, please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

AKEREJOLA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Akerejola Courage Aina, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Enesi Courage Uniamikugbo. All former documents remain valid. The general public and NYSC should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

FALADE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Falade Ronke Funmilola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oyekola Ronke Funmilola. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

AJA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Aja Catherine Uchenna, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Charles Obiorah Catherine Uchenna. All former documents remain valid. First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and the general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OMOLOLA: Formerly known and addressed as Omolola Jadesola Sherifat, now wish to be known and addressed as Onayemi Jadesola Sherifat. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

IGBOKWE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Igbokwe Nkeiruka Onyekachi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ahumibe Nkeiruka Onyekachi.

All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

ONABANJO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss. Omotolani Hannah Onabanjo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Omotolani Hannah Salami. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

AKINREMI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Grace Temitope Akinremi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Grace Temitope Nwabuko. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OKPARA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Okpara Gloria Ngozi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ibeawuchi Gloria Ngozi. All former documents remain valid. A.I.F.C.E, University of Nigeria Nsukka, NYSC and general public take note.

LOSS OF LITTLE DOCUMENT

This is to inform the general public that all these valuable documents got lost by one Mr. Kolade Muftau Abidogun. A Nigeria citizen of Abidogun’s Compound, Ekunle, Iseyin Oyo. The items are: NABTEB Result, Letter of Disengagement, Salary Pay Roll, Declaration of Age, School Certificate, Letter of Engagement, Passport, Certificate of Marriage and Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company Etc. If found please contact this number: 08168226415

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 ADMINISTRATION of the personal property.

Notice is hereby given that the said LETTER OF ADMINISTRATION will be granted to such person unless a Registry High Court of Justice Birnin Kebbi, within TWENTY ONE DAYS from the date of publication of this notice.

SCHEDULE Name and Address of Decreased Applicant Name and Address Umaru Mohammed Haruna Umar Nigeria Prison Service Nigerian Prisons Service Zuru Local Govt.

Yauri Local Government Kebbi State.

Kebbi State.

Who died on 27th day of November, 2011 Dated at Birnin Kebbi on the 21st day of August, 2013’

Signed: ABUBAKAR SIDDIQ BELLO PROBATE REGISTRAR

PUBLIC NOTICE INCORPORATED TRUSTEES OF THE LOVERS OF HUMANITY FOUNDATION

This is to notify the general public that the above named Foundation has applied for registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2004.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Ben Akabueze.

Taiwo-Ogunbodede Omolara Ifeatu Chinedu Onejeme Adepetun Oluwatunji David Ifezulike Ola Akabueze Ngozi Atanda Abimbola Adesua

55

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

- Chairman - Secretary

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

1. To support the socially excluded and vulnerable members of the society by raising awareness of their needs and reducing the stigma of their situation.

2. To relieve the financial hardship of such persons by providing education, training, healthcare, goods and services they could otherwise not afford through lack of means to enable them generate a sustainable income and be self-sufficient.

Any objection to the registration of the above named Foundation should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, P.M.B 198, Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: LPC SOLICITORS

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

GARBA: Formerly called and addressed as Peace Danladi Garba, now wish to be Known and addressed as Mrs Peace Adeniji. All former Documents should remained valid. Waziri Umaru Federal Polytecnic Birnin Kebbi and the General public take note.

ISAAC: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Omosimua Sarai Isaac, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Omijie Sarah. All former documents remain valid. NYSC, UNN and general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

OLUWATELURE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Oluwatelure Oluwatosin Faith, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okereke Oluwatosin Faith . All former documents remain valid General Public take note.

BABATOLA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Babatola Olabisi Adeola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adebayo Olabisi Adeola. All former documents remain valid Ekiti State Teaching Service Commission and General Public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

ORISHADARE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Nusirat Orishadare, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nusirat Babatunde. All former documents remain valid National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and general public take note

EGBO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Egbo Ijeoma Chinaemerem, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nwaeche Ijeoma Chinaemerem.

All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

EDIRIN: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Edirin Oboro, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Edirin Obirenfoju. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

AKINTUNDE: Formerly called and addressed as Miss Akintunde Bidemi Tobi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Opara Bidemi Tobilola. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

JIMOH: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Jimoh Halimo Sadiat, now which to be addressed as Mrs Adeleke Olajumoke Sadiat.

All former documents remain valid.

Primary Health Care Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State and general public should take note.

OWOEYE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Owoeye Deborah Taiwo, now which to be known and addressed as Mrs Emmanuel Deborah Taiwo.All former documents remain valid.Ekiti state teaching service commission and the general public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

AJIROTUTU:Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ajirotutu Bukola Omolola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adara Bukola Omolola. All former documents remain valid, General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

OKPARAOJIEGO:Formerly known and addressed as Miss Okparaojiego Chikodili Martha, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ibekwe Chikodili Martha Chibueze. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ADEYEMO: Formerly known and addressed as Adeyemo Oluwafunmilayo Rebecca, now wish to be known and addressed as Bolaji Oluwafunmilayo Rebecca. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

FADILULLAH: Formerly known and addressed as Mr Kazeem Fadilullah Olawale, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr Kazeem Fadilulahi Olawale.All former documents remain valid.

General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

IZUEGU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Izuegu Vivian Ebele, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Azobor Odumun Vivian Ebele. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

AGWAGU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Agwagu Peace Chiamaka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ozor Peace Chiamaka. All former documents remain valid. IMT, NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OKON: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Bassey Okon Itoro, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Groleau Itoro.

All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ONWUANAKU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Onwuanaku Blessing Nwamaka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Onyeali Blessing Nwamaka. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHIJINDU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Okonkwo Nora Chijindu, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Okonkwo Nora Onyemaobi. All documents relating my former name remain valid. General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME OKORO: Formerly known and addressed as Abigail J. Okoro, now wish to be known and addressed as Abigail Johnson. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

AKALUSI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Akalusi Roseline Uchenna, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS Chukwuemeka Roseline Uchenna. All former documents remain valid. Post Primary School Management Board(P.P.S.M.B) and general public take note.

ADEWUNMI: Formerly known and addressed as Adewunmi Serah Fadekemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Akintewe Fadekemi Omobukola Serah.

All former documents remain valid. Ogun State Local Govt Service Commission and general public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE OKE - OVORO PEOPLE ASSEMBLY

The above named Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration in accordance with provision of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Chief Louis .C. Iwuala 3. Lolo Veronica Ogunka 5. George Alaiche 7. Mr. Virginus Onuoha 9. Hon. Neighbour Nwanedo 11. Mr. Francis Okorie

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Popoola Olufunke Victoria Alaba wishes to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ojetunde Olufunke Victoria Alaba. All former documents remain valid. Osun Central Education District Office, Ila Orangun and general public should take note.

AGBOLUAJE: Formerly known, called and addressed as Miss Haminat Abiola Agboluaje, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs Haminat Abiola Adesina. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

OSAYOMI: Formerly known and addressed Miss Osayomi Iyabo, now wish to be addressed as Mrs Abegunde Magret Bosede Iyabo.

All former documents remain valid.

Ekiti State Government and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

MOROLAHUN: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Morolahun Adenike Lydia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Afolabi Adenike Lydia. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHUKWUZOBA: Formerly known and Addressed as Miss Chukwuzoba Grace Favour, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ekemezie Grace Favour Iruoma. All former documents remain valid general public take note.

SHITTU: Formerly known called and addressed as Miss Shittu Bashirat Adedoyin, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs Ige-Muhammed Bashirat Adedoyin.All former documents remain valid. Ekiti State Local Government Service Commission Ado-Ekiti and general public should take note.

KALU:Formerly known and addressed as Miss Kalu Caroline Oriri, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Bernard Caroline Oriri. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OFFOR: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Offor Augustina Ogechukwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Odenigbo Augustina Ogechukwu. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

2. Mr. Collins Eke 4. Chief D.N Eronefu 6. Hon. Cyracius Nwamkpa 8. Chief Nwaigwe Chimezie 10. Hon. Kenneth Onwugharaonye 12. Mr. Chris Obegu

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To foster unity among the communities.

2. Promote cultural and social activities.

3. Uplift the standard of our living.

Any objection therefore should be addressed to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent Off Aguiyi Ironsi street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: HON. LOUIS .C. IWUALA

ELUME DEVELOPMENT UNION

This is to notify the general public that the above named union has applied for registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2004.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: - Chairman - Secretary - Member.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

To foster love and unity among, members to assist in the development of the Community.

Any objection to the registration of the above named Foundation should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, P.M.B 198, Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: TRUSTEES

CHANGE OF NAME

AKINDELE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Akindele Titilayo Dorcas, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Lamidi Titilayo Dorcas. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE HIS ROYAL DIVINE HERITAGE MINISTRY

The general public is hereby notified that the above named MINISTRY applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under the Companies and Allied matters Act No 1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

1. Pastor Adigun Olalekan Moses 2. Deaconess Adigun O. Helynn 3. Pastor Olaiya Tunde 4. Bro. Ogundare Ebenezer 5. Bro. Oladele Ademola THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To bring man back to God 2. To Orientate the youth about the celebration of valentine and love as an attribute of God 3. To show love to widows and widowers that Christ loves them.

4. To show the love of God to the less privileged as people Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-general, Corporate Affairs Commission plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguyi Street, Maitama, P. M. B. 198 Abuja, within 28days of this publication.

SIGNED: TRUSTEES

PUBLIC NOTICE

1. Chief [Hon]Monday Ovwigho Igbuya 2.Barr. Lawrence Omughele 3. Chief Dr Igho Christ Agino

CHANGE OF NAME

ADELAJA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adelaja Oluwakemi Abimbola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Alese Oluwakemi Abimbola.

All former documents remain valid.

NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 2004.

SPECIAL RESOLUTION FOR MEMEBERS’S VOLUNTARY WINDING UP At the Extraordinary general meeting of PEVE DENTAL CLINIC LIMITED (RC 1042973) duly convened and hold at Block B, Suite 36 Primal Tek Plaza, Opposite lju garage, Pen Cinema , Agege, Lagos State of Nigeria, on the 27th day of May, 2014 at 10 o’clock, in the forenoon, the following resolutions were duly passed; That the Company be wound up voluntarily.

That Caleb Rotimi OYEKOLA Esq. of Block A, Suite 32,Primal Tek Plaza, Opposite lju Garage, Pen Cinema, Agege, Lagos be and is hereby appointed the Liquidator for the purpose of the winding up and that remuneration of =N=20,000.00 (Twenty Thousand Naira) only monthly be and is hereby fixed for the Liquidator’s services in addition to his charges and expenses during when he shall continue to act as Liquidator.

Dated the 27th Day of May, 2014

Signed: ESHIKENA OMOSHIBO EVELYN DIRECTOR

ESHIKENA MARILYN ESHIAROKE DIRECTOR

WORLD RECORD

Oldest church building

N150

Vol. 04 No. 861 Wednesday, May 28, 2014

The oldest surviving Christian church in the world is a converted house in Qal’at es Salihiye (formerly Dura Europos) in eastern Syria, dating from AD232. In the 1930s, Yale archaeologists dismantled it and rebuilt it back in the United States.

Rescuing the world from military jackboots

M

ilitary rule, whether in Egypt, Thailand or anywhere in the world is a curse. It is a curse for any people created by God to be ruled by guns. In the contemporary world, military rule is an act of terrorism, because what it aims to achieve is create fear in the populace as a prelude to domination. Your country fed you, clothed you, kitted you and armed you so that you could defend its territorial integrity and its people against external aggression, you then turned the same arms against your country and its people.

The trajectory of the military in all third world countries is the same. They cash in on a political crisis, remove an elected government, suspend the constitution, throw people into jails, shut down media houses, crush the civic will and rule with decrees, promising to restore peace, promote eco-

C

ote d’Ivoire Coach, Sabri Lamouchi, yesterday admitted he is contending with tired players as well as those without playing times as he prepares his side for Brazil 2014 World Cup.

Guest Columnist nomic growth and hand over power to a democratically-elected government after an indeterminable period.

At the end of such interregnum, where the General did not transmute to civilian Head of State as Field Marshal Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt is now poised to doing and General Prayuth Chan-ocha of Thailand may eventually do, the economy would be in shambles, the treasury looted with reckless abandon, all government’s institutions destroyed, the psyche of the populace militarized and the very military institution itself destroyed because of fear of coups and counter-coups within.

How are we sure that it is not the powermongers in the barracks that fueled the political crises in Egypt and Thailand in order to stage coups and then reward those civilian collaborators. First, the extant constitution does not give the military such interventionist powers. The only alternative government recognised by the constitution is from within the political parties, not outside it. Then the watchdog of the constitution is the press, while its guardian the judiciary.

It is even a sign of cowardice to seize power by force of arms. It is opportunistic, cynical and criminal. Because you know other citizens are not carrying guns so the contest is uneven. If the military political adventurists are sure themselves, why not resign from their commission and stand for elections, on the same level-playing field with others. To seize power by force of

James

Ikechukwu IT IS ELEMENTARY PRINCIPLE IN LAW THAT NO ONE MUST BE ALLOWED TO PROFIT FROM HIS OWN WRONG DOING arms, sit behind a desk and begin to award ranks to the band of coupists, thereby destroying esprit de corps, politicizing and demoralizing the rank and file and undermining the bastion of discipline and professionalism within the armed forces, is altogether a sign of cowardice and banditry.

And when such army is now faced with external aggression, they retreat with their tails between their legs, the institution having lost its soul to politics and corruption.

All those who cherish freedom, the certainties and stability that come with democracy must rise to denounce the military juntas in Egypt and Thailand, and do everything possible to remove these dictators from power without further delay.

The military and police must understand what is meant by patriotism and defence of the constitution. During any political crisis, indeed at all times, their duty is to defend the constitution. It means when the Head of State issues an unlawful order, for instance, to crack down on peaceful protest-

ers, or turn their guns against their own people or aid and abet rigging of elections, they disobey such order. Yes, the president might replace such military head, but by his successor disobeys the same unlawful order, then the president will know the game is over. Henceforth, he might be forced to reach a compromise with the opposition and abide by the constitution. I look forward to a time when the military and police will throw up such men of honour in this country.

The military must learn to subordinate itself to civil authority. Members of the armed and police forces in developing nations should take the cue from their colleagues in the developed nations, who earn global respect because of their level of discipline, utmost regard for the civil populace and feats of derring-do in battlefields.

All elected governments must do something with barrack boredom. If there are no wars to fight, then the military must be engaged in other productive ventures in the agriculture and construction sectors of the economy where they can earn additional income and contribute to the GDP of their respective countries. Besides, it is necessary to punish those involved in past coups against elected governments either in contemporary Asia, Africa or Latin America based on the constitutions in force as at the time they carried out the unconstitutional acts. It is elementary principle in law that no one must be allowed to profit from his own wrong doing.

Finally, constituted civil authorities in the third world countries must equip adequately members of the armed and the police forces and reward them handsomely. Their conditions of service must be enviable. The military and police should be the pride of any nation. All forms of corrupt practices in the military and police must be discouraged.

In the meantime, I call on Field Marshal Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt and General Prayuth Chan-ocha of Thailand to apologize for their wrong-doings and restore elected governments step down without further delay.

Ikechukwu wrote from Owerri, Imo State via ikechukwujames2000@gmail.com

Sport Extra World Cup: Injured, benched players worry Ivorian coach

The Tunisian-born Frenchman has taken his preparations for next month’s tournament in Brazil to the United States of America where he will play two friendly

matches before crossing to the World Cup venue.

Lamouchi has had to deal with key midfielder Yaya Toure missing the start of preparations as he is in Qatar nursing an

injury following a taxing season with Manchester City.

“We have many players at different levels of physical fitness,” Lamouchi said at the team’s

camp in Dallas, USA. “We have players like Kolo Toure of Liverpool and Turkish-based defender Souleyman Bamba who have played little.

Lamouchi

Printed and Published by Global Media Mirror Ltd: Head Office: Mirror House, 155/161 Broad Street, Lagos Tel: 07027107407, Abuja Office: NICON Insurance House, Second Floor, Central Business District Area, Abuja Tel: 08070428249, Advert hotline: 01-8446073, Port-Harcourt Office: Suite 115, NICON Hotel, 6, Benjamin Opara Street, Off Olusegun Obasanjo Rd, GRA Phaze 3, Phone: 07032323254 Email: mail@nationalmirroronline.net.

Editor: SEYI FASUGBA. All correspondence to PMB 10001, Marina, Lagos.

Printed simultaneously in Lagos, Abuja and Akure. ISSN 0794-232X.