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Nigeria, world’s biggest importer of US dollars –Sanusi

Reps clash over OkonjoIweala, AlisonMadueke

….CBN to clampdown on forex abuses, holds MPR at 12% TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

Vol. 3 N0. 686

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igeria has become the world’s biggest importer of United States dollars.

Central Bank of Nigeria,

CBN, Governor, Mallam Lamido Sanusi, made the disclosure yesterday.

He noted that the situa-

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Wednesday, September 25, 2013

2015:

N150

Jonathan’s re-election’ll split Nigeria –New PDP Former PDP governorship candidates launch ‘Goodluck to Goodluck Project’ NIGERIA DESERVES UN SECURITY COUNCIL SEAT –PRESIDENT

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OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

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resident Goodluck Jonathan has been cautioned not to endanger the unity and peace of the country with his second term ambition in 2015.

The New Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said yesterday that Nigeria might disintegrate if the President went ahead with his ambition.

The Abubakar BarajeCONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

President Goodluck Jonathan addressing the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York yesterday.

Senate orders probe of Apo killings

US Congress to conduct hearing on Boko Haram, terrorism ...as Tambuwal seeks America’s intervention P.6

PHOTO: NAN

Stop overheating the polity, Jega tells politiciansP.13

Passes confidence vote in leadership

Obama

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Gov gave lawmakers N180m to impeach me –Kaduna Speaker

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Senate orders probe of Apo killings GEORGE OJI ABUJA

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he Senate has ordered a probe into the killing of 10 persons by security forces at an uncompleted building near the Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja, last Friday.

The investigation is to be carried out by the Senate Committees on National Security and Intelligence and Judiciary, Human Right and Legal Matters.

The probe committee is to report back to the Senate in a week’s time.

The probe followed the adoption of the motion sponsored by Senator Sahabi Ya’au (Zamfara North) and entitled “The Apo Killing: A case of extra-judicial killing.”

Following extensive debate on the motion, the Senate came to the conclusion that it was too early to condemn the killing since there was no evidence yet to ascertain whether the security agents who carried out the operations engaged in any untoward actions.

However, Yau’au in his lead presentation described those killed in the shootout as indigenes of Zamfara, Katsina and Kano states, who were commercial tricycle operators.

He denied the claims by agents of the Directorate of

State Security Service, SSS, who carried out the operation that the deceased were members of the dreaded Boko Haram Islamic sect.

The victims were alleged to be using the building as hideout and weapons store preparatory to a terrorist attack on the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. The survivors and eyewitnesses claimed that the dead were artisans who were squatters on the property and had paid N200 daily to an unnamed individual to enable them sleep in the uncompleted building.

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu admitted that the issue was a sensitive matter because lives were involved.

He, however, cautioned that it was not fair at this stage to go into the details of the matter because it would be given different political interpretations, stressing that, people “should suspend further actions and comments on the matter and let our relevant committee investigate the matter and report back to us.”

Senator Nkechi Nwogu (Abia Central) in her own contributions spoke along the same lines as Ekweremadu. According to her, “I’d like to say that it will be too hasty for this chamber to sit here now and to totally con-

demn the killing without thorough investigations of the matter. The building is not the only uncompleted building in Abuja as a result we should try and get to the root of the matter.”

Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba, Senators Clever Ikisikpo and Ali Ndume urged caution on the matter.

Senate President David Mark while also urging caution in condemning the killings noted that as at today, no one has the actual details of the killings. He insisted that the Senate

needs to have detailed information on the matter before it could arrive at a final decision on the matter.

He stressed that, “We must keep sentiments away and concentrate on the facts and the only way we can do this is to set up the relevant committees to look into the matter.”

Meanwhile, the Senate has expressed confidence in the leadership of the red chamber.

Speaking against the background of the alleged plot to unseat the Senate President, spokesman of

the upper chamber of the National Assembly, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe said yesterday that, “all members of the 7th Senate continue to have implicit confidence in the leadership of the Senate.”

Abaribe spoke while fielding questions from journalists yesterday at the end of plenary sitting.

He also commented on the recent visit of seven splinter governors of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the Senate President last week in company with the Chairman of

the new PDP, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, noting that the Senate President has always allowed groups and individuals who indicate interest to visit him to do so.

Abaribe stated that the visit was at the instance of the members of PDP and because Mark was elected under the platform of the same party, there was no way he would have declined the invitation.

He assured that the PDP as a political, party was intact and was not about to break up.

L-R: Secretary, Nigeria Bar Association, Mr. Emeka Obiagulu; President, Mr. Okey Wali and Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, during a visit by the NBA to the Speaker in Abuja yesterday.

Jonathan’s re-election’ll split Nigeria –New PDP CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

led PDP advised President Jonathan to abandon his plan to seek re-election in 2015, saying his ambition was not in the best interest of the country and that the President would be breaching the Nigerian constitution if he re-contested in 2015.

President Jonathan had on Sunday in New York, United States, declared that he was entitled to second term in 2015.

Speaking at a luncheon with Nigerian professionals in the United States, President Jonathan insisted that he was eligible to contest in 2015 as “we have a constitution that makes a provision for a maximum of eight years for anyone who wants to become a president or a governor.”

But the aggrieved PDP faction in a statement by its National Publicity Sec-

retary, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, said that President Jonathan was yet to declare his intention to run.

The PDP faction said: “We are worried that Mr. President is intent on running despite his earlier promise not to do so and in spite of the wise counsel of well-meaning Nigerians, including respected elder statesmen.

“In February 2011, while interacting with Nigerians and diplomats working in the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, UNECA, and the African Union, AU, in Ankara, Turkey, President Jonathan clearly stated: ‘I would have loved that the Nigerians in Diaspora vote this year (2011) but to be frank with you, that is going to be difficult now. “Presently, the law does not allow the voting outside Nigeria and so this year Nigerians in

Diaspora will not vote but I will work towards it by 2015 even though I will not be running for election.

“Four years is enough for anyone in power to make significant improvement and if I can’t improve on power within this period, it then means I cannot do anything even if I am there for the next four years.”

The new PDP spokesperson said that these statements were historical facts which Mr. President himself could not deny now since he had two years to deny that statement but never did so.

The party added: “How does Mr. President want Nigerians and the entire world to see him for this volte face? Why can he not keep his words as a man of honour instead of allowing himself to be misled by selfish advisers to go back

on his words, thereby overheating the polity?

“Mr. President should heed the advice of wellmeaning, distinguished personalities such as constitutional law guru, Prof.

Ben Nwabueze (SAN) and Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie, all of whom have advised him to correctly read the handwriting on the wall and stay away from the 2015 presidential race.

“By 2015, President Jonathan would have served our nation for six solid years.

This surely is enough time for him to achieve whatever he is capable of doing for Nigeria.

“What else is he looking for that is making him desperate to participate in the 2015 presidential election despite warnings that doing so may spark a chain

of events capable of culminating into the country’s disintegration, thereby bringing to pass the predictions of Lord Lugard that Nigeria as a nation by 2014 maybe history, which was later confirmed by the USA Think-Tank that Nigeria may disintegrate by 2015.”

He said that apart from this, if President Jonathan contested and won by 2015, he would have spent 10 years in office and would be sworn in three times as the President of Nigeria against the provisions of the country’s constitution.

Eze added: “We wish to appeal to Mr. President to abandon this ill-advised move and save our nation from catastrophe. God has been merciful to you, Mr. President, lifting you from being a university teacher to President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in so short a time is something

you should be grateful and be contented with.

“We urge you Mr. President to listen to the voice of reason and avoid overstretching your good luck.

A word is enough for the wise!”

Despite the opposition from the new PDP, former governors and candidates of the PDP yesterday unveiled the Goodluck to Goodluck Project, while insisting that it would be against natural justice to deny President Jonathan his right to seek re-election in 2015.

The former party henchmen, under the aegis of G13 Candidates/Former PDP Governors’ Forum, also said the drawbacks of past governments cannot be ascribed to the Goodluck/ Sambo administration.

The convener of the forum and former govCONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

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Photo News

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

President, Christain Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor (left) with United States Congressman, Christopher Smith during his visit to CAN President in Abuja yesterday.

L-R: Chairman, Citizens Popular Party, Chief Sam Eke; Acting National Secretary, Peoples Democratic Party, Dr. Charles Akitoye and Chairman, All Progressives Grand Alliance, Chief Victor Umeh, at the INEC 3rd Quarterly Consultative Meeting in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Special Adviser, Bureau of Infrastructure and Public Utility, Ekiti State, Mr. Kayode Jegede; Governor Kayode Fayemi; Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Infrastructure and Public Utility, Mr. Foluso Daramola and Chairman Ekiti State Water Corporation, Mr. Bode Adetunji, shortly after signing of the Water Supply and Sanitation Law, in Ado-Ekiti, yesterday.

L-R: Chairman, Independent National Electoral Ccommission, Prof. Attairu Jega; National Commissioners, Dr. Chris Iyimoga and Mrs. Gladys Nne Nwafor during INEC meeting with political parties in Abuja, yesterday.

National News

Nigeria deserves UN Security Council seat, Jonathan tells world leaders ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

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resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday in New York made a strong case for Nigeria’s election to the United Nations Security Council.

Addressing world leaders and other delegates at the opening of the 68th Session of the UN General Assembly, Jonathan declared that Nigeria’s commendable performance on previous occasions when it held a non-permanent seat on the Security Council, should assure the global community that the country deserved to be elected to the council again for the 2014-2015 session.

“Our support for the United Nations Security Council in its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security has been total and unwavering.

“We have, in previous membership of the Council, demonstrated both the political will and capacity

to engage in key Council responsibilities.

“I am pleased to state that Nigeria has received the endorsement of the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union. We therefore urge this august Assembly to endorse Nigeria’s candidature for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council,” Jonathan said.

The President also called for faster action towards the democratisation of the Security Council, saying that Nigeria and other developing countries were concerned about the lack of progress in the reformation of the United Nations.

He said: “I believe that I express the concern of many about the slow pace of effort and apparent lack of progress in the reform of the United Nations, especially the Security Council. We believe strongly, that the call for democratisation worldwide should not be for

States only, but also, for International Organisations such as the United Nations.

“That is why we call for the democratisation of the Security Council. This is desirable for the enthronement of justice, equity, and fairness; and also for the promotion of a sense of inclusiveness and balance in our world,” President Jonathan said.

The President noted that the world continues to be confronted with many serious challenges, stressing that there is a need for a renewed and concerted effort by the international community to effectively resolve all issues that currently impede global peace, stability and progress.

“Our world continues to be confronted by pressing problems and threats.

No statement that will be made during this Session can exhaust the extent of these problems. The world looks to us, as leaders, to provide hope in the midst of crisis, to provide guid-

ance through difficult socio-political divisions, and to ensure that we live in a better world.

“We have obligations to the present generation, but we have a greater obligation to generations yet unborn, who should one day inherit a world of sufficiency irrespective of the circumstances of their birth or where they reside on the globe. We must work to make that world a reality in recognition of our common heritage.

“We must dedicate ourselves to working together to address global, regional and national challenges and deliver a more peaceful, equitable and prosperous world for all. It is our duty. We must not fail.”.

The President also restated his call for the international community to confront the menace of global terrorism with greater resolve and determination.

“Terrorism constitutes a major threat to global peace and security, and un-

dermines the capacity for sustained development.

In Nigeria, the threat of terrorism in a few states in the North Eastern part of our country has proven to be a major challenge to national stability. We are therefore confronting it with every resource at our disposal with due regard for fundamental human rights and the rule of law.

“The reign of terror anywhere in the world is an assault on our collective humanity. Three days ago, the stark reality of this menace was again brought to the fore by the dastardly terrorist attack in Nairobi, Kenya.

We must stand together to win this war together,” the president said.

President Jonathan welcomed Nigeria’s selection as co-Chair of the United Nations Expert Committee on Financing Sustainable Development.

“The importance of this Committee’s assignment cannot be overstated. For the post-2015 development

agenda to be realistic, it must be backed by a robust financing framework, which I hope will receive the strong backing of our Organisation’s more endowed members,” he said.

He congratulated UN member-states on the adoption of the Arms Trade Treaty, ATT, even as he expressed the hope that the move would herald an era of accountable trade in conventional arms which is critical to the security of nations.

He condemned the reported use of chemical weapons in Syrian and welcomed current diplomatic efforts to avert a further escalation of the crisis in the country.

Jonathan also urged world leaders to adopt measures and policies that would promote nuclear disarmament, protect and renew the world’s environment, and push towards an international system that is based on trust, mutual respect and shared goals.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Wednesday, September 25, 2013

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Nigeria, world’s biggest importer of US dollars –Sanusi CONTINUED FROM PAGE1

tion had to be reversed.

Speaking in Abuja after the 234th meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee, Sanusi expressed worry over suspected money laundering activity through the bureaux de change segment of the forex market and said the CBN was determined to curb such abuses and keep the naira stable According to him, new guidelines that would make transactions at the bureaux de change, BDC, market more closely monitored and spell out stiffer penalties for infractions of the guidelines.

Sanusi said the move became necessary in view of perceived lapses within the BDC sub-sector of the for-

eign market in recent times and the need to ensure strict compliance with the rules in the market.

Sanusi, who also disclosed that the Committee decided to retain the Monetary Policy Rate, MPR, at 12 per cent with a corridor of +/-200 basis points around the midpoint, 50 per cent CRR on public sector funds and 12 per cent on private sector deposits, said most of the decisions taken at the meeting were informed by developments in the domestic and global economic environments, particularly to sustain macroeconomic stability in the economy.

Although the governor did not give details about the proposed policy measures, he however confirmed that

the issues that would form the object of the guidelines will be how to curtail the incidence of money laundering, avoid multiple exchange rate regime and spikes that will create arbitrage and also prevent the likelihood of the country becoming the highest importer of the US dollar globally.

He explained: “We will come out with policies in the near future; I am not going to tell you the details. You must remember that one of the challenges we have is that we are dealing with some of the policies that get in the way of each other. We need to stop the money laundering. We need to reduce the amount of cash dollars through BDCs and at the same time we need to make

sure that we do not have a multi exchange rate regime and spikes that will create arbitrage.

“There has to be a whole set of policies that are looked at carefully and pursued with a lot of determination. We think there is something absolutely wrong with BDCs buying hundreds of millions of dollars and not being able to account for them. We think that these monies are not being used for importation of goods and services. We think they are a part of a money laundering exercise and we would have to deal with it.

“We also think that the whole policies around massive withdrawals and deposits of cash should now move

L-R: Former Minister of Finance, Chief Olu Falae; former Nigerian Ambassador to the Netherland, Mrs. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu and author of the book, Pa Adio Mosanya, at the presentation of the book, ‘Post Independence Political Evolution of Western Nigeria, (Chief Obafemi Awolowo Factor)’, in Lagos, yesterday.

Jonathan’s re-election’ll split Nigeria –New PDP CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

ernorship candidate of PDP in Edo State, Major Gen. Charles Arhiavbere, urged all well-meaning PDP members to embrace peace and to return to the mainstream of the party under the leadership of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.

He said: “The constitution provides for eight years for every office and I believe that going by natural justice, if there is a tenant in a house and it is going for sale, the first opportunity of refusal should go to the occupant. And I believe that based on the midterm report of the president, we believe that he should be given a second term in office to finish his project.

“President Jonathan

has the right. It has not been published anywhere that he signed an agreement to run for one term.

He should be given support and peaceful environment to implement his projects to completion.”

On the crisis in the party, he said: “We studied the political impasse, horse trading and war of attrition and belligerence in recent times within and outside the context of our great party, PDP; the intraparty conflict classified as family affair must be resolved within the party’s conflict resolution mechanism of the PDP Round Table Dialogue Initiative put in place for the reconciliation and all well-meaning PDP members should embrace

peace and avail themselves of the opportunity given to return to the mainstream under the leadership of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur as one indivisible PDP.” Underscoring their support for Jonathan in 2015, he said: “The achievements recorded within the space of two years in office are highly commendable and the need to effortlessly support Mr. President to continue the good work through national consensus becomes imperative.

“To this end, we salute Mr. President for the resolute leadership demonstrated in the face of adversity to put Nigeria on the part of greatness.

Who else, if not Goodluck Jonathan?

“Once again, the group is ready to support Mr. President’s uncommon Transformation Agenda through the unveiling of a pet project to this effect.

Goodluck to Goodluck is possible come 2015, that is to say Goodluck must handover to Goodluck.”

Present at the meeting are former minister of sports, Damishi Sango; Fidelis Seri; former minister of sports, Col. Abdulminu Aminu; former governor of Adamawa State, Boni Haruna; former deputy governor of Ogun State, Alhaja Salimot Badru; governorship candidate of PDP in Ondo State, Olusola Oke; former minister, Alhaji Dauda Birmah; Col. John David Dongi (rtd) and AIG Donald.

from naira to dollars and we have to stop the situation where Nigeria has become the highest importer of US currency in the world. In the next few weeks, you will see a sector with new policies from us. I know there would be a lot of resistance from outside but again, what’s new?” Sanusi asked.

On the recent rumblings within the discount houses, he said the CBN was already taking steps to investigate the operations of the entities, adding that with the recent revocation of the licence of Express Discount House and establishment of the soundness of two others investigated, there are no causes for alarm.

According to him, CBN examiners had already moved into Express Discount House with a view to determining the extent of fraud perpetrated there, assuring that no depositor would lose their deposits as all unsecured depositors of the company would be paid within this week.

“We have taken comprehensive review of various discount house activities which resulted in the recent revocation of Express Discount House which further led to total review of their activities.

“We discovered that Kakawa and Associated Discount Houses are in good form and their shareholders - First Bank, GTB, FCMB, Access Bank- are also doing well, but in the case of Consolidated Discount House, there appears to be a massive fraud and misrepresentation of accounts and we have taken action.

“We have examiners in there trying to know the extent of damage over there.

We, however, assure its depositors that we will pay all unsecured deposits by the end of this week. No depositor is going to lose any money in that discount house”, Sanusi assured.

CDL is owned by First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Mainstreet Ltd, Skye Bank Plc, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, CDL Cooperative and Williams Street Trustees Ltd. Sanusi also restated the apex bank’s commitment to ensure Naira exchange rate stability by adopting appropriate monetary policies to protect the currency from the vagaries of the foreign exchange market but that this agenda would not be pursued at all cost.

He clarified further: “My view and that of the CBN is if we need to tighten money, use some of our reserves to support economy we will, no CBN Governor will say he will support currency at all cost. But we want to be very clear that there is no country that allows its currency to just be determined by market.

“We are not looking for a stronger currency neither are we looking at a weaker one. People want to pay fees and investors want to know that they will have returns for their investments. We will use reserves, we will use interest rates, we have gone through the difficult months, hopefully the next few months will not be difficult. We will not allow the naira to be weakened and we are committed to that,” Sanusi added.

Reacting to the MPC decisions, Ms Razia Khan, Regional Head of Research, Africa, Standard Chartered Bank, said although the CBN left both the MPR the CRR unchanged as expected, analysts had expected some major decisions on the foreign exchange policy.

Despite the lack of new initiatives emerging from the meeting, she expressed the hope that “while little was unveiled at this meeting in terms of new initiatives, CBN comments will nonetheless provide reassurance.”

Khan explained that the assurance derived from the Bank’s commitment to foreign exchange stability to anchor inflation expectations remains in place and its concern for the pressure on foreign reserves and rising level of ‘non-import related’ demand for forex, adding that “the weeks ahead, and the performance of the currency will likely determine what happens next.”

She said: “For now, past tightening – the hike to 50 per cent on the CRR on public sector deposits – will help to some extent. But should the pressures on the forex rate prove excessive, we may yet see other measures aimed at stabilising the FX rate.

“For Nigeria, the question is about sustainability of this forex policy, given pressures on oil output and the country’s political cycle.

Tight policy helps to deliver near-term forex stability of course, but real economy fundamentals will matter more beyond the very nearterm,” Khan added.

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US Congress to conduct hearing on Boko Haram, terrorism OLUFEMI ADEOSUN AND TORDUE SALEM

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he United States Congress said it would next week conduct a special hearing on the menace of insurgency in Nigeria and terrorism in Africa.

The Chairman, Congress Committee on Africa, Human Rights and Global Health, Mr. Chris Smith, who disclosed this, also urged the Federal Government to come up with a compensation scheme that would cushion the pains suffered by the victims of Boko Haram.

Smith spoke in Abuja

at a meeting with the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, led by its President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor.

The Congressman described the outlawed group, Boko Haram, as “an organ that has absolutely misread the Quran”.

According to him, the persistent killing of innocent Nigerians is not only a source of concern to the Federal Government, but also to the American Government.

He said: “The killing, the horde of refuges created by the activities of the insurgency in Nigeria, is something that is of concern to the American

Government.

“Next week, hearing on Boko Haram and terrorism will be conducted.”

Smith urged the Federal Government to follow the example of American Government by coming up with a compensation scheme for the families of those who lost their lives due to the activities of Boko Haram.

He said: “The example of the US when people died during the 9/11 incident could be useful to Nigeria. In the aftermath of the incident, the Congress passed Victim Compensation Fund that was designed to help be a bridge.

It is an idea to consider here by the Senate and

the House of Representatives.”

Responding, Oritsejafor said the body hoped that the Federal Government would, in conjunction with the National Assembly, evolve a compensation scheme to alleviate the suffering of the victims.

He said: “We are hoping that the Federal Government, working with the National Assembly, will come up with a resolution that will create a fund that will relieve these people of their traumatic situation.

“We have sent representation to the government on this and we believe that we will get response

soon because in situation like this, your priority has to be the victims.”

Meanwhile, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has called for a joint effort between Nigeria and the United States against local and global terror.

Tambuwal made the call while receiving a United States delegation led by Smith.

While conveying the US Speaker, Hon. John Boehner’s goodwill message to Tambuwal, Smith expressed that America had always been a willing collaborator in fighting terrorism, trafficking in persons and modern-day

slavery in Nigeria.

He said: “We have worked closely with your Committee on Human Rights and have received them at the Capitol Hill, and we are here with you to discuss areas of mutual cooperation to confront security challenges and modern slavery.”

Responding, Tambuwal said, Nigeria’ march towards stemming modern slavery had been with much determination and collective effort from stakeholders.

On terrorism, the speaker conceded that Nigeria was still grappling with the new phenomenon, though response had been swift and mighty.

N787m scam: Govt appeals verdict on UBEC directors ISE-OLUWA IGE ABUJA

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L-R: Leader of the Turkish Investors Team, Dr. Ismail Tamer; Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun and a member of the Turkish National Assembly, Mr. Vedat Demoroz, during a business visit to the governor in Abeokuta, yesterday.

FG saves N530bn from fraudulent contracts –BPP ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

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he Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP, said its intervention in the procurement exercise had saved N530 billion from dubious procurement by contractors.

The BPP Director-General, Emeka Eze, disclosed this while speaking with journalists at the Presidential Villa, adding that through the intervention of the bureau, the government had been able to check inflated contracts.

The Public Procurement Act 2007 established the BPP as the regulatory authority responsible for the monitoring and oversight of public procurement, harmonising the existing government policies and practices by regulating, set-

ting standards and developing the legal framework and professional capacity for public procurement.

Eze, who expressed concern at the rate which contractors defraud the government, said “we must continue to tell Nigerians about the need to have character. There is no way one person, no matter who he is, can do the nation building alone.

“If I send you on a job to say this contract has been done now and you have a specification and somebody receiving salary has a responsibility to certify it and the person does the wrong thing, then there is something wrong with us as a people”.

The DG said Nigerians must learn to follow the rules for things to run smoothly in the country.

According to him, the

procurement process takes the form of making sure that all the projects are appropriated for in the budget.

He noted that in November last year, President Goodluck Jonathan “ordered that circulars be issued for procurement process for 2013. I have a copy of that circular, ordering all the MDAs to start the procurement process”.

Eze, who also spoke on the high cost of doing government project in the country, expressed concern over the attitude of some Nigerians.

He said: “Nigerians believe in speculations, and we are so negative about ourselves that even when I tell them that my name is Emeka Eze, they would still not believe me.

“That is so bad about this

country; that people choose to believe the negative than believe the truth. Even when Nigeria won the cup in South Africa they said Nigeria did not win”.

he Federal Government yesterday rejected last week’s verdict of the Abuja Federal High Court, which discharged and acquitted seven persons, including four directors of the Universal Basic Education Board, UBEC. The seven people were standing trial for fraud in a N787 million plastic chair contract.

The government is contending that the verdict was against the weight of evidence placed before the court.

Justice Adamu Bello, in the September 19 ruling on a no-case submission by the accused, held that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against the accused to warrant their being

called upon to enter defence.

Bello ruled that those who committed the offence being alleged were left to walk the streets free while those brought had no link with the charge preferred against them.

He said wrong persons were brought before him to face trial even as he struck down one after the other, 41 fraud counts against them.

Those freed by the judge included former UBEC Executive Secretary, Prof.

Bridget Omotunde Sokan, Molkat Manasseh Mutfwang, Dr. Andrew Ekpunobi and Michael Aule (directors in UBEC).

Also discharged and acquitted were Alexander John Cozman (a foreign contractor) and two of his companies - Intermarkets USA LSC and Intermarkets Nigeria Limited.

‘Nigeria needs 35,150mw electricity to join top 20 producers’ UDEME AKPAN

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igeria needs to generate at least 38,900 megawatts, mw, of electricity to join the league of world’s top power generating countries.

The top 20 club was dominated by United States (1,085,950mw), China (864,225mw), Japan (268,750mw), Russian Federation ( 259,600mw), India (207,525mw), Canada (162,800mw), Germany (157,800mw), France (142,575mw), Brazil

(115,850mw), 142,575mw), Korea Rep (110,975mw), United Kingdom (96,325mw), Italy (78,375mw), Spain (77,775mw), Mexico (64,725mw), Australia (64,275mw), South Africa (63,875mw), Iran (53,625mw), Saudi Arabia (51,050mw), Turkey (49,600mw) and Poland (38,900mw) as at 2009.

The Chairman of Electric Power Foundation, Mr. Otis Anyaeji (an engineer), who made this known at the Worldstage National Electricity Power Conference in Lagos yesterday, said Nigeria would need to work

hard to generate 38,900mw which is the present generation level of Poland, to have a place in the enviable club.

Speaking on the contractor’s expectations in the ongoing privatisation of the electricity sector, Anyaeji remarked that the country’s generation capacity had shown significant increase in the past two decades.

The chairman, who attributed the slow development of the sector to many years of neglect, said the nation’s installed capacity which was 523.6mw as at 1972 rose to 6,000mw in 1990.

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Wednesday, September 25, 2013

‘Bids on Chevron’s oil blocks due next week’

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hevron Corporation will receive bids on September 30 from prospective buyers of three oil blocks in the Niger Delta, with several local Nigerian firms in the running, industry sources told Reuters yesterday.

Oil industry sources estimate the mean value of the three blocks combined at $500 million to $600 million and anticipate winning bids will be around those levels.

Chevron said in June that it would be selling its 40 percent interest in five onshore blocks, joining Royal Dutch Shell (RDSa.L), Italy’s Eni (ENI.MI) and France’s Total (TOTF.PA) in selling stakes in Niger Delta assets.

United States firm ConocoPhillips (COP.N) is also selling its Nigerian assets to Oando Energy (OANDO. LG) for $1.79 billion.

Chevron wants to sell OML 52, 53 and 55 to one buyer and suitors will have to pay 15 percent of bids on September 30, three sources close to the deals said. The

firm will sell two other blocks, OML 82 and OML 85, in a separate bidding process.

The three blocks have total oil reserves of around 134 million barrels and 5 trillion cubic feet of gas, two sources said. One company was willing to bid $1.7 billion for the assets but it was unlikely it was a credible buyer, the sources said.

Consortium bidders were more likely to be able to raise the financing necessary, sources said, and as with recent sales of Shell oil blocks, Nigerian firms, many in partnership with foreign companies, are likely to win most bids.

Nigeria’s South Atlantic Petroleum (SAPETRO), which already has joint ventures with Total and China’s CNOOC, is expected to bid, as is First Hydrocarbon Nigeria, the local-arm of London-listed Afren (AFRE.L), two sources involved in the deals said.

Since 2010, Nigeria has had a policy of encouraging more direct ownership of

its oil and gas by Nigerians, either through the state oil company or local private firms. That has raised concerns among foreign oil majors they may lose smaller assets if they do not sell now, industry experts say.

Worries over oil theft, fraught relations with communities living around oil fields and uncertainty over a stalled bill to overhaul fiscal terms has also encouraged majors to sell down.

Many Nigerian firms are backed by powerful political or business figures. The Chairman of SAPETRO is General T. Y. Danjuma, a former minister of defense and chief of army staff.

SEPLAT, which is partly owned by French oil explor-

er, Maurel & Prom (MAUP. PA) and Swiss-based commodity trader Mercuria, is expected to submit a bid, the sources said. SEPLAT did not respond to request for comment.

Indigenous Nigerian companies who already manage marginal fields in the delta, including Brittania-U, Vertex, Sogenal and Seven Energy have shown interest in the blocks, they said.

Chevron owns a 40 percent stake in 13 onshore blocks with Nigeria’s state oil firm NNPC and also has deep offshore assets. Its 2012 net daily production in Nigeria averaged 238,000 barrels of crude oil and 165 million cubic feet of natural gas.

7

FG proposes deployment of NYSC doctors to grassroots MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

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he Federal Government has said it was proposing the deployment of serving doctors to Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the federation.

The idea was to bridge the huge personnel gap existing in all PHCs and health departments in local government areas across the country.

This decision was contained in a statement made available by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) signed by its Public Relations Of-

ficer, Mr. Saadu Salahu, yesterday.

The statement said the agency had begun talk with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to explore the posting of medical doctors on NYSC to local health departments and primary health care facilities at the grassroots level.

This decision, it said, was part of the discussion between the two Federal Government institutions during a courtesy call on the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier-General Nnamdi Okorie-Affia, by the Executive Director of NPHCDA, Dr. Ado Muhammad.

Group drags ASUU before industrial court OMEIZA AJAYI ABUJA

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new twist has been added to the three-month-old strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) as an Abuja-based group, Golden Women of Integrity and Vision alongside Mrs. Florence Uche Ojieh, have dragged the union before the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), seeking to invalidate the lingering strike.

In the suit, with number NICN/Abj/242/2013, the Ministers of Labour and Productivity, Education, Finance and Justice, as well as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation were joined as defendants.

The claimants are asking the court to determine whether the current action of ASUU is not illegal and whether members of the union are not bound by the policy of ‘No work, No pay’ and therefore not entitled to their salaries during the period of the strike. The group is also asking the court to “deter-

mine whether the university lecturers are entitled to continue to retain their jobs, having abandoned or deemed to have abandoned their work in the universities.

“Whether or not the union complied with the mandatory provisions of Section 4 and 5 of the Trade Dispute Act CAP T8 LFN 2004 before embarking on the strike and whether the union has complied with the provision of Section 8 of the Trade Disputes Act CAP T8 LFN 2004.”

The women also want the court to “decide whether or not the Minister of Education is not entitled to determine the employment of the union, same having abandoned or deemed to have abandoned their work in their universities.

“Whether or not the doctrine of collective bargaining or the purported 2009 agreement can be the basis for the strike action by ASUU, same not having been incorporated in their contract of employment between it and the Federal Government.”

Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola (left), with fomer Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, during a condolence visit to the governor over the death of his father, late Pa Ademola Fashola, in Lagos, yesterday.

Police uncover 10 criminals’ hideouts in Abuja, arrest 170 OMEIZA AJAYI

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ith the dust raised by last Friday’s raid of an uncompleted building in Abuja yet to settle, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) command of the police has said that it has uncovered 10 criminals’ hideouts within the territory.

The command added that it has commenced a raid of the hideouts, which it declined to mention for strategic operational reasons.

This was part of disclosures by the FCT Commissioner of Police, Femi Ogunboyoade, at yesterday’s FCT security committee meeting that was chaired by the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Moham-

med and attended by the FCT Minister of State, Olajumoke Akinjide, as well as all heads of security agencies in the territory.

He said security operatives have also arrested no fewer than 174 armed robbers in the territory between April and September this year. He added that 604 live ammunition were also recovered within the period while only one case of abduction was reported during the period under review.

Ogunboyoade spoke on behalf of other security agencies in the territory.

“Number of arms recovered included 27 locally made pistols, three AK-47 riffles, one Lar-Riffle, 11 Wooden/Toy Guns and one JoeJeff Pump Action Gun,” he said.

The police commissioner also added that a total of 61 stolen vehicles were recovered in the FCT during the period under review, adding that 32 armed robbery cases have so far been charged to court.

He said through intelligence, about 10 criminals’ hideouts have been identified and raids carried out regularly with 940 suspects

IG, Abubakar

arrested and 283 prosecuted.

He warned that owners of all uncompleted buildings scattered around the FCT would be held responsible whenever miscreants are traced to such locations.

“Members of the public are enjoined to be vigilant at all times, particularly as we enter the ember months and report suspicious activities to the law enforcement agents,” the police commissioner stressed.

A team of operatives from the State Security Service (SSS) and the Nigerian Army had last Friday raided an uncompleted building located behind the Legislators Quarters in Apo, Abuja, killing at least seven occupants of the building.

8

South West

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

LAUTECH workers threaten strike over unpaid salaries ADEOLU ADEYEMO OSOGBO

H

ealth workers of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, (LAUTECH), Osogbo, have given a 21-day ultimatum to the management of the hospital to pay their August salaries and attend to their welfare packages or be ready for industrial

action.

The health workers under the auspices of the Joint Health Professional (JHP), who spoke through their Chairman, Mr. Adetunji Adeyeye, at a press conference in Osogbo yesterday, charged the management to speedily attend to their requests to avoid their embarking on strike.

“There is no welfare package for workers here.

Car and housing loans are no longer available. Workers are treated like strangers when they become sick and if all our pleas are not taken care of, then we can no longer guarantee industrial harmony in the hospital.

“We are giving the states a 21-day ultimatum to address the issues or be ready for industrial action,” they said.

Also, the hospital workers don’t have access to the National Health Insurance Scheme despite being the ones preaching the same policy to patients and workers are not on any pension scheme because while Osun State government started the compulsory contributory pension scheme since 2009, the Oyo State government was still on the old pension scheme.

“This has been causing difficulty in knowing which pension scheme to be used for the hospital’s workers and both Osun and Oyo States that jointly owned the hospital should ensure that our pensions are duly taken care of and our salaries are paid promptly.

“We can’t continue this way. Why is Oyo State not paying, they should say it if they are tired of the joint

ownership of the hospital.”

The JHP, which frowned at the lukewarm attitude of Oyo State to the welfare of the hospital workers, remarked that; “if not for the Osun State government that came to the rescue of Oyo State to pay July salaries of the workers, the salaries would have still be hanging in the balance and described the development as unfair and inhuman.

Nine arrested for car snatching in Ibadan

Fayemi targets 80% access to potable water

KEMI OLAITAN

ABIODUN NEJO

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E

IBADAN

t least nine car snatchers are now in the custody of the Oyo State police command while nine stolen cars had been recovered.

State Police Commissioner, Mr. Mohammed Indabawa, while parading the nine suspects at the police headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan, yesterday, said after a protracted investigation into the case of automobile robbery syndicate, the police arrested the gang that have been giving residents of the state sleepless night.

The police boss, who was represented by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Olabisi CletIlobanafor said, five of the car snatchers were arrested when a complaint was made at Ashi police station by a man that a gang of robbers entered into his house in the night and robbed him of his unregistered Toyota Camry saloon car, ash colour valued at N1.2 million.

“So the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS), swung into action and arrested one Olalekan Olabintan with one red Volkswagen Golf car with registration number: LSR 63 BG. He also made useful confession to the police that led to the arrest of Adewale Kazeem, Omoniyi Saheed, Chikodi Henry, and Anthony Ugbedi aka Bigi Port, but the cars were recovered from Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Lagos, Ebonyi and Abakaliki.”

He added that among the vehicles that were recovered from them include Golf Volkswagen, 4matic Benz car, Mazda bus, two Toyota Camry, Toyota Dyna truck and a Lexus Jeep.

ADO EKITI

L-R: Wife of the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Eyesorun Bosede Adejugbe; Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, and wife of the Governor of Ekiti State, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, at the conferment of the title of Ajiseye of Ado-Ekiti on Bisi, during the ongoing Erelu Be Oja Wo (Market Outreach) programme in Ado-Ekiti, on Monday.

SSS arrests Bamidele’s campaign coordinator ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

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peratives of the State Security Service (SSS) on Monday arrested Chief Remi Oguntuase, one of the leading coordinators of ‘Ekiti Bibiire Coalition,’ the outfit belonging to House of Representatives member, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele.

Oguntuase, an All Progressives Congress, APC,

chieftain, was said to have been arrested at his Ado Ekiti residence by the SSS operatives, numbering about six, who were said to have searched the house.

A source in the Bibiire Coalition, who craved anonymity, expressed belief that the arrest was in connection with the party chieftain’s role in the planned launch of the group which was aborted by the police

last Thursday.

The source said Oguntuase was later released at about 10.00pm on Monday with an order that he should appear at the SSS office yesterday for further questioning. The source added that; “Chief Oguntuase told us that the SSS operatives did not ask him any question about the rally. He said they only asked him about the cassettes they seized from him.”

However, when journalists visited the SSS office in Ado Ekiti yesterday, Oguntuase, who reported at the office at about 10.00am as instructed was still being held.

But the state SSS Director, Mr. Samuel Tamuno, could not be accessed to clarify the issue as he said that he could not attend to journalists since they were not at his office on invitation.

APC members lobby for appointments in Oyo KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

F

ollowing the dissolution of the Oyo State executive council by Governor Abiola Ajimobi on Monday, members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have started lobbying for appointments in the new dispensation that is to come.

Such job seekers have been visiting homes of prominent stakeholders in the party to seek their support in their effort to be considered by the governor.

National Mirror learnt

that the dissolution of the cabinet, which came as a shock to most of the commissioners, has thrown various political camps into confusion as party members have been meeting in different groups discussing the development.

The Yemetu, Ibadan office of the APC was not spared as many political office seekers have been visiting the place ostensibly to lobby for appointment or re-appointment into the new cabinet expected to be announced soon.

It was gathered that many of the politicians

have been keeping vigil at the Bashorun, Ibadan home of a prominent businessman and that of a paramount traditional ruler in the state.

The acting state Chairman of the APC, Chief Akin Oke, while speaking on the development, said the dissolution of the executive council was to further strengthen the developmental efforts of the governor.

He said it was also to consolidate on the gains of the last two years, describing the intense lobbying for appointment into political

offices as normal.

He said: “It’s a normal thing all over the world, especially when there is dissolution of cabinet. Those who felt they can still be reconsidered will be lobbying, and those who have worked for the party or who are close to some power brokers will also be lobbying.

It’s a normal thing especially in a setting like ours.”

He, however, expressed disappointment on the attitude of some of the sacked appointees for not showing appreciation, commitment and loyalty to the government and the party.

kiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to increase access to potable water in the state to 80 per cent by next year.

Fayemi, who said water was crucial to people’s wellbeing, said his administration had embarked on the rehabilitation and construction of mini-water schemes to ensure that potable water get to all nooks and crannies of the state.

The governor, who spoke while signing the state Water and Sanitation Law, said he was committed to laying a solid foundation for the efficient management of a functional water supply and sanitation sector in the state.

He said the new law which has input from various stakeholders in the society, was formulated following extensive consultations in line with the administration’s agenda of transparency and inclusiveness.

The governor explained that one of the provisions of the Infrastructure Development Agenda was to make all the water supply schemes in the state functional in order to increase access to potable water supply from 40 per cent, which it was in 2010 to 80 per cent next year.

Governor Fayemi said most of government’s programmes in the sector were implemented through budgetary provisions, adding that concerted efforts were on to attract development partners and the private sector in public-private partnership to construct new schemes, rehabilitate existing ones and establish best management practices.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

9

Lagos begins computer-based exams in 10 schools

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he Lagos State Government has identified 10 public secondary schools as pilot for the computer-based examinations exercise in the state.

Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, disclosed this yesterday at an interactive session with principals and vice-principals of public secondary schools in Lagos.

Oladunjoye explained that the pilot scheme was necessitated by the introduction of Computer Based Testing, CBT, by the

Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, to conduct its examination while other examining bodies such as the West African Examinations Council, WAEC and the National Examinations Council, NECO, had similarly signified their intention to do the same.

The commissioner listed the schools as Agidingbi Senior Secondary School, Ikeja; Oregun Senior High School, Ikeja; Immaculate Heart Comprehensive Senior High School, Maryland; Ebute Elefun Senior High

School, Lagos and Araromi/IIogbo Senior Secondary School.

Others include State Senior High School, Oyewole, Agege; Aguda Senior Grammar School, Aguda; Oke-Afa Senior Secondary School, Isolo and St Joseph Senior Secondary School, Mushin.

She noted that in addition, two teachers in each of the 10 schools would be trained on the CBT. Oladunjoye added that the provision of Information, Communication and Technology, ICT, facilities in public schools in the

state would continue to be able to cover all public schools.

The commissioner also listed the new approved promotion criteria for 2013/20014 academic year in public secondary schools to include an average of 50 per cent pass including in Maths and English Language for students in JSS1 going to JSS2 and JSS2 to JSS3; credit pass in six subject at JSCE including in Maths and English Language for students going from JSS3 to SS1; 50 per cent credit pass in six sub-

jects including Maths and English Language for students in SS1 going to SS2, 50 per cent in five subjects including Maths and English Language as well as 50 per cent cumulative pass at a screening test; 50 per cent attendance of parents at Parents’ Forum and 90 per cent student’s attendance in school.

The commissioner said it was very imperative that the new approved promotion criteria be adhered to in order to sustain and maintain the successes recorded in the last West Africa School

Certificate Examinations, WASCE. Oladunjoye commended the principals and viceprincipals as well their teachers for their efforts in the success recorded at the last WASCE. She, however, charged them to take ownership of their various schools, adding that by so doing they would continue to excel both in academics and morals.

The commissioner also disclosed the list of approved items and their prises for the 2013/2014 academic session.

Pray for Nigeria, Ekiti deputy gov urges religious leaders

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kiti State Deputy Governor, Prof.

Modupe Adelabu, has called on religious leaders in the country to be united and pray for the country.

Adelabu made the call while hosting the clerics from the Cherubim and Seraphim Church Movement in Nigeria, (Ayo ni o), led by Superior Apostle Prophet Ayo Fakeye in her office in Ado-Ekiti She said: “Nigeria, as a nation, needs more prayers from genuine men of God to save it from myriad of problems plaguing it.”

According to her, the administration of Governor Kayode Fayemi treats all clerics and denominations as one because of its belief that religious bodies have vital roles to play in the sustenance of peace and development.

The deputy governor reiterated the commitment of the administration to the implementation of its Eight-Point Agenda, designed to banish poverty

and leave a lasting legacy in terms of infrastructural and human capital development in the state.

Adelabu praised Fakeye’s love for the state which prompted his visit in the first instance and thanked him for his prayers for peace in the state.

In his remark, the cleric described the development that has taken place in the state as amazing, even as he recalled what the state looked like during his last visit two years ago.

He commended the Fayemi-led administration for lifting the state to loftier heights.

Fakeye urged those on the corridors of power to always govern with the fear of God, saying they would render account of their stewardship to God someday, even if they were not held accountable by the people.

The cleric promised to always pray for leaders and admonish them whenever necessary.

Armed robbery suspects paraded by the police in Ibadan, yesterday.

$1.69m fraud: EFCC asks court to revoke Ajudua’s bail WALE IGBINTADE

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he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has appealed against the ruling of a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja which granted bail to Lagos socialite, Fred Ajudua.

Ajudua and his co-defendant, Charles Orie, are

being tried by the EFCC for allegedly defrauding two Dutch businessmen, Remy Cina and Pierre Vijgen, of US$1.69 million (about N270 million).

While the court was on vacation, Justice Ganiyu Safari granted Ajudua bail in the sum of N50 million with two sureties on the grounds of his failing health.

Dissatisfied, EFCC in its

Full-time legislature not good for Nigeria –CAC KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

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he General Superintendent of Christ Apostolic Church, CAC, Pastor Gabriel Lagunju, said yesterday that the present full-time legislature was not good for the country.

Lagunju, who said this while delivering a welcome address at the church’s annual Pastors’ Conference, held in Ikire, Osun State, said time had come for the

country to practice parttime legislation.

He said: “In as much as lawmakers are desirable in our democracy, the huge expenses that are available to them have engendered a craze for power at all cost among our politicians.

“The huge sums of money being spent on our legislators have made our political campaigns and elections a do-or-die affair as every Tom, Dick and Harry wants to get there by all means just to cut his/her

own share of the national cake, all at the detriment of the people’s welfare.”

Lagunju said that if parttime legislation was adopted, the coast would be clear for sincere and patriotic Nigerians to venture into the political terrain to truly serve the masses.

The cleric, however, lauded members of the National Assembly for opposing gay marriage in the country, saying that with their action, it showed that despite the level of wicked-

ness and corruption in Nigeria, all hope was not yet lost for the gradual return of sanity to the country.

He also commended the Federal Government for its efforts so far in checking the menace of Boko Haram in the North.

The CAC general superintendent, however, appealed the Federal Government not to consider any sacrifice too much to put an end to “deliberate wastage of human lives for no just cause”.

Notice of Appeal, prayed the appellate court to revoke Ajudua’s bail on the grounds that he was likely going to jump bail.

According to EFCC, Ajudua did not deserve fresh bail since he ran away from trial for seven years.

The Notice of Appeal signed by Oluwafifehan Ogunde also stated that Ajudua, being a socialite, might interfere with prosecution witnesses.

EFCC also argued that Ajudua did not present any compelling medical report to warrant the decision of the court in his favour.

However, when the suit came up before Justice Joseph Oyewole yesterday, Ajudua was not in court but the second defendant, Orie was present.

EFCC’s lawyer, Mrs. A. P Sanusi, from the law firm of Wemimo Ogunde & Co, reminded the court there was a motion pending before the court went on vacation.

Sanusi said the prosecution was served with four

applications filed by the first defendant.

Counsel to Ajudua, Richard Omohomreh, confirmed that he had four applications before the court, adding that the life of his client was still in danger in the hospital.

Consequently, he urged the judge to stand-down the case for 15 minutes to enable him consult with EFCC lawyer.

Oyewole stood the case down as parties moved out of the court to deliberate on pending applications.

On resumption, Audua’s lawyer told the court that both parties had agreed that the matter should be adjourned to enable parties have further discussions.

Subsequently, Oyewole adjourned the matter till October 2, for report of amicable discussion.

Ajudua was first arraigned in 2003 but was granted bail two years later to seek medical attention in India over a kidney-related ailment.

10

South East

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

UPP asks Jonathan to call aides to order DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

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ewly registered United Progressives Party (UPP) has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to restrain some of his ‘overzealous’ aides from passing uncomplimentary remarks whenever opposition parties criticise Federal Government’s unpopular policies.

UPP made the call on Monday during the official presentation of its gubernatorial candidate for the November 16, Anambra

State election, Prof. Ndubuisi Akanegbu, to party members in Enugu.

The party noted that the poor quality of opposition being offered in Nigeria smacks of mudslinging, denigration of constituted authority and use of acerbic languages.

It, however, warned that if nothing is done urgently to check the trend, it could further heat up the polity and drive it along dangerous lines.

A communiqué from the party, signed by its National Chairman, Chekwas Oko-

rie and the National Secretary, Bello Umar, reads in part: “The National Executive Council urges President Goodluck Jonathan to show more leadership in the face of obvious provocation and restrain some of his overzealous aides who react to criticism from the opposition in a manner that suggests a country in a state of war.”

The party pledged to carry out a credible and intensive campaign for the forthcoming Anambra State governorship election, adding that the cam-

paign would be issue-based, devoid of mudslinging, name-calling and violence.

UPP said it reviewed the strategic reasons for the withdrawal of its governorship candidates and substituting them with other candidates and approved the initiative.

“Consequently, Prince Ogochukwu Akanegbu, has voluntarily withdrawn his candidature in favour of Prof. Ndubuisi Akanegbu, while Mr. Chuba Nwachukwu, has done same in favour of Prince Ifeanyi Ezechukwu,” the party said.

A scene of an accident along Ishiagu-Afikpo Road, which claimed five lives in Ebonyi State, yesterday.

Poly rector vows to tackle admission racketeering CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

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he management of the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Owerri, yesterday vowed to flush out admission racketeering that is prevalent among academic and non-academic staff of the institution.

The Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. (Mrs.) Celestina Njoku, who made this vow while giving an overview of her achievements in the past three years, also frowned at reported cases of some lecturers demanding and collecting money from students as a condition to pass their examinations.

This, she said has become an embarrassment to the management and would therefore no longer be condoned, warning that those equally found guilty of exploitation, intimidation and coercing students would be dealt with accordingly.

Njoku also warned randy male lecturers, who subject their female students to sexual harassment, to desist from such ugly practice or be prepared to face the music.

According to her, a mechanism has been put in place to put all lecturers on surveillance with a view to flushing out the bad eggs, including those who sell textbooks at exorbitant prices to students and at the same time make the purchase of such textbooks compulsory for students to pass their examination.

The rector, who enumerated some of her achievements in the school to include completion of a bursary building block, construction and furnishing of a 500-capacity lecture theatre and offices, a modern bookshop building, entrepreneurship development centre and a workshop for the school of business and management technology.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

APC calls for LG polls in Abia GEORGE OPARA ABIA

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ll Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday in Abia State called for the conduct of local government elections in the state in order to extend good governance to the grassroots.

An APC stakeholder and former member of the House of Representatives from the state, Chief Stanley Ohajuruka, had during a stakeholders meeting of the party faithful in Umuahia, raised a motion urging the state government to conduct the elections without further delay.

The motion was adopted by members present.

Ohajuruka, who was also a member of APC merger committee, said that it was regrettable that no one was talking about local government elections in the state.

“This is a trend that is permeating all states of the federation and nobody seems to be talking about it here.

“How long shall we continue to run the councils with Transition Committee (TC) chairmen,” he queried.

He said the lack of development at the various local government areas of the state may not be unconnected with the system of

administration at the third tier of government.

“The way a TC chairman will spend funds is quite different from how an elected executive will disburse funds, because an elected executive is answerable to the laws establishing the councils,” he said.

Ohajuruka added that the party was poised for the challenge of enthroning good leadership in the state.

“That is why we need to accommodate all relevant interests to actualise our dream.

“Abia is a peculiar state and taking over government may not be an easy task but we are determined to achieve that,” he said.

The APC leader said the party has adopted strategies that would make it possible for the party to realise its set objectives in 2015.

It was gathered that local government areas in the state have been administered by TC chairmen for over four years.

Meanwhile a 20-man committee has been constituted for the flag-off of the party in Abia.

National Vice-Chairman of the party in the South-East, Chief Julius Anyim, charged the members to work out modalities that would ensure a smooth flag-off of the party in the state.

NSCDC shuts 23 illegal guard firms CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

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he Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) said it has closed down 23 private guard companies operating without licence in Imo State.

Already, three of the illegal guard companies are facing prosecution at the Federal High Court while 20 others are currently undergoing investigations.

Disclosing this yesterday in Owerri, the state capital, the state Com-

mandant of the NSCDC, Adamu Soja Saddabs, said efforts were being made to rid the state of illegal private guard companies and to reposition genuine ones for effective service.

Saddabs, who spoke when the Correspondents Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Imo State chapter paid him a courtesy visit, said the corps has every statutory mandate to close down any private guard company operating in the state without licence.

He also disclosed that the command has arrested

several trucks used in conveying illegal or fake products and for bunkering services. “We arrested five trucks, which cases are now pending in the Federal High Court, Owerri. We have also made seizures of vandalised cables belonging to private and public establishments.”

While enumerating further achievements of his command, he said a comprehensive list of communities in the state, where hard drugs are sold and distributed have been complied and submitted to the state government.

Saddabs said security is a collective responsibility between the security agencies and the people; he therefore called for cooperation from the people as nobody is free from being harmed.

“We want the people to pass information to us so that we can be proactive in tackling security problems in the state before such escalates. He added that issue of accommodation has also been very challenging even though the state government has promised to assist officials of the command.”

Obi spends N3bn on health-related programmes CHARLES OKEKE AWKA

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nambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, yesterday released N3 billion to selected mission and governmentowned hospitals.

In a ceremony to mark the release of the money tagged; “Accelerating the Achievement of Health-

Related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Anambra State” at the Women Development Centre, Awka, the Governor said that those that will benefit from the money include Our Lady of Lourde’s Hospital, Ihiala that got N200 million; Iyienu Hospital, Ogidi N200 million; Holy Rosary Hospital, Onitsha, N150 million and St. Joseph

Hospital, Adazi-Nnukwu, N200 million.

Others are Amichi Anglican Diocesan Hospital, N100 million even as renovation of 11 selected General Hospitals at about N400 million are ongoing; building of 11 Rural Maternity/Child Health Centres, N330 million; among others, that had already submitted plans of action on how the

money would be spent.

Governor Obi said the state government was encouraged by how these institutions utilised the money they were given in the past, to give them more. He said the money would assist some of them to secure accreditation and strengthened them to render more quality services to the people.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South South

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

11

Oil theft: Navy hands over 61 suspects to police EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA

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he Central Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, yesterday handed over 61 suspected oil thieves, including a Ghanaian and a Camerounian, to the police for further investigation and prosecution.

It also handed over a suspect, Abantuwe Potter, allegedly involved in the illegal possession of firearms and protecting illegal refineries in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.

Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Com-

mand, Rear Admiral SidiAli Usman, who handed over the suspects to the state Police Commissioner (represented by an Assistant Superintendent of Police, Chris Nwaogu), said the seven vessels impounded by the Navy in the state waterways would remain in their custody until the matter was concluded in court.

Usma, who spoke throughthe Command Operations Officer, Commodore Emmanuel Enemor, said the vessels, which included MT Wharf Dale, MV Henty, MV Tobiloba, MT Emmanuel, MT Pauline, MV S &T Victoria (Tug) and a Large wooden

boat (Cotonou), were arrested between July and September by the patrol team of the Forward Operating Base, FORMOSO, at Egweama Brass at various locations with stolen crude.

He said: “MT Wharf Dale vessel with an all Nigerian crew of six was arrested on July 6 for dubious intent to load stolen crude oil. All the crew members of MT Wharf Dale, includ-

ing the captain, had no identification cards at the time of the arrest.

“MT Wharf Dale had no ship log thereby making it difficult for her voyage itinerary to be more properly established. MT Wharf Dale was engaged in oil transport without flag, registration, call-sign and International Maritime Organisation number, thereby constituting gross viola-

tions of international shipping regulations.”

In the same vein, the naval boss said MV Henty, which had a crew of five Nigerians and one Ghanaian, was arrested on July 25 for illegal conversion from fishing trawler to a bunkering vessel with 132,000 litres of illegally refined AGO. He said: “MT Pauline was arrested with a 10-man crew of nine Nigerians and

a Cameroonian on September 6 off Nun River for being loaded with 360,000 litres of illegally refined AGO without relevant documents for the voyage as well as the product on board.

“MV Tobiloba was arrested with all Nigerian crew of seven on August 24 at Akassa as the vessel was loaded with 100,000 litres of illegal refined AGO.”

Road construction will resume soon –Uduaghan

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overnor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State has enjoined the people to be patient with his administration as the construction of ongoing road projects would resume after the rainy season.

Uduaghan, who made the call yesterday, while inspecting some ongoing road and school projects in Asaba, the state capital, said no meaningful road construction work could be done during the rainy season.

The governor, however, promised that work would commence immediately after the rains, adding that all ongoing projects would be completed during the forthcoming dry season.

In particular, he assured the residents of Direct Labour Agency Road, Asaba, that the road would be completed hopefully by December.

Uduaghan added that “the state government will be connecting the Direct

Labour Agency Road to the Asaba - Onitsha Expressway to help decongest traffic on the expressway”.

He explained that most of the adjoining link roads along Direct Labour Agency Road were being tarred to achieve this goal.

In an interaction with the residents of the area, Mrs. Mercy Chigbo, thanked Uduaghan for the good work of his administration but pleaded that the road be completed on time to stop flooding in the area and boost economic activities.

The governor also inspected construction work at the New Central Hospital along Debe Crescent and expressed dissatisfaction on the slow pace of work at the site.

He said: “Work on this project is too slow. The project is still at the same level of completion as at the last time I visited this site. You people have to increase the pace of work on this project to ensure its completion on schedule.”

L-R: Engineer Adeleke of Peculiar Consult; Delta State Commissioner for Works, Hon. Funkekeme Solomon and Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, during the inspection of the new House of Assembly complex in Asaba, yesterday.

Police celebrate abduction-free week in Edo SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN

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olice in Edo State yesterday celebrated a week in which no ‘single’ case of abduction was recorded or reported by families of kidnapped victims.

Speaking at the state Police Command premises in Benin after the usual parade of some suspected criminals, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Folusho Adebanjo, said it was noteworthy that no case of kidnapping had been witnessed in the state in the past one week, which he attributed to the support of the people after the stakeholders’ meeting

last week.

He said: “We need the collaboration of everybody in Edo State to fight crime and criminality in the state. As you can see, there has not been any case of kidnapping in the past one week, plus. We want to sustain it and we can only do so with the cooperation of members of the public.”

Adebanjo also called on the residents of the state to be wary of suspicious persons and activities and be cautious as the yuletide draws nearer.

He added: “The war against crime and criminality is being waged relentlessly here in Edo State and I want to let members

of the public know that this is the ember months’ period and everybody has to be security conscious.

“This is the time criminals want to reap where they did not sown. The people must be security conscious. They should know their neighbourhood very well and promptly report suspicious movements.

“We will continue to do our best but we want the cooperation of members of the pubic because we can’t do it alone.”

Two of the several high profile kidnap cases in the country that have been witnessed in Edo State this year alone were the kidnap of Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and his driv-

er as well as that of the wife, daughter and driver of the Supreme Court Justice, Bode Rhodes-Vivour.

In the case of Ozekhome, who was released after the payment of an undisclosed ransom, four policemen who attempted to prevent the abduction of the human rights activist, were shot dead.

Those paraded on Tuesday included one Mr. James Farmer, who was allegedly part of a dare-devil gang which kidnapped an unnamed politician at Emaking Junction in Irrua.

The kidnappers allegedly attacked two prison officers, shot one dead and stole his rifle.

Aguariavwodo picks PDP ticket for Delta Central by-election SOLA ADEBAYO WARRI

F

ormer Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Chief Emmanuel Aguriavwodo, yesterday picked the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for Saturday’s by-election for Delta Central Senatorial District of Delta State.

Aguriavwodo, also a for-

mer member of the House of Representatives, polled 334 votes to defeat other contestants at the primaries held in Sapele, the headquarters of Sapele Local Government Area.

Solomon Udele came second with eight votes while Andrew Oru and Solomon Edojah scored seven and two votes, respectively.

Aguriavwodo, a late entrant into the senatorial race, garnered overwhelming sup-

port after some frontline aspirants on the PDP platform, including former Commissioner for Education, Chief Ighoyota Amori who an ally of former Governor James Ibori; a former member of House of Representatives, Mr. Halims Agoda; former Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Chief Ovie Omo-Agege, among others, were pressurised by forces within and outside the state, to withdraw from the race.

Ibori was reported to have made futile efforts to push for Amori’s candidature.

Udele, Oru and Edojah plotted their defeat when they ignored the directive to clear the way for the former NDDC boss, who resigned the plum job to contest the governorship election on the PDP platform in 2007.

The by-election became imperative following the death of former representative of the area, Senator Pius

Ewherido, on June 30.

This is as the primary election of the All Progressive Congress, APC, has been shifted till today due to registration of new members of the party.

Two candidates, Lagos lawyer, Mr. Festus Keyamo and a notable banker, Chief O’tegar Emerhor, are going to slog it out for the APC ticket.

Meanwhile, the primary election of the main opposi-

tion party in the state, the Democratic Peoples Party, DPP, was ongoing at press time.

The election was held at Ughelli, the headquarters of Ughelli North Local Government.

Although four aspirants obtained nomination forms of DPP, it was gathered that the contest was a straight fight between a renowned accountant, Chief Ede Dafinone, and Mr. Richard Odibo.

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Wednesday, September 25, 2013

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Yero gave lawmakers N180m to impeach me –Kaduna Speaker A ZA MSUE KADUNA

T

here was confusion in the Kaduna State House of Assembly yesterday as 18 lawmakers, allegedly loyal to Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, announced the impeachment of Speaker Usman Gangara.

However, Gangara said he remained in office as the speaker along with other principal officers of the Assembly.

Addressing a news conference at the NUJ Press Centre, Kaduna, the speak-

•It’s a lie, says gov’s aide er alleged that Yero gave the 18 lawmakers N10 million each in a failed bid to impeach him.

However, an aide to the governor refuted the claim.

The 18 lawmakers, who sat at 10am amidst tight security, appointed a Protem Speaker, Honourable Philemon Gidanmana, who presided over the impeachment.

The 18 lawmakers accused the leadership of the House of not living up

expectation in the performance of their duties and as such must go.

Hon. Irimiya Ishaku Kantiok representing Zonkwa moved the motion for Gangara’s impeachment.

He said: “Following reports in the papers that some members of the House went to Abuja to collect money from the Vice-President, Mohammed Sambo, to change the leadership of the House, the leadership should have

debunked the claim, but since the report, the leadership failed to say anything or refute the allegation.”

Kantiok, therefore, called for the impeachment of the leadership because, according to him, they do not have what it takes to lead the House and as such must be removed.

Hon. Yakubu Yusuf, representing Zaria Kerewu, then seconded the motion.

Following the impeachment, the Assembly now appointed Hon. Shehu Tahir representing Giwa West as the new speaker while

Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido (left) and his Sokoto State counterpart, Aliyu Wamakko, during the inauguration of Dange Shuni 5km township road in Sokoto State, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Nasarawa killings: Why I visited Alakyo priest –Senator IGBAWASE UKUMBA LAFIA

S

enator Solomon Ewuga yesterday told the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the killing of security personnel in Alakyo, Nasarawa State that his visit to the spiritual priest of the village, Baba Alakyo, had the support of the National Assembly.

Ewuga, who is representing Nasarawa North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, said this when being cross-examined by the commission while giving oral evidence.

The lawmaker said his visit, which was supported by the media, security personnel and others, was approved by the leadership of the National Assembly.

He said: “That is why I went with the full complement of the National Assembly as the media, other protocols, including security personnel that supported

my movement. And my visit was to know actually what was on ground as I had heard it.”

Ewuga told the commission that he was in Port Harcourt trying to board a flight back to Abuja about 6pm when he received several calls indicating that security men were going to Alakyo village.

According to him, the following day, the first call he got was from the Director-General of the State Security Service, SSS, saying that over 10 of his men were either kidnapped or killed by Eggon youths.

He said: “The directorgeneral, during the call, asked that I should use all the power within my means to see that those persons were either released or their dead bodies given to the agency for burial.

“Other calls came from different parts of the country expressing their concern over the event.”

Peter Adamu representing Kagarko constituency was elected deputy speaker.

In his acceptance speech, Tahir said what transpired was a clear manifestation that democracy was driven by the will and voice of the majority.

He said: “I have viewed and accepted the challenges of the office of the speaker and assured you that with your support, cooperation and understanding, I will not let you down.

“The action you have taken, I believe, must have been informed by the strong desire and urgent desire to transform and reinvigorate this House for maximum result.

“However, for the House to be focused and vibrant to meet the present day reality, all members must resolve to undertake their constitutional mandate with all seriousness it deserves.”

However, while reacting to the development, Gangara described his purported impeachment as a nullity.

He said: “I Right Honourable Usman Mu’azu Gangara, Speaker, Kaduna State House of Assembly, call on our fellow citizens of Kaduna State that the purported sitting by some members of the Kaduna State House of Assembly is a nullity.

“The House has since suspended its sitting until further notice. We therefore urge the citizens of Kaduna

State, especially our teeming supporters, to remain calm and ignore the impunity going on in the House of Assembly”.

Also the Minority Leader of the House, Hon. Shehu Usman Adamu, representing Maigana constituency, who sat with the speaker and other members of the leadership during the press conference, alleged that the state government offered the lawmakers who claimed to have impeached the speaker N10 million each.

Adamu also accused the Vice-President of being a party to the purported impeachment.

He said: “We have heard that even the governor’s ‘Oga at the Top’ is involved in the plot. But we are still investigating the allegation, we know all these things, but we want to get the facts and bring it to you here.”

However, the DirectorGeneral, Media and Publicity to the governor, Ahmed Mayaki, described the allegation as untrue.

He said: “This is totally untrue. It is the figment of the imagination of those peddling this dangerous rumour.

“His Excellency is a neutral person who believes in the independence of the legislative arm of government. As an arm of government, they (the lawmakers) have the rights as to who pleases them.”

Ex-Kogi Gov, Audu, loses bid to quash fraud charge EMMANUEL ONANI ABUJA

A

Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, yesterday, refused an application by former Governor of Kogi State, Abubakar Audu, urging it to quash charges of criminal breach of trust and conspiracy against him.

Consequently upon this, the trial judge, Justice O. A. Adeniyi, adjourned the criminal case to November 12, 13 and 14 for definite hearing.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had preferred a 36-charge against Audu and Mr. Alfa Ibn Mustapha.

According to the charge sheet dated March 8, the EFCC alleged, among others, that the

former governor, “on or about 6th day of February 2001 at Kogi State Judicial Division by false pretence and with intent to defraud, obtained from Kogi State Directorate of Rural Development, the sum of N6,263,000 purporting same to be partpayment made to Leoflinch Nigeria Limited in respect of a contract allegedly awarded by Kogi State Directorate of Rural Development...”

The offence, the antigraft agency added, was punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act N0.13 of 1995 as amended by Act N0. 62 of 1999.

It also alleged that Audu obtained N41 million from Kogi State Directorate of Rural Development, “purporting

same to be part-payment made to Leoflinch Nigeria Limited in respect of a contract allegedly awarded by Kogi State Directorate of Rural Development...”

In a preliminary objection, however, the accused, through his counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), urged the court to quash the charges on grounds of lack of territorial jurisdiction as well as abuse of court process.

Ozekhome had submitted that the High Court of Kogi State was the proper court to try the 1st accused, since he was alleged to have committed the offence in the state.

In his ruling, Adeniyi dismissed all the objections.

He agreed with prosecuting counsel, Mr. Roti-

mi Jacobs (SAN), that there was no similar case pending before a Kogi Sttae High Court to warrant an “abuse of court process”.

The judge held that both Attorney General of the Federation and that of the state had filed a nolle prosequi, thereby pronouncing the case dead.

Adeniyi added that the Supreme Court acknowledged this in its well-considered decision on an appeal that emanated from the case.

He said: “Filing a fresh charge in this court cannot constitute an abuse of court process.

“I am abundantly satisfied that certain elements of the charge occurred in Abuja; both courts are competent to handle this case.”

Wednesday September 25, 2013

Governors bicker over Okonjo-Iweala

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Politics

Nothing’ll stop me from contesting Ekiti governorship –Bamidele

14

Reps clash over Okonjo-Iweala, Alison-Madueke TORDUE SALEM ABUJA

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eparate resignation calls on Petroleum Minister, Dieziani Alison-Madueke and Finance Minister, Ngozi OkonjoIweala have torn members of the House of Representatives apart.

After a call on OkonjoIweala from the chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF, Rotimi Amaechi a few days ago to resign, the Chairman of the House Committee on Finance in his reaction, said the Petroleum Resources Minister should resign instead.

But the House Committees on Petroleum Upstream and Gas Resources yesterday lashed out on House Committee, Chairman on Finance, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin for questioning the happenings in the nation’s petroleum industry. The lawmakers told their colleague to stop

misleading Nigerians on happenings in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. The House committees chairmen on Petroleum (Upstream) and Gas Resources, Hon. Muraina Ajibola and Hon. Bassey Ewa respectively in a joint statement cautioned Jibrin to face his work rather than intefering in the affairs of their committees.

According to the joint statement released by the two committees, it noted that “ by our Rules, since the Petroleum Committees have primary jurisdiction on the Ministry of Petroleum and its agencies, other committees of the House can request for first hand information from us as the need arises.

The statement reads in part: “Unfortunately, our colleague has never taken advantage of this, but is

interested in projecting the Petroleum committees as not performing their oversight functions.

“We have noted with great concern Hon. Jibrin attempt to divert Nigerians’ attention from the statement credited to the NGF on where and how the Sovereign Wealth Fund is being managed which falls within the purview of his office as the Chairman, Committee on Finance.

“It is indeed the saddest day for our democracy and it smacks of compromise that a legislator and of course the chairman of Committee on Finance of the House of Representatives is now the public rela-

tions officer of a minister he is meant to oversight.

“We would have dismissed this statement in the greater interest of protecting the image and sanctity of the House of Representatives (so that the institution will not be seen as divided against itself), but this rejoinder has become imperative on account of the following: “Hon Jibrin’s press statement is an indictment that the Petroleum Committees of the House of Representatives are not performing their oversight function as required by the Rules of the House. There have been several similar misleading comments in the media

concerning the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the NNPC by Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin.

“As colleagues, we have had cause to bring these actions of his to the attention of the appropriate quarters. His latest outburst is not a product of any parliamentary proceedings.

It is a reaction to the complaints made by some governors on the Sovereign Wealth Fund. The Honourable Minister of Finance is capable of responding to the complaints made by these governors and should have been allowed to defend herself.

“But our colleague improperly turned himself to

the spokesman of the Minister of Finance. He even proceeded to the ridiculous extent of making a sweeping statement in the said report to wit:- “the Petroleum Resources Minister is guilty of superintending over a massively corrupt sector, as shown by her inability to disclose the actual daily production of crude oil to Nigerians.”

“For the sake of posterity, this press statement is important so that Nigerians will not be misled; and also to state the facts as they are lest the Petroleum Committees of the House be perceived as incapable of performing their oversight duties.

Corruption may sink Nigeria –Falae

F

ormer Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Chief Olu Falae, yesterday in Lagos warned that corruption might “sink Nigeria” if it was not tackled headlong.

Falae spoke at the public presentation of a book: “Post Independence Political Evolution of Western Nigeria: Chief Obafemi Awolowo Factor.”

The book was written by an octogenarian, Pa Adio Mosanya, a former Youth Leader of the defunct Action Group under the late sage.

Falae, who described corruption as endemic, called for a concerted effort

by Nigerians to stamp out the scourge.

“In state and federal government agencies, senior civil servants are now businessmen and women and have incorporated their own companies.

“The best imposing edifices and buildings are built by serving public and civil servants that did not take loans from banks.

“This (corrupt practices) should stop so that we can move forward as a country.

Public office holders should emulate the welfarist programmes of the late Awo. Awo set standards that had been very difficult to surpass,” said Falae, one-time presidential candidate of the Alliance for Democracy, AD.

L-R: Former Minister of Information, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire; South-South Zonal Chairman of PDP, Dr. Steve Oru and Delta State Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama, during the party’s primaries for the Delta Central Senatorial bye election in Sapele, yesterday.

Stop overheating the polity, Jega tells politicians EMMANUEL ONANI ABUJA

T

he chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, has cautioned politicians against engaging in acts that have the potential of overheating the polity.

This is even as he urged the gladiators to imbibe the culture of promoting peaceful conduct in the polity.

Jega gave the admonition in Abuja yesterday, while speaking at the third Quarterly Consultative Meeting between the commission

and political parties.

He reminded the leaders of the parties of the provisions of Section 99(1) of the Electoral Act 2010, as amended, which he said, limits the period of campaign to 90 days, before the election proper.

The electoral boss warned that the penalties awaited violators of the said provision.

He said: “As we inch along towards the 2015 general elections, we have been intensifying effort to ensure full readiness in all fundamental respects. We therefore continue to solicit

your cooperation, partnership and support to ensure that we deliver free, fair and credible elections to Nigerians in 2015.

“In particular we urge you to do everything possible to sanitise the polity.

You must have an enlightened self-interest, because keeping and sustaining our democracy is in the best interest of all politicians, as it is for all citizens. We must avoid the temptation to throw away the baby with the bath water. You must stop overheating the polity.

You must continue to promote peaceful conduct and

civility in political engagements and electioneering.

“You must stop the rising tendency towards thuggery in campaigns and elections.

In recent bye-elections, we saw disruptions of the electoral process caused by thuggery. This must be stopped in order not to undermine our aspirations for credible and peaceful elections in 2015.

“Let me also use this opportunity to draw your attention to the following; political parties are reminded to be mindful of the provisions of Section 99(1) of the Electoral Act 2010 as

amended which limits campaign periods to commence 90 days before polling day and end 24 hours to polling day. The penalty for breach is provided in Section 99(2) (a)& (b).”

On the presentation of candidates for elections, Jega said that, “INEC has received petitions against political parties that lack presence in some states, but habitually present candidates whenever byeelections are scheduled. Political parties are therefore urged to support our democratic growth by retracting their quest for elective offices to areas they have institutional presence.”

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Politics

Barrister Opeyemi Bamidele is a member of the House of Representatives and a governorship aspirant in Ekiti State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC. In this interview with SINA FADARE, he speaks on the disruption of his rally last week, insisting that he will not give up his ambition to succeed Governor Kayode Fayemi in 2014. Excerpts: How will you describe the police action during the launching of your Ekiti Bibire Coalition?

I must say that what happened that day, to my mind, was a major setback for democracy in Nigeria and Ekiti State in particular. This is a state that is widely celebrated as the fountain of knowledge and those in government are insisting that it is also a land of honour. Therefore, one could not have expected such a provoked act of state induced terrorism against the innocent people of the state.

I insist that I have a right like any other Ekiti citizen to aspire to be governor of this state. I insist that I am eminently qualified to lead this state. I insist that I have the right to answer to the clarion call of Ekiti people which you have seen as demonstrated during the launching of Bibire Coalition that it cannot be a ruse. I have no doubt that the government of Dr. Kayode Fayemi has further enhanced my campaign.

Ekiti people have seen what happened; how government instigated the blockade of the road leading to AdoEkiti as early as 6a.m. For several hours, vehicles could not move into Ado-Ekiti, it took the intervention of prominent citizens and elder statesmen of the state like Are Afe Babalola to prevail on the Inspector General of Police to intervene in the matter. A lorry load of soldiers has to be drafted in, in order to send thugs out of the roads.

The ruse was that it was members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, that blocked the road, but the truth of the matter was that it was the state government that did not want my group, Ekiti Bibire Coalition, to be launched so that I can declare my intention to contest the gubernatorial seat come October 2014. But to the glory of God, The inauguration has been done as they say in law that the facts speak for themselves. Ekiti people have made a statement that whatever love they have for me is real.

How do you see the solidarity from the people for the event?

I am overwhelmed by the solidarity of the people, the mammoth crowd that made it to the venue of the inauguration. We choose to hold this inauguration at our campaign office, to avoid any form of crisis. We had the opportunity to hold the inauguration in four venues and we asked the Commissioner of Police to choose anyone that is suitable to them. He picked one because I am familiar with the provision of the Electoral Act that stipulated that campaign cannot take place until 90 days to election. Around 4a.m. on Saturday, I got a call that we cannot use the venue, despite all that has been done to prepare the place for the occasion. I told them that they should stop work on the venue that we are using our office at Basiri along Ado-Iyin road.

Nobody had problem with that. The Police Commissioner and the Director of the State Security Service, SSS, said it was okay and that they were comfortable with it. I am not the first person to make his intention known that I want to contest for the governor of the state next year. At least five other aspirants from other political parties have done it. That is why I don’t know why the state government will make my own a big issue.

Who actually disrupted the inauguration; the police, thugs or the state government?

I will say that the disruption of the rally was at the instance of Dr. Kayode Fayemi-led state government. This was the information I gathered five days before the inauguration. I wrote a letter to the governor that I heard that a meeting was held at the office of the Chief of Staff and attended by some of his political appointees, who said it was an affront for anybody to hold such a meeting when

Wednesday September 25, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Nothing’ll stop me from contesting Ekiti governorship –Bamidele have to put on other cloths and trekked many kilometres to the venue where they eventually put on the ‘I love you MOB T-shirts’.

As far as I am concerned, the point has been made.

People have been on the streets as early as 6a.m. and the kind of the gridlock that occurred in the town to the extent that everything stood still, I felt that there was no need to make a long speech or keep the people too long again after all the trauma they have been subjected to by the state government with their connivance. There was nothing else to say; it was Ekiti people that made a request and I came out to identify with their request and aspiration. It was a response to a popular demand of the people that was consistent with my own personal aspiration to lead this state to a more united Ekiti; I will not give up on this.

Bamidele

a sitting governor still want to go for the second term.

If anybody will have a second term, I did not think it should be done at a gun point. I insist by my own antecedents that the right to aspire is inalienable and as far as I am concerned whether the governor likes it or not, he has challengers in me and in other aspirants. Anyone who needs a second term in office should leave it in the hands of God and let the people of Ekiti decide. To intimidate people out of a race can only lead to tension in the polity and that is what has just happened today (Thursday). A copy of the letter I sent to the governor was published as a paid advertisement last Tuesday and you can see what happened on the day of the launching.

Let me say that I see all that happened as a battle; it is not a battle that I will fight as an individual, but God will fight the battle for me because I know that things cannot just continue in this way.

Was there an undertaking between you and the police that you are spending only five minutes?

Before I got to the venue of the event, my supporters have been tear-gassed by the police. The reason for this, I am yet to find out. But while this was going on, the Director General of my campaign organisation called the Commissioner of Police and I did same to the Director of SSS that the event will still hold in our campaign office. The decision to spend five minutes was out of my realisation of what had happened. The government had caused a lot of tension as early as 6a.m., therefore the people are charged since they were not allowed to enter the town. A lot of them that you saw with our T-shirts

IT IS NOT GOING TO BE A MAGIC, IT IS NOT GOING TO BE

BY VIOLENCE, I AM NOT GIVEN TO THAT, IT IS GOING TO BE THROUGH THE GRACE OF GOD AND HARD WORK

With the way things are going on, don’t you think that the governorship election could be violent?

I do not think so. What is happening is a demonstration of a leadership complex, because I cannot understand a sitting governor who has all the money to spend and borrow, has the capacity to give people money and position that can touch the people’s life more than anybody, now think that somebody who is a House of Representatives’ member is a threat. They keep saying that I am not relevant. But Nigerians can see what is happening. We have about 20 aspirants in Ekiti today from different political parties, why it that this administration has chosen me to be an issue? That is a puzzle they can only resolve themselves. It is a manifestation of a leadership weakness and the fear of the people. As far as I am concerned and as a Christian, this will only strengthen me.

As far as I am concerned, I do not have any doubt that by the grace of Almighty God and the people, I will succeed Dr. Kayode Fayemi as the governor of Ekiti State in October 2014. It is not going to be a magic, it is not going to be by violence, I am not given to that, it is going to be through the grace of God and hard work. With the popular support of the people, I will run a scientific campaign in Ekiti State. I will go to every nook and cranny of Ekiti, I will run a campaign of issue and will make it scientific. If somebody thinks that what happened will discourage me from stopping my vision, that person is mistaking. I will never give up. I believe that every act of oppression will only strengthen the resolve of the people of Ekiti State. It is only a matter of time this issue will settle itself.

If you are unable to get the APC ticket, what will be your next plan?

There is no reason why I will not be allowed to contest with the incumbent governor. This is a democracy. As far as I am concerned, I have not seen anything that will discourage me not to contest since I am eligible. I am not aware that APC has picked a candidate, I am also aware that APC has no structure yet in Ekiti State. I am aware that the only mandate given by the interim national leader of the party was that people should go back to their states and open a membership register to register people. No congress has been held either at ward, local government or state levels and no national convention took place. There is no state, local government or ward election. How can such a party have a candidate? APC is yet to have a candidate, unless they don’t want people to be part of APC. At any rate, where I will contest and on what platform is a decision I am going to leave in the hands of Ekiti people. I will consult widely, I have been doing that and I will continue until the people of Ekiti decide which way to go.

A lot of people intervened before people were allowed to come to Ado Ekiti to attend the inauguration of our campaign office. A lot of people you saw today on the streets are not politicians. As far as I am concerned, the platform on which I will run as the governor of Ekiti State will be determined by the people of Ekiti.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

From the Civil Service

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TEACHERS STRIKE: SUSWAM THREATENS TO COMMENCE “NO WORK, NO PAY” P.41

Public servants tasked over healthy lifestyles etermined to ensure a strong and healthy workforce in the power sector, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Power, Amb. Godknows Igali, has again stressed the need for staff counselling and testing for HIV/AIDS. According to him, it is only healthy staff that would drive the on-going privatisation programme.

At a sensitization workshop for the Ministry’s staff on HIV/AIDS counselling and testing, the Perm Sec stated that the challenges in the sector are enormous; hence, an active and vibrant team would be required to coordinate and ensure the realization of government’s vision for the sector. To underscore the importance of being healthy, he said the “healthy side is the winning side”.

The Permanent Secretary, who was ably represented by the Deputy Director, Appointment and Promotion, Mr. Ebenezer Olowosejeje, stated that the officers within grade levels 04 – 14 constitute the critical mass of the manpower need of the Ministry required to provide the support base for the implementation of government policies and actions.

On this critical group, he observed that the concern of the Perm Sec is that the ages of these persons make them most active hence most vulnerable to the HIV/AIDS scourge adding that the need for adequate sensitization on

the pandemic cannot be overemphasized.

While encouraging staff to embrace healthy lifestyle by staying clear from acts that can make them vulnerable, he urged them to become vanguards in the fight against the scourge.

He added that he is optimistic that at the end of the event, participants would have been properly equipped on HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support. He encouraged anyone who is infected to seek adequate and timely care as well as enjoined staff to avoid risky behaviours that could lead to infection or further spread of the virus.

In his goodwill message, representative of the Director General, National Agency for the Control of Aids, Mr. Omini Effiong commended the Ministry for its efforts at sensitizing staff, stating that public sector response is key to all other efforts being made to eradicate the pandemic.

He declared that the Agency’s objective is for 80 percent of the sexually active adults to have unfettered access to HIV equitable counselling and testing by 2020.

The HIV/AIDS sensitization workshop, organized by Federal Ministry of Power, in collaboration with the National Agency for the Control of Aids (NACA) and the Society for Family Health (SFH), also witnessed presentations by Consultants from NACA and SFH on Prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria and its impact on the power sector as well as the need for behavioural change amongst others.

Yero

Kaduna warns civil servants on security reports

CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

D Permanent Secretary, Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Economic Development, Mrs. Arit Umoren (right) presenting a cheque to the Chairman, Community Project Management Committee, Mr. Essang Eso (left), during disbursement of funds to the 5th benefiting communities under the Community and Social Development Projects Implementation in Uyo, yesterday.

EFCC hasn’t taken over our mandate –Code of Conduct Bureau EMMANUEL ONANI

A

s debate on whether or not the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB, should be scrapped, in view of the wider powers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, continues, the bureau has said that its mandate is clearly spelt out in the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

In a document made available to National Mirror, the CCB clarified on its mandate, when it stated that: “The mandate of the Bureau is to establish and maintain a high standard of morality in the conduct of Government business and to ensure that the actions and behaviour of public officers conform to the highest standards of public morality and accountability.”

The booklet further revealed that section 3 part 1 of the third schedule of the 1999 constitution, gives the

Osun lauds FG over water projects P.41

conduct bureau the power to perform the following functions’ “Receive declarations by public officers made under paragraph 11 of Part 1 of the 5th Schedule of the 1999 Constitution “Examine the declarations in accordance with the requirements of the Code of Conduct or any law; retain custody of such declarations and make them available for inspection by any citizen of Nigeria on such terms and conditions as the National Assembly may prescribe.

“Receive complain about non-compliance with or breach of the Provisions of the Code of Conduct or any law in relation there to, investigate the complaint and where appropriate refer such matter to the Code of Conduct Tribunal”.

Apart from the seeming overlapping mandate between the Bureau and the EFCC, there is also the serious issue of absence of “desk officers” in various public

offices, for purposes of distributing assets declaration forms to public office holders.

In response to this concern, however, the bureau noted that “The Bureau does not have desk officers in various organizations to ensure proper accountability of forms received and distributed” because “when individuals collect and return their forms personally...they are responsible for every content of the form.”

Another area of concern which the bureau may not have provided satisfactory information on, is the strategy it adopts to verify compliance by public officers.

Notwithstanding the doubts being raised in that respect, it said it has “three ways” it carries out verification exercise.

According to CCB, “First, is the examination that is carried out at the point of submitting the Assets Declaration Forms, during individual or conference verifi-

cation when documents are cited for authentication”, as well as “when there is need for field investigation when an officer goes to the field to see the houses, the landed properties etc.”

When our correspondent sought to get statistics of public office holders that have since declared their assets, the spokesperson of the Bureau, who simply identified herself as Iyabo, said she will get across once the information was obtained from the relevant office.

It is also instructive to point out that not much (in terms of conviction), has been heard from the Code of Conduct Tribunal, which receives complaints and petitions from CCB, for trial.

This is without prejudice to a few concluded cases, including the discharge of former Lagos state Governor and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

FG to partner China on culture, education Aregbesola

P.16

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From the Civil Service

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FG to partner China on culture, education

…as Chinese cultural centre opens in Abuja JOEL A JAYI ABUJA

A

s part of measures to deepen bilateral relationship between the Republic of China and Nigeria, the federal government has reiterated its commitment to partner with the most populous country in the world on culture, education and mutual aid that would encourage investment in the culture and tourism sectors.

The relationship is

expected to give birth to the opening of Chinese cultural centre in Abuja to showcase the rich cultural heritage and tourism potentials of their country, and disseminate authentic and accurate information of its people.

It will be recalled that the President and his entourage had during his recent state visit to China requested for technical assistance in the infrastructural development of the Agriculture, Aviation, petroleum,

Education, Health and Power Sector in Nigeria.

Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, noted that years of cooperation between the two countries has witnessed a lot of cultural activities and exchanges in the area of arts, music, dance and exhibitions.

Disclosing this at the occasion of the opening ceremony of Chinese cultural centre in Abuja, Duke said that Nigeria as a nation has benefited

immensely from China in the areas of capacity building and donation of office equipment.

He said, “Nigeria and China have enjoyed meaningful cordial relationship, which has lasted for 40 years with robust cultural exchanges. The cultural and educational co-operation between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and their People’s Republic of China was signed on the 28th March 1990.

“Therefore, opening a centre of this magni-

L-R: Adamawa State Coordinator, National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Malam Aliyu Abubakar; Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Mrs. Margaret Nzombato and a beneficiary of NDE Resettlement Loan Scheme, Aliyu Doma, at the disbursement of resettlement items in Yola, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Protesters storm Interior Ministry over Immigration job fee OMEIZA AJAYI

H

undreds of unemployed youths on Monday stormed the Federal Ministry of Interior in Abuja protesting against the alleged payment of N1, 000 for applying to secure a job in Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

The Civil Defence, Prisons, Fire and Immigration Services Board CDPFI had two weeks ago advertised some vacancies in the NIS with a condition that applicants would pay the sum of N1, 000 upon completing their application.

The youths had taken the protest to the Ministry but the supervising Minister, Comrade Abba Moro is on the presidents entourage to the United Nations General Assembly in the United States. They were however

received by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs. Fatima A. Bamidele, alongside some directors who went into a closed door meeting with leaders of the protesters.

One of the applicants, Ogunsola John, described the fee as unacceptable and criminal. “I am pained that I was not informed that such protest would hold today. My brother, I would have led the protest. How can we be paying for uncertainty? We are not even sure of getting the job. It is criminal”, he declared.

Public Relations Officer of NIS, Chukwuemeka Obua, said since the Service is not directly handling the recruitment, the board in charge of the recruitment may have charged the money for administrative purposes.

In her reaction yesterday,

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Fatima Bamidele recalled that there was an earlier effort by the Ministry to recruit officers for the NIS but that the exercise which was manually done was mired in controversy and had to be discontinued.

“Subsequently, a new ICTbased recruitment exercise had to be adopted for the purposes of fairness, transparency and accountability in line with the transformation agenda of the government”, she said.

Bamidele added that a consultant was engaged to provide internet platform to enable applicants access the application forms which will enable the Ministry process the applications.

According to her, the consultant was authorized to charge a maximum processing fee of N1000 per applicant to cover the cost of

scratch card to access the site. “This is intended to save the applicants the cost of travelling to Abula to submit their applications, well as avoid other inherent risks11 including unauthorized middlemen activities and other abuses.

“It is also against the backdrop of an earlier exercise that was carried out some years ago where everyone converged at a common place resulting in a stampede in which some lives were lost “For the avoidance of doubt the Ministry of Interior and the Nigeria Immigration Service, do not charge and will not accept money for jobs, and anybody that demands for and accepts money or bribes for job will be appropriately sanctioned in line with extant regulations guiding discipline in the service”, she added.

tude would make major inroad, in terms of familiarization with all the various aspects of Chinese culture by Nigerians and most especially, scholars whose interest are to study and understand Chinese culture and language”.

Speaking further, Duke noted that culture has become tool for the social and economic advancement and soft power diplomacy by most countries of the world, stressing that Nigeria and China cannot afford to be left behind.

He said: This initiative would no doubt draw a lot of awareness and attention to China’s rich cultural heritage and also further raise the profile of the people of China in Nigeria.

“We have decided to strengthen relationship by celebrating the second Nigeria Cultural Week in Nanjing province China from 14th to 16th October, 2013. The event would witness cultural performances by troupes from Nigeria, exhibitions, symposiums

and lectures to highlight the very essence of Nigeria’s culture to the good people of Nanjing province.

“Also for mutual exchange between our countries, we are inviting China to the Abuja Carnival 2013 with a hope for their massive participation.”

Responding, the Vice Minister of Culture, the People Republic of China, Mr. Ding Wei, said no fewer than 37 Nigeria TV drama programmes has been translated into Chinese.

Wei noted that closer relations would help the Nigeria film industry opportunity to produce film in Chinese language that would give opportunity to sell their product beyond the shore of Africa.

He also proposed the joint effort of the Nigeria/China in promoting cultural products by the two countries in their cultural centres both in Nigeria and China, as well as using the centre to educate the people of the two countries about their cultural tradition.

Civil servants seek more public holidays

...say we can’t work each time president has events at Eagle Square OMEIZA AJAYI

F

ederal Civil Servants in the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, OHCSF, Mr. Goni Bukar Aji have requested for more public holidays arguing that each time there was a presidential event at the Eagle Square, workers usually found it difficult to access their offices for hours.

The workers under the auspices of the Joint Union Negotiating Council, JUNC made the request on Monday at a Townhall meeting with Mr Aji which held at the Public Service Institute PSIN in Abuja.

President of JUNC, Mr. David Iffi, who made the appeal requested that the HOS should look into the issues con-

cerning staff welfare especially in the area of transportation, training and other allowances.

According to him, workers find it hard to park their vehicles and when they eventually get a space, it is far from their offices and their vehicles are often clamped by On-Street Parking enforcement officials.

He said the noise pollution and the traffic gridlock often makes them get late to work while they are also subjected to harrowing security checks.

Eagles Square is presently an abuse of the land use system and a distortion of the Abuja Master plan as the place was actually designed a car park. The real location is supposedly along the airport road.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Wednesday, September 25, 2013

The fear of al-Shabab

PUBLIC DOMAIN

DELE

SETEOLU

deleseteolu@nationalmirroronline.net (08033137577 SMS only)

T

he Westgate Shopping Mall in highbrow Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, came under attack from suspected members of al-Shabab terrorist group. About 68 persons were reported dead, 175 injured and 30 missing. The media reported that a nephew of the Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta and his fiancée died in this attack. This incident is probably the worst in the history of terrorist attacks in East Africa.

African has been the hotbed of terror organizations and their cells intent on unleashing attacks on Western targets located in the region. The spate of intra-national wars, regional and global politics are considered explanatory factors of these attacks. The pervasive socioeconomic crises in the region and the attendant poverty level have increased its vulnerability to the penetration of terrorist networks.

We should recall terror attacks on Nairobi and Dar ees Salaam in August 1998 that led to civilian casualties and destruction of property. The attacks targeted Western missions in East Africa to protest the seeming assertive and domi-

nating role of America and its allies in regional and international politics. Al Shabab and Boko Haram are known to collaborate in the ongoing terror campaigns. There are reports that Al Qaeda has been involved in the training of recruits and members of Al Shabab and Boko Haram.

Nairobi is a major tourist location in Africa, and tourism is the highest foreign exchange earner for the country. The Kenyan wild life and reserves have been major tourist attractions to Europeans, Americans and the rest of the world. The climate has also been attracting the white population who are largely concentrated in Nairobi, a fact that makes it have a noticeable presence of foreign nationals who access facilities such as the Westgate Shopping Mall.

The Al-Shabab found it strategic to attack the location that attracted Europeans, Americans and other foreign nationals with a view to gaining global attention and achieving ‘huge impact’.

The Al-Shabab gunmen are believed to be held in a location in the Shopping Mall thus necessitating security presence around the facility. The Kenyan government has decided to attack the building in what appears to be a decisive step to deal with the Al Shabab gunmen.

There is the fear that the decision of Kenyan authority to attack the mall will likely result in further civilian casualties. The attack is therefore, a litmus test of the capacity and capability of the Kenyan security forces to respond to such challenging situations.

Israel has offered to assist Kenya in

THE PERVASIVE SOCIO-ECONOMIC CRISES IN THE REGION AND THE ATTENDANT POVERTY LEVEL HAVE INCREASED ITS VULNERABILITY TO THE PENETRATION OF TERRORIST NETWORKS this incident, but the Kenyan authority insisted that it was a national issue that would be handled by it. There are unconfirmed reports, however, that the Kenyan government has accepted the offer. Israel is a major ally of the United States and has often been a target. The Arab-Israel question, the status of Jerusalem, the Golan Heights question and the Palestinian question are contentious issues that expose the country to criticisms and attacks.

It is noteworthy that Kenya had contributed forces to the African Union peace mission in Somalia. Somalia is perceived by the global community as a failed state. The Al-Shabab has been a major combatant in the Somali war, and it is committed to displacing the government in Mogadishu. Analysts see the attack on Nairobi Shopping Mall as a strategy to frustrate Kenyan presence in the African Union mission in Somalia.

Al-Shabab has been identified as a ma-

17

jor terror group with networks across the vast Sahara Desert. The large and unpatrolled terrain and boundaries of the sub-Saharan region makes it easier for terrorist activities to thrive. Similarly, the Islamist group in Northern Mali and the dreaded Boko Haram group in northern Nigeria are perceived as major terror groups in the region. The Islamists in Mali, it would be recalled, had attacked Bamako following the March 2012 military coup d’état that displaced the civilian government of Amadou Toumani Touré.

Boko Haram’s attacks have been devastating; and pose the greatest security challenge in Nigeria’s history. The recent killings in Borno and the faceoff between suspected Boko Haram members and the security agents Abuja last week point to the seriousness of the security deficit in Nigeria. The Nigerian government should learn from the Nairobi attack. The state agents should increase their surveillance activities in major socioeconomic and air facility points. The media should also assist in informing on the dangers of possible attack as fallout of regional and global politics.

Beyond this, however, the global insecurity is partly a response to perceived imbalances, perception of domination, alienation and exploitation of developing states by the global powers. It is also a perception of a skewed global economic and political order; and the resultant struggles relying on guerilla tactics to challenge the global status quo. It is imperative to address some of these questions to mediate global insecurity.

SURE-P: Another mismanaged programme UGOCHUKWU UGWUANYI

I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN

W

UNDER THE ILLUSION

hen the now-rested Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN) last February intimated Nigerians that the Federal Government was diverting the SURE-P money towards prosecuting Project 2015, many dismissed the allegation as another political statement lacking in substance. But now, we know better.

The loquacious spokesman of the defunct party, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, had said then: “…PDP apparatchiks have hijacked it for the purpose of empowering only the party’s members. They have created State Implementation Committees (SICs) to handle the disbursement of SURE-P cash to party members as a strategy to arm them with a war chest ahead of the 2015 elections. To make matters worse, the PDP is denigrating the traditional institution by using traditional rulers in some states as the conduit to distribute SURE-P funds, ostensibly to empower Nigerians but in reality to put money in the pockets of PDP supporters.”

Though this disclosure was made over eight months ago, the substance in it became evident to us last Thursday when the Presidential Committee on Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) told the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on SURE-P in Abuja that it might lay off 111, 000 workers by September 30 if additional funds were not made

THAT BOTH

SURE-P

AND THE MONEY MEANT TO EXECUTE IT ARE SACROSANCT available to it.

Its chairman, Dr. Christopher Kolade, informed the Senator Abdul Ningi-led Committee that out of the N27 billion earmarked as workers’ salaries in the programme’s 2013 budget captured under its employment generation scheme through which 3,000 workers from each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja were to be employed and serviced, only N9 billion was approved. This development, Dr. Kolade told the Committee, meant that SURE-P would not be able to meet its commitment to 111, 000 youths already engaged under the programme, stressing also that the cut in its budget had also compromised its target of employing 5,000 workers per state and the FCT each on a monthly stipend of N10,000.

Implicit in this unwholesome development is the subordination of the people’s welfare to the exigency of 2015. Honestly, I find it difficult to swallow the fact that Project 2015 has laid its larcenous hands on the funds meant to service SURE-P. I

have always been under the illusion that both SURE-P and the money meant to execute it are sacrosanct. Pray, must 2015 rob us of everything? Having successfully force itself as number one priority for our political leaders, must it also short change us of the dividends of SURE-P, which are supposed to be inviolable?

I say inviolable, because the initiative saved the Goodluck Jonathan administration because it doused the people’s anger as expressed in the January 2012 anti-subsidy removal mass action. SURE-P also made Nigerians to accept the increase in the pump head price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from N65 per litre to N97.

Compromising the efficacy of the programme the way it is done now is an affront on all Nigerians! Why treat with contempt one major gain produced by the anti-subsidy removal struggle for which many of our compatriots gave up their lives? I bet many Nigerians would not be surprised by the turn of event. For they know it is in the character of an average Nigerian politician to throw everything into his/her quest to remain in power.

We live in a country where money buys endorsements and votes, and victory at the polls. Hence, money has to be recalled even from the most sacred vault.

But here is where our fear should lie: if they could deplete the SURE-P budget from N27 billion to N9 billion with almost two years to the 2015 general elections, what would become of the budget

as the elections draw closer? I suspect that by then, Dr. Kolade would have had no more job let alone have some money with which to engage Nigerian youths!

The painful aspect is that what they are stealing now is not our oil wealth so to say, but our personal money! The extra N32 over and above the N65 per litre we were paying before the January 2, 2012 increase was the sacrifice we agreed to make. So, they have to use ‘our money’ to water the ground for their 2015 to materialise. They promised jobs, but now instead of using SURE-P to create more jobs, the ones so far created are under threat. Try to consider the fact that for their egoistic 2015 interest, a monstrous 74,000 jobs have to give way!

In better organised polities, should a relatively lower 50,000 job cuts occur in circumstances like ours, there would be intense calls for the resignation of whoever is at the helms. Most times the call wouldn’t even come before the president or prime minister honourably resigns. But not in Nigeria!

Our government must let SURE-P funds be for SURE-P and not for 2015.

Ugochukwu is a public affairs analyst.

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

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

Editorial

18

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

STEVE AYORINDE

MANAGING DIRECTOR / CEO

BOLAJI TUNJI

DAILY EDITOR

SEYI FASUGBA

SUNDAY EDITOR

GBEMI OLUJOBI

SATURDAY EDITOR

DOZIE OKEBALAMA

COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD

CALLISTUS OKE

EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR

ISE-OLUWA IGE

ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF

KAYODE BALOGUN JNR

SM, STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT

FRANK OBOH

HEAD, GRAPHICS

O

n September 4, the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwase II, made a curious royal proclamation in which he sought to bring the entire socio-cultural firmament of his kingdom under the theocracy of his new-found faith as a born again Christian.

The well-respected monarch had stated in a proclamation captioned, ‘The New Order of Iwere Kingdom’, that he had dropped the symbolical title of ‘Ogiamen’. A portion of the proclamation read thus: “Henceforth, I submit and present the title ‘Ogiame’ to God, the creator, which made the sea and rules over all.

Therefore, no Olu or person may bear the title or name that now belongs to God. I nullify all tokens of libation poured on the land and seas or sprinkled into the air in Iwereland. I frustrate all sacrifices of wine, blood, food, water, kolanuts, and other items (known and unknown) offered in Iwere land...”

With the foregoing, the Olu vicariously repudiated all the supposedly ‘heathen practices’, which form the bedrock of the traditions and culture of Itsekiri people in Delta State. The declaration made it obvious that the monarch was not only striving to change the spiritual and traditional

The Olu of Warri debacle WE SALUTE THE HUMILITY WITH WHICH THE

WARRI

MONARCH ACCEDED TO THE WISHES OF HIS PEOPLE order he inherited, but was permanently imposing a new order, thus condemning all his successors to the Christian rites for all time!

The monarch’s action understandably spawned spontaneous protests across Itsekiriland as youths, market women, men, the royalty and even political figures, besieged his palace in protest to prevail on him to rescind the decision. The protesters contended that if the paramount ruler wanted to heed the divine call, he should relinquish the throne. But after four days of consistent mass protests amidst the call for his abdication, the king bowed to pressure and rescinded the attempt to unilaterally reformat the cultural heritage of his people. The new twist brought sanity to the kingdom.

It may be stated that the Olu of Warri has both the traditional prerogative and con-

stitutional right to adopt and practice any religion of his choice on personal level, but we doubt if it is appropriate for him to unilaterally change the age-long trado-religious order of the kingdom at his convenience. Such a revolutionary socio-cultural shift might have been possible if majority of the people were carried along. From the turn of events, however, it was apparent that the King had neither the support of his chiefs nor his subjects. Therefore, it was a move doomed to fail.

There have been cases in history where kings had to make critical choices occasioned by conflict of interest between their duties as king and their personal preferences. An example that readily comes to mind is that of King Edward VIII of England (June 23, 1894 – May 28, 1972), who sparked a constitutional crisis only a few months into his reign by proposing marriage to an American socialite, Wallis Simpson, who had not only divorced her first husband but was about to divorce the second to marry the young English King.

However, the British government then headed by Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin opposed the bid. Besides the official position of the Brit-

ish government, marrying a divorced woman was seen in religious circles as greatly unbecoming of an Englishman, more so a titular head of the Church of England that opposed the remarriage of divorced people with living spouses. To resolve this crisis, Edward chose to abdicate the throne in order to marry his heartthrob.

Therefore, by virtue of the delicate positions they occupy, traditional rulers belong officially to all the religions in their domains. Whereas a king may be a devout adherent of a particular faith, he is seen as the father of all. The Olu is a trustee of centuriesold cumulative culture and tradition of his people. It will be difficult for him to easily consign such to the dustbin of history precipitately without popular resistance by his subjects.

The Olu probably realised this and took the part of honour by hearkening to the voice of the people in the spirit of the “voice of the people is the voice of God”. We salute the humility with which the Warri monarch acceded to the wishes of his people and recommend same to other traditional rulers who may find themselves in such a fix in the future.

ON THIS DAY September 25, 1969 The charter establishing the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) was signed. The OIC is an international organisation consisting of 57 member states. The organisation describes itself as “the collective voice of the Muslim world” and works to “safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony. The OIC has a permanent delegation to the United Nations.

September 25, 2009 United States’ President, Barack Obama, British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown and French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, in a joint TV appearance for a G-20 summit, accused Iran of building a secret nuclear enrichment facility. But Iran’s leadership said its goal in developing the nuclear programme was to generate electricity without dipping hand into the oil supply it prefers to sell abroad; and to provide fuel for medical reactors.

September 25, 2010 Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), Mahmoud Abbas, spoke at the United Nations General Assembly and requested that Israel ended its policy of building settlements in the West Bank. Abbas ( March 26, 1935) has been the chairman of PLO since November 11, 2004 and became President of the Palestinian National Authority on January 15, 2005 on the Fatah ticket.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

19

Health & Wellbeing 20 Hepatitis: Prevention is best – Gastroenterologist

Police arrest 102 for polio vaccine rejection in Niger 21

Why Nigerian men shun vasectomy At a Glance

SAM EFERARO

• Vasectomy is a simple surgical procedure that makes a man permanently unable to father a child.

• All vasectomy techniques involve cutting or otherwise blocking both the vas deferens so that the man’s ejaculate will no longer contain sperm, and he will not be able to make a woman pregnant.

• The procedure takes about 15 minutes and is performed in a urologist office with the aid of local anesthesia to numb the area.

S

ome years ago, a university professor approached his colleagues at the college of medicine and informed them of his desire to be sterilized. The man felt he already had the number children he wanted and needed to close the child bearing chapter in his life.

His colleagues were excited. The sterilisation operation called vasectomy was still new in the country then and it appeared no Nigerian man was willing to adopt it as a ,family planning method.

The doctors that saw the professor therefore saw his initiative as a major opening that could pave way for other men to embrace vasectomy as a family planning method in the country.

But that first visit was also the professor’s last to the clinic. Efforts to reach him not only failed, the doctors had to contend with a stern warning by his wife to back off.

“Why don’t you castrate yourself ?”

She had yelled as she picked the last call from the clinic to her husband.

This true story sums up the attitude of the Nigerian men to vasectomy, a permanent birth control method and one of the very few family planning methods available for men who do not wish to have more children.

Since its introduction in Nigeria, very few men have been brave enough to undertake it. In some cases, where some men give it a thought, their wives had reportedly raised serious objection.

In Nigeria, most people still regard vasectomy as castration. And this is the last “disaster” which the usually virile Nigerian man will want to wish even his worst enemy. But how true is this belief ?

Experts say vasectomy is not the same thing as castration - where the testes are removed and the man is unable to have sex again. Vasectomy is a very simple procedure in which the small tubes which serve as passage for sperm called vas deferens are cut or blocked to prevent sperm from entering a man’s ejaculate.

It’s a very safe procedure which is more than 99 percent effective in preventing pregnancies when done correctly.

Usually, it does not take more than 15 minutes for the whole operation to be carried out.

It is thus a quick and inexpensive operation and once the minor post-operative discomforts have passed, the individual needs never worry about contraception again.

Unlike castration, no part of the man’s external anatomy is removed. During the operation, the doctors first injects a drug to prevent pain. When the drug has

Effectiveness • Vasectomy is more than 99.85 percent effective as a form of permanent birth control.

• The operation is not effective immediately. A semen analysis should be performed 6 to 8 weeks after the procedure to confirm sterility. Until then, the couple must continue to use another method of birth control.

Masculinity and Sexuality • A vasectomy will not affect a man’s testosterone level, sex drive, facial hair, voice and other masculine traits.

• The operation has no effect on sexuality. erections, climaxes and the amount of ejaculate in the semen remain the same after a vasectomy.

Vasectomy Techniques

Vasectomy is not an easy family planing choice for most Nigeria men

numbed the area, he makes a small cut in the scrotum and then cuts or seals the tubes. The small incision is then closed with a little stitch and the man may leave the clinic after a short time.

Experts also say vasectomy does not in any way affect the man’s sexual performance. The man’s anatomy remains intact and his feeling at ejaculation will be entirely normal. The only difference is that the operation will guarantee that no sperm will be in the ejaculate.

Of course, like every other surgical procedure, there are some elements of risks involved but experts say the inherent dangers are easily minimised by the procedure’s simplicity, use of local anaesthesia, competent surgical procedures and hygienic surroundings.

About 40 percent of vasectomy patients are said to experience some swelling, discolouration or post-operative discomfort. Doctors say these however, are generally short term and minor.

• Two common techniques for performing vasectomies are “traditional” and “no scalpel.” The difference between the techniques is subtle. It has to do with how the urologist accesses the vas deferens.

• During a traditional vasectomy, the doctor numbs the area and makes a tiny cut in the skin of the scrotum.

• During a no scalpel vasectomy, the doctor numbs the area, punctures the skin of the scrotum then stretches the skin open.

• One way to illustrate the different techniques is to imagine a sweater. A traditional vasectomy is comparable to using a blade to cut through the fabric to form a tiny hole in the sweater. The no scalpel technique is comparable to inserting tiny forceps into the weave and using them to stretch the fabric.

• Both techniques are safe and effective forms of permanent birth control.

Both cost the same amount.

• The decision about which technique to use is often a matter of the patient and doctor’s preference.

Before the Vasectomy • If your partner is pregnant now, notify your urologist. In this special circumstance, your doctor may recommend waiting until the baby is safely delivered before performing a vasectomy.

• Stop taking all aspirin or blood thinning products one week prior to the procedure.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

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Health & Wellbeing

Hepatitis is the leading cause of liver cancer in Nigeria and it is possible for someone to live with it for 20 to 30 years without knowing, says Dr Nnabuchi Chidi, a Consultant Gastroenterologist at Bwari General Hospital, Abuja, in this interview with Health Reporter, MARCUS FATUNMOLE. He emphasizes, among others, that the disease is contracted the same way as HIV is infected. Excerpt:

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Hepatitis: Prevention is best –Gastroenterologist Treatments are available for hepatitis.

The problem of hepatitis is that it could cause very serious complications and you want to prevent those complications. You don’t want to have these things happening, and, these can be prevented by treatment.

So, treatment is available for hepatitis. It is a long-term treatment; not a short-term treatment. The minimum duration of treatment is one year. Some may have to take treatment for as long as their life time.

It may not be completely possible to completely eliminate hepatitis B in most people but treatment helps to suppress the virus to a level that it is undetectable and it will not cause any damage to the liver. A few people are able to eliminate the virus completely.

But, even those that cannot eliminate it completely, with treatment, it is suppressed to a level that it doesn’t cause any complication for them. Treatments are in two modalities. We have injectable and oral treatment. The injections will last for one year while the oral treatment in patient like I said will have to take it for the rest of his life; except for those that are lucky to completely eliminate the virus in their system.

S

ir, what is hepatitis?

By hepatitis, we mean inflammation of the liver and inflammation means redness and swelling. It is the body’s response to an injury; that is what inflammation means. When it affects the liver, we call it hepatitis. And, hepatitis can be caused by several organisms or several viruses and there are also some drugs and chemicals that can also cause hepatitis. But, what we are more interested in is the infective hepatitis. There are about five hepatitis viruses. We have the hepatitis A, B, C, D and E viruses. Of recent, there was hepatitis G virus, but not much is known about it yet and it is still not very common.

The ones that are of public health importance are hepatitis B and C, and occasionally D. Hepatitis A and E are usually self-curative, so they are not chronic infection. They only cause acute infection which the body is able to take care of in most people. They are not of much problem as hepatitis B and C that can cause chronic infection; that can cause both acute and chronic infection. By chronic infection, we mean that it could cause infection and remain in the body for more than six months. So, it is possible for somebody to have hepatitis B or C for up to 20 or 30 years without even knowing. And, for hepatitis D, the prevalence is low but it could also cause chronic infection. The peculiar thing about hepatitis D is that it can only infect a person that has hepatitis B. So, it needs hepatitis B virus to succeed. We are much more interested in hepatitis B and C, especially hepatitis B, that one has a higher prevalence in our environment. Hepatitis C is more of a problem in the developed world.

How is it transmitted?

Hepatitis can be transmitted about the same way HIV is transmitted from the transfusion of infected blood and blood products, it can be transmitted sexually; it can be transmitted by the use of unsterilized or contaminated sharp objects which include razor blades, needles, even clippers.

It could also be transmitted by sharing very intimate materials like toothbrush. When people are brushing their teeth, sometimes, they drop blood. And, that blood can become infected and that toothbrush can infect the individual. It could also be transmitted from mother to child. An infected mother can pass it to her child at birth.

Hepatitis can also be transmitted between children. That is contact with the blood of an infected person. You know the common thing among children when they are playing, if one has an injury, the other one will one to touch it and see how it feels. If that person that has the injury is infected, he may transmit the infection to other person.

It is a very common root of transmission in our environment. These are basically the ways of transmission.

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Chidi

What are the symptoms?

Most cases of chronic hepatitis are insymptomatic until complication arises.

So, people that have chronic hepatitis may just be carrying the disease; they do not know until probably an incidental check and they find out. They do not see the symptoms, until after many years when it developes complications. But, acute hepatitis on the other hand could present with fever, often low breathe, nausea, vomiting, generalized weakness, and abdominal pain. Then, the patient can be jaundiced. These are common symptoms of hepatitis. All forms of hepatitis have about the same forms of symptoms. 90 percent of people that developed hepatitis B are able to clear it. But, about 10 percent of the population are unable to clear it. On the other hand, most people with hepatitis C are unable to clear it.

Only about 20 percent can clear it without help of drugs. So, the possible complications that could arise from hepatitis will include liver cirosis which is hardening of the liver. As a result, the liver no longer performs its functions. And, the people start accumulating fluid. You find them with enlarged abdomen; their legs are swollen, some have jaundice, abdominal pain. Some could develop liver failure in which case they become confused, irrational, they may become unconscious, they may have convulsion and it may ultimately lead to death. When there is liver failure in which the liver cannot perform its functions anymore, it may ultimately results in liver cancer. These are some of the complications that may arise from hepatitis infection. Hepatitis in our environment is the greatest cause of liver

HEPATITIS IN OUR ENVIRONMENT IS THE GREATEST CAUSE OF LIVER CANCER.

cancer. So, most cases of liver cancer in our environment are caused by hepatitis.

How can hepatitis be diagnosed?

It is easy to diagnose hepatitis. It is done through a simple blood test. And, the test does not take time. Within 30 minutes, the result can be ready, depending on how much work they have in the lab. It is a simple blood test and you find out for hepatitis B, they will identify the surface antigen. For hepatitis C, they find out antibodies against hepatitis C. Who are the people at risk?

The people at risk are health workers.

The reason is that they are exposed to sharp objects such as needles that have been used on patients that could be positive. They are exposed to the blood from patients. So, health workers are particularly at risk. People in the military are at risk because sometimes they come in contact with blood. Military, Police, Road Safety officials and the rest are all at risk because of accident victims, trauma and war. They all come in contact with blood. So, they are at risk. Prisoners too and prison workers are at risk because of the same reason. Then, anywhere there is a high activity where there is tendency of injury. Anybody that works in that environment is at risk of developing hepatitis.

How can the disease be treated?

How can we prevent this disease condition?

The good thing about hepatitis B is that it can be prevented. It can be prevented.

One: there are vaccines available against hepatitis B. So, a complete dose of the vaccine, which is usually three doses, provides about 95 percent prevention against hepatitis B. Hepatitis C on the other hand cannot be prevented with a vaccine because there is no vaccine available for it. But, by observing universal precautions namely screening all blood and blood products that need to be transfused thoroughly; avoiding sharing of sharp objects to include needles, razor blade, scissors, tooth brushes, clippers, the needles women use in the hairdressing salon, they should avoid sharing things like that. Also, the manicurists and pedicurists that carry their instruments about on the street, they should not patronize them, because these are ways of transmitting the disease. Then, people should avoid sharing needles for IV drugs. So, people that are drug addict need to be counselled and ways found to make them stop and make sure they do not use needles.

Hospitals and other health care providers should not re-use needles and syringes. And, all instruments that are used for patients should be properly sterilized before they can become re-usable equipment. They should be properly sterilized before they are reused. Then, mothers, women who are pregnant should be screened against hepatitis. If possible, they should start treatment while they are pregnant to protect the unborn babies. And, the baby, immediately they are born would get an immunoglobin injection which will help protect them and then they commence immunization. And, then the contacts of those who are infected need to be screened and immunized. This way will help reduce the prevalence of hepatitis, especially hepatitis B which is more prevalent in our environment.

You mentioned that patients could take injection throughout a year while treating hepatitis. Don’t you see this scaring to them?

No, injection is once weekly throughout

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Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

21

Police arrest 102 for polio vaccine rejection in Niger PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

A

total of 102 persons were arrested in Niger state over alleged refusal to allow their children and wards to be immmunized with the Wild Polio Virus vaccines in the last two years in the state.

The state Director of Primary Health Care Development Agen-

cy, Dr Shehu Yabagi,who made the revealation in Minna, said the arrests were made to enforce the law forbiding the refusal of the vaccine.

According to him, some of those arrested and tried in different courts in the state that comprise of mobile courts, when convicted were either made to pay fine or serve various jail terms to serve as deter-

rent to other parents.

Yabagi also reteirated the commitment of the state to wipe out polio totally through continued advocacy as well as enforcing the laws put in place against rejection by any one, adding that all the efforts of the state paid off as the disease was last reported in 2012.He explained that keeping polio out within the period was achieved due

to the cross border immunization exercise embarked upon by his agency in order to stop any more transmission of the disease in the state.

Yabagi further said it is against this back drop that the state government sent another bill to the state house of assembly that would be make it a serious offense for any preacher to preach against the acceptance of

the polio vaccines in any part of the state.

Also, the director added that to guide against the negative results of parents disallowing their children and wards from being vaccinated, traditional rulers and religious leaders have been adequately mobilized to ensure compliance in their domains for the good of the children.

Kano, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation sign MoU on routine immunisation

T

he Kano State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Dangote and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundations for the revitalisation of routine immunisation and other primary healthcare services, an official said.

Dr Shehu Abdullahi, the Executive Secretary, Kano State Primary Health Care Management Board, said this in Kano on Monday at the inauguration of the Kano State Implementation Training for 2013 Integrated Measles Campaign.

Abdullahi said that the state had recorded 200 deaths from 8,000 cases of measles since 2012. According to him, 80 per cent of those affected, aged between 0 to 59 months, were

not immunised against the disease. , “Measles is one of the childhood killer diseases, which can be prevented through immunisation,’’ Abdullahi said.

He said it was unfortunate that parents and caregivers of the affected children did not make them available for immunisation and as such exposed them to the disease.

Dr. Abdullahi also disclosed that the training for Local Immunisation Officers, State Technical Facilitators and Local Government Facilitators was aimed at addressing the challenges facing immunisation in the state, adding that the spread of the wild polio virus, particularly, posed enormous challenges.

L-R: Deputy EU Head of Delegation, Mr. Kazimierz Romanski; Adamawa State Commissioner for Health, Mrs. Lilian Stephen and her Women Affairs counterpart, Hajiya Halima Mohammed, briefing newsmen at the launch of EU-MNCH Health Project in Yola, recently.

PHOTO: NAN

FG pledges commitment to water, sanitation MDGs Nigeria has poorly-organized pre-hospital trauma system –FG M F ARCUS ABUJA

ATUNMOLE

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he Federal Government has said it would achieve water-related targets of the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, before the expiration of the MDGs’ 2015 deadline.

It also promised to speed up efforts on sanitation which is currently far behind its achievement in the provision of potable water for the nation’s teeming population.

The assurance was contained in a release made available by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources recently.

Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe, gave the

pledge, when she received a delegation from Water and Sanitation for Africa (WSA) led by the Economic and Strategic Marketing Adviser Mr. Oliver Ujah in Abuja.

Water and Sanitation for Africa, WSA, a 32 States initiative, including Nigeria, is a Pan African Intergovernmental Agency dedicated to ameliorating water and sanitation challenges in Africa with its headquarters office in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

The statement noted that Mrs. Ochekpe appreciated the WSA for its effort in solving water and sanitation problems in Africa, stressing that lack of access to potable drinking water poses a major challenge of

water and sanitation in Africa which, she emphasized, causes health hazard. She however asserted that the level of coverage in water and sanitation in Nigeria was close to the MDGs target.

She added that “between now and 2015; Nigeria would certainly achieve the targets”. The release said in part: “Nigeria has taken water and sanitation very seriously, sometimes, our population makes it look like we are not doing much but the truth of the matter is that Nigeria has done much in that sector,’ she said. She emphasized the Ministry was strategizing on sanitation and would achieve good result before the end of 2015.

MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

T

he Federal Government has described pre-hospital trauma system in Nigeria as “poorly-organized.”

Minister of Health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu made this known in Abuja recently at a Trauma Workout Seminar organized by General Electric, GE, Healthcare in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health.

Prof Chukwu decried what he described as ‘uncoordinated and distribution of functional trauma centres in Nigeria,” stressing that “at the health facility, there

Global child deaths down by almost half since 1990 –UN

T

he number of children dying yearly, worldwide, has reduced by a half since 1990, a new United Nations report has said.

The report was jointly released by the World Health Organization, WHO, the United Nations Children Fund, UNICEF and the World Bank Group recently.

According to the report, in 2012, approximately 6.6 million children died yearly while 18 000 died before reaching their fifth birthday. “This is roughly half the number of under-fives who died in 1990, when

more than 12 million children died,” the report said.

The report stated that about half of under-five deaths occur in only five countries around the world namely China, Democratic Republic of the Congo, India, Nigeria, and Pakistan. India and Nigeria, the report noted, account for more than one-third of global under-five deaths, contributing 22 and 13 percent respectively.

Leading causes of death among children aged less than five years include pneumonia, prematurity, birth asphyxia, diarrhoea and

malaria. Globally, about 45% of under-five deaths are linked to under-nutrition, the report said.

It stressed that new-born children are at high risk of death. “Care for motherandbabyinthefirst24hoursof any child’s life is critical for the health and wellbeing of both,” the report quoted WHO’s Director-General, Dr Margaret Chan saying. Chan stressed that “Up to half of all new-born deaths occur within the first day.”

The report urged that the lives of most of these babies could be saved if they had access to some basic health-care services, which it listed

to include skilled care during and after childbirth; inexpensive medicines such as antibiotics; and practices such as skin-to-skin contact between mothers and their new-born babies and exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life.

However, the low global average annual rate of reduction in under-five mortality might constitute a barrier to attaining the Millennium Development Goal four, which aims to reduce underfive mortality rate by two-thirds by 2015, according to the report.

A part of the report said: “Sub-

is inadequate skilled personnel and equipment for trauma care.”

He, also noted that a Level One trauma centre was yet to be operational in the country and that the ongoing Level One trauma centres at University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, UATH, Gwagwalada and National Hospital, both in Abuja, would assist in managing trauma cases in the country, when fully completed and commissioned.

The Minister added: “The Federal Ministry of Health is making several efforts towards reducing the burden of trauma in Nigeria. The latest of these efforts, which GE participated in as Advisors, was the development of a curriculum for the training of Paramedics in Nigeria. This cadre of care givers which hitherto had not been given the due recognition in the country will uplift pre-hospital trauma care and medical emergency response in general.

“The Curriculum was approved by the 56th National Council on Health. Having been adopted, it is my hope that every state in this country will key in, and use it as a stepping stone towards contributing to the emergence of a robust emergency response and trauma care system in Nigeria,” he stated.

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Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

What you should know about Genital Herpes (1) What it is • Genital herpes is an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus or HSV. It is a common contagious infection affecting primarily the genitals of men and women and is usually characterized by recurrent clusters of vesicles and sores (also called lesions) at the genital areas.

• There are two types of HSV – Herpes Simplex Type 1 (HSV-1) and Herpes Simplex Type 2 (HSV-2) and both can cause genital herpes. HSV type 1 most commonly infects the lips, causing sores known as fever blisters or cold sores, but it also can infect the genital area and produce sores. HSV type 2 is the usual cause of genital herpes, but it also can infect the mouth. Both HSV 1 and 2 can produce sores lesions in and around the vaginal area, on the penis, around the anal opening, and on the buttocks or thighs. Occasionally, sores also appear on other parts of the body where the virus has entered through broken skin.

• A person who has genital herpes infection can easily pass or transmit the virus to an unin-

CONTINUED FROM 19 • Arrange to be off from work for 2-3 days after the vasectomy.

(Many men schedule their procedure on a Friday, recuperate over the weekend and return to work on Monday).

• The day of the procedure, carefully shave all of the hair on the scrotum. (It is not necessary to shave the entire public area, only the scrotum.)

• Bring an athletic support (jock strap) that will support the scrotum and help hold the gauze in place after the procedure. These are available at

fected person during sex.

• Although genital herpes is not dangerous, it is a nuisance and can be emotionally traumatic, as there is no cure.

Incidence • It is not known how many Nigerians suffer the burden of genital herpes but the incidence has reached epidemic proportions in some countries where good medical records are kept.

In the U.S. for instance, no fewer than 500,000 cases are diagnosed each year. It has been reported that one in five American adults has herpes though only one third of those inflicted are aware that they have the virus. According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 45 million people in the United States ages 12 and older, or 1 out of 5 of the total adolescent and adult population, are infected with HSV-2.

Since the late 1970s, the number of people with genital herpes infection in the country is reported to have increased by 30 percent.

The largest increase is occurring in young teens. The Center for

Disease Control and Prevention also reveals that HSV-2 infection is more common in three of the youngest age groups which include people aged 12 to 39 years.

Also in New Zealand, statistics show that genital herpes affects one in five people.

How Genital Herpes is transmitted • Genital herpes is transmitted through sexual contact (vaginal, oral or anal sex) with someone who carries HSV. It used to be believed that transmission (passing it on) only occurred if herpes blisters or sores were present, however it is now known that transmission can occur when herpes blisters or sores are not present. This can occur in two situations: . People who have recurrent genital herpes (repeated episodes) can transmit the virus between recurrences (through asymptomatic shedding). This occurs on approximately 5% of days per year. . There are many people who are exposed to and infected by the virus but never develop any signs or symptoms of the infection.

1 2

These people carry and may ‘shed’ the virus from time to time without showing symptoms and in doing so may transmit the infection to their sexual partner if they have sex at that time. Up to 50% of people get HSV from partners who have no signs and symptoms of HSV and are unaware they have the infection.

• A person with genital herpes also can infect a sexual partner during oral sex. The virus is spread only rarely, if at all, by touching objects such as a toilet seat or hot tub.

• Transmission is caused by close oral, anal, or genital contact, including intercourse, masturbation, kissing, or any direct skin-to-skin contact which allows for the transfer of bodily fluids.

• A person is considered contagious when prodromal symptoms, active sores, and healing lesions are present.

• Herpes is potentially contagious when no symptoms are present. That is, a person who has genital herpes is potentially always shedding active virus.

• Approximately 1 in 6 members of the general infected population is thought to shed active virus occasionally without symptoms.

• Some people do not get typical blister-like sores but harbor active virus in their saliva, vaginal, or penile secretions, and can shed the virus without knowing they have herpes.

• Lesions can occur deep inside the vagina where they cannot be seen or felt, but can readily transmit the virus.

• An uninfected individual has about a 75% chance of contracting herpes during intimate contact with someone actively shedding virus..

• Auto-inoculation: An infected individual can spread the virus to other parts of his or her body by touching an area shedding virus and then touching, scratching, or rubbing another susceptible part of the body. Towels are especially conducive to this.

• Sometimes those who know they are infected spread the virus between outbreaks, when no signs or symptoms are present. This is

called “Asymptomatic Transmission.” Research also shows that herpes simplex infections are often spread by people who don’t know they are infected. These people may have symptoms so mild they don’t notice them at all or else don’t recognize them as herpes.Many genital herpes infections are spread from persons who are asymptomatic “Shedders” of the virus.

• For those who recognize their symptoms, asymptomatic transmission appears to be far less likely than spreading the virus when lesions are present. Many couples have had sexual relations for years without transmitting herpes. Some simply avoid having sexual contact when signs or symptoms are present. Others use condoms or other protection between outbreaks to help protect against asymptomatic shedding.

• Environmental surfaces like toilet seats may be a source of contagion, but there is no evidence that this poses a real threat to the general population. Experts differ as to how long the virus can survive on its own. The primary cause of infection remains intimate contact.

Symptoms of Genital Herpes • Unfortunately, most people who have genital herpes don’t know it because they never have any symptoms, or they do not recognize any symptoms they might have. When there are symptoms, they can be different in each person. Most often, when a person becomes infected with herpes for the first time, the symptoms will appear within 2 to 10 days and is usually most severe as the body’s immune system has not yet come into contact with the virus. These first episodes of symptoms usually last 2 to 3 weeks.

• Early symptoms of a genital herpes outbreak include - Itching or burning feeling in the genital or anal area - Pain in the legs, buttocks, or genital area - Discharge of fluid from the vagina - Feeling of pressure in the abdomen CONTINUED FROM NEXT WEEK

Vesectorny at a Glance most drug stores.

After the Vasectomy • Since you may experience some discomfort and/or swelling immediately after the procedure, we recommend that you arrange for someone to drive you home from the doctor’s office; however, if arranging for a driver is not feasible, you may drive yourself home.

• You may feel sore for a few days and should rest and avoid heavy lifting and exercising for three days.

• Men who have had vasectomies can return to normal ac-

tivities within 24 to 48 hours of the procedure. (Many men have the procedure on a Friday and return to work on Monday.)

• A man can resume sexual activity within a few days of the vasectomy, but he must use another form of birth control until a check of his semen shows no sperm are present, usually 15-20 ejaculations or 6 to 8 weeks after the vasectomy.

• After the requisite amount of time, the patient should bring a semen sample to any of our clinic locations. A urologist will review it to verify that there are

no sperm and that the vasectomy was successful.

• Men do not need to schedule an appointment or even wait at the clinic for the results of the semen analysis; however, since samples must be reviewed within two hours of ejaculation, please call our clinic the day you plan to bring in your specimen to ensure that a physician will be available to review it.

• Once the doctor has reviewed the sample, he will notify you of the results in person or via phone.

Reversal

• A vasectomy is intended to be a permanent procedure, and men should take this fact seriously when deciding whether to undergo the procedure.

• About 5% of men who have had a vasectomy later wish to have their procedure reversed.

• Surgery to reconnect the vas deferens is available, but success cannot be guaranteed.

• The success rate for a vasectomy reversal depends primarily on the length of time that has passed since the vasectomy.

Courtesy: Urology San Antonio

Wednesday, June 25, 12, 2013 2013 Wednesday, September

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23

Arts Lounge

There are few intellectual artistes in Nigeria –Jewel

WTD 2013: Travel journalist launches e-books

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Evolution of contemporary Nigerian photography EVERYBODY IS

The passing of iconic Nigerian photographer, Peter Oyeyemi Obe, on September 1, is akin to the end of an age in photography in the country.

He, it was, who covered the Nigerian Civil War, bringing the horror of the conflict to the eyes of the public. Contemporary Nigerian photography has come a long way since the late Obe froze those moments in Nigerian history.

CARRYING A CAMERA NOWADAYS AND IT’S BEAUTIFUL; THE

ONLY TRAGEDY IS THAT THERE IS NO INSTITUTION TO TRAIN THEM

TERH AGBEDEH

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mong new-age Nigerian photographers are: Uche James-Iroha, Yetunde Ayeni-Babaeko, TY Bello, Aderemi Adegbite, Chris Nwobu and Ade Adekola. There is even a longer list of young photographers out there today most of them household names not only in the country but also at notable museums abroad.

For instance, 10 Nigerians only just featured in a photo exhibition titled: ‘Go-Slow’, which closed on July 31 at the Skoto Gallery in New York. The statement from Skoto Gallery described the 10 as “Nigerian artists who are among a new generation of African photographers that explore unique visions, strong emotional and aesthetic perspectives to tell their own stories and challenge assumptions about the African continent”.

Indeed, photography has grown from the backwaters of the commercial photographer in the last couple of years to become artistic and one of the most recognised professions in Nigeria. Photographers like Tam Fiofori, Don Barber, Sunmi Smart-Cole and JD Okhai Ojekere, among others are to thank for this considering that they continued to soldier on through the lean years of photography.

These days, photographers are invited to take part in national exhibitions like President Goodluck Jonathan’s inaugural exhibition that showed works from Tam Fiofori, Don Barber and George Osodi. Their works have been auctioned like in the case of Kelechi Amadi-Obi at the reopening of Didi Museum last year in Lagos. Major collectors have also set their sights on the works of photographers making young people now more than ever before eager to get training from established photographers as well as the few institutions that have started to offer courses on the subject. There have been exhibitions, too, that have been entirely dedicated to photography or like

Duker

TY Bello’s iconic photograph of Nigeria’s 1st family

Sunmi Smart-Cole

Don Barber beside his works at the exhibition before the presidential inauguration in May.

the one at Signature and Beyond Gallery in Lagos curated by Mudi Yahaya, himself a photographer, which showed a lot of photographs. Titled: ‘Fresh Vernacular’, works from painters and mixed media artistes also featured.

A well-known comedian like Ali Baba has also ventured into photography and is working on a coffee table book, which have become popular with Smart-Cole launching one as well about two years ago. The new boom has made it easy for photojournalists, fashion photographers and photographers in other genres to make the switch to artistic photography or just plain get training to be better equipped at what they do. Photography even has an award these days called the Nigeria Photography Awards, an annual event which recognises and encourages the skill of outstanding Nigerian photog-

raphers.

One of the people many credit with heralding photography training in the country is Don Barber. Upon his return in 1992 from England where he had gone to train, he said he was moved by the fact that those who had practiced photography before him did not leave protégées behind.

“Naturally, where I was coming from, you did an internship when you graduated from school. You went to bob-a- job as an assistant with a top photographer because you learn more from a professional than from what you were taught in school.

On returning home, I thought I should go and see all the older photographers and understudy them. But each and every one of them I went to visit at the time told me ‘hey, son’, and they were pretty old. It was like ‘I’m ill and I’m going off to hospital in England. Son, you ought to go and start on

your own’,” he recalled.

He however insisted that photography has always been lucrative in Nigeria.

“I don’t know how many doctors in this country in the 1960s who drove a Rolls Royce. I don’t know of many successful lawyers, including Rotimi Williams, who had a Rolls Royce in the 1960s. Jacky Philips was a photographer and he drove one.

Or a car called Zephyr 6 then, it was one of the top cars in this country and Billy Rhodes drove one as far back as 1962/63.

Otunba Dotun Okubanjo, who was a photographer and had a studio on Broad Street in Lagos, drove a Mercedes Benz in 1962/63. How many doctors or lawyers had one? I mean, not ‘Tokunbo’ (second-hand) but ‘tear rubber’ (brand new)”, he said.

Barber however lamented that not one of the four major universities in Nigeria has a school offering photography as a course.

For Amadi-Obi, who first trained as a lawyer before fulfilling his lifelong dream of being an artist, there are still not enough good photographers to service the need for good imagery.

“There is a deluge of negative imagery out there and it’s defining the identity of Africa. It’s the definition of Africa wherever you go; the children with flies running around their noses, begging for food, about to die or somebody’s neck being chopped off. Or some explosion in Northern Nigeria; some Niger Delta militant with a mask and a gun”, he said.

He, however, agreed that there is a new frenzy for photography in Nigeria never before experienced.

“All of a sudden, we have doctors, lawyers, everybody, carrying a camera nowadays and it’s beautiful; the only tragedy is that there is no institution to train them,” he said.

There is even a Lagos Photo Festival organised by the African Artist’s Foundation, AAF since 2010. Said to be the first and only international arts festival of photography in Nigeria, it holds exhibitions, workshops, artist presentations, discussions and screenings. During the festival large scale outdoor prints are displayed throughout the city with the aim of reclaiming public spaces and the general public with multifaceted stories of Africa.

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Arts Lounge

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

The road to the film village

VOICES DELE OSAWE

SOME HAVE

H

.J. Whitley “The Father of Hollywood” did not approach Los Angeles (USA) authority for land donation neither was he a film producer by the time he was proposing to buy from E.C. Hurd the 500-acre ranch at Cahuenga Valley around Santa Monica Mountains Valley, later named Hollywood.

What H.J. Whitley had in mind was creating an enabling environment that would attract land buyers and other business-minded people.

In order to achieve this dream Whitley built and opened his Hollywood Hotel in1902. Though at this period the road passing through Hollywood was dusty and unpaved, it was regularly graded and gravelled, making it at least easily accessible. The conducive environment available at Hollywood attracted film producers and film stars which started the success story of the Hollywood district near Los Angeles city.

Film production started in Nigeria in 1948 with the establishment of colonial values. With the attainment of independence in 1960, the structure of film production took a new turn by restructuring anything that was related to colonialism.

Unfortunately, commercial films distribution and exhibition were in the hands of foreigners. As a result the Nigerian audience was exposed to American cowboy films, European films and Indian films.

The indigenous film production companies came into force with the emergence of Latola Films, Francis Oladele Films, Calpenny Nigeria Ltd. and others.

The first notable Nigerian film which came out in 1970 was Kongi’s Harvest based on Wole Soyinka’s play which was produced by Francis Oladele for Calpenny Nigeria Ltd. and directed by Ossie Davies an AfricanAmerican. The film featured Wole Soyinka, Rasheed Onikoyi, Banjo Solaru, Femi Johnson, Dapo Adelugba, Wale Ogunyemi, Gbemi Sodipo, Pa Orlando

CONVERTED THE LAND ACQUIRED FROM GOVERNMENT IN THE NAME OF ONE GUILD OR THE OTHER FOR

FILM VILLAGE, INTO THEIR PERSONAL PROPERTY

Osawe

Martins and other artistes.

The success of Kongi’s Harvest paved way for other indigenous feature films such as Bullfrog in the Sun (adaptation of Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe) by Calpenny 1971; Ajani Ogun (1975) by Afrocult (Ola Balogun); Dinner with the Devil (1975)

by Starline film (Sanya Dosunmu and Wole Amele); Countdown at Kusini 1976

by Ladi Ladebo; Bisi Daughter of the River (1977) by Cine Venture (Jab Adu); Rise and Fall of Dr. Oyenusi (1977) by Edifosa Films (Eddie Ugbomah); Aiye (1979) by Ogunde Films (Chief Hubert Ogunde); Jagunlabi (1983) by Yemi Meshioye and Sunday Ossai films; Ireke Onibudo (1983), Benton Films (Adebayo Aderounhmu); Papa Ajasco (1984) Ikebe Super Organisation (Wale Adenuga); Ojiji (1985) by Jide Kosoko and Gbegede Gbina (1988) by Cosmic Film, to mention a few.

All these films were shot on Nigerian locations. The success story of all these films gave birth to video film explosion that has given Nigeria a prominent position in the world of film production. It is uncommon to have a permanent structure for film because it is the script or the story of the film

that dictates the type of sets needed for a film project. You can have a space to erect your structure which will be dismantled at the end of the film project or retained for tourist attraction if the film is a huge box office success.

It is quite interesting to note that various state governments and also the federal government are now willing to assist the film industry by donating land for film villages and Naira in billions.

To the best of my knowledge, donation of land and Naira should not be chosen as a way to help the industry; rather a conducive environment should be created for film makers.

In Lagos State, there are five administrative divisions namely –Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Eko (Lagos) and Epe. Some of these divisions have not hosted film makers in their rural areas which are seen as conducive for film locations.

However, some of the villages that are still playing host to film producers are as follows: Badagry: Ajara (a collection of villages –Ajara Topa, Ajara Vhedo, Ajara Agamade, Ajara Taylor etc), Odan group of villages –(Soba, Onireke etc), Agarin, Ahanve, Ipota, Iyagbe, Itoga, Ropoji, Tafi-Awori etc.

Eko (Lagos): Takwa Bay, Mayegun, Ogombo, Ikate Elegushi, Ajiran, Langbasa, Igbo-Ejo (Snake Island), IgboEfon, Okun Ibeju, Ogoyo, Ado, Tomaro, Ilasan and Ado, etc.

Ikorodu: Egbin, Igbogbo, Igbalu, Majidun, Oreta, Ijede, Odogunyan, Isiu,

MEMORABLE READS

SAMMY SAGE HASSAN Performance poet, author What book are you reading at the moment?

I’m reading The Jewish Phenomenon by Steven Silbiger, I try to read serious books o! And Frank McCourt’s Angela’s Ashes.

How did you get introduced to reading?

My mother introduced me to books when I was very young and forced me to go to libraries when I was a teenager.

I will credit her wholly for sowing the seeds of literature.

She passed in July and I’m still very distraught over her passing. I miss her so much; love is stronger than death.

Who is your favourite author

of all time?

I doubt that I have a favourite author of all time -I’m still looking for the perfect book I guess that’s why. But I admire Wole Soyinka the most amongst all writers I have ever known.

What is your favourite book?

Like I said, I am looking for the perfect literary work yet. But I must say a small book called The Master Plan has stuck in my head. I love Chicken Soup, the Greatest Salesman in the World and then there is Acres of Diamonds.

How big is your library?

I have a rotating library. I give books out as much as I get them -I want people to read. I find it hard re-reading a book. I have to wait years so in the interim someone else can have the pleasure.

Igbokuta, Ewu-Elepe, Baiyeku, Itowolo, Ibese, Ebute, Ipakodo, Gberigbe, Ofin, Maya Adio, Erikorodo and Igbalu, Ogin, etc.

Ikeja: Isheri-Oshun, Isheri-Olofin, Meran, Suberu Oje, Egan, Ayobo, Igando, Isheri-Oke, Agboyi, Shasha, Aboru, Olota, Ijegun, Ejigbo, Iju, Abesan, Abule Onigbagbo and Abule Egba, etc.

Epe: Poka, Tiye, Okun Igando-Orudu, Bogije, Igbesibi and Igbolomi, Idado, Iberekodo, Ibeju-Lekki, Naforija, Odoragunsin, Kayetoro, Eleko, Akodo, Magbon, Alade Okun-Folu, OrugboIddo, Apawa, Ode-Ifa, Orimedu, Olomowewe, Origanrigan, Ejinrin, Otolu, Ita-Oko and Osoroko, etc.

All these villages that are accommodating film makers are automatically film villages. So, what film villages are we clamouring for? What film makers should be requesting state/federal government to do is provide facilities that will help these villages to build an environment more suited to attracting investors as the residents of Hollywood did at the inception of film history in Cahuenga Valley (now Hollywood). Government should encourage businessminded people to invest in hotels, supermarkets/plaza, gas fuelling stations, recreation centres, modes of transportation (land, water ways and railway), real estate with quick approval for C of O (Certificate of Occupancy) and an encouraging tax programme for business ventures in these villages. And most importantly, regular supply of electricity.

It is quite disheartening that many people have approached government and individuals with beautiful proposals for film villages in which those who have acquired land through this approach have not been able to show Nigerians the film village of our dream.

Rather, some have converted the land acquired from government in the name of one guild or the other for film village, into their personal property.

Veteran thespian Dele Osawe played ‘Teacher Fadele’ in popular 80s NTA Soap Series, Village Headmaster.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

ARTISTE UNCENSORED

25

MIDWEEK JUMP LTF 2014 calls for original stories about Lagos

A

Jewel

There are few intellectual artistes in Nigeria –Jewel The creative industry in Nigeria is about to see the debut of a talented young man, Jewel Fitila, who is ready to showcase his dexterity and vastness in music, poetry, creative writing and painting. Jewel Fitila is set to unveil his first music album entitled Beautiful.

OLAYIWOLA AWAKAN

I COMPOSE SONGS

J

WITH A LEVEL OF

ewel Fitila has been observing the creative industry – particularly the gospel music scene – for years and in the process getting equipped with techniques to meet up with global standards and reach out to people hungry for soul-stirring music.

But apart from being a musician, Jewel is a poet, artiste, dramatist, novelist, composer, orator and a civil servant with the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency, LASAA. The graduate of Mass Communications from Olabisi Onabanjo University, OOU, Ogun State hails from Ilaje in Ondo State of Nigeria.

Oddly, Jewel Fitila is not a pseudonym or stage name, but the artiste’s real name which he plans to make into a brand. According to him, the reason is in the uniqueness and universality of the name. “To my surprise I found out that Fitila means lantern in Hausa and Yoruba and I have a Mexican friend who confirms that it means light in her language”.

Jewel started to express himself creatively from secondary school. “I think the concept of creativity is something that is resident and inborn. I have been able to find various medium like music, prose, poetry, painting and other forms to express my innermost gift. I started out as a rap artiste in secondary school and as I got older, I saw rap as being childish. Then I started expressing myself in R’n’B. Then, I found out that there was this soulful sound that comes out in singing, so I graduated into Soul music”, he said.

Challenges are part of the creative process especially for multi-talented

CONSCIOUSNESS THAT

I MUST REACH

OUT TO PEOPLE WHO LISTEN TO MY ALBUM people and the singer talks about ways he deals with such: “No matter how eloquent or well read you are, there are certain times that one may stutter in trying to express some certain things. I have a lot of challenges when it comes to expressing my own works of art. The challenge is reading out to emphathise with people I am trying to connect with because I know that my work of art is not just for me”.

In communicating his art to the world, Jewel has successfully metamorphosed over the years from one genre of art to several others. He disclosed that at each point, he searched for more medium of expression; however, now, Jewel believes that music is strong enough to express whatever level of creativity he has.

“Going by my background, the Ilaje people sing very well because they are highly religious. So, back then, singing was just a normal thing. But as I grew, the conscious thing that I found myself doing was expressing my art through drawing. Later, I discovered that I was not satisfied and then I started with literary works. That was when I started acknowledging the fact that as a poet, I can express myself in different medium.

From poetry, I graduated to writing novels, science fictions and so many other things. At the climax of it, I realised that

I have this beautiful tonality that I can sing. So, I decided to bring my poetry into sound by consciously writing songs and creating rhythms with it. That is where the concept of my music came into existence”.

The creative young man has employed a unique style for his music.

“When I started music, style was not something I was conscious of, all I wanted was just to express myself. Also, I was not really into the Nigeria’s kind of music because most things about the music did not captivate me. I found out that majority lack creativity; there are very few artistes who are able to express themselves intellectually. When I gave my life to Christ, I found out that there are ways I can express my poetry than just writing poems, then I started writing songs. In the process of writing those songs, I called my consciousness to the fact that I am an African and then I thought of inculcating that African nature into my music. I decided to create African flavour in my music to give it a kind of identification of where I am from. I developed a lot of music tones by using my Ilaje indigenous language.

Categorically my music is Soul with African flavour in it. So, it is Gospel Soul”, he said.

Jewel Fitila reveals why his debut album, “Beautiful” is unique. “I compose songs with a level of consciousness that I must reach out to people who listen to my album. I can say that what I am presenting to the world right now is something that is unique and worth the wait”.

The 12-tracks album produced by Ghoof is themed on rapture, courage, encouragement, the ephemeral nature of life, destiny and hope. After music, a science fiction novel and an art exhibition are in the pipeline for the artiste.

head of the 2014 Lagos Theatre Festival, LTF, British Council Nigeria is calling on creative writers to be part of creating a new world-class play by sharing their story that is inspired by experiences in the city of Lagos.

Judges will be looking out for stories that are original, exciting and true to the dramatic and constantly energetic nature of the city of Lagos. Four stories will be chosen and adapted into four plays which will be performed by both local and international theatre companies at LTF. Rules: All entries must be written in prose style capturing the essence of living in Lagos (already written plays are not acceptable), typed double spaced and contain between 300 and 1000 words.

These stories could be set from experiences in a restaurant, bar/beer parlour, a class room, in a bus or in an open field, a church, an art gallery, a gate house and a car park. It must not have been previously published or entered for any competition.

The competition is open to both professional and non-professional writers; only one entry per person is allowed. Stories will be selected based on simplicity and originality. Entry is online at British Council Nigeria website. All entries should include name, age, sex and contact details (phone number and email address). Receipt of stories will end on October 2 and winning entries will be announced on October 14.

Commonwealth short story prize accepts entries

T

he 2014 edition of the Commonwealth Short Story Prize will open for entry on October 1 and close on November 30. Entry is via the online application form at www.commonwealthwriters.org. The judges, who reflect the five regions of the Commonwealth, will be announced on October 1.

The Short Story Prize is awarded for the best piece of unpublished short fiction (2000-5000 words). Regional winners of the 2014 Commonwealth Short Story Prize will receive £2,500 and the Overall Winner will receive £5,000. Translators will receive additional prize money.

Commonwealth Writers said it has refocused its prizes to concentrate only on the short story as it will no longer offer the Commonwealth Book Prize.

The Commonwealth Short Story Prize is part of Commonwealth Writers, the cultural initiative from the Commonwealth Foundation. Commonwealth Writers develops the craft of individual writers and builds communities of emerging voices which can influence the decision-making processes affecting their lives. The Prize aims to identify talented writers who will go on to inspire their local communities.

This edition will be chaired by Ellah Allfrey, Deputy Chair of the Council of the Caine Prize and previously Deputy Editor of **Granta** and Senior Editor at Jonathan Cape, Random House.

The prize enables writers to enter from countries where there is little or no publishing industry. Authors writing in languages other than English are also able to enter stories translated into English. The Prize unearths and promotes the best new writing from across the Commonwealth, developing literary connections worldwide.

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Arts Lounge

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FAR AND NEAR

WTD 2013: Travel journalist launches e-books ADENRELE NIYI

• As writers, La Campagne Tropicana partner to commemorate the day

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giving birth to the enthralling collection in “Tour of Duty”. With “Nigerian Festivals”, he celebrates the rich, exotic and diverse culture in Nigeria and Nigerians.

“At a time when the world is used to being fed with lots of negative news about Nigeria, Nigeria needs to encourage the publication of more travel-based literature”, Awofeso asserts. “The two books show some of the absorbing sights and stories that make Nigeria a go-to destination for both domestic and foreign tourists”.

In related news, the Association of Nigerian Journalists and Writers of Travel and Tourism, ANJET, and La Campagne Tropicana Group are partnering to organise the 2013 WTD. The theme of the annual event which will be celebrated in many other countries around the world is “Tourism and Water: Protecting our Common Future”.

As the most important international observance day for tourism, WTD 2013 is

o mark this year’s World Tourism Day celebrations holding on Friday, September 27, award-winning travel writer, Pelu Awofeso has launched the e-versions of his travels books; Tour of Duty: Journeys around Nigeria and Sketches of Everyday Life and Nigerian Festivals: The Famous and not so Famous.

Both titles have been available in print over the years but travel book lovers can now get them in the electronic form. “I have opted for a 21st Century approach to book publishing, which is the e-book”, Awofeso, winner 2010 CNN/MultiChoice African Journalist Awards (Tourism), says. “What this means simply is that there are no physical inconveniences of any kind –the books can be bought at the click of a mouse and from anywhere in the world”.

In 2009, with just a backpack and a camera, Awofeso crisscrossed 18 states in eight months in his ‘Underbelly’ project,

Fund-raising exhibition for ailing artist NGOZI EMEDOLIBE

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here is a ray of hope for renowned painter, Oyerinde Olotu, who has been hospitalised for stroke since May. The Nike Art Gallery, Lekki, Lagos, will on Tuesday, October 1, open an exhibition and art auction tagged “Save the life of Olotu”, to raise money for his treatment. The exhibition will be held at the Nike Art Gallery, Oba Elegushi Road, Lekki-Lagos.

At the exhibition, works of various artists like paintings, pottery, metal sculpting, print designs and etchings will be displayed. Other highlights of the exhibition will include auctioning of some of Olotu’s recent paintings to raise fund for the ailing painter.

“After thinking of what to do to help the painter, I decided to that the artist’s family and contemporaries should come together to stage this exhibition and auction for him”, said Okundaye.

According to Mrs. Okundaye, the fight to save Olotu started

‘Isale Eko’ by Olotu

with the efforts which her Gallery has initiated since the artist was hit by a deadly stroke early this year. She said her gallery had earlier taken some personal initiative through which the artist has been assisted but more is needed.

Okundaye revealed that the exhibition and art auction will be graced by curators, collectors and artists from diverse fields who have extolled the efforts at organising the show.

Olotu, currently lying critically ill at one of the private hospitals in Lagos, is expected to receive better treatment at a specialised stroke hospital where the physicians have promised that he can walk again. The artist is also enthusiastic about the plans to resuscitate him.

“I want to live and accomplish more for the creative arts and to enjoy God’s free gift of walking”, he said.

A graduate of YABATECH, Olotu was the best graduating students at the school.

His last solo exhibition titled, “This Lagos, A Canvass” was held at Nike Gallery in 2012.

a worldwide platform to underscore tourism’s responsibility and commitment in ensuring a sustainable water future.

In line with the global theme, the event will hold at the La Campagne Beach Resort, Ikegun, Lagos. Activities will include talks on environmental sustainability and tourism. The high-point of activities at the event will be “Message in a Bottle” that will be sent through the ocean canvassing for a more concerted efforts by all in protecting the environment.

According to ANJET, the choice of La Campagne Tropicana Resort is to highlight the quest for sustainability and best practices in the management of resorts and other eco-tourist sites and destinations the country.

Speaking on the celebration of WTD and Nigeria’s quest to be among the top destinations in Africa, the President of La Campagne Tropicana Group and initiator of Motherland Beckons, Otunba Wanle Akin-

boboye said the celebration would once again offer the country the opportunity for a circumspective reflection on efforts so far made in tourism in Nigeria and the need to do more. He re-echoed the assertion that tourism is capable of surpassing oil in revenue generation for the Nigeria.

Glo Evergreen’ll uplift African Music –Obey

Obey

ADENRELE NIYI

O

ne of traditional African music legends, Chief Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi has described the “Glo Evergreen Series” as a fantastic development and an opportunity for the younger generation of music artistes to learn from the legends, thus up-

lifting the African music industry.

The “Glo Evergreen Series” takes off with the Juju music maestro, Commander Ebenezer Obey, star rapper, M.I. Abaga and celebrated saxophonist, Yemi Sax on Saturday, September 28 at Intercontinental Hotel, Lagos.

According to Ebenezer Obey, “Glo Evergreen Series has opened another vista in the entertainment industry which will uplift Africa. Through the platform, living legends will have an opportunity to mentor the young ones and improve the quality of contemporary music on the continent”.

The music exponent praised Globacom for introducing the evergreen series. “Globacom Chairman, Dr. Mike Adenuga, is a man of honour and integrity, who has contributed immensely to the growth of our economy through creation of jobs for

Ekiti to take 100 students to AABF TERH AGBEDEH

S

tudents of tertiary institutions who hail from Ekiti State can attend the Ake Arts and Book Festival, AABF, taking place in Abeokuta, Ogun State for free courtesy of their state government.

The one-day online registration process will commence at noon on October 3 on the festival’s website organisers of the event have said. Following verification, the names of the approved students will be available on the website on November 1.

The 100 lucky students will not only receive a full one-day pass to attend events at the three-day festival (November 22-24), they

will receive a travel stipend and N20,000 in book tokens which can only be spent at the AABF book fair where they will find a large variety of books on literature, philosophy, anthropology, history, sociology, cultural studies and other fields of study.

Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, said this is an opportunity for students from the state to be inspired by the guests that have been invited to speak at the festival.

“Effective scholarship demands that students have books that broaden their horizons, yet academic texts can be very difficult to access in Nigeria. I am confident that our students, especially those in the humanities, will find books at the festi-

many Nigerians”, he said.

Obey described the duo of M.I. and Yemi Sax as young artistes with appreciable following, who would add value to the music industry with their messages.

“Glo Evergreen Series” is a special music concert packaged by telecommunication company, Globacom to honour outstanding African musicians who have contributed immensely to the growth and development of the continent’s music industry for decades.

Globacom is collaborating with two top Nigerian companies, brewery giants, Nigerian Breweries and top notch Nigerian Airline, Arik Air to celebrate African musical legends and icons.

Globacom said the series will be staged in different parts of the country with each edition featuring different music legends collaborating with highly rated musicians. val that will make their learning experience more meaningful”, the governor said.

The Communications Manager of the organising body, Book Buzz Foundation, Lara Adekoya said; “AABF is going to be a world class event featuring panel discussions, master classes, workshops, performances, stage plays, book chats, film screenings, music concert, art exhibition, book fair, poetry readings and talks by Nigerian and international, authors, thinkers, actors, dancers, and activists”.

The festival, a celebration of cultural, artistic and literary events, is supported by The World Bank, Chevron, the British Council, Goethe-Institute, British Airways, Channels TV, and the Ogun State Government, Miles Morland Foundation (UK), Arcadia Group (UK) and many others.

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Wednesday, September 25, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

We certainly cannot afford to take Ethiopia for granted after they have come this far

Keshi, our saving grace –Auta

29

- FORMER NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL, MUTIU ADEPOJU

Enyeama is world-class –FIFA

…NFF pledges on updating keepers’ trainers

A

n instructor with the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA), Louis Crayton, yesterday, in Abuja rated Super Eagles’ goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, as one of the best goalkeepers Africa has.

Crayton gave the rating in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the ongoing FIFA Member Associations (MA) Goalkeeping Course at the Abuja National Stadium.

He said Nigeria was one of the few countries which have goalkeepers playing for foreign clubs, and Enyeama has also proven himself to be one of Africa’s finest.

“Nigeria is one of the countries which have goalkeepers in foreign clubs, such as Lille FC of France where Enyeama is, and Hapoel Be’er Sheva in Israel where Austin Ejide is.

“Enyeama is also one of the best, if not the best goalkeeper

Enyeama

C’wealth Games: NSC assures NSCDC athletes JOEL AJAYI ABUJA

D

irector-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, has disclosed that the Ministry of Sports would sponsor two athletes from the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to the next Commonwealth Games.

The sports fiesta which is slated for Glasgow, Scotland in 2014 will feature athletes from all over the Commonwealth of Nations.

Elegbeleye said this yesterday in Abuja at a meeting with Commandant General of the NSCDC, Dr. Ade Abolurin, at the NSCDC Headquarters.

The DG stated that the management of the NSC decided to make the offer in recognition of the role

the organisation was playing in the development of sports in Nigeria.

“There is no singular organisation like the NSCDC that has contributed tremendously to the growth and development of sports in Nigeria in recent time,” Elegbeleye said, adding that the NSCDC is one of the greatest employers of sportsmen in Nigeria.

While pledging the continued support of the NSC to the NSCDC for its contribution to the advancement of the fortunes of sports in Nigeria, the DG used the occasion to call on corporate bodies to support sports development, maintaining that government alone cannot fund sports.

Elegbeleye later presented “Award of Excellence” to the Commandant for his relentless efforts to the development of sports in Nigeria.

in Africa,” Crayton, who was a former Liberian national team goalkeeper, said.

He said the aim of the course was to improve goalkeeping skills of the coaches who would then pass on the knowledge to players.

Crayton however, acknowledged that Nigeria has talent which just needed to be nurtured and developed.

The course which began on Monday will end on September 28, with 10 national team goalkeeper trainers and 20 club trainers attending.

Meanwhile, Nigeria Football Association (NFF) has pledged to create resources to complement the efforts of FIFA in developing Nigerian football.

President Aminu Maigari, while declaring open the FIFA (MA) Goalkeeping Course, said this was to ensure human capacity development in football.

“As a federation, we will continue to make resources avail-

Glo League: Rangers vow to beat ABS for Martins

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nugu Rangers could be without injured Chibuzor Madu, Ousmane Pape Sane and Cyril Oriaku for today’s league clash at home to ABS. But have vowed to win for their late kit manager, Segun Martins.

Madu, fresh from a failed move to Turkey, is nursing a muscle sprain; Ousmane has a knock around the ankle and Oriaku is recovering from a muscle sprain.

Meanwhile, Rangers’ captain, Godwin Ayalogu, has restated that the team has vowed to win the Week 34 league match against ABS in honour of departed kit manager, Martins.

The experienced shot stopper stated that the team are driven to beat ABS for Martins.

“Segun was one of us and we will surely miss him for his jokes, diligence and general approach to life. We have resolved to ensure that ABS are completely annihilated as a mark of respect for him,” Ayalogu told MTNFootball.com.

“It is not as if we are underrating our opponents, but we are double charged to do this for our

departed friend.

“Segunde or Oshodo as Martins is also known will always want us to win matches both home and away and that is what we want to give to him.”

Martins, who hails from Ogun State and has worked for The Flying Antelopes’ for over 20 years, died of kidney-related infections last weekend in an Enugu hospital.

He is expected to be buried at a later date after due consultation between the club management and family members of the late kit manager, camp commandant and chief store keeper.

Ayalogu

able to continue to complement that of FIFA. This is to ensure that we constantly have these kinds of FIFA courses for human capacity development and the critical sector of the game of football,” Maigari said.

He said the course could not have come at a better time than when the NFF was determined to develop football.

“We are all aware that in spite of the quality of good players in the other departments of football, if the quality of a goalkeeper is poor, the team can experience an embarrassing defeat.”

Crayton commended the NFF for embracing the vision, saying “Africa has talent, but lack technical ability, and this is what the course will correct.”

Responding on behalf of the coaches, a former national team goalkeeper, David Ngodigha, said the course would mean a turnaround for good in Nigerian football.

‘No state of emergency in Nigerian football’

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he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has voided a ‘state of emergency’ purportedly declared by the League Management Company (LMC) and the Club Owners on Nigeria football.

The LMC, with support of managers of the Premier League clubs, had ‘declared’ a ‘state of emergency’ in the domestic game as the bodies countenance the final weeks of the Premier League season.

But speaking in Abuja yesterday, NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, decried the statement and said categorically that “there is no situation in Nigeria football to warrant the decla-

ration of a ‘state of emergency’.

“It was a wrong move by the LMC and the Club Owners. If there is a state of emergency in Nigeria football, it is the duty and responsibility of the NFF to alert the public and the world at large.

“It is not within the purview of the LMC to declare a ‘state of emergency’, which is not, in the first place, backed by any incidences or situation. We did not inaugurate the LMC to serve as an alternate NFF. “There are better ways to deal with expected situations than being alarmist.

Nigeria football is very much at peace and I can confirm that,” Maigari stated.

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Sport Tit bits...

Bale Manchester United Manager, David Moyes, has refused to comment on claims from Real Madrid President Florentino Perez that United made a massive late bid for Gareth Bale.

“If I was I wouldn’t tell you,” Moyes said yesterday.

“We don’t talk about it because we only talk about the players we think there is a reason to talk about and I wouldn’t comment on that.”

Iniesta

The father of Andres Iniesta, Jose Antonio, expects his son to signa new deal with Barcelona.

“Andres wants to stay,” dad said yesterday.

“Anyone who knows him to have spent 18 years at Barcelona shouldn’t doubt his words as I believe he is still vital to Barcelona’s style of play.”

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Suarez gets pundit’s hail

‘We’ll wait for Kaka’

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C Milan Vice President, Adriano Galliani, insists there is no longterm fitness concerns for returnee midfielder Kaka.

The Brazil international is currently sidelined with a leg strain.

“It was an idea to sign him when Kevin-Prince Boateng left and we believe he will serve our cause,” Galliani said yesterday.

“The physical tests were positive as he has always been in our hearts.

“He’s not what he was a few years ago, but physically is similar to ten years ago. I’m not afraid. He will not do poorly in this new experience with the Rossoneri.”

F

Madrid hints on Casillas axe

Torres

Barcelona is reported to be keeping tabs on Chelsea striker, Fernando Torres.

Alongside Juan Mata and Cesar Azpilicueta, Torres has been frozen out by Manager Jose Mourinho since the start of the season.

Torres and Mata would be priority January targets, while Azpilicueta would also be considered should Martin Montoya refuse to sign a new contract.

Moyes

Manchester United Manager, David Moyes, admits the derby thrashing at Manchester City was a shock.

“It’s gone and I can’t do anything about it. It shocked me but when you have been a manager as long as I have you do get shocks.

“I am still learning about players and I will no doubt learn more this week after what happened.”

Moreno Manchester United is tracking Sevilla fullback Alberto Moreno.

The left-sided defender is being trailed by United scouts as Manager David Moyes seeks a new left-back signing for January.

Moreno was linked with Real Madrid last month when Fabio Coentrao, ironically a late summer market target for United, was seeking a move away. The Spain U21 international is a product of Sevilla’s youth system.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ootball pundit, Phil Thompson, says Luis Suarez will seem like a new signing for Liverpool, even though it’s hard to forgive the player’s actions.

The Uruguayan striker is expected to go straight into the team for tonight’s Capital One Cup clash at Manchester United after completing his 10-game suspension for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic last April.

The former Liverpool captain feels Suarez’s return will give the Reds some impetus following their weekend defeat to Southampton.

“I’m quite sure he will be in that starting line-up at Old Trafford and I think it adds that value. This one is extra special because of Luis Suarez,” Thompson said.

Casillas

R Kaka

eal Madrid President, Florentino Perez, has refused to rule out selling Iker Casillas in January.

While Perez says his departure midseason would be difficult, the president could not definitively say such a shock sale could not happen.

“It is very difficult for me to see Casillas leaving in December,” he said yesterday.

“For all he has done and his history, he is the best goalkeeper in the world. But we have two great goalkeepers at the club and surely, there will always be fans who support one or the other.”

Arsenal and Manchester City are in contact with Casillas’ camp about his situation at Madrid and the prospect of moving to England during the winter transfer window.

Suarez

RVP out of Reds’ meeting

Capello in De Rossi claims

anchester United striker, Robin van Persie, is set to miss the club’s Capital One Cup clash with Liverpool today but has an outside chance of returning this weekend.

Van Persie was a surprise absentee from the United team that was thrashed 4-1 by Manchester City on Sunday and it was revealed later he was struggling with a groin injury.

“I don’t think he will play on Wednesday (today),” Moyes said yesterday.

The game also marks the return of Liverpool striker Luis Suarez after a 10-match ban for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic, but Moyes would not be drawn on his return.

“It means Liverpool have got a really good player,” he admitted.

“Does it change the complexion of the game? I am not looking at Liverpool too much. I just know Luis has got very good qualities.”

ussia Coach, Fabio Capello, yesterday claimed that Manchester United Manager, David Moyes, asked him about Roma and Italy midfielder Daniele De Rossi.

United was linked with a move for De Rossi during the summer transfer window as Moyes looked to bolster his midfield options.

Capello however said Moyes did seek his expert opinion on his fellow Italian having worked with him during his time in charge with the Giallorossi.

The former England manager also revealed that if he was De Rossi he would have pushed for a move to Old Trafford.

“If I were Daniele, I would have wanted to go to a club where the ambition is very high,” Capello said.

R

M

van Persie

De Rossi

Black offer th

W

atf Gi sa to be named makers’ fav Paolo Di Ca manager.

Di Canio Sunday follo to the season take only on Premier L only hours ground inq day’s 3-0 def Kevin B pointed ca but Zola has with former Roberto Di M Tony Pulis a Zola is h tioned as a is also focu Watford.

“Of cour that I have but I am r here and li ing,” the Ita Di Canio forced after derland play the club abo to reports.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

A FOLABI GAMBARI

T

ford Manager, ianfranco Zola, ays he is flattered d among the bookvourites to succeed anio as Sunderland

rse, I am flattered e been considered really happy over ike what I am doalian said. o’s axing was enr some senior Sunyers complained to out him, according

29

Ex-Olympians unfold development plan

Cats’ hrills Zola

o was sacked on owing a poor start n that saw the club ne point from five eague games-and s after a training quest into Saturfeat at West Brom.

Ball has been aparetaker manager s been linked along r Chelsea manager Matteo, Gus Poyet, and Alex McLeish. happy to be mencontender, but he used on his job at

Sport

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Auta

Keshi, our saving grace –Auta Sunshine Stars’ striker, Philip Auta, says Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi, has revolutionized Nigerian football with the invitation of the domestic league players to the national team.

The former Wikki Tourists and Enyimba player spoke to MTNFootball.com on his plan for his new club and prospects for venturing to Europe How do you feel to have scored the only goal that gave your team Sunshine Stars all three points against Sharks on Sunday?

It was a great experience for me. I am happy with the feat and give God the glory.

I had scored a goal that was disallowed earlier in the game and so to then get another goal in the same game was great.

What happened to your first goal that was disallowed?

The referee accepted the goal, but his assistant referee disagreed.

You have played for three different clubs in the last two years…

You have to be happy where you work because that would make the work a lot easier.

So, when you can’t find happiness in a place, it is best you leave and that has been my story.

Sunshine Stars FC is your fourth club in Nigeria thus far. Which is your best among the pack?

It has to be Enyimba. I was there for three years during which I won the league title, Federation Cup and we reached the semi-final of the CAF Champions League. I am now at Sunshine Stars, who I joined in mid-season, and so far everything here is going well.

But unlike previous seasons, Sunshine is struggling to

match its high standards this season…

It is true, but we will get to the top. Looking at the difference in terms of points between the clubs is not much and we are seventh on the table now. I believe with the remaining games, we could get to the top. No team is sure of winning the title or continental ticket yet.

Have you had any experience in Europe?

Yes, I travelled to Ajax Amsterdam for trials in 2007, but it didn’t work out. I believe I will be back in Europe soon for good.

What do you think of Stephen Keshi’s disposition to home-based players for spots in the Super Eagles?

That is the best thing to have happened to home-based players. I feel great with the opportunity given to the players in the league to play for the Super Eagles. That has improved the Nigeria league because every player now gives his best so that he could get a chance to play for Eagles. Keshi has given us a real sense of belonging.

What are your targets for this season?

Personally, I want to score five, six goals. I wish to help my team get continental ticket which is still possible as there are five games to be played.

he Nigerian International Athletes Association (NIAA) has scheduled October 5 for the hosting of its annual Award Dinner and Fund Raising as part of activities to mark the annual conference at the Double Tree Hotel, Hilton JFK in New York.

Organisers said yesterday that the 2013 conference, which would be opened on October 4 and which aimed at aiding sports development in Nigeria, would be a melting point of activity where diplomats, government and sports officials from Nigeria, USA and Europe will be in attendance.

“Professor Adefuye will chair the 2013 event,” NIAA’s Public Relations Officer and former Nigerian and African record holder in 110m Hurdles, Dr. Godwin Obasogie, confirmed.

Founded in 1982 after the death of star athlete, Dele Udoh, NIAA is reputed to have helped the needy realise their dreams

for good education as well as sporting careers.

Obasogie, who was member of the 1976 Nigerian Track and Field Olympic Team, said it was imperative for public-spirited Nigerians to aid the NIAA to accomplish its desire for the outgoing year.

“On our part, we have solicited and procured considerable sports equipment now awaiting shipment to Nigeria,” the PRO revealed.

“Over the years, we have done well to aid education and sport development, including renovating the premises of St. Jude’s College (now known as Holy Trinity College in Calabar).

“We are determined to do even more this year and that is why we are calling on individuals and Corporate Nigeria to support our initiative of giving back to the society.”

Mr. Harrison Salami is the incumbent President of the NIAA while former sprinters Chidi Imoh and Airat Bakare-Adejobi areVice President and Secretary respectively.

Bishaw

Brazil 2014: ‘How Ethiopia ’ll edge Nigeria’

E

thiopia’s defender, Alulu Girma, yesterday said that the Walya Antelopes hope to beat Super Eagles in Addis Ababa on October 12 and fight in the return leg in Calabar on November 16 to win the Brazil 2014 ticket.

“We must make sure that we get a good win in Addis Ababa and finish it off in Nigeria,” Girma, who plies his trade at Addis Ababa club, Saint George, said .

According to the defender, the starstudded Eagles are wrong to believe it will be an easy game when both teams clash next month in the African qualifier final play-offs.

“We have been together for a while now and have played so many games both in the World Cup qualifiers and Africa Nations Championship qualifiers,” he said.

Ethiopia will take encouragement with its first and only defeat of Nigeria in a 1994 Nations Cup qualifier in Addis Ababa where the Eagles fell 1-0 but trashed the East Africans 6-0 in the return leg in Lagos.

Nigeria has won four other meetings, while two other matches ended in draws.

Nigeria Cup: 25 golf pros chase N3m AFOLABI GAMBARI

O

rganisers of the Nigeria Cup 2013 have said that the N3m prize for the annual tournament will be contested for by 25 golfers in the Professional Golf Association (PGA) on the order of merit.

The 10-day event, scheduled to commence tomorrow and staged to commemorate the Independence of Nigeria, will have the Senate President, David Mark, and Lagos State

Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, performing the official tee-off on October 5.

Children’s Clinic/Competition, Caddies competition, Independence Day Kitty and Cultural Night, as well as Ladies’ Competition and Guests/ Veterans’ Competition, will precede the Pros event which will round off the tournament.

Chairman of the competition’s Organising Committee, Mr. Ted Iwere, who made this disclosure in Lagos yesterday, said the pros would be drawn

from golf clubs across Nigeria.

“It is in our tradition to give the tournament the “Nigerian look” while ensuring keen competition among the golfers,” Iwere explained.

“The pros will be played on October 5 and 6 over 36 holes and this is our way of motivating the players in the category in the country,” he added.

Among the sponsors for the Nigeria Cup 2013 include C& I Motors, UBA, GT Bank, Nigerian Breweries, Accenture and Chevron Nigeria Limited.

L-R: Corporate Communications Manager Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Patrick Olowookere; Chairman, Organising Committee for Nigeria Cup, Mr. Ted Iwere; Brand Manager, Heineken, Mrs. Kehinde Kadiri and the Public Affairs Manager, South, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Isaac Nwabuzor, at the unveiling of Nigeria Cup 2013 in Lagos yesterday

30

Sport

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Nigeria Premier Nig League

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Cricket

with

IIKENWA NNABUOGOR ikenwa.nnabuogor@gmail.com

Dispirited Oluyole Warriors vow to soldier on

T

he Lafia Camp of the Shooting Stars Football Club of Ibadan was teased up yesterday after the news that the commissioner for youth and sport, Mr Adedapo-Lam Adesina, had been removed following the dissolution of the Oyo State Executive council, National Mirror has learnt The morale of the players was at low ebb, leaving the players worried about the fate of the relegation haunted club. The players were not happy that the club’s number one supporter was affected in the cabinet reshuffle and have resorted to fervent prayers for the return of the young administrator.

Camp source further indicated that the team received the news last night on their way to Lafia but had to stop over in Keffi to sleep over when it was obvious that the shattering news had taken a wicked toll on the players and officials.

However, the administrative secretary (head of delegation) had to work on the psyche of the players on the need to stay focus and win the match in the commissioner’s honour.

On his own part, the official team captain, Abayomi Adigun after a prayer session meeting with his colleagues has promised to stay focus and sustainthe positive impact of the commissioner on the team in recent time by winning the remaining matches to achieve the retention of premier league status of the club as advocated

by Mr Adedapo-Lam Adesina.

Cameroun star set to abandon Sunshine Tamen

S

unshine Stars’ Cameroun import Medrano Tamen has told National Mirror that he would return to his Egyptian club Petrojet at the end of the season.

The diminutive midfielder retraced his steps to the Akure-based side after internal political strife forced the Egyptian Premier League body to close shop and postpone the Egyptian Premier League indefinitely.

Calm is set to return to the league as preparations are in top gear to have the players return to the pitches again, a move which will also see the talkented midfielder return to his original club.

Tamen signed for Sunshine on a

Top journalist demands NFF’s apology

T

op Nigerian journalist Ojeikere Aikhoje has charged the nation’s apex soccer body NFF to retract scathing remarks targeted at him over the dust surrounding the NFF’s erroneous award of the 2013 Federation Cup top scorer to Akwa Starlets’ Utibe Archibong and demanded an apology.

The veteran journalist alerted the sporting press on the costly mistake which recognised Archibong who scored four goals as the top scorer instead

of Warri Wolves’ striker Musa Najare, who netted once in the final to increase his tally to five.

The NFF had announced the Akwa Starlets’s striker who netted four goals as the leading scorer shortly after Enyimba beat Wolves 5-4 on penalties in the Federation Cup final at the Teslim Balogun Stadium on Saturday September 15.

“I am not one to whip up or create artificial controversies when it concerns football matters in the land,” Aikhoje maintained.

short term loan which expires at the end of the season. The former Cameroon Beach soccer star has been in top form since he rejoined his former side, netting once in as many games.

“We got about seven games remaining in the league and I will visit my family in Cameroun immediately after the season before I rejoin Petrojet as soon as the league resumes,” he said.

“It’s really been good for me at Sunshine, teaming up again with my old mates and making the fans happy again.

“I’m waiting to return to Petrojet and that will be when the league resumes again after a long break.”

Did you know that...

3SC are unbeaten in their last five League games.

The last time Gombe United scored on the road was Week 20 against Akwa United in Uyo. Kaduna United and Gombe United are the only sides without away points this term.

Akwa United are yet to pick a win in their last four games.

Glo Premier League standings

Austin (left)

Dolphins’ Austin targets point in Gombe

D

olphins’ defender, Festus Austin says he believes the club can pick up valuable points on the road in their next two road trips.

Austin who has been ever present in the Dolphins back line this season says the game against Kwara United was very difficult but now the team is looking ahead to Gombe and Elkanemi.

“I feel happy about the win against Kwara but it was not easy. They were a strong side but after the coach spoke to us in the half time break we were able to get that victory,” Austin said.

“Now we are looking at getting two points in our next two away games against Gombe United and El-Kanemi.

After a bright start to the season, Dolphins ran into a bad patch of form when they lost three straight games including one at home against Sharks that put them in relegation troubles.

Gombe United, El kanemi and Kano Pillars are the remaining road trips for Dolphins while they have Lobi Stars and Wikki Tourists to contend with at home.

Team

MP

W

D

L

F

A

D

P

1

Kano Pillars

33

18

3

12

42

35

+7

57

2

Bayelsa United

33

17

4

12

39

35

+4

55

3

Enyimba

33

15

8

10

28

14

4

El Kanemi

33

15

7

11

36

28

+8

5

Enugu Rangers

32

15

3

14

40

31

+9

48

6

Kwara United

32

13

8

11

29

23

+6

47

7

Sunshine Stars

33

14

5

14

36

31

+5

47

Week 33

8

Dolphins

33

13

8

12

30

30

+0

47

Today

9

Warri Wolves

32

12

10

10

35

28

+7

46

Heartland

10

Gombe United

33

15

1

17

34

41

-7

46

11

Heartland

33

14

3

16

35

27

+8

45

Enugu Rangers

vs

ABS

12

Lobi Stars

33

13

6

14

31

38

-7

45

Nasarawa Utd

vs

Shooting Stars

13

Sharks

33

12

8

13

26

27

-1

44

Enyimba

vs

Akwa United

14

Kaduna United

33

14

2

17

31

40

-9

44

Nembe City

vs

Bayelsa Utd

15

ABS

33

12

8

13

28

38

-10

44

Warri Wolves

vs

Wikki Tourist

16

Akwa United

33

12

7

14

36

42

-6

43

Kaduna Utd

vs

Kano Pillars

17

Nasarawa Utd

33

12

7

14

31

38

-7

43

18

Shooting Stars

33

12

6

15

38

39

-1

42

Kwara Utd

vs

Lobi Stars

19

Nembe City

33

13

3

17

26

41

-15

42

Gombe Utd

vs

Dolphins

20

Wikki Tourist

32

12

3

17

31

36

-5

39

Sharks

vs

El Kanemi Warriors

53 52

Fixtures

vs

Sunshine Stars

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

31

Business & Finance In furtherance of President Goodluck Jonathan administration’s commitment to Mobile money remains one of the easiest routes to ensuring transparency and accountability in the management of fuel subsidy payments, the that the unbanked segments of the economy are brought into Federal Ministry of Finance has released the sum of N46.764bn as the latest payment the financial system. to oil marketers, whose claims have successfully gone through the verification process. DEPUTY GOVERNOR, OPERATIONS, CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA ,CBN, MR. TUNDE LEMO Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Airlines to spend $4.8trn in aircraft acquisition –Boeing OLUSEGUN KOIKI

FRANKFURT, GERMANY

G

lobal airlines are expected to spend about $4.8trn on acquisition of different brands of airplanes between 2012 and 2032.

This is also as Boeing Commercial Airplanes has delivered over 1,492 airplanes since 2011 to different airline operators.

These statistics were given yesterday at the Lufthansa Aviation Academy Seeheim, Frankfurt, Germany by the Vice President, Marketing, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Mr. Randy Tinseth, during his presentation to over 40 journalists from about 15 countries.

According to Tinseth, the $4.8trn would be expended on the acquisition of 35, 280 new airplanes by the operators from 2012 to 2032.

Giving out the statistics of the expected aircraft types of be delivered Tinseth explained that single aisle planes would take the largest share with 24,670, which represented 70 per cent of the total acquisition; small wide-body, 4,530 (13 per cent); medium widebody, 3,300 (nine per cent); regional jets, 2,020 (six per cent) and large wide-body aircraft with 760 acquisitions, which represents just two per cent.

On the distribution of the new airplanes within the period under review, he said Asia Pacific would acquire 12,820, representing 37 per cent, Europe, 7,460 (21 per cent), North America, 7,250 ( 21 per cent); Latin America, 2, 900 (eight per cent); Middle East, 2, 610 (seven per cent); C.I.S, 1,170 (three per cent) Africa with 1,070, representing another three per cent deliveries.

On the market value, he said that operators of single aisle airplanes would spend $2.29trn, represent-

ing 47 per cent, small wide-body operators, $1,100bn (23 per cent); medium wide-body, $1.09trn (22 per cent); large wide body, $280bn (six per cent and regional jet operators are expected to spend $80bn, which is two per cent of the total sum expected to be spent within the period.

Besides, on the aircraft deliveries by Boeing since 2011, he informed that the aircraft manufacturer had delivered 1,492 aircraft in over two years.

He said in 2011, Boeing deliv-

ered 477 aircraft; 2012, 601 while as at August 2013, it had delivered 414 aircraft so far and expressed optimism that the sector would continue to grow despite the obvious challenges confronting it globally.

He added, “Every year, Boeing expects between 200 to 300 aircraft to be retired from global airline operations. This has been the trend for several years now because newer airplanes that are fuel efficient and coming into the market and driving competition.

F

ederal Government’s efforts at keeping inflation in Nigeria at a single digit rate might continue to pose a daunting challenge due to the country’s over dependence

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IRS

L-R; Company Secretary, British American Tobacco Nigeria, Ms. Abiodun Peters; Head of Project, British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation, Mr. Abayomi Oyewole; Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Executive, BATN, Ms. Nancy Nwanze; General Manager, BATNF, Abimbola Okoya and Managing Director, Beat FM, Mr Chris Ubosi at the SERAs, where BATNF was presented with the awards of Best Company in Wealth and Income Generation at the 7th annual SERA Awards in Lagos, recently.

‘N50bn annual imports, cause of inflation in Nigeria’ FRANCIS EZEM

Arik Air

on imported goods, on which she spends well over N50bn annually, says the Citi Bank.

Nigeria, classified as a third world country, virtually depends on imported goods to cater for her 160 million population ranging from general and consumable goods, pharmaceuticals, automobiles and industrial goods.

Current economic statistics released by the Fed-

eral Bureau of Statistics show that the inflation rate as at the end of August 2013 stood at 8.3 percent, which is a reduction compared to the figures of 12.3per cent recorded for the most part of last year.

Chief Operating Officer of the Citi Nigeria Limited, Mr. Akin Dawodu, who spoke at a oneday training for financial journalists in Lagos, observed that most Nigerian

Massive re-routing of containers cause of congestion at Tin Can Port

32

banks are saddled with the financing of imports and letters of credit, which seeming presents the most profitable thing for them to do.

“The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has in the last two years raised the interest rate using the Monetary Policy Rate, MPR, to defend the economy. But importation is the biggest cause of inflation because it reduces the

Regulatory framework on social media in Nigeria coming, says BPE

34

value of the currency”, he strongly argued He noted that this situation is further made worse by the fact that Nigeria’s non-oil export revenue is estimated at only N2.7billion while the petroleum sector accounts for over 95 per cent of the nation’s foreign exchange earnings, an indication that the non-oil export has remained almost stagnant.

Lagos-Abuja 7.30 8.30 7.45 8.45 09.30 10.30 10.30 11.30 12.30 13.30 14.30 15.30 16.30 17.30 Lagos-Kano 08.00 09.15 10.30 11.45 14.30 15.40 18.15 19.30 Los-Maid&Yola (Mon-Thur) 09.30 11.30 Fri- Sun 10.30 12.30 Kano-Lagos 07.30 08.45 14.00 15.15 17.30 18.45 Kano-Abj 10.45 11.30 Abj-Lagos 09.00 10.30 11.00 12.00 12.00 13.00

Nigeria leads Africa in oil exploration despite delay in PIB

35

32

Business Finance

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Massive re-routing of containers, cause of congestion at Tin Can Port FRANCIS EZEM

S

trong indications emerged that the massive transfer of Single Goods Declarations (SGDs), the import document used by importers or their agents for the clearance of cargo from the Lagos Ports Complex Apapa to Tin Can Island Port both in Lagos is causing massive congestion at the port.

The association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) and the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) had given the management of Tin Can Island Container Terminal (TICT), which one of the biggest container terminals in Tin Can Port up to the end of this week to clear the congestion or face strike action.

The Federal Government had

while extending the Destination Inspection handover date a second time from June, 30 –November 30, 2013 tinkered with the LOT arrangement, which transferred Cotecna Destination Inspection Limited from Apapa while Global Scan System moves from Ports Multiservices Limited to Apapa.

Meanwhile, a competent source at the Nigeria Customs Service, who pleaded anonymity, hinted that the root cause of the congestion was the decision of many importers to re-route their consignments from Apapa to Tin Port following the transfer of scanning services at Apapa from Cotecna to Global Scan an indigenous firm.

The source disclosed that the Tin Can Island command of the service has been awash with the transfer of containers from Apapa to Tin Can, which implies that many ships that would have

discharged containers at APM Terminals Apapa Limited were transferred to Tin Can, a development that over-stretched the facilities at the terminals at the port, thus causing a massive congestion of containers.

It was however gathered that these importers are not confident that Global Scan, the new scanning service provider at Apapa, which replaced Cotecna, a multinational company might not have the capacity to handle the volume of containers at Apapa, which is Nigeria’s container hub, the biggest in West and Central African sub-region.

The source also hinted that though an importer has the right to choose a particular port where his consignment should be stemmed, the management of the service is currently considering to stop further transfer

L-R: Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Folaranmi Odunayo; Chairman, Oba Otudeko (CFR) and Company Secretary, Oluwayemisi Busari during the 4th Annual General Meeting of Honeywell Flour Mills Plc held at Civic Centre, Lagos, yesterday.

PHCN investors to receive certificate of ownership October 2 CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

T

he new owners of Power Holding Company, PHCN, Limited entities will on October 2 receive certificates of ownership from the Federal Government, according to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, General Manager, Government and Consumer Affairs, Dr. Tony Akah.

He said “On October 2 or there about, we are going to handover the certificate of ownership to all the distribution companies to these private people. When we do that the PHCN will hands off.”

He spoke yesterday during the NERC Power Consumer Assembly of the Local Government Enlightenment Campaign at Sapele Local Government Secretariat, Sapele, Delta State.

Akah said that although the present challenges in the power sector would not disappear over-

night upon the emergence of the private owners, there will be improvement in the rendition of service to customers.

Meanwhile, during the question and answer session at the event, a town crier with Al-Ghazali Communications, Mr. Onasanya Atumu lamented that PHCN officials collected N2,000 from every compound monthly without supplying power.

He threatened that PHCN and its personnel would be set ablaze should the commission fail to call it to order.

His words: “I am from Agazali Communications, a private announcement outfit for the community. As a matter of fact the light in this community is not properly arranged. For example, in some areas, we don’t have light.

But I make announcements that people should pay electricity bill.

I receive a hell of insults. They even insult my family.

“It is very annoying that every

week NEPA goes around with their vehicles bumper to bumper to collect electricity fees of N2,000 per compound. If you don’t regulate this, if NEPA comes to us again we will burn them. Please regulate them for peace to reign.

I want you to let NEPA know that this is democracy.”

Another customer, Chinyere Ukoha of Yoruba Road, Sapele, who complained that she and her neighbours had been consistently billed to the about N11,000 monthly without power supply, urged NERC to compel PHCN to cancel her bills and those of her neighbours in similar circumstances.

She said: “There is no power supply in my house but they give me crazy bills Last year I took this bill to NEPA and they referred, me to the manager. One of the NEPA staff asked them to give up whoever gave me the bill.

They begged me to photocopy it.

Till now, they have not amended the bill.

of containers from Apapa to Tin, which is smaller in terms of container yard capacity.

The decision of the service to contemplate placing embargo on container transfer was informed by the confusion caused by these indiscriminate transfers, especially in terms of documentation.

For instance, there have been several cases where a Risk Assessment Report (RAR), which is an advisory document for Customs on the level of risk associated with a particular consignment issued for instance by Global Scan is transferred to Tin Can, where Cotecna holds sway.

The source noted that if the service does not take urgent steps to check these transfers, they might cause serious harm to the nation’s clearing system at the seaports.

He argued that when the transfers were noticed about two months ago, nobody felt it might degenerate to the current level where it has become very chaotic and extremely difficult to locate or identify a container at any of the terminals at Tin Can Port because of the surge in volume, which has been unprecedented in the history of the port, not known for high container traffic.

Pension assets to hits N6trn next year MESHACK IDEHEN

B

ased on current growth rate and anticipated rate of pension contributions in the country, total pension assets in the country is estimated to reach about N6 trillion by 2014 The Chairman Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service who is also the Chairman of the National Assembly Joint Committee on Pensions, Senator Aloysius Akpan Etok, made this projection, after the commissioning the South-West Zonal Office of the National Pension Commission (PenCom) in Lagos.

He said in the next one year that pension assets which are currently standing at N3.5 trillion should peak at N6 trillion, adding the Senate will not take it lightly if any state governor who has refused to adopt the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) is allowed to access the funds for

whatever purpose.

Etok explained that if any state wants to benefit from the pension funds, such a state must first enroll its workers into the contributory pension scheme as defined in the 2004 Pension Reform Act. According to him, it is wrong for Pencom or any other body to allow non-compliant state governors access pension contributions for investments in their states adding that for any state that wants to access pension funds in the future for development purposes must first signonto the scheme.

Speaking in the same vein, Director General of PenCom, Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, said the contributory pension has been very successful since implementation, pointing out that the scheme has witnessed the consistent payment of retirement benefits to all employees who retired under the scheme since 2007 without the characteristics bottlenecks experienced in the past.

Nigeria, others Internet users hits 413m by 2017 KUNLE AZEEZ

N

igeria and other countries within the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region are projected to hit 413 million total Internet users by 2017.

This was the outcome of Cisco Visual Networking Index Forecast (2012-2017), which projects that global Internet protocol (IP) traffic will grow three-fold between 2012 and 2017.

Nigeria, for instance, currently has about 40 million Internet users, according to InternetStats.

According to the study, MEA will continue to be the fastest growing IP traffic region from 2012 – 2017, growing five-fold, presenting 38 per cent per cent compound annual growth rate over the forecast period,.

MEA was the fastest growing region last year as well with10fold growth, which represents

57 per cent compound annual growth rate for 2011 – 2016 forecast period, in this category.

Detailing the forecast on global IP traffic drivers, the study forecast that, “By 2017, there will be about 3.6 billion Internet users, more than 48 per cent of the world’s projected population of 7.6 billion.

According to the study, “In 2012, there were 2.3 billion Internet users—about 32 per cent of the world’s population (7.2 billion).

It also notes that there will be more global devices and connections. “By 2017, there will be more than 19 billion global network connections such as fixed/mobile personal devices, M2M connections, and other, up from about 12 billion connections in 2012.”

On projections for faster global fixed broadband network speeds, the study says “Globally, the average fixed broadband speed will increase 3.5-fold from 2012 – 2017, from 11.3 Mbps to 39 Mbps.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

33

34

Business Finance

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Regulatory framework on social media in Nigeria coming, says BPE KUNLE A ZEEZ

T

he Federal Government may soon initiate necessary policies and the legal frame work for the regulation of the Social Media in the country.

The Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Benjamin Ezra Dikki disclosed this in a statement made available to National Mirror yesterday.

According Dikki, the regulation currently being planned by the BPE on behalf of the government is in line with its reform mandate.

Dikki, who made the disclosure at a recent two-day retreat organised by the Bureau for nonmanagement staff in Nasarawa State, frowned at the present practice where offensive materials were uploaded on the various platforms of the Social Media

without regulation.

“As it now obtains, all manner of things are uploaded on the various platforms of the Social Media without recourse to age and sensibilities of the users. This is not good enough,” he said.

Dikki, who was apparently reacting to insinuations that the Bureau has a life span, which would end after privatisation of enterprises in the various sectors, challenged the BPE staff to brace up for the task ahead.

According o him, the Bureau had post-privatisation mandate to carry out reforms in the various sectors of the Nigerian economy.

For instance, he said that despite the reforms in the telecoms sector, which has led to the liberalisation of the sector, “much still needs to be done to check incidences of call-drop, excessive and illegal billings by the telecoms operators.”

Meanwhile, while noting that the Bureau had made tremendous impact on the Nigerian economy, Dikki charged the staff not to relent, stressing that as a knowledge-based organisation, “the workers should always put on their thinking cap and come up with ideas that can develop the Nigerian economy.”

He reminded the workers that the essence of the retreat was to bring a bond between the nonmanagement and management staff for peaceful co-existence, adding that, “It is the non-management staff members that do the job and therefore, there is the need to constantly bring them together to update them on issues that affect the Bureau.”

He, however, pledged his commitment to staff welfare and informed them that all pending welfare issues were being handled with the Bureau’s principals.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tour operators urged to woo foreign tourists

T

he National Coordinator, Nigerian Hotels Association (NHA), Mr Lanre Awoseyin, on yesterday urged tour operators to focus more on packaging tourists coming into the country.Awoseyin told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview in Lagos that tour operators in the country were known for preparing tickets mostly for outbound tourists.

According to him, packaging tours to other countries was not beneficial to the country’s economy rather the receiving countries benefit more. ”Tour operators should engage more in the business of packaging tours into the country to develop the country’s domestic tourism, instead of focusing on taking tourists outside the country,’’ Awoseyin said.

He urged tour operators to collaborate with their foreign counter-

Emir cautions aviation experts on safety OLUSEGUN KOIKI

T

L-R: President and Chief Executive Officer, IBM, Ms Ginni Rometty and Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Computer Warehouse Group, Mr. Austin Okere, during Rometty’s visit to Nigeria recently.

Expert proposes alternatives funding to reduce housing shortage DAYO AYEYEMI

I

n order to explore pension fund, insurance and unclaimed dividends, as robust alternative funding for housing development, some measures must be put in place for them to work effectively, Speaking during the Annual General Meeting of the association in Owerri, at the weekend, President of the Association of Housing Corporations of Nigeria. Dr. Ikenna Chukwujekwu, maintained that the nation’s land acquisition process must be simplified such that bottlenecks and cumbersome procedures involved in the current enforcement of planning and building regulations as well as difficulties in obtaining title to land be removed

immediately.

Besides, he said that effective mortgage system with practicable foreclosure laws must be put in place to effect appropriate exit point for all developed properties.

He said, “Workable mortgage structure with strong political will that will discourage political interference and policy instability should be enacted particularly as relates to recapitalization for effectiveness of our primary mortgage institutions. This will help to support purchasing power of the people.”

According to him, unstable macroeconomic environment characterized with uncontrolled and high inflation rates as well as high budget deficit must be addressed to encourage longterm credit.

He beamoend the syndrome

of cash-based transaction in term of cash and carry system for acquisition of property in real sector, urging that such practice must be eliminated while purchasing power of the people should be encouraged through opening up the economy particularly solving the energy problem where small scale businesses of people and artisans depend upon.

He said, “There is a need to put in place a central property database backed legally by law for monitoring projects and property documentation processes for foreclosure of mortgage matters and to prevent incessant litigation on land and property. This will create leverage and confidence in the system for influx of banks to grant long-term loans for estate development.

parts to acquire the techniques of luring tourists into the country.

The tourism practitioner, however, said that there were enormous challenges facing the development of domestic tourism in the country.

He said that tour operators would not lure tourists into a country with under-developed infrastructure.

According to him, there is need to develop some neglected tourism sites in the country to bring them to international standards.

Awoseyin urged all tiers of government to develop tourism sites in their areas to enhance development in the sector.

“Infrastructure problem is one of the setbacks experienced by tour operators.

“Therefore, it is important that government should tackle infrastructure problem to create the enabling environment for the industry to thrive.

he Emir of Zaria, Alhaji Shehu Idris, has challenged aviation experts in the country to be more proactive about safety in the industry.

The emir said that with more focus on safety in the sector, the Nigerian aviation industry would be a force to be reckon with in the globe.

An online statement signed by the General Manager, Public Affairs, NAMA, Mr. Supo Atobatele stated that the emir gave the charge while receiving airspace managers of the nation’s airports at his palace in Zaria, Kaduna State.

He stated that the emir said most travellers are often ignorant of what goes on when they are airborne and urged the experts

to always work assiduously to ensure total safety of air travel.

He remarked that the entire nation relied on their expertise for a robust aviation industry, even as the confidence of the flying public is now gaining momentum in the sector.

The Emir further tasked the personnel not to shy away from demanding from the Federal Government appropriate technical tools that would enhance air safety management in the country.

Alhaji Idris pledged to assist in whatever form to enlist the support and attention of the Federal Government to the yearnings and aspirations of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, in its quest for providing seamless air traffic services in the country.

Airtel grabs double at telecoms awards KUNLE A ZEEZ

O

ne of Nigeria’s telecoms services providers, Airtel, has been named the Most Innovative Telecoms Operator in Nigeria at an industry award’s event that attracted regulators, telecoms pundits, top politicians and seasoned journalists.

Chaired by Nigeria’s former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, the Nigeria’s Telecoms Award, is widely considered as one of the most prestigious and foremost platforms for celebrating key milestones in Nigeria’s telecommunications landscape.

Airtel also emerged the Best Customer Services Operator at the event, which held in Lagos at the weekend.

Award citations read in the company’s honour said Airtel has led in innovation and celebrated

several milestones as a business in the period under review.

According to the citation, Airtel has grown its network footprints to become the largest 3.75G Network in Nigeria and has also redefined telephony experience across the country with the introduction of the revolutionary High Definition Voice Service, implementation of Google Cache Solution, as well as dominating the 4G landscape with the first successful field trial-launch of Long Term Evolution in key cities.

It added that Airtel is known for its revolutionary approach as evident in ground-breaking value offerings like 5X, a product that was quickly imitated by other operators, and its most recent value proposition, 1SIM, another package that empowers consumers to enjoy same benefits across all networks.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

35

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Energy Week

udemea@rocketmail.com 07031546994

Nigeria leads Africa in oil exploration despite delay in PIB

Oil drilling at a swamp location

The delay in passage of the nation’s Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, was believed to have discouraged oil and gas exploration in Nigeria. But UDEME AKPAN reports that the nation is presently leading other African nations in the search for oil based on available data.

T

he late President Umar Yar’Adua was full of optimism when he sent the first edition of the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB to the National Assembly in 2008 for a reason. He was optimistic that the bill would be passed into law as part of the Federal Government’s measures to accomplish set objectives, especially boosting investment, and by extension various activities in the oil and gas industry.

This was not to be. Unfortunately, the PIB was not passed throughout his lifetime. The bill which has outlived many legislators at the National Assembly has not been passed despite the renewed efforts of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. Consequently, the development was feared to have made negative impact on the nation. Specifically, most people believed that it has discouraged investment, leading to reduced exploration and limited additional reserves in the industry.

However, the negative impact may not be serious as a recent report indicated that many companies, including Addax Nigeria Limited, Afren Plc and Nigeria Agip Oil Company and Agip Energy & Natural Resources Ltd are still active in oil and gas exploration.

In other words, despite the delay in the

passage of the PIB expected to encourage aggressive oil and gas exploration, Nigeria still leads other African nations in the search for petroleum. The nation’s rig count of 43 in August 2013 accounts for more than a third of Africa’s total rig count of 125 for the month.

The Nigerian chapter of the International Association of Drilling Contractors, Shell stated that Shell, the country’s largest operator, utilised nine rigs in all, with eight (8) on onshore locations (three in swamp, five on land) and one drilling a deepwater well. Bloomberg, which made this known, stated Agip companies in Nigeria the local subsidiaries of the Italian ENI group were collectively next to Shell in size of drilling activity, with six rigs deployed on four onshore and two deepwater

wells.

It stated that ExxonMobil was active on four shallow offshore locations with four rigs while Total had four rigs on duty in four locations, with two completing and two drilling ahead; three of these locations were in deepwater and one was on land. The agency said that Addax utilised two rigs in the month, on two offshore locations. It had access to two more rigs, one in maintenance and the other just arriving on location. Nigerian indigenous companies deployed 15 rigs on 15 locations with Seplat and Conoil each with three rigs, Pan Ocean on two rigs, and Energia, Frontier, Network, Newcross, NPDC and NDPR were each on one location.

The figure however differed from that of OPEC’s monthly oil market report

DESPITE THE DELAY IN PASSAGE OF THE PIB EXPECTED TO ENCOURAGE AGGRESSIVE OIL

AND GAS EXPLORATION,

NIGERIA STILL LEADS

AFRICAN NATIONS IN THE SEARCH FOR PETROLEUM. THE NATION’S RIG COUNT OF 43 IN AUGUST 2013 ACCOUNTS FOR MORE THAN A THIRD OF AFRICA’S TOTAL RIG COUNT OF 125 OTHER

FOR THE MONTH

whose September 2013 edition puts Nigeria’s August 2013 rig count at 33 without providing details. Stakeholders in the nation’s oil and gas industry expect the rig count to be higher when the PIB becomes a reality. For instance, the National President of the Oil and Gas Service Providers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Colman Obasi stated that: This is actually the level that Nigeria should be in terms of exploration. There is a great need for the legislators to pass the Bill into law so as to encourage operators to invest in more exploration and production.”

Meanwhile, there are fears that the important bill may not be passed into law this year because of some reasons. First, the remaining three months (October-December) seem to be too short to complete outstanding legislative processes on the PIB. Second, the PIB is still haunted by some disagreements. For instance, the International Oil Companies, IOCs think the deep offshore is the place to be if commercial finds are to be made.

The Managing Director of Total E&P Nigeria Limited, Mr. Guy Maurice remarked that there is need to CONTINUED ON PAGE 36

36

Energy Week

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Nigeria leads Africa in oil exploration despite delay in PIB CONTINUED FROM PAGE 35 focus on the deep offshore because the IOCs have many pending projects in the area. He said that the deep offshore has the promise of yielding more finds and by extension, output in the future, which had become more certain as a result of new technologies. The Vice President and Managing Director of Addax Petroleum Nigeria, Mr. Cornelis Zegelaar remarked that the PIB should encourage increased funding of projects.

The Country Chair/Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company, Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu stated that the government needed to ensure that the PIB provided increased air of freedom for operators to concentrate on core operations with minimum interference. He maintained that: “All we need is for the government to replicate what it has done in the telecoms industry, which allows investors, including MTN, to run operations as seamlessly as possible in order to fast track the development of the industry.

Sunmonu remarked that the nation had great potential, which should be harnessed to maximise value for all stakeholders, including operators, communities and the entire nation.

He said the slag in exploration and production as a result of the PIB had impacted in many negative ways on the industry and government which needed more funds to catch up in the coming years.

He made it emphatic that the tax provisions in the PIB is ‘uncompetitive’ stressing that they are capable of stifling investment and making offshore oil and gas projects unviable.

Sunmonu remarked that: “What we have seen of the draft PIB to date does not indicate a bill that fits these criteria. And this is the opinion not only of the major players in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, but, as I mentioned earlier, industry analysts as well. What we have seen and what we know of the current draft PIB requires significant improvement to secure Nigeria’s competitiveness, and attract the required level of investment to enable exploration to increase Nigeria’s reserves and then foster development of the projects to monetise them.”

Sunmonu, who argued that an unbalanced bill could hinder investment stated: “The PIB will likely render all deepwater projects and all dry gas projects whether for domestic or export markets non-viable, added that many opportunities will be lost. The Country Chair who noted that the opportunity to monetise some of the world’s best gas reserves will be lost also stated that the opportunity to kick start the power sector “the key to economic growth using easily accessible gas will also be lost.”

The Shell boss remarked that the PIB needs to address long term industry issues, including funding, particularly as funding requirements have constrained production growth in the industry. He stressed that the nation needs a strong national oil company,

Goodluck

Alison-Madueke

T HE

REMAINING

THREE MONTHS

(O CTOBER D ECEMBER ) SEEM SHORT TO COMPLETE OUTSTANDING LEGISLATIVE PROCESSES ON THE

PIB

Andrew Yakubu

Source: Africa Oil and Gas report

capable of partnering with others to enhance its competitiveness. He stated that: “While the economy in general is on the path of diversification, it should not be denied that the oil and gas sector remains the driver of this process providing not only the funds to enable the diversification but also the gas that could and should be used to regenerate the power sector to provide reliable electricity which is the backbone of industrial growth.

The Chairman of Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Mark Ward observed that the fiscal terms in the PIB are not favourable to their operations. Ward stated that operators are presently working in line with government’s aspirations, targeted at achieving $104 billion (N15.6 trillion) for oil production between

2012 and 2015, another $30 billion (N4.5 trillion) for gas development in the next five years, including the establishment of construction of Afam and Okpai independent power plants.

He stated that operators are also working to accomplish a significant growth in crude oil capacity through investment of about $29 billion (N4.3 trillion) on the Production Sharing Contracts and $39 billion (N5.8 trillion) on the Joint Venture Projects over the next five years. The chairman observed that an unbalanced PIB would likely encouraged commercial oil and gas production without significant investments in the next 10 years.

The Chairman of the Indigenous Oil Producers, Abdul Razaq Fadahunsi, noted that the provisions of the bill would likely impact negatively on indigenous operations. Fadahunsi

who observed that the PIB was partly planned to boost indigenous participation noted that: “the document negated that laudable motive, because there was no clause in the bill that sets aside any acreage category for indigenous participants.”

However, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, believes there is a great need to pay more attention to the offshore since it is cheaper to operate there. The Corporation ’s Group Executive Director, Exploration and Production, Mr. Abiye Membere who expressed these and other sentiments at the last Nigeria Oil and Gas Conference remarked that the offshore promises to hold more reserves. Consequently, he tasked operators to invest more of their resources targeted at making new finds in the area.

Also, participants at a recent e-conference of Spaces for Change in Lagos noted that the PIB is weak in the area of transparency and accountability.

Consequently, the body documented that: “The new bill authorises the newly created regulatory agencies to receive gifts, including money or other property upon such terms and conditions as may be specified by the person or organisation making the gifts provided such gifts are not inconsistent with the objectives and functions of the Act. It documented that there is no distinction between a gift and bribe in the PIB. Specifically, it stated that: “Because of the difficulty of drawing a line between a gift and a bribe, a blanket ban on receiving gift by any of the agencies is not only appropriate, but will go a long way in inspiring confidence in the proposed reforms. Independent studies and probes, such as the KPMG report, the Faruok Lawan, Aig Imokhuede fuel subsidy probes, the NEITI reports have shown, transparency and accountability are the core issues with the current set-up.

Spaces for Change faulted the proposed fund because there is presently no distinction between it and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). According to the report, “The bill does not indicate how this differs from NDDC, except in terms of source of funds. By also making provisions for communities to be punished by withholding their entitlements under the fund in case of disruptions, it negates the constitutional basis of criminal justice by dishing out collective punishment.”

It noted that the environmental laws as documented in the PIB are weak and not capable of making much impact in the industry. Specifically, it maintained that: “Asking operators in consultation with the Ministry of Environment to come up with an environmental plan does not deal with questions of the gap between the policies and practices which has been the problem. These and others notwithstanding, most stakeholders who perceive the PIB as a bold step in the right direction have called on the legislators to ensure it is passed into law without further delay.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Energy Week

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

37

OPEC daily basket price falls to $107.34 per barrel UDEME AKPAN

T

he price of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC basket of 12 crudes has fallen from $108.40 to $107.34 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).

This showed that the price of OPEC basket is still in excess of the reference prices of many oil producing and exporting nations, including Nigeria, meaning that producers would be in a position to generate sufficient funds for budget implementation.

Meanwhile, OPEC crude production climbed in August as Saudi Arabia pumped oil at the fastest pace in at least 24 years, a Bloomberg survey showed.

Output by the 12-member Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries increased 116,000 barrels a day, or 0.4 percent, to an average 31.04 million from a revised 30.924 million in July, the survey of oil companies, producers and analysts showed yesterday. The gain was the sixth in seven months.

Saudi output climbed 150,000 barrels to 9.95 million barrels a day in August, the sixth straight gain and the most for OPEC’s biggest supplier in monthly data going back to 1989. It was the largest gain of any OPEC member this month.

“The amount of oil the Saudis are pumping is impressive,” said Sarah Emerson, managing principal of ESAI Energy Inc. in Wakefield, Massachusetts. “We could be looking at an historic bull trap. Market sentiment may turn bearish by October and

Oil vessel

November. ” Brent crude for October settlement dropped $1.45, or 1.2 percent, to $115.16 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange yesterday. Brent is the benchmark for more than half the world’s oil. West Texas Intermediate for October delivery fell $1.30, or 1.2 percent, to settle at $108.80 on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

The July production total was revised higher by 262,000 barrels a day because of changes to estimates for Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq and Ecuador.

The desert kingdom will probably keep crude production in September at similar levels to this month and July, according to a person with knowledge of Saudi oil policy, who asked not to be identified because the matter is confidential. Output won’t vary much unless market conditions change, the person said.

The United Arab Emirates increased output by 120,000 barrels to 2.92 million barrels a day, also the highest level since at least 1989, the survey showed. It was the second-biggest production increase.

Libyan output tumbled 225,000 barrels to 575,000 barrels a day this month, the survey showed. It was the fifth straight decline, sending production to the lowest level since October 2011. Two years after the war that swept the late Muammar Qaddafi from

power, Libyan government efforts to revive the oil industry are being stymied by feuding militias and protests.

“It’s clear that the Saudis and Emiratis have deliberately raised production to make up for the massive shortfall from Libya,” said Julius Walker, global energy markets strategist at UBS Securities LLC in New York.

Libya pumped 200,000 barrels of crude today as negotiations continued with striking workers and guards, state-run National Oil Corp. Measurement Director Ibrahim Al Awami said in telephone interview from Tripoli. The North African country pumped 1.4 million barrels a day in March, according to Bloomberg estimates.

“The Libyan issues will probably ease before long because the government will send in troops if all else fails,” Emerson said. “If they are back up at even 800,000 barrels a day in a few months, there will be a huge impact on the market.”

Angola reduced production 40,000 barrels a day to 1.74 million this month, the second-biggest decline in the survey. The BP Plc-operated PSVM project declared force majeure, a legal clause that excuses companies from delivery obligations because of events beyond their control, on August 18 because of equipment failure.

Tukur charges TCN board on electricity transmission

C

hairman of the Supervisory Board of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Engr. Haman Tukur, has called on board members to work assiduously and diligently to realise the Federal Government’s mandate with regards to quality and stable power supply to the people.

Tukur who gave the charge in his opening address during the maiden meeting of TCN Board, Wednesday, 18th September, 2013, at the company’s corporate headquarters, Abuja, urged members to compliment the various efforts of the Federal Government, especially in the areas of construc-

tion of new transmission projects, new power plants, gas infrastructure and gas supply assurances.

He also tasked them to support efforts targeted at the privatisation as well as providing efficient operations and improved electricity to the people.

He, therefore, enjoined members to justify the confidence Mr President reposed in them by bringing to bear their wealth of experiences and expertise for the nation to achieve its critical development needs.

Earlier, the TCN Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Engr Don Priestman welcomed the Board members and

expressed gratitude to President Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR, for the Manitoba Hydro International (MHI) Management Contract for TCN’s turn-around.

He also expressed the willingness of TCN Management to work with the Board members to achieve the Federal Government’s mandate of improved power supply delivery to the people, assuring that TCN’s turn-around is achievable given the right resources and staff attitude.

The meeting was attended by all 17 board members including Mr. Olusola Akinfemiwa, OON, who is Board Vice Chairman, His Excellency, Dr. Sam Egwu and Engr. Joseph

Commodity

Units

Price

Change

% Change

Contract

Time(ET)

Crude Oil (WTI)

USD/bbl.

103.16

-0.43

-0.42%

Nov 13

06:40:55

Crude Oil (Brent)

USD/bbl.

107.77

-0.39

-0.36%

Nov 13

06:40:38

TOCOM Crude Oil

JPY/kl

62,980.00

-430.00

-0.68%

Feb 14

06:38:46

NYMEX Natural Gas

USD/MMBtu

3.61

0.00

+0.11%

Oct 13

06:39:58

Source: Bloomberg

Source: Oilprice.com

Makoju, representing Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN. Other representatives of relevant stakeholders such as Ministries of Power, Petroleum & Finance, Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE, Generation Companies (Gencos) and Distribution Companies (Discos) also attended the meeting.

TCN emerged from the defunct National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) as a product of the merger of the Transmission and Operations sectors on April 1, 2004.

Being one of the 18 unbundled Business Units under the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), the company was issued a transmission License on 1st July, 2006.

TCN licensed activities include: electricity transmission, system operation and electricity trading which is ring fenced.

TCN is responsible for evacuating generated electric power from Generating Companies and wheeling it to Distribution Companies.

38

Energy Week

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

FG should propagate use of renewable energy in Nigeria –Oye As the Federal Government still grapples with the problem of inadequate and unstable power supply, UDEME AKPAN spoke with the Chief Architect, GoSolarAfrica and Co Founder/CEO of SMEFUNDS, committed to the promotion of sustainable enterprise development in Africa, Mr. Femi Oye on a wide range of issues. Excerpts.

What is the state of power supply in Nigeria and other parts of Africa?

When night comes and power shuts down - which it does all the time - people sit in the dark or, if they’re lucky, fire up generators that cost the country $140 billion to fuel. Nigeria and other parts of Africa are seen to be in darkness. At night, there is little or no productivity in Africa.

Crime wave may be on the increase according to police reports. Nigeria is endowed with variety of energy resources, which include crude oil, natural gas, tar sands, coal and lignite, hydropower, wind solar, biomass, geothermal and uranium.

Out of these resources, oil and gas or petroleum presently constitute over 80per cent of the total commercial primary energy resources utilised in the country.

It also serves as the major source of foreign exchange earnings for the national economy. Coal, which served as a source of commercial energy in the 60s and early 70s is now, however, not utilised either as a source of foreign exchange earning nor as a source of energy, despite its availability in reasonable commercial quantities.

Tar sands are yet to be exploited for both exports and for domestic use as an energy source. With the exception of hydro, the aforementioned resources do not naturally replace themselves within a reasonable short time whenever consumed. They are depleting resources with immense negative environmental effects on exploitation and consumption; and are therefore not clean energy sources. Solar, wind, biomass and hydro are referred to as renewable since these resources naturally replenish themselves on a periodic basis or within a relatively short time, when consumed.

Specifically, what factors are responsible for Nigeria’s energy crisis?

The nation’s power situation can be attributable to a lot of factors. For instance, Nigeria’s gas-dominated electric grid experiences frequent system collapse linked often to inadequate gas supply. It is also a function of energy infrastructural gaps; weak concern for cost recovery and lack of adequate economic incentives to induce the state-owned companies to engage in efficient production and investment behavior. They also include under-utilisation of installed capacity due to obsolete equipment, inadequate maintenance, lack of spare parts, poor management of Generation, Transmission and distribution systems. Consequently, despite being oil rich, Nigeria is desperately energy poor.

Per capita electricity consumption is half

Oye

that of nearby Ghana and even this limited supply is shockingly unreliable. The World Bank report reveals that the power sector had the highest percentage of system losses at 33-41 percent; the lowest generating capacity factor at 20 percent; the lowest average revenue at $1.56 KWH; the lowest rate of return at 8 percent; and the longest average accounts receivable period of 15 months. Nigerian Businesses already spend over N1 trillion on generator costs and generate 28,000mw of electricity themselves. Many are relocating operation outside.

Why do you always make strong cases for renewable energy resources?

Renewable energy resources, including solar have a lot of advantages. For instance, the technology is relatively cheaper than others. The low cost raises the possibility of equity participation for larger section of the people. As the technology is simple, it can be understood and operated with short and simple trainings.

They are isolated schemes and therefore can serve targeted areas. Lightness of the equipment requires low transportation cost and therefore can be procured wherever one wants alternative means of transportation. Low load demand of poor people matches with the small sized technologies; community resource mobilisation and community management of the decentralised energy system promote social integration.

Renewable energy sources currently supply between 15per cent and 20per cent of the world’s total energy demand. It is dominated by Solar and PV technology especially in Africa. By using solar energy as our future source of energy, we can certainly avoid both the two crises as well as meet Nigeria’s immediate energy needs. It can be reliable, local and sustainable source of energy, important for Nigeria with young and growing population. Renewable can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It can be an important source of green jobs. Moreover, Nigeria Engineers, businesses and industries have skills and capital to produce mini grids at competitive costs.

What are the challenges of renewable energy in Nigeria and how can they solved?

THE ADAPTATION RATE OF SOLAR IS ABOUT

37 PER CENT, WHICH SHOWS REASONABLE GROWTH WHEN COMPARED AGAINST

THE PREVIOUS 5-7 PER CENT Indeed, there are some challenges. These include technical challenges, economic and financial challenges. There are also social, cultural and environment constraints, political, institutional and legislative barriers and challenges based on the security of the installation. A lot can be done to tackle the challenges. For instance, efforts should be made to romance the private sector participation as the Government plans to achieve a 10per cent renewable electricity source by 2025. Energy conservation and efficiency programs should be rolled out to help make the New Energy reform work. Nigeria’s Electricity success is not tied to the Super grid system; rather a smaller grid and distribution network systems should be harnessed. The right institutional framework, policy consistency and appropriate incentive structure is needed. There is urgent need for local development of CDM projects to help finance the cost of generating electricity and avert GHG. What is the adoption rate of solar like in the nation?

The adaptation rate is about 37 per cent which shows reasonable growth when compared against the previous 5-7 per cent.

The growth is attributed to some factors, including confidence building on the reliability of solar in the nation. It is also a function of low cost of components, especially solar panel and battery. For example solar panel which used to be N1, 000 now cost only N300 per wax. The lightness of equipment which requires low transportation cost, community resource mobilisation and community management of the decentralised energy system also promote social integration.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Briggs hosts colloquium on exploration, oil theft

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he Chair for Petroleum Geosciences, University of Port Harcourt, Mr. Lulu Briggs, has hosted a gathering of local and international energy technocrats, researchers and academic giants to a Roundtable on Petroleum Exploration and Development, at Hotel Presidential Port Harcourt.

The roundtable which took place on September 24, this year was sponsored by an indigenous E&P operator, Moni Pulo, focuses on two main areas currently affecting the Nigerian petroleum industry negatively: the absence of new investments in exploration, which has led to no new fields being discovered; and crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism.

As of June 2013, oil theft in the Niger Delta had reached 400,000 barrels per day, more than the national production of many oil-producing countries.

The huge revenues flowing from the illegal trade has emboldened international syndicates with well-organised supply and distribution networks, which push the E&P operators to the wall. While the IOCs are bleeding heavily and may soon reach the limit of their tolerance of the situation, many of the small independent producers have been knocked out completely with some not producing a drop of oil for a long time.

Recent estimates show that as much as 20 per cent of the production of the independents goes to the oil thieves, an intolerable level of losses for them, given the high cost of borrowing for them.

Secondly, Nigeria had always added to her reserves from the first commercial discovery in 1956 up to 2012, when she experienced a decline for the first time.

This followed years of no new seismic surveys whether speculative or commissioned, with little or no investment at all in this area for the five years preceding 2012.

Thirdly, Nigeria is falling off the strategic map for many IOCs as illustrated by the withdrawal of British Gas from Okolola LNG project to invest in the now booming Australian LNG industry.

Several other IOCs are divesting some of their Niger Delta assets and transferring resources to nearby countries such as Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and even Ghana and Sierra Leone among others.

To cap it all, the Petroleum Industry Bill, which has been in the works for more than a decade now and expected by Nigerians to usher in reforms and the required competitive environment in the industry has been languishing in the National Assembly.

Speakers included Mr. George Osahon, Director, Department of Petroleum Resources; Dr. Emmanuel Egbogah, African Union Peace Ambassador to the Sudan and South Sudan and former Special Adviser to the President; Mr. Paul Michael Wihbey of GWEST LLC Washington DC; Professor Omowumi Iledare of Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, USA; Mr. Pedro Egbe, Managing Director, Weltek Limited; Professor Adewale Dosunmu, Shell/Aret Adams Chair for Petroleum Engineering at University of Port Harcourt; and Professor Goddy Igwe, Director, Centre for Refining and Petrochemicals at the Institute of Petroleum Studies, University of Port Harcourt.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Energy Week

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

FG tasks operators in mining sector to support NEITI audit process

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he Federal Government has charged companies and relevant agencies in the solid minerals sector to cooperate with the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), as it begins another round of comprehensive industry audit of Solid Minerals Industry.

The audit covers the period 2011.

The call was made by the Minister of Mines and Steel Development Mohammed Musa Sada, at a templates workshop on the audit organised by NEITI in Abuja.

Underlying the ministry’s continued support to NEITI’s independent audit exercise; Sada told operators in the sector, that cooperating with NEITI audit process is a mandatory and legal obligation. ‘‘Failure to cooperate will amount to default of both the NEITI Act, 2007 and the Nigerian Mining Act, 2007 and may lead to revocation of mining licenses’’, he warned.

The Executive Secretary of NEITI, Zainab Ahmed explained that the workshop was organised to acquaint government agencies and companies covered by the audit on the provisions in the templates designed for the audit exercise.

It is also a forum to educate, en-

Sada

lighten and mobilise relevant agencies and companies on the scope of the audit, how to respond to the data and information expected to be contained in the templates, as well as an opportunity to reflect on the importance of the audit and the requirements of Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).

She added that, ‘‘Other objectives of the audit are to establish and make public revenue flow through investment among the major players in the solid minerals sector, report on the quantities of solid minerals mined,

quarried, processed, exported and imported and track solid minerals sector funds collected by various government agencies into the Federation Account’’.

Ahmed outlined reconciliation of the payments made by major players (companies/entities) in the solid minerals sector in Nigeria with government receipt of revenues during the period in the form of royalty, ground rents/annual surface rents, taxation, levies etc as areas covered by the exercise.

The first independent solid minerals industry audit was conducted by NEITI in 2011.The exercise covered the period 2007-2010.The findings of that audit exercise are available on NEITI website.

The present audit for the period 2011 is expected to build on the gains of that exercise and add to available information and data required by civil society and the citizens to hold both companies and government to account.

About 78 companies doing business in mining and solid minerals industry along with several relevant government agencies participated in the last audit exercise.

The number is expected to increase in this audit of the sector.

NDDC takes computers, mosquito nets to schools, communities

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he NDDC has begun the distribution of computer sets and treated mosquito nets to schools and communities across the Niger Delta region.

Under the arrangement, 200 computer sets have been donated to all the polytechnics in the Niger Delta Region while another set of 120 computers and accessories have been distributed to several colleges of education in the Niger Delta region.

Acting Managing Director/CEO, Dr. Christy Atako disclosed this while handing over computer sets and accessories as well as mosquito treated nets to beneficiary secondary Schools and communities respectively in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State.

“We decided that we will send computer sets to selected secondary schools in the Niger Delta Region, we felt that we don’t need to limit ourselves to tertiary institutions because of the importance at the grass root level” “Science and technology drives the economy of any nation because the world is a global village. We cannot do that if we don’t have the facilities, knowledge and the technical know how.”

According to her, it was for this reason that the NDDC is collaborating with other agencies to ensure that teaching and learning is achieved in schools across the region.

The commission, she said also strives to build a healthy population, which gave rise to the distribution of mosquito net as a way of protecting the populace from mosquito bites and malaria.

“Health is wealth, no matter the infrastructural development you bring to any community if the people are not healthy or active they will not enjoy the benefit of those facilities and that is why we indentified malaria as the greatest enemy of the region, hence our intervention”.

Receiving the items chairman of Odukpani Local Government Area, Mr. Stephen Asuquo thanked the NDDC for the gesture and assured that the items will be judiciously used.

The commission has also provided a solar powered water project embarked upon by the NDDC in Ikot-Iwang Township in Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River Sate has been inaugurated.

The project has a reticulation of 1000 meters with 20,000 gallons twin tank, expected to serve the entire community.

In her speech the Acting Managing Director/CEO of NDDC, Dr Mrs. Christy

Atako

Atako explained that the project was in line with President Goodluck Jonathan transformation agenda in which provision of portable water and other infrastructure in Bakassi remains a key component.

“I want to tell you here that the Federal Government loves Bakassi, NDDC loves Bakassi and the Federal Government through NDDC as part of the transformation agenda of Mr. President has provided a number of infrastructure in the area”.

She enjoined the people to maintain the project by ensuring that it serves optimally, pointing out that the project seizes to be NDDC project once it has been commissioned and handed over.

“Guard this project jealously; remember that if anything goes wrong with it, no one else will suffer it but the community.

That is why we always ensure that you take over the project and own it” Speaking on behalf to the community at the commissioning ceremony, a Community, Leader Chief Emmanuel Edem Etim expressed gratitude to the NDDC for rescuing the people from the perennial problem of water scarcity.

According to Chief Etim, the community’s only source of drinking water was a stream, which was often polluted as a result of oil exploration and exploitation in the area, thereby exposing the people to various health hazards. “We are happy with NDDC, we used to trek long distance to get water from the stream, we prayed and hoped for this day. We thank God it has become a reality.”

39

Lagos, Ekiti states adopt institutional initiatives on climate change

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agos and Ekiti state governments have embarked on sustainable climate change initiatives with the aim of mitigating its devastating effect on the environment.

The permanent secretary in the Ministry of Environment Hakeem, Ogunbambi who gave this indication said beyond public awareness creation, Lagos State has concentrated energy on the Barbeach shoreline protection and reclamation project with massive construction of new drainage channels and dredging of new ones.

In his speech at the three day workshop on climate in the South West Geopolitical zone which held in Ekiti state, Ogunbambi who was represented by Dr. Abiodun Afolabi, director of ecology conservation in the ministry disclosed that enforcement of clearing of all encroachment on drainage channels have been beefed up while government has maintained regular flood alert and early warning signals to residents.

He pointed out that climate change is undoubtedly the defining developmental challenge of the century which has continued to dominate global environmental discourse.

He said the workshop put together by the Policy Advocacy Partnership Project on Climate Change (PAPPCC) came at the appropriate time as Nigeria is exposed to the scourge of climate change.

“Indeed, there is need to promote innovative solutions to the challenges of climate change not only in our geopolitical zone but in Nigeria at large” the permanent secretary urged.

He said the need to expand the knowledge has become imperative considering the devastation in the North occassioned by desertification, soil and gully erosion in the South East and coastal flooding in the South West.

He recalled that seventeen out of the thirty six states of the federation were last year inundated by flood waters in magnitude unprecedented in human history.

With it came deaths, destruction, diseases and misery, he said adding that as the flood receded and survivors began to count loses thousands were rendered refugees with property and livelihoods valued at billions of naira lost.

He said the administration has put strategies aimed at long term mitigation and adaptation to the negative impacts of the climate change in its environmental restoration programmes.

So far, the state has planted four million trees, and carried out landscaping of open spaces, road verges, median and triangular lay-bys.

Ogunbambi also said government has introduced waste management programmes with the establishment of waste to composit facility in Ikorodu and waste to energy project at Olusosun.

40

Energy Week

Operators prefer steel pipes - Moukarim

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he Managing Director of Nigeria Gas and Steel Limited, Mr. Hasib Moukarim has disclosed that operators in the petroleum and other sectors have taken to increased use of steel pipes.

Moukarim said operators in different sectors of the nation’s economy, including oil and gas now use steel pipes as the main structural element instead of the usual beams.

According to him, the advantages of using the hollow structural sections, heavy duty pipes manufactured by the company are many.

He noted that the steel pipe is appealing, easy to fabricate and cost saving to investors on different sectors of the economy.

Moukarim stated that petrol stations, schools, shopping complex, bus-stops and bill boards used the heavy duty steel welded pipes manufactured locally by NGSL to fabricate the roofing and structural engineering aspects of the contracts.

He maintained that these products can favourably complete the fabrication jobs they had in hand instead of depending on the imported beams and sections which are costlier and heavier, adding that the fabricators have won more contracts because contractors solicited for the durable and quality pipes.

Moukarim said that the pipes have higher strength to weight ratio than other steel products and has excellent compression support characteristics due to its lighter weight compared to beams, saying pipes are recommended worldwide for use as structural elements in building and other structures.

Chamber makes case for human capital developmement

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resident of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Engr. Emeka Unachukwu has urged the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC to de-emphasise their interventionist programmes on infrastructural development, stressing that the commission should rather dedicate more of their budget on human capacity development.

This according to him is key to sustainably advancing the people and positioning them favourably for the challenges of the future. He cited the National Technology Centre (NATEC) as one of those projects that will facilitate the realisation of this objective.

Unachukwu who gave this charge when he led a delegation of PHCCIMA exco and members on a solidarity visit to the newly appointed Acting Managing Director of NDDC, Dr. (Mrs.) Christy Atako at the commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, emphasised the need for the two bodies to work closely to enable the chamber bring their value to bear at the commission.

He congratulated and extolled the Acting MD assuring her that PHCCIMA and the OPS will support her tenure and partner with the commission.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stakeholders flay underfunding of solid minerals sector S TORIES: C HIDI U GWU ABUJA

S

takeholders in the solid minerals sector of the economy have flayed the underfunding of the sector by the government, saying it negates Federal Government’s aspiration to redirect attentions towards the sector for revenue generation.

National President of Miners Association of Nigeria, Mr. Sanni Shehu, lamented the paucity of funds needed to effectively develop the sector, stressing that even though Nigeria solid minerals sector holds greater potentials of stabilising the economy of the country, the sector remained grossly underfunded.

Shehu called on the government to review the funding arrangement of the sector for the greater good of the nation’s economy.

The chief miner of the country, stated that Nigeria’s solid mineral deposits are far greater than that of South Africa both in quantity and in quality but the revenue generate in South African mining sector is far greater than Nigeria’s because lack of funding and development.

“While I enjoin members to cooperate with NEITI on 2011 solid minerals audit exercise I want to observe that both NEITI and mining sector is grossly underfunded” he said.

Also, the Executive Secretary, the Nigerian extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, described the underfunding issue as a major challenge to

Solid minerals

NEITI stressing that lack of funds had hindered NEITI from effectively getting to all the entities which it ought to cover during the last audit.

For the Minister of mines and steel development, Arch. Musa Mohammed Sada, to build a prosperous solid minerals sector and enhance the chances of the present administration’s aspiration of diversifying the nation’s economy, operators in the mining sector must open up to NEITI and cooperate with its efforts to generate information and relevant data for the upcoming 2011 Solid Minerals sector audit.

He recalled that the 2007-2010 NEITI audit report helped exposed many lapses which led the ministry to strengthening its system to close up the gaps and improve on revenue collection, accountability in tax and royalty regimes among other things.

He said arising from the last audit the ministry made presentation to the

economic management Team Implementation Team (EMIT) proposing the development of a sector specific fiscal regime that will lead to putting in place, a Mining Industry Tax Act. He added that the ministry also commenced collaboration with infrastructure ministries to facilitate proper assessment of revenues by Bill of Quantities (BOQ) and Bill of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation (BEME) of construction and contracts that reveal the quantities of stone aggregates, latetrite and sand used at works.

The minister said the audit report led to the establishment of the Solid Minerals Development Fund and has facilitated the computerization of the issuance and management of mineral titles and is currently working to rid the sector of speculative title holders through the ‘Use it or lose it’ principle.

Indigenous oil firms await marginal fields bid result

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irst Exploration and Production, Lekoil and Vertex are among the several Nigerian independent companies awaiting the announcement of the winner of a bid for a 40 per cent stake, as well as technical partnership, in Ubima and Otakikpo fields. They are both two marginal oil fields located in the Eastern Niger Delta basin, onshore Nigeria. Seplat was also on the bid list, but has since opted out.

FBN Capital, the investment arm of First Bank, the country’s largest lend-

Oil rig

er, is midwifing the transaction. “Some of the bids are as high as $30million, even though these are mere marginal fields”, says a source close to the transaction.

According to African Oil and Gas report, FBN Capital was expected to have named the preferred bidder last Friday, September 20, 2013. A company named All Grace is the holder of Ubima Fieldin Shell operated Oil Mining Lease (OML) 17, while Otakikpo Field, located in Shell operated Oil Mining

Lease (OML) 11, is held by Green Energy. The awards were made in patronage circumstances in 2011, outside the process of a competitive bid round.

The Beny Steinmetz Group (BSG) had moved in to acquire a 40% stake in each of the assets immediately the awards happened, but the company could not get ministerial approval. The recourse to seeking technical partners arose because All Grace and Green Energy have no technical capability to develop the fields.

The bidding companies are mostly the usual suspects, who have been involved in bids for assets offered for sale by Shell, ConocoPhillips, Chevron in the past year and half. Seplat, in particular, the largest African owned hydrocarbon producer, looks to be in acquisitive mode. It was reported to have acquired a 40% stake in Pillar Oil, holder and operator of the 2,700BOPD Umuseti/Igbuku marginal field and is in the process of concluding a similar acquisition in Chorus Energy, holder of the Matsogo/Amoji/Igbolo Field.

The company requires these fields to grow its gas volume to 250MMscf/d by mid- 2014. Seplat is also on the list of the last 11 bidders for Chevron’s 40% stake in OMLs 52, 53 and 55.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

From the Civil Service

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Teachers strike: Suswam threatens to commence ‘no work, no pay’ HENRY IYORKASE MAKURDI

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overnor Gabriel Suswam of Benue state has vowed to take drastic action by henceforth invoking a punitive measure of “no work no pay” to any Benue State University lecturer who abstains from his duty post.

He said the state government, despite the strike had continued to meet its obligation but warned that as from October next month it would stop.

Suswam who made the declaration yesterday in Makurdi while interacting with the management of the institution said the university would reopen as from next month and

any lecturer who refuses to come to work and resume lectures would not be paid.

The governor also pointed out that the state government is not owing lecturers and wondered why they would continue to be on a sympathy strike for almost three months.

Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Charity Angya who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Nicholas Ada told the governor that the management had met with ASUU on the need for the strike to be called off in the University.

He emphasised that as at the time of meeting with the governor, the management was yet to hear from ASUU.

The governor lamented that Nigerian universities are producing half baked graduates because of the incessant strikes embarked upon by the lecturers.

Governor Suswam called on the body of Vice Chancellors to intervene in the ongoing ASUU strike regretting that Nigerians are almost losing hope in the country’s education sector due to these incessant strikes proffering to send their children to neighbouring countries like Ghana, Niger, Benin Republic and others.

“Of course I am being faced with series of attacks from ASUU but I am undaunted because it is a collective respon-

sibility of every citizen to contribute his or her own quota to the upliftment of education and in this regard we must continue to do the best we can for the future of our children who are tomorrow’s leaders,” he said.

“In any case we are under pressure from all fronts but certainly a solution will be found to the intermittent ASUU strikes and I make bold to emphasize here and in the history of successive administrations in the country President Jonathan’s administration has tried to assuage the prolonged differences with striking lecturers by doling out funds to mitigate their requests,” he said.

Some of the 1,000 youths at the National Industrial Skills Development Programme in Dutse, Jigawa State, yesterday.

Osun lauds FG over water projects

MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

O

sun State government has lauded the Federal Government over its various water projects in the state.

Governor of the state, Rauf Aregbesola, made the remark recently when he paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Water Resources Mrs. Sarah Reng Ochkpe in Abuja.

The Governor acknowledged the effort of the Federal Government in providing water for the state.

According to him, Ilesha, a major community in the state, has been without water for the past 50years before the Federal Government came to her aid by releasing funds to complete a dam in

the town.

He said: “I am quite impressed with what you people have done in Osun state and I find it necessary to come here to express my profound gratitude to the Federal Government, especially in the construction of Ilesha water project” He disclosed that the 12 Ogun-Osun River Basin projects in the state as well as the Ilesha dam “are considered a great honour done to the State by President Goodluck Jonathan.” He however reminded the Minister of Ife Dam; and that completing the dam would be an honour done to the entire Yoruba race.

The Governor also solicited the support of the ministry in constructing treatment plant, while he

promised the state government would reticulate and distribute the water to the people. He said that though the state was expected to construct the treatment plant, the state, he pleaded, did not have the funds required for the project.

Speaking on irrigation, the Governor noted that the state needed irrigation for all-season-farming and pleaded for more Federal Government’s support in this regard.

Responding, the Minister said that the on-going projects of the Ministry in Osun state and other states of the federation were as a result of President Jonathan’s determination to complete all abandoned projects across the country that could be of benefit to the people.

PHOTO: NAN

Ochekpe also reiterated Federal Government’s desire for stronger partnership with state governments for service to be delivered to Nigerians.

According to her, the responsibility of the ministry is to provide fresh bulk water while the provision of treatment plant, while water reticulation is vested on the state.

Speaking further, she said that President Jonathan was committed to the agricultural transformation of the country through irrigation and water supply projects for food security. “ Since it is obvious that rain-fed agriculture alone cannot guarantee food security to the nation, a lot is being done to support irrigation projects all over the country and Osun state will not be left out”, she concluded.

41

Benue spends N805.5m on office complex, schools renovation

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he Benue Government on Tuesday said it had spent N805.5 million on the renovation of an office complex and three Science and Technical Schools in the state.

The Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr. Anthony Onuh, said this while briefing newsmen in Makurdi.

“The government had spent N805.5 million on the renovation and construction of the office complex in the ministry’s headquarters, Makurdi.

“The sum of N71.1 million was also used in the renovation of another office complex in the ministry, while N208.9 million was spent in the renovation of the Government Science and Technical College, Anyiin.

He said N278 million was also spent on the renovation of Science and Technical School, Garagbohol and N267.4 million on Science and Technical School, Otukpa.”

He said some of the projects were delayed due to increase in prices of some equipment required for the laboratories.

He said the school projects were ongoing and fell within the specified period of comple-

tion as contained in the contracts terms.

The commissioner said the projects were at completion stages, adding that the schools were designed to boost the technological advancement of the people of the state.

He said the state government had also installed Vsat equipment and Internet connectivity at a cost of N6.7 million in the three schools.

Onuh also said that the state government had concluded plans to provide solar street light in Gboko, Otukpo and Katsina-Ala before the end of the year.

He warned motorists against reckless driving to avoid damaging the street light, saying that the state government would apply appropriate sanctions against anyone found to damaged the lights through reckless driving or vandalism them.

Suswam

Kaduna warns civil servants on security reports AZA MSUE KADUNA

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he Kaduna State Government has warned ministries, departments and agencies over abuse of addressing security agencies without laid down procedure.

Acting Head of Service, Mr Akila D. Bungwon in a memo directed that henceforth all correspondences on security matters should be channelled to the Secretary to the State Government for action.

The memo which was addressed to the Executive Secretaries, Christian Pilgrims Welfare

board, Muslim Pilgrim Welfare Board among others further warned them to stop such act or attract sanction.

The memo read: “It has been observed that some ministries, departments and agencies are in the habit of addressing security agencies without regard to laid down procedure. In view of the above therefore, the State Security Council has directed that henceforth, all correspondences on security issues should be addressed to the office of the Secretary to the State Government for appropriate action. Please.

42

From the Civil Service

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FG, France to establish joint technical committee on water MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

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he Federal Government has said it was partnering with French Development Agency, FDA, to establish a joint technical committee that would come up with areas that need intervention in the Nigerian water sector.

The Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe, disclosed this recently when she received a French delegation led

by Ms. Nicole Bricq, the French Minister of Foreign Trade in Abuja.

Ochekpe re-affirmed the commitment of the Federal Government to open up business in the water sector through Public Private Participation, PPP. She said it was based on that the Presidential Summit on Water was convened in February, 2013 to create more opportunities for private organizations to participate in the development of the nation’s water sector.

The Minister said that

Federal Government had strengthened partnership with state and local governments to provide potable water to the society, adding that paucity of fund was the major challenge in providing adequate potable water to the citizenry, and therefore urged Nigerians to appreciate government’s efforts by maintaining the existing water facilities in their communities.

In his remarks, the Head of Public Private Partnership (PPP), Mr. Benson Ajisegiri, commended

the efforts of the French Government through the French Development Agency in supporting the Urban Water Sector Reform programme with funds that were used to improve the level of water supply in Cross River, Lagos, Ogun, Kaduna and Enugu states.

Ajisegiri added that French Development Agency had also assisted in capacity building to staff of National Water Resources Institute Kaduna as well as the staff of the Federal Ministry of Water Resourc-

es.

Earlier in her remarks, Ms. Nicole Bricq informed the minister that they were in Nigeria to strengthen the cooperation that existed between the two countries and to extend such cooperation for mutual benefits of both countries.

According to the French Minister, water requires enormous fund to manage and therefore not a free commodity. She urged Nigerian government to encourage payment of tariff as this would enable the

country to maintain the water infrastructures all over the country.

She reiterated France preparedness to assist the sector with more funds and capacity building, including a working group to deal with legal and technical issues of water sector development.

The technical committee is expected to come up with detailed areas of bilateral benefits between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the French Government.

Jigawa to ensure transparency in administration of LGs –Commissioner

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An alleged illegal eye clinic sealed by the Akwa Ibom Ministry of Health in Uyo recently.

PHOTO: NAN

he Jigawa Government has adopted proactive measures to promote probity and financial discipline in the administration of local governments, Alhaji Salisu Indirawa, the Commissioner for Local Government, has said.

The commissioner said this on Tuesday in Hadejia at the opening of a four-day training workshop for treasury officers.

Represented by Alhaji Muhammad Kani, a member of the Local Government Service Commission, Indirawa said the training was designed to build the capacity of accountants and other related officers for effective service delivery.

He added that the exercise was part of measures adopted by the government to enhance transparency and prudent financial management in the administration of local governments.

The commissioner said: “The government will continue to train its workers on best financial practices and ethics.

“This is to attain discipline and transparency in the running of government at both the state and local levels.’’

Mallam Isa Aminu, a participant at the workshop, commended the government for organising the training, saying it would go a long way to enhance good governance.

Lagos warns school principals against selling uniforms Ministry denies charging M A fees for recruitment URITALA

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YINLA

he state government yesterday warned that no school should engage in the sale of schools’ uniform to students as earlier recommended, saying that the existing hostel requirements for students in boarding houses for the 2013/2014 academic session remain valid.

The government also approved the new promotion criteria for 2013/20014 academic year in public secondary schools in Lagos, even as it announced plan to train twenty teacher from ten public secondary schools on Information Communication Technology to enable them computer based examination across the state.

The Commissioner for Education, Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye who made disclosure said two teachers in each of the ten public

schools where the state government planned to test run the Computer Based Test, to enqble them impact the Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) knowledge on their students.

On the new approved promotion criteria for 2013/20014 academic year in public secondary schools in Lagos, the commissioner said an average of 50% pass including in Maths and English Language for students in JJ1 going to JJ11 and JJ11 to JJ111 She added: “Credit pass in six subject at JSCE including in Maths and English language for students going from JJ111 to SS1; 50 per cent credit pass in six subjects including Maths and English Language for students in SS1 going to SS11, 50 per cent in five subjects including Maths and English Language as well as 50 per cent cumulative pass at a screening test; 50 per cent attendance of the

parent at a Parents’ Forum and 90 per cent student’s attendance in school.

The Commissioner opined that it is very imperative that the new approved promotion criteria be adhered to in order to sustain and maintain the relatively model successes that was recorded in last West Africa School Certificate Examinations.

Oladunjoye commended the principal and vice principals as well their teachers for their efforts in the success recorded at the last WASCE just as she charged them to take ownership of their various schools adding that by so doing they will continue to excel both in academics and morals.

She also disclosed the list of approved items and their prises for the year 2013/2014 academic Session, adding that the approved items are a badge for N150.00, a tie for N200.00, a file for N80.00, a beret/cap for N400.00, sportswear for

N600.00, birth certificate or age declaration by sworn affidavit of the student and the Tax clearance certificate of the student’s parent.

She pointed out that students especially from SS1 are expected to be border students in all Model/Upgraded Schools in the state just as she reiterated government’s ban on the transfer of students into public secondary schools noting that the policy is a deliberate one by government to ease the pressure on infrastructure in public schools occasioned by the transfer policy.

Fashola

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he Ministry of Interior on Tuesday in Abuja denied charging fees from applicants seeking recruitment into the Nigeria Immigration Service.

Mrs Fatima Bamidele, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, said in a statement that the ministry did not collect N1,000 as processing fee from applicants.

Bamidele denied the allegation when she received representatives of the Nigerian Unemployed Youths Vanguard led by its National Coordinator, Mr Solomon Adodo in the ministry, according to the statement.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Ministry of Interior and the Nigeria Immigration Service, do not charge and will not accept money for jobs, “Anybody who demands for and accepts money or bribes for jobs into the ser-

vices under the ministry will be appropriately sanctioned in line with extant regulations guiding discipline in the service,” she said.

The permanent secretary said that the current recruitment was in continuation of an earlier effort by the ministry to recruit officers into the Nigeria Immigration Service.

She further explained that the exercise that was done manually was marred with controversy and had to be discontinued.

“Consequently, a new ICTbased recruitment exercise had to be adopted for the purpose of fairness, transparency and accountability in line with the transformation agenda of the government.

“A consultant was engaged to provide an Internet platform to enable applicants access the application forms that will enable the ministry process the applications,” she said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Wednesday September 25, 2013

43

Governors bicker over Okonjo-Iweala The Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF, last week demanded for the immediate resignation of the Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, over poor handling of the nation’s economy. OBIORA IFOH takes a look at the demand and the opposition from other governors.

L

ast week, the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF, led by Rotimi Amaechi, demanded the immediate resignation of Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, accusing her of failure to implement the country’s appropriation law. The governors drew attention to the non-compliance with the revenue projection of the 2013 budget, blaming Okonjo-Iweala for her poor management of the economy. The forum stated that the non-compliance was a direct breach of the Appropriation Act of 2013.

The governors expressed serious concern over the management of the economy

by Okonjo-Iweala, and called for strict adherence to the Appropriations Act, 2013.

They stated that the minister should resign if she fails to implement the act. The NGF stated that the National Economic Council, NEC, is constitutionally responsible for the management of the economy and should be used for that purpose as opposed to the Economic Management Team constituted by the Presidency.

The governors also called on the National Assembly to legislate the separation of the office of the Accountant General of the Federation from that of the Federal Government for better accountability and management of the economy.

However, Okonjo-Iweala, in her reaction on the state of the economy, said she was not ready to be drawn into political issues as she has a job to do in managing the nation’s economy, adding that she works for President Goodluck Jonathan and was therefore answerable to him.

Replying to the call by Governor Amaechi-led NGF to resign, the minister said that the economy remained strong despite the current shortfalls in revenues.

Okonjo-Iweala maintained that the budget is only an estimate of spending based on expected revenues and are dependent on two major variables, oil production volume and price in the international market, both of which are beyond the control of the Ministry of Finance.

She said: “Nigeria produces oil from the ground and sells it at a price in the international market. These two variables are not under the control of the Ministry of Finance,” she said, noting that while the price of crude oil has not been an issue, the level of production has been below the budgeted estimates.

“I will not involve myself in political issues with the state governors. We are here to manage the economy for the good of the nation and what we are doing here is based on facts on the ground. I am minister for the economy, I am working for President Goodluck Jonathan and I am answerable to him. Do I look like someone who is pre-

Okonjo-Iweala

Amaechi

Jang

Uduaghan

paring to resign? I am not resigning; I dey kampe. I have a very committed and dedicated team and so I am not going to respond to such issues.”

Specifically, the minister explained that despite some misgivings on the economy in some quarters, the performance indices, in terms of macroeconomic stability, increasing build up of critical infrastructure, Foreign Direct Investment, FDI, inflows, job creation opportunities, foreign reserves profile and growing investors’ confidence, suggested clearly that Nigeria is on the path of sustainable growth.

She spoke elaborately on the various achievements of the current economic reform agenda, particularly in terms of job creation, infrastructure development in rail, road, air and waterways, foreign reserves level, successful privatisation of PHCN successor companies, increasing private investment inflows, inflation rate and capacity of the country to meet payment obligations when due and other areas.

According to her, in addition to ensuring that the economy is prudently managed through a combination of fiscal and monetary measures, indications showed that more and more investors were investing in the country, even as the state governments are also exploring the bond market to raise funds for their long term infrastructure needs.

On the performance of the 2013 capital budget, Okonjo-Iweala said in addition to paying salaries and government’s bills when due, a total of N850 billion had been

released this year on capital budget, of which substantial portion had been cashbacked.

However, a few eyebrow are being raised as regards to the direction the economy is headed despite the often economic state and indices being showcased by the administration with a large section of Nigeria believing that the claim by government that the economy is growing is contradictory to the growing unemployment, deteriorating infrastructure and worsening standard of living in the country.

The call for Okonjo-Iweala’s resignation has again brought to the front burner the crisis, rocking the Governors’ Forum.

As soon as Amaechi made the call, Governor Jonah Jang, who is leading a faction of the NGF, dissociated his group from the demand, questioning the authority under which the was call was made, as only 13 governors were present at the meeting where the position was taken.

On the call for the dissolution of the Economic Management Team, the Plateau state governor noted that the content of the communiqué read by Governor Ameachi was further evidence that Ameachi and his group have now constituted themselves as an opposition group to the Presidency and Nigerians, which he noted was not the reason they were elected as governors and also negate the aims and objectives of the NGF. Jang said: “Show me any of them that have a perfect state. Instead of facing the reason they were elected as governors, they have now become a mouthpiece for opposi-

tion politics in search of statements that will make front page news even if it is foolish. Thankfully, Nigerians are smarter and see through this mischief.”

Also, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State cautioned his colleagues on the demand for Okonjo- Iweala’s sack.

The governor told National Mirror that the minister should not be held responsible for the bad shape of the economy.

He insisted that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, should be held responsible over its failure to make available the generated revenue.

“There was a call by some of my colleagues on the Minister of Finance to resign if she cannot manage the economy.

Why I know that this month’s FAAC meeting has been suspended indefinitely as there is not enough money available to share, calling on the Minister to resign is not the way to go.

“The question that we should ask ourselves as a nation and direct at the NNPC is where has all the money gone to the extent that we cannot hold FAAC meeting this month,” Uduaghan said.

But Amaechi has insisted that the Nigerian economy is battling to survive contrary to the rosy picture being painted by the Finance Minister.

According to him, the Federal Government is yet to pay fully the Rivers State allocation for the month of July.

“We (NGF) asked the Minister for Finance to resign if she is not able to manage the economy and she replied that ‘I dey kampe’. As at now, we are yet to receive complete, the federation allocation for July.

How strong is an economy that cannot fund its statutory allocation? Our entitlement as Rivers State Government in July was N19 billion, they have paid us only N14 billion.

Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, published receipt of N1.05 trillion in July, so why do they say that there is no money? If we receive N1.05 trillion by July, why are they saying there is no money?” he queried.

Amaechi added: “In 1970, the poverty rate in Nigeria was 30 per cent. How many of you know the poverty rate now? I was in a meeting where I said it was 70 per cent, the Minister of Finance said it was 68 per cent. What’s the difference between 68 and 70? So, we are giving you a nation that is in the state of comatose, that’s what we are handing over to you.

“If it is a nation that is progressing, from 30 per cent in 1970, we should be talking about 15 per cent now.”

Not left in the pummelling of the Finance Minister was of course the All Progressives Congress, APC, lawmakers who registered their distaste on the management of the Sovereign Wealth Fund, SWF, a position the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, said was an exposition of the lawmakers crass ignorance and obvious lack of preparation of the opposition party to manage the affairs of the nation.

The debate over the management of the economy is gradually taking the way of politics but it is believed that this all important department of government should be isolated from the intrigues of the politicians because the collapse of the economy will certainly hurt not just Nigerians but the world at large.

44

Politics

Wednesday September 25, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

INEC releases names of candidates, seals Uba, Nwoye’s fate ...Names Ukachukwu PDP candidate EMMANUEL ONANI

T

he Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has resolved the confusion that hitherto trailed the candidature of the Peoples Dem-

ocratic Party, PDP, for the November 16 governorship election in Anambra State, with the release yesterday, of the name of Nicholas Ukachukwu, as the authentic candidate of the party.

By this development, the commission has successfully shut the door against Senator Andy Uba and Mr. Tony Nwoye, who had laid claim to being candidates of the PDP, with different orders of courts in their support.

The list of the 23 candidates released by the INEC include: Okeke Chika Jerry, AA; Chukwemeka Nwankwo, Accord; Dr. Ifeatu Ekelem, ACD; Engr. Anthony Anene, ACPN; Comrade Aaron Igweze E, AD; Chief Anayo A. Arinze, ADC;

Patrich Chukwuka Ibeziako, APA; Senator Chris Nwabueze Ngige, APC; Chief Willie Maduabuchi Obiano, APGA; Chief Austin Nwangwu, CPP; Chijioke Geofrey Ndubuisi, DPP; Christian Ikechukwu Otti, ID; Chief Dennis Nwaforka Oguge, Kowa; and Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, LP. Others are Pastor Simon Chinweuba Okafor, MPPP; Okonkwo Emeka Webster, NCP; Prince Leornard Uchendu, NNPP; Nicholas Chukwuejekwu Ukachukwu, PDP; Ezeemo Godwin Chukwunenye, PPA; Hon. Basil Iwuoba Oranekwu Ijedimna, PPN; Onuarah Basil Onyechonam, SDP; Barr. Okoye Godson Ohaenyem, UDP and Prince Akanneebu Ogochukwu,

UPP. In a statement by Chief Press Secretary to the INEC chairman, Kayode Idowu, the commission said that “a total of 23 political parties nominated candidates for the election.”

It said: “In line with the provisions of Section 31 (3) of the Electoral Act 2010, as amended, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has on September 24, 2013, published the Form CF001 (Personal Particulars of Candidate) of candidates nominated by political parties for the November 16 governorship election in Anambra State.

“A total of 23 political parties nominated candidates for the governorship and deputy governorship

L-R: Assistant National Organising Secretary of the APC, Senator Osita Izunazo; Governor Rochas Okorocha; APC gubernatorial candidate, Dr. Chris Ngige; Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and George Moghalu, during the inauguration of the Ngige Campaign Committee in Akwa, yesterday.

slots. Two political parties, namely the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had issues with the candidates they intend to sponsor before the closure of nominations on September 17, 2013. But the Federal High Court in Awka eased the contention over the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA’s nomination by vacating its order directing the Commission to accept two governorship candidates from the party.

“For the PDP, the Commission resolved to list Nicholas Chukwuejekwu

Ukachukwu as the governorship candidate in accordance with the latest order as delivered by the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, in Suit No. FHC/ PH/CS/296/2013 - Nicholas Chukwuejekwu Ukachukwu vs. Dr. Tony Nwoye and three others.

“The Commission hereby advises political parties and their members that only those on the list published by it are allowed to conduct electioneering.

Any violation of this rule amounts to an electoral offence and security agencies are urged to intervene as such.”

Tambuwal cautions politicians against overheating the polity

S

peaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, has cautioned politicians to refrain from overheating the polity ahead of the 2015 general elections.

Tambuwal gave the advice in Abuja on Tuesday when he received a delegation from the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, led by its President, Mr. Okey Wali.

He urged politicians to conduct themselves with decorum and not to take the electorate for granted.

“Card carrying members of political parties are at best about 25 per cent of the Nigerian population.

This 25 per cent should not hold the remaining 75 per cent in contempt.

“We should respect them and ensure that whatever we do in terms of politics, is done within the confines of the law and the constitution,” he said.

The Speaker expressed dismay at the recent political events in the country, noting that if politicians play by the rules of the game the problems could be avoided.

“What we are witnessing today is something that ordinarily should be avoided; we should as a matter of fact go back to the rules of engagement of the game.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is yet to signal and allow for political activities to begin.”

APC inaugurates 25-man campaign committee • Okorocha predicts victory for Ngige CHARLES OKEKE

WITH AGENCY REPORT

T

he All Progressives Congress, APC, on Tuesday inaugurated a 25-man campaign committee to ensure victory for its governorship candidate in the Anambra governorship election, Dr Chris Ngige.

Members of the committee include the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the National Women Leader, Mrs Sharon Ikpeazu and the National Organising Secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso.

Others are the Deputy National Youth Leader, Mr. Uzoma Igbonwa; the South-

East Vice-Chairman of the party, Dr. Anyim Nyerere and Mr. George Muoghalu.

Inaugurating the committee in Awka, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, said that the governorship contest is “between Ngige and others in Abuja.”

Okorocha however predicted that the APC would win the election.

He stated that the victory of Senator Ngige come November 16 has been signed, sealed and delivered, adding that the contest is a unique one involving Ngige and the people allegedly backed by Abuja godfathers.

He urged the electorate not to vote for any candidate that has a godfather.

Okorocha, who called on the people of the state to make monetary donations towards the campaign project as a covenant, assured that Ngige will deliver on his mandate.

“I am here for one reason; that Anambra has been in confusion for too long. The people of the state are tired of being controlled from Abuja,” Okorocha said.

The governor described Ngige as a “trustworthy” individual who would use the resources of the state for its development.

“He has assured me that he will make education free and change the state for good. Within two years, he brought development to the state. Imagine what would

have happened if he had remained as governor for eight years.”

Okorocha, who promised to relocate to Anambra during the campaign, said that the governorship campaign would officially kickoff on October 3.

In his remark, Mohammed said that Ngige is a candidate to beat, describing the donation towards the campaign as worthy of emulation.

“What happened today only happened in the First Republic during the Action Group when farmers and artisans contributed to the election of candidates.

“Okorocha has reminded us of our glorious past.

What it means is that we

are signing a contract with the people. What has happened today is what our politicians have not been able to explain to the people that if a big man sponsors your election, it is like the devil putting you in office.

“If the ordinary people donate and put you in office, it is like signing a covenant with them. I am moved by the spirit of collectivism.’’

In his speech, Ngige commended party faithful for making donations towards his campaign, saying such had never happened since he joined politics in 1998.

“I have never seen where people came for inauguration and drop money. It is a covenant that you have all

made with me of which I will fulfil.

“We are in this journey together; we shall swim and float together till we get to Government House,” he said.

He also urged them to guard their votes at the polling units.

Ngige said that the state campaign committee would be inaugurated on September 25.

He later co-opted four members of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, who are now House of Assembly members into the campaign committee, namely, Dr. Emeka Aniebonam, Kene Chukwuemeka, Ebele Obi and Tony OneWeek.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

45

Defunct Oceanic Bank shareholders pray court for N191bn refund KAYODE KETEFE

S

hareholders of the defunct Oceanic Bank have filed a suit before a Federal High Court in Lagos praying the court to compel the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) to return the N191bn worth of assets forfeited by the former Managing Director of the Bank, Mrs. Cecelia Ibru to Oceanic Bank.

Ibru had agreed to forfeit a number of assets after entering into plea bargain with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), while the plea had been validated by the former Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Dan Abutu.

In their new suit with number FHC/L/CS/1266/, brought by the Chairman of the Association of Oce-

anic Bank Shareholders, Boniface Okezie and Adewale Basirat Abolanle in representative capacity of all the aggrieved shareholders of the bank, the plaintiffs are asking for an order setting aside the part of the plea bargain where parties agreed that the disputed assets should be forfeited to the Federal Government.

The plaintiffs are asking for court order to vest them with the power to recover from the defendants assets of the defunct bank.

They are specifically asking for power enabling them to trace moniespaid out or converted or otherwise improperly acquired from Oceanic Bank before its merger with Ecobank, arising from Ibru’s self-acknowledged acts of breach of her fiduciary duty to Oceanic Bank and them as shareholders The AMCON, CBN, EFCC, the Attorney Gen-

eral of the Federation and Minister of Justice and Ibru were joined as defendants respectively in the suit.

The plaintiffs are further seeking for an order of court vesting the control of the said assets to them through their solicitors, called Indemnity Partners.

The plaintiffs’ lawyer, Mr. Chuks Nwachuku , gave four grounds in his process to support the plaintiffs’ prayers before the court.

He stated as one of the grounds that the plea bargain itself deal was an admission by the defendants that the assets forfeited by Ibru were nothing but proceeds of her breach of the fiduciary duty which she owed to the former Oceanic Bank and its shareholders.

Nwachukwu further stated that the settlement part of the agreement where parties agreed that the assets should be forfeit-

ed to the Federal Government was a breach of the fundamental right of Oceanic Bank and its shareholders, in addition to being a breach of the right to freedom of property guaranteed under Section 44 of the 1999 Constitution.

The lawyer also stated that the plea bargain amounted to an unlawful agreement to steal and receive the goods of Oceanic Bank, stressing that this fact made it liable to be set aside.

The defendants have not filed their defence to this new suit.

It will be recalled that Ibru was convicted by a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on October 8, 2010 for money laundering and mismanagement of depositors’ funds.

She was sentenced to a six months imprisonment while being also made to forfeit of a whooping sum amount to N150bn.

Index drops 0.09% as investors dump shares JOHNSON OKANLAWON

M

ore investors in equities sold their holdings on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, dragging the benchmark index lower.

The All Share Index lost 0.09 per cent to close at 36,056.02 points, compared to the decline of 0.28 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 36,088.64 points.

Market capitalisation depreciated N10bn to close at N11.484trn, lower than the decrease of N32bn re-

corded the preceding day to close at N11.494trn.

However, some sectorial indices gained substantial value as the Lotus Islamic Index appreciated 1.33 per cent to close at 2,547.95 points, followed by the Banking Index with 0.13 per cent to close at 386.33 points.

The NSE 30-Index rose 0.05 per cent to close at 1,687.59 points, while the Industry Goods Index marginally added 0.001 per cent to close at 2,139.80 points.

The Consumer Goods Index depreciated 0.25 per cent to close at 1,006.20

points, while the Insurance Index dipped 1.71 per cent to close at 131.36 points.

The Oil and Gas Index declined 1.89 per cent to close at 180.50 points, while the Alternative Securities Market remained flat.

University Press Limited led the gainers table with 34 kobo or 10 per cent to close at N3.74 per share, followed by ABC Transport Plc with seven kobo or 9.21 per cent to close at 83 kobo per share.

Vono Products Plc appreciated 14 kobo or 8.54 per cent to close at N1.78 per share, while Thomas Wayy-

at Plc gained eight kobo or 8.33 per cent to close at N1.04 per share.

May and Baker Plc appreciated 16 kobo or 7.84 per cent to close at N2.20 per share.

On the flip side, Unity Bank Plc lost six kobo or 9.38 per cent to close at 58 kobo per share, while John Holt Plc shed 12 kobo or 9.45 per cent to close at N1.15 per share.

UTC Plc fell six kobo or 9.09 per cent to close at 60 kobo per share, while Total Plc dipped N15.00 or 9.04 per cent to close at N151.00 per share.

US stocks slide as investors wary on Fed’s monetary policy

U

nited States stocks fell yesterday, with the Standard and Poor’s 500 Index having the longest retreat in a month, as financial shares slumped and investors watched speeches from Federal Reserve officials for clues on monetary policies.

Goldman Sachs Group Incorporation and Citigroup Incorporation declined more than 2.7 per cent as Atlantic Equities LLP forecast a drop in fixed-income trading revenue for the biggest US

banks.

Homebuilders slipped 1.6 per cent as a group before Lennar Corporation and KB Home report earnings today. Apple Incorporation surged five per cent after saying first-weekend sales of its new iPhones topped 9 million units.

The S&P 500 retreated 0.5 per cent to 1,701.84 points. The benchmark gauge has lost 1.4 per cent over three days, giving back all its gains from the Fed’s unexpected move last week to maintain stimulus levels.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 49.71 points, or 0.3 per cent, to 15,401.38 points. About 5.8 billion shares changed hands on US exchanges, in line with the three-month average.

“At some point, investors are going to say, ‘What’s underpinning this strong rally? We need some solid numbers,’” Scott Armiger, chief investment officer at Christiana Trust in Wilmington, Delaware, said. The firm has $6bn under administration. Fed policy makers are trying

to neutralize the market.

This time Bernanke said no tapering and they’re all running out and saying ‘wait a minute, folks, don’t get carried away.”

The S&P 500 rose 1.3 per cent last week, touching a record high, as the Federal Open Market Committee said at its September 17-18 meeting that it will continue to buy $85bn of assets a month, surprising economists who had forecast a reduction. The S&P 500 has gained 6 percent for the quarter and is up 19 per cent for the year.

Source: NSE

Source: Afrinvest

Market indicators All-Share Index 36,056.02 points Market capitalisation 11.50 trillion

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

UPL

3.40

3.74

CHANGE 0.34

ABCTRANS

0.76

0.83

0.07

VONO

1.64

1.78

0.14

THOMASWY

0.96

1.04

0.08

MAYBAKER

2.04

2.20

0.16

GLAXOSMITH

64.00

69.00

5.00

NESTLE

940.02

981.18

41.16

ROYALEX

0.50

0.52

0.02

TRANSEXPR

1.40

1.45

0.05

WAPIC

0.78

0.80

0.02

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

UNITYBNK

0.64

0.58

0.06

JOHNHOLT

1.27

1.15

0.12

UTC

0.66

0.60

0.06

TOTAL

166.00

151.00

15.00

INTENEGINS

0.79

0.72

0.07

MANSARD

2.11

1.95

0.16

UBCAP

1.40

1.32

0.08

WEMABANK

0.95

0.90

0.05

RTBRISCOE

1.31

1.26

0.05

NB

165.00

160.09

4.91

Primary Market Auction TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

91-Day

31,838.51

11.62

26-Sep-13

182-Day

59,081.14

11.15

26-Sep-13

364-Day

33,783.25

13.05

26-Sep-13

Open Market Operations TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

183-Day

100,822.02

12.50

26-Sep-13

-

-

-

-

Wholesale Dutch Auction System AMOUNT OFFERED

MARKET DEMAND

AMOUNT SOLD

DATE

$300m

N/A

$300m

23-Sep-13

$300m

N/A

$300m

18-Sep-13

46

Executive Discourse

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Strategic mix in domestic, foreign debt, Dr Abraham Nwankwo has been in charge of Nigeria’s public debt management over the last few years and helped, through strategic plans and appropriate guidelines, to ensure sustainability of the debt portfolio, as well as deepening the nation’s domestic debt market, amongst other achievements. In an interactive session with a team of National Mirror management led by the Acting Managing Director, Mr. Fidelis Owoamanam, last Wednesday in Abuja, the Director General of the Debt Management Office (DMO), spoke on various aspects of the nation’s debt issues and how the Office had been pursuing its sustainability and long-term goals imperatives. Excerpts: Sir, one of the key objectives of the National Debt Management 2nd Strategic Plan that was implemented between 2008-2012 is the need to establish and develop effective institutions and debt management capabilities at the sub-national level. What is the state of debt management capacity at the state level now?

Let me start by saying that all the states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory should be congratulated and appreciated for their commitment to the programme of helping them have the right institutions and capacities for public debt management. As you know, institution building is not one of the very attractive pre-occupation of governments anywhere in the world because institution building is thinking of the long term, not immediate gains, not things you see mainly. But if you are thinking of sustainability of a system, the sustainability of a country, the sustainability of development, you have to think in terms of institution building.

Things that will outlast this generation and some structures on which the future generations can build on to continue achieving excellence. So, that’s why when we came into the conclusion that public debt management needs to be democratised, that effective public debt management should not end at the centre, that it should also devolve to the sub national levels. We are happy that all the states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory keyed into the programme and supported it wholeheartedly such that over the past five years, we have worked very cooperatively with them in a rare spirit of fiscal federalism, very rare. We have worked to achieve the set objectives to the extent that, as you know, each and every state of

Nwankwo

THE DMO DOES NOT NECESSITATE THE GOVERNMENT TO GO AND BORROW, BUT THE DMO GUIDES THE GOVERNMENT TO SAY, IF YOU WANT TO OPERATE A FISCAL DEFICIT, PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT IT DOES NOT GO BEYOND THIS

LEVEL, BECAUSE IF IT GOES BEYOND THIS LEVEL, THE DEBT WILL BE UNSUSTAINABLE the federation as well as the FCT has its own debt management department in one form or the other now, to the extent that we have, through various regional workshops, through various attachments at the Debt Management Office, through various seminars and conferences, we have been in a position to develop the right skills and capabilities among the officers of the states of the federation so that they can manage their own debts.

To a lay man debt management is esoteric as he may not be familiar with what it entails and its purpose for his life. Could you explain in very simple language, which will be understandable to ordinary Nigerians, what exactly the DMO does and what debt management is all about?

The job of the Debt Management Office is to manage the debts of the country. Just as any individual household or individual company or private companies, borrow money to solve their problems, so also every government all over the world borrow money to solve their problems. As you know, a business entity usually will borrow money in addition to the equity of its owners, of the shareholders. It will also borrow money so that it can achieve high turnover, it can achieve higher profitability, it can compete

effectively in the market place. It needs to expand, build more factories and all that.

So, it goes beyond its own resources, that is, its own equity to borrow money in order to compete effectively and to achieve maximum returns to the shareholders. That is what a company does. In the same way, governments all over the world don’t just depend solely on their revenues. From time to time and frequently too, they spend more than their own revenues by borrowing additional resources so that they can accelerate development faster than would have been the case if they depended solely on their revenues. In doing that they take into account that yes, they will continue to have some expected in-flow of revenues in the future. But instead of waiting for say, the next 10 to 20 years to accumulate enough of those in flows before they can embark on projects, they take practice steps to go and borrow in advance in order to be able to provide the goods and services that people need thereby fast- tracking growth and development, whilst planning to make use of those streams of revenues that will come in the future to repay the money they have borrowed. That is the summary of public debt management.

What kind of advice is your office giving to

government to ensure the country’s debt sustainability?

Essentially, we have to give advice to the government in terms of if and when they want to borrow. Now let’s go back to the origin of borrowing. The borrowing for a country like Nigeria, the democratic system of Nigeria originates from the annual budget. Every year, there is an annual budget which is sent to the National Assembly for appropriation, that results into the appropriation act which is law. That budget details all the expected revenues for the year, and details the planned expenditures for the year, and invariably from time to time, the planned expenditure is greater, based on the reason I explained, than the expected revenue. So, that difference is what is called the fiscal deficit, and it is much of that fiscal deficit that is going to be borrowed to be able to fund the budget for that year. That’s how borrowing comes about. So, within that context, of course, even before the budget, there is a threshold that gives government a general idea of even if you want to borrow, this is the limit you should not go beyond for the debt to be sustainable.

The DMO does not necessitate the government to go and borrow, but the DMO guides the government to say, if you want to operate a fiscal deficit, please make sure that it does not go beyond this level, because if it goes beyond this level, the debt will be unsustainable. So, within that limit you have set for the government a threshold which those responsible for formulating the budget can now decide what level of deficit they want for the year. And having decided that, it is the responsibility of the Debt Management Office to borrow what has been included in the appropriation act from the right sources as efficiently and possible from the market. If it is approved

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Executive Discourse

47

key to debt sustainability -Nwankwo WE TOOK ADVANTAGE OF GOVERNMENT BORROWING TO USE IT TO DEVELOP THE MARKET FOR LONG TERM FUNDS SO THAT IF AND WHEN GOVERNMENT NEEDS

TO BORROW, IT HAS AN OPTION TO BORROW FROM EXTERNAL OR FROM DOMESTIC MARKET AND THEY CAN MIX AS AGAINST HAVING ONLY ONE SOURCE for the domestic market, you borrow from the domestic market as you do by auctioning every month and if it is approved for borrowing from external sources, we go to the international capital market as we did in July this year or we go to the World Bank or the ADB to borrow on a bi-lateral basis as we do from time to time.

Now, under the 3rd Strategic Plan 2013 – 2017, 12 one of the targets is achieving a better structure between domestic and external debts mix in the public debt stock.

How far have you been able to go in this direction?

Two things are issues raised from your question. First of all is the issue of what is the “optimal mix” between domestic and external borrowing and that is important, but it is important to appreciate that what influences the “optimal mix” change from time to time. When we exited the Paris and London club debts, our external debts dropped dramatically and relatively, our domestic debts became bigger. The fact that the external debt was reduced drastically from about $35 billion to less than about $5 billion, you know when we got the debt relief of $18 billion and we paid up to $8 billion, that was enough to make the domestic components in percentage to be very high relative to the external one because the other one has been drastically reduced.

In terms of statistics the ratio will change automatically even if we did not change the value or the amount of the domestic borrowing. But in any case, over these years, we have been increasing the level of domestic borrowing deliberately, deliberately to the extent that government needed to borrow but we thought that it was important at that level having exited the Paris Club debt to develop an alternative source of funding and that is the domestic source of funding. Before then, there was no market for long-term fund in the economy and if government wanted to borrow long term, it would not be able to do so because there was no long term market for long term debts in the economy. So, we took advantage of government borrowing to use it to develop the market for long term funds so that if and when government needs to borrow, it has an option to borrow from

external or from domestic market and they can mix as against having only one source, which is external. For now, at least government has two reliable sources of borrowing, external and domestic. In the process of trying to develop the domestic market, we necessarily borrowed more from domestic sources because you needed to create the market with that borrowing. That is why between 2005 in particular and 2012, we have developed a market where you now can assess money whereas before then, you couldn’t have money of more than 91 days and much of the government borrowing from the bond market was through issuance of Treasury Bills, which were 91 days instrument. But now, you know that every month, government can go to the market in order to fund the fiscal deficit, government can issue bonds of five years, 10 years and 20 years, as the case may be. That is the type of change developing the domestic market

has achieved. In terms of portfolio mix at that stage, you will find out that there was a strategic decision to do more domestic borrowing, not only just to raise money for government but for the purpose of developing an alternative market and that alternative market has been developed not just for the government but also for the private sector. That is why we said between 2005 and 2012 at least 20 private companies issued their own long term debt instruments to raise long term money for their own purposes, not government this time around.

That shows that that objective has been achieved, the objective of using government borrowing, domestic borrowing to develop the market, not only for government to succeed, but also for the private sector to start issuing their own bonds, so that market has been established. Now that that has been achieved, you now look at a different strategic objective which is, we have this

market so that private sector can have access and if and when government needs to borrow from domestic sources, the market is available. Now you have to lay emphasis on other issues. For example, you should lay emphasis on the relative cost of funds, how much does it cost for you to borrow externally and what is the rate of interest externally on the average and what is the rate of interest domestically? And within this period we know that domestic borrowing cost more in terms of the interest rate, it is higher than what you pay for externally borrowed funds.

Sometimes, between 400 and 500, 600 basis points, or about 4 per cent up to 6 per cent difference in the interest rate for the same maturity, for example. So, from that point of view, it makes sense, you will like to rebalance in such a way that you borrow less from the domestic source because of the relatively high cost. A third reason why you might want to do that is that if you reduce government borrowing from the domestic source, you are putting less pressure; you are reducing the pressure on the funds available domestically in terms of the demands for those funds. If you are putting less pressure on the demand for funds available domestically, it will help to bring down domestic cost of funds because relative to the supply of funds, the demand for it is lower. So the cost of funds which is the interest rate will be much lower.

These are all strategies of ensuring a good mix so that at every point in time, the mixture of the portfolio or the optimal mix of the portfolio depends on various strategic objectives we want to achieve. That is why we said in the Medium Term Debt Strategy and in our Third Strategic Plan that going forward, attempts will be made to rebalance so that government borrowing from domestic sources will be moderated while more of the borrowing should tilt towards external borrowing to achieve all these objectives.

Recently, international institutions upgraded Nigeria’s debt sustainability threshold to 56% ratio of the GDP. But in your view, there was no need for Nigeria to move beyond the 40% benchmark. Are you still maintaining that conservative stance in the face of substantial drop in government revenues this fiscal year?

As I said, in terms of where we should be before we get around, Nigeria will have to reach 40 per cent, that is comparing the money it has borrowed with the ability to generate revenues to pay, it should not be more than 40. The Gross Domestic Product, GDP is the measure of the total goods and services produced in the economy and it is this total goods and services produced in the economy that is the base for government to generate revenue. That is why they are related. In our own case, for countries in our group, the ratio should be 40 per cent of the GDP before you get worried that you could be going into dangerous zones. Then because the Nigerian government, the government of President Goodluck Jonathan want to take no risk as far as public debt is concerned, that is why we strongly feel the 40 per cent is good for now. So, up till now, we have made sure that we restricted ourselves around 20 – 21 per cent. So, we are nowhere near the dangerous zone.

48

Capital Market

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stock exchange daily equities summary Equities as at September 24, 2013 1st Tier Securities

1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

49

Community Mirror Boko Haram is one the most “It is government’s vision to of transform terrorist agriculturalvicious sector and makeorganizations it attractive.”in the world.

Fake journalist nabbed for attempting to blackmail immigration officer

VICE PRESIDENT; PRESIDENTNAMADI BARACKSAMBO OBAMA

50

Police nab fraudster for impersonating Nigeria Customs FEMIOYEWESO ABEOKUTA

M

en of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested an internet fraudster, Peter Amune for defrauding a man under the pretence of selling a car to him through public auction of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS).

An electronic statement issued yesterday by the command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Muyiwa Adejobi said Amune, who hailed from Osomurika area of Igarra in Edo state, was arrested in Au-

chi, Edo State on September 16, 2013 following a manhunt by the police.

The PPRO in the statement said the suspect collected the sum of two hundred thousand naira (N200, 000) from an unsuspecting buyer, one Mr. Johnson Umeugoji who said he saw the announcement of the auction placed on the internet.

He also stated that Umeugoji had followed up on the suspect’s instruction which requested him to report at Agbara for the public auction purportedly carried out by the Customs after paying into the suspect’s bank account in Au-

chi, Edo state.

Adejobi said the victim on realising that he had been duped ran to Agbara Divisional Headquarters of the Ogun State Police Command where he reported the matter.

The statement read: “The suspect has confessed to the crime. He confirmed that he belongs to a syndicate that is fond of duping people with such modus operandi. The command wishes to advise members of the public to always be sure of any transaction they want to venture into so as to avoid being duped by unscrupulous elements.”

One year after: Body of kidnapped business mogul found ADEOLU ADEYEMO OSOGBO

A

year after a business mogul based in Osun State, Mr. Idowu Obembe was kidnapped and murdered by unidentified gunmen; his decomposed body has been reportedly found by the state police command in a forest believed to be kidnappers’ den in Ilesa.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO) ASP Folashade Odoro who disclosed this to newsmen yesterday said Obemebe, who was the Chief Executive Officer of Nobility Stores was murdered in a callous manner; promising that police would bring the culprits to book.

Folashade said: “already four suspects had been arrested in connection with Obembe’s kidnapping and have been remanded in Ilesa prison custody by an Osogbo Magistrate court.

Equally, on August 23, 2013, we apprehended another suspect,

Gbadegeshin Ifeoluwa at Elere area, Apata, Ibadan. His arrest led to the discovery of the kidnappers den.”

According to the police spokesperson, Gbadegeshin was the one who led a team of police detectives attached to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Osun State Police Command to the forest where Obembe’s lifeless body was found.

She said Gbadegeshin is still being interrogated by the state police command for further clues on the matter and promised that as soon as investigations are completed, the suspects will be charged to court.

It was gathered from the police that the suspects had confessed to carrying out many kidnappings in the state.

Meanwhile, the remains of the business mogul has been buried by his relatives after being identified and evacuated from the forest.

Lagosians urge Fashola to provide foot bridge in Berger MURITALA AYINLA

F Porters take a nap at the back of a rickety car in Lagos after the day’s hard work.

PHOTO:ADEMOLA AKINLABI

One arrested, as gunmen kill vigilante NWABUEZE OKONKWO ONITSHA

T

ension mounted yesterday at Okpoko Layout, Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, when an operative of Okpoko vigilance group, simply identified as ‘Stubborn’ was gunned down at Mugambo Market, Okpoko by gunmen who operated on motorbikes.

The incident according to eyewitnesses occurred when the robbers chased the deceased from Elephant building where his office is located to his secu-

rity post.

An eyewitness who pleaded anonymity said he saw them chased after the deceased but could not do anything to help, as he ran for his dear life. He said the gunmen brought out an AK47 rifle as the deceased ran into an iron protector which prevented him from jumping through and shot at him severally.

A police source told Community Mirror that investigations so far revealed that the suspect arrested in connection with the killing was actually one of the gunmen; saying the suspect has

been handed over to detectives at the State Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

Similarly, there was palpable fear at Obodoukwu road, New Havenm Okpoko, when members of MASSOB apparently in pursuit of some criminals stormed Elephant House and later drove off in motorbikes.

A legal practitioner with office at Obodoukwu road, Chief S.O Abuchi who confirmed the incident, commended the police, vigilance group and MASSOB for assisting the Okpoko community deal with its security challenges.

ollowing the incessant killings of pedestrians by motorists at the Berger end of Lagos-Ibadan expressway, residents have appealed to Governor Babatunde Fashola to reconsider the call for the construction of a foot bridge at the trouble spot, to avert further loss of lives.

The renewed call was sequel to the death of a pedestrian, who was on Monday night knocked down at Berger by a hit-and-run vehicle.

Eyewitness account had it that the unfortunate incident occurred at about 10:30pm when the deceased was attempting to cross the highway. An eyewitness, Mr Olakunle Alani said the victim was about to cross the second wing of the expressway when he was knocked down by the oncoming vehicle.

The state government had, two years ago, promised to build about seven pedestrian bridges on the expressway to mitigate

the challenges of pedestrians along the axis; but had only commenced work on that of the state secretariat bus stop, located along the axis.

The seven locations, according to the State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat include: Cement Bus Stop, Ijaiye Bus Stop, Iddo, Loco, Igbobi, Ile- Epo and Secretariat BusStops.

A resident along the axis, Mr Clitton Ugochukwu who spoke to Community Mirror yesterday called on the state government to consider the area and quickly provides the foot bridge; saying residents are tired of incessant loss on lives at that spot of the highway.

He said: “Governor Fashola should, at least consider residents living along this axis.

Most residents in Ogba, Ikeja and Ojodu Berger areas need to cross the expressway before they connect to their homes daily. The foot bridge is very necessary to stop carnage on that spot of the expressway.”

50

Community Mirror

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Fake journalist nabbed for attempting to blackmail Immigration officer FRANCIS SUBERU

A

suspected fake journalist, Udeh Nick has been arrested by the police for attempting to blackmail a senior immigration officer attached to the Lagos State Command of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Alagbon Close, Ikoyi Lagos.

The 48-year-old suspect, in connivance with five others still at large, posed as journalists to allegedly blackmail the immigra-

tion officer.

The suspects, who identified themselves as journalists from different media houses, reportedly wrote a letter to the officer last Thursday, requesting for a meeting, after threatening to blackmail him.

The officer, however, referred them to the command’s spokesman who called the media houses they claimed to be working for.

His effort paid off when he was informed by the management of the media houses involved that

the impostors are never their staff.

Udeh, in an interview with Community Mirror, admitted not being a journalist, but pleaded to be left off the hook, saying the letter they wrote to the officer was a friendly one.

He said: “I have never been a staff of Newswatch Magazine.

I know that in the media, some people blackmail. But this one is totally out of it. We did not blackmail him. The letter we wrote is a friendly one. I don’t know why

they are reading meaning to it. We only asked for a friendly meeting with him. We stated in the letter that we came for a seminar and decided to bring this letter since all of us cannot come in group.

“We decided to do something to access him, being a new man there. We just wanted to reach out to him as friends because if you read the letter, there was no place we said we needed anything because there was nothing he had done to warrant press

blackmail.

“But in this case, we went too far. Although, I agree that the act is criminal and I accept that I am guilty of impersonation and there is no point denying; I regret my action because I probably would not have come out this way to do what I did. It is not proper.

“I am appealing that I should be shown some element of mercy so that I can get out of this place and face what I am doing. This is my first experience.”

Oil giant set to de-worm 80,000 children in Ondo HAKEEM GBADAMOSI AKURE

A

Traders packaging oranges for sale at a market in Bauchi

Traders bemoan foreigners’ incursion of local markets FRANCIS SUBERU

T

raders Right Protection Initiative (TRPI), an umbrella body for traders in Nigeria, has called on the federal and state governments to help check foreigners’ incursions of the country’s local markets.

The traders, who as a prelude to the annual general award of the group, addressed a press conference yesterday at their secretariat in Orile area of Lagos, said foreigners who come into the country rather than engage in manufac-

turing sector are busy importing goods from their countries and are flooding the local markets with their products.

According to the president of the group, Christopher Okpala, trading in Nigeria’s local markets is being endangered by the incursion of the foreigners as well as multiple taxation by local, state and federal governments.

Christopher said despite the patriotic zeal exhibited by traders on daily basis and the positive impacts they have made on the nation’s economy, the trading community remains an endangered

species; even as he called on relevant authorities to evolve a plan programme of action that can address their problems.

He said: “We call on relevant authorities to salvage the trading sector and give succour to an average trader in the country by tackling the following: Exploitative and multiple tax regimes by federal, state and local governments; abrupt suspension of business transactions in our markets by local authorities and state agencies; invasion of local markets by security forces.

“Incessant road blocks and sei-

zure of goods and dilapidated road network resulting to lose of goods and lose of man hour. Incursion of our local markets by foreigners and exclusion of trading community from government institutions as well as government intervention schemes like SURE-P” The group believes that trading community remains an important and indispensable sector in the country; saying as the country intensifies its preparation for the centenary celebration, conscientious effort and plans must be evolved for the celebration to include the trading community.

Residents lauds lawmaker for commissioning streetlight MURITALA AYINLA

R

esidents of Igbogbo Community in Igbogbo Local Council Development Area of Lagos State yesterday lauded the lawmaker, representing Lagos East Senatorial District at the National Assembly for commissioning solar-powered streetlight in their area.

The visibly elated Igbogbo

residents, who attended the commissioning, said the gesture is first of its kind from an elected representative of the district at the federal level.

While commending the lawmaker, a leader the community, Chief Asiwaju Basorun Olorunfunmi said the street light project will sure be useful to residents and non-resident who pass through the community.

Senator Ashafa who commis-

sioned the street light, lauded Igbogbo residents for their patient and support, adding that more constituency projects will be commissioned in the council soon.

Ashafa said: “I am glad that I was said to be the first elected federal lawmaker to have done a project in the community, but this is not enough. I will work on other projects that will better the lots of the residents.

“As elected representatives of the people, we should always look back and think of what project will better serve the need of our people. I believe we shall get there.”

On maintenance, the lawmaker said the projects will be handed over to the community leaders, adding that the council chairman and other residents would take good care of the project.

bout 80,000 children from three local government areas of Ondo State will benefit from the mass de-worming exercise organised by an oil giant, Chevron Nigeria Limited.

The three local government areas to benefit from the programme include, Akure South, Akure North and Ilaje Local Government Areas of the state. The programme was organised in conjunction with Women’s Right Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA).

Speaking during inauguration of the programme, wife of the Ondo State governor, Mrs. Olukemi Mimiko, lauded the oil giant for contributing towards the health development of the state; urging other corporate bodies to emulate Cheveron by giving back to the society.

She called for synergy between government and the private sector towards qualitative health care delivery for the children and women in the society.

She said, “Our children are our future, we should take care of them, if we do this our future will be secured, there is the need for parents and teachers to ensure good hygiene of these children in order for them to live a disease free life”.

The General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs for Chevron, Deji Haastrup, disclosed that the programme was designed for children that are below age 12; saying the programme targeted over 80, 000 children.

Haastrup who was represented

by Daniel Agbofode said the organisation had early in the year de-wormed over 10, 000 children in 10 primary schools in Akure and some communities under Ilaje Regional Development Committee (IRDC).

He explained that Chevron decided to embark on the exercise after establishing worm infestation as a leading cause of ill health and mortality in school age children in developing countries.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

x

Cocktail

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

FOR YOUR SUCCESS

51

Oddities

WITH DR. DEJI FOLUTILE

Today's Tonic (210) “There is no going back, only forwards. Make it a motto for life – keep moving forward. –Richard Templar HAVE A FORWARD MOVEMENT MENTALITY! I love a scriptural verse that says the path of the just is like a shining light that shines more and more unto the perfect day. It is liberating to always look forward. It is empowering to develop a forward mentality. Even in the midst of failure one should not lose the picture of progress. When things are tough and rough, one should not let go the promotion mentality. No matter what, fix the picture of enlargement and success in your mind. Through thick and thin, refuse to stop singing the songs of victory. This is how to play the game of life.

Be determined to always believe in a better tomorrow no matter your lot in life. Play it around your mind that there is always a way out, there is always a way upward and there is always a way forward. When life deals a hard one on you, smile and believe yet in a better tomorrow. Press forward though things may look difficult. Think progress. Talk progress. Act progress. There is so much you can accomplish if you won’t let go the image of progress in your mind. When people are complaining and moaning around you, keep declaring that your best is yet to come!

DR. DEJI FOLUTILE Tel: 08035219966 Email: deji.folutile@gmail.com Follow me on Twitter @folutile

$400 million Powerball winner in South Carolina to remain a mystery

T

he sole winner of last week’s $400 million Powerball jackpot is a man from the Columbia, S.C., area who wants to stay anonymous, lottery officials said Monday.

Lottery officials said in a release the mystery man said he had no one

to share his good news with when he learned he had won so he just told his small dog who was standing in the kitchen with him, WIS-TV, Columbia, reported.

The man told lottery officials he had only played the lottery once before, the TV station said.

A new road under construction cuts through a massive rice farm in Fujin, in China’s northern Heilongjiang Province.

PHOTO: UPI

China buys 5 percent of Ukraine’s land

C

hina has just struck a deal to farm 3 million hectares (about 11,580 square miles) of Ukranian land over the next 50 years to feed its ballooning population.

For comparison, that’s an area roughly the size of Massachusetts or Belgium.

The eastern European country will give up 5 per-

cent of its total land, or 9 percent of its arable farmland, under the deal between China’s Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC) and KSG Agro, a Ukrainian agricultural company.

Last year, Ukraine repealed a law barring foreigners from purchasing

land. As part of the deal, China’s Export-Import bank has given Ukraine a $3 billion loan for agricultural development.

Ukraine will receive seeds and equipment in exchange for crops and pigs raised in the eastern region of Dnipropetrovsk, to be sold at preferential rates to two Chinese state-

owned grain firms.

XPCC also plans to give Ukraine a fertilizer plant, as the country currently imports about $1 billion in fertilizer annually. XPCC says it will help build a highway in Ukraine’s Autonomous Republic of Crimea and a bridge across the Strait of Kerch, a transport and industrial center.

52

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

CHANGE OF NAME

Sogbesan: Formerly known as Miss Sogbesan Temitope Oluwatoyosi now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ajayi Temitope Oluwatoyosi.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Ojuroye: Formerly known as Miss Ojuroye Aishah Idunnuoluwa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Bello Aishah Idunnuoluwa.

All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Benedict: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Blessing Benedict now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Blessing Emmanuel. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Police Force and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Arowosegbe: Formerly known as Miss Arowosegbe Kemisola Lydia now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Jemiseye FolaKemi Lydia. All former documents remain valid. Federal University Oye Ekiti and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Etu: Formerly known as Miss Etu Karamotu Ayoka, now wish to be known as Mrs. Tajudeen Karamotu Ayoka.

All former documents remain valid.

TASCE OMU and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Okpala: Formerly known and address as Miss Okpala Charity Onyekachi, Now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Offor Okafor Charity Onyekachi.

All former documents remain valid.

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Akomolafe: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Akomolafe Titilayo Ayobami, now wish to be called and addressed as Mrs. Kehinde-Olatunji Titilayo Ayobami. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Immigration Services and general public take note.

Akeredolu: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Akeredolu Oluseyi Funmi, now wish to be called and addressed as Mrs. Anifowose Oluseyi Funmi. All former documents remain valid. Federal Polytechnic AdoEkiti and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Udoka: Formerly known as Miss Lilian Udoka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Lilian Apir. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Mbonu: Formerly known and address as Miss Afoma Immaculata Mbonu now wish to be known and address as Mrs. Afoma Immaculata Nwosu. All former documents remain valid.

General Public to take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Afolabi: Formerly known and addressed as Rabi Mgbe now wish to be known, called and addressed as Afolabi Rabiat. All former documents remain valid.

General public and the Authority Concerned should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Aghadi: Formerly known as Aghadi Newton Chiefo Chimbuoyim now wish to be known as Ghamzi Newton Chiefo Chimbuoyim. All former documents remain valid. Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State Civil Service Commission and the general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Egba: Formerly known and addressed as Ozobiara Brenda Egba now wish to be known, called and addressed as Nwaorocha Michael Obi. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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Amadi: Formerly known and addressed as Amadi Eze Ezenwoke Chihurumnanya, now wished to be known and addressed as Patrick Eze Chihurumnanya former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

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Aina: Formerly known as miss Aina Titilayo Adebowale now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ilesanmi Titilayo Adebowale. All former documents remain valid. Office of Establishments and Training Ekiti State and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Fakunle: Formerly known as Miss Fakunle Kemisola Olayinka now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Eshagu Kemisola Olayinka Olaoye. All former documents remain valid.

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CHANGE OF NAME Afolabi: formerly known and addressed as Miss Folasade Augustina Afolabi now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Folasade Augustina Ajibola.

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Wilson: Formerly known and addressed as Wilson Olomou now wish to be known and addressed as Philip Olomu.

All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Akanbi: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Akanbi Muibat Abolaji now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Sanyaolu Muibat Abolaji.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME Akingbade: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Akingbade Olayemi Esther, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akinyoola Olayemi Esther. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Ogunmoroti: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogunmoroti Kemi Hellen, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olawale Kemi Hellen. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME Rafiu: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Raifu Temilola Tawa now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Owolabi Temilola Tawa.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Owoeye: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Owoeye Ifeoluwa Monisola now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olukunle Ifeoluwa Monisola.

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CHANGE OF NAME Anagor: Formerly known and address as Miss Anagor Patience Anulika now wish to be known and address as Mrs. Chiemeziem Patience Anulika.

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Onyekwere: Formerly known and addressed as Chinwe Edward now wish to be known, called and addressed as Princess Chinwe Onyekwere. All former documents remain valid. General publish to take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

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CHANGE OF NAME Agbalaya: Formerly known as Miss Agbalaya Serifat, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Toye Serifat. All former documents remain valid.

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Formerly known and addressed as Miss Okoro Leke Ann- Linda. Now wished to be addressed as Mrs. Chukwuemeka Leke Ann-Linda. Both Mrs. Efuruibe Leke Ann-Linda is the same person as Mrs. Chukwuemeka Leke Ann-Linda.

Former documents remains valid F.M.C Owerri Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and the general public note.

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Chidozie: This is to comfirm that Mr. Gerald Ifeanyi Chidozie is the same person as Mr. Gerald Chidozie Ifeanyi Muoneke. All former documents remain valid.

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Ike: Formerly known as Miss Perpetual Azukaego Ike now wish to be known as Mrs. Perpetual Azukaego Onwughalu.

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CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that Mr. Daniel Musa Atakpa Salifu is the same person as Mr Musa Atakpa Salifu as well as Mr. Salifu Musa Atakpa that henceforth wish to be addressed as Mr. Daniel Musa Atakpa Salifu.

All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Ogam: Formerly known as Miss Ogam Ngozi Felicia now wish to be known as Mrs. Henry Ngozi Felicia Etanaje.

All former documents remain valid. NYSC and General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Onyerionwu: Formerly known as Miss Florence Onyerionwu now wish to be known as Mrs. John Queen Florence. All former document remains valid, general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Ugochukwu: Formerly known and address as Ugochukwu Uloma Nwakaego now wish to be known as Madu Uloma Nwakaego. All former document remains valid, general public take note.

Aluge: Formerly known as Miss Aluge Chiwendu Fidelia now wish to be known as Mrs. Onyebuchi Chiwendu Fidelia.

NYSC and General public take note. All former document remains valid.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Jacobs: Formerly known as Miss Jacobs Barbra P. Now wish to be known as Mrs. Osuji Barbra P. J. All documents remains valid.

Federal polytechnic Nekede and general public take note.

Ezeagulu: Formerly known as Miss Ezeagulu Amaka Josephine now wish to be known as Mrs. Daniel I. Amaka Josephine. All former document remains valid general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Ayentua: Formerly known as Mrs. Ayentua Warifiniere, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adonkie Warifiniere. All former documents remain valid. Primary School Board, Burutu LGA Delta State & the general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Ismaila: Formerly known as Miss Abiola Afusat Ismaila.

Now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Gbadamosi Abiola Afusat. All documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Uwakina/Odeniran: Formerly Mr. Uwakina Chukwuyem Daniel and Miss Odeniran Dorcas Yemisi now Mr. Revelations Chukwuyem Daniel and Mrs Revelations Dorcas Yemisi. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Ejiofor: Formerly known as Miss Ejiofor Nwanneka Monica now wish to be addressed Mrs. Ikejiofor Nkechi Monica. All former documents remain valid.

General Public to take note.

Akinsanya: Formerly known as Miss Akinsanya Oluwaseun Oluwatoyin now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Jayeola Oluwaseun Oluwatoyin.

Nigerian Bottling Company and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Oti: Formerly known as Miss Aketi Mary now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Mary Aketi Oti. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Ihedi: Formerly known as Christiana Ngozi Ihedi now wish to be known and addressed as C.N Ngbadike.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I Miss Eberendu Adanma Cecilia of Umuezie Nguru Aboh Mbaise Imo State Nigeria hereby declare the lost of my original land allocation paper in respect of Plot No 344 of About 1247.03 sqm bearing Alhaji Madu Maina of Kutunku IV extension Layout Gwagwalada Abuja issued by Gwagwalada Area Council of F.C.T if found please contact the above person 08033587401, 08167045763 or the nearest police station.

Omenu: Formerly known as Miss. Omenu Chinwe Linda now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ken-Uba Chinwe Linda. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known as Miss Umo Emmanuel Ikpeme and Mrs. Umo Bassey Akiba. Now wish to be known and address as Ruth Umo Emmanuel Ikpeme. That all my schools, University records and important documents bearing the former names remain valid.

CHANGE OF NAME

1. Onyedikachi Aguiyi Ogbonna 2. Otueyi Gozie .B. 3. Okoroji Eze Kingsley

4. Chidiebere .U. Igbokwe 5. Chukwujioke Nnamdi 6. Peter Jonathan Oguguo

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

CHANGE OF NAME

Odewole: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Odewole Abiodun Ibukun now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olaode Abiodun Ibukun.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Ozoagu: Formerly known as Mr. Ikechukwu Benjamine Ozoagu now wish to be known as Mr. Ikechukwu Benjamine Ozokedinachi.

All former documents remain valid public note.

CHANGE OF NAME Madukwe: Formerly known as Miss Madukwe Nnenna Daniel now wish to be known as Mrs. Ikechukwu Nnenna Gracefield.

All former document remains valid, general public take note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

I Nnanna Daniel the managing director of Gold showers Int’l Ltd Aba, Abia state, wish to inform the general public for the lost of important documents.1- Bill of ladings. 2- Bank cheques.3- international passport. On the 20th Sept., 2013. Any information leading to the recovering of the aforesaid documents should contact this numbers. 07035174842,0705400 6211,08033921030. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Adiro: Formerly Miss Adiro Sakirat Omowunmi now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Abolade Sakirat Omowunmi. All former documents remain valid.

Ogun State Hospital Management Board and general public note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

NUMOFUM EMPOWERMENT FOUNDATION

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

CHANGE OF NAME

Falodun: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Falodun Omowumi Adeola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Asaolu Omowumi Adeola. All former documents remain valid. Primary Health Care (PHC), Oye Local Government, Ekiti State and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given to the general public that the above named Foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, for the registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

Olukotun: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Olukotun Olusike Bose now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ekundayo Olusike Roseline.

All former documents remain valid Kogi State SUBEB and the general public to take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Akanwa: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Akanwa Ruby Ekpereka now wished to be known and addressed as Mrs. Patrick Ruby Ekpereka.

Former documents remain valid public note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Osikoya: Former Miss Osikoya Oluwabusolami Ramotalai, now wish to be known as Mrs Abidoye Oluwabusolami Ramotalai. All former documents remain valid TASUED, TESCOM Ogun State and general public take note.

Osuoha: Formerly known as Miss Osuoha Esther Chikamso now wish to be known as Mrs. Anyara Esther Chikamso. All former documents remain valid.

Public note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Ogunsanya: Formerly Mrs. Ogunsanya Olajumoke Olaide, now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Owolawase Olajumoke Olaide.

Birmingham Registry Council UK, British Deputy High Commission Lagos, NIM ABK. General public take note.

COMMUNITY HEALTH AND NUTRITION FOUNDATION The general public is hereby notified that the above named Foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Arnold Osaheni Emwanta Barrister Nosa Peter Osifo Mrs. Bernice Efe Aghahowa Mrs. Stella Jackson Mrs. Elizabeth Usoimoifo Osakwe

1. To help in the rehabilitation of prison inmates around the federation.

2. To help inmates to re-adjust into the society by empowering them with basic work skills.

3. To encourage, educate and Empower inmates so as to deter them from going back to a life of crime.

1. To help the less privilege in communities.

2. To care for orphans and vulnerable children.

3. To support persons living with HIV/AIDS.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of publication.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of publication.

SIGNED: CHIDIEBERE .U. IGBOKWE

SIGNED: ALNOLD OSAHENI EMWANTA

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

Thursday, September 25, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

53

World News

45 killed as powerful earthquake strikes Pakistan

“Diplomats are sent by their governments to be a bridge and not act as provocateurs.”

50

PAUL ARHEWE

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

P

resident Uhuru Kenyatta said yesterday that Kenya had defeated the militants who had attacked a Nairobi shopping mall and held out there for four days.

The raid killed at least 67 civilians and security personnel, with more bodies still to be recovered. Five militants were killed and 11 were now in custody, Kenyatta said.

“As a nation our head is bloodied but unbowed,” he said in a televised address. “We have ashamed and defeated our attackers.”

President Kenyatta said that several bodies lying under rubble from collapsed parts of the building were still to be recovered.

Some 62 people remain in hospital. Many others are being treated for shock and are undergoing counselling.

“I promise that we shall have a full accountability for the mindless destruction, deaths, pain, loss and suffering we have all undergone as a national family.

“These cowards will meet justice, as will their accomplices and patrons, wherever they are,” he said.

Militants stormed the Westgate centre on Saturday, throwing grenades and firing on shoppers and staff.

Somali Islamist group alShabaab said it carried out the attack in retaliation for Kenyan army operations in Somalia.

The president said he could

ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER, AVIGDOR LIEBERMAN

Kenyan troops end terrorists’ siege in mall

•61 civilians, six soldiers, five terrorists killed, 11 attackers arrested •President says militants defeated

Kenya Defence Forces soldiers combing the rooftop of the Westgate shopping mall, in Nairobi, yesterday.

PHOTO: REUTERS

not confirm reports that a British national and two or three US citizens were involved in the attacks, but he said forensic experts were carrying out tests to ascertain their nationalities.

A British woman is thought to be among militants that attacked the Kenyan shopping centre, the country’s foreign minister has said.

Amina Mohamed said the woman had “done this many times before” and “two or three” Americans were also attackers.

Earlier, Kenya’s interior min-

ister said all of the militants were men, although some may have been dressed as women.

Six British nationals are confirmed dead in the attack on the Westgate centre in Nairobi.

The Foreign Office (FCO) said the next of kin of the six had been informed and were being offered consular support.

It also said it was aware of the comments by Kenya’s foreign minister, but officials have refused to speculate on the identity of any of the perpetrators.

At a press conference in Pakistan, Home Secretary Theresa May, asked about Ms Mohamed’s remarks said: “I’m aware that there have been reports of a British woman being involved, but until we have seen the investigations completed it is not possible to give further details to confirm or deny that issue.”

Responsibility for the attack has been claimed by al-Shabab - an Islamist group based in neighbouring Somalia, which is part of the al-Qaeda network.

UN peacekeepers in Mali tied to sexual abuse

T

he United Nations is committed to taking appropriate action in response to claims peacekeepers in Mali were involved in acts of sexual abuse.

The U.N. Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali has more than 6,000 uniformed personnel working to ensure post-coup stabilization.

Al-Qaida and nomadic rebels seized control over parts of northern Mali following a 2012 coup. The Malian government in January called on France, its former colonial power, to help fight off the militants.

U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky said countries contributing forces to the U.N. peacekeeping mission were notified of allegations of sexual abuse in Mali that surfaced last week. “[U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-

moon] has a policy of zero tolerance for any form of sexual exploitation and abuse, and will do everything possible to see that a thorough process of investigation and, as appropriate, accountability takes place,”

he said in a statement Monday.

Nesirky didn’t indicate the nationality of the troops involved in the alleged incident of sexual misconduct.

Malian President Ibrahim

Some members of the UN peacekeeping force in Mali

Boubacar Keita, elected in August, was sworn in to office Sept.

4. He defeated challenger and former Finance Minister Soumaila Cisse in a presidential contest that took two rounds to settle.

WORLD BULLETIN

U.S. franchise trade mission holds meetings in Lagos The U.S. Commercial Service, in partnership with the International Franchise Association (IFA) and Franchise Times, will host a U.S. Franchise Trade Mission to Lagos and two other Sub-Sahara African cities from Thursday, September 26 to October 4, 2013. The 13 U.S. franchise brand representatives will start their tour in Johannesburg, South Africa from September 26 through 28, and to Nairobi, Kenya before ending their business activities in Lagos from October 3 to 4.

The U.S. companies are travelling to Africa primarily to find potential local partners and to learn more about doing business in Africa.

Announcing the itinerary, Mr. Scott Lehr, IFA’s Senior Vice President for International Development and Trade Mission leader, noted that Africa is a dynamic market that U.S. franchises can no longer afford to ignore. “At the end of every trade mission, we ask our members which markets they wish to enter next. Given the impressive economic growth across Africa, they voted for Africa by a landslide,” said Lehr.

UN welcomes Libya’s probe of Gaddafi regime A Libyan move to set up a commission tasked with examining the human rights record of the Gaddafi regime is a step in the right direction, a U.N. official said.

Rupert Colville, a spokesman for U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, said Tuesday a Libyan decision to investigate the government of late dictator Col. Muammar Gaddafi was “the most important” step the government has taken on transitional justice.

Colville said in a statement from Geneva, Switzerland, the measure sets up a fact-finding commission charged with providing a detailed assessment of human rights violations committed under Gaddafi’s government “as well as after it fell from power.”

Somali PM calls for aid to combat al Shabaab

Somalia’s prime minister said yesterday that he was working closely with Kenyan authorities, and called for international support to combat al Shabaab militants who have claimed responsibility for the deadly attack on Nairobi’s Westgate mall.

Abdi Farah Shirdon told reporters in Geneva that, while he could not be sure, he believed that the attackers were of different nationalities.

Addressing the U.N. Human Rights Council shortly afterwards, he denounced the “cowardly attack”. “The terror attack on September 21 spared no one and those responsible must be held accountable. Terror has no boundaries,” he told the forum.

54

World News

WORLD BULLETIN

Four arrested in Wales over workers’ slavery Four people in Wales have been arrested on suspicion of forcing people to work on a horse farm without pay and of keeping them in poor conditions, police said.

More than 100 officers raided the Cariad Farm Peterstone in Marshfield and two other locations Monday, the South Wales Argus reported yesterday.

An Eastern European man was taken from the farm Monday and hospitalized after police said he was found in “very poor conditions.”

The man, believed to be from Poland, remained hospitalized yesterday. Officials said his physical and mental conditions were being evaluated.

Police also said a body may be buried on the farm and have dispatch specially trained officers and a forensic archaeologist to the scene.

Police said they expected to be digging at the farm for about three days.

Those arrested include two men, ages 66 and 42, from the Peterstone area, a 36-year-old man from Cardiff and a 42-year-old woman from the Penhow area.

The investigation began six months ago after a 43-year-old man, Darrell Simester, reported missing 13 years ago was discovered living in a run-down van in Peterstone. He told officials he had been kept as a slave by travellers.

A neighbour said the family at the farm kept to themselves. While the family had lived in the area “years and years,” the neighbour said yesterday “we don’t know a lot about them,” A Home office spokesman said the incident was “an appalling reminder of the extent to which slavery has reappeared in our

Thursday, September 25, 2013

Obama urges diplomacy push on Iran P resident Barack Obama said yesterday the United States was ready to engage diplomatically with long time foe Iran but put the onus on the new Iranian president to prove he is serious about pursuing a nuclear deal.

Striking a cautiously optimistic tone in a speech to the United Nations General Assembly, Obama said he was determined to test President Hassan Rouhani’s recent overtures and challenged him to take concrete steps toward resolving Iran’s long-running nuclear dispute with the West.

“Conciliatory words will have to be matched by actions that are transparent and verifiable,” Obama told the annual gathering of world leaders in New York.

Rouhani’s recent gestures, including agreement to renew longstalled talks with world powers on its nuclear program, have raised hopes for a historic opening in relations between Washington and Tehran after more than three decades of estrangement.

The White House has left open the possibility that Obama and Rouhani could meet - at least for a handshake on the U.N. sidelines - later on Tuesday. Even a fleeting encounter would be important given that it would be the first face-toface contact between U.S. and Iranian heads of government since before the 1979 Islamic revolution that ousted the U.S.-backed shah.

But differences over Iran’s nuclear program and skepticism about Rouhani’s intentions, espe-

45 killed as powerful earthquake strikes Pakistan

A

powerful earthquake of 7.7 magnitude has killed at least 45 people in a remote area of south-west Pakistan, local officials said.

It struck at 16:29 local time (11:29 GMT) at a depth of 20km (13 miles), 66km northeast of Awaran in Balochistan province, the United States Geological Survey said.

It was felt as far away as Karachi, Hyderabad, and India’s capital, Delhi.

Balochistan is Pakistan’s largest but least populated province.

The province is prone to earthquakes, with at least 35 people killed in a 7.8-magnitude tremor that was centred in south-eastern Iran in April.

CHANGE OF NAME Ezeakudo: Formerly known as Miss Ezeakudo Josephine Ngozi now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Madueke Josephine Ngozi. All former documents remain valid.

Enterprise Bank Plc and the general public to take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

AKWA IBOM STATE HOTEL AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION This is to inform the General Public that the above named Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under Part C of the Company and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Mr. Noel Effiong Princess Enobong Nkanta Mrs. Imelda Ibanga Mr. Aniefiok David Alexander Mr. Ntaisi Jaja Mr. Olabode Azeez

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To promote the welfare of members of the association.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of publication.

SIGNED:

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

BARR. EKEMINI GODWIN UBA Knights Law Firm 17/19 Allen Avenue, Ikeja-Lagos.

United States President Barack Obama addresses the 68th United Nations General Assembly in New York, yesterday.

PHOTO: REUTERS

cially from U.S. lawmakers and close U.S. ally Israel, have cast doubt on the prospect for any immediate breakthrough between Washington and Tehran.

Seeking to keep expectations under control, Obama said suspicions between the two countries were too entrenched to believe their troubled history can be overcome overnight.

“The roadblocks may prove to be too great but I firmly believe the diplomatic path must be tested,” Obama said.

Obama suggested that Rouhani’s recent overtures could provide the basis for an elusive

deal to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions and said he had instructed Secretary of State John Kerry to mount a diplomatic effort along with other world powers.

But Obama stopped short of offering any concessions such as a softening of sanctions that have crippled Iran’s economy.

He reaffirmed his pledge that his administration would not tolerate Iran’s development of nuclear weapons but avoided repeating his previous assertion that all options are on the table - code for possible military action - in dealing with the Iranian nuclear issue.

French President Francois

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE FIRST FAITHFUL COMMUNITY APOSTLES CHURCH OF GALILEE This is to inform the general public that the above named Church as applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. His Holiness Obajesu Oluwatomisin Olajinde – General Overseer.

2.Apostle Okunti Adewole Oluwagbebemi.

3.Senior Apostle Obajesu Omotayo Innocent – General Secretary.

4. Superlative Senior Apostle Eroaye Governor Molue – Treasurer.

5.Apostle Ibinuolapo Gbenga 6. Apostle Dairo Newton Igbega.

7.Superlative Senior Apostle Obajesu Isreal Easy.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

To preach the word of God.

PUBLIC NOTICE

EXPECTATION MANIFESTATION MINISTERS ASSOCIATION (NEMA) This is to inform the general public that the above named Association has applied to Corporate Affairs Commission, for registration under PART C of the Company and Allied Matters Act of

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Pastor Anthony Chijioke Ogbonna 2. Pastor (Mrs.) Chikere Peace Ogbonna 3. Pastor Japhet Ofili 4. Evangelist Amos Adenubi 5. Prophetess (Mrs.) Uche Glory Ofili

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 2. To pray and intercede for Nigeria our Nation 3. To promote peace and patriotism in Nigeria 4. To teach the public in moral ethics

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of publication.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: SENIOR APOSTLE OBAJESU OMOTAYO INNOCENT (General Secretary)

Signed: Prosper Chukwudi Esq (08084373953)

PUBLIC NOTICE

ISOLO INDUSTRIAL ESTATES’ MUSLIMS’ UMMAH

The general public is hereby informed that the above named Organization has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under Part “C” of Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2004

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Alhaji Bashiru Ayodele Lawal 2. Alhaji Taofik Adebayo Aderogba 3. Alhaji Nasir Oluyemo

4. Alhaja Adijat Oyebola Omolekan 5. Alhaji Raji Ayoola Mustapha

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: (a) To foster unity and co-operation among Muslim faithfuls and the entire community through the teachings and tents of Islamic religion. (b) To assist members through spiritual development and prayers for the community and the country at large. (c) To propagate and preach the Islamic religion to promote peace and tranquility in the society. (d) To strengthen the members and encouraging them towards good deeds and behaviors at workplace and the society.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar- General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja. P.M.B 198, Garki Abuja within twenty-eight (28) days of this publication.

RAHEEM, AWOJOBI & ASSOCIATES FILED BY: 17, Association Avenue Off Coker Road/Ikorodu Road Ilupeju, Lagos State

Hollande said he expects “concrete gestures” by Iran to show it will give up its military nuclear program and that while he will meet with the Iranian president on the U.N. sidelines, he is still firm on nuclear non-proliferation.

Obama cited resolving the Iranian nuclear standoff and reaching an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal as his two main policy priorities in the Middle East, efforts that he said he believes can help bring stability to the volatile region.

He also urged the U.N. Security Council to approve a strong resolution aimed at ensuring Syria keeps its commitments to give up its chemical weapons, and said the United States will provide an additional $340 million in humanitarian aid.

Iran is a key ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a U.S. foe whose country has been torn by civil war since 2011.

Rouhani, a moderate cleric elected in June by Iranian voters desperate for relief from economically crushing international sanctions, will have a chance to respond when he makes his U.N. debut later yesterday. He and Obama recently exchanged courteous letters.

Rouhani is expected to keep up his charm offensive in front of the world body, further distancing himself from his hard-line predecessor, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who was widely vilified in the West for doubting the Holocaust and questioning Israel’s right to exist. But it was unclear whether Rouhani would offer anything specific.

PUBLIC NOTICE

GOD OF GOSPEL MIRACLE EVANGELICAL MINISTRY

This is to inform the general public that the above named Ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Apostle Joshua Adewuyi Babalola Evang. Hannah Abosede Babalola Evang. Johnson Elijah Adebayo Evang. Falana Oludare Oluwasola Elder Babalola Adeoye David Pastor Alawode Kayode Joshua Deaconess Fajuyitan Oluremi Elizabeth Evang. Bello Ibrahim Olabode

– – – – – – – –

General Overseer Member Member Member Member Member Member Member

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To propagate the gospel of Christ worldwide.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, PMB 198, Maitama, Abuja within 28 Days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North News

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

55

Robbers attack six LG chairmen in Sokoto

D

Executive Chairman, Bauchi State Agency for Control of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Dr Abdul’aziz Manga (left), presenting malaria education booklets for secondary/primary schools to the Chairman, Bauchi State Universal Basic Education Board, Alhaji Abdullahi Dabo, in Bauchi, PHOTO: NAN yesterday.

UNIILORIN Teaching Hospital records first IVF baby T he University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) said yesterday that it has joined the league of teaching hospitals in the country that have successfully carried out Invitro Fertilisation (IVF).

The Chief Medical Director of UITH, Prof.

Abdulwaheed Olatinwo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that a 33-year-old woman’s egg

was fertilized through a process known as IntraCytoplasmic Sperm Injection.

He explained that the fertilized egg was injected into her womb which was monitored by a team of Obstetrician and Gynaecologist experts.

According to him, this action brought an end to her nine years of infertil-

ity since her marriage to her 65-year-old husband.

Olatinwo said that infertility in marriage should not be a problem for the wife alone, but also for the husband.

He said the couple, especially the woman, was managed in the hospital for one year before she was delivered of a baby boy via caesarean section

Post-election violence: Victims to enjoy FG’s N944m compensation JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

A

t least 120 individuals and organisations affected by the 2011 post-election violence in Kano State are to benefit from the Federal Government’s N944.8 compensation package for victims of the disaster.

Kano State Deputy Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, who stated this in a press release made available to journalists yesterday, said names of the 120

beneficiaries were identified and released by the Federal Government.

The statement said the money would be paid to the state government for onward disbursement to victims in collaboration with Federal Government’s representatives.

It, however, debunk allegations that the state government did not have a say in preparing the list of beneficiaries, nor have the mandate to effect changes on same.

According to the state-

ment, assets of victims were solely verified by the Federal Government through the Sheik Lemuled committee and that the Federal Government “solely compiled the list of victims whom they deemed are entitled to receive compensation.” It added that the state government had also set up its own committee with its role being to “verify and ensure that only those shortlisted by the Federal Government receive compensation.”

Steer clear of politics, Commandant warns security agencies PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

T

he Commandant of the Nigerian Army Training and Doctrine (TRADOC), MajorGeneral Mohammed Abdulkadir, has warned the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies in the country not to dabble into politics, but to focus on their statutory responsibilities to the nation.

He also advocated for good civil-military relationship and good policing,

noting that that way civilians could freely run to security operatives for help, should the need arise.

The commandant gave this warning during a courtesy call on the Niger State Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Desire D. Nsirim, at the Niger State police command headquarters in Minna.

He reasoned that if security agencies are dragged into politics, especially with the current happenings in the country’s body polity, it would be detrimental to the nation as

they would be distracted from their jobs, which must not be allowed.

Abdulkadir said: “The only thing, I would ask you (army and security agencies) is to let us not be divided about what the politicians are doing. Let them do their politics while we do our jobs, because we must not be seen to be partisan but to be neutral bodies.”

He said the duty of the security agencies is to be seen correcting wrongs in the society silently without being heard.

after a period of 38 weeks.

The CMD added that the baby weighed 3.25kg, while expressing delight at the development; he commended the efforts of the members of the team involved in the process.

“With more dedication and better facilities, the nation could become Africa’s medical hub,” he said.

are devil armed robbers were said to have recently attacked six local government chairmen in Sokoto State as they molested them in their residences, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

The report also said that the local government chairmen attacked were those of Shagari, Kebbe, Tambuwal, Tureta, Bodinga and Rabah Local Government Councils.

There are 23 local governments in the three senatorial districts of Sokoto State, namely Sokoto Central, Sokoto East and West and Sokoto South.

NAN learnt that the latest of the attacks was on the Chairman of Rabah Local Government Council, Alhaji Zayyanu Gandi, who sustained injuries and was discharged from the hospital on September 21.

Gandi has been receiving treatment at the Uthmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto.

The Sokoto house of Gandi had earlier been attacked during the last Ramadan fasting in July.

It was also learnt that the Sokoto and Tureta houses of the Tureta Local Government Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Dansarki, were similarly attacked by the hoodlums.

NAN further learnt that in some of the raids, the men of the underworld had carted away undisclosed cash and property, with scores of persons injured.

Most of the armed robbery attacks were also not often reported in the various police divisions by the affected chairmen.

Investigations revealed that some of the 23 local government chairmen were said to have rejected the policemen attached to their various houses.

Chairman of Bodinga Local Government Area, Alhaji Shehu Badau, said there was need for prayers at a time like this.

WORLD RECORD

Strongest bird gizzard Vol. 03 No. 711

A

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

N150

The gizzard is the portion of a bird’s stomach that grinds food into small pieces. The world’s strongest recorded gizzard is that of the turkey Meleagris gallopavo. One specimen had crushed 24 walnuts in their shells within 4 hours, and had also ground surgical lancet blades into grit within 16 hours.

Agenda for incoming housing minister

s President Goodluck Jonathan shops for a new Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, I wish to highlight some of the assignments which should be included in his/her job portfolio. First, he must bridge the gap between supply of and demand for housing in the country. There are estimated 18 million housing units deficit in Nigeria. This means that about 72 million Nigerians do not have decent housing accommodation - I am benchmarking on an average of four persons per housing unit. This should be a very big challenge to the new minister.

The new minister should tell Nigerians how many housing stock would be added to the nation’s housing stock during his/her tenure. This will constitute the key performance indicator of his/

Guest Columnist

Kingsley M. Theophilus

her tenure. How many people would he/ she target to relocate from slums to fairly decent accommodation?

Second, the new housing minister should come up with a plan on how to reposition the Federal Housing Authority, which the former minister acknowledged had failed to live up the expectations of Nigerians, for better performance. In the alternative, the minister may consider taking a bold step by asking the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) to unbundle the agency and privatize it, while the ministry will concentrate on regulatory issues and creating the much desired enabling environment for private sector players.

Third, the recapitalization of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) to reposition it for enhanced performance has become long overdue. The new minister will do well to see to it that this much talked about recapitalization is achieved very early during his/her tenure. In addition to recapitalization, the operation of the National Housing Fund (NHF) is also due for review in view of the importance of the fund toward mass housing development in Nigeria. There is need to make contributions to the fund compulsory and mandatory for both private and public sector workers and employers.

Fourth, incoming housing minister must address the issue of the absence of cheap long term funds in Nigeria for housing development as is the case in

HE MUST BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN SUPPLY OF AND DEMAND FOR HOUSING IN THE COUNTRY. other countries. He/she should synergise with the minister for finance, CBN Governor and other stake holders to fashion out sustainable ways of attracting cheap long term funds from off shore and locally for housing development in Nigeria.

Fifth, he/she will also be expected to address the problems associated with land acquisition, ownership and transfer and registration of titles in Nigeria. The present procedures are not only very exorbitant, they are also cumbersome and time consuming. The minister should take active interest to fast track the ongoing review process of the Land Use Act. Sixth, there are also no workable foreclosure laws in Nigeria as is the case with other countries. Mortgage banks and other financial institutions cannot easily foreclose and sell mortgaged properties without experiencing a nightmare.

As we speak, there are cases that have lingered in our courts for many years while some have gone up to the Supreme Court. The new housing minister should regard this as one of the urgent deliverable on resumption of office.

There is the problem of high interest rates on mortgage and housing related lending; this could be addressed through long tenured funds at single digit interest rate. The minister should cooperate with the finance minister to ensure the success of the proposed $300m secondary mortgage facility as this will very well position the mortgage banks to have the capacity to create new mortgages that will support the public to purchase houses.

Other issues that needed to be addressed include high cost of building materials and absence of other building and housing models similar to what are obtainable in other countries. It is expected that the housing ministry will fund and encourage local research and development in this regard. The time has come for us to develop home grown building materials and housing models if the dream of building affordable houses is to be realized in Nigeria. The incidence of building collapse has assumed an alarming and embarrassing proportion in Nigeria. No effort should be spared to identify poorly built houses and pull them down early enough before they collapse and kill people.

The incidence of unplanned cities has become a bane in our urban development drive, while the rate of distortion of master plans by some few in positions of power has become very disgraceful. This must be tackled. Nigeria needs well developed and planned cities and layouts.

Moreover, in our collective drive for mass housing selfless and credible Nigerians and institutions passionate about affordable housing development in Nigeria should be encouraged.

Nigerians expect a bold and courageous person for the position. May God give President Goodluck Jonathan the wisdom to appoint the right person.

Theophilus (FCIB, FCA), theophiluskingsley@yahoo.com, is a mortgage banker and author

Sport Extra

B

ritish heavyweight champion, David Haye, and Tyson Fury will clash on February 8 in Manchester, according to reports yesterday.

The pugilists were earlier scheduled to clash on September 28 before Haye

Boxing: Haye, Fury bout gets new date suffered a gash on his forehead in sparring last week that required six stitches.

Both sides have worked hard to rearrange the huge domestic heavy-

weight scrap and a swift resolution has been made.

“News of the date in February is music to my ears,” Haye said yesterday.

“I was absolutely devastated and felt as though

I’d let a lot of people down. But with this new date, I couldn’t be happier.

“My fans will still get the chance to see what they all wanted to see this weekend - they’ll get to

see Tyson sparked out in a spectacular fashion.

“Sparring eight days before a fight is nothing new or unusual as I’ve done this before fights in the past and never had an issue.”

Haye

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