Binder1

Bankers’ Committee rules out immediate cut in interest rates TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

T Emefiele

Vol. 4 N0. 876

he Bankers’ Committee yesterday ruled out the possibility of a sharp drop in interest rates It, however, said that the

reduction would take a gradual process.

The Managing Director, Guaranty Trust Bank, Mr. Segun Agbaje, gave the hint during the media briefing at the end of the 316th committee’s meeting in Abuja.

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Brazil, Mexico play goalless; Algeria loses to Belgium

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

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B’Haram kingpin among 486 arrested suspects

...screening continues –DHQ CLO, Hausa community call for security beef up UBONG UKPONG AND GEORGE OPARA

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roops of the Nigerian Army 144 Battalion in Asa, Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State ,have captured a wanted terrorist kingpin among the 486 Boko Haram suspects intercepted in Abia State on Sunday.

The Defence HeadquarCONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

3 DAYS TO GO

Scene of tanker explosion involving two vehicles in Makurdi, Benue State, yesterday.

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Judge faces trial over N25m bribery scam

...as accussed person petitions

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Bankers’ Committee rules out immediate cut in interest rates CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

He stated that the current interest rate regime was still suitable, given the fundamentals of the economy.

Agbaje spoke against the backdrop of the statement by the new Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, that interest rates would come down.

Agbaje explained that there were many impediments militating against immediate lowering of the interest rates.

The GT Bank boss listed rate of inflation, type of exchange rates desired, what the cost of funds of the banks are, cost of providing infrastructure, cost of providing personnel as major determinants of any country’s interest rate regime.

He said: “On the issue of interest rate, the current interest rate environment the CBN finds suitable, if not the most desirable so where we are today, is that in the short to medium term, interest rates are likely to stay where they are as the fundamentals of the economies remain fixed.

“There are many impediments to lower interest rates like rate of inflation, type of exchange rates desired, what the cost of funds of the

banks are, cost of providing infrastructure, cost of providing personnel.”

He noted that these components and the macroeconomic factors of a country determined the cost of fund before the banks could determine or charge interest rates.

According to him, it is not logical to have an interest rate that is lower than the inflation in view of the various macroeconomic implications for the country.

He, however, pointed out that as the nation continued to deal with such things as interest rates and import substitution, Nigerians would start to see interest rates considerably move downwards.

Agbaje also stated that with price stability at the forefront of the new Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, regime, it meant that exchange rate stability as an initiative of the CBN would continue to be pursued.

He commended the CBN for maintaining inflation at a single digit, saying that to continue to sustain macroeconomic stability; all the monetary policies should ensure that we continued to have single digit inflation.

CBN’s Director, Banking

Supervision, Mrs. Tokunbo Martins, said that the new CBN governor was passionate about the reduction of interest rate.

She, however, admitted that this would be done gradually as it was not something that could be done immediately, assuring that the governor and the banking sector operators would achieve a lower interest rate in the long run.

On the stance of the new governor on serial bank

debtors, Martins said Mr. Godwin Emefiele was committed to financial system stability and as such, there would be zero tolerance for infractions and no soft touch regulation or supervision.

According to her, to curb bad loans, the regulation and supervision by the CBN under the new governor will be intense.

For serial bank debtors, who go from one bank to another with different names and guises, she said such

people would not be able to get credit anywhere in the system and would be blacklisted.

Also, the Group Managing Director, UBA Plc, Mr. Philip Oduoza, who updated the media on the ongoing biometric capturing of bank customers nationwide, disclosed that so far, about 10,000 customers had been captured within the few days of the commencement of the exercise.

He said the exercise

would assist in consumer lending to provide credit availability to people excluded from the banking system.

The Managing Director of First City Monument Bank, FCMB, Mr. Ladi Balogun, said that the CBN and the Bankers’ Committee were committed to the vision of the CBN governor to ensure that the policies of the apex bank and the action of the banking community impact favourably on average Nigerians.

L-R: Yobe State Governor Ibrahim Geidam; UN Special Envoy for Global Education/former British Prime Minister, Mr. Gordon Brown; President Goodluck Jonathan; Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, after a meeting with the President in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

Judge faces trial over N25m bribery scam ISE-OLUWA IGE ABUJA

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three-member panel of the National Judicial Council, NJC, yesterday sat to grill a Federal High Court judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola, over his purported controversial handling of a bail granted to a former Director of Pension Accounts in the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, OHCSF, Dr. Sani Teidi Shaibu.

National Mirror however learnt that the judge refused to show up under the guise that he had an appointment with his optician.

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, and the wife of the ex-director of pension had dragged the trial judge before the council over alleged professional misconduct.

He was accused of serially demanding for bribe by proxy from the Shaibu be-

fore he would admit him to bail; granting of bail to the accused on stringent conditions following his refusal to offer him bribe and failure to sign the bail papers of the accused even after meeting the stringent bail conditions.

He was also accused of refusing to hands off the case in spite petitions and applications to the effect.

Ademola was also accused of eventually handing off the case after much pressure only to adjourn sine die and ordered the ex-director to remain in prison indefinitely.

National Mirror reliably gathered yesterday that the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mariam Muhktar, ordered the probe after a prima facie case was established against the judge.

It was also reliably gathered yesterday that there were about six other petitions hanging on the judge’s neck.

The probe, which started yesterday, is to establish whether the trial judge has

not violated certain provisions of the code of conduct for judicial officers in Nigeria by his handling of the case and whether he is still a fit and proper person to occupy his exalted seat in the event a case of judicial misconduct is established against him.

But National Mirror reliably gathered yesterday that the trial judge welcomed the probe and denied any wrongdoing.

The judge had earlier told National Mirror that indeed, there were petitions written against him by Shaibu, over his purported refusal to sign his bail papers and other ancillary matters, but that he had answered the query issued him over the petitions.

The accused was kept in detention on the order of the court for about one year before the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja released him on bail about two weeks ago.

Shaibu is facing a criminal trial before Justice Ademola along with a former

member of staff of the defunct Oceanic Bank, Mr. Udusegbe Omoefe Eric, and a few others.

In the 22-count charge slammed on them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, they were accused of obtaining money by false pretence, conspiracy to commit fraud and concealing the illicit origin of stolen pension funds.

After arraignment, the judge did not deny them bail when they formally applied for it.

The background of the case is that following strange discoveries of syndicated and institutionalised corruption, fraud and embezzlement in the administration of the payment of pensioners and administration of pension funds in Nigeria, the EFCC moved in and picked up some top officials handling pensions accounts for interrogation and charged those who had a case to answer before different courts in 2011.

Shaibu, who was one of

those suspects was arraigned before Justice Adamu Bello (rtd) of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja and admitted in the sum of N10m with one surety in like sum.

But sometimes in May 2013, the case was relisted by EFCC and re-assigned to Justice Adeniyi Ademola by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.

In the fresh charge, the EFCC had slammed Shaibu and Eric, with a 22-count fraud charge.

But as soon as the EFCC brought an application to get the court’s permission to prosecute Shaibu and his accomplice, Justice Ademola gave his nod and issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the former pension director for him to appear in court for arraignment.

The issuance of the bench warrant angered Shaibu, who protested to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court that Justice Ademola was not fair to him since the record before him did not

indicate that he had, at anytime, made himself unavailable for trial and that the bench warrant was issued to embarrass him.

Shaibu said he was eventually arraigned by EFCC in May 2013 and was ordered to be remanded in Kuje Prisons by the trial judge while further proceedings in the case was adjourned sine die (indefinitely), purportedly to punish him for daring to protest to the chief judge over issuance of bench warrant in the matter.

He claimed that the matter was not fixed for hearing until his counsel personally intervened.

The accused also said that even after his formal bail application was eventually heard, the trial judge granted it but imposed a purported onerous condition of which a former CJN, Justice Idris Kutigi, had warned To establish his claim, Shaibu said that in what appeared a clear departure from the N10m bail with one CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

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Wedesday, June 18, 2014

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Wednesday, June 18, 2014

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L-R: Chairman, AshakaCem Plc, Alhaji Umaru Kwairanga; Company Secretary, Mr. Bello Abdullahi and Director, Mr. John Stull, during the 2014 Annual General Meeting of the company in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson (left) presenting a souvenir to the Head of the Delegation of the Institute of Security Services, Department of State Services, Dr. Abdulwahab Wali, during a courtesy call at the Government House in Yenagoa, yesterday.

L-R: Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics, University Of Nigeria Nsukka, Prof. Polycap Chigbu; DVC Admin, Prof. Edwin Igbokwe; wife of the Vice Chancellor, Chinelo and Vice Chancellor, Prof. Benjamin Ozumba, during his inauguration in Nsukka, yesterday.

L-R: Business Director, Globacom Plc, Mr. Olukemi Kaka; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Research and Documentation, Dr. Fedinard Agu and Director-General, National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Mr. Adolphus Ekpe, during the launch of Centenary Lottery by Globacom in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

National News

Convention fall-out: Atiku urges Ikimi, Sheriff, Amaechi to remain in APC OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

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ormer Vice-President and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has appealed to the aggrieved members to remain loyal to the party “as there is reward for loyalty”.

Top leaders of the party, including former Borno State governor, Modu Sheriff; Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi and Chief Tom Ikimi have expressed misgiving about the outcome of weekend’s convention, and threatened to quit the party.

Atiku also said the emergence of the new Chief John Odigie-Oyegun-led National Executive Committee, NEC, was a product of transparency, democracy and compromise.

The NEC, according to a party source, is expected to be inaugurated today at Ladi Kwali Hall of Sheraton Hotel, Abuja.

The former vice-president, in a statement by his media office in Abuja yesterday, advised the newly-elect-

ed party officials to sustain the tempo and public enthusiasm which greeted the birth of the opposition party.

He commended the peaceful conduct of the elections at the party’s inaugural national convention last Friday.

Atiku said that, as a party member, he was proud that the elections were conducted without incidents or rancour, adding that the level of maturity demonstrated by APC followers was an evidence of their commitment to decent democratic conduct.

The former vice-president said that despite the prediction of chaos and crisis before the convention, the event went peacefully without any incident.

The Turakin Adamawa, however, reminded APC leaders and members that the challenges ahead were still tough.

According to him, complacency is a dangerous attitude, especially for an opposition party struggling to capture power and bring change.

Atiku expressed apologies for his inability to be present for the inauguration of the exco due to previous

commitments overseas.

He, however, conveyed his support, loyalty and cooperation to the NEC of the party at all times.

But Governor Amaechi said yesterday that he is ready to cooperate with the new leadership of the opposition party.

The governor, in a state-

ment by Ibim Semenitari, his Commissioner of Information and Communications, denied granting any interview castigating the conduct of the party’s convention.

“The All Progressives Congress is a party of progressives who share a common goal of safeguarding our nation and securing its future.

“Governor Amaechi is committed completely to these goals of the APC and would work assiduously alongside all party faithful to achieve this noble cause.

“The APC Convention of June 13th and 14th was a clear indication that the APC is fully reinvigorated and even more united than ever before.

‘FG, others shared N683.9bn in May’ TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

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he Federation Account Allocation Committee, FAAC, yesterday said the three tiers of government shared N683.898bn from Statutory, Value Added Tax, VAT, and other accrued revenue sources of the Federation Account last month.

This is even as the Committee reported a marginal increase of the Excess Crude Accounts, ECA savings from $3.60bn last month to $3.73bn this month.

The month’s distributions to the various governments represented an

increase of about N49.17bn over the N634.731bn shared in the preceding month.

Giving a breakdown of the revenue accruals to the Federation Account and the shared sums during the month in review at the end of the FAAC meeting, the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Jonah Otunla, disclosed that the gross revenue of N844.032bn accrued to the Federation Account during the month under review, an amount higher than the previous months’ total revenue collections of N584.151bn by N259.881bn.

He attributed the rise in revenues to the accounts to a bulk payment of US$1.2bn

by the Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas, NLNG, as well as the upward review of estimates by SPDC Limited and other companies, even as he bemoaned the increasing incidence of oil theft and negative effects of pipeline repairs and maintenance on crude oil production.

According to him, N582.934bn was shared under statutory allocation while VAT distributions amounted to N65.417bn.

The sum of N35.549bn was distributed as the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, SURE-P component of the distributions.

Otunla disclosed that out of the NN574.824bn statuto-

“The national party officers who emerged at the convention are men and women of repute and it is delightful that the APC would be led in these times by a person of impeccable character and towering stature like His Excellency, John Odigie-Oyegun, former governor of Edo State,” the statement said.

ry distributions, the Federal Government got N271.340bn, representing 52.68 per cent; the states got N137.627bn or 26.72 per cent; while the local governments shared the balance of N106.105bn or 20.6 per cent.

Similarly, he said N52.751bn was shared to the nine oil producing states, based on the 13 per cent principle of derivation.

Of the VAT distributions totaling N62.798bn, the Federal Government got N9.420bn or 15 per cent, compared to the states’ N31.399bn, which accounted for 50 per cent of the earnings, while the local governments shared N21.979bn.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Wednesday, June 18, 2014

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Judge faces trial over N25m bribery scam CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

surety in like sum, totalling N20m granted him by Justice Bello over the same offence, he said Justice Ademola admitted him to bail in the sum of N500m with two sureties in like sum, totalling N1.5bn.

He said the other accused person in the case was also granted bail in the same sum with similar conditions attached.

Shaibu added that over six months after the bail was granted, both of them remained in prison, stressing that it was evident that they

could not meet the bail conditions, he said they informed the judge who encouraged them to bring an application for variation, which they did but was turned down.

Shaibu, through his wife, Hajia Fatima, narrated his story in a petition addressed to the CJN and acknowledged on January 10, 2014.

He said that after the application for variation of the bail conditions was refused, his wife did the copious petition to expose purported reasons why his application did not find favour with the

judge.

The wife, who told the CJN that the trial judge gave the most onerous bail condition of N1.5bn, allegedly the highest so far in the history of justice administration system in Nigeria, added that notwithstanding the outlandish bail conditions, “the learned trial judge kept frustrating every effort to meet this onerous condition of bail.

“We discovered, for instance, that the learned trial judge will interfere with the duties of the registry staff as they tried to process suitable

sureties,” she claimed.

Fatima also claimed that after the bail variation application was refused on the account that enough materials were not placed before him, “my husband’s counsel filed an appeal and requested for certified true copies of the ruling as well as the proceedings of the court to enable them to promptly compile the record of appeal, (but) they were told that Justice Ademola personally kept the case file with himself and took it home with him, frustrating all efforts to quickly

L-R: Donor of the hospital, Chief Billy Ofessi; Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Abduljelili Adesiyan; Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar; Chairman, Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Sen. Paulinus Nwagwu and Force Medical Officer, D.I.G. Grace Okudo, during the inauguration of a police hospital at Dei-Dei in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

B’Haram kingpin among 486 arrested suspects CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

ters, DHQ, which made this disclosure in Abuja, yesterday, however, said that the screening was continuing in Abia State until the military was satisfied with the true motives of that mass movement.

Soldiers of the 144 Battalion had arrested the 486 suspects travelling from Adamawa State to Port Harcourt in Rivers State.

The arrested suspects were moving in a motorcade of 35 Hummer buses when they were intercepted by soldiers around 2am between Arungwa Junction on the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway and Imo Gate, the boundary between Abia and Rivers States.

Two of the buses carrying the insurgents were said to have escaped arrest and it was not clear whether the occupants succeeded in entering Port Harcourt or they were within the Abia State territory.

Speaking through the Director of Defence Information, DDI, Maj.-Gen. Chris

Olukolade, the DHQ said: “A terror kingpin in the list of wanted terrorists of security forces in Nigeria have been detected in the ongoing screening of the 486 suspects nabbed while travelling in over 33 Hiace Hummer buses at night along Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway last Sunday.

“So far other security agencies, including the para-military, have joined the screening exercise to ascertain the status of the remaining suspects.

“Those identified as possible security risk or illegal immigrants are expected to be identified for further action.

“Meanwhile, the identified terror kingpin has been taken into custody. Further development will be communicated to you in due course.”

Following the arrest, Abia State Civil Liberty Organisation, CLO, and the Aba Hausa community have called for security beefup in the area.

CLO Chairman, Aba Unit, Dr. Charles Chinekezi, said the arrest of the suspects in Aba and Sunday’s uncovering of Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, at the auditorium and car park of the headquarters of the Living Faith Church a.k.a Winners’ Chapel, in Imo State was a clear indication that the Boko Haram insurgents had infiltrated the South-East.

Chinekezi said since this was the case, governments of the South-East should beef up security in the zone to prevent the insurgents from wreaking havoc in the area.

He said that since insurgents had allegedly infiltrated federal security organs, the South-East state governments should make special security arrangement to curb any security challenge in the area.

Chinekezi said that CLO aligned itself with the security measures put in place by the governor of Imo State code named ‘Know your

neighbour’ and urged other South-East state governors to emulate him.

Also, the former Amirulhajj of Abia State and Deputy Chairman of Aba Muslim Community, Alhaji Musa Iheakaram, urged the state government and security agencies operating in Abia and the entire SouthEast to beef up security in their states.

Iheakaram said it had shown that the dreaded sect was in the zone.

“The discovery of the IEDs planted at headquarters of the Living Faith Church a.k.a Winners’ Chapel in Owerri by terrorists should be an eye-opener because that which happened in Owerri on Sunday could happen to any church or mosque in Aba,” he said.

He called on the police in Owerri to make public the names of those it had arrested in connection with the Winners Chapel incident, which he said would help to determine where they came from.

appeal against the dismissal of the application for variation of my husband’s conditions of bail,” she said.

She added that as at December last year, her husband had spent seven months in prison.

She also alleged: “I have reasons to believe that the trial judge is abusing his powers by keeping him detained in order to extort money from him, my family or our friends. The basis of my belief is that I have been receiving anonymous phone calls and text messages from people purporting to act on behalf of Justice Ademola asking me to deposit certain large sums of money into a particular UBA account No 2023439971 in the name of one Kingsley O. “ At other times, the callers will demand that I should arrange the sum of N25m in cash and await further instructions on where to drop it off in order to get the judge to approve my sureties or vary the onerous conditions of bail.

“What I find curious but alarming is that the persons making the demand for N25m from me always have prescient foreknowledge of every move that the Hon Justice Ademola will make at adjourned dates of the matter.

“For instance, they will inform me weeks in advance whether the judge will sit on a particular day or not, whether he will deliver a ruling or not and indeed, I was informed that unless I make the payment of N25m, ready by the day the ruling was fixed for delivery, the court will not find favour in our application for variation of the bail and this came to be true.

“In every case, I staunchly refused to cooperate. As predicted, on the 28th of November, 2013, the day fixed for delivery of ruling on our application for variation of the conditions of bail, the Honourable Justice Ademola failed to deliver the ruling. The next day, the judge gave his ruling and dismissed the application.

“I am therefore writing this complaint to invite the NJC to look into the entire circumstances of this case and determine whether the conduct of the judicial officer in questions does not amount to an abuse of power and an attempt to extort money from us in exchange for my husband’s freedom on bail.

“I am also requesting that you investigate and determine whether it is not unethical and

a breach of the judicial oath for Hon Justice Ademola to continue to preside over my trial even after I had written a complaint against him to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court and to investigate and determine whether the flagrantly onerous conditions of bail imposed on my husband

by Honourable Justice Ademola were not imposed as an act of vindictiveness or revenge contrary to the oath of office for judicial officers,” she said.

Besides, she also said that she wanted the NJC to “investigate and determine whether on the peculiar facts and circumstances of this matter, whether the difficult and onerous bail conditions imposed by Honourable Justice Ademola was not designed to facilitate corrupt demand for gratification and to investigate and determine whether a judicial officer can hold on personally to a case file at all times so that he can monitor every administrative act carried out by court officers and in particular to prevent my counsel from obtaining copies of rulings and proceedings to assist in the process of applying for review to the Court of Appeal,” the petition added.

Although by the principle of self-imposed dumbness, a trial judge, most times, would not publicly join issues with his accusers, particularly parties appearing before him, even when his image is being battered, Justice Ademola however departed from this principle to make certain clarifications during proceedings in the case.

He said the clarification was necessary to clear his name on the issue of his alleged reluctance to sign Dr Teidi’s bail paper. That was late last year.

A bailiff of this court, one Alhaji, and another are involved and are now facing trial before a Magistrate’s Court for forgery.

Although Teidi insisted that the documents presented by his sureties were genuine, he said he was not ready to join issues but would use another set of sureties to get his bail so that he could take adequate medical attention from his personal doctor and prepare for his trial from home.

He claimed that he had presented fresh sureties whose title documents had been vetted and verified at AGIS but that the judge had refused to sign his bail papers.

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Wednesday, June 18, 2014

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Ekiti commissioner, 11 others to be arraigned Ise-Oluwa Ige ABUJA

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he Federal Government is scheduled to arraign today the Ekiti State Commissioner for Integration and InterGovernmental Affairs, Funminiyi Afuye, and 11 others before Justice Evoh Chukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The government had already secured leave of the court to prosecute all of them.

In the charge lodged at the registry of the court by the police, Afuye and others are accused of engaging in terrorism.

They were arrested over the last violent clash by party supporters in Ekiti State, during which a man identified as Peter Akin was killed.

The charge filed in the name of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and marked: FHC/ABJ/ CR/118/14 was signed by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Oloye Torugbene.

The government’s decision to arraign the 12 is coming shortly after Afuye sued the police in Ekiti State, alleging physical assault on him by Mobile Police Commander, Gabriel Selenkere.

Afuye, in the suit filed before the state High Court in Ado Ekiti, is seeking N1 billion in damages for physical assault on his person and unlawful detention.

The suit was brought pursuant to Order 11 Rules 123 and 5 of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement) Rules 2009 and sec-

Two pupils, 8 others die in Benue, Osun road crashes Henry Iyorkase and Boladale Bamigbola

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ight persons died yesterday in Makurdi, Benue State when a tanker carrying Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, collided with a Peugeot J-5 bus and a 504 saloon car.

The accident, which occurred on the Makurdi New Bridge, led to an inferno that raged for hours before it was put out.

The inferno prevented vehicles on both sides of the road from moving, leading to traffic congestion.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Daniel Ezeala, while confirming the incident, said his men were drafted to the scene to re-direct traffic as well as to maintain law and order.

He, however, said he could not ascertain the number of casualties as at the time of filing this report.

Our correspondent at the scene of the accident saw charred bodies of the victims who were burnt beyond recognition.

An eyewitness said the J-5 and Peugeot car were trying to overtake the truck that moved slowly on the right side of the road, thus brushing each other.

The truck in an attempt to avoid the two vehicles, which had already ob-

structed its movement, somersaulted to the other of the road and caught fire.

The police commissioner, Adams Audu, who visited the scene expressed shock at the magnitude of destruction, particularly that lives were lost in the incident.

Same day, down south, two pupils of a private primary school in Ikirun, Ifelodun local government area of Osun State, lost their lives in a road mishap.

The pupils, who were siblings, were returning from school when the incident occurred.

Their identities could not, however, be ascertained as at the time of filing this report.

But the Unit commandant of the Federal Roads Safety Corps, FRSC, in Ikirun, Mr. Gabriel Esan, confirmed the accident, saying the accident involved a truck carrying tanks.

He explained that a tank on the truck fell on the pupils, who were waiting for their school bus.

He added that one of the pupils died immediately, while the other was rushed to the hospital but later died while receiving treatment.

Esan said that the truck had been impounded and would not be released until investigations are completed on the accident.

tions 6, 34, 41 and 46 of the 1999 Constitution.

Charged with Afuye are Idowu Aladejebi (68 years), Afuye Jide (30), Anisulowo Kayode (46), Azeez Suleiman (19), Ajayi Idowu (18), Babadi Ajayi (35), Abiodun Omoniyi (68), Oyedapo Olaoluwa (29), Sunday Olalere (27), Dapo David (26) and Akinyemi Tayo (25).

They were, in count one, accused of conspiring with each other to commit an act of terrorism at Ijegbo Round About to wit: “Using dangerous weapons/devices at Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, which resulted in destruction of properties and the death of one Peter Akin (M) and injured several other persons.”

In count two, they were accused of committing an act of terrorism “by using dangerous weapons at Ijigbo Round About and Oluyemi Kayode Stadium and shot one Peter Akin to death.”

They were, in count three, said to have “incited, promised and induced other persons to commit an act of terrorism, which

resulted in the destruction of valuable properties, such as motor vehicles, motorcycles, etc.”

According to the charge, the 12 allegedly committed the said offences on June 8, 2014. The alleged offences are said to be punishable under sections 1(2)(d), 2(2)(h) and 17 of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013.

L-R: President, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor; Methodist Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. Oche Job and Preacher, Banawa Central Mosque, Kaduna, Malam Ibrahim Sayyadi, during the Christian/Muslim Interactive Meeting on Peace, Unity and Justice in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Military operation alone won’t stop Boko Haram - Oritsejafor

• Canvasses better ideology as solution

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resident of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, yesterday said the use of force alone cannot solve the menace of Boko Haram because its activities were ideologically construed.

According to Oritsejafor, as necessary as military operation is in ending insurgency, the only potent means of solving the menace is by engaging them with counter narrative.

The latest stand may have been informed by the on-going discussion between some Muslim clerics and the leadership of CAN as Oritsejafor had, at different for a, maintained hard stand on the Islamic group, insisting that only military operation would end it.

Oritsejafor, who spoke on the sidelines of a oneday Christian/Muslim interactive meeting in

Abuja, therefore called on Muslim clerics to begin to engage the insurgents with a view to re-orientating them.

He said: “It was agreed today that the issue of Boko Haram has to do with a pervert ideology. Military operation is very important and they must play their part, but we will not solve this completely just by bullets.

“We will have to create an avenue for a superior argument in the area of ideologies. In other words, we must bring up another ideology that is higher and better, that would counter and contradict the ideology that has created this monster,” he advised.

He disagreed with the notion that poverty was at the centre of the issues that bred insurgency in the north, stressing that if government decided to give a car to each Nigerian, it would still not address the

scourge because the dreaded Islamic group was being driven by wrong ideology.

“It is a fact that Boko Haram is not as a result of poverty, but as a result of an ideology. If you buy a car and build a house for everybody in Nigeria, it does not stop an ideology.

The only thing that stops an ideology is another ideology, a better and a superior one.

“What we have to do now is to look for the people who have this type of ideology, that have contact with this people who have the wrong ideology, so that they can take the right ideology, go to them and explain it to them.

They may not listen to me, but there are people they will listen to.

“The people, who can engage Boko Haram basically, are Muslim clerics. I do not want to be hypocritical. There is no Christian ideology that can match

that ideology, because they are totally different. But it is purely a Muslim ideology that can counter this ideology,” he stated.

The Chairman, Islamic Resource Centre, Nigeria, Prof. Mohammed Al-Amin, agreed that the issue of Boko Haram was based on ideology.

He said: “I perfectly agree that Boko Haram is an ideological problem and the best way to tackle it is through intellectual engagement.

Some Muslim scholars started this engagement some years back. I think it is very important we encourage this to continue.

“Because, if you convert someone ideologically, you have done what weapons and other actions could not do. Secondly, the opinion of this conference is that Boko Haram has proven that their agenda is not Muslim interest to attack Christians in this country.

Education standards have improved, ANCOPPSS insists

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he All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Public Secondary Schools (ANCOPPSS), Lagos State chapter, yesterday said that updated curriculum had improved education standards in Nigeria.

ANCOPPSS President in the state, Babatunde Philips, made the observation in an interview in

Lagos.

He said Nigeria’s education standard was no longer declining as claimed by some people.

According to him, school curricula in Nigeria have been upgraded to meet global standards.

Philips said exposure of pupils to the use of computers was part of the

improvement.

“Students abilities to manufacture things such as torchlight are a proof that our children are information technology- compliant,” Philips said.

The ANCOPPS official said that principals were involved in drawing up the updated curriculum in the state.

He said that students were being exposed to series of competitions such as spelling bee, debate, computer and mathematics competitions to increase their learning abilities.

“All these measures are taken to enhance the standard of education in the state and the country as a whole,” he said.

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Wednesday, June 18, 2014

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Nnamani’s health condition stalls trial WALE IGBINTADE

T Ogun State Head of Service, Mrs. Modupe Adekunle (2nd left); Permanent Secretary, Civil Service Commission, Mr. Sola Adeyemi (right) and public servants, during the Public Service Day celebration Health Walk in Abeokuta.

ICPC seizes 372 passports over visa scam T

he Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, on Tuesday said it had seized over 372 passports from fake travelling agents involved in visa scams across the nation.

Chairman of the commission, Ekpo Nta, disclosed this in Lagos at a one-day seminar on curbing visa scams.

Nta said that the 372 passports were intercepted based on intelligence information on the illegal activities of unauthorised travel agents and other persons involved in visa procurement scams.

According to him, the authority will give the holders of the seized passports opportunity to come to the ICPC office in Abuja to pick their passports.

“Else, the passports will be handed over to the Nigerian Immigration Services, NIS, which could bar them from travelling abroad until their status are verified,” he said.

Nta cautioned unsuspecting travelers from patronising touts at embassies in the visa acquisition process.

He advised embassies and high commissions in Nigeria to sanitise their visa processes and entrench a culture of integrity in the visa procurement process.

“The imposition of unreasonable procedures by some embassies seems to have exacerbated the already complicated visa acquisition processes which tend to promote corruptionprone processes by unofficial cartels within and

outside the embassies,’’ he said.

He said those caught for such offences would be prosecuted.

However, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has urged the commission to carry out enlightenment and advocacy programmes to educate Nigerians on the need to save themselves from the antics of persons involved in visa scams.

Fashola, who was represented by the Commissioner of Special Duties and Inter Governmental Affairs, Dr Wale Ahmed, said that the seminar would expose dubious tricks in visa procurement and encourage responsible individuals and corporate bodies to avoid unwholesome malpractices.

Earlier, Ambassador

Aminu Wali, Minister of Foreign Affairs, said activities of some Nigerians involved in visa scams had tarnished the image of the country.

“Today, touts and miscreants have constituted themselves into visa procurement agents, luring peace and law abiding citizens into engaging knowingly or unknowingly in visa scam.

“It is unfortunate that in spite of laws and sundry control mechanism by government to curtail the activities of touts in embassies and our airports, the sharp practices of obtaining visa illegally have persisted,” Wali said.

He commended ICPC for sanitising the process which had led to the arrest and prosecution of suspects and their collaborators.

he trial of former Enugu State governor, Dr Chimaroke Nnamani, before a Federal High Court in Lagos, was stalled yesterday as the former governor informed the court that he suffers from a heart ailment.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had, last March 7, re-arraigned Nnamani before Justice Mohammed Yunusa on 105 counts of money laundering and economic crimes involving about N4.5 billion state funds.

He was charged along with his former aide, Sunday Anyaogu, and six firms - Rainbownet Nig. Ltd, Hillgate Nig. Ltd, Cosmos FM, Capital City Automobile Nig. Ltd, Renaissance University Teaching Hospital and Mea Mater Elizabeth High School.

At the resumed trial, Nnamani’s lawyer, Oluyele Delano, SAN, informed the court that Nnamani was not strong enough to face trial.

He said: “The first accused person is seriously ill. He has undergone a quadruple bypass, an open heart surgery, and while there was relative success with regard to the surgery, he has had to embark on a slow, tedious recovery process.

“Unfortunately, he recently suffered a setback to his health in that he

continues to suffer chronic chest pains, which the doctors suspect may be that his heart is rejecting the pacemaker that has been installed there.

“My Lord, a dead man cannot be tried. I humbly crave the indulgence of the court to give us more time to be in a position to vigorously defend the allegations against us. The doctrine of fair hearing acknowledges the need for the accused person not to be prejudiced in his ability to defend the accusations against him on account of ill health,” he explained.

EFCC’s lawyer, Kelvin Uzozie, did not oppose the request for an adjournment, but said he doubted if Nnamani’s health problem was so serious to prevent him from coming to court.

He said: “Illness per se is not a ground for stalling trial. The question is, is the accused person capable of understanding the proceedings?”

In his Bench ruling, the trial judge, Yunusa, held that Nnamani should be given the opportunity to defend himself.

The court held that ‘’a criminal trial is a rigorous activity that requires a strong person.”

The judge said he observed that Nnamani could not comfortably stand in the dock for 20 minutes, adding that the court has no medical facility to treat him should his case worsen.

Appeal court reserves judgment on repatriated prisoners WALE IGBINTADE

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he Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, yesterday reserved judgment in the appeal filed by 22 Nigerians convicted for various offences of drug trafficking by the Kingdom of Thailand and repatriated to Nigeria.

The appellate court, presided over by Justice Sidi Bage, reserved the appeal for judgment after lawyers to the parties ad-

opted their briefs of argument.

The appellants, Napoleon Marvelous, Azubuike Uzoma and 20 others, had challenged the judgment delivered by Justice M. B. Idris of the Federal High Court, which dismissed their suit challenging their detention in Nigeria.

They were repatriated by virtue of a purported treaty between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Kingdom of Thailand with regards to

transfer of prisoners.

Shortly after they arrived in Nigeria, the appellants were kept at the Kirikiri Prisons to continue their respective sentences.

Consequently, the appellants through their lawyer, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde, SAN, filed a suit before Justice Idris, seeking a declaration that their imprisonment in Nigeria is illegal.

The defendants in the suit are the Federal Government, the Attorney-

General of the Federation, the Deputy Controller of Prisons, Kirikiri Maximum Prisons, Apapa, Lagos and the Deputy Controller of Prisons (Female Wing) as defendants.

The prisoners argued that the purported treaty signed on transfer of prisoners between Thailand and Nigeria was yet to be domesticated in Nigeria hence they ought to be released from prison.

But Justice Idris in his judgment delivered on March 18, 2013 dismissed

the suit on the ground that there was no evidence before the court.

Dissatisfied, the appellants, through their lawyer, Chief Ayorinde, prayed the appellate court to determine whether the appellants were under obligation to produce before the lower court the purported treaty between the Nigeria and the Kingdom of Thailand.

Adopting appellants’ brief of argument, Ayorinde argued that the purported treaty between Ni-

geria and Thailand under which the prisoners were repatriated has not been locally enabled by any legislation by the National Assembly and as such is null and void.

Ayorinde urged the court to determine whether the failure of the appellants to produce the treaty before the lower court was enough to dismiss their suit in spite of the existence of other prayers sought by the appellant in their originating summons.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Medical consultants threaten to join doctors’ strike KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

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he crisis rocking the health sector in the country has taken a new dimension, as the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria, MDCAN, has threatened to withdraw its services in compliance with the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA’s directives, should the Federal Government fail to stay action on the concessions granted to the Joint Health Sectors Union, JOHESU. The association, in a release signed by its National President, Dr. Olusegun Oluwole, and made available to jour-

nalists in Ibadan yesterday, warned the Federal Government “to stop playing politics with professional health issues and put on hold all circulars that had been released to please JOHESU.” It would be recalled that the NMA had threatened to proceed on an indefinite strike come July 1, should the Federal Government fail to meet its demands.

National Mirror learnt that the Federal Government had granted concessions to JOHESU and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals Association, which include approval of consultancy positions for support

staff, abolition of Deputy Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee position, and appointment of support staff as directors.

However, MDCAN said JOHESU should be prevented from “inventing Nigerian type of medical services that would expose the nation to ridicule internationally.”

Oluwole maintained that while it was the policy of the association to ensure uninterrupted health services, it would provide moral and logistic support to the NMA to ensure sanity within the health sector.

While stating that politics should not be allowed to destroy Nigeria’s health sector further, he

accused JOHESU of pursuing strictly monetary rewards for its members, rather than actual practice of medicine, appointment of its members as directors and consultants, as well as creation of autonomous departments for its members.

He said: “That the ultimatum of the NMA to the government on JOHESU matters is noted.

While MDCAN remains committed to its policy of ensuring uninterrupted health services, it will comply with directives to withdraw services, should government allow the situation to deteriorate to the extent that NMA will have no credible alternatives.

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Fayemi disburses N50m loans to cooperative bodies ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

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overnor Kayode Fayemi has disbursed N50m as a revolving loan to cooperative societies in Ekiti State, in the first phase of the Cooperative Revitalisation Fund.

Fayemi, while presenting the cheques to the cooperative societies in Ado-Ekiti, said the fund was aimed at improving the lending capacity of the societies and the overall standard of living of the people.

The governor said that cooperative unions were expected to grow and expand to other areas of economic activities,

such as establishment of cottage industries in cluster communities, where raw materials are available, towards poverty reduction and employment generation.

He assured that his government would continue to support such and create conducive environment for such micro-industries to thrive in Ekiti State.

Fayemi also, on the occasion, empowered the State Motorcyclists Association with 100 motorcycles and an 18-seater bus, while the state chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, and Joint Artisans and Technicians, also got a bus each.

Ajimobi appoints five new high court judges

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overnor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has approved the appointment of five legal practitioners as judges of the state high court.

A statement issued in Ibadan yesterday by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adebayo Ojo, gave the names of the newly-appointed judges as Mrs. Bolaji Abosede Sikeade, a deputy chief registrar in the state high court, and Mr. Ganiyu Lateef Adebayo, director, Litigation and Advisory Services II, in the state Ministry of Justice.

Others include Mrs. Mojisola Idayat Sule, the acting director, Citizens Mediation Centre, Ministry of Justice, as well as Mr. Kamorudeen Babatunde Olawoyin and Mrs. Adeyemi Omolara Sherifat, who are legal practitioners based in Kano and Ibadan, respectively.

The statement said that the appointment was sequel to the recommendations of the National Judicial Council, NJC. According to the statement, the newly-appointed judges would be sworn in by Governor Ajimobi on Friday.

Member, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN, Chief Tunji Amole (left) and Guest Speaker, Prof. Mbang Femi-Oyewo, during a lecture on ‘Expanding Role of Pharmacists in Patient Care’ in Ibadan, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Lagos CJ frees 75 Kirikiri inmates MATTHEW IRINOYE

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he Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Ayotunde Philips, yesterday released 75 inmates awaiting trial at the Kirikiri Prisons in Lagos.

The lucky inmates include a 27-year-old female, Freedom Madely, and other 74 male inmates who had spent over 10 years awaiting trial.

The chief judge, who was accompanied by senior members of the judiciary, including judges

and the chief registrar, released 62 inmates from the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison and seven from the Medium Security Prison. She also released one inmate from women prison.

The chief judge was empowered to release the inmates pursuant to the powers conferred on her under Section 1 (1) of the Criminal Justice Release from Custody Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2007.

“We have gone through the list of those recom-

mended for release. So, for those of you qualified to be released, you are very lucky that your name has come up. So, go and sin no more,” she said.

Justice Philips, however, urged those released to turn a new leaf, and go out to contribute their quota to the society.

In his welcome address, the Comptroller of Prisons, Mr. Tunde Ladipo, noted that it was very unusual for chief judges of Lagos State to visit the prisons.

He admonished those

who gained their freedom not to return, adding that the prison is a place where lives are being turned around for better.

Ladipo also urged the government to change its orientation from seeing the prison as a place to punish offenders, rather than being supportive to recreate their mindset for a better future.

He added that about 50 of the inmates were studying at the Open University, while 12 were registered for the General Certificate Examination, GCE.

Islamic body rejects call for Christian governor in Lagos FRANCIS SUBERU

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n light of the agitation in some quarters that a Christian should succeed Governor Babatude Fashola in 2015, the Conference of Islamic Organisations, CIO, Lagos State chapter, has warned such agitators to refrain from anything that could amount to imposition of candidates, or selfish agenda, on Lagosians.

The organisation observed that the agitation is capable of polarising the

state along religious lines and warned the promoters of the idea and the political leaders who may wish to foist a particular candidate on the people to do away with such plan, or the candidate will suffer a great loss at the poll.

Addressing members of the body, CIO leader and Chief Missioner, Ansar Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheik Abdurahman Ahmad, said never in the history of Lagos, or any other state in the South-West region, was any governorship candidate formally nominated or elected based on his or her religious identity.

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Insurgency: Igbo can defend themselves –Okorocha CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

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overnor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, yesterday said the Igbo know how to defend themselves when the need arises and charged every Igbo man and woman to be vigilant, adding that the country is, at the moment, facing serious security challenges, following the insurgence of the Boko Haram elements.

The governor spoke when the leaders and members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Imo State chapter, visited him at the Government House, Owerri, explaining that every Igbo man or woman is automatically a member of Ohanaeze. He charged the body to reflect on the weighty question: ‘When will an Igbo man become the president of Nigeria?

He charged Nigerians to show interest in what someone can do in a particular position and not where he comes from, and that

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Wednesday, June 18, 2014

time had come for Nigerians, including the Igbo, to begin to deemphasize the issue of zoning which, he said, promotes segregation instead of oneness needed for development and growth.

According to him, someone with intelligence, and with the right vision should lead the people and not someone whose only credential is where he comes from, advising that leadership positions should be given to those who can deliver and not on the basis of where the person comes from.

His words: “What somebody can do is more important than where he comes from.

The Igbo must show interest in the presidency of the country in 2015. I want to show the light to the rest of Igbo nation.

People with vision must lead.”

Earlier, the president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Imo State branch, Nkpelu Everestus, praised the governor for the monumental achievements of his government in the state.

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Okorocha can’t dethrone me –Ilomuanya CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

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he running battle between Governor Rochas Okorocha and the Chairman of the South East Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, is far from being over, as the latter has insisted that the governor has neither the people’s support nor the constitutional right to remove him as the traditional ruler of his community.

He vowed to remain in office as the traditional ruler of his Obinugwu community, in spite of his purported dethronement by the governor.

The lingering face-off between the duo had arisen, following the sacking of the monarch on June 6, 2011 as the chairman of the state council of traditional rulers by the governor, which compelled the

royal father to commence a marathon legal tussle to regain his exalted office.

Addressing a delegation of the Orlu Stakeholders Forum that paid him a solidarity visit in his palace at the weekend, Ilomuanya recalled the genesis of his ordeal and regretted that his three years absence from office had foisted darkness on the highly revered traditional institution in the state.

He explained that he would have resigned from office if the governor had indicated ab initio that he was not prepared to work with him at the inception of his administration.

It was however gathered that the governor was paying the royal father back for backing the immediate past governor, Ikedi Ohakim, during the 2011 Governorship poll.

A traditional ruler, who

pleaded anonymity, disclosed how the dethroned royal father walked the governor out of his palace when the latter came to solicit for his royal blessing before the election. “The governor on assumption of office vowed never to work with the royal father,” the source revealed.

However, citing the Imo State House of Assembly law No. 6, section 17A which he said legally prescribes a five-year tenure for the office of the chairman of the state council of traditional ruler but which according to him was flouted by the governor, the monarch vowed that Okorocha cannot dethrone him as the traditional ruler of his community.

“My God has placed me on this throne and I have been on it for 18 years and my people have absolute confidence in me. There-

fore no man born of a woman, no matter how highly placed in society, can remove me without the consent and approval of my people who willingly chose me as their traditional ruler,” he maintained.

However, the Obi of Obinugwu said that as a devout Christian who believes in the doctrine of the Holy Bible, he had handed the governor over to God for the injustice and humiliation meted on him by exposing the Igbo traditional institution, which is sacred and sanctimonious to public ridicule.

Earlier, the forum delegates after reviewing the monarch’s past performances as well as his disposition to handle communal, state and national issues passed a vote of implicit confidence on him.

Oyedepo canvasses prompt action against terrorism CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

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he General Overseer, Living Faith Church (aka Winners’ Chapel), Bishop David Oyedepo, has thanked the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, and security agencies in the state for the quick response to foil the planned bomb disaster that would have taken place at the church in Owerri on Sunday.

Oyedepo, who paid a courtesy call on Okorocha in Government House, Owerri, thanked him for the quick intervention to avert the planned disaster by suspected Boko Haram insurgents.

He regretted that the nation is being plagued

by Boko Haram insurgence, which has taken a massive toll on the lives and property of innocent Nigerians. He, therefore, prayed for God’s intervention as well as to imbue our leaders with the wisdom to stem the growing cancer of insurgence and terrorism.

The prelate, who

stressed that prompt action was needed by government at all levels to keep terrorism under check, noted that Boko Haram is beyond politics, and urged all to join hands to fight the menace to ensure a peaceful and a united Nigeria.

Responding, the Imo State governor commended the cleric for his visit and assured that government would not relent in its efforts to secure lives and property in the state.

He pointed out that the security and progress of Imo State is anchored on God as the state observes 10 minutes daily devotion to God. “Imo state is fortified by the Holy Ghost,” he maintained.

Okorocha further commended the ministry for its role in uplifting the spiritual lives of people and also for promoting education in the country by building one of the best universities – Covenant University. He appealed to the Bishop to build a campus of the university in Imo State, while assuring that the state would provide land for the project.

Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha (left) and President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Imo State, Amb. Akpelu Agunna, during a visit to the governor in Owerri, recently.

Church protests planned demolition of structures in Enugu Dennis Agbo ENUGU

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t least 200 clerics from the Methodist Church Nigeria, MCN, yesterday embarked on a peaceful protest against alleged attempt by Enugu State government to demolish structures at the church’s headquarters within the capital city.

The clergy, in their white cassocks, clustered around the church building along Agbani road, vowed to lay down their lives to ensure the planned demolition did not take place.

Speaking with newsmen during the peaceful protest, the Administrator in charge of MCN, Uwani, Rev. Gabriel Ogbansiegbe, denied the alleged lease of part of the property, accusing the state government of engaging in political witch-hunt against the church in the state.

“We heard that government is plan-

ning to pull down our structures. For the four years I have been here, the state government has been against us; we are marginalised. We can’t continue with a situation where government no longer respects the church. We feel we are not safe again.

“We are also aware that text messages have been flying about castigating our Bishop in Agbani, Bishop Onuagha, because of the way he introduced former governor Chimaroke Nnamani during the burial of Mrs. Alice Nnamani, mother of his former SSG, Onyemuche, in Agbani. This has sparked off attack on our church. We are not politicians; the fact that the former governor received loud ovation was not our making.

“This time around, we are going to resist them. We are ready to die because of our land. Enough is enough,” Ogbansiegbe noted.

He further expressed surprise that already the church had scheduled a meeting with the commissioner on a possible peaceful resolution of the matter and wondered why the state government was still in a haste to demolish the structure.

“We suspect political undertone because most of the people in the government presently are either Catholics or Anglicans unlike in the past when we had a Methodist as governor.

This time around, they don’t want us anymore,” he said.

Also speaking, the Presbyter of MCN, Ugwuaji Awkunanaw, Rev James Obineche, said the church had become tired of the “constant embarrassment” from the state government, insisting that “this time around, we are ready to die and be buried by their bulldozers instead of allowing them to destroy this place.”

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Wednesday, June 18, 2014

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Confab: Niger Delta youths insist on 50 per cent derivation THEOPHILUS ONOJEGHEN WARRI

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iger Delta representatives at the on-going National Conference have been charged to insist on a 50 per cent derivation formula to fast-track development in the region.

They said anything short of this is a deliberate attempt to continue to impoverish the people of the area.

The National President of the youth wing, South-South Assembly,

SSA, Comrade Oke Oyibo, disclosed this yesterday, while presenting an award to Bishop Felix Onomeregbor of Shamah Gospel Mission in Warri, Delta State.

Oyibo lamented that the region is wallowing in abject poverty and underdevelopment, stressing that until the injustice is corrected, true peace in the country will remain an illusion.

He observed that the region, which produces oil mineral resources, which is presently the

mainstay of the nation’s economy, is facing untold hardship and ‘wicked’ marginalisation.

The group also ap-

pealed to the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, to release the over 200 abducted Chibok girls, for the sake of peace.

It stated: “Most pathetic is that the innocent schoolgirls have been in Boko Haram custody for two months now. We

appeal to the insurgents to release them because the girls are innocent of what is presently happening in the country.”

APC, police trade words over Edo Assembly crisis SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN

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he on-going crisis at the Edo State House of Assembly got messier yesterday, with Edo State Police Command engaging the state’s ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in a war of words over the former’s role in the confusion.

While the newly elected Chairman of APC in Edo State, Mr. Anslem Ojezua, accused the police of aiding and abetting the four suspended lawmakers loyal to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to gain illegal entry into the Assembly on Monday, in the face of a court order restraining them, the police fired back that it was “apolitical and should not be dragged into the murky waters of party politics.”

In a statement from Edo State Police Command, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Foluso Adebanjo, said: “It is very unfortunate that the state chairman of APC could twist the truth to cast aspersions on the image and the professional manner the police have been handling the political crisis, as no single life has been lost and there has been no report of wanton destruction of property and lawlessness by political thugs.

“The Edo State Police Command has painstakingly and professionally averted chaos in the state,” he noted.

Meanwhile, the state police command has announced the arrest and prosecution of 15 more

political thugs, in addition to the 37 that were prosecuted, remanded and later bailed at a Magistrate Court in Benin City last week.

In the statement signed by the spokesman, DSP Noble Uwoh, the police claimed that some of the prosecuted thugs were arrested with fake identity cards in a futile bid to seize the State House of Assembly.

Uwoh said: “On 16/06/2014, the Edo State Police Command arrested 15 suspected political thugs, who, despite the warning issued by the command on 12/06/2014, decided to cause a breach of peace in and around the Edo State House of Assembly.

“Some of the suspects, who came in their numbers in an unregistered bus, were found in possession of Edo State House of Assembly staff identity cards, which they intended to use in gaining entrance into the House of Assembly.

“The policemen who were already on ground maintaining law and order discovered that they were not staff of the Edo State House of Assembly,” he revealed.

“The suspects have been arraigned in Magistrate Court today, 17/06/2014 for offences ranging from conspiracy; conduct likely to cause breach of public peace, unlawful assembly, and unlawful possession of Edo State House of Assembly identity cards with intent to falsely represent themselves,” Uwoh concluded.

L-R: Managing Solicitor, Rode and Associates, Mrs. Rosemary Inok-Dokubo; Deputy Managing Editor, National Point Newspaper, Constance Meju and Executive Director, Women in Action for Positive Development and Gender Enhancement Centre, Prof. Roibito Ekpiken-Ekanem, during a training for media personnel on reporting violence against women in Port Harcourt, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

NECO candidates allege extortion in Bayelsa OSAHON JULIUS YENAGOA

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andidates at the ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations in Bayelsa State, yesterday, alleged that they were being made to part with extra charges ranging from N500 to N1,000 by the authorities of the schools where they are sitting for the exams.

They specifically referred to what they called ‘Examination Number Allocation Fee’ by the authorities of a school in Kpansia, Yenagoa, where they said they were forced

to part with N500 each, or more, depending on the subject they were to write.

The issue was reported yesterday when the state Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Mr. Desmond Agu, paid a surprise visits to some schools as part of the corps’ statutory functions.

Agu discovered, while going round the classes being used for the examinations, that some of the candidates were sitting idly without partaking in the English Language examination.

One of the candidates,

who spoke after much prodding, said he was not allowed to sit for the exam because he could not pay the N500 requested of him by the school management.

“I don’t have N500 to pay for my exam number.

I have so far paid N300, but l was asked to pay the rest before sitting for the English Language exam,” the candidate who did not want his name mentioned, said.

There was, however, a mild drama when Agu, who immediately began investigation into the incident, volunteered to pay the requested money.

Other candidates screamed and pleaded with the commandant to also pay for them.

The candidates rushed at the money Agu brought from his pocket to offset the bills.

But the curious commandant later collected his money and ordered the exam invigilators to distribute exam papers to the candidates.

He advised the candidates to henceforth stop paying additional charges to the school authority and gave them his telephone number in case of further disturbance from the school.

Sex worker stabs soldier to death OSAHON JULIUS YENAGOA

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or refusing to pay the agreed amount for a night of romp with a commercial sex worker, a soldier was yesterday stabbed to death in Bayelsa State.

The soldier died at a Yenagoa hospital after he was brutally stabbed twice in the stomach by the lady (names withheld).

National Mirror gathered that the incident occurred at about 4am yesterday at a popular red light

district at Sand Field Road, off DSP Alamieyeseigha Way. Palpable fear has, however, gripped the residents of the area and other commercial sex workers, our correspondent gathered.

Although the death has not been confirmed, there is the fear of possible reprisal attack by soldiers, on the area, which has triggered exodus of many residents.

In spite of its notoriety the area, it was gathered, had never recorded any incident of the sort, a devel-

opment which took everybody by surprise.

Eyewitness accounts said an argument had ensued when the soldier refused to settle the amount they had earlier agreed upon after spending a night with the sex worker.

An eyewitness said the infuriated sex worker allegedly stabbed the soldier in the stomach, which caused part of his intestines to gush out. He was immediately rushed to a hospital.

“We were surprised and many people escaped to avoid arrest when it hap-

pened. We still do not know what will happen after now,” the eyewitness said.

He added: “We heard an argument coming from the prostitute’s room, and the next thing we saw was the soldier struggling with blood flowing from the wound in his stomach.”

Contacted, Bayelsa State Police Commissioner, Hilary Opara, confirmed the incident.

He said the culprit had been arrested and was facing investigation. “The soldier is recuperating in the hospital,” he added.

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Assembly suspends lawmaker over ‘false allegations’ PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

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he Niger State House of Assembly has suspended the member representing Kontagora 1 Constituency, Hon. Muhammad Nuradeen, on the platform of the All Progressives Con-

gress, APC, over the allegations he made against the House.

Umar, who is the Minority Leader of the House, was also barred from entering the Assembly complex, unless invited.

He was alleged to have claimed that the lawmakers collected bribes to

sack two of its former speakers, and accused the executive arm of meddling in the affairs of the House, in a newspaper interview he granted.

In the said interview, the lawmaker was also quoted as claiming that he personally sponsored four private member bills

since the inauguration of the House in June 2011, some with his colleagues and some with the speaker, even as he claimed the Assembly was not contacted before enforcing the ban on the operation of commercial motorcycles, popularly known as Okada.

But, the House, in a unanimous resolution, following a motion on issue under matters of urgent public attention by Hon. Yusuf Kure, representing Paikoro Constituency, described the allegations as untrue, malicious and capable of tarnishing its good image.

Expressing concern of the House, Kure noted that since the inauguration of the seventh legislature, there had never been such bills in the House as claimed by the suspended legislator, except the one on the public private partnership, which was not a private bill, but one forwarded by the executive arm of government.

On the interference by

the executive, Kure said the allegation was unfounded, adding that the suspended member made the allegation against the House just to give himself a credit.

On the allegation on Okada ban, he said: “The suspended lawmaker was ignorant of the existing Niger State Road Traffic Law Cap 118, Revised Edition 1989, Volume 3, Section 40.

“This directly deals with the issue of Okada ban. Under the existing law, the governor is not obliged to forward any bill to the House before the ban on Okada riders, and therefore, the governor acted within the law,” Kure said.

Adamawa legislators yet to pay for shops, five years after allocation

T L-R: Treasurer, Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Kaduna State, Dr. Nuwal Pwanidi; Secretary General, Dr. Orosi Joseph and Chairman, Dr. Aliyu Bappa, during a news conference on crises in the health sector at Kaduna, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

VC urges FG to tackle incessant strikes PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

T

he Vice Chancellor, VC, of the Federal University of Technology, FUT, Minna, Prof. Musbau Akanji, has appealed to the Federal Government to honour promises made to Nigerians, so as to halt the incessant strikes embarked upon by workers in the country.

Akanji, who stated this while addressing journalists at the pre-

convocation briefing of the 2010/2011, 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 academic sessions in Minna, observed that strikes would remain, as long as there are betrayals of trust on the agreements, noting that if the Federal Government could be open to the parties involved, the increasing industrial actions would be settled.

He also decried a situation where, according to him, parties involved while agreement were being reached, interpret

the outcome differently which, in the long run, led to misunderstanding.

The VC cited the example of the just concluded strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, where some of the details that were attended to were the ones causing problems.

“If one is not open, there will always be problems. When you are open, people would understand the premises of your action; and if the government and labor

unions are in talks regularly, there would be understanding and there would be no need for some labour unions to go on strike as they do these days,” he said.

Akanji further revealed that a total of 7,482 graduating students would be convocating on Saturday at the university, comprising 6,394 First Degree, 576 Master’s Degree, 45 Doctor of Philosophy, Ph.d Degrees, as well as 467 Post-Graduate Diplomas.

Police to build hospitals for personnel OMEIZA AJAYI ABUJA

T

he Nigeria Police Force, NPF, has begun the building of hospitals across its commands with a view too catering for the mental and physiological challenges of its officers and men.

Under the scheme, the Force said it had already built and began operating 15 hospitals spread across the commands.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Moham-

med Abubakar, stated this yesterday in Abuja when receiving a 44-bed hospital donated to the NPF by a Warri-based indigenous firm, Biloritz Nigeria Limited.

While explaining that treatment of policemen at the hospital would be free, the police boss urged its officers and men to enroll in the National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS. Promising to build more of such facilities through collaboration

with the private sector, Abubakar announced that contracts for the construction of police hospitals had already been awarded for the Anambra, Ekiti and Gombe state commands.

He also assured the police medical services of his readiness to fill existing gaps in the provision of healthcare to the officers and men of the force.

In his brief remarks, the Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Abduljelili

Adesiyan, described the gesture as a demonstration of the resolve of the Federal Government to pursue and implement programmes that would have direct impact on the police.

He said the Federal Government was aware of the challenges facing the Force and so, it had evolved a public and private partnership arrangement to ensure the delivery of some vital needs to the NPF and other Nigerians.

he Adamawa State Government yesterday said that some members of state House of Assembly were among those who defaulted in the payment for shops allocated to them five years ago at the Yola Central Market.

The state Commissioner for Commerce, Alhaji Ahmed Gorko, said this while testifying before the House on the activities of the market.

He said the defaulters had resisted all attempts to recover the money from them, saying the ministry was considering revoking the alloca-

tions.

Gorko told the lawmakers that the market, also known as ‘Jimeta Modern Market’, has 3,894 shops, out of which 2,060 were allocated to the 21 local government councils of the state, while 1,000 went to traders.

The commissioner said the remaining shops were issued out on ‘special allocation’ to civil servants, political appointees and lawmakers.

Gorko said out of the number under special allocation, members of the state assembly were given 128 shops.

N15m fraud: Police nab fake bank operators in Kogi WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

T

he Kogi State Police Command has arrested two fake bank operators who allegedly swindled the unsuspecting public of over N15m.

The suspects are Michael Adekeye and Adebayo Ayobami, who were the top managers of West World Investment Limited.

The State Police Commissioner, Mr. Seidu Madawaki, who disclosed this while parading the suspects in Lokoja yesterday at the police headquar-

ters, stated that the duo and one James Akogun, who is now at large, had established a financial institution called West World Investment Limited in Lokoja, the state capital.

Madawaki explained the operators of the company tricked unsuspecting depositors and collected over N15m.

The police commissioner stated that after the managers swindled the victims, mostly market women to the tune of over N15m, they relocated to Makurdi, Benue State, and used the parts of the proceeds to buy cars.

Wednesday June 18, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

13

Politics

2015: Federal lawmakers not likely to return

Musa

Muktar

PRISCILLA DENNIS presents federal lawmakers from Niger State, who may not return to the federal parliament in 2015.

T

he race for the Senate and the House of Reprentatives in Niger State is very tense. Aside from moves internally by party members to unseat the incumbent members, the rivalry between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and All Progressives Congress, APC, and the battle for the political soul of the Power State is equally fought at this level.

However, a number of lawmakers may not return to the National Assembly in the next election.

Late Senator Dahiru Awaisu Kuta Kuta represented Niger East senatorial district in the upper chambers of the National Assembly, before his death last week Thursday in Lagos on his way to London for medical treatment, following a protracted illness. He would have been one of the senator in the state that may not return to the Senate, if the rumours making the rounds are true that the incumbent governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida, is alleged to be eying the seat at the expiration of his second tenure as the chief executive of the state, even though, Aliyu had publicly announced that he has not yet decided whether to contest.

His death has finally, however, foreclosed his return to the Senate in 2015.

Senator Ibrahim Musa Senator Musa is representing Niger North zone, having won election into the red chamber by defeating three-term Senator Nuhu Aliyu on the platform of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, which has now metamorphosed into APC. he may not return to the upper chamber of the National Assembly in 2015, as he is rumoured to be looking beyond the senatorial seat.

THE RACE FOR THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRENTATIVES IN NIGER STATE IS VERY TENSE...

SADLY A NUMBER OF LAWMAKERS MAY NOT RETURN TO THE

NATIONAL

ASSEMBLY IN THE NEXT ELECTION

Musa is said to be gearing up for the governorship position of the state on the platform of the opposition APC, next year, even as the ruling PDP had also zoned its governorship seat to his zone. He will undoubtedly enjoy the support of members of his party in the state.

Hon Umar Bago Bago of the APC representing Chanchaga federal constituency is one aspirant that may have a hard battle to retain his seat, as it is the most keenly contested slot, due to the array of contenders gunning for it. As at the time of filing this report, no fewer than three other aspirants, including Dr. Jibrin Mustaph of the APC, Alhaji Hassan Nuhu,

Garba

Katcha

former MDGs Director General and the state SURE-P Director General that contested for the seat and lost in 2011 and the first son of former military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, Mohammed of the ruling PDP are gunning for the seat.

National Mirror learnt that there are plans tto draft Mohammed into the race, especially ssince he lost out of the governorship race, and sshould he succumb, he will be among aspirrants that will slug it out with incumbent.

Bago has a dynamic grass root mobilisiing network that may help in seeing him tthrough at the polls. Though, he may not have been so vibrant on the floor of the h green chamber, his impact is felt by his g constituents. However, it is left to be seen c what ‘magic’ he would use to weather the w ttide rising against him in his bid to return tto the House, especially as no one had been able to retain the seat for a second term in a a row, since 1999.

Garba, also an APC lawmaker got elected to the House of Representatives to represent Mariga/Wushishi/Mashegu/ Kontagora federal constituency. The possibility of his coming back to the house is slim as he may have to kiss his desire to return to the House good bye. The reason being that the people of his constituency believed that he had not done enough to be given a return ticket and that he has not represented them well in the parliament.

Another reason is that Abubakar is accused of not being vibrant in the House as the people of his constituency would want him to be, hence they would prefer to try another hand in the next election.

Hon Usman Cheche Katcha The former Protocol officer to Governor Aliyu represents Bida/Katcha/Gbako federA al constituency. He came to the lower chama ber of the National assembly in 2011. He is b unlikely to return to the House of Representatives for the second time as it was learnt Bida people are alleging that since the seat is rotational between the three areas, it is their turn to clinch the seat.

They claimed that they had supported Katcha and Gbako to produce Hons. Usman Bandolia and Peter Gana, respectively to represent the constituency in the green chambers and now it is their turn to produce a representative for the constituency in the next election.

Hence, they are touting Hon Isah Kawu, a two term member of the state House of Assembly, representing Bida state constituency 1 for the seat.

Alhaji Abdullahi Idris Garba

Engr. Mohammed Muktar Kuta is also another APC federal lawmaker, representing Tafa/Gurara/Suleja federal constituency. In his desire to return to the green chamber in 2015, he may have to contend seriously with Governor Aliyus’ alleged anointed candidate, Alhaji Yusuf Tagwai, a former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and presently, manning the Ministry of Sports.

Feelers from the constituency indicate that in a open contest, Muktar may be defeated by Tagwai, who hails from Dikko, Gurara area.

Although, there is disenchantment against the PDP among the people of Suleja also known for its volatile nature, presently, due to its large population that can dwarf Tafa and Gurara put together, political watchers claim Muktar may have a difficult task winning the return ticket, even though he hails from Suleja, if his opponent decides to use his goodwill as a former Commissioner for Local Government to turn the tides to his advantage. Aside that, Tagwai may receive further boost in Tafa with the presence of his colleague, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Bar. Bawa Wusse, who hails from that area of the state.

14

Politics

The 2015 general elections are very close and your people continue to insist to on producing the next governor. How do you intend to actualise this?

We must understand that this is a democratic dispensation and whatever God has willed for the Eggon people and Nasarawa State, will surely come to pass. It is one thing for every human being to prepare his mind or to say what he wants but another thing is for God to cause it to come to pass.

It is also, constitutionally right for Eggon people to demand for any position they so desire and it is up to them to work together so that on the Election Day, they can get what they want through democratic means.

How would you react to the report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by the Nasarawa State government to look into recent crises that bedevilled the southern part of the state, which indicted some prominent Eggon persons, including you?

I had said from the start that it was not a judicial commission of inquiry. That was a Kangaroo committee with a set agenda that was principally meant to dehumanise and criminalise the Eggon people and we in our own wisdom told the whole world at that time that if they want the truth, the Federal Government should be responsible for setting up any commission of inquiry. You cannot be a judge and the arbiter.

But then, there is the adage that says ‘he who pays the piper dictates the tune’.

So they have gotten what they wanted and truthfully, the information coming out of the so called whitepaper is the confirmation of my earlier position that it was a fake agenda and the commission was only meant to give credence to myopic position that was already taken and so, there is nothing surprising from the outcome of the so called commission of inquiry.

How true are the insinuations making the rounds that the paramount ruler of the Eggon nation, who was also indicted by the report is to be deported by government?

That is a bogus dream. It is one thing for man to dream such bogus dream and it is another thing to actualise it, because actualising such a dream is up to God. God is the one that enthroned Dr. Bala Abene Angbazu, and I think when God wills him to be out of that position, he will be out. Only God can depose him and definitely not the handwork of the government.

There are allegations that the Eggon people are being stigmatised by other ethnic nationalities in the state as a violence race. What is your take on that?

I want to make it clear that the Eggons had never and would never start any crises. In the Southern senatorial zone, the last time the Eggons were involved with any of the indigenous ethnic groups in a crises situation was with the Agyaragu.

But since then, hundreds of state residents have been killed. The Agatus were maimed in their own community. The Tiv population from Ekye all the way to North Bank, Makurdi, were all moved. The Tiv population in Keana, Awe and the rest of them

Wednesday June 18, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Eggons’ve always been peace loving people –Mamman Mr. Chris Mamman is the President of Eggon Cultural and Development Association, ECDA, worldwide. In this interview with journalists, he speaks on why an Eggon person should govern Nasarawa State, and the position of the association on the government White Paper on the judicial commission of inquiry that probed the crises which engulfed the state in the recent time. IGBAWASE UKUMBA brings the excerpts: then what happens? It is only God that knows who that person is going to be.

Mamman

were all removed. Was it the Eggons that went and committed such heinous crimes?

If the answer is no, then we should look beyond the glass of water. There is underlined force that is using the name of Eggon to commit mischief against the people of Nasarawa State. And by the grace of God, these persons will be exposed.

God is the God of all creation and we cannot fool or buy Him. You can commit all your own atrocities but at the appointed

I WILL CALL ON THE GOOD PEOPLE OF

NASARAWA STATE TO UNDERSTAND THAT

THE EGGON PEOPLE HAVE ALWAYS CO-

EXISTED PEACEFULLY WITH OTHER ETHNIC NATIONALITIES

time, God will say enough is enough. And it is with this conviction that I say with all sincerity of purpose that the Eggon people are not responsible for all the violence in the state. I will call on the good people of Nasarawa State to understand that the Eggon people have always co-existed peacefully with other ethnic nationalities and we are going to continue to do same.

But they should not allow the power that be, or the so called cabal that is beginning to lose its own fortunes politically and economically, to sidetrack them from seeing the reality on ground.

Talking more about the 2015 general elections, who do you plan to bring out as a consensus candidate for the forthcoming governorship election in the state?

The Eggon nation as I said sometime last year is a chosen race by God. And because we depend on God for what is going to happen to us, we are waiting for the appropriate time. God in His infinite mercy will work things out for the Eggon nation.

All the clamouring that is going on at the moment will come to pass. It is one thing for me to tell you that this person is our consensus candidate, but supposing we wake up tomorrow without that person,

How would you assess the administration of President Jonathan? Are you in support of those asking him to contest in 2015 election?

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has been a transformation president and for you to transform any project or an existing community, it means that that community was rotten. So, Jonathan came in at a time when insurgency in Nigeria was at its peak. He also came in at a time when the main fabrics of the society; education, electricity, health, aviation and all of the other sectors were dead. You can look at the railways; these things were dead. It took a nation like America 30 years to develop the rail system. After about 25 years, he has finally gotten the railway system from Lagos to Kano running and the maintenance work on Port Harcourt to Maiduguri is probably at 40 to 50 per cent progress.

This man has got the aviation industry back on track; the steel industry is now going back to work. We are now exporting cement.

These are areas that will serve as bedrock for the development of this country.

I would support the efforts of Jonathan a hundred and ten per cent.

Yes I will support Jonathan for his 2015 ambition. We voted for him massively in 2011; we are probably going to do much more than that in 2015 because he brought stability to the country. I am not saying there is no crisis; crisis is there but it is manmade.

What would also be your assessment of the present administration in Nasarawa State?

There is a big difference between governance activism and leadership. There are people who do not necessarily have the main ingredients for attaining to some political positions but God made it possible for them to get there so that He can tell the whole world that this person is not necessarily who you think he is. For you to be a leader, you must have competence, character and capacity. If you have those three, then you can develop yourself towards being a leader.

Having said that, yes there has been some structural developments as far as the road network in the state capital is concerned. But when you don’t have a holistic development plan, then you are not developing.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

National Mirror National News www.nationalmirroronline.net

15 15

From The Civil Service Benue, Cross River get N800m grant for sanitation 16 Over 5,000 youths acquire vocational training in Katsina JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

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L-R:Ondo State Head of Service, Mr. Toyin Akinkuotu; Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi State Head of Service, Alhaji Olasunkanmi Aremu, and Lagos State Head of Service, Mrs. Josephine Williams during the Sixth Summit of the Heads of Service of South-West, Nigeria in Ibadan recently.

SEEFOR: Beneficiaries want programme to last two years B

eneficiaries of State Employment and Expenditure for Result (SEEFOR) programme in Delta, have appealed for an extension of the programme by one year.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that SEEFOR is an intervention programme aimed at empowering the poor and unemployed, and is expected to last one year.

It is the programme of the World Bank and the European Union (EU), in partnership with the Delta state government.

But beneficiaries told NAN in Asaba that they wanted the programme implemented for two years.

They lauded the initiative, saying that it had brought succour to them and their families.

A mother of two, Mrs Evelyn Okolie, said that since she was engaged

by SEEFOR , her family had been stable. ``The little money I have been receiving is really helping me in feeding my two children, and at the same time sending them to school. ``When I got the offer, I thought it was a

Govt. keeps mum as strike paralyses polytechnics P.42

permanent employment that would last many years, but it was later explained to me that the programme would last for one year. ``I am appealing to the World Bank and the state government, to extend it to two years or more years. This will enable me set up a little business that can take care of me and my children,’’ she said.

A father of four, Mr George Odigwe, said right from the time he was engaged by SEEFOR, he had been a happy man who could feed his family.

``To some people, the money might be small, but to me, the money is much. Out of the N16, 000 I receive, I save N5, 000 every month. ``The money I save will enable me set up a workshop, where I can make extra income to take care of my family. ``I am grateful to SEEFOR for providing me with this job, but I am also appealing that the programme be extended by one year”, he pleaded..

Another beneficiary, Mrs Loveth Imor, said that= the programme had given her another

We have met all remittance obligations into Federation Account –NPA

P.41

chance to live a meaningful life, expressing her gratitude to the initiators.

NAN reports that over 1,700 persons have so far benefited from the programme since its inauguration in 2013.

Each participant is entitled to a monthly salary of N20, 000, with 80 per cent paid into the beneficiary’s salary account and 15 per cent paid into a compulsory saving account for the beneficiaries.

The other five per cent is meant for the vocational training of the beneficiaries

ore than 5, 000 youths from within and outside Nigeria have received training on various vocational skills at the Katsina Youth Craft Village, KYCV. The village is a centre established by the Katsina state government for the training of youths in vocational skills.

The youths after the training, are given incentives to help them establish businesses as well as employ others to work for them.

Speaking yesterday with newsmen, the Special Adviser to the state Governor on Science and Technology, Sulieman Kuki said the benefiting youths were trained from 2010 to date.

Kuki said the youths were drawn from Katsina, Borno and other states of the country as well as from Niger Republic, and that they received vocational training for two to six months.

He said that 72 youths from Borno, 57 Nigeriens, along hundreds of Nigerians and several youth corps members totalling more than 5,000 people, underwent training during last four years at the centre.

He identified some of the vocational skills acquired by the youths to include GSM repair, tie and dye, pottery and wrought iron, computer repairs and usage, leather works and shoe making, among others.

Kuki said intention behind establishment of the centre was to address problems of unemployment and restiveness among the youths, even as he added that other centres would be established in two of the state’s three senatorial zones.

Maina advocates child-friendly education

P.41

16

Civil Service

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Benue, Cross River get N800m grant for sanitation MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

B

enue and Cross Rivers states have received the sum of US$5million (about N800million) to further promote sanitation in the two states.

The fund was made available by Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council, WSSCC, through the Global Sanitation Fund.

Signing the Memorandum of Understanding,

MOU, on the grant in Abuja on Monday, Minister of Water Resources, Mrs Sarah Ochekpe, said it would require huge investment to achieve the country’s Millennium Development Goals’ target on sanitation.

She said: “The population of Nigerians with access to basic sanitation and hygiene has been fluctuating from 37% in 1990 to 34% in year 2000; and it has gone up to 41% in 2012 under national assessment.

NUT calls for retraining of vigilance groups

T

he Lagos State Wing of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) yesterday called for the retraining of members of the neighbourhood watch security groups employed by the State Government to secure schools.

The state Chairman of the NUT, Mr Segun Raheem, who made the call in an interview with journalists in Lagos, said that the vigilance groups should be trained to be able to combat insurgency and terror.

Raheem spoke against the backdrop of the current security challenges in the country as it affected schools, including the incessant abduction of school children in parts of the country. ``Security is extremely important at any gather-

ing of youths and children, schools must be made safe for teaching and learning, the environment must also be conducive.”

Raheem, who commended the effort of the government in providing security in schools, also urged government at various levels to be more pro-active in security issues. ``A stitch in time saves nine, we should not wait until we experience insurgency before seeking remedy. ``Government should be a step ahead at any given point in time,” the chairman said.

The unionist said that in the past, public schools in Lagos State were secured by military personnel who also assisted in curtailing hooliganism.

Directorate offers agric training to 50 persons in Bayelsa

T

he National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Bayelsa said it would soon begin the training of 50 persons in rural agriculture as part of its employment creation drive.

The State Co-coordinator of the directorate, Mr David Apakasa, said in Yenagoa that no nation could do without food production.

He, therefore, commended the Federal Government for its Agricultural Transformation Agenda, saying that it was a step in the right direction. ``The agriculture programme is called the rural agriculture development training scheme; it provides employment opportu-

nity for 50 persons at whatever level of education. ``The objective is to motivate unemployed persons to have interest in undertaking agriculture business. ``Nationally, agriculture is being run as business; in NDE, it is called farm enterprise; for Bayelsa, we’ve been meeting with the Ministry of Agriculture to secure land. ``Other states, they have land and they have what we call the Agricultural Skills Training Centre (ASTC). ``Where we don’t have such, we have what we call the alternative training centres. In Bayelsa, we are going to use the school facility to provide the theoretical aspect of the training.

“This is however far from our set national target on MDG of 65% by 2015 and 75% by 2020.

For us to reach the stated MDG targets, massive investment is needed to provide access to water supply and basic sanitation and hygiene. It is on this note that we welcome the support and participation of our development partners in scaling up access to water and sanitation,” she added.

She maintained that the grant would go a long way in addressing the problem of poor sanitation and hygiene in the country.

In his remarks, Executive Director, WSSCC, Dr Chris Williams, said the grant was the first donor initiative in Nigeria “developed and led by the Government’s National Task Group on Sanitation, NTGS, which is the instrument for sector coordination.

“The innovation sees international funding matched by national, regional and local funding to significantly improve the sanitation and hygiene situation in two states in Nigeria: Benue State and Cross River State, and thereby setting

a framework for replication in other states in order to achieve the national target of an Open Defecation Free, ODF, Nigeria by 2025,” he stressed.

According to him, experiences from Nigeria and elsewhere has shown that simply constructing toilets, or offering subsidies for construction, is not an effective way to improve sanitation.

“Therefore the Rural Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion in Nigeria, RUSHPIN, programme favours a community-led approach empowering whole communities to

collectively change their sanitation and hygiene behaviour; ensuring that every community member uses a toilet and practices good hygiene.

“The GSF financing of US$5 million over five years provided by WSSCC, will be supplemented by US$2.2 million committed by Benue State Government and US$2.2 million committed by Cross River State government. In addition, the Federal Government has committed funding of US$ 950,000 to support the programme,” he stated.

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development, Dr. Segun Oshinyimka; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Riskat Akiode; Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adejoke OrelopeAdefulire and Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Lateef Ibirogba, during the Day of The African Child in Lagos, on Monday.

We have met all remittance obligations into Federation Account –NPA

T

he Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has said that it has met all constitutional obligations in remitting revenue surpluses into the federation account, as stipulated by law.

NPA made the assertion in a statement issued in Lagos and signed by its Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs, Mr. Musa Iliya.

It will be recalled that the Committee on Public Finance at the ongoing National Conference in Abuja had alleged that NPA did not remit more than N713 billion into the Federation Account since 2009 in contraven-

tion of section 162 of the 199 constitution.

The statement said that what the NPA remitted was the revenue surpluses after meeting all operational, maintenance, development and administrative costs, as appropriated by the National Assembly under the constitution, each year.

It said that the NPA was established to be the commercial arm of the government, which has to operate almost like any other business and make profit, before remitting its operating surplus.

The statement said

that the Authority was given financial autonomy under Sections 13 and 14 of the Ports Act, to apply its revenue towards carrying out the operations, development of ports, purchasing of equipment before remitting the surplus to government.

The statement also said that the NPA prepares annual reports not later than six months after the end of each year and submits same to the Minister of Transport.

It also argued that the peculiarity of the maritime industry makes it almost impossible to pay all revenues directly to the

Federation Account at the point of collection from third parties.

The NPA said in the statement that the monies are not yet its revenues until the services and all associated costs are covered.

It also said that NPA has embarked on capital intensive projects in the areas of improved navigational safety, port infrastructure and information technology.

The statement added that the amount spent on these projects was colossal and deserves timely interventions as desired by the financial autonomy accorded to the Authority.

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Wednesday, June 18, 2014

17

NJC and purported appointment of Rivers Chief Justice J OSEPH O T TEH & O. N WABUZOR Continued from yesterday Legality of Justice Agumagu’s ‘appointment’

J

ustice Agumagu’s appointment as the substantive CJ of Rivers State was based on the judgement delivered by Justice Akanbi of the Federal High Court. In the judgement, the court answered all the questions put forward to it by the plaintiffs in their favour. In particular, the court declared that the Governor had the right to reject the candidate recommended to him for appointment by the NJC. It also said that Justice P.C. Agumagu is a fit and proper nominee and remains the candidate to be recommended to the Governor for appointment irrespective of which court he came from. The court further made an order restraining NJC from carrying into effect the decision and recommendation in the said letter of 22nd July 2013 or acting upon it in any way or manner detrimental to the interest of the plaintiffs or acting in a way and manner suggesting an insistence on the candidate it recommended by its letter of 22nd July, 2013. (The decision referred was NJC’s refusal to recommend Justice

Agumagu on the basis that he was the president of Customary Court of Appeal and not the most senior judge of the High Court Bench of Rivers State. The recommendation referred to is that NJC recommended Justice Okocha instead of Justice Agumagu).

Looking at the judgement, the question is: Did the “restraining order” take away the constitutional power the NJC had to recommend a candidate to be appointed Chief Judge to the Governor? Clearly no!

The court restrained the NJC from carrying into effect its decision that Justice Agumagu was ineligible to be considered for the position of Chief Judge and its recommendation of Justice Daisy Okocha for appointment into that position. The judgment did not make any consequential orders.

So, was the Gover nor, by this judgement, entitled to appoint a Chief Judge without NJC’s recommendation? Again, clearly no!

The most the judgment could have done is to trigger a fresh round of inter-agency communication on the subject, with the NJC obeying the court’s judgment not to insist on its interpretation of the Constitution, at least until the order is set aside or stayed. The Gover nor

FOR A VALID APPOINTMENT TO THE OFFICE OF

CJ, NO

PARTY CONFERRED WITH CONSTITUTIONAL DUTIES IN THE PROCESS CAN BE SIDE-LINED, LEAST OF ALL, THE

NJC

should have made representations to the NJC based on the judgment and given the NJC the opportunity to comply with the judgment before taking any further steps in the matter. Neither the Gover nor nor Hon. Justice Agumagu gave the NJC the opportunity to comply with the judgement.

In purporting to appoint Justice Agumagu as substantive CJ, the Governor brushed aside mandatory constitutional stipulations governing the process, as well as undermined the role and powers of the NJC in that regard. For a valid appointment to the office of CJ, no party conferred with constitutional duties in the process can be side-lined, least of all,

the NJC. The NJC is key to both the appointment and disciplinary process of judicial officers as judicial decisions have reaffirmed.

A2Justice believes that the NJC measured up to scratch this time!

While the Council may have floundered time and time again in the past, it got it right this time around.

In the past, the Council had acted as though it was a toothless bulldog, allowing state executives ride rough-shod over its decisions, as it did in Enugu, Oyo, Kwara states.

The Council’s efforts to defend its voice and mandate, and, ultimately, the independence and authority of the third arm of government is a welcome new dawn, and, finally, the Council has summoned the courage to be what the Constitution says it should be. This will help it regain respect among other branches of government.

A2Justice supports the position the NJC has taken on the ‘appointment’ of Hon. Justice Agumagu and urges Hon. Justice P.N. Agumagu to relinquish that office now!

Concluded Otteh and Nwabuzor (Mrs) are Executive Director and Programme Officer respectively of Access to Justice Nigeria.

Anti-tobacco lobbyists and the culture of manipulation ISA KOREDE Continued from last week Tuesday

I

n a funny twist of events, another entrant came into the scene a couple of years ago, an American ‘franchise’ anti-tobacco lobbying organisation called Campaign For Tobacco Free Kids (CTFK) –, who appears more aggressive and also more social media savvy. CTFK has introduced other streams of advocacy into the campaign – tagging along with this organisation are youths and popular actors who they use to pass on their message and champion their cause. CTFK states that ‘The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids has been designated as one of five partner organizations to coordinate activities under this initiative, working with governments and non-governmental organizations to implement effective measures to reduce tobacco use!’

As part of this initiative, the CTKF provides legal, media, and research support to governments and non-governmental organizations around the world to assist in promoting, adopting and implementing tobacco control policies.’ The organisation in a style that is typical of anti-tobacco lobbyists has also launched series of attacks against the industry.

Whilst the tobacco company, BAT, has through the media on a number of occasions stated its support for balanced regulation, CTFK continues to allege that the company and industry want to ‘stop or significantly weaken

THERE MUST BE

GENUINE INTENT TO BRING IN AND ESTABLISH THE RIGHT KIND OF LEGISLATION AND THIS SHOULD BE DONE IN THE RIGHT WAY legislation’.

Although this ‘hate mongering’ is just picking up momentum in Nigeria, the unethical tactics deployed by CTFK and its cronies has been going on abroad for several years. According to a highly respected US based publication ARCHIVE 11 under the headline ‘The Corruption of the Anti-smoking Cartel’, hate-mongering anti-tobacco pornography has been pulled off the air after complaints from the tobacco industry.

The pornographic ads, designed to instigate hatred of smokers especially by minors, are divulging medical frauds and half-truths concerning the unproven health effects of smoking. The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids receives heavy money for divulging information that is as stomach-turning as it is unsubstantiated.

Nevertheless, like the rest of the cartel CTFK is intolerant of opposition and it has even the face to take paternalistic tones towards its intended victims.

The question now is how much of the information, both scientific and

moral, that CTFK and its anti- tobacco cronies regularly spew out can be trusted?

The issue of regulation and the right form of tobacco in Nigeria cannot be understated. The focus is, and should never be, the tobacco industry. If this is the case then public health proponents stand the risk of not being able to identify the solution to the problem when it arrives. With so much funding availed for the sole purpose of mudslinging and truth twisting one is obligated to ask what the real aim of this campaign is. Attacking interest free loans and other similar initiatives is a tactic that puts the integrity of such organisations to question.

The loss of focus puts the entire smoking population in grave danger, and this can be seen in an overriding push back to the new e-cigarettes that is said to be less harmful. One would have assumed that for such campaigns which seek to protect human health, the immediate reaction will be to put resources and efforts into testing the science of e-cigarettes, with the aim of finding harm free options for the consumer.

It is therefore, pertinent that media sensationalism should stop the use of twisted tactics, falsehood and a deliberate attempt to subvert the appropriate process of legislations through spurious allegations.

There must be genuine intent to bring in and establish the right kind of legislation and this should be done in the right way. Policy that is unfa-

vourably skewed towards one side of the debate divide has never worked.

It is also important that all the stakeholders, most importantly the tobacco industry should sit down at the table and fashion out what is best for Nigeria, not what has been handed down by others outside of this community.

We must sift what has been successful from that which has not been successful. We must understand our terrain and what comes with it, that is the porous borders, the number of terror organisations who are capable of taking over the industry and the vulnerability of the youths where no ID system works plus the lack or otherwise of enforcement capabilities on ground and determine what form of legislation is appropriate and what part a compliant industry will play within it.

We must also demand that these anti-tobacco lobbying groups desist from their unethical ways and play by the integrity that is expected of such types of organisations. The word out there is that the intensity of their campaigns is largely driven by motives outside of what it is intended for. Their strategies tell all.

Concluded Korede, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Abuja.

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

Pseudonyms may be used but must be

18

Editorial

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

KAFILAT OGBARA

MANAGING DIRECTOR/CEO

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DEPUTY MD/CEO

SEYI FASUGBA

DAILY EDITOR

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SATURDAY EDITOR

KAYODE FASUA

ACTING EDITOR, SUNDAY

AYO OLESIN

GENERAL EDITOR

BEN MEMULETIWON

GENERAL EDITOR

DOZIE OKEBALAMA

COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD

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EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR

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REGIONAL DIRECTOR, S/SOUTH

KING ODODORU

HEAD, GRAPHICS

Ado Bayero (1930- 2014): Lived his life for the people

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igeria lost one of her great statesmen and first class traditional rulers with the recent demise of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Abdullahi Bayero, who died on June 6, 2014 at the age of 83.

Born on July 25, 1930 in Kano, Ado Bayero was the 13th Fulani emir Kano witnessed since the famous Holy War led by Usman dan Fodio, which swept off Hausa city-states and altered the political architecture of the North in the 19th century.

Bayero became the Emir of Kano on October 22, 1963 at the youthful age of 33, and was in the saddle for 50 golden years, emerging in the process as one of the most powerful emirs in the history of Kano State, nay Hausa land. His 50 years on the throne is also adjudged the longest reign by any emir in the annals of Kano. Even before he emerged as the Emir, Bayero had made his mark as a successful entrepreneur.

He invested in and reaped bountifully from the stock market and large-scale agriculture both in Nigeria and abroad. He was at different times former chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and University of Ibadan. He was also a former Kano police chief before he was appointed as Nigeria’s ambassador to Senegal.

But Bayero’s benign personal attributes, particularly his love for his people, peace, sense of fairness,

A STRONG BELIEVER IN WESTERN EDUCATION, BAYERO WOULD ALSO BE REMEMBERED FOR THE ROLE HE PLAYED IN POPULARISING FREE PRIMARY EDUCATION IN HIS DOMAIN among others, were outstanding.

He was an outspoken critic of religious belligerence and fundamentalism, and was able to build bridges across religious and ethnic divides nationwide. He was not just loved by Kano people, but by Nigerians and other nationals who came across him. A revered, progressive Muslim leader Bayero was, indeed. His charisma, native intelligence and words flaunted his authority in his lifetime. These attributes, perhaps, help to explain why former President Olusegun Obasanjo said Bayero was a pillar of support to him during his era as military Head of State.

While he was Kano police chief (1957-1962) under the old Northern Region, Bayero was able to stop the practice whereby privileged individuals hijacked the police machinery to persecute and harass perceived political opponents. Fol-

lowing the first and second military coups witnessed in 1966 and the spate of violence that rocked the North at the time, the late monarch reportedly did his best to ensure the pogrom that ensued was not as severe as it otherwise would have been, both in Kano and other parts of the North. This endeared him to the late Biafran leader, Chief Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, who was said to have a lot of respect for Bayero. A strong believer in Western education, Bayero would also be remembered for the role he played in popularising free primary education in his domain when the scheme was introduced by the Federal Government. He encouraged and sensitized his subjects on the need to embrace Western education at a time when apathy for it was well-entrenched. As a result of his efforts, Kano now has one of the highest rates of enrolment of public primary school pupils in the country.

Bayero also had more than his fair share of life’s adversities.

Even while on the throne, there were times he had to contend with attempts to repress or undermine his authority. During the Second Republic, for instance, the then Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) government in the state, led by the late Alhaji Abubakar Rimi, excised parts of his traditional territory

ON THIS DAY June 18, 1953 The Egyptian Revolution of 1952 ended with the overthrow of the Muhammad Ali Dynasty and the declaration of the Republic of Egypt. The revolution began a year earlier (July 23, 1952) with a military coup staged by the Free Officers Movement (FOM), a group of army officers led by Muhammad Naguib and Gamal Abdel Nasser. It was initially aimed at overthrowing King Farouk, but soon moved to abolish the constitutional monarchy.

June 18, 1984

A major clash between about 5,000 police and a similar number of miners took place at Orgreave, South Yorkshire, during the 1984-1985 United Kingdom miners’ strike. The strike was a major industrial action affecting the British coal industry, led by the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), which was established in 1888. In 1991, South Yorkshire Police was forced to pay half a million pounds to 39 miners arrested during the crises.

and created six additional emirates with a view to curtailing the monarch’s powers and influence.

District and village heads were also restricted from paying him traditional homage during ‘Hawan Sallah’ in 1981. Under the Buhari/ Idiagbon military regime in 1984, a travel ban was placed on Bayero, alongside the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade. In addition, apparently because of his resolute condemnation of religious fundamentalism and the atrocities of the Boko Haram Islamist terrorist group, Bayero was viciously attack on January 19, 2013 when his convoy was ambushed, allegedly by the Boko Haram insurgents who attempted to assassinate him. He escaped the bid virtually unhurt, but his two sons were injured in the attack, while his driver and bodyguard were killed.

We think Bayero’s virtues of selflessness, love for his people and Nigerians generally, liberal spirit and attitude to religion, among others, are worth recommending to other monarchs in the country.

Indeed, we implore his successor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, to reflect on his predecessor’s landmarks and strive to consolidate his good works. For, it is by so doing that Sanusi can prove that the shoes left behind by Ado Bayero are not too big for him to wear.

June 18, 2012 Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud was appointed the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. Prince Salman was born on December 31, 1935. He is reported to be the 25th son of King Abdulaziz. Therefore, Salman bin Abdulaziz is a member of the Sudairi Seven. His governmental experience dates back to the 1950s. King Abdulaziz appointed Salman as his representative and the Emir or Mayor of Riyadh on March 17, 1954, when he was just nineteen years

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

19

Health & Wellbeing Nigeria needs more trauma centres –Dr. Sough 22

Woman receives 27 pints of blood, urges Nigerians to donate blood 21

–Heart warming story of a 43-year old man living positively with dreaded hereditary disease FRANKA OSAKWE

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asiu Olusola Sogbanmu suffers from sickle cell anaemia but, at 43, he looks very fit and healthy.

He is happily married with two beautiful children with the AS genotype.

Olusola has demystified Sickle cell disease and the popular belief that sufferers do not live long. However, like other Nigerians battling with the disease – experts estimate there are over one million of them – Olusola says life with sickle cell anaemia has been very painful and quite challenging.

Unlike many other sufferers who were diagnosed at infancy, he discovered his SS status when he was 25 years old.

“I was very sick at that time, that was when lots of test was carried out at the hospital and the doctor told me that I have SS.” He recalled having the crises when he was young but never knew it was SS. “My mum used to give us malaria drug every 3 weeks and I think that helped to prevent major crises and I never knew I had sickle cell.”

To him, life with sickle cell is always full

Professor Olu Akinyanju, chairman, Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria, and Dr. Annette Akinsete, National Director of Sickle Cell Foundation, Nigeria

of crises.

“You have to learn to manage the disease, to manage sickle cell is not an easy task. Recently I had a sore on my leg but thank God it is healed now, we are prone to many health infections and sickness, It’s not easy moneywise, the condition entirely is not easy, we need help from government and private sectors most especially to help the Sickle Cell Foundation” Olusola is very optimistic about the future.

Explaining on what has kept him going he says, “The most important thing is to know how to take care of yourself. That is the main thing. You should know your limit, when to relax, take your drug and lots of fluid.

“My family is supportive, When my wife learnt that I am SS she still went ahead to marry me since she is AA. My friends and others also accepted me, although most People do not believe I am SS” In Africa, sickle cell disease (SCD) is reported to be associated with very high rate of childhood mortality. This was highlighted by Professor Olu Akinyanju, chairman, sickle cell foundation Nigeria during a sickle cell workshop at the foundation in Lagos. According to him, over 150,000 children are born with the disease each year and 50 to 80 percent of these children die during childhood from crises associated with the disease. He said affected parents face dilemmas such as ignorance, lack of access to good health services, frequent child illness and death, increased anxiety, superstition and stigmatization.

Explaining SSD as one of the commonest hereditary disorder in the world, he said Nigeria contributes to the highest burden with over 40 million carriers and over one million living with the disease. According to him, the disease is more prevalent in sub Saharan Africa due to climate and outbreak of malaria.

In his analysis, sickle cell carriers such as AS and AC can survive malaria more than those without the gene (AA) who he described as less fit, while those with SS are generally unfit to survive malaria.

This he said, makes AS and AC healthy carriers of the S gene due to their ability to survive malaria, noting also that sickle cell carriers live normal quality and duration of life.

“About 1 in 4 Nigerians (25 percent) are healthy carriers who can pass S gene to their children. The Hb AS carrier inherited Hb A from one parent and Hb S from the other parent, making them healthy carriers” he added.

He however warned about the consequence of two carriers marrying one another which he said might lead to the birth of a child with SSD. “When two sickle cell carriers AS or AC marry themselves, there are 25 percent chance

Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that affects over 1,000,000 people in Nigeria.

Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen in the blood. Normal red blood cells are round and flexible, which enables them to travel through small blood vessels to deliver oxygen to all parts of the body.

Sickle cell disease causes red blood cells to form into a crescent shape, like a sickle. The sickle-shaped red blood cells break apart easily, causing anemia. Sickle red blood cells live only 1020 days instead of the normal 120 days. The damaged sickle red blood cells also clump together and stick to the walls of blood vessels, blocking blood flow. This can cause severe pain and permanent damage to the brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, bones, and spleen. Severe pain is an emergency called acute sickle cell crisis.

A person may not know what brought on the pain, but infection and

dehydration are common triggers.

CAUSES Sickle cell disease is caused by a genetic abnormality in the gene for hemoglobin, which results in the production of sickle hemoglobin. When oxygen is released from sickle hemoglobin, it sticks together and forms long rods, which damage and change the shape of the red blood cell. The sickle red blood cells causes the symptoms of sickle cell disease.

Children are born with sickle cell disease; it is not contagious.

It occurs when a child inherits two sickle hemoglobin genes, one from each parent.

SYMPTOMS Symptoms of sickle cell crisis include: • Severe pain • Anemia

Sogbanmu of having a SSD child. But it’s like a lucky dip, with every pregnancy, there are possibilities of giving birth to AS or SSD child”.

He however mentioned that with the advent of pre natal diagnosis, sickle cell carriers can have a peep into the genotype of their child before he or she is born, this will guide them in making timely decisions including counselling and appropriate early care provision.

Explaining the importance of genetic counselling to SC carrier couples who might want to get married, Dr. Annette Akinsete, National Director of Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria, said genetic counselling is crucial in the management of sickle cell disease. “It is the process by which parents with sickle cell disorder, their relatives and healthy carriers of sickle cell traits are informed of the consequences of the disorder, the probability of transmitting it to offspring and the ways this may be prevented or ameliorated”.

She advised parents and individuals at genetic risk to seek medical information from genetic counsellors before making difficult decisions regarding health and reproductive issues.

AT A GLANCE • Chest pain and difficulty breathing • Strokes • Joint pain and arthritis and bone infarctions • Blockage of blood flow in the spleen or liver • Severe infections Patients with sickle cell disease develop severe pain in the chest, back, arms, legs, and abdomen. Pain can occur anywhere in the body. Sickle red blood cells in the lungs can cause severe illness with chest pain, fever, and difficulty breathing. Sickle cell disease can also cause permanent damage to the brain, heart, kidneys, liver, spleen, and bones. The severity and symptoms vary greatly from person to person, even within the same family.

Courtesy Web MD

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Health & Wellbeing

Nutrition for Health

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o you know that taking off just as little as 5%-10% of your body weight could have a huge impact in lowering the risks of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and certain cancers such as colon, prostate and breast cancers, joint problems, backaches, breathing problems and difficulty in sleeping? to Catherine Champagne, a researcher with Louisiana State University’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center, says that “after a consistent pattern in weight loss studies, she observed that when patients lose 5%-10% of their body weight, they had reduced blood pressure, reduce LDL [“bad”] cholesterol , improve glucose tolerance, and in general, lower risks for cardiovascular disease.”

Weight gain is so gradual and occurs over a long period of time that it has been a difficult task for individuals to critically understand the specific factors that may be

the tape measure, recording in inches. Ensure that the tape is firmly placed and do not push tightly into the skin and measure waist circumference after breathing out normally.

According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), “women with a waist circumference of more than 35 inches and men with a waist circumference of more than 40 inches, are at increased risk for developing chronic diseases.”

The more weight gain, the more severe these problems may become. Losing a little weight can therefore, be especially beneficial for people who store their excess weight in their abdomens, rather than their hips. When we consume more calories than our body require to perform our day’s activities, the extra calories would be stored as fat, which could lead to obesity and other diseases. But when we eat just about the same amount of calories to meet our body’s energy needs, our weight will stay the same. For a person who wants to maintain a healthy weight for a life time, the individual must understand that it’s all

Emergencies and first aid series (2)

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his series of tips aims at helping mothers and health workers in the community to deal with dental health emergencies where there is no available dentist or where the nearest dentist is some way off.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Healthy weight loss? Change your diet

responsible for their weight gain. Some factors include: genes, family history of obesity, lack of sleep, stress and anxiety, depression, certain medications such as steroids and blood-pressure antidepressants, disease and sicknesses like heart, liver and kidney problems, pregnancy, lack of fibre in one’s diets (fibre aids digestion and makes one eat less), etc. It is therefore, important that we check our body size using some measures such as the Body Mass Index (BMI), which assesses our weight in relation to our height that is, (BMI= weight (kg)/ Height (m)2). The ideal weight range is 19- 25.Whilst people who weigh over BMI of 25-30 are considered to be overweight; and BMI of 30 and above are obese. Another method of assessing whether we are of healthy weight is to measure our waist. This gives an indication of how much fat is stored around our middle. To measure waist circumference, locate the top of the hip bone; place the tape measure evenly around the bare abdomen at the level of the bone and read

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

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

As stated in the first part, most dental clinics do not operate on the weekends and some public holidays or late evenings. The service available, if any, is often at the teaching hospitals or federal medical centres – assuming they are

not on some industrial action. The tips will also come in handy where the on-call dentist may be overwhelmed with more urgent and serious situations like maxillofacial trauma and injuries.

Thrush Thrush is caused by a fungus, a yeast by the name of Candida, there are so many sub-species, the commonest being the albican specie.

The Candida yeast is found as a regular resident of the oral cavity in about half of the population. It is also found in the vagina canal. When ordinarily present, it does not cause any disease unless the individual is ill or the immune system is compromised by a chronic condition, the overwhelming of the immune protective system allows the fungi to cause disease/infection. Excessive use of antibiotics is another cause just as nutrition or malnutrition, especially in children, could cause Candida infection. In babies, infection with Candida may make suckling/ feeding very difficult and uncomfortable. Candida infection appears as a whitish coat on the tongue which may easily be scraped off, depending on the type and clinical presentation.

Candida infections occur more readily in people with

A good dieting programme can ensure sound health

about- energy balance.

However, focusing on total calories may not be the most useful way to consume fewer calories than one expends, says researchers. Other yardsticks, such as the content of total fat, energy density or sugars, could also be misleading. Rather, they found that eating more healthful foods and beverages while focusing on overall dietary quality was most important. An individual might lose weight more quickly if eating habits are changed significantly by consuming less liquid sugars (e.g.

soda) and other sweets, as well as fewer starches (e.g. potatoes) and refined grains (e.g. white bread, white rice, breakfast cereals low in fiber, other refined carbohydrates). Instead, focus on eating more minimally processed foods (e.g. fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts) and fewer highly processed foods (e.g. white breads, processed meats, sugary beverages) as well as observing daily physical activity for 30-60 minutes. It is therefore, vital for one to have a focus on one’s weight loss goals and be more realistic about it.

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

08108155239 HIV/AIDS or people wearing dentures, artificial teeth.

There are signs to look out for. These include: *White patches on the tongue, cheek, roof of the mouth, palate. A gentle wipe of the whitish coated area, if no bleeding it is likely to be just old milk curds. If there is any bleeding in all likelihood it is thrush.

The child finds feeding or suckling difficult or uncomfortable. In the foregoing there is always an underlying problem to enable thrush to grow. It stands to reason that for the problem to be solved if malnourished, the child’s feeding habit should be improved. In case of diabetes mellitus, the individual should consult a physician. If on antibiotic medication, consult the physician to decide whether to stop the medication in the interim or not. If due to the denture problems the denture may be remade and cleaned with a soft firm brush or detergent.

Thrush being a fungal in-

fection is not amenable to antibiotics; it could in fact make the situation worse.

The white patches could be covered with nystatin drops available at most pharmacies, where not available a gential violet paint can be used to coat the tongue. The nipple of a breast feeding mother may be affected by candidasis, the nipples should be treated in the same way or it can result in a cycle of infection.

Soft food should be consumed; likewise a lot of fluids need to be taken. White patches may appear on the roof of the mouth, cheek of an adult which may later become sore and red should this not get better with treatment. Other measures such as stopping habits like smoking whether pipes, cigarettes or any other form of tobacco should be taken.

Where the infection is caused by dentures, they should be adjusted by the Dentist through the laboratory technologist See you next week.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Woman receives 27 pints of blood, urges Nigerians to donate blood MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

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argest receiver of transfused blood in Nigeria and a mother of six, Mrs Elizabeth Ogidan, has pleaded with Nigerians to show more interest in donating blood to save lives.

Ogidan made the plea in Abuja at the weekend during this year’s World Blood Donor Day. According to her, she had complication while delivering her only boy and last child of six at the Univer-

sity of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada in 2008.

She declared that blood was an essential commodity that must always be made available at all times to save lives that might need it during emergencies.

“I am here to tell you that what you are doing today, I am a beneficiary of it. I am alive today because of what you are here for. I went for a caesarean operation and complication came in. The only thing that could save my life at that time was vol-

untary blood donation. I can tell you that there is no time that the donation from the relative could be enough at that point in need.

“It takes the passionate heart of people, volunteers to keep me alive today. At the complication, my blood was not clotting; I was bleeding profusely. And, the only thing that could bring me back to life was blood. Where was this blood to coming from? It took the intervention of the doctors, the stu-

dent nurses that trooped out in their numbers and donated voluntarily.

“Today, I am alive, I am most grateful to these donors. Please, I appeal to each and everyone here listening to me and all Nigerians, donate, not just when the need arises but at all times that it is convenient for you. Go and donate to National Blood Transfusion Service. And, your blood can be saving lives. I want to tell you that it was not expected and so,

there was no plan for it. But, it came and my life had to be saved. Today, I am standing before you, testifying to what you are doing. Please, ride on. The battle is not over,” she added.

Meanwhile, Coordinator of the National Blood Transfusion Service, Dr Oluwatoyin Smith, told National Mirror that Nigeria needed about 1.3 million pints of blood annually to meet its blood need.

But, she complained that

21

the Service was still not yet backed by law to carry out its mandates.

“National Blood Transfusion is not backed by enabling legislation right now.

We have produced an Executive Draft Bill which will be submitted to Federal Executive Council by the Honourable Minister very soon.

And, from there, it will go to the National Assembly. We expect that if it passes, and they approve of it, the bill will be enacted and we will be able to function, and we will be able to regulate blood transfusion practice in the country, and we will be able to fulfil our mandate, which is screening of blood,” she said.

Forget building college for alternative medicine practice – FG told CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

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he Federal Government has been urged not to waste its resources building a college of alternative and complementary medicine in Nigeria, just as the Imo State Government declared its resolve to regulate traditional medicine practice in the State.

Speaking to journalists in Owerri, recently, a homeopath, Dr. Everest Onyekur, said “it is ridiculous for any nation to say it is building a college of alternative and complementary medicine for practitioners.”

According to him so many people in the world today do not know how that name, alternative and complementary medicine came about and to be associated with native medicine practitioners pointing out that in some nations in Europe, alternative and complementary medicine stands for herbalism, occulticism, pendulum divinations, faith healing and aromatherapy He explained that the name was given to unscientific medicine that lacked discipline when Europe probed into medical sciences that had no basis and found nothing acceptable in them to the field of scientific medicine.

According to him, Europe allowed the practitioners to practice what they know hence they promised by oath that they cannot harm anybody with their method of practice which is best known to them.

He insisted that com-

plementary and alternative medicine belongs to private organizations in Germany and London pointing out that in these two nations there is no law guiding the alternative and complementary medicine practice in the sense that they have no discipline and scientific basis.

Onyekur also said “with this explanation I have to advice the Nigeria Ministry of Health and Nigerian Medical Council to disregard the alternative and complementary medicine, since this does not represent any discipline of scientific medicine.”

He warned the Federal Government to be careful to avoid the mistake it made by giving a council to native medicine practitioners in the country, stressing that “native medicine has no discipline, no uniformity in the practice, different people practice in different ways.”

The homeopath believed that the board or council is unnecessary because the council given to the native medicine practitioners in Nigeria is a native issue.

Meanwhile the Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has declared government’s resolve to regulate traditional medicine practice in the State.

Owelle Okorocha stated this when members of the National Association of Nigerian Traditional Medicine Practitioners (NANTMP) paid him a courtesy visit to present the newly elected Executives of the Association at the Government House, Owerri recently.

L-R: Consultant Nephrologists, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) guest Speaker, Associate Professor, Jacob Awobusuyi; MD/CEO Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc, Mr. Emmanuel Ekunno, Executive Director Nigerian Heart Foundation, Dr Kingsley Akinroye, and a Director, Nigerian Heart Foundation, Mr. Dapo Aremu Rotifa, at the professional launch of Norduet (a drug for the management of hypertension) by Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc, held in Lagos recently.

FG restates commitment to pharma industry development MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

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he Federal Government has restated its commitment towards building citizens capacity to meet with global know-how on pharmaceutical development and biodiversity drives.

Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, NUC, Prof Julius Okojie, stated this in Abuja recently at an interactive meeting between BioVenture for Global Health, BVGH, and the NUC on biomedical science.

BVGH, which is training academics, researchers and students of Nigerian universities on the programme, was established in 2004 by the Biotechnology Industry Organization, BIO, to engage BIO member organizations in global health initiatives.

Speaking with journalists, Okojie said everything about human health had become global. He decried the rate of drug importation into the country saying there was need to work locally and explore the resources available in the country, together with international aid, to further strengthen the nation’s health system.

“Everything about health has become global. A lot of drugs you take are not even manufactured here. So, there are many elements to health care. People are allergic. In some countries, they’ve got some peculiarities. You’ve got some malaria drugs some people cannot take them. In some countries, there are regulations; you must try some drugs before you apply them on individuals. We just go and shop in other countries; we have to concentrate on research in these areas.

“What is more important

is that it is a multi-disciplinary approach. Those working on the medical aspect of it will be there, those managing treatment will be there.

We must have centres for some of these drugs that we are bringing in place, and then, pharmacologists who are working in the system.”

He lamented that urbanization was driving the nation’s ecology in such a way that it would not allow the citizens to understand their values, as he maintained that the new concept was a multi-disciplinary approach to the management of the nation’s health system.

Okojie added that the process had been undergone by developed countries, “but it is here we are still talking about alternative medicine.”

He maintained that effectiveness, side effects, usefulness and trials of drugs were things that would be consid-

ered in the new technique.

He stressed: “I know that there is so much corruption on the issue of drug importation. We are sorry, the doyen of NAFDAC is gone; but I think NAFDAC is doing a good job.

You can look at what is happening, people will travel from here to China and say ‘can you put one tenth of the active ingredients in the materials you are taking? You will be treating malaria for a long time but it wont go. When we have domesticated the system here and we are directly active in research, it will be to our benefit. We are bringing all the universities and resource persons together; working with international bodies on global heath. That should help us.”

In her remark, President of BVGH, Dr Jennifer Dent said the programme aimed at building upon existing infrastructure for pharmaceutical and biodiversity base in the country.

22

Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Nigeria needs more trauma centres –Dr. Sough With several bomb explosions and unending cases of violent crimes in Nigeria, a Consultant Orthopaedic and trauma surgeon, Dr. Tom Sough, has advised on more trauma centres in Nigeria. In this interview with FRANKA OSAKWE, Dr. Sough, also the Medical Director, Fountain Side Hospital, Abuja speaks on trauma management.

Excerpts: With the recent incidents of disasters in Nigeria, what is your suggestion regarding accidents and trauma handling in Nigeria?

Provision of definitive trauma care facilities like Trauma Centres with local financial support for emergency medical services, will go a long way in solving long term problems in this sector.

Gradually, Nigeria is becoming a state where, whether we like it or not, we must organise our trauma systems. With the spate of bombings by the insurgency and its attendant heavy casualties, we cannot do it better at anytime than now. We need to have a fluently running system on ground; A system that will guarantee positive impact on the survival of the victims such that all the stakeholders will no longer be in doubt of what to do when emergency situation arises.

Handling accident and emergency situations such that we are now witnessing requires a lot of organizational ability on ground to make it effective. The areas I want to make comments are as follow: First responders: which are usually people around when disasters occur, may or may not have any slight knowledge of what is appropriate to save life in such a situation. Public awareness is very important Activation of Pre-hospital care: I don’t think we routinely run this at the moment. Since we don’t have effective Ambulance Service and the trained paramedics that man these ambulances, I may not be able to vouch for the fact that the second responders are actually trained to handle pre-hospital care for victims of disasters. What I see, anytime such a situation comes up, is response by ambulance personnels from the FRSC, Security and Civil Defence Corps, NEMA, the Police, etc. Whether these personnels have training in basic life support that can make a difference on the overall survival of the victim, remains a question I can’t answer. Communication among pre-hospital care providers, emergency physicians, and trauma care providers, is another thing that is of paramount significance.

How will you rate Nigeria in terms of handling accidents and emergency situations?

We as a country are trying but we need to do more. In my own opinion, it is not just the rescue and hospitalization that is important but also making sure that the victims are

taken back to their pre-injury state functionally, as much as possible. Rehabilitation of the victims is as important as the process of operating them. There is growing awareness to do the right thing and attempts also being made to actualise that, but we are not yet close to the mark. I think largely because we hardly have specific and definite plans for driving this to the end. Handling of trauma emergency situation should be looked at holistically, as it impacts on the victims, their families and the society in general. Management of the victims should go beyond emergency response, but also all the way till they get back to their useful place in the society again. Most times, financial difficulties hinder this objective.

If we can have insurance cover or any kind of trust fund to help victims of trauma in the country, the standard of care will improve and the society will be better for it.

not be immediate at time of injury and, early and adequate medical attention improves survival rate significantly.

But in actual fact, any injury to the body that is severe enough to destabilize normal physiological activities of an individual without prompt correction of such physiological derangements, is capable of causing death. Sometimes death from injuries come from their secondary effects like infections, for example, a trivial wound in a dirty environment being infected by tetanus can lead to death from Tetanus if appropriate intervention is not given.

Do you think our hospitals are equipped to handle trauma cases?

We need to designate centres that could handle these victims before the disasters occur so that at the scene, command is given on where and what type of service that are required so that every victim receives appropriate care. Many patients with trauma Dr. Sough injuries are taken to facilities that lack the Traumatic injury ranks as the 5th leading appropriate level of service and are unable cause of death worldwide. Can you explain to deliver the services needed by the trauma more on trauma? patient. Most victims are taken to any availTraumatic injury is a term which refers able hospital, whether they have the capacity to a sudden and life threatening injury which or not, and painrequire immediate medical fully, sometimes attention. The insult may SITUATION without prior cause systemic shock called information to “shock trauma”, and may WHERE THERE IS NO the facilities to require immediate resusINTERVENTION NTERVENTION THE get prepared citation and interventions before arrival to save life and limb. TrauPATIENT CAN DIE of such victims. matic injuries result from Communication occurrences such as motor WITHIN AN HOUR OR is important vehicle collisions, bomb LESS ESS DEPENDING ON because it imexplosion, sports injuries, proves timely falls, natural disasters and a THE HE MAGNITUDE OF and appropriate multitude of other physical response with THE BLOOD LOSS injuries which can occur at eventual positive home, on the street, or while survival rate. at work and require immeWe must also pre-empt disaster outcome by diate care. getting prepared before they occur. EmergenIt is one of the leading causes of death in cy or disaster preparedness plan is very apt in many nations, Nigeria inclusive. our country today. The importance of training In our environment, until the advent of and retraining of manpower in pre-hospital insurgency recently, motor vehicle crashes care provision cannot be overemphasised, were by far the commonest cause of trauma as this will go a long way in better treatment morbidity and mortality. of survivals of disasters. Communications system between health facilities, for instance, What kind of injury could lead to death from inter-facility transfer of patients will improve trauma? the overall care of surviving victims. We need The anatomy and physiology of the body to establish formal destination protocols so as is such that injury to some major organs or to avoid trauma patients being transferred to systems, because of the critical functions hospitals unable to meet the patients’ needs. they serve for the survival of the body, poses Above all, concerted efforts should be more danger of death than others considered geared towards the provision of continu- to be less critical. Major injuries to organs ing education and training opportunities in and systems like the respiratory system, for trauma care for physicians, nurses and emer- instance, can result to death within few mingency medical services personnel. We may not utes, depending on the severity. Severe head achieve all in a day but surely there are positive Injury and injury to the cervical spine, espesigns of greater tomorrow. As you can see, the cially the upper column can also cause death present Honourable Minister of Health, has in minutes, and of course not forgetting injuestablished two trauma centres at both UATH, ries to the heart and major blood vessels. This Gwagwalada and The National Hospital, Abu- does not mean that injuries to other organs ja. That is a positive development. are trivialized, it only means that death may

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,

,

What are the major causes of head trauma injury?

Head injury is relatively common in our environment, and most head injuries are from Motor Vehicle Crashes (MVC) on our roads, firearms, fall from heights (like the tree-tops, storey buildings, etc), elsewhere; divers, skiing sport, mountain climbers, etc.

Building collapse also contribute as well as civil assault. Domestic accidents such as falls in the bathroom, for instance, are not common but are seen occasionally.

In the case of a major trauma accident, is it true that the patient’s chance of survival is higher during the first 60 minutes?

I believe you mean the patient’s chances of survival are higher if intervention is instituted in the first 60mins. With that understanding, I will say yes it is true, for obvious reasons. In major trauma incidence, the patient may be injured in areas that will lead to bleeding. One of the easily preventable causes of death following trauma is bleeding, so in such a situation where the bleeding in a patient is stopped or blood lost replaced as appropriate, the patient will stay alive pending the definitive treatment. A situation where there is no intervention, the patient can die within an hour or less depending on the magnitude of the blood loss. Other causes of death within the first hour could be related to tissue oxygenation. If the patient’s airway (breathing tract) is shut down or partially shut down without adequate care, the patient will die in no distant time. Major trauma can also lead to massive release of ‘physiological mediators’ that naturally regulate physiological activities, but these in turn can cause fatal response if not controlled. So the first hour of major trauma is actually the ‘’golden hour’’ and must not be joked with.

How can trauma be managed and treated?

Treatments of trauma patients start from the scene of the incidence. Removing the victim from the danger zone safely is of immense importance because some have died in the process of extrication. Maintaining the patient’s life while he is being transported to the hospital is another critical moment for severely injured patients. Therefore, care must be taken that the patient survives these two phases and get to the hospital alive. The hospital is where initial survivals of trauma should not be allowed to deteriorate and all injuries should be handled by experienced physicians/specialists according to the needs of the individual patient. Rehabilitation is also a major part of treatment of patients with trauma.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

23

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Art exhibition moves against child labour

Literature, language and borders 25

26

Visual arts as orphan amongst corporate sponsors

While people in film and music sectors are monopolizing the corporate sponsorships in Nigerian arts, little is coming to the visual arts. What would change this imbalance?

Ngozi Emedolibe

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reativity is creativity. Every beautiful piece of art work excites; and remotely connects one to a place, a circumstance or an era. It speaks volumes of words only the soul can discern. It evokes imagination, pointing at the enormity of work and creativity that resulted in the art masterpiece. These painstaking qualities make the art work a priceless piece. In spite of the foregoing however, the visual arts sector, especially in Nigeria does not seem to be enjoying the funding it needs from corporate bodies to flourish adequately.

When compared with the performing and literary arts, what accrues to the visual arts practitioners is still paltry, making them most vulnerable on the creative scene. Although the effort of distinguished individuals often referred to as ‘art patrons’ in the industry is quite encouraging, ‘Arts Lounge’ checks note that attracting sponsorship for events in the visual arts is often times a Herculean task.

This situation has put the younger generation of visual artists in Nigeria at the receiving end, forcing most of them, to consider career change options when they leave art schools. Azuka Nnabuogor is one of such visual artists. A painter, he left visual arts for over 10 years in order to make money from other endeavours before returning to painting, a career after his heart.

“I am the first in the family and to whom much is given much is expected. After studies, I weighed the options and realised that I needed to go to a sector where I could make some quick money, handle the immediate contingencies before returning to painting, which is my passion. I left for almost nine years,” he said. “The industry is growing but there are still many challenges for younger artists who are coming in. Visual art is not a place where one can come in and begin to reap the benefits of one’s labour. It takes a while and gradually matures, especially because patronage is slow”.

Sam Ovraiti a painter told ‘Arts Lounge’ that the situation is worrisome when it comes to younger artists. According to him, aside the low corporate patronage, there is a calculated attempt by visual arts stakeholders to hold down the younger ones in the name of ‘seeking big names’.

“I have often told my colleagues that works of art should be rated based on its merit and not on how old or young the art-

Typical exhibition

ist is. Sometimes when an art work is being priced, they take into consideration the age of the artist and the year he graduated from school, which is different from how people in music and movies operate. Nobody will under price 2Face or 9ice because they are younger. They get a lot of money based on how much the people appreciate their work.

But in visual arts they will begin to ask how long he has been in the industry”.

Another reason for the declining corporate patronage of the visual arts is perception, according to the national president of the Art Gallery Association of Nigeria (AGAN), Frank Okonta. “The level of patronage is low indeed. Corporate sponsors are not very sympathetic to the cause of the visual arts. Some corporate bodies are trying but the art needs much more because of the kind of work that is going on”.

Yemisi Shyllon, who is one of the biggest collectors in West Africa, attributes patronage in arts to passion, urging corporate sponsors to develop passion for the arts in order to truly appreciate whatever funds they are committing there. “I love the arts and that is why I am doing what I am doing.

I am passionate about it. Anyone who enjoys seeing these great works must appreciate what art entails,” he said.

Perhaps getting corporate sponsors to key into the potentials of art sponsorship will be achieved with lots of enlightenment, to let companies and brands know that spending money in preserving the cul-

Slice of Life exhibition

tural heritage of a society is by far a more rewarding Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Like Sandra Mbanefo-Obiago rightly observed during a workshop: ‘Arts as an Alternative Investment’, which held in Lagos, certain countries of the world are already fast-tracking this part of their national life to a great advantage. Citing Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates as an example, she had noted that funds accruing from the petroleum sector are wisely being channeled into arts because of its eternal commercial potentials.

“Abu Dhabi is an art destination. It is because they know that while oil could run out, art will never run out. In Nigeria, we have such places as Osogbo, but what have we made out of it? We even have Fela, but we had to wait on people to bring us FELA!

Corporate sponsors are not sympathetic to the cause of the visual arts. Some corporate bodies are trying but the art needs much more because of the kind of work that is going on

On Broadway. To say the least, investing in art makes long term financial sense.”

From all indications, stakeholders in the brand-building sector also need to be re-oriented about the importance of visual arts in the society to get them to buy into events in the visual arts. Ambrose Osoata, chief executive officer of Brand Builders told Arts Lounge that visual arts events need to be highly publicised like most music and movie events to get attention, hinting that sponsors are usually drawn to the mileage an event will give their brands.

“We have to understand the reason for corporate sponsorships. One is to build a brand and the other is to fulfill what companies call CSR- that is Corporate Social Responsibility. Few companies come to the aid of visual art in the name of building their CSR. What should be done is to look for ways to sponsor visual art as a way of building a brand. Most of the companies are still interested in performing arts because of the speed of effect.”

Some companies are however throwing their financial weight behind visual arts, but the level of patronage is still abysmally low. A company like the GT Bank clearly leads the banking sector in terms of patronage for visual arts.

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Arts Lounge

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

VOICES

Literature, language and borders Barclays Ayakoroma

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he word, literature, literally means, “things made from letters;” though not everything that is written down is seen as literature. It is the body of written works of a language, period, or culture; imaginative or creative writing, especially of recognised artistic value; or the body of written work produced by scholars or researchers in a given field, for example, medical literature or Christian literature.

Literature could also mean printed or collected materials on a given subject. It is commonly classified as having two major forms, fiction and non-fiction; and three major genres – drama, poetry and prose.

There is general agreement that literature foregrounds language and uses it in artistic ways. In examining the relationship between literature and language, Terry Eagleton states that, “literature transforms and intensifies ordinary language, deviates systematically from everyday speech;” and that it is not definable according to whether it is fictional or imaginative but because, “it uses language in peculiar ways.”

In exploring ideas about what literature is, it is pertinent to look at some of the things that it does. Literature mirrors society; it makes us think about ourselves and our society; it allows us to enjoy language and beauty; and it reflects on the human condition and can be didactic. It reflects both ideology and changes ideology, just like it follows generic conventions, changing them. Literature is the creation of another world by a writer, a world that we can only see when we read such literary pieces.

Egya Sule, a poet and literary critic teaching at the University of Abuja, states that creative or literary writing can be defined in just one word: “metaphorisation.”

According to him, this entails the art of making familiar words and expressions unfamiliar, surmising that: This is the root or basis of all creative writing. All creative writing must task our senses, must demand from us extra attention, and must mystify our daily realities.

Only few people writing today understand the strategy of literary creativity (Akubuiro, NLNG Prizes has not...”).

On the other hand, language, as a component of culture, is a means of communication. It is a human and non-instructive way of communicating ideas, emotions

and desires by means of voluntarily produced symbols. Language is the central feature of the culture of any community and a reflection of the thoughts, feelings, values, beliefs and the experiences of a community of speakers. In other words, it is a human and non-instinctive medium of communication acquired through social interaction in early childhood. This implies that language is not inborn and therefore must be learnt by the speakers.

As a system of communication in writing, for example, the effective study and use of the language of a people is essential for their identity and all-round development, socially, politically, culturally or economically.

Language ensures certain amount of uniformity, thereby facilitating interpersonal cognitive communication, without which shared values and traditions would be impossible and the very fabric of community and national integration could be hindered. It is a veritable instrument in the sustenance of peace in given communities. Contacts and influences through inter-ethnic communication also enhance relationships and harmonious co-existence. Somehow, linguistic borrowing can take place even in the midst of growing hostility between different ethnic groups.

When a whole language is borrowed, frontiers or borders are opened; it goes a long way to enhance understanding and cement relationships, hence, fostering national integration.

However, given the critical role language plays in the life of a people, it becomes imperative to accord it all the attention it deserves in communicating ideas, especially in a multi-ethnic nation like Nigeria. The indigenous language, which is one of the most basic and veritable media of communication, is a vehicle that drives culture. A people’s culture is inseparable from their indigenous language because it is vital in explaining their norms and values, thus aiding in the social, economic and technological advancement of the given society.

It also binds the people together in unity, builds relationships, and leads to the sustainable growth and development of the

Ayakoroma

society generally.

As it were, just as architecture is the art form that arises out of the human ability to create buildings, literature is the art form that arises out of the human ability to create language. However, the most recent amendment to what constitutes literature is the inclusion of oral narratives or what has been simply called, oral literature (orature). Nigeria, and indeed, Africa is blessed with innumerable sources of oral narratives, probably because of the high level of illiteracy. In other words, what constitutes literature was first unwritten before being documented in written form.

But then, this inclusion has not been without serious debate. The argument was that the written word lends itself more easily to analysis, and on the other hand, oral narratives are a legitimate part of a culture’s literary capital.

Yemi Ogunbiyi argues that the root of the Nigerian theatre tradition must be sought in the numerous religious rituals and festivals that exist in many Nigerian communities. Consequently, it could be argued that the robust literary convention in Nigeria could be traceable to the diverse cultural backgrounds under which the writers have conceptualised their works.

This stems from the fact that, as noted earlier, literature mirrors society with the major aim of raising the consciousness of the reader/audience towards the message(s) communicated. Thus, the role of litera-

JUST AS ARCHITECTURE IS THE ART FORM THAT ARISES OUT OF THE HUMAN ABILITY TO CREATE BUILDINGS, LITERATURE IS THE ART FORM THAT ARISES OUT OF THE HUMAN ABILITY TO CREATE LANGUAGE

Memorable Reads What book is your favourite?

I love Jude Dibia, literI will give it to Swallow by arily wise.

Sefi Atta. I have read the book more than three times now.

How much do you spend on books annually?

What’s the book’s highpoint?

There was a time I was craI could smell Lagos when zy about inspirational books.

I read it. It was so real, I’m a I once spent N170,000 on a Lagos person and I could feel Bible when I was in school, everything the women in the it was the most I spent on a book were going through. I book and I suspect it remains wrote about Lagos in my book till this day. I had to give the ‘Eko Dialogue’ but I think Bible to my pastor later. The when it comes to writing kind of money some women about Lagos, Atta is the reper- spend on shoes, I spend on toire queen of Lagos writing. books. When I decided to be a Who is your favourite author? literature person I spent a lot on fiction books.

Joy Isi Bewaji

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ture in promoting peaceful co-existence in a country and thus achieve national unity cannot be over-emphasised. This explains why Nkem Okoh avers that sensitising every ethnic nationality to its mutual cultural affinity with others, irrespective of their language, region, or religion is very critical in national development in that, “A sense of a shared cultural background can unite the citizens and build pride in the nation”. He further posits that, “the chief weapon to fight against national disunity and instability is to embark on the massive education of Nigerians, regarding the similarities which we share as a people”.

Nigerian literature in English has witnessed an impressive development in the past decade and a half. It manifests the struggles of a people in transition from colonial through independence to a democratic nation. After the protracted fratricidal civil war (1967-70), followed by an oil boom that has turned to “oil doom,” creating social and political dislocations that the nation has yet to overcome, it was inevitable that Nigerian literary artists would take up the gauntlet. They have made Nigerian literature, in its many forms, a social act against the wantonness of the new society.

As Jean-Paul Sartre puts it, “the arts of a period mutually influence each other and are conditioned by the same social factors.”

Thus, to Evelyn Nwachukwu Urama, literature is the ultimate vehicle for re-branding the image of any given country. This is through looking at the various ills bedeviling the country and proffering possible solutions. There is no gainsaying the fact that it is a veritable way of pointing the way forward to the citizenry. In doing this, the literary artist goes through an identification process before proffering probable answers to the multifarious social challenges.

Interestingly, indigenous literature in Nigeria has continued to thrive with relative success, especially in Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo languages. It could be said that the Igbo literature gained maturity beginning from leading novelist, Uchenna Tony Ubesie, in his works such as, ‘Ukwa Ruo Oge Ya Odaa’, ‘Isi Akwu Dara Nala’, ‘Ukpana Okpoko Gbuuru’ and ‘Juo Obinna’. It could then be posited that the development of the Onitsha Market Literature can be hinged on this. Also, literature in Hausa has continued to flourish, as it were, aiding the proliferation of the popular Kano Market Literature.

Ayakoroma is the Chief Executive Officer, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO)

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

25

ARTISTE UNCENSORED

I work against negative information about me -Yemi Blaq

Living and working in Nollywood without any scars from scandals can only be possible when an actor behaves like Yemi Blaq. How does he do it?

Olawale Oluwadahunsi

I have four siblings

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who are older than

hen a neutral person meets Yemi Olatunji Blaq, the Ondo State born six-footer at the entrance of a building, the first impression one gets is that he is a bouncer. However, when one looks intently at his gentle nature and display of theatrical skills, a conclusion can be said of him: the reason why he has such a stature is because of the block of artistic talents in him.

Fondly called Yemi Blaq, he is one of Nigeria’s most-loved actors who can otherwise be called the Wesley Snipes of Africa, owing to his facial look, and ‘foreign’ intonation. When it takes a handful of actors so many years to stamp their artistic footprints on the Nollywood’s sands of time, he has defied all the odds to breakthrough quite easily, endearing fans with his special display of talent.

When asked of his childhood days and how the journey all began, he says, “My growing up was rather regular. I grew up in a family of five. I have four siblings who are older than me. They left home when I was young. I grew up like the only child. I love to read a lot; reading was fun to me. I have a sister who studied Pharmacology and another, English. I also have a brother who studied Zoology. As a result of that, I have a lot of materials to read at home. Today, much reading has made it easy for me to communicate with a lot of people around the world, especially on different subjects. It always amazes people how I am at home with different subjects. I usually tell them that I learnt it when I was growing up. Growing up, I wrote poetry, songs. But after studying the rudiments by studying Theatre Arts at the University of Benin, I decided to come into the industry fully. I did not just dabble into the business of acting. I came into it ready for the business.”

The comic skit with AY, the comedian proves his versatility and penchant to adapt to different types of roles, be it romantic or traditional. However, the ‘Sink-

me.

They left home when I was young.

I grew up like the only child. I love to read a lot; reading was fun to me

Blaq

ing Sands’ actor who was once known for his constant appearance in films has his features significantly reduced and he explains “I have decided to go from the age of quantity film production to quality ones. I have been doing movies that are very qualitative, that will define who I am. Posterity is a bond to me, I want my son to grow up, look at my movie, and tell his friends that that is my father. There is

nothing better than that, because it gives me so much joy. That was why I have been acting good films. To me, I have been doing great movies” Interestingly, with his sexy eye balls, handsome looks, tall, dark and muscular physique, a dream that ‘every’ Nigerian lady desires, he is one of the few Nollywood actors that has been able to live above scandal since 2005 that his career

fully kick-started. The 2010 Celebrity Takes 2 winner, who also got married that same year to his long time friend, Remi Ibinola, mentions that though he loves female admirers more than males, caution is the word. ”I have my boundaries in all aspects of life, including my dealings with females. I leave things easy. I appreciate the fact that I am admired and so, I will never take advantage of the likeness because it is an honour to be appreciated.

It’s just because of my way. I don’t create scandal, I just do my thing and leave.

I respect my family and myself. I work so hard to prevent negative information about me”, he says.

On the perception he has about the Nigerian movie industry, he opines that Hollywood is going to realise that Nigeria has the potential to produce and sell great movies very soon. Collaboration, he says, is going to be more and in the next five years, they will begin to harness it. “We have a lot of talented people in Nigeria. Nigeria is like the China in Africa.

I’m working on something now in the studio. I just started my own production company called ‘Applause Entertainment’ with my wife. It is all about Africa, because I believe so much in African content. Also, on the issue of the Chibok girls, some friends and I are working on something. Very soon, you will get a feel of it”, he adds.

MEEDWEEK JUMP

Top contenders for Wole Soyinka Prize to be named tomorrow

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he top three contenders for the fifth edition of the prestigious ‘Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature’ will be known on Thursday. The award is being sponsored by national telecommunications carrier, Globacom.

According to the organisers, the successful contenders will be announced from the long list of 10 African authors earlier unveiled by the judges. Presentation of the prize to the eventual winner is slated for 5 July, 2014 at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The award is a biennial event staged to recognise the best literary work produced

by an African. It was established by the Lumina Foundation in 2005 to promote literary excellence in Africa and has since become the African equivalent of the Nobel Prize.

Authors in contention for the award include Othuke Ominiaboha, Akin Bello, Soji Cole, Comfort Adesuwa Ero, Toyin Abiodun, Isaac Attah Ogezi, Moshood Oba, Mayowa Saja, Wumi Raji and Akin Adejumo.

They were selected from a total of 163 entries submitted from 17 African countries in the genre of drama, which is the focus of the 2014 edition. According to the

organisers, two entries each came in from authors in Algeria, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Mali, South Africa, Tanzania and Rwanda. Three entries each came in from Angola and Namibia. One entry each came in from Cameroon, Liberia, Togo and Zambia, four from Kenya, five from Uganda, and 128 from Nigeria.

Entries were invited from authors of any published play or collection of plays by the same author of African descent, published within the last two years (that is, a play published between 2012 and 2013).

Globacom was also the main sponsor at the last edition.

Soyinka

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Arts Lounge

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FAR AND NEAR

Creative writing workshop calls for entry Saidat Alausa

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igerian Breweries and Farafina Trust have opened entries for the 2014 Creative Writing Workshop.

According to information released by the organisers of the annual 10-day workshop, interested writers have until June 30th, 2014 to send in their entries.

The workshop led by Chimamanda Adichie, Nigeria’s international awardwinning writer, is aimed at improving the craft of Nigerian writers and encourages published and unpublished writers by bringing different perspectives to the art of storytelling.

Interested writers are expected to

send their names, addresses, a few sentences about themselves and a writing sample of between 200 and 800 words (Fiction and non-fiction).

Writing samples should be pasted or written in the body of the email with subject titled ‘Workshop Application’ and sent to udonandu2014@gmail.com.

Applicants are advised not to include any attachments in their email as this would automatically disqualify them.

The deadline for submission is June 30, 2014 and only those accepted to the workshop will be notified by July 30, 2014.

The Creative Writing Workshop sponsored by Nigerian Breweries since 2009 has trained about 100 creative writers and has featured several international

writers.

The list of international writers include; Jeffery Allen, a Professor of English at Queens College of the City University of New York and an instructor in the Writing Program at The New School.

Also, Robert Spillman, Editor of ‘Tin House’, a ten-year-old bi-coastal (Brooklyn, New York and Portland, Oregon) literary magazine that has been honoured in Best American Stories, Best American Essays, Best American Poetry, O’Henry Prize Stories, the Pushcart Prize Anthology and numerous other anthologies.

Amah Ata Aidoo, award winning Ghanaian writer, Chika Unigwe and Binyavanga Wainaina have also been part of the literary workshop since its inception six years ago.

Adichie

Art exhibition moves against child labour

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Koko Kalango

PHWBC at South African Book Fair

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s part of its worldwide outreach, the ‘Port Harcourt World Book Capital 2014’ has participated at the South African Book Fair 2014’ which opened on Friday, June 13 until Sunday June 15.

On Sunday, June 15, the PHWBC had staged a session of ‘Readings and Conversations’ on the theme ‘Possibilities of African Literature in the 21st Century’ at its Stand D31-D36.

In April, the PHWBC had staged a similar literary session at the London Book Fair 2014, where it hosted the Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka and Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi as special Guests of Honour.

Among the writers that participated at the Sunday event is the Etisalat Literature Prize runner-up, Yewande Omotoso, author of ‘Bom Boy’; and South African eminent writer, teacher and activist, Sindiwe Magona. The session was moderated by Nigerian academic and Head of the Centre for African Studies, University of Cape Town, Prof. Harry Garuba, who is easily described as the ‘midwife’ of the second generation of Nigerian poets.

The event also featured a formal briefing on the PHWBC by the Project Manager, and CEO of the coordinating organisation, Rainbow Book Club, Mrs. Koko Kalango. It was coordinated

by Mrs Emma Arogundade, assisted by Claire Kelly in Cape Town.

he Head, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) Enugu State Office, Nnaemeka Nwajagu, has described arts and culture as twin factors, which if properly harnessed, will better the future generation of Nigerian children.

Nwajagu stated this at an Art Competition/Exhibition, with the theme, ‘Say No To Child Labour’, organised by the National Gallery of Art (NGA), at their office premises in Enugu.

The NICO Enugu boss, who was speaking, as the Guest of Honour, identified arts and culture which are drawn from the people as the clearest form of communication that tell people the acceptable way of doing things.

He also charged parents to go back to our core values and norms because the tenets we inculcate in a child live with him/ her forever, further pleading with State Governments to adopt and domesticate the Child Rights Act for the benefit of the poor children in the society.

Earlier in his opening speech, the Head of Station (HOS) of the National Gallery of Art (NGA), Enugu, James Irabor who stood in for the Director-General, Alhaji

Painting against child labour

Abdullahi Muku, said the Agency had carefully chosen this year’s theme, ‘Say No To Child Labour’, as a firm commitment to improving the lots of Nigerian children, who have been the victims of several social vices in the society; adding that this will protect the dreams of Nigerian children and help realize their aspirations in life for peace and positive development of our country.

On his part, the Chairman of the Occasion, Chief Goddy Udeh said children should be celebrated daily through encouragement and character reformative measures which will help mould them into adulthood, describing Art as an expression which has more illustrations to explain

things with signs and pictures with creative ingenuity.

In his vote of thanks, the Head of Research Department, NGA, Enugu, Mr. Edozie Ben, urged parents to nurture their children properly because they were the highest legacies they would leave, just as he also appreciated the invited guests especially those from the culture industry.

The occasion featured art exhibition and cultural renditions which were competed among the invited schools in Enugu state, and prices were given for deserving performances; while there was also drama presentation by the pupils of primary and students of secondary schools in attendance.

Ugandan wins 2014 Commonwealth Short Story Prize

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ennifer Nansubuga Makumbi from Uganda, the Regional Winner (Africa Region), at the Commonwealth Short Story Prize has emerged the overall winner at the end of the judging session, thrusting Africa forward in the global literary competition open to Commonwealth citizens.

The Commonwealth Short Story Prize unearths, identifies and develops original voices from the 53 countries of the Commonwealth. This year unpublished stories were entered by nearly 4,000 writers from the five Commonwealth regions.

The award has been presented in Kampala, Uganda, on 13 June by novelist and short story writer, Romesh Gunesekera.

The judges praised Jennifer’s short story, ‘Let’s Tell This Story Properly’, for its risk- taking, grace and breadth.

The winning story is about a grieving widow who arrives at Entebbe Airport from Manchester with her husband’s cof-

fin, but events take such a dramatic turn that she must relinquish her widowhood and fight. “This is a dream. For Uganda, once described as a literary desert, it shows how the country’s literary landscape is changing and I am proud to be a part of it. The Commonwealth Short story Prize will help bring attention to Ugandan writing at a global level,” said Jennifer Makumbi, who lives in Manchester, UK. Chair of the judging panel, Ellah Wakatama Allfrey said Makumbi’s entry, with its “bereaved widow living in London and gaggle of feisty ‘women of a certain age’ disrupting a funeral, and its narrative style that draws on a powerful national heritage of dramatic story-telling, significantly expanded our understanding of the possibilities of the short story form”.

Makumbi, who teaches creative writing at Lancaster University and is currently working on her second novel, ‘Nnambi’, said she was “over the moon” to win the Commonwealth award.

Makumbi

Business Wednesday, June 18, 2014

PTDF will continue to work with international partners –Oluleye

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Cashless: PayPal targets 60 million Nigerians online

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Exploring new frontiers for gas utilisation

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The cargo volumes further rose in 2011 to 82.8 million metric tonnes and further dropped substantially to 76.9 million metric tonnes, occasioned by the economic crisis that hit most companies in Europe with the attendant low volume of imports to Nigeria and other trading partners.

On the other hand, the total GRT of all the ports in the country as at 2006 stood at 63.3 million metric tonnes, which rose to 80.5 million metric tonnes in 2007 and further rose to 89.6 million metric tonnes in 2008.

The figures also show that the GRT increased marginally in 2009 to 90.5 million metric and rose to108.6 million metric tonnes in 2010 and further increased to 122.8 million metric tonnes at the end of 2011 and declined in 2012 marginally to 121.2 million.

On the whole a total of 676.4 million GRT of vessels were handled at the ports within the seven -year period.

Similarly, a total of 31,993 ships were handled at all the ports comprising 3, 689 vessels in 2006, which rose to 4, 050 vessels in 2007

and further to 4, 477 ships in 2008.

Others include 4, 620 ships that called in 2009, 4, 962 ships in 2010, 5, 327 in 2011, which also declined in 2012 to 4, 868 in 2012 owing to the Euro Zone crisis that negatively affected cargo volumes as well as the number of ships that called at the port in Nigeria.

NPA has however attributed this general rise in the volume of cargo to the port concession programme, which brought about a lot of efficiency at the port, especially with the coming of private terminal operators.

he volume of imported goods handled at various Nigeria’s seaports spread across Lagos, Port Harcourt, Onne, Calabar and Warri has recorded a growth rate of 70 per cent in the last seven years.

Meanwhile the Gross Registered Tonnage GRT, of all the vessels, which represents the gross total of all the imported cargo declared by all the ships that were handled in these seaports over the review period stood at a total 9 .4 per cent growth rate.

Official statistics released by the Nigerian Ports Authority NPA, for the period covering 2006 when the new terminal operators took over after the concession programme and 2012, a total of 467.1 million metric tonnes of cargo were handled at these ports.

Details show that as against the 46.2 million metric tonnes handled at the end of 2006, a total of 54-7 million metric tonnes of cargo was handled in 2007 while 65.2 million metric tonnes was handled in 2008.

Other details show that the cargo volumes increased marginally to 66.9 million metric tonnes in 2008 and rose again substan- L-R: Vice Chairman, House Committee on Industry, Princess Peace Nnaji; Chairman, House Committee on Industry, tially in 2010 to 74.9 million metric Hon. Mohammed Onawo and Director-General, Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Joseph Odumodu at media briefing after the committee visited SON facilities in Lagos on Monday. tonnes.

CBN maintains highest level in Information Security Standard compliance UDO ONYEKA

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he Surveillance Auditor of the British Standards Institute, BSI, Vikas Mulkutkar said that Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has maintained the highest level in information Security Standard, ISO 27001, compliance since being certified in July, 2013.

According to a statement by the CBN, Mulkutkar, disclosed this during the closing ceremony of the ISO 27001 surveillance audit at the bank’s headquarters in Abuja. He also commended the staff of CBN for

their work culture and commitment to the Information Security Management System.

He said that the auditors checked all of the information security controls and found them to be in strict compliance and handled by very committed staff.

Speaking further, he said that the 11 departments audited showed high knowledge of information systems security controls and had complied with the ISO 27001 standard exhibiting minimal deviation.

“He, however, urged the management of the bank to consider upgrading from the ISO 27001: 2005 to the current version,

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Nigeria’s import volumes grow 70% in seven years FRANCIS EZEM

ISO27001:2013, of the standard and also engage other system certifications like the Business Continuity Management, BCM, standard and Service Management Standard to ensure an all-round certification for the Bank”, the statement said.

In his response the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, represented by the Deputy Governor, Operations, Dr. Kingsley Moghalu congratulated staff of the bank for maintaining the highest global information security standard from BSI. He attributed the feat to the high level of professionalism and commitment exhibited by the ISO

27

Champions and entire staff of the Bank.

According to him, the first surveillance audit, which was conducted in the bank between June 5 and 10, 2014, was to review the CBN Information Security Management System, ISMS, processes, procedures, documents and records.

Moghalu said sample departments were selected from the five Directorates of the Bank, where departmental processes and business areas were checked for compliance with the standard, including improvements to the Bank’s ISMS since the certification of CBN in July, 2013.

FLIGHT

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

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

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

Med-View Airline Lagos- Abuja (Mon-Fri): 07.00, 08.50, 12.00, 16.30. Abuja- Lagos (Mon-Fri): 09.00, 14.00, 15.00, 18.30. Lagos-Yola (Mon-Fri): 8.50am. Yola-Lagos (Mon-Fri): 13.00. Lagos- PHC (Mon-Fri): 17.00. PHC-Lagos: 19.00. AbujaYola: 11.00. Yola-Abuja: 13.00.

Lagos-Abuja (Sat): 08.00, 08.50.

Abuja-Lagos (Sat): 10.00, 15.00.

Lagos-PHC (Sat): 17.00. PHC-Lagos (Sat): 19.00. Lagos-Yola (Sat): 08.50. Yola-Lagos (Sat): 13.00

28

Executive Discourse

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

PTDF will continue to work with i The Petroleum Technology Development Fund, PTDF, occupies a prime place in the nation’s petroleum industry, especially in terms of training and capacity building of Nigerians. The Executive Secretary of PTDF, Dr. Oluwole Oluleye took out time to speak with some journalists on the sideline of the just concluded Offshore Technology Conference in Houston Texas, USA. UDEME AKPAN was there. Below are excerpts.

Can you give us the direction of your administration as the Executive Secretary of PTDF? I assumed office about a year ago and I appraised the situation on the ground with the spirit of patriotism.

First of all, what we have done is to ensure that scholarships are done during the school year and not to be given intermittently at our whims and caprices. So, it is properly timed now from October to September of the next year.

We have been involved in a lot of training. What I observed that many of the people that we have trained are not in the industry. Part of the mission of the new management of PTDF is to ensure that a personnel trained overseas return to do some practical training with PETAN. After the training, we want to ensure that they are fixed in the industry. The honourable minister of petroleum resources is emphasising indigenous participation in the oil and gas industry. So, rather than having a few multinationals, we desire to have a lot of Nigerian companies that would be able to employ these Nigerians coming in. that will enable us to reduce the unemployment. So, we want to be judged by the number of people we place in the industry as the years go by.

Can you explain your partnership with the NCDMB to ensure train personnel are properly engaged to work in the industry?

We have identified the critical areas.

The construction of Floating Production Storage and Offloading, FPSO is ongoing. There is a critical dearth of welders to undertake this project. As a result of identifying the skills gap, what we did about a month ago was to pick up some of our former trainees and do further advance training for them. We took about 550 of them to undertake this training in the next couple of months. Once this process goes out, we are taking another 550 trainees. The gap that has been identified in terms of employment is about 8,000. Hence we would be working over a period of time to fill this gap. The 8,000 would be mainly on welding.

We also need people in electrical, mechanical, rig operations and other areas. The people we have trained in these various areas are not enough.

Having identified that, we are geared

towards improving and increasing the number of people that would be trained. Again, we have to train these people so that Nigerian companies would have enough technical people to work with them rather than bringing expatriates from abroad. We want our engineers to be as qualified as any other engineers abroad and Nigerians can be far better than them.

Talking about collaboration with Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, our mandate is specifically for skills development, building capacity, capabilities and competencies. We have stayed within this mandate over a long period of time. We are working for the same government and we went to Yenagoa and initiated these co-operations so that if there are apparent overlaps, we would be able to sort out the gray areas. In fact, there should not really be overlaps. So, there is absolutely no problem for us working together. I said that those that we trained, the NCDMB would assist us, since we do not have direct access to the International Oil Companies, IOC’s. Those we trained as part of the collaboration would be sent to NCDMB Executive Secretary to place them in the right jobs in the industry. That is part of co-operation with NCDMB. What kind of synergy do you have with the universities churning out young graduates annually, especially as most of these graduates are properly trained to work in the petroleum industry?

We have about 16 Universities with faculties like Petroleum, Chemical Engineering and others related to oil and gas as well as the environment.

What we have done is to improve their facilities, equip them with laboratory equipment, bring in simulators where necessary and all that. So, what we are trying to do is that those who graduate from the universities are actually welltrained. After finishing that, the other aspect is to send them to industries. We have a 12-month programme whereby we pay them some little stipends. They do some theoretical works and go on to do practical works in the industry before they get placement.

What about the oil and gas university?

No. They have polytechnics and the

Oluleye

polytechnics are for middle level manpower development. As for Bonny, Mr. President has directed that the polytechnic in Bonny must commence activities in this school year, which is

by September. So, we are working assiduously to meet that presidential directive. For the Polytechnic at Ekowe, the physical structures are already completed. What we are trying to do is to provide the equipment to get them function. We are in the process of doing that also. We expect in the next couple of months that Mr. President would be gracious to get it commissioned.

How much has PTDF invested in training and capacity building?

I cannot provide that answer because I may be giving wrong information but it is quite enormous. Considering the size of Nigeria, having skilled manpower is very necessary for the country. The manpower would not only exist

As a result of identif

what we did about a mo

up some of our forme

further advance tr

for the country. Oil is being discovered in several African countries, so we can export these people to these various countries. Whether you like it or not, they will send some money back home.

When do you think Nigeria will be self sufficient in terms of manpower based on ongoing activities?

Training is a continuous thing because people come in and also leave the industry. So, it would go on. If you talk

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Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Executive Discourse

29

international partners –Oluleye The message is that we would continue to do business with

international partners.

We also

want something in return for all the activities in the past few years know the area you are interested in.

You must know the several organisations that could assist. If you approach some of these organisations, they would be able to help or give the right direction. Again, there will be job opportunities as a follow up to the federal government’s policy on indigenous participation in exploration and production. PETAN talked about increasing membership from eight members to 60, that’s very significant, and I also believe that more Nigerians would set up more companies. We have local scholarships scheme for undergraduates, for Masters and for Doctoral degrees in the Nigerian Universities.

Again, these are the Universities that we are upgrading. That is where we are concentrating on. The more money we have, the more we are going to expand that. But for now, we are just concentrating on about 16 Universities to bring them up to international standard.

fying the skills gap,

onth ago was to pick

er trainees and do

raining for them

about domestication of training, then we can give about ten to 12 years life span for it. As we train more people, as we equip more Universities and Polytechnics, then we are really bringing into the country what exists outside.

That can further improve as time goes on. Once we bring knowledgeable people who are highly skilled, then they will train others. So, we have plans for domiciling a lot of the training incountry.

What is the employment prospect for

young graduates in Nigeria’s petroleum industry?

Again, this requires co-operation. I talked about what we do with the NDCMB. We do our part of the training for them to have all the technical skills required to work effectively in the industry. NDCMB has direct relationship with the industry as a matter of fact and part of their duties is also to ensure that the IOC’s and other companies employ Nigerians. This is because for you to get some of the contracts you need to employ skilled Nigerians.

Our interest is to provide NDCMB with a pool of highly skilled Nigerians for them to fit into the industry.

Do you have any arrangements in place to assist graduates who went overseas to train themselves and are now ready to work in the nation’s petroleum industry?

As a student coming back, you must

Are there plans to collaborate with the universities in order to enhance the introduction of essential petroleum related courses in the nation?

We have local scholarships schemes for undergraduates, for Masters and for Doctoral degrees in the Nigerian Universities. Again, these are the Universities that we are upgrading. That is where we are concentrating our efforts and money on, the more money we have the more we are going to expand that. But for now, we are just concentrating on about 16 Universities to bring them up to international standard within the respective oil and gas departments.

Is there any collaboration between the Presidential Amnesty office and PTDF to place trainees where they are supposed to work?

Yes, the PTDF was part of the committee that was set up by the president on amnesty. We are also training a group of about 20 pilots in South Africa as part of the amnesty scheme. We intend to assist in providing them jobs.

We do not want to train people and not provide them jobs. I know where to go and the contacts are already being made with the public and private sectors. Let me just put it like this, we will provide them jobs and a lot of them would graduate, at least 90 per cent of them would graduate by July this year.

So, we are already making preparation to get them fixed up.

We are doing that, may be that is not

really coming to the fore. For lecturers within the country, we have software on seismic studies distributed to a lot of these universities for the training of the students. First, the lecturers are trained on it then the students.

They already have learnt the necessary things to do when they get on the field. We also have co-operation with the Newcastle University in France that also train our lecturers on modern research methods. So, the lecturers are not left out in anyway. They are also being upgraded.

What message do you have for the global community?

The message is that we would continue to do business with international partners. We also want something in return for all the activities in the past few years. Maybe we gave away too much because you see the transformation programme now is emphasizing things that were not emphasised in the past. We need that assistance. We are talking and will continue to talk with them. Nigeria is still open to business.

How long will it take for PTDF to make the much desired impact on the oil and gas industry?

Honestly, to answer that question, it would be a feedback from the industry and the people we have trained. Like I said earlier, the industry is expanding and it is going to be a continuous process. So we cannot at a point say this is it. So, people are coming in and people are going out but most importantly the feedback is the most important thing to us. We need to know whether those we have trained are meeting up to expectations of the industry. The monitoring and evaluation units have been empowered to do the monitoring of all our activities and provide internal feedback to us. From the other companies, we expect feedback also from them. As part of the training for some of the youths we have had, we trained a couple of people in Cotonou on vocational skills. What we are trying to do is not just training and throwing them out at middle level manpower. We are working on a programme with Heritage Bank whereby some of these people after being interviewed, are loaned money from the bank to start some of the businesses they have been trained in. We are not just training and letting them go. We are trying to empower them with the hope that the single person we have trained will be able to take in two or more people, thus assisting to reduce unemployment in the country.

30

Business News

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

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RMAFC pledges improved funding for solid minerals sector TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

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he Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, has promised to ensure that more funds are sourced for the development of the solid minerals sector of the Nigerian economy to make it more viable and serve as alternative source of revenue for the nation.

The Chairman of the Commission, Elias Mbam, gave the assurance when he received in his office a delegation from the Federal Ministry of Mines and

Steel Development led by the Minister, Mr. Musa Mohammed Sada.

Mbam observed that for the sector to perform optimally in line with global best practices, it required more funding windows in form of long term financing to reduce over reliance on the annual budgetary provisions and increase the quantum of revenue into the Federation Account.

He explained that under the current revenue allocation formula, the solid minerals sector was only getting just 1.6 per cent of all distributable revenues from the Federation Account as

provided in the Natural Resources Development Fund.

The Chairman also assured the delegation that the Commission was committed to attracting more funding for the sector in view of its strategic position as a revenue earner through the enthronement of a viable fiscal policy regime that will place the sector at par with other revenue generating agencies in the country.

Earlier in his remarks, Sada, who was accompanied by Dauda Kigbu, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry and other directors decried the poor revenue-

generating capacity of the Solid Minerals Sector where at the moment government does not collect up to 20 percent due to the series of weaknesses inherent in the Sector.

The Minister however expressed optimism that the hitherto moribund sector would soon be restored to its past glory as government had identified it as one of the very strong and strategic sectors to improve local content, value addition and import substitution for required raw materials for the improvement of the nation’s economy.

Sada pointed out that the on-

going reforms in the sector had attracted the attention of the World Bank reform activities with the aim of making the sector private-sector driven in line with global best practices to allow private investors to do business in the sector within the established standards.

Specifically, he explained that the bank had comprehensively carried out institutional reforms which include, strengthening legal and regulatory frameworks and fiscal governance to enhance the revenue generation capacity and governance of mining institutions in Nigeria.

PENGASSAN urges unions to stop supporting fuel subsidy MESHACK IDEHEN

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etroleum and Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, has urged other trade unions in Nigeria to stop supporting payment of subsidy on petroleum products.

According to the union, payment of subsidy on petroleum products, particularly Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, otherwise known as petrol, is not to the advantage of the Nigerian masses, as it only favour few individuals.

The President of the union, Mr. Babatunde Ogun, told journalists on Tuesday that the subsidy regime has made few individuals to constitute themselves into cabal, adding that it was time labour stop saying no to removal of subsidy, and not to support the government against a policy that has been bleeding the country dry.

He said the oil subsidy regime is stunting the growth of the nation’s downstream sector of the oil and gas industry and that it is not in the interests of the common man.

The money being used in payment of subsidy to these few individuals who are enriching themselves at the expense of whole Nigeria, according to him, can be channelled towards other developmental projects, especially the nation’s ailing and dilapidated infrastructures.

Ogun said there was need for government to encourage the establishment of new refineries run in partnership or Joint Venture (JV) with private investors so that Nigeria can be producing to meet our local demand and create employment.

According to the PENGASSAN president, instead of supporting payment of subsidy

on petroleum products, labour unions should put pressure on government to subsidise necessary infrastructures such as power, rail transportation, healthcare and education, as being done in other countries.

“The time to stop this ugly trend is now… SURE-P is not the solution; the entire subsidy money should be used to finance modernised train with high speed all over Nigeria “Power is the bedrock of any country’s development and with regular supply of power, the small and medium scale and the informal sector of the economy can grow. Instead of erratic and epileptic power supply and irrational hike in electricity charges, labour should channel their protest and struggle to ensure that this important sector that can jumpstart and grow the nation’s economy is subsidise.

“Also rail transportation can alleviate the suffering of the masses and reduce congestion on our roads. Rail is a veritable means of mass transportation use in the developed countries.

The nation’s healthcare and educational system is in sorry state and the government can subsidize these all important sectors to the benefit of the Nigerian masses”, the PENGASSAN president said.

L-R: CEO/MD,Slot Nigeria Limited, Mr. Nnamdi Ezeigbo, Country Manager, iStore Africa, Mr. Sachin Verma and Vice President, Marketing and Brands, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Obinna Anichie, at the launch of iphone 5s by Airtel Nigeria in Lagos, recently.

Raw materials council to partner NEPC to boost industrial growth

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he Raw Materials Research and Development Council, RMRDC on Monday in Abuja agreed to partner with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC, to promote industrial growth in the country.

This is contained in a statement issued by the council’s Deputy Director, Public Affairs, Mr. Chucks Ngaha, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Monday in Abuja.

According to the statement, Dr Hussaini Ibrahim, the DirectorGeneral of the council agreed with NEPC on the need for partnership.

Ibrahim made the remark dur-

ing a courtesy call in his office by Mr. Segun Awolowo, the Executive Director of the NEPC. “The promotion of industrial revolution by councils will also create alternative sources of income to the nation’s coffer apart from other sources such as oil, gas, solid minerals and taxes,’’ Ibrahim said.

He said that both councils needed to create a synergy to work together to boost industrial development in the country.

Ibrahim said this would result to the creation of more job opportunities for youths and improve on the nation’s economic resources.

He stressed the importance of the partnership between the two

agencies, saying it was vital to the growth of the country financially.

He said that partnership by both agencies would help to fashion out ways to move the nation away from over dependence on oil resources.

In his remarks, Awolowo said that the council had been on the search for alternative sources of revenue for the nation.

“This is indeed a good time for collaboration between the two councils, especially in view of President Goddluck Jonathan’s five-year plan to rapidly build up the nation’s industrial capacity and improve its comparative advantage in the areas of its strength,’’ he said.

Farmers laud FG, IFDC, as 40,000 get GES inputs in FCT TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

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cores of farmers in the Federal Capital Territory have lauded the Federal Government and the International Fertiliser Development Centre, IFDC, for the timely redemption of their fertiliser and seed inputs for the current farming seasonunder the Growth Enhancement Support,

GES, scheme.

Most of the farmers interviewed during the GES inputs distribution’s Monitoring and Evaluation visits to Jikwoyi, Kpegyi, Kurudu and Karshi communities of the FCT, said the processes of registration and redemption of inputs had improved remarkably over the previous seasons’ standards following the introduction of the Touch and Pay (GES-TAP)

system in the six area councils of the FCT. The GES-TAP technology, which is designed by the IFDC, the Supply Chain Manager of the GES scheme pilot scheme, makes it possible for easy identification of individual farmers with their unique identification numbers and the TAP card issued upon completion of registration process.

Updating our correspondent on the level of fertiliser and seeds distribution in the FCT, an Assistant Director in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, FMARD, Mr. Adetayo Adeyemi, disclosed that so far, 40,000 farmers had redeemed their inputs over the past two weeks that the distributions commenced out of the 110,000 farmers registered for this planting season.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business News

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Cashless: PayPal targets 60 million Nigerians online KUNLE AZEEZ

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ealising the ongoing success being recorded with the cashless economy initiative in Nigeria, a global epayment company, PayPal has disclosed plans to bring its operations into Nigeria in the new few weeks.

By this, the company is targeting the about 60 million internet users in the country, where drive for broadband internet access is set to further boost the number of Nigerians online.

According to Reuters, the company, which provides online payment alternatives for consumers via mobile phones or PCs in markets often blighted by financial fraud, said in addition to Nigeria, it is also targeting additional nine other markets.

These markets include Belarus, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Macedonia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Paraguay, and Zimbabwe.

The Executive in charge of the Europe, Middle-East and Africa region of PayPal, the payments unit of eBay Inc, EBAY.O, Mr. Rupert Keeley, said in an interview on Monday the expansion would bring the number of countries it serves to 203.

According to him, starting on Tuesday, consumers in Nigeria, which has 60 million users and has Africa’s largest population, along with nine other markets in sub-Saharan Africa, Eastern Europe and Latin America, will be able to make payments through

PayPal. “PayPal has been going through a period of reinvention, refreshing many of its services to make them easier to use on mobile (phones), allowing us to expand into fast-developing markets,” Keeley said.

Once the services go live, customers in the 10 countries with access to the Web and a bank card authorized for Internet transactions will be able to register for a PayPal account and make payments to millions of sites worldwide.

Initially, PayPal is only offering “send money” services for consumers to pay for goods and services at PayPal-enabled merchant sites while safeguarding their financial details. This is free to consumers and covered by fees it charges merchants.

“We think we can give our sellers selling into this market a great deal of reassurance,” said Keeley, a former regional banking executive with Standard Chartered Plc and senior executive with payment card company Visa Inc ,V.N. PayPal does not yet cover peerto-peer transactions, which allow consumers to send money to other consumers. It has not yet enabled local merchants in the new markets to receive payments, nor is it offering other forms of banking services, he said.

A 2013 survey of 200 United Kingdom ecommerce sites by Visa’s CyberSource unit estimated that 1.26 per cent of online orders are fraudulent and that 85 percent of merchants expected fraud to increase or remain static last year.

CyberSource also estimated that suspicion of fraudulent transactions result in 8.2 per cent of online orders in Latin America being rejected by merchants, compared with 5.5 per cent in Europe and 2.7 percent in the United States and Canada.

Such fraud can include ID theft, social engineering, phishing and automated harvesting of customer financial data via botnets, or networks of computers controlled by hackers.

A total of 80 million Internet users stand to gain access to PayPal global services this week, including those in five European markets - Belarus, Macedonia, Moldova, Monaco and Montenegro, four in the African nations of Nigeria, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, and Zimbabwe, as well as Paraguay. Internet usage figures are based on research by Euromonitor International.

F

ollowing the failure of the Nigerian government to compel Shell to begin clean-up of the heavily polluted Ogoniland in Rivers State, an environmental right group, Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth Nigeria, ERA/FoEN, has asked the visiting Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, Ms. Lilianne Ploumen to pressure Shell to comply with, and implement the United Nations Environment Programme,UNEP, recommendations for cleanup and remediation of the land.

In a statement released in Lagos, the Executive Director, Godwin Uyi Ojo said Nigerians

would no longer accept the watery argument that Shell is footdragging because the Nigerian government has refused to commit counterpart funds into the exercise.

ERA/FoEN also said that Shell caused the havoc in Ogoniland through its operational activities and must take responsibility.

Ojo said, “For us, the visit of Ms. Lilianne Ploumen is an opportunity to bring together the Nigerian government, Shell, and the governments of Netherlands and the United Kingdom which are home to Shell, to discuss and arrive at concrete steps for the implementation of the UNEP assessment” “We urge the visiting minister to use her good office to influence the Nigerian government and

Mutual Benefits to support value adding projects –MD MESHACK IDEHEN

T

he Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, Mr. Akin Ogunbiyi, has said the company will continue to support and promote beneficial projects that adds values to customers.

According to Ogunbiyi, the company in partnership with critical sectors of the economy in wealth creation will always remain concerned about the welfare of customers, and will always continue to fulfil obligations by responding to claims timely and through value addition.

He said on Monday that Mutual Benefits Assurance remains a strong, well capitalised and profitable leading brand in the Nigerian insurance industry, saying Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar personally hand over Mutual Benefits’ claims cheques to several police officers that sustained injuries

early this year.

Ogunbiyi said his company’s, decision as a reputable leader in wealth creation to team up with critical partners in the development of the country evolves naturally, explaining the Board of Mutual Benefits has given a marching order for a mutually beneficial partnership and active engagement with the Nigeria Police for the reasons of improvement of the welfare of members of the force.

According to him, Muctual Benefit as an insurance company will continue to encourage and improve the ability of Nigerian Police men and women to excel in competitive activities internationally.

He added his company will support the force with performance outcomes that will improve and guarantee security of lives and property, while actively supporting and engaging with the leadership of the force in its quest to use its activities as a unifying factor in building bridges across the nation.”

L-R: Country Manager,Verve, Mrs.Oremeyi Akah; C.E.O. Mr. Charles Ifedi; Head of Merketing, Ms. Enyioma Anaba and Head, Issuer Management, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Boshoro, at a press conference unveiling Breeze to Brazil winners in Lagos at the weekend.

Compel Shell to clean up Ogboniland, Group tells Dutch minister BABALOLA YUSUF

31

Shell to invite UNEP to set up a group comprising of government officials, Shell, Nigerian CSOs, Ogoni communities representatives and representatives of all institutions and governments that will contribute funds to the Environmental Restoration Funds for Ogoniland and ensure that the structures set up by the Nigerian government are in tandem with the UNEP recommendations”.

According to Ojo, “The money must be put down by Shell for the clean-up exercise. Shell being the operator should provide the $1 billion initial capital for the setting up of an Environmental Restoration Fund for Ogoniland to show commitment to the implementation of the recommendations of the UNEP”.

Benue, Cross River receive N800m grant for sanitation MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

B

enue and Cross Rivers states have received the sum of $5million, about N800million, to further promote sanitation in the states.

The fund was made available

by Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council, WSSCC, through the Global Sanitation Fund. Signing the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, on the grant in Abuja yesterday, Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe, said it,would require huge,investment to achieve the country’s Millennium Development Goals’ target on sanitation.

She said: “The population of Nigeria with access to basic sani-

tation and hygiene has been fluctuating from 37 per cent in 1990 to 34 per cent in year 2000;and it has gone up to 41 per cent in 2012 under national assessment.

“This is however far from our set national target on MDG of 65 per cent by 2015 and 75 per cent by 2020. For us to reach the stated MDG targets, massive investment is needed to provide access to water supply and basic sanitation and hygiene.

It is on this note that we welcome the support and participation of our development partners in scaling up access to water and sanitation”.

She maintained that the grant would go a long way in addressing the problem of poor sanitation and hygiene in the country.

32

Business News

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sterling Bank empowers 100 Osun indigenes

British Airways to take delivery of 72 aircraft S

OLUSEGUN KOIKI

U

nited Kingdom carrier, British Airways has announced the planned acquisition of no fewer than 72 aircraft before the end of the year.

This is as the airline disclosed that it currently operates 85 flights a week to 14 African destinations including Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa and Kenya among others.

The airline said the acquisition of the aircraft would enable it further expand its existing route networks in Africa while it would also be able to open new routes in the continent.

The Country Commercial Manager for West Africa, B.A., Mr. Kola Olayinka told journalists in Lagos that new aircraft delivery had increased the opportu-

nities for expansion, adding that the airline considered Africa as an important growth in the global market.

He revealed that the airline has ordered for 12 A380s, 24 Boeing 787s, six 777-300 ERs and 10 A320s, maintain that it had taken delivery of a number of these aircraft.

Olayinka declared that no fewer than 20 modern aircraft would also join the growing fleet of the airline by the end of this year.

He emphasised that the modern aircraft would gradually replace some of the older, less fuel-efficient aircraft in its fleet and allow the management to add new destinations and improve schedules.

He added, “In South Africa, we introduced the A380 on the Johannesburg route three times a week earlier this year, increasing capacity to the country’s com-

mercial capital. This was only the third route after Los Angeles and Hong Kong where we began operating this aircraft.

“We’ve also upped our winter frequencies to Cape Town from daily to 10 a week and have invested nearly R20 million in a new lounge at Cape Town International. In East Africa, we’ve added an additional frequency to Uganda to offer four weekly flights and have amended our schedule to provide better connections to other international services through Terminal 5.

“We’ve increased capacity to Kenya by introducing Boeing 747400s on the route. Using larger aircraft provides over 780 additional seats every week. In West Africa, we increased our services to Ghana to 10 a week, and in Oct 2014, Flights to Ghana are scheduled to increase to 11 per week.”

terling Bank Plc has empowered over 100 indigenes of Osun State through its financial inclusion and agent banking scheme, which it pioneered in the industry last year.

Head, Financial inclusion, eBusiness of Sterling Bank, Mr. Richard Oshungboye, made this known to newsmen shortly after a seminar for the executive members of different Cooperative Societies in Osun State.

Oshungboye said the bank has equally enriched the lives of the cooperative members.

He explained that the financial inclusion and agent banking system involves an agent with an existing business and those who also have a physical business location/ address.

“There is a limit to how much an agent can transact with, the agent and the bank shall agree on a limit that is determined by how much the agent is willing to

deposit,” he explained.

Speaking on how transactions could be carried out at the agent location, he explained: “Transactions are carried out using issued personalised cards on a POS terminal. The customers must confirm all transactions using one of his/her finger prints.”

However: “When an agent exceeds his/her limit, the agent’s POS terminal will be blocked from receiving/giving cash. The agent will have to deposit any excess cash at the nearest bank to allow him/her continue to transact.”

Shedding light on what happens if agent decides to relocate, the Sterling Bank Head, Financial inclusion, stated that another agent will be appointed to serve the customers in that location while the relocating agent may continue to be the establishment agent in his/her new location if he/she decides to.

Over 5,000 youths acquire vocational training in Katsina JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

M L-R: Regional Manager (West) Nutricima Limited, Mr. Adeeko Adesina; N500,000 winner in the Nutricima Mega Cash Promo, Mrs. Olukan and Sales Supervisor, West, Nutricima Limited, Mr. Sunday Olaoluwa, during the cheque presentation to winners at the final phase of Nutricima Mega Cash Promo in Ibadan, recently.

IITA youth Agripreneur initiative gets African countries’ support ABOLAJI ADEBAYO

A

bout 20 African countries have thrown their weight behind the IITA Youth Agripreneur, IYA, initiative - a pilot scheme that is engaging youths in agriculture with the aim of reducing youth unemployment in the continent.

The initiative has also been certified by the IITA Board of Trustees, according to Dr. Namanga Ngongi, IITA Board member.

The scheme is designed to changes the mindset of young people towards agriculture and equip them with various opportunities in the production and marketing of agricultural products, cutting across value chains such as cassava, banana/plantain, soybean, maize, vegetables, livestock, and

fish production.

In a communiqué issued at the end of a conceptualisation workshop on “Engagement of Youth Entrepreneurship for Agricultural Transformation in Africa” held at IITA in Ibadan recently, it is stated that those countries are ready to support the initiative.

Having reviewed the current unemployment situation in the continent by about 200 participants, it was discovered that youth unemployment and underemployment are high in Africa, over 70 per cent of the population between 15 and 24 years in many countries are underemployed in some countries, while unemployed in others.

It was also noted that the present situation poses a serious threaten to not only food security but also the national security of all African countries, and may com-

promise the attainment of the targets set under the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Program, CAADP, and the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs,.

The workshop therefore, recognised that agriculture can drive development and has the potential to create millions of decent jobs for African youth in the provision of products and services such as seed and input supply, crop aggregation and marketing, postharvest handling, processing and storage, and other value-addition activities.

It also noted that the youth population in Africa can play a pivotal role in the dissemination of improved technologies and innovations to farmers which have the capacity of closing yield gaps and enhancing productivity in the continent.

ore than 5, 000 youths from within and outside Nigeria have received training on various vocational skills at the Katsina Youth Craft Village, KYCV. The village is a centre established by the Katsina state government for the training of youths in vocational skills. The youths after the training, are given incentives to help them establish own businesses as well as employ others to work for them.

Speaking yesterday with newsmen, the Special Adviser to the state Governor on Science and Technology, Sulieman Kuki said the number of benefiting youths

were trained from 2010 to date.

Kuki said the youths were drawn from Katsina, Borno and other states of the country as well as from Niger Republic, and that they received vocational training that varied from two to six months.

He said that 72 youths from Borno, 57 Nigeriens, along hundreds of Nigerians and several youth corps members totalling more than 5,000 people, underwent training during last four years at the centre.

He identified some of the vocational skills acquired by the youths to include GSM repair, tie and dye, pottery and wrought iron, computer repairs and usage, leather works and shoe making, among others.

Kaduna Govt commences sale of fertiliser to farmers

T

he Kaduna State Government on Monday commenced the sale of 20,492 metric tons of fertiliser to farmers across the state, for this farming season.

Gov. Mukhtar Yero, who inaugurated the sales in Zangon Aya, said N2.4 billion was spent on the procurement of the commodity.

He said that farmers in the state would also benefit from fertiliser and other inputs under the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme, GES. “We have identified commercial agriculture as the sure means of providing food and jobs for our growing population in this country.

“There is urgent need for diversification of the economy as we can no longer rely solely on oil revenue,’’ he said.

The governor told the farmers that the fertiliser had been subsidised by 40 per cent.

According to him, NPK will be sold at N2, 500 per bag, N2,400 for urea brand and N1, 960 for SSP. He directed local government chairmen to ensure that the fertilizer gets to the farmers, adding that a monitoring team would take records of the distribution and sales in each area.

Yero also said that efforts were on to boost dry season farming through the rehabilitation and upgrade of irrigation schemes.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

EnergyWeek Wednesday, June 18, 2014

OPEC daily basket price hits $109.31 35 a barrel

Gas gathering plant in Nigeria

It is a well known fact that many operators in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry are involved in gas flaring. But CHIDI UGWU reports that efforts are being made to secure new markets for the product at the global market, especially in Europe.

T

he Federal Government took steps towards increased utilisation of natural gas resources a few days ago when the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, announced plans to explore opportunities in European market.

The Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mr. Andrew Yakubu, who gave the hint while playing host to a Belgian business delegation under the auspices of the Flanders Investment & Trade Mission emphasized the importance of effective collaboration between foreign investors and Nigerian businessmen.

He stated, “Europe is a good market for gas. Incidentally, Belgium has important terminals such as the Port of Antwerp through which Nigeria hopes to get its gas to the rest of Europe. We are working on independently marketing our abundant gas resources to Europe.

The GMD who was represented by the

PIB passage delays breeds uncertainty in oil and gas industry –Durotoye 36

33

Nebo denies admitting failure of power sector reform 37

Exploring new frontiers for gas utilisation Coordinator, Corporate Policy & Strategy, Dr. Tim Okon, stated that the NNPC would strategically position itself to attract investments to boost the nation’s economy, adding that “gas is a strong mechanism for not only power generation and job creation, but also for growth and development. There is need for collaboration between foreign investors and Nigerian businesses in order to domesticate the gas industry in the country.”

This went a long way to reinforce the position of the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke who stated earlier that plans were underway to commence the construction of the nation’s longest gas pipeline from Calabar via Ajaokuta to Kano State through a Public Private Partnership, PPP, scheme by the end of the year.

She stated the full implementation of the government’s gas revolution initiative

The government’s gas revolution initiative is basically anchored on a few primary investors which include

Nagarjuna of India for the 2.6 metric tonne per annum (mtpa) urea plant, Xenel of Saudi Arabia for the 1.3mtpa polyethylene plant and 400 kilo tonnes per annum (ktpa) polypropylene plant

would no doubt encourage better use of natural gas and minimise adverse environmental impact of its flaring and also create the undertone for even more widespread wealth and reposition the country to become the industrial giant of Africa.

Experts said gas is a close substitute for other fuels in electricity generation, a complement to crude oil in revenue earning, a feedstock for fertilizer and petrochemical industries and is even environmentally friendly, being cleaner than crude oil or coal.

The gas adventure has created opportunities for investors, especially as a large potential market exists in the area of gas production and supply for power generation, as source of fuel or as feedstock to industries. In fact, there is an anticipated 25per cent annual growth rate in Nigeria’s gas demand. The NNPC stated that in addition to Nigeria’s proven natural gas reserves of 182 trillion cubic feet (TCF), about 600 thousand cubic feet of undiscovered gas CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

34

Energy Week

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33 potential is still available for the nation to tap.

Domestic gas demand is about 400 million cubic feet a day (MMcf/d) which is very low compared to the size of Nigeria’s population and its gas resources. The domestic market is limited by the low level of industrialization and the inadequacy of the gas transmission and distribution infrastructure. The power sector currently accounts for almost 90 per cent of gas sales.

However, some believe that barring any unforeseen circumstances any investment in the gas sector in the country would certainly have a rewarding return. NLNG is a shining example of this success story maintaining an enviable balance sheet by maximising value from the country’ gas resources through leveraging the multiplier effect of gas in the domestic economy and optimising Nigeria’s share in the high value export market.

More so, when the Natural Gas Policy aims at promoting a public-private sector partnership for the orderly and rapid commercialization of Nigeria’s natural gas resources for the development and diversification of the economy. It is also aimed at recovering maximum revenue possible from gas utilization. The Downstream Gas Act addresses the legal, regulatory, institutional and policy constraints to investment in the Nigerian downstream gas sector.

Analysts said increasing utilisation of gas would stimulate multiplier effect of gas in the domestic economy and this will be facilitated through the gas to power project that will improve power generation and serve as a catalyst for industrialisation.

Among those in this school of thought is the Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, who called for the effective implementation of the gas to power master plan to fast track the economic development of Nigeria.

Nebo stressed the need to reduce gas flaring and channel the gas for domestic use insisting there is a clear link between the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and electricity consumption of any nation. He noted that adequate availability of electricity supply will significantly reduce the operational cost for industries and increase the GDP. According to the minister, a healthy and financially sustainable electricity sector is the life support system for economic, investment growth, job creation and retention and increase in income across all socioeconomic levels.

He said when the power sector in a country fails to meet the power demand because of inefficiency, consumers and industries suffer and resort to practice of diesel-fired captive power, one of the most uneconomical ways for generating electricity. According to him, “It is important to note here that a healthy and financially sustainable electricity sector is the life support system for economic growth, investment growth, jobs creation and retention and increase in income across all socioeconomic levels.

“Therefore our first consideration is to focus on the Nigerian electricity consumers. They must have power to create jobs, to improve children’s education; to grow our economy. There is a clear link between GDP and electricity consumption. We are aware of the negative impact of current supply constraints on the Nigerian economy as being in the region and we are confi-

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Exploring new frontiers for gas utilisation

Alison-Madueke

dent that the participation of stakeholders from the gas sector will transform the current situation and move us closer to actualising the vision of the Mr. President for the power sector by 2020”.

NNPC Group Executive Director, Gas, Dr. David Ige, also underscored the importance of domestic gas development when he said there was need to accelerate the various projects on gas pipeline infrastructure so that the new Independent Power plants could fully come on stream, adding that the corporation was working round the clock to ensure availability of gas for the power plants.

Apart from improved electricity generation through domestic gas development, Ige said major new heavy gas-based industries such as fertiliser and petrochemicals, among others, would come on board to create the much-needed jobs.

He likened the construction of the $16 billion petrochemical, fertilizer plants in the Delta region to saying goodbye to poverty in that state and indeed Nigeria.

The government’s gas revolution initiative is basically anchored on a few primary investors which include Nagarjuna of India for the 2.6 metric tonne per annum (mtpa) urea plant, Xenel of Saudi Arabia for the 1.3mtpa polyethylene plant and 400 kilo tonnes per annum (ktpa) polypropylene plant.

Others are the Chevron/Shell/NNPC/ Sahara 2.2 billion cubic feet per day (bcf/d) gas processing facility and Agip/Oando/ NNPC 800 million cubic feet per day (mmcf/d) gas processing facility. Although both Shell and Chevron have pulled out of the project, NNPC said that their decision to withdraw from the Olokola Liquefied Natural Gas Project would not derail the policy.

It was learnt that the Gas Revolution Agenda, launched in March 2011, was not only intact but had also taken off with significant progress in gas supply for power generation and industrial usage.

“The Federal Government Gas Revolution Agenda, which is an integral part of the Gas Master plan, cannot be derailed

Nebo

Yakubu

gas is a strong mechanism for not only power generation and

job creation, but also for growth

and development.

There is need for collaboration between foreign investors and

Nigerian businesses in order to domesticate the gas industry in the country just like that.

It explained that the gas-based industrialisation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan planned for Ogidigben in Delta had taken-off with site data gathering activities. It was also learnt that plans have been concluded for the foundation laying ceremony of the $1.2 billion world largest gas-to-urea fertilizer plant project.

The promoters of the fertilizer plant, Indorama Eleme Petrochemical Plant, said the launch of the plant is expected to kick-start an agricultural revolution in the country.

President Jonathan was said to have promised to support the project because of the huge impact it would have on the country’s agricultural sector and the creation of employment opportunities for Nigerians.

According to The Managing Director, Indorama, Mr. Manish Mundra “When

completed, the project would deliver high quality fertilisers to Nigerian farmers, thereby helping Nigeria to boost agricultural output and enhance food security,” The fertiliser plant, with a capacity for 1.4 million metric tonnes of Urea, Ammonia and NPK fertilizers per annum, would be the world’s largest single-stream gas-tourea plant, said the Technical Director of the project, Mr. Uptal K. Chatterjee.

He explained that the plant, which is expected to be completed in Q4 of 2015, is geared towards transforming Nigeria from a major importer to a key exporter of fertiliser.

He said. “Our intention is not only just to reduce urea; we also have plans to give our experiences and technology in the agric sector. As you know Nigeria, I believe has potential and with no time it can be converted into a food-exporting country.

And we know that everybody knows that food security is what people are looking and Nigeria has the natural resources; which can be used to maintain these facilities.

“Fertiliser production using gas is the next one graduating into the gas industry than any other industry. So we intend to come into Nigeria with a plan to expand the fertiliser production and become a net exporter of fertiliser. We have also planned to bring plastic-blending plants all over Nigeria. We hope that with the support that the NNPC, the state, and Federal Government, we believe that this is going to be a good partnership between Nigeria and India.’’

However, as important as gas revolution initiative may be, Nigeria’s potential of generating about 2.26 million metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas annually will never by achieved, unless the country addresses the issue of infrastructure deficit and lack of access to finance by players in the oil and gas sector. It was also learnt that there is a great need to pass the nation’s Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, into law in order to attract more investors to invest in the many sectors of the industry, especially gas.

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Energy Week

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

35

OPEC daily basket price hits $109.31 a barrel

T

he price of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC basket of 12 crudes has risen from $107.46 to $109.31 per barrel, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The new OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

The rise in price became a reality a few days after OPEC members rose from a crucial meeting in Vienna, Austria, on 11 June 2014 under the Chairmanship of its President, HE Omar Ali ElShakmak, Acting Minister of Oil & Gas of Libya and Head of its Delegation.

OPEC stated in a statement that the Conference congratulated HE Dr. Ali Saleh Al-Omair and HE Omar Ali ElShakmak on their appointments as Minister of Oil of Kuwait and Acting Minister of Oil & Gas of Libya, respectively.

It stated that the cartel paid tribute to the services rendered to the Organization by their predecessors in office, HE Mustafa Jassim Mohammad Al-Shamali and HE Dr. Abdel Bari Ali Al-Arousi.

The Organisation stated that the Conference considered the Secretary General’s report, the report of the 121st Meeting of the Economic Commission Board (ECB) and a variety of administrative matters.

It stated, “In so doing, the Conference listened to presentations and exchanged views on the status of multilateral ne-

price fluctuations being more a reflection of geopolitical tensions than a response to fundamentals.

It stated that the Conference observed, however, that, whilst world economic growth was projected to reach 3.4per cent in 2014, up from 2.9per cent in 2013, downside risks to the global economy, both in the OECD and nonOECD regions remain unchecked.

The Conference noted, moreover, that whilst world oil demand is expected to rise from 90.0 mb/d in 2013 to 91.1 mb/d in 2014, non-OPEC supply is projected to grow by 1.4 mb/d, with OECD stock levels, in terms of days of forward demand cover, remaining comfortable.

In light of the foregoing, the Conference again decided that Member Countries should adhere to the existing production level of 30.0 mb/d. In taking this decision, the Conference unanimously agreed that Member Countries would, if required, take steps to ensure market balance which is so important to world economic activity.

Member Countries, in turn, reiterated their willingness to firmly respond to developments that might jeopardize oil market stability.

The Conference decided to extend the tenure of HE Abdalla S. El-Badri as Secretary General for a period of six months from 1 January 2015.

The Conference decided that its next Ordinary Meeting will convene in Vienna, Austria, on Thursday, 27 November 2014.

Finally, the Conference reiterated its expression of appreciation to the Government of the Republic of Austria and the authorities of the City of Vienna for their warm hospitality and the excellent arrangements made for the Meeting.

El-Badri

gotiations on climate change; the Organization’s ongoing energy dialogue with the European Union (EU); the continuing cooperation between OPEC, the International Energy Forum (IEF) and the International Energy Agency (IEA); as well as the continued collaborative work with the G-20 and other international organizations.

OPEC stated, “The Conference reviewed recent oil market developments and world economic growth, as presented by the Secretary General, in particular supply/demand projections for the second half of the year, as well as the outlook for 2015, noting that the relative steadiness of prices during 2014 to date is an indication that the market is adequately supplied, with the periodic

Siemens-led group counters GE with Alstom Energy offer

S

iemens AG and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Limited made a joint bid to carve up Alstom SA’s energy unit, challenging a $17 billion offer by General Electric, GE. Bloomberg stated that Munich-based Siemens is offering 3.9 billion euros ($5.3 billion) for the French company’s gas turbines operations while Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy and partner Hitachi Ltd. (6501) would pay 3.1 billion euros for as much as 10 percent of Alstom and joint ventures in three energy segments.

It stated that the offer also proposes creating a transport group by potentially combining some rail assets of Siemens and Alstom, the German company said today.

The agency stated, “The bid may put pressure on GE to improve the terms of

its offer for Alstom’s energy assets, which excludes the French company’s transport business, as Siemens said the value of its proposal tops GE’s bid by about 1 billion euros.

It stated that the bidders must convince Alstom shareholders and the French government, which has controlling stakes in two of Alstom’s biggest clients, Electricite de France SA and rail operator SNCF. “Our offer is more attractive from a financial, industrial and political perspective,” Siemens Chief Executive Officer Joe Kaeser told journalists in Munich. “It retains the Alstom brand to a significant extent and all-in-all is about a billion euros higher.”

GE won’t engage in a bidding war for Alstom, a spokeswoman said today. GE previ-

ously has said it’s flexible on the terms of its bid, signaling a willingness to make concessions in negotiations with the French government.

Both Siemens and GE are interested in getting access to Alstom’s installed base of equipment and the lucrative service business that accompanies it. A deal would help Fairfield, Connecticut-based GE overtake Siemens’s steam and gas turbine market share, according to a Societe Generale estimate.

Siemens bid is “a clever way to minimize the risk,” Frankfurt-based Commerzbank analyst Ingo-Martin Schachel, who rates Siemens hold, said by phone. “The joint venture structure will help solve some of the political concerns in France. The Siemens offer should certainly be considered

Commodity

Units

Price

Change

% Change

Time(ET)

Crude Oil (WTI)

USD/bbl.

106.83

-0.08

-0.07%

14:21:04

Crude Oil (Brent)

USD/bbl.

112.91

+0.45

+0.40%

14:21:13

TOCOM Crude Oil

JPY/kl

68,200.00

+40.00

+0.06%

14:13:48

NYMEX Natural Gas

USD/MMBtu

4.70

-0.04

-0.82%

14:21:34

Source: Bloomberg

Source: Oilprice.com

realistically by Alstom shareholders.”

Siemens today also pledged to create 1,000 additional jobs in France, matching a similar promise from GE last month.

Siemens CEO Kaeser and Mitsubishi Heavy CEO Shunichi Miyanaga are scheduled to speak at the economic affairs committee of France’s National Assembly tomorrow. GE CEO Jeffrey Immelt made a rare appearance by a U.S. corporate leader before the same committee in May, saying GE would protect jobs and the nation’s industrial base.

“We have made progress in our discussions with the French government, including expanded alliances in the energy businesses with French investors as well as a global partnership with Alstom on transport,” Deirdre Latour, a spokeswoman for GE, said yesterday. “Alstom will remain a vibrant player in the energy and transportation industries.”

GE last month extended its deadline for Alstom to decide whether to accept its offer to June 23 after Siemens demanded an equal opportunity to decide whether and how to bid.

Siemens said it would only be able to discuss a potential combination of its train assets with Alstom’s business in that area once the potential energy transaction is completed to preclude antitrust complications.

36

Energy Week

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

PIB passage delays breeds uncertainty in oil and gas industry –Durotoye The delay of legislators to pass the nation’s Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB has become a thing of major concern to many stakeholders, especially investors. In this interview, first published in Oil Council, the Chief Executive Officer of Oando Energy Resources, Mr. Pade Durotoye stated among other things that the uncertainties over the law has discouraged many investors from putting money in the nation’s petroleum industry.

Can you comment on your on your outfit?

Oando Energy Resources, OER, is an independent oil and gas company focused on exploration and production opportunities in the highly-prolific Niger Delta region of Nigeria and the exclusive economic zone of São Tomé and Príncipe. It is publicly listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, with a current market capitalisation of over $800 million. The company has a portfolio of 10 assets of which two assets jointly produce circa 5,000 barrels per day. OER’s primary task is to optimally harness the potential of its existing portfolio as well as participate in acquisitions of near term producing assets to significantly grow daily production - 2P reserves and 2C resources.

How did you manage to secure funding for the acquisition of the Nigerian upstream business of ConocoPhillips?

Our acquisition of ConocoPhillips’ entire Nigerian business is an unprecedented milestone for an indigenous company in the oil and gas sector in Nigeria both in terms of assets being acquired as well as the acquisition price. We found both the debt and equity markets extremely receptive to our funding strategy which enabled us achieve an optimal structure to finance the deal. In equity terms, $580 million has already been raised, whilst the company has secured $800 million from a plethora of local and international banks. With this support we were able to achieve financial close for the acquisition in February 2014 and look forward to the closure of the entire transaction.

What prospect do you envisage in the remaining part of 2014?

2014 has indeed been a busy year; we have focused a lot of energy towards closing the ConocoPhillips acquisition which will promote our company to the leading indigenous independent producer in the Nigerian oil and gas industry in terms of production and reserves. We have also paid close attention to the further development of our legacy assets and are working assiduously towards ramping up production through ongoing development and asset optimisation.

At the conclusion of the ConocoPhillips acquisition we will have ~45kbopd of production, 240mmboe 2P reserves and 530mmboe 2C resources.

What is the negative impact of the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB in Nigeria?

Uncertainty around the terms of Nigeria’s Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, has led to wide industry speculation as well as reluctance amongst the international oil companies to increase their developmental, appraisal and exploration activities, which is clearly visible with the decline in production from the onshore assets. The IOC’s have focused their energy and capital towards developing the offshore assets, as these have better investments returns and security.

The resultant impact of this uncertainty has resulted in lower daily production outputs for the country, but on the positive side has led to a private divestment process by these IOC’s who are selling these onshore assets to local indigenous operators who can now play a large role in their contribution to the local industry.

We do expect the PIB to be passed fairly soon, but look forward to it supporting the current wave of value creation that is rewarding companies such as ours.

Can you comment on the capacity of TSX to boost investment in oil and gas industry?

organic growth through development of our current portfolio and inorganic growth through acquisitions.

The ConocoPhillips acquisition is a large step in the right direction for us as we would have achieved a considerable amount of our target on day 1, with the immediate add on of ~40,000bopd of production to our current 4,700bopd, 220mmboe 2P reserves to our current 19mmboe and 490mmboe 2C resources to our current 38mmboe. One comment that is often muted about Nigeria is that the sub-surface risk is low, but new reserve opportunities are generally smaller than in new frontier areas.

Durotoye

THE RESULTANT IMPACT OF THIS UNCERTAINTY HAS RESULTED IN LOWER DAILY PRODUCTION OUTPUTS FOR THE COUNTRY, BUT ON THE POSITIVE SIDE HAS LED TO A PRIVATE DIVESTMENT PROCESS

BY THESE IOC’S WHO ARE SELLING THESE ONSHORE ASSETS TO LOCAL INDIGENOUS OPERATORS WHO CAN NOW PLAY A LARGE ROLE IN THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE LOCAL INDUSTRY The Canadian capital market is one of the world’s leading markets for energy-related industries, and is home to over 35 per cent of the world’s publicly traded oil and gas companies. The TSX serves the senior equity market in Canada and is an attractive exchange for well-managed, growth-oriented companies with strong performance track records. The TSX provides issuers with a dynamic market in which to raise capital, while offering a range of benefits that include enhanced liquidity, specialised indices, visibility and analyst coverage. We are very pleased to be listed on an exchange that fully appreciates and understands our industry, provides enhanced liquidity, and also grants global investors direct access to our stock.

What is the importance of ConocoPhillips acquisition to your operations in Nigeria?

Our long term vision for OER is to produce 100,000boepd, with a 2P Reserves target of 500mmboe. This will be achieved through a combination of

What is your view on future exploration activities in Nigeria and their chances for high impact successes?

Compared with neighbouring African countries, exploration in Nigeria has been limited in recent years, with only 40 new wells completed since 2008.

According to Wood Mackenzie, only 5% of those wells are considered commercial. The recent discovery of the Ogo field suggests potential exists in Nigeria for explorers to find large fields and it should draw new investors to the country. It also provides a welcome boost for exploration after five years of very low activity, and could spur further activity. We believe major finds will be made offshore, in the region where the billion barrel finds have been and we expect that with the right fiscal policies, renewed interests in exploration off the coast of Nigeria will emerge in the short term.

Also, due to the massive advancement in technology, through exploratory (3D and 4D seismic processing) and extractive means (fracking, horizontal drilling, multiple string production wells, etc.) in our industry, we believe by re-visiting acreages that were explored and discovered in Nigeria in the 60’s and 70’s, substantial additional untapped reserves and resources can be harnessed.

Do you think the Federal Government of Nigeria is committed to attracting private investors into the industry through a transparent and credible process?

While the PIB and the delays in the marginal field round may give one reason for pause, we are confident that they will get done soon and get done right.

The pace of reform in the country is picking up all around and you have rightly identified the power sector progress as what can be achieved when our collective desire for change is harnessed. The oil and gas industry will continue to be the bedrock of the Nigerian economy and we are already seeing evidence that our time is here.

Looking at the global O&G industry as a whole, which other oil companies do you currently admire, and why?

On a global scale we admire independent companies which have been able to grow exponentially in a short time. Companies such as: the old Addax Petroleum that was sold to SINOPEC for over $7 billion in 2008/2009; Tullow Oil and Perenco Oil & Gas - one of the largest independent companies in the world with operations on different continents. I also admire a number of our indigenous competitors in the Nigerian E&P, who are a few steps ahead of us with regards asset acquisitions, growth and value creation. A number of them are also listed or listing on international exchanges, which positively promotes our opportunities and makes it easier for us to tell our story.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Energy Week

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Nebo denies admitting failure of power sector reform CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

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he Minister of Power, Prof.

Chinedu Nebo, has denied ever admitting that the ongoing power sector reform has failed.

Special Assistant, Media, to the Minister, Kande Daniel in a statement said Nebo was quoted by a national newspaper yesterday, June 11, as having admitted that the current power sector reform of the Federal Government has failed.

According to Daniel, the said report emanated from the Hon. Minister’s speech at the General Electric, GE, Distribution Power Launch which held on Tuesday, in Lagos.

The report according to statement stated: “Despite huge financial resources committed to the transformation of power sector, Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, has admitted failure of the reform.”

Daniel described the report as quite unfortunate, stressing there is no way the minister could have made the statement credited to him or inferred same. Incidentally, there is also nowhere the said report of the UDEME AKPAN

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he decline in oil production of many nations, including Nigeria Decline in oil production in Nigeria, Libya, Iran, Saudi Arabia and some other members of Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC was responsible for many changes in the oil market last year.

The drop, accounting for about 600,000 barrels daily production is one of the major causes of the changes in global hydrocarbon production matrix in 2013, according to the British Petroleum Statistical Review of World Energy June 2014.

These production declines in 2013 were also responsible for average oil prices exceeding $100/ barrel for the third consecutive year, despite supply growth in the United States.

Speaking at the launch of the Statistical Review, at the opening of the 21st World Petroleum Congress, WPC, which began on Monday at the Crocus Expo in Moscow, Russia, BP’s Group Chief Executive, Mr. Bob Dudley, noted that whereas production fell in some OPEC members, it however, increased in non-OPEC countries.

newspaper justified the claim it made concerning the Hon. Minister’s statement. the statement reads in part “For emphasis the paper quoted the Hon. Minister’s as having said: “The Federal Government is deeply worried that the current power situation is not capable of propelling industrialisation and grow the economy and it is therefore looking at other opportunities that will create power alternatives to communities.

“To quickly reach the identified communities, institutions and industrial clusters, government is providing the necessary support top the GE on the distribution of power application options.”

Incidentally, the statement above is made in English Language, Nigeria’s official language and the language in which the paper reports its news. A cursory look and critical examination of it did not indicate the meaning being adduced by the newspaper.

Clearly, contrary to the claim, the Hon. Minister was talking about the unacceptable power situation in the country, which, incidentally the reform is meant to correct. The Lagos event is also part of the comprehensive

Transformer

efforts at redeeming the situation, which has dogged the nation’s power sector for decades” Daniel argued that to have admitted that the current reform is a failure is akin to throwing in the towel at one of the fundamental pillars on which the reform agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan stands. continuing Daniel stated “This will not only be disastrous but will ultimately spell doom for the country and its aspiration to becoming one of the top 20 economies in the world by the year 20-20. And the Hon. Minister, who is supposed to drive the process to be the culprit through

which such bad news is given to Nigerians, would have rather be most unfortunate.

But that is far from the situation. The correct position of things, which is being celebrated not only in Nigeria, but the world over is that the reform is a huge success. The vortex of the reform agenda is the liberalisation and private sector take-over of the electricity sector. The effect of this major achievement may not have been fully felt at the moment, but that Nigerians now own the process as in other successful transformation efforts such as the telecoms sector is a huge success in itself.

Oil output declines in Nigeria, Libya, others fuel global changes Specifically, in its review of the global energy situation in 2013, the Annual Statistical Review captured the worst production decline from Libya, down by 520,000 barrels per day, bpd; Iran -190,000bpd; Saudi Arabia -110,000bpd; and Nigeria -100,000bpd.

Dudley, who said in his review that energy markets reflect broader themes, also noted that “Energy production continued to be impacted by geopolitical.”

For instance, in the case of Libya, one of Africa’s top producers, he said, “Oil production in Libya suffered the world’s largest decline in the face of renewed civil unrest.”

But for production growth in the US, exceeding 1.1 million, the largest in the world during the review period, the oil market would have suffered higher oil prices.

The US alone accounted for about 96 per cent of the minimal 0.6 percent or 560,000 bpd rise in oil production, supported by growth in Canada +150,000bpd; and Russia +150,000bpd helped offset the declines in some OPEC countries

as well as some non-OPEC countries like Syria -120,000bpd; United Kingdom and Norway -80,000bpd respectively; and Australia -70,000bpd.

Despite the production mixd

Oil rig

bags observed in 2013, the Statistical review noted that overall, “Consumption and production increased for all fuels, reaching record levels for every fuel type except nuclear power.”

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NAPTIN partners Schneider on capacity building CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

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n a bid to ensure adequate development of technical skills in the power sector the National Power training institute of Nigeria, NAPTIN, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with Schneider electrics of France to build capacity for the power sector.

This training is expected to be especially focused on training members of the Licensed Electricity Contractors Association of Nigeria, LECAN, and other electrical technicians with a view to achieving the local content drive in the industry.

Speaking at the signing ceremony at NAPTIN’s headquarters in Abuja, the Director General of the institute, Engr. Reuben Okeke said, “For the first time, we are going to put pen to paper with an organisation that has come to back NAPTIN in developing human capacity.”

Okeke expressed concerns on the trend of flooding substandard electricity equipment and cables in the market and are used for household structures. He noted that such factors and the use of quacks in wiring have caused several fire incidence and accident in the electricity industry.

Okeke maintained that the overall motive of the Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, is to ‘provide training for people in electricity, create more jobs and ensure household and industrial safety with regards to electricity consumption.’

The trainer also disclosed that the Ministry of Power had alerted the institute that about 4,000 linesmen and various electricity staff have to be trained to work for the new owners of the privatised power utilities across the country.

In his address, the Country President of Schneider, Marcel Hochet noted that the agreement symbolises its training commitment with government and other stakeholders in the power sector.

“The MOU will significantly raise skilled technical people for the power sector and also reduce unemployment rate in the country,” Hotchet said.

The Permanent Secretary in the Power Ministry, Dr. Godknows Igali called on other corporate entities in Nigeria to emulate the feat and partner with government to facilitate training for power sector advancement.

He noted that the initiative is also a local content development programme as it will help to train some of NAPTIN’s trainers in Schneider’s training school in Grenoble, France where about 30 Nigerian s are being trained already by the company. ‘They will in turn come back and train others in Nigeria’ he added.

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Energy Week

Chevron announces sale of interests in Chad and Cameroon

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hevron Corporation has announced that its subsidiary, Chevron Global Energy Inc. , has sold its 25 percent non-operated interest in a producing oil concession in southern Chad and the related export pipeline interests to the Republic of Chad for approximately $1.3 billion . The sale closed June 13.

“This sale demonstrates our focus on strategically managing our portfolio to maximize the value of our global upstream businesses,” said George Kirkland, vice chairman of Chevron Corporation.

“These assets have played a significant role for Chevron in Africa for the past 14 years,” said Ali Moshiri , president of Chevron Africa and Latin America Exploration and Production Company .

“They have been a profitable part of our portfolio for many years. The combination of current market conditions and the size of the assets relative to our portfolio make this an ideal time for a divestiture.”

The transaction includes the sale of the Chevron subsidiary’s interests in seven fields in Chad’s Doba Basin , which in 2013 had an average net daily crude oil production of about 18,000 barrels. The sale also includes the Chevron subsidiary’s approximate 21 percent non-operated interest in a pipeline system that transports crude oil to the coast of Cameroon as well as associated marine facilities.

Chevron is one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies, with subsidiaries that conduct business worldwide.

The company’s success is driven by the ingenuity and commitment of its employees and their application of the most innovative technologies in the world.

KRPC trains 675 youths for self reliance AZA MSUE KADUNA

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Wednesday, June 18, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oil market to remain stable in remaining part of 2014 –OPEC boss UDEME AKPAN

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he Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC has predicted that the global oil market will remain stable throughout the remaining part of 2014.

The Secretary General of the cartel, Dr. Abdalla El-Badri stated at the opening of the World petroleum Congress, WPC in Moscow, Russia that stakeholders should be concerned in ensuring that the present stability is maintained.

He stated, “Our focus needs to be on maintaining market stability. This was central to OPEC’s decision last week to maintain the Organization’s existing production levels of 30 million barrels a day. This is what is required by the market. We see a balanced and stable oil market today.

El-Badri stated that looking at market indicators; we expect this to be the case for the rest of 2014. There is steady demand growth and enough supply to meet demand, with both stocks and spare capacity at comfortable levels.

He stated, “Stability is central to everything we do. It is the concern that links us all.

And this is best achieved when all stakeholders better understand each other, through the enhancement of dialogue and cooperation. I am sure this will be apparent over the coming week. With that, I wish all those involved all the best for the next few days.

The Secretary General said Russia is a truly global energy power, with the largest combined oil and gas reserves, as well as the highest combined production of oil and gas.

He stated, “It is currently the largest producer at 10.5 million barrels a day and is the second largest crude oil exporter, behind

he Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company Limited, KRPC, has trained 675 youths under its Youth CHIDI UGWU ABUJA Empowerment and Skills Acquisition Programme, YESAP, to tackle unemployment he Nigerian Extractive Industries which linked to the present insecurity. transparency Initiative, NEITI, Speaking at the sixth edition of YEhas signed a Memorandum of UnSAP held in Kaduna yesterday,Managing derstanding, MoU, with the Civil Society Director,KRPC,Engr.Saidu Aliyu Moham- Organisations, CSOs, with a view to callmed , said the company is commited to im- ing for a debate on the industry’s audit at proving the standard of living of its host the National Assembly. communities through execution of various The groups believe that constant deprojects. bate and spotlighting of the various NEMohammed stressed that KRPC has de- ITI oil and gas industry audits over the liberately steered away from the desperation years will help to achieve the recover y of acquiring certificates but concentrate on of the huge debts owed the Federal Govimpacting marketable skills for future self ernment by companies in the sector. sustaining .

NEITI audit reports on the sector had Earlier, Executive Director Services, KRPC, Idi Mukhtar, said YESAP trainees have been increased annually despite harsh economic challenges which has forced most buoyant organisations to suspend their community relations projects.

He commended the community leaders for their cooperation during the selection process and solicit collective efforts towards the success of the programme.

Mukhtar said: “It is the firm resolve of the management of KRPC to ensure that youth unemployment with its attendant negative impact on peace, security, economic and social activities are reduced significantly espeZainab Ahmed cially within its host communities”

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Oil pipeline

Saudi Arabia. And on the natural gas side, it is the largest exporter, with close to 20 per cent of the world’s exports. OPEC Member Country Qatar is the second largest.

The Secretary General said, “I will not go into too much detail now about Russian energy, given that my fellow panelists are from the country’s three leading energy companies. But there is potential for enhanced oil recovery in fields in Western Siberia and the Volga Urals, and through exploration and production in Greenfields in Eastern Siberia and the Yamal Peninsula.

He said that the future outlook is leading the country into new frontiers, with harder to access resources that require new technologies and significant investment.

El-Badri said Russia is also ideally placed to serve as an energy hub, sitting between the markets of Europe and Asia, with the latter expected to be the largest energy demand centre by far in the years ahead.

He stated, “The recent 30-year deal between Russia and China for Gazprom to de-

liver Russian gas to China is a clear sign that Asian demand will grow significantly in the coming decades.

El-Badri said given all this, there is no doubt that Russia will be a central element to our global energy future. It is a future where energy demand is expected to rise by 52 per cent by 2035. Where natural gas and oil will still meet over 50 per cent of the world’s energy needs by 2035.

He said, “And one where the world needs to bring modern energy services to those currently living without them. We need to remember that 2.7 billion people still rely on biomass for their basic needs, and 1.3 billion have no access to electricity. Energy is a major enabler in spreading economic prosperity and growth.

El-Badri stated, “Our global energy future is one in which none of us can act alone. Any talk of ‘energy independence’ is just that.

We do not live in a world of independent energy nations. Our future will increasingly be one of energy inter-dependence.

NEITI urges CSOs to push for debate on oil and gas audit in NASS revealed that the country was losing billions of naira due to activities perpetuated by both indigenous and foreign companies operating in Nigeria.

The Chairman, NEITI, Mr. Ledum Mitee, said these debts were as a result of underassessment, under-payment and variance between what companies paid and what government received in form of royalties, taxes, signature bonuses, levies and sales of equity crude.

Ledum spoke in Abuja recently on the occasion of the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding between his organisation and CSOs. He said, “We expect the CSOs to push for a debate on NEITI audit at the National Assembly. Over the years, we have relied on campaign and advocacy by civil society to address the remedial issues identified in our audit reports.

“The civil society is expected to independently take on those key issues of remediation and recoverable debt as identified by NEITI audit reports. You can no longer sit down to watch and allow these recoverable funds remain in the hands of the companies at a time the Federal Government is

searching for funds to finance the deficits in the annual budget.”

Ledum noted that the MoU signed by NEITI and CSOs would solidify the relationship between both parties.

He stated that NEITI was required as part of its mandate to strengthen the capacity of its stakeholders including the civil society.

“I wish to call on CSOs to take full advantage of the spirit and content of the MoU to deepen their engagement in the NEITI process,” he added.

Earlier in her remarks, the Coordinator, Publish What You Pay, who represented CSOs during the MoU signing, Ms. Faith Nwadishi, said the civil society started the campaign for the birth of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.

According to her, citizens of the country must have a say in the management of the nation’s natural resource wealth “and that is why the EITI was set up.”

Nwadishi said, “EITI implementation is very robust in Nigeria. This can be seen in the continuous publication of NEITI audit reports on the oil and gas sector as well as related industries in Nigeria.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Industry & SMEs

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Robust incentives’ll attract foreign investment, says expert STORIES: ABOLAJI ADEBAYO

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he Managing Director of Infinite Trade & Investment Ltd., Mr. Augustine Chijoke Okoro, has advised the Federal Government to put in place robust incentives that can measure up with international standard if it would win more foreign investments into the country. He said only the incentives can endear foreign investors to establish their businesses in Nigeria. He added that the foreign investments have huge potential for economic growth of the country.

Okoro, who spoke to National Mirror during the weekend, said those countries, especially those in European, which have been promising to bring their investments into Nigeria based on the recent GDP rebasing will only come if there are attractive incentives.

The government had claimed that the improved business environment was the factor attracting the foreign investors, which experts had debunked. They argued that those countries that had been showing interests in investing in Nigeria were only attracted by the value of the rebased GDP rather than the environment.

They advised Federal Government to put all its efforts together to make the country investment friendly as they cautioned that the government should encourage and lure those foreign investors to invest their capital on aspects of the economy that can develop the country rather than going into area where they only make their profit.

Okoro highlighted the incentives to be in terms of infrastructure, low tax, electricity, good transportation system among others.

He informed the government to take the advantage of the latest economic indicators and performance of economy during the past years, which has been indicated through the rebased GDP. He also highlighted the measures to be included in the economic policy, which will

Jonathan

Aganga

WE HAVE BEEN IMPRESSED BY

GOVERNMENT’S POLICY ON HOME MADE PRODUCTS BUT IT HAS TO DO MORE SO THAT WE CAN BE INDEPENDENT OF ESPECIALLY THOSE THINGS WE CAN PRODUCE HERE IN OUR OWN COUNTRY provide special incentives for foreign direct investment in Nigeria. He said it is only the new incentives that would boost the interest of the foreign investors.

As the country is experiencing a gap between power supply and demand, Okoro underlined the importance of proposed by Industrial stakeholders energy projects,

which can help tackle the energy shortages. He added that the government has to adopt and fast track policy for the implementation of the projects started.

He said that these efforts will not only creating attractive opportunities of investment both local and foreign but new avenues of employment and trade will also open for the people of Nigeria.

While commending the government’s economic reforms through its various programmes, Okoro said, “We have been impressed by government’s policy on home made products but it has to do more so that we can be independent of especially those things we can produce here in our own country.”

He underlined the importance of bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and other countries in term of economic development, saying it is through such cooperation that a country like Nigeria can quickly attain its economic growth.

He added, “We need to further boost the existing strong and strategic partnership between our country and others. He also talked about avenues for enhancing bilateral cooperation in various fields between Nigeria and other countries.

NACCIMA advises govt to support women entrepreneurs

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he three tiers of government have been charged to ensure enhanced prospects and development of women in business through appropriative incentives.

Speaking at the Nigeria Women Entrepreneurs forum, organised by the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture Women Group, NAWORG, recently, the National President of Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA, Alhaji Mohammad Abubakar, said that women entrepreneurs have been in the forefront of proffering solutions to the nation’s economic woes.

Speaking on the role of the association in the development of economy, the NACCIMA boss said the association would make industries including small and medium enterprises, SMEs, thrive in the country.

He stated that a developing country like Nigeria needs to encourage SMEs for its economy to grow.

He urged that the theme of the forum: “Women in Business: Challenges and Prospects” was timely and appropriate considering the emphasis placed on the expected role of women by the present administration in its reform agenda.

“The theme could not have come at a more appropriate time than now, given the demand from stakeholders in the economy regarding the negative effects the meltdown has had on business,” he said. He however commended the renewed vigour by the Nigerian women entrepreneurs through NAWORG, which took up the challenges and prospects on the need to proffer feasible and sustainable solutions on how to reposition the economy through new business opportunities and networking which could be achieved through the as-

sociation.

He added, “This role I believe the womenfolk will be able to perform excellently if given the needed support.”

He lamented that the empirical evidence has revealed that both career women and women in business face many obstacles but that has not made them less successful than men, stressing that statistics show that women are starting businesses at more than twice the rate of male-majorityowned.

He encouraged more women to go into business and always strive to participate in the economic reformation in the country.

Abubakar, who bemoan the inability of most SMEs operators to access finance, therefore urged the government to make fund available for SMEs to encourage the small business entrepreneurs. He equally advised the financial institutions to lessen the process of their lending to the SMEs.

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UK to boost Delta State economy

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he economy of Delta State may experience boom as the British Government has shown interest invest in the state and assist in the development of its potential to grow its economy.

During a visit to the state capital, Asaba recently, the British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Peter Carter, said the United Kingdom was encouraged by the infrastructural development and incentives put in place by the administration.

Earlier, a team of government officials had took Cater round various infrastructural projects in Asaba and its environs, beginning with the Asaba International Airport to the Flyover Bridge at the Inter Bau roundabout under construction, to the new Waste Management Recycling plant at Ibusa.

This was followed by an inhouse meeting at the Government House EXCO chamber where issues concerning the partnership between the UK and Delta State government were thoroughly considered.

In his remarks, Carter said that British businessmen would be delighted to invest in the state.

“The United Kingdom has a role to play in growing the partnership between Delta State, the UK and the private sector for the mutual benefit of Delta State and the United Kingdom,” he said.

According to Carter, the British Government was impressed with the infrastructures on ground especially the Asaba airport, the waste incinerator plants and other ongoing projects.

He further promised to bring the British Council with its creative initiative and the creative sector to the state to promote and develop the creative potential of the people of Delta State.

In his remarks, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan urged the British government to show more interest in developing the economy of the state.

Uduaghan observed that as traditional ally to Nigeria, the British government should show more commitment towards doing business in the state and country as a whole.

According to the him, there is a historical ties between Nigeria and United Kingdom and there is need for improved commercial activities between the UK and Nigeria with emphasis on Delta State.

The Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Kenneth Okpara, pointed out that the visit was indeed a laudable one that would take the state to another level in terms of development.

He said, “It is clear that Delta State is secure for business, even though there have been security challenges in the past, it has however been reduced to the barest minimum while institutional structures have been put in place to check corruption and give confidence to investors.”

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Cocktail

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

91-year-old man returns library book 61 years late

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he library at the University of Liverpool waived a $7,600 fine for a 91-year-old man who returned a library book after 61 years.

Ron Webster checked out a copy of Structure and Function in Primitive Society in 1953 when he was working as a research assistant at the school’s social sciences department.

It wasn’t until recently that he realized he still had the book in his possession and returned it to the library.

“Ron had been warned very firmly by the friends he plays cards with at the local pub that he would be landed with an enormous fine, and

feel the full force of the law,” said Webster’s son-in-law, Rick Walker, who took him on the trip to deliver the book. “They didn’t expect to see him again.”

University librarian Phil Sykes said the library staff were “amazed” about the return.

“They called me and said ‘you’ve got to come down.

There’s a gentleman trying to return a book he took out in 1953. He’s 91-years-old!’ “ Sykes said. “When I came down they were sat with him having a cup of tea and a chat and I said: ‘I believe I’ve got a disciplinary issue to deal with’. We had about an hour talking about it.”

Dog survives 15-story drop in Florida

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Florida veterinarian is saying it’s a “miracle” a 4-yearold maltipoo was uninjured after it fell 15 stories down an air conditioning vent.

The dog, Susie, and its owner were visiting a friend at her 16th-floor apartment at a Fort Lauderdale high rise Friday when the incident happened.

Susie went to investigate

an open closet inside the apartment, only to fall down an exhaust shaft.

Susie’s owner, Elaine Caralis, said the vent was likely missing a panel that would have covered the drop.

Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue pulled Susie out of the vent by cutting “holes above and below the second floor to try to get (to her),” firefighter Timothy Heiser said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oddities

‘450-pound man arrested with marijuana stashed under his stomach’

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lorida police made a big arrest on Friday after stopping a vehicle because the 450-pound passenger was not wearing a seatbelt.

A Volusia County Sheriff ’s Office deputy noticed that 42-year-old Christopher Mitchell wasn’t wearing a seatbelt and pulled over the car, driven by Keithian Roberts, 38.

The deputy observed both men acting nervously and called for a drug-sniffing dog. According to police, Mitchell claimed he was too large to buckle the belt.

After the dog alerted to the presence of drugs in the car, officers searched both men and the vehicle. They allegedly found 23 grams of marijuana “hidden under Mitchell’s stomach fat.”

The search also turned up a 380-caliber semi-automatic handgun, more than $7,000 stuffed

in a sock and cocaine.

Mitchell, who goes by aliases like “Biggie” and

Mitchell

“Fat Boy,” was charged with marijuana possession and cited for not

wearing his seat belt.

Roberts was hit with a cocaine possession charge.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Civil Service

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

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L-R: Permanent Secretary, Federal Capital Territory Administration Mr. John Chukwu; Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide and Director General, National Orientation Agency, Mr. Mike Omeri during an advocacy visit to FCT Minister of State in Abuja yesterday.

Maina advocates child-friendly education

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ajiya Zainab Maina, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, has called on all stakeholders to ensure that Nigerian children enjoyed a child-friendly, quality, free and compulsory education.

Maina, who was represented by Mrs Helen Oji, a Deputy Director in the Ministry, made the call in Abuja at a show to commemorate the Day of the African Child (DAC), 2014. Her words;``A childfriendly, quality, free and compulsory education for children in Nigeria is the collective responsibility of all stakeholders including government at all levels, development partners, private sector, civil society organisations, parents, traditional and religious leaders. ``It is therefore, on us as rights holders and deputy bearers to re-assess our efforts, our obligations to entrench a child-friendly and quality education that promotes the proper development of children in the society.’’

Maina added that the theme for this year’s celebration: “A Child Friendly, Quality, Free and Compulsory Education for all

Children in Africa” was apt in view of the present security challenges in the country. ``This theme is appropriate judging from the current acts of violence facing the Nigerian child in his bid to access quality education.’’

The minister, however, said in spite of the current challenges facing the Nigerian child, the Federal Government had demonstrated strong commitment geared toward quality education for the Nigerian child.

She said Nigeria was a signatory to various international and regional instruments on children such as the UN convention on the Rights of the Child, Millennium Development Goals amongst others.

According to her, government is equally refocusing attention on the issues of vulnerable children in the country. ``The Child’s Right Act has been domesticated by over 22 states in Nigeria and over 15 states have established family/juvenile courts that handle issues that bother on the wellbeing of the child.’’

Maina also said that the ministry was collaborating with relevant govern-

ment agencies to ensure that the perpetrators of violence against children were brought to book.

She said the Federal Government had introduced free and compulsory universal basic education to increase access to quality education nationwide. ``Girl-child education is accorded priority attention given that education of girl reduces the incidence of early marriage with other attendant benefits.

``Such benefits include reduction in Vesico Vagina Fistula and maternal and new born morbidity and mortality,” Maina said.

She, however, said that in spite of all the efforts in promoting the girlchild education across the country it was regrettable there had been some drawbacks.

She cited the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls as one of such drawbacks adding that governments were making concerted

efforts to surmount such challenges. ``Notwithstanding this challenge, the President is working assiduously to ensure that the abducted girls are returned safely. ``Security measures are being put in place to ensure adequate protection of children in their schools,’’ she said.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Habiba Lawal, in her welcome address urged children to be obedient to constituted authorities.

Lawal, who was represented by Mrs Odewumi Odetola, an assistant director in the ministry, also advised the children to study hard so as to become great leaders in the future.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that DAC is celebrated annually on June 16 by member states of the African Union.

It was set aside to commemorate the 1976 brutality and massacre of children in Soweto by the then apartheid South Africa

Students urged to live in clean environment

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tudents in Lagos State have been urged to ensure that the environment they live in was always kept clean.

Mrs Adetokunbo Agbesanwa, Senior Special Adviser to the Lagos Governor on Schools Environmental Advocacy Programme (SEAP), made the call in Lagos at an annual painting competition among Secondary Schools in Lagos state to mark the World Environment Day. The theme of the celebration was `Small Islands and Climate Change: The Lagos State Experience.’

She said the event was to

recognise the use of art as a means of expression and to help the children of Lagos State to develop their psyche towards good environmental practice.

“Due to the growing population, a lot of adults are not conscious of good environmental practices, so it is better to attack the problem from the young ones.

“The annual painting competition is to entrench in the minds of the participants the essence of the theme.”

Mr Marc-Andre Schmachtel, Director of Goethe Institute Nigeria

– German Culture Center – and one of the judges, called for continuous encouragement of school children to partake in environmental issues. “ It is wise to involve school children in educative issues such as environmental and health programmes.

“This will make them to change their daily lives and start early to change the community and its environs.”

“The environment is a big topic in a mega city like Lagos.

“With more than 1,000 people coming in to stay as

tourists or for business, we must all be involved in protecting our environment”, Schmachtel said.

Mr Olayinka Oladunjoye, Commissioner for Education, advised students to cultivate healthy environmental habits.

Oladunjoye expressed satisfaction with the turnout of students for the event and commended the organisers for using art to communicate to students on the importance of safeguarding the environment.51 SECONDARY SCHOLS AND 14 primary schools participated in the competition.

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Civil Service

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Governor Fashola gets commendation from sawmillers

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he President Lagos Mainland Sawmillers Association, Mr Abdul Ganiu Onikeku has commended Lagos Governor Fashola for keeping his promise to assist the sawmillers to get another suitable location after their former place at Oko-Baba was gutted by fire. ‘’We are h appy that the promise is being fulfilled . We are satisfied with work done at the new site. The level of reconstruction is impressive. We have agreed to move and we thank the Governor for the level of work done so far ‘’, Mr. Onikeku said at the new site of the sawmill being constructed at a cost of N3bn

L-R: Team Leader of American Investors, Mr. Roy Tefeez; Director, Legal Services, Ministry of Power, Mrs. Adedotun Shoetan and Minister of State for Power, Mr. Mohammed Wakil, signing a memorandum of understanding on power in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Govt. keeps mum as strike paralyses polytechnics MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

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igerian public polytechnics and colleges of education have remained shut for months, and it appears there is no end in sight to the crises that led to the closure of the schools.

Academic Staff of Union of Polytechnic, ASUP, embarked on strike on October 4 last year to demand certain demands from the Federal Government.Similarly, Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union, COEASU, proceeded on strike in December same year to force government to meet its demands.

The strike coincided with that of Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, which began on July 1, same year. While ASUU suspended its five-month old strike on December 17, academic activities in the remaining two arms of the nation’s tertiary institutions have persisted.

ASUP is accusing government of refusing to honour a pact it reached with government in 2009.

An agreement between the parties in 2001 was reviewed in 2009; and they both agreed to review the agreement after three years.

ASUP National Publicity Secretary, Clement Chirman, told journalists that persistent challenges in the nation’s public polytechnics and failure of government to call for a re-negotiation in 2012, as they both agreed, forced the teachers to identify critical areas of need and eventually proceeded on strike.

Part of the needs are: the need for a re-constitution of the Governing Councils of Federal Polytechnics which were dissolved in 2010; the release of the White Paper on the Visitations to Federal Polytechnics; the need for the commencement of the Needs Assessment of Nigerian Polytechnics; dichotomy between university and polytechnic graduates in job placements and career progression; and continued recognition of the NBTE as the regulatory body of Nigerian Polytechnics as against the union’s repeated call for the establishment of a National Polytechnics Commission, NPC. Others are: worrisome state of state-owned polytechnics in the country; refusal of most state governments to implement the approved salary packages (CONPCASS) for their Polytechnics, Monotechnics and Colleges of Technologies and the 65-year retirement age; continued appointment of unqualified persons as Rectors and Provosts of Polytechnics, Monotechnics and Colleges of Technologies by some state governments and reluctance of the Office of the Head of Service to approve the Revised Scheme of Service for Polytechnics.

On its own, COEASU is demanding among others: the implementation of the agreement the federal government signed with it in 2010; repositioning of infrastructure, teaching and learning conditions as well as improvement in working conditions in all federal and state-owned colleges of education across the country; autonomous degree awarding

status; and Review of extant laws establishing colleges of education in Nigeria.

Others are: Release of the white paper of the 2012 visitation panel report; harmonization of conditions of service of tertiary institutions in Nigeria; and review of extant laws establishing colleges of education in Nigeria.

As the strikes linger, Nigerians have called on the parties to sheathe their sword and reach a truce, but the calls seem to have fallen on deaf ears. Several protests have been embarked upon by civil societies in solidarity with the lecturers; but majority of the population believe government does not regard such exercises.

One of the striking lecturers who pleaded not to be named blamed President Goodluck Jonathan for the strike. He said: “It is shameful that a President with Doctorate Degree and a former teacher in Nigerian university could be proud to lead a country whose education sector is in this precarious state. An African proverb says one’s relative cannot be on the orange tree and expects one to be eating the rotten orange on the ground. The situation we are facing in Nigeria today is that of a President who does not have whatsoever regard for some sectors of the economy, especially the education sector where he had taught for years. It is as if he had seen some sectors of economy as being unimportant.

“To me, the way the President manages the education sector is like a father who discriminates against his own children. He may

decide to send some to school abroad while he leaves others to go for apprenticeship or just to roam the street and become nuisance to the society. Go to the health sector, the situation is worse. Talk of security, there is nothing to write home about. This is the situation in which we have all found ourselves, and there is an elected President, a former teacher who leads us.

“I would rather say the President doesn’t have any interest in the development of the nation’s polytechnics and colleges of education. Neither is the Supervising Minister of Education, Barrister Nyesom Wike, helping matter.

How many times has the Minister met with our leaders? What plans does he currently put in place to end the strikes? Both institutions have lost a session; do any of those in power have children in these institutions? It is our children; it is the children of the poor that are forgotten and shut out of school. It is the children of the tomato seller, the carpenters, the farmers and the poor civil servants that are being denied promising future,” the lecturer argued.

Efforts by ASUP and COEASU to take a peaceful protest to relevant authority on the strikes were rebuffed by the police last month in Abuja. The teachers and other civil societies among them were tear-gassed and drenched with water cannon. It took the intervention of Special Assistant to the President on Youth Development, Com Jude Imagwe, to stop the police from causing further harm to the protesters.

While government had threatened to invoke the ‘no work, no pay’ policy, National Mirror gathered from some lecturers that the teachers still get their salaries while the strike continue.

And, Federal Government has assured the strikes would soon end. The assurance came from the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr Macjohn Nwaobiala.

Nwaobiala told journalist recently in Abuja that “the Senate and the House of Representatives are inter-facing with the Ministry of Education and the labour, and I hope the strike will be called off as soon as possible.”

He also spoke on the dichotomy between universities’ degree and polytechnics’ Higher National Diploma. His words: “On the issue of dichotomy, we have gone far with the work and are hopeful that it will be positive. We have submitted the report to the federal government and we hope it will go a long way to assuage the unions.”

But, it seems the Supervising Minister of Education does not believe there could be end to the dichotomy between the two certificates soon. He said during a meeting with Chairmen of Boards and heads of public universities in Abuja recently that the problem could linger, as according to him, lecturers of polytechnics are denying professors from polytechnics to take up jobs at the polytechnics. This, he said, might not make the calls for polytechnics awarding degrees, and eventual end to the dichotomy work.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

APC convention fallout: Tinubu, Buhari betrayed me –Amaechi OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

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ftermath of the just concluded All Progressives Convention, APC, convention which held last weekend, the Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi has cried out over what he considered as betrayal by the leadership of the party for reneging on their earlier agreement of ceding either the vice presidential position or the slot of party chairmanship to him.

Amaechi said that it came to him as a shock when neither the position of the party’s vice Presidential candidate nor that of its National Chairman was given to him, as earlier agreed upon by the leadership, including Senator Ahmed Tinubu and General Mohammadu Buhari, saying that both men cannot be trusted.

In a speech posted in the NIGERIANGAZETTE, Amaechi said: “Let it be known, that I didn’t just join the APC, I was wooed by the legacy parties and four other PDP governors then. Naturally in every bargain, interests must be spelt out. Of course they did promise me the vice presidential ticket in the forth coming election with a condition to sell the party and make President Jonathan unpopular. The initial arrangement was to pair me with Hon. Tambuwal, Speaker of House of Representatives. “But when other entrants like Atiku joineded the party, everything changed. It was Gov. Murtala Nyako that opened up to me on the recent changes, and pleaded with me to take the position of the National Chairman of party, that it will be zoned to the South-South. And I grudg-

Governor Ameachi

Politics

Wednesday June 18, 2014

ingly accepted. Now, in every political convention, consensus building is needed to harmonise all interests.

“So I initiated a platform for the 16 APC governors to talk in Port-Harcourt last week. And in that meeting, the 13 governors and their deputies that were in attendance reassured me that I will be given the national chairmanship slot. But when I asked Governor Adams Oshiomhole to ask Chiefs Tom Ikimi and John Oyegun to step down for my candidature, Oshiomhole quietly told me: ‘My brother, I know the bad name they have called you in the South-South and Rivers in particular. Again, I sympathise with you because I know how much you have put in APC, this Yoruba and Hausa people can’t be trusted, they said you couldn’t build the APC in Rivers State and that only 95,633 out of the 1.3 million membership you claimed have passport photographs. That everything was doctored by you’.

“I find it very disappointing, that we no longer have men of trust, and integrity, men whose words should be their bond in politics. So last night, I made my position clear, that if the other candidates didn’t step down for Dr. Sam Sam Jaja, then there was no point picking the expression of interest form. I feel deeply betrayed” Efforts to get the reactions of the party was unsuccessful as the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Alhaji Lai Mohammed switched off all his lines.

But when contacted, the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh said that the party has no comment on what is considered internal affairs of the opposition party.

Asked if the PDP will readmit the embattled governor should he retrace his steps to the party he alongside four other governors dumped late last year, Metuh said: “When we get to the bridge, we will cross it, but for now we are watching.”

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Enugu Assembly records passage of first private member bill in three years DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

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he Enugu State House of Assembly yesterday passed its private member bill in three years.

The bill which seeks to establish the Enugu State Investment Promotion Commission and Other Connected Purposes was sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Hon Chime Oji representing Enugu North state constituency.

The bill passed through third reading and was passed after extensive deliberations by the committee of the whole on the report of the joint Com-

mittee on Commerce and Industries; Judiciary, Public Petitions, Ethics and Privileges as presented by the chairman, Hon. Matthew Ugwueze.

House Leader, Hon Sunday Ude-Okoye, Awgu North constituency, moved the motion for third reading and passage of the bill, after consideration of the original bill and the joint committee’s report, while Hon. Kevin Ukwuta, Uzo-Uwani constituency, seconded the motion.

Oji during the presentation of the Bill in March noted that it seeks to position the state so as to make it an investment destina-

tion of choice in Nigeria.

He said: “It aims to provide the necessary environment, structures, incentives and systems that will ease and attract prospective investors to the state. The Commission, which this Bill seeks to create, will provide frameworks, guidelines, modalities for a one-stop-shop for investors to interact with and at the same time linking them with relevant MDAs and LDAs for further engagement.”

Speaking after the passage of the Bill, the Speaker, Odo thanked the mover of the Bill, Oji, chairman and members of the joint

committee, and the entire House members for their unbiased contribution to the passage of the Bill, adding: “This is a novelty in our legislative calendar as it is the first private member bill passed by the House.”

He urged other lawmakers come up with more private member bills, assuring of the support of the House in ensuring speedy passage, saying that Enugu State has witnessed increased public amenities and infrastructure, noting that the next step was investment flow, which he said the bill, if signed into law would encourage.

L-R: Senator Oluremi Tinubu; one of the GCE forms beneficiaries, Bola Adams and Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Dr Oluranti Adebule, during the presentation at the 11th Town Hall Meeting of Lagos Central Senatorial District, recently.

Confab c’ttee wants Ajaokuta steel completed before 2015 STORIES: OMEIZA AJAYI AND WOLE OLADIMEJI

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ational Conference Committee on Transportation yesterday advocated the urgent completion of the Ajaokuta Steel Company as a way of removing the nation’s economy from the woods.

Presenting the report and recommendations of the committee at the plenary, chairman of the committee, Senator Musa Adede, said what is required to complete the project is less than N40 billion, emphasising that it is his committee’s recommendation that the project should be completed before the country will enter into another round of elections in 2015.

He said: “The AjaokutaWarri rain line was award-

ed in 1986, with the total completion period of five years, but as I speak to you 14 years after, that project has not been completed and it is very important for us to complete the Ajaokuta-Warri rain line. It is the committee’s view that this project must be completed and commissioned before 2015 as what is required to complete it is less than N40 billion, and the more we continue to delay, the more it will cause us to complete.”

On the merger of the three agencies in the aviation industry, the committee recommended that they should be returned to the status quo.

It also recommended that the 2013 National Civil Aviation Rule should be further reviewed by all stakeholders as the initial review process seem to

have excluded some critical stakeholders It also recommended that all airports in the country must be open 24 hours while foreign airlines must be encouraged to employ Nigerian staff.

Delegates who contributed to the report however called for the scrap of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, FERMA accusing it of gross inefficiency over the years in carrying out its responsibilities of maintaining roads which they described as death traps.

Bassey Edem, who called for total scrapping of FERMA, argued that government should allow private sector to run the proposed national carrier.

On his own, Idongesit Nkanga, said given the nature of the aviation sector, the sector should be left on

the concurrent list.

While calling for the adoption of global best practice, he argued that in establishing a national carrier, the government should not be investing its resources; rather, the new airline should be run through a Public Private Partnership, PPP, arrangement.

“The problem with FERMA is that the Act establishing it has not been adhered to. There is no country that operates roads without road tax.

What is today a pothole becomes a gully when money is released three years after,” he added.

Adelegate representing Nigerian Union of Engineers, NUE, Senator Olufemi Kila, suggested that there should be a Federal Road Authority (FRA) to do the job of road maintenance independently.

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Wednesday June 18, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Hold your voter cards dear, Osun Speaker appeals to electorate BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

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head of the August 9 Osun State governorship election, the Speaker, Osun House of Assembly, Mr Najeem Salaam, has appealed to the electorate not to sell their voters’ cards.

Addressing members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and some com-

munity leaders from Ede and neighbouring communities at the palace of Timi of Ede, the Speaker said the appeal was necessary, following reports that some people are going about buying voters’ cards with the intent to use them to perpetrate electoral fraud.

Saying that the electorate should guard their cards and ensure that they vote massively for the rul-

ing party on the day of the governorship poll, Sallam added: “I want to plead with you to guard your voter cards and don’t allow any desperate politicians to deceive you to sell it. Also ensure you guard your votes but do this without any form of violence.”

He urged residents of the area to ensure Governor Rauf Aregbesola was re-elected , adding that

his achievements in close to four years in the saddle was enough to return him to office for another term on August 9.

He said: “I want to plead with you to ensure that Aregbesola is reelected for the continuity of developmental projects in the state. He has performed absolutely well during his first term and I believe if you elect him

again, he will perform more than before.”

Timi of Ede, Oba Munirudeen Lawal, commended the state government for extending its developmental projects to the community, urging all stakeholders to shun violence during the election, warning that seeking power through illegal means would not serve the best interest of the people.

52 DAYS TO GO

SDP guber candidate promises unemployed youths monthly stipend BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

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overnorship candidate of Social Democratic Party, SDP, in the August 9 election, Segun Akinwusi, yesterday said that if elected governor, his administration would give unemployed but employable youths monthly allowance.

Addressing a crosssection of youth in Ibokun, the headquarters of Obokun council area, Akinwusi stated that his party was against a “quasi-unemployment” arrangement tagged volunteer job.

Accusing Nigerian leaders of not doing enough for the nation’s

Members of Osun State APC during the 2014 governorship election campaign in Iwo yesterday.

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ome suspected political thugs yesterday clashed in Iwo during the governorship campaign of All Progressives Congress, APC, for Iwo/ Olaoluwa/Ayedire federal constituency.

It was gathered that some thugs had attacked the bus belonging to the leader of market women in the state, Chief Awawu Asindemade, and vandalised it, close to the venue of the campaign.

In reprisal, sources said some youth immediately mobilised themselves and traced the leader of the gang that allegedly carried out the attack, whose identity could not be confirmed, to his house and attacked him.

Several youths brandishing dangerous weapons were also seen combing the neighbourhood

We’ll ensure free and fair poll –Aregbesola

•As APC/PDP supporters clash in Iwo where the rally was held.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Osun State Police Command, DSP Folasade Odoro, said she was yet to be briefed about the incident.

Addressing the crowd at the rally, Osun State governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, said APC, whenever it gains control of the Federal Government will ensure that electoral offenders are jailed to serve as deterrent to others.

He said there was need to apply severe sanctions against electoral offenders stating the readiness of APC to assist other stakeholders in the state to ensure a free and fair election in the state.

Aregbesola said that

with the kind of supportership the APC presently enjoys in Osun, the party was close to victory in theAugust 9 governorship poll.

He said all former governors in the state, including the former national secretary of PDP, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, are behind his re-election bid, adding that more PDP members are coming into the fold of the party.

Speaking one after the other, leaders of the party from all parts of the state, urged people of Iwo/ Olaoluwa/Ayedire federal constituency not to renege on the support for the governor and work towards returning him to office.

Senator Olusola Adeyeye, while addressing the

crowd said Iwo town has always been loyal to the progressives, adding that that explains why both late premier of Western region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and former governor of old Oyo State, Chief Bola Ige always began their campaigns in the town.

Interim state chairman of APC, Elder Lowo Adebiyi, urged people not to panic over alleged threat by some people and charged members of the party to support the reelection bid of Aregbesola on Election Day. Former governor, Senator Adetunji Adeleke, said the APC-led government has physical achievements in Iwo town and other adjoining communities, add-

ing that more of such projects will be initiated and completed in the area.

He said he has been subjected to all kind of abuses since leaving PDP and stated his readiness to work for the success of the APC in the governorship poll.

While addressing the gathering, the chairman of APC campaign committee for Iwo federal constituency, Hon. Najeem Salam, accused the opposition party of spreading rumours about the fate of workers if Aregbesola is re-elected.

He said the governor would not retrench workers, urging them to shun the rumour and rededicate themselves to their duties and join the governor in lifting the state.

youth, he called for proactive measures to tackle joblessness among youth to prevent the Arab spring experience which he said was caused by the neglect of the younger generation “who later revolted against their oppressors.”

He said: “No one has plan for youth today. I am out to contest because of my passion for our younger ones. I am not looking for money or power but I want to sacrifice everything I possessed for the betterment of tomorrow.”

He further assured that his government will embark on massive recruitment of youth into the public service, pledging that he will use his past experience to ensure that more jobs are created for jobless youth in the state.

“While it is an obvious fact that government cannot employ all job seekers, we shall consider a sizeable numbers for immediate appointment in all critical areas in our government. Our government will tackle head-on the issue of vocational training to develop available skills in our youths.

The former Osun State Head of Service, HoS, said SDP has a clear vision of how to move the state forward and informed the youth not to allow professional politicians buy their voters’ cards, adding: “That is your power and don’t sell your future”.

Responding, some of the youth, who are from various communities across the local government, promised their support for the SDP candidate.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

STORIES: ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

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eputy Governor of Ekiti State, Professor Modupe Adelabu, has advised All Progressives Congress, APC, members and sup-

3 DAYS TO GO

Politics

Wednesday June 18, 2014

45

APC to supporters: Don’t be intimidated by security presence porters of its candidate in Ekiti State, Governor Kayode Fayemi, not to be intimidated by the heavy presence of security operatives ahead of Saturday’s election.

Adelabu, who said the security operatives, had been mandated to protect lives and property, told the teeming supporters: “Don’t be afraid to come out and cast your vote for Governor Fayemi on Saturday to enable him continue the good works.”

The deputy

governor spoke while addressing residents of Fiyinfoluwa Street, Isale Ori Apata, Off Adebayo Road, Ado Ekiti, who gathered to express their solidarity and support for the reelection bid of Fayemi.

She said the security operatives had been deployed in the state to deal with law breakers and guard the ballot boxes to give them adequate

security and ensure that are not vandalised or stolen by anti-democratic forces.

Urging party faithful to conduct themselves peacefully as they go out to vote on the Election Day, she advised them to wait patiently till the end of the poll for the results of the ballot.

Adelabu assured the residents of the completion of all ongoing

projects in their domain, advising them to subject the food items being distributed by desperate politicians to laboratory tests to determine the integrity of such foodstuff before consumption.

Chairman of the Landlord and Residents Association in the area, Dr Ayodele Joseph, noted that the community had partaken in democratic dividends under the Fayemi-ad-

ministration through the implementation of electrification and road projects, assuring that residents would reciprocate by voting massively for the governor.

The youth leader, Mr. Ojo Taiwo, lauded the government for empowering youth and for several other programmes that had been put in place to secure a better future for them.

Fayemi, Fayose not deserving of another term –Falegan

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n octogenarian and elder statesman in Ekiti State, Chief Ojo Falegan, has said that the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate, Dr Kayode Fayemi and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, flag bearer, Mr Ayodele Fayose, do not deserve another term as governors of the state.

Both Fayemi, who is the current governor, and Fayose, a former governor, are seeking election into office as governor in Saturday’s governorship election in the state.

Falegan, one of those who agitated for the creation of the state, is however, confident that Labour Party, LP, governorship candidate, Hon Opeyemi Bamidele, a member of the House of Representatives, will be returned elected based on public opinion.

According to a statement by the Ekiti LP Elders’ Forum Administrative Secretary, Hon Niyi Ajibulu, in Ado Ekiti yesterday, Falegan, who

made the assertions while addressing a meeting of the forum in Ado-Ekiti, promised to go round to mobilise support for the LP candidate.

Describing Bamidele as the best among contending candidates in the governorship contest, Falegan said: “Those seeking another term of office had not done enough to be returned.”

He said that he was convinced that Bamidele was a genuine candidate who has the interest of the state at heart.

Members of the forum praised Falegan for his service to Ekiti people and his concern for the growth of the state.

This was as Muslims in the state said they remained solidly behind the LP and its candidate for his commendable efforts and firm believe in equity, fairness and justice in picking a woman of virtues among the Muslim fold, Alhaja Mariam Abimbola Ogunlade, as his running mate.

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APC alerts of clampdown on leaders ahead of poll

ll Progressives Congress, APC, in Ekiti State yesterday alerted that the Presidency had begun clampdown on leaders of the party ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

Spokesman for the party, Mr Segun Dipe, said the clampdown was with a view to put the party’s leaders out of circulation on Election Day, allegedly to pave way for the Peo-

ples Democratic Party, PDP, to be free to rig.

Dipe said in a statement in Ado Ekiti that “the fears of clampdown on APC members has been confirmed, as the Commissioner for Integration and Intergovernmental Affairs, Hon Funminiyi Afuye, who was whisked to Abuja about two weeks ago from the

L-R: Member, Ekiti Development Union, EDU, Ondo State, Barrister Goke Adurota; chairman of the occasion, Justice Edward Ojuolape; wife of Ekiti State governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi and the governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, during the endorsement of Fayemi’s Re-Election by Ekiti State indigenes in Ondo State, recently.

Expect change in Ekiti through Fayose –PDP chair

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kiti State chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr Makanjuola Ogundipe, has assured the people of the state that the much desired positive change in all spheres of life will come to the state through its candidate, Mr Ayodele Fayose.

Ogundipe, who expressed confidence that the people would vote massively for PDP on Saturday, said that day would mark the beginning of a

scene of APC rally, had been charged for terrorism and treason.”

Dipe said Afuye was not caught with any weapon during the rally but was with his other party members in the usual ‘feet sweeping’ rally which APC was known for when he was arrested.

He said: “We have raised the alarm on

meaningful development pact with the people.

Ogundipe told National Mirror in Ado Ekiti yesterday that: “Ekiti people are yearning for change and there is change coming through Fayose.

“We are going to win the election convincingly with a very wide margin because the people are interested in setting themselves free from the claws of suffering and hardship due to the ineptitude of the present government.”

many occasions that the Presidency has ordered a clampdown on the leaders, members and sympathisers of the APC so that they will be out of circulation during the election next Saturday.”

Alleging that three APC members from Ikole council area had also been whisked to Abuja with many others listed for ar-

He said the crowds seen at the party’s rallies and events were necessary for victory in election, adding: “To have crowds around a candidate is a first step towards victory because it shows that the candidate is popular”.

Ogundipe said the PDP had been ensuring that its members and supporters got their voter cards with which they could perform their civic duty on the Election Day, adding: “What our candidate,

rest and arraignment for terrorism, Dipe said that the arrested APC members are Anu Onipede, Babatunde Adeosun and Olufemi Ojo, adding that many homes of APC leaders and supporters were being searched in the different towns purposely to implicate them for arrest and trial on trumped-up charges.

Mr Fayose, did at the rally venue when he asked the crowd to flaunt their voter cards was in demonstration of that.”

Saying that many Ekiti voters said they went to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to collect their voter cards to enable them vote for Fayose, Ogundipe added that this was facilitated by “the need to change the APC government that is not performing in the state.”

This was as Fayose yesterday described the Social Security Scheme of the Fayemi-led APC government in the state as “a deceit taken too far,” promising to implement “real social security scheme” when he assumed office as governor.

Fayose said: “The best social security is the provision of gainful employments for the youth so as to feed their aged parents, not a miserable N5,000 per month stipend.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

46

Conoil, Sterling Bank to join large cap companies •Index drops 0.8% JOHNSON OKANLAWON

T

he Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday announced that Conoil Plc, Sterling Bank and Ashaka Cement Plc may soon join the league of highly capitalised companies on the Exchange.

Others are 7Up Bottling Company Plc, Mobil Oil Plc, while Total Nigeria Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc and Glaxo Smithkline Consumer Plc may vacate the league of blue chips companies.

A statement from the Exchange yesterday explained that the review will composition of market indices will affect the NSE 30, NSE 50.

JOHNSON OKANLAWON

U

nion Bank has declared a profit after tax of N3.77bn for the financial year ended December 31, 2013, an increase of 223 per cent from N1.19bn posted in the same period of 2012.

The group’s gross earnings rose four per cent to N121.4bn, from N117.2bn recorded in the corresponding period of 2012, while profit before tax appreciated 31 per cent to N3.77bn, from N2.87bn in 2012.

The group’s balance sheet showed a decline of eight per cent in customers deposits, from N522bn in 2012 to N482bn in 2013, while total equity was up 11 per cent to N199bn, from N179bn in 2012.

Total assets stood at

Other fiver sectorial indices that it will affect are the NSE Banking, NSE Consumer Goods, NSE Oil & Gas, NSE Industrial, NSE Insurance and the NSE Lotus Islamic Indices.

According to the statement, the composition of these indices after the review will be effective on July 1, 2014.

It stressed that the NSE30, NSE-50 and NSE Industrial Indices are modified market capitalization index with the numbers of included stocks fixed at 30, 50 and 10, respectively, adding that the numbers of included stocks in the NSEConsumer Goods, Banking, Insurance and Oil/Gas

Indices are 15, 10, 15 and seven respectively.

“The Stocks will be picked based on their market capitalization from the most liquid sectors. The liquidity is based on the number of times the stock is traded during the preceding half year.

“To be included, the stock must be traded for at least 70 percent of the number of times the market opened for business,” the statement said.

It added that the Exchange was not oblivious of the fact that the number of the stocks that will be included in some of the indices may be inappropriate for optimal portfolio diversification, however, the numbers would be re-

viewed as sector conditions change.

Meanwhile, trading in equities continued on a bearish note on the Exchange yesterday, as more investors dumped their holdings.

The All Share Index shed 0.76 per cent to close at 41,135.40 points, compared to the decline of 0.19 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 41,449.51 points.

Market capitalisation depreciated N104bn to close at N13.6bn, higher than the drop of N22bn recorded the preceding day to close at N13.7trn.

A total of 313.1 million shares valued at N4.06bn were traded in 5,066 deals.

Union Bank posts N3.77bn profit, to jerk up deposits N1.0o2trn in the review period, from N1.015trn in 2012, a dip of one per cent, while loans and advances rose 43 per cent to N229.5bn in 2013, from N160.7bn in 2012.

Speaking at Annual General Meeting in Lagos yesterday, the Group Managing Director, Mr. Emeka Emuwa, appealed shareholders of the company to open an account with the bank to increase number of deposits.

According to him, the bank has strengthen its operations, particularly the information technology section to deliver better services to customers.

He said, “We have

equipped ourselves, renovated our premises to serve our customers better.”

On the bank’s priority in 2013, he said, “The first priority was to improve the bank’s efficiency by addressing operational challenges and implementing cost optimisation initiatives.

“The second priority was to develop a medium term strategy which clearly outlines a roadmap to realising our ambition to be a highly respected provider of quality banking services.”

On the divestment of the bank’s non-banking protifolio, he noted that the divestment will enable the bank to focus on core bank-

ing priorities and further consolidates its efforts to regian position as a leading commercial bank in the country.

He stressed that the bank also plans to reposition its business to reflect a more balanced retail, commercial and corporate banking model with a view to making significant contributions to financial inclusion in the country.

Emuwa said, “We have begun our branch optimisation work and expect that by the end of the year, more than 60 branches in prioritised locations will be either refit, relocated or upgraded to serve our customers.

Gains in healthcare stocks prop up European equities

E

uropean stock markets rose yesterday to claw back ground lost in previous sessions, as new signs of possible takeover activity pushed up major healthcare and pharmaceutical stocks.

The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index closed up 0.3 per cent at 1,387.75 points, after falling in the last two sessions down from a 6-1/2 year high of 1,398.65 points reached earlier in June.

The euro zone’s bluechip Euro STOXX 50 in-

dex gained 0.4 per cent to 3,275.33 points and Germany’s DAX rose by the same margin to 9,920.32 points, having recently slipped from its June 10 record high of 10,033.74 points.

Healthcare stocks such as Novo Nordisk and its UK rival Shire added the most points to the FTSEurofirst 300.

Shire rose 3.5 per cent after Reuters reported that the company had hired investment bank Citi as an adviser, expecting to receive takeover approaches

following a wave of deals in the healthcare sector.

Sunrise Brokers’ equity strategist Christopher Mellor backed healthcare stocks as his preferred equity sector for this month.

The prospect of high margins, improving earnings and possible merger and acquisition activity made the sector an appealing one for investors, he said.

“There is more scope for merger and acquisition activity, in a sector that has historically been quite M&A-heavy,” he said.

Over the last two sessions, European stock markets had retreated from multi-year highs as violence in Iraq pushed up the price of oil and knocked back airline and travel stocks.

However, many traders have said new economic stimulus measures from the European Central Bank should ensure that any pullback will be relatively short-lived. The FTSEurofirst 300 remains up by around 5 percent since the start of 2014.

Source: NSE

Market indicators All-Share Index 41,521.42 points Market capitalisation 14.01trn

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

OANDO

21.00

23.15

2.15

10.24

CAVERTON

5.48

5.89

0.41

7.48

MRS

48.00

51.36

3.36

7.00

COSTAIN

1.40

1.47

0.07

5.00

FIDSON

2.89

3.03

0.14

4.84

NEIMETH

1.24

1.30

0.06

4.84

MBENEFIT

0.52

0.54

0.02

3.85

MANSARD

2.55

2.62

0.07

2.75

JOSBREW

2.79

2.85

0.06

2.15

CONTINSURE

1.06

1.08

0.02

1.89

CHANGE

% CHANGE

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CONOIL

72.73

65.65

-7.08

-9.73

ETI

15.87

14.82

-1.05

-6.62

DIAMONDBNK

6.60

6.27

-0.33

-5.00

NB

173.00

164.42

-8.58

-4.96

CHAMPION

12.46

11.85

-0.61

-4.90

ETERNA

4.18

3.98

-0.20

-4.78

GUARANTY

31.60

30.20

-1.40

-4.43

AIRSERVICE

2.56

2.45

-0.11

-4.30

MAYBAKER

1.73

1.66

-0.07

-4.05

SCOA

5.06

4.91

-0.15

-2.96

FGN Bonds Offer

Bid Description

Price

Yield

Price

Yield

13.05 16-AUG-2016

2.17

102.50

11.69

102.65

11.61

15.10 27-APR-2017

2.86

108.00

11.71

108.15

11.65

16.00 29-JUN-2019

5.03

115.25

11.88

115.55

11.81

16.39 27-JAN-2022

7.61

119.70

12.32

120.00

12.26

14.20 14-MAR-2024

9.74

110.40

12.33

110.70

12.28

10.00 23-JUL-2030

16.10 80.00

12.99

80.30

12.94

Closing Market Prices of June 17, 2014

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

18-Sep-14

10.40

10.15

4-Dec-14

10.50

10.25

7-May-15

10.15

9.90

NIBOR Tenor

Rate (%)

O/N

11.6083

1M

12.6093

3M

13.7069

6M

14.5496 The Fixings - NIBOR, NITTY and NIFEX of June 17, 2014

Wednesday June 18, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

47

Community Mirror The Nigerian Judiciary can no longer condone indolence, ineptitude, corruption or any form of judicial misconduct.

CHIEF JUSTICE OF NIGERIA – JUSTICE MARIAM ALOMA MUKHTAR

NSCDC arrests cable vandals in Ebonyi ALIUNA GODWIN ABAKALIKI

S

ix suspects have been arrested and arraigned at the

Federal High Court sitting in Abakiliki by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Ebonyi State

for alleged vandalism of electricity cables belonging to Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC.

Parading the suspects in Abakaliki, the state Commandant of the Corps, Alhaji Popoola Waheed, noted that

they were arrested at Amokpo-Nsokara in Ezza-South Local Government while vandalizing electric cables.

The suspects are Nwali Oforbuike, Fedrick Nkwuda, Charles Omenka, Eze Festus, Emeka Ekuma and Nwachor Ezekiel Nwafor.

Popoola warned members of the corps against tolerating the destruction of public infrastructure in any part of the

state,even as he urged criminals to desist from such act.

Two of the suspects, Festus Eze and Nwanchor Nwafor claimed that the community employed them to cut the cables.

Earlier, some community members had staged a peaceful protest claiming that the suspects were not vandals and demanded their immediate release.

Corps member offers free medical services ADEOLA TUKURU ABUJA

A A presumed graduate job seeker selling roasted corn along the road in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Petrochemical company trains 675 youths A ZA MSUE KADUNA

T

he Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company Limited, KRPC, has trained 675 youths under its Youth Empowerment and Skills Acquisition Programme, YESAP. Speaking at the sixth edition of YESAP in Kaduna, the Managing Director Engr. Saidu Aliyu Mohammed said the

company is committed to improving the living standards of the host communities through execution of various projects.

Mohammed stressed that KRPC has deliberately steered away from awarding certificates to the participants but concentrated on impacting marketable skills for the self sustenance.

Earlier, the Executive Director Services of

KRPC, Idi Mukhtar, said trainees have been increased annually inspite of the harsh economic situation that has forced many organisations to suspend their community relations projects.

He commended the community leaders for their cooperation during the selection exercise and solicited collective efforts for success of the programme.

Mukhtar said, “It is the

firm resolve of the KRPC to ensure that youth unemployment with its attendant consequences are reduced significantly especially within its host communities”.

He added that the NNPC medical department has carried out comprehensive medical examinations of all the nominees and formed a profile of each participant, before commencement of the programme.

Group rehabilitates drug addicts in Kaduna A ZA MSUE KADUNA

A

n o n g ove r n m e n tal organisation, Benjamin Bissan Shekari Lives on Foundation, BBSLOF, has said that 300 drug addicts were rehabilitated in Kaduna State, saying its war against drug abuse and alcoholism would continue

until won.

Addressing a news conference in Kaduna, the foundation’s Executive Secretary, Mrs. Rifkatu Shekari said 70 percent of the youths are drug addicts, adding that it offers skills training for those ready to quit, even as she encouraged those that dropped out of school to go back with promise of fi-

nancial empowerment.

Shekari explained that it disseminates preventive information on drugs and substance abuse, HIV/ AIDS and other related disorders, saying clients are given enough information on various aspects of their problems without being forced to quit the act.

She stressed that the completion is open to 40,000

senior secondary and 20,000 junior secondary school students and 50,000 primary school pupils to impact drug abuse messages in order to end the menace.

Shekari noted that other rehabilitation programmes are run in collaboration with parents, community and religious leaders, including specialised institutions.

member of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Dr Trix-meyi Omonigho, has partnered with an NGO, Save Lives Foundation, SLF, to offer free medical services to residents of Kwali community in Kwale Area Council of Abuja.

The event which took place at Ijah-Tampe community featured deworming of children below five years, eye test, provision of medicated glasses as well as other health related services.

Speaking at the event, Omonigho said her desire to offer the free medical services followed the difficulties faced by residents of rural communities in accessing healthcare in the area. “`As a corps member serving in Kwali General Hospital, I discovered that most patients from rural communities come very late to hospital due to long distances they have to travel to get to town.

“I actually got to know of this community out of curiosity, because when I discovered this

challenge, I decided to come over.

“As you can see, there is no health facility around and so, residents of the community have to go all the way to Kwali,” she said.

The corps member commended SLF for its commitment towards bringing healthcare services closer to rural communities.

She pledged her commitment to strengthen the partnership so as to ensure that more communities were given access to the services at their door steps.

In his remark, Dr Tasie Obinna, Director, Medical Services of SLF commended the Corps member for the initiative.

He pledged the commitment of SLF to support any programme aimed at promoting healthcare services at the grassroots.

Some of the beneficiaries who spoke to newsmen commended the Corps member for the free medical services.

Mr. Musa Isa, a beneficiary, called on other Corps members and well-meaning Nigerians to come to the aid of the community.

48

National News

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Alleged N125b fraud: Atuche, Ojo know fate Sept. 30 Wale Igbintade

A

Federal High Court judge, Saliu Saidu, yesterday fixed September 30 to rule on whether the former Managing Director of the defunct bank PHB, Francis Atuche, should be compelled to disclose in writing the defence he intends to raise in the alleged N125 billion fraud suit filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Atuche, alongside his aide, Bayo, Ojo are standing trial on an amended 45-count charge bordering on the offence.

Justice Saidu adjourned the case for ruling after the prosecution and defence counsel adopted

Atuche

their written addresses on the issue of practice direction.

Adopting his address, defence counsel, Chief Anthony Idigbe, SAN, argued that the practice direction was made pursuant to the provisions of the Criminal Procedure

Act. He submitted that practice direction was inapplicable to the instant case, since the prosecution cannot force the defence to disclose its case even before the commencement of trial.

Idigbe argued that it

Why we suspended strike,

by NUPENG Olufemi Adeosun Abuja

T

he Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) yesterday said it decided to suspend its planned strike to enable a team of the National Judicial Council, NJC, State Security Service, SSS, and the Ministry of Labour, who were investigating the union’s dispute with the Independent Petroleum Marketers of Nigeria, IPMAN, have hitch-free exercise.

The union President, Comrade Igwe Achise, who spoke at the National Executive Council, NEC, meeting in Abuja, maintained that NUPENG would wait for the report of the team on June 26 and take a de-

cision on it at its June 30 meeting.

According to him, the ultimatum served on the government to proceed on strike was not taken with the motive of inflicting pains on Nigerians, but to impress on government the need to respect the union’s collective agreement signed with IPMAN in 2009.

The NUPENG boss said while the agreement had remained unimplemented, the union and IPMAN had been embroiled in intractable crisis.

The union warned the Federal Government not to unbundle the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, before passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill.

Achise, who alleged that there was an electronic media report that confirmed government’s surrepti-

tious moves to unbundle NNPC, warned on consequences of doing so.

He, however, admonished the government to vigorously pursue the passage of the bill at the National Assembly before discussing the division and new business model for NNPC. He also recalled that although the labour unions in the oil and gas sector reached an agreement with the Federal Government on the conditions to meet before the privatisation of the four national refineries, the government was yet to meet the conditions.

Among the conditions, according to him, were the refineries Turn Around Maintenance, security of pipelines, and effective working of depots of NNPC.

was irregular for the defence to be constrained to specify in writing the defence it intends to raise, or which aspects of the prosecution’s case it intends to oppose, where the prosecution had not called any witness.

He, therefore, urged the court to discountenance the reliance on practice direction as proffered by prosecution, adding that the power of the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court was limited by the provisions of sections 4 of the CPA. In response, the prosecutor, Mr Kemi Pinhero, SAN, argued that the practice direction did not derogate from the provisions of the constitution.

He submitted that sections 254 of the constitution empowered the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, to make the rules

Rotimi Fadeyi ABUJA

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday kicked off the Safe Schools’ Initiative with a trust fund of N1.6 billion, to ensure safety in Nigerian schools, following the abduction of over 200 school girls of Government Girls

Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State in April.

The initiative was kicked off at a meeting between Jonathan and former British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, as well as governor of Borno, Kashim Shettima, and his Yobe State counterpart, Ibrahim Geidam.

Also at the meeting were

the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, and the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhaji Sani Sidi.

After the meeting, Okonjo-Iweala told State House Correspondents that the President had kicked off

not guilty to the charge and Justice Saidu had allowed the accused to continue with the earlier bail granted by previous judges.

After their re-arraignment, the prosecutor applied for a date for further mention of the case, adding that in line with the new practice direction of courts, the prosecution was duty bound to ensure speedy trial.

He had, therefore, prayed the court for a date for mention, within which time the defence would have the opportunity of sorting out processes of the prosecution which it intends to oppose, so as to fast track trial.

But, the defence counsel opposed the submission, arguing that practice direction was not applicable in the instant situation.

House tasks DISCOs on use of local metres …Abuja distribution company dumps estimated billing Chidi Ugwu ABUJA

C

hairman, House of Representatives Committee on Power, Patrick Ikhariale, yesterday urged Electricity Distribution Companies, DISCOs, to patronise locally made pre-paid meters.

Ikhariale made the call when the committee inspected an indigenous prepaid meter firm, MOJEC International Ltd in Lagos.

The lawmaker said it was wrong for the management of DISCOs to import pre-paid meters when there were locally made ones.

“I am appealing to the DISCOs to patronise the local manufacturers of prepaid meters if they meet the specifications.

“There is no reason DISCOs should go outside the shores of the country to get a product that is readily available locally,” he said.

The Chairman of MO-

Jonathan kicks off initiative to secure schools

…institutes N1.6bn fund

of practice direction as so enacted.

Besides, Pinhero argued that any power donated by the constitution cannot be derogated from except by the constitution itself.

He maintained that the defence must clearly show any law which precludes the Chief Judge from making the rules of practice direction, adding that its basis was to enhance speedy disposal of cases.

He submitted that the CPA shall not be the only procedural legislation to guide the conduct of criminal proceedings, as it will hinder the modification of situations as they arise.

It would be recalled that Atuche and others were re-arraigned before Justice Saidu on February 20, on the amended charge.

They had both pleaded

the initiative by opening a trust fund in which the government has put in N1.6 billion.

She further explained that the private sector would also contribute N1.6 million while the former British Prime Minister would also raise some funds.

The Minister said the initiative is aimed at creating an environment in which children could return to

JEC International Ltd, Mrs. Mojisola Abdul, said the company was set-up to promote the Federal Government’s local content policy.

Abdul said that the firm was capable of generating employment for many youths if its products were patronised.

According to her, at full capacity the firm could employ additional 300 workers, but currently the firm operates at 10 per cent of its installed capacity with 30 employees.

In a related development, Managing Director of Abuja Disco, Mr. Neil Croucher, has said that plans have been concluded to do away with the estimated billing system.

Speaking to newsmen yesterday, Croucher said his company had commenced the phasing out of estimated billing system with an assessment of the various platforms we have for the meters.

According to him, the move was to ensure that the vending platform is properly intact and capable of taking the meters and the various payment options before rolling out thousands of meters.

Croucher noted that AEDB is committed to stamping out the activities of ‘NEPA2’, that is those people who illegally tamper with equipment and connections of the distribution companies.

He said the company had so far installed about 100 transformers but there is a huge backlog on transformers numbers in our network, while still adjudicating tenders for another 200 transformers.

He said that his company is trying to ensure that its customers get value for their money.

“On tariff, we are dependent on a cost reflective tariff in that, when customers pay they should get value for their money.”

schools and continue their education particularly in the North Eastern part of the country presently facing security challenge.

Okonjo-Iweala stated that Adamawa State would also benefit from the scheme, adding the governor of the state, Murtala Nyako, who was not at yesterday’s meeting would be available for another meeting slated for today.

Also speaking on the initiative, Brown who is the United Nations Special

Envoy for Global Education disclosed that the international community would do everything possible to back up the efforts of the Federal Government and the governors of the states to ensure the return of the schoolgirls abducted in April to their families.

Brown said that the Safe School Fund would bring back the confidence in parents that they can send their children to school knowing they would be safe.

Wednesday June 18, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

49

World News

This is the end of more than 50 years of violence in our country and it is the beginning of a Colombia with more justice and social inclusion –Colombian President, Juan Manuel Santos

U.S. captures suspected ringleader of Benghazi attack 50

Kenyan politics, not Islamists behind deadly attacks –Kenyatta • 12 women kidnapped

PAUL ARHEWE

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

K

enya’s president shifted blame to domestic rivals yesterday for two attacks that killed 65 people on the coast and he dismissed claims of responsibility by Somali Islamist militants, which Nairobi usually fingers for such assaults.

Somalia’s al Shabaab militant group has said its gunmen carried out the attacks on the town of Mpeketoni on Sunday night and on a nearby village early on yesterday morning.

Meanwhile, at least 12 women were abducted during the latest attack on Kenya’s coast, residents have told the BBC. In comments that could further stoke political tensions in a country where allegiances generally run along ethnic lines, President Uhuru Kenyatta instead pointed the finger at rivals he described as “hate-mongers”, though he did not name anybody.

“The attack in Lamu was well planned, orchestrated and politically motivated ethnic violence against the Kenyan community,” Kenyatta told the nation in an address, referring to Lamu county where the two attacks

took place. “This, therefore, was not an al Shabaab terrorist attack. Evidence indicates local political networks were involved in the planning and execution of the heinous crime. This also played into the opportunist network of other criminal gangs,” he said.

Blaming domestic rivals could ease pressure on Kenyatta’s government, which has

faced strong criticism about its handling of security and the threat from Somali-linked militants.

Analysts said politicizing the issue of security by either side risked undermining efforts to tackle shortcomings.

“We live at a time when our people are vulnerable to reckless leaders and hate-mongers who manipulate them to create hate,

intolerance and fanaticism, which makes them easy prey to radicalisation and crime,” Kenyatta said in his address.

Though Kenyatta, an ethnic Kikuyu, did not mention him, his comments appeared directed at his opponent and main presidential challenger in last year’s election, Raila Odinga, an ethnic Luo, who returned to Kenya in May after a long period abroad.

S

Seven ECOWAS judges take oath of office in Accra Seven new judges of the Community Court of Justice are to be sworn in today at a ceremony to be presided over by the Chairman of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama.

The 44th summit of regional leaders held in Yamoussoukro last February approved the judges’ appointments following the report of the regional Judicial Council charged with the recruitment of the judges of the community court.

They are Mr. Jerome Traore (Burkina Faso), Mrs. Maria Do Cue Montero Silva (Guinea Bissau) Mr. Yaya Boiro of Guinea, Mr. Micah Wilkins Wright (Liberia), Mr. Hameye Foune Mahlmadane (Mali), Mr. Friday Chijioke Nwoke (Nigeria), and Mr. Alioune Sall (Senegal).

They replace their colleagues from Member States whose tenures have expired.

AU ends Egypt, Guinea Bissau suspension after elections The African Union (AU) ended the suspension of Egypt and Guinea Bissau from the grouping yesterday after the two countries elected new leaders, a senior AU official said.

Egypt held an election in May after it was suspended from all the activities of the African body when the military overthrew the elected president, Islamist Mohamed Morsi, in July last year. Guinea Bissau also held a vote in May after a military takeover.

Suspension is the AU’s usual response to any interruption of constitutional rule by a member.

People inspecting burnt buildings after the attack on a coast in Kenya, recently.

Zuma under pressure in major S’Africa policy speech

outh African President Jacob Zuma delivers the first State of the Nation address of his second term yesterday, under pressure to outline plans for reviving growth and creating much-needed jobs in Africa’s most advanced economy.

A double blow from ratings agencies last week underlined the precarious state of the economy, which contracted in the first quarter. South Africans will also be closely watching Zuma himself after he was hospitalized this month with fatigue.

The 72-year-old was quickly discharged after “routine tests”, his office said a week ago. However, he handed over the reins to his deputy Cyril Ramaphosa for five days to give himself time to

WORLD BULLETIN

recover from the rigors of preparing for the May 7 election.

Zuma’s African National Congress (ANC) won a 62 percent majority in the vote, the fifth since the end of apartheid in 1994, but the ruling party has had little to cheer about since the result.

A five-month strike in the platinum mines is dragging the economy towards recession and the impact on broader growth and government finances prompted Fitch to put South Africa on a negative outlook and Standard & Poor’s to cut its credit rating on Friday.

Hitherto, Zuma had relied almost exclusively on a National Development Plan (NDP) drawn up in his first term as his broad blue-print for promoting long-

Zuma

term growth.

Analysts said the president also needed to address the deep mistrust that exists between the government, unions and the private sector if the NDP - which requires the cooperation of all three entities - is to have any chance of success.

“Does the government want to bargain with the business sector and other interests to chart a new path for the economy, or does it believe it can fix its problems on its own?” political analyst Stephen Friedman wrote in the Business Day newspaper yesterday.

‘Main fugitive in Mali prison break suspect in French kidnap’ A fugitive at the heart of a jail break in Mali’s capital on Monday was being held for his alleged role in the 2011 kidnapping of two French citizens who ended up in the hands of al Qaeda’s regional faction, sources said yesterday.

Malian officials said Mahamed Aly Ag Wadoussene shot his way out of Bamako’s central prison on Monday, allowing 22 other prisoners to escape and serving a reminder about the fragile security situation in the West African state.

Eight prisoners were re-captured on Monday but Wadoussene, an ethnic Tuareg and deserter from Mali’s army, remains at large and Mali state television warned citizens he was dangerous.

“He was the main organizer of the kidnapping of the two Frenchmen in Hombori on Nov. 24 2011,” a Malian military official said.

50

World News

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

U.S. captures suspected ringleader of Benghazi attack

U

.S. Special Operations forces captured one of the suspected ringleaders of the deadly terrorist assault on American facilities in Benghazi, Libya, in a secret weekend raid a year and a half after the attack on Sept. 11, 2012, the Pentagon confirmed yesterday.

Meanwhile, President Barack Obama said the captured Libyan militant would face the full weight of the American justice system.

Obama said he authorized an operation in Libya to detain Ahmed Abu Khattala. His capture marks the first apprehension of an alleged perpetrator in the 2012 attack that killed U.S. ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans.

The U.S. president his capture is a testament to the painstaking efforts of U.S. security officials. He says the U.S. has demonstrated it will do whatever it takes to bring justice to those who harm Americans.

Obama said in a statement that the U.S. will continue to track down those responsible for the attacks. He says the U.S. must support the Libyan people as they work to build a democracy.

“I can confirm that on Sunday, June 15 the U.S. Military — in cooperation with law enforcement personnel — captured Ahmed Abu Khatallah, a key figure in the attacks on U.S. facilities in Benghazi, Libya, in September 2012,” the Pentagon’s chief spokesman, Rear

Debris and overturned furniture are seen inside a room in the gutted U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, after an attack that killed four Americans in 2012.

Photo: AP

Admiral John Kirby, said in a statement.

“He is in U.S. custody in a secure location outside of Libya. There were no civilian casualties related to this operation, and all U.S. personnel involved in

the operation have safely departed Libya,” Kirby said.

Four Americans — including the U.S. ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens — died in the attack, which to this day

Chinese Premier meets Queen on UK visit

C

hinese Premier Li Keqiang was received by the Queen, yesterday, on the first full day of his official visit to the United Kingdom.

Li has also been holding talks with David Cameron in Downing Street.

It is the first UK visit by a Chinese premier since a row in 2012 over Mr Cameron’s meeting with exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.

Li has said he hopes the LOSS OF DOCUMENT

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Crowds gathered at Windsor Castle to watch Li’s arrival, with Chinese tourists among those who watched his entourage enter the grounds in a fleet of limousines.

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wife, Cheng Hong.

The Sino-British ministerial summit in No 10 was also attended by Foreign Secretary William Hague, Chancellor George Osborne and Energy Secretary Ed Davey.

At the start of Li’s three-day visit, the Home Office announced a new visa service, to be offered to all Chinese visitors to the UK following a pilot programme for tour operators last year.

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fuels fierce Republican criticism of President Obama’s election-year rhetoric about beating back al-Qaida.

Republicans have also harnessed the 2012 attack — and the Obama admin-

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here have been no U.S. executions in the seven weeks since an Oklahoma inmate died of a heart attack following a botched lethal injection. That soon could change, with three convicted killers scheduled to die in the span of about 24 hours.

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Algeria surrenders to Belgian spirit 54

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51

Sport

Our motivation derives from the record first group game win in the World Cup finalss –Cote d’Ivoire midfielder, Yaya Touree

Super Eagles defender Joseph Yobo (in green shirt) vying with Iran striker Ashkan Dejagah in their opening Group F game on Monday

TODAY’S MATCHES Australia

vs Holland

Spain

vs Chile

Maigari stays confident

Cameroun vs Croatia

Game with Bosnia ‘ll be open –Yobo

S

uper Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo, has said he expects a lot more open game when they face BosniaHerzegovina on Saturday in their second group game at the World Cup. The Eagles were pegged back by a resolute Iran on Monday night, while Bosnia lost 2-1 to Argentina in the opening Group F clash.

“It will be an open game against Bosnia, who like us

will be looking for their first win of the competition,” Yobo, who came on as a replacement for the injured Godfrey Oboabona for his 98th appearance for the Eagles, said.

“I thought we played well against Iran, but we found it difficult to penetrate them.

They always had 10 men behind the ball. Teams are defending well in this tournament.

“We now have to be more

creative and believe in ourselves, if we don’t, we will only have ourselves to blame.

“We are aware that lots of people have criticised our play. But the truth is that in an opening game at this level, anything can happen.

“I think we will now be able to rate ourselves better based on what we play in the next game and the truth is that we remain positive that the tide will turn in our favour.”

P

resident of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Aminu Maigari, has expressed optimism that the Super Eagles will go ahead and qualify for the knock-out stages of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, despite Monday’s scoreless draw with Iran in Curitiba.

The African champions fought throughout but failed to get the needed goal to claim three points, despite dominating for large periods.

“I remain optimistic and confident that the Eagles will still qualify. Certainly, the Government and people of Nigeria were expecting victory in this game, but that is football for you,” Maigari said yesterday.

“I have spoken with the coach and he knows as well that victory against Bosnia-Herzegovina is

non-negotiable as he assured that the players will do what is necessary to earn the three points,” he added.

“I want our people to remain strong behind the team and continue to support the players and technical crew with their prayers. The tournament is just starting, and the team has also seen this match as a wake-up call.”

Argentina now tops Group F with three points while Nigeria lie second with Iran on one point each, and the Bosnians bottom without a point.

Victory against pointless Bosnia-Herzegovina in Cuiaba on Saturday will take Nigeria to four points, and a probable place in the Round of 16, as Argentina is most likely to defeat Iran the same day in Belo Horizonte.

52

Sports

Wednesday June 18, 2014

Match award thrills

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Mikel S

uper Eagles midfielder, John Mikel Obi, has expressed delight at being voted the man-of-the-match in the Iran versus Nigeria clash which ended goaless in Curitiba on Monday.

“I’m glad my effort on the pitch was recognized and honestly I must thank my teammates because football is a team game,” Mikel said.

“Naturally we’re disappointed because we know what it means to win your opening match at the World Cup. “We thought we had a good chance of winning. We created some openings in the first half and I think we deserved to score. Iran kept us at bay, though, and they were well organised at the back.

“We need to raise our game if we want to reach the next round. We prepared very well for this World Cup and we can’t afford to drop another point in our remaining games.”

Super Eagles midfielder John Obi Mikel (l) and Andranik Teymourian of Iran during their Group F match in Curitiba on Monday

Rufai

Eagles walk tight rope –Rufai PAUL EREWUBA

F

ormer Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, says the goalless draw the team played against Iran in their first group match in the on-going FIFA World Cup in Brazil has put pressure on the Stephen Keshi-tutored side.

According to Rufai, Nigeria must defeat Bosnia-Herzegovina in their second match to stand a chance of making it to the next round.

“The Eagles didn’t actually play badly. I would say probably their game plan against the Iranians did not work. The Iranians came with a game plan of playing draw and they got it.

“It’s a shame that we are now condemned to win that game if we want to progress in the competition. But if they can step up their game, Nigeria will come out of the group.”

Team disappointed us –Elegbeleye JOEL AJAYI ABUJA

D

irector-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, has rated the performance of Super Eagles low, saying he had expected the team to better against Iran on Monday.

“To me, a draw is not good enough,” Elegbeleye contended

yesterday.

“We needed to win that match because at this stage a win is better for us to qualify for the next round. Now we have dropped two points and so winning next match is vital.

“We need to go ahead and beat Bosnia. I’m expecting better Super Eagles in our next game and the team needs to be more focused in terms of scoring goals.

“Our own team need to show such dexterity and determination which they are known for.”

Asked whether the players’ performance would have been hampered by the handling of FIFA largesse issue, the former deputy chairman, House Committee on Sports, said: “I don’t think so. Players know what is stake especially as it concerns their career and some of them would want to get better clubs.”

was a game we would have won but failed to take our chances.

“We did not do enough in terms of our tactical play and the coach should be held responsible for this.

“Creative players would have made the difference against a team who defend in group like Iran and for the coach to introduce Shola Ameobi for Victor Moses was a wrong decision.

“Our point man, Emenike was played wrongly instead of his normal attacking position he played light throughout the encounter.

“It was still good we got a

point in the game as it was better than conceding three points to the Iranians.”

Disu blames Keshi for draw ADEOLU JOHNSON

F

ormer Flying Eagles coach, Tunde Disu, has expressed dismay over the Super Eagles barren draw against the Iranian national in their World Cup opening match in Curitiba on Monday night.

“We played poorly and there was no game plan and no tactics,” the former head of Technical Department of the Nigeria Football Association said.

“I hope the mistakes made against Iran will be corrected in subsequent matches because it

Keshi

Guinness upgrades goal bonus

O

fficial sponsor of the Super Eagles, Guinness, yesterday declared an increase in the dollar reward per goal offered to the Super Eagles in the group stages from original $2, 000 to $5, 000 dollars.

Director of Marketing and Innovations at Guinness Nigeria, Austin Ufomba, said the increment was necessary to encourage the players to excellence.

“We are confident in the ability of the Super Eagles despite their performance with the Iranian team and we urge all Nigerians to share in this confidence,” Ofomba said.

Guinness also launched the ring-back tune version of their official theme song for the Eagles to give an identity to authentic Super Eagles fans nationwide as they stand and show their support for the national team in all its matches.

Guinness believes that every Nigerian should cheer the Eagles to victory at every stage of the World Cup finals.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Wednesday June 18, 2014

53

Fans electrocuted, hospitalized in Bauchi EZEKIEL TITUS BAUCHI

R

eports said yesterday that two fans died while eight were critically injured in Tirwun village near Bauchi metropolis, following an electric spark at a mini viewing centre where the fans watched the USA versus Ghana game on Monday.

The village head of Tirwum who pleaded anonymity told National Mirror that a faulty electric cable at the viewing centre had caused the incident.

According to an eye witness, the noise occasioned by the

spark sent people scampering in different direction fearing the insurgent Boko Haram had unleashed mayhem.

National Mirror learnt that the victims’ corpses were deposited at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital, Bauchi where the injured are also receiving treatment.

Several houses in the affected area had suffered similar experience in recent times with properties worth millions of naira lost to the incident.

Effort to reach the Bauchi State Police Command had proved abortive at press time yesterday.

NNL: ‘No big changes for Nasarawa’ STORIES: ADEOLU JOHNSON

N

Action at the Zenith Female basketball event in Lagos yesterday. PHOTO: ABIOLA ABDUL HAMMED

Zenith B’ball:

Deepwater,

asarawa United Technical Adviser, Mohammed Baba Ganaru, has said his side will not witness many additions to its strength for the second term campaign.

The Lafia-based side finished second on the 20-team Nigeria topflight league on 31 points three points behind leaders, Kano Pillars at the conclusion of first stanza hostilities.

“When we resume from break the crew will sit down to identify the area of urgent need but I think we won’t be requiring many new hands maybe one or two experienced attackers will be adequate,” the former Pillars FC of Kano said.

“We’ve one quality attacker from Abidjan-based side Asec Mimosas in our camp and he is certain to resume with us in the second stanza.

“The team performed creditably well in the first stanza so we’ll avoid doing anything that will disrupt the cohesion

others in semis E

PAUL EREWUBA

T

he 10th Zenith Bank-sponsored ‘Final Eight’ National Female Basketball League will enter the semi-finals tomorrow with defending champion First Bank, First Deepwater, Dolphins and FCT Angels vying for honours.

Although the semi finals

pairing will be made today, the losers’ match that will determine the teams’ positions on the league log will also hold today as Delta Force, Customs, Sunshine and IGP Queens contend.

Meanwhile, perennial rivals First Deepwater and First Bank have started talking tough ahead of the epic semi finals.

Coach of First Bank, Adewunmi Aderemi, believes his

wards are ready to defend their title.

“We are ready. We prepared very well for the Final Eight and I am optimistic that we will make the final,” Aderemi said.

Deepwater Coach, Lateef Erinfolarin, is also convinced about his charges.

“I am not going to tell you our plans, but I will say we are ready to conquer,” Erinfolanmi said.

and understanding already achieved in the team.

“I think we’ve done creditably well in the first stanza, last season exactly by this time the side were struggling so ending first term on second spot is a worthwhile achievement.”

Nasarawa United are at the moment observing a two-week midseason break to resume on June 22 to commence preparations for the second term at the completion of the ongoing World Cup in Brazil.

Ganaru

Rangers to axe 10 players nugu Rangers management is set to sack ten players before the second round of the Nigeria Premier League.

Rangers are 14th on the league table with 24 points from 19 matches.

Defender Matthew Etim is believed to be one of the players who will be shown the exit door.

Etim was among the players suspended and later pardoned by Rangers for indiscipline as well

as there is also a huge question mark on the future of Coach John Obuh.

Obuh had sensationally vowed to win a major trophy for Rangers after he signed a year’s deal at the start of the season, but instead the club has struggled under him.

He was reportedly queried recently for encroaching on the pitch during a league match against Gombe United in Enugu to challenge the referee.

54

Sports

Wednesday June 18, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

th

world cup JUNE 12 – JULY 13

‘Suarez fit to face England’

U

ruguay’s point-man, Luis Suarez, is fit and ready to face England tomorrow, according to the team officials.

Suarez had targeted the clash as a realistic recovery date after undergoing keyhole surgery on his knee last month.

The striker was an unused substitute at the weekend as Uruguay threw away a firsthalf lead in the 3-1 defeat to Costa Rica but he is now ready to face England.

Scoring 82 goals for Liverpool since joining in 2011, the England team will be all too aware how dangerous the 27-year-old striker is, but Suarez has played down his role.

“I have been training for a few days with the team and I

E

ngland striker, Daniel Sturridge, says he is willing to sacrifice all he has for victory in their next World Cup encounter against Uruguay on Thursday.

The Three Lions lost their opening fixture to Italy 2-1 on Saturday evening, and will need a swift response if they harbour any ambitions of progressing through a tough Group D. “I’m going to do anything in my power to win this game.

Just as they are going to do anything,” the 24-year-old said yesterday.

“It’s do or die. It’s a World

Algeria

surrenders to Belgian spirit

G

generation” sequel the effort of Coach Marc Wilmots at turning the side to a winning bunch that comprise experienced youngsters.

Wilmots reckoned that the great start could help the team’s march to glory, 28 years after Belgium made a mark at the Mexico ’86 World Cup. “It was a fine start and I think we can only build on this achievement,” Wilmots said.

“We can’t make any pledge though. We simply just have to keep pushing on,” he added.

Fellaini was also delighted with his winning goal.

“At this level I cannot but be happy, especially after what I have been through in the past season,” he said.

am 100 per cent ready, I now only need time on the pitch and to play the game,” he said.

“There is not one player that is going to be the saviour. We all have to work together to carry on,” he added.

Uruguay game, do-or-die –Sturridge

Marouane Fellaini (r) after scoring the winning goal for Belgium against Algeria yesterday

oals from Marouane Fellaini and Dries Mertens saw a strong Belgium side overturn a 1-0 deficit against Algeria to secure victory at the World Cup. The North African side took a shock lead when Sofiane Feghouli scored from the spot after being fouled by Tottenham Hotspur defender Jan Vertonghen.

Manchester United’s virtual misfit, Fellaini, however equalised with a looping header, shortly after coming on in the second half.

Mertens scored the winner when he finished off a swift counter-attack.

Observers have reckoned the Belgian team as the “golden

Suarez

Cup.” The Reds forward, who scored the equaliser in England’s opening loss to the Azzurri, says he is hoping to continue his good form for his country to prevent an early exit from the tournament.

“I’m hungry, I’m confident, and I’m so happy to go out there,” he said.

“It means everything to every single individual in the squad.

“It means the world to me to play for England. I’d be devastated to go out in the group stage.”

Torres banks on team spirit

S

Torres

pain striker, Fernando Torres believes his side will bounce back from their humbling 5-1 defeat to Holland on Friday, insisting the Spaniards know what is expected of them.

The La Furia Roja faces Chile tomorrow in a must-win encounter.

“As time passes and the days go by, you try to forget it as much as possible and look ahead to the Chile game, which is what’s up next,” the Chelsea forward told Radio Marca.

Yet similarities have been drawn with the tournament four years ago, where Spain

also lost their opening encounter at the hands of Switzerland.

“The only similarity is the need to win the three points, to not make mistakes, thinking that Holland is going to win its next game,” he said.

“We have to beat Chile, but now the atmosphere is different, the defeat was a lot harder to take. Not similar in that sense.”

The 30-year-old says his side has received a lot of support back home, and does not feel the squad players need to be critical of themselves, as they know what to do in their next encounter.

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BOLSON FOUNDATION

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UYIEKPEN: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Uyiekpen Blessing, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Edebiri Blessing. All former documents remain valid the general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

FALUSI: Formerly known as Miss Falusi Funmilayo Bunmi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Olaiya Funmilayo Bunmi.All former documents remain valid.Health Management Board, Ado Ekiti Igbemo Ekiti and general public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OLAJIDE: Formerly known and addressed as Mrs Tawakalitu Adeola Olajide, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Tawakalitu Adeola Animashaun. all former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

AKALA: Formerly known and addressed as Akala Bilikisu Abiodun, now wish to be known and addressed as Adetona Bilikisu Abiodun. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

IDOWU: Formerly known and addressed as Idowu Elizabeth O., now wish to be known and addressed as Eleko Elizabeth O. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

MBAH: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Mbah Cecilia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chukwu Cecilia. All former documents remain valid. ESUBEB and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

KAREEM: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Kareem Idayat Bukola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ewedunmoye Idayat Bukola.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

SAMUEL: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Samuel Eneyamire Rhoda, now wish to known and addressed as Mrs Okosun Eneyamire Rhoda. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ADEYEMI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adeyemi Adeola Oluwaseyi, now wish to be called and addressed as Mrs Adeyemo Adeola O. All former documents remain valid. Wesley Guild Hospital Ilesa and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

FALUSI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogunrinde Ayomide Tope, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Kuponiyi Ayomide Tope. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

AMADO: Formerly known and addressed as Ifeanyi Briggs Amado, now wish to be known and addressed as Hero-Amadi Briggs Ifeanyi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

OKOKOH: Formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Uchenna Maryanne Okokoh, now wish to be known and addressed as Ms. Uchenna Maryanne Okagbue.

All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

AKINGBOGUN: Formerly known and addressed as Akingbogun Banwo Abosede, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Nwachukwu Adenike Banwo. All former documents remain valid. NOUN and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

EGBE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Egbe Christiana Eja, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Igho Christiana John. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Osarobo Idahosa 2. Sunday Osayande 3. Conwell Aigbovo 4. Uyi Igiebor

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

- Chairman - Vice - Secretary - Treasurer

To foster social responsibility among youths

Any objection to the above registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within twenty-eight (28) days of this publication.

SIGNED: NNENNA EJEKAM ASSOCIATES (SOLICITORS TO BOLSON FOUNDATION) 70A, ITAFAJI ROAD, DOLPHIN ESTATE, IKOYI, LAGOS STATE.

PUBLIC NOTICE PARDNERS CLUB - NO. 10635

CHANGE AND APPOINTMENT OF NEW TRUSTEES/ AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION This is to inform the general public that the General Secretary of the above Club has resigned and new General Secretary has been duly elected while the number of trustees has been increased from three to five. Section 8.4.1 of the Constitution has also been amended to reflect the new change.

- President - Gen. Secretary (Resigned) - Treasurer - President - Gen.Secr.(Newly Appointed) - Treasurer - Member (Newly Elected) - Member (Newly Elected)

Any objection to this publication should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, P.M.B. 198 Maitama District, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: OLUGBEMIGA LADANU ESQ.(SOLICITOR)

CHANGE OF NAME

FAJEMIROKUN: Formerly known and addressed as Oriyomi Olajumoke Fajemirokun, now wish to be known and addressed as Oriyomi Hephzibah Jehovah Mekkodishkem. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

NWAOKEKE: Formerly known and addressed as Nwaokeke Susan Chinasa, now wish to known and addressed as Chukwubuzor Susan Chinasa. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

JIMOH: Formerly known and called as Miss Jimoh Alimont Olanike, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adedayo Sadiat Olanike. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OYEYEMI: Formerly known and addressed Miss Oyeyemi Christanah Imolemitan, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Anwoh Christanah Imolemitan.

All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ADEYEMI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adeyemi Adebimpe Olusola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Badejogbin Adebimpe Precious.

All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ONIPEDE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Onipede Oluwatosin Omowunmi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ogunrinola Oluwatosin Omowunmi.

All former documents remain valid. Ogun State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ESI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Esi Miriam Amarachi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ebuzoeme Miriam Amarachi.

All former documents remain valid.

Zenith Bank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

KARU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Kama Nwaru Caroline Nwakaego, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nwonye Caroline Nwakaego. All former documents remain valid. ESUBEB and general public take note.

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 twentyeight (28) days of this publication.

PUBLIC NOTICE

TEACHING OF CHRIST BIBLE CHURCH

Notice is hereby given to the general public that the above named Church has applied for registration Under Companies and Allied Matters Decree 1 of 1990 Part ‘C’.

Address: 1, Jesutedo Estate Ajegunle Ogun State, Nigeria.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

CHANGE OF NAME

OGUNGBEMILE: Formerly known and addressed as Olamide Jayeola Ogungbemile, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Olamide Jayeola Oluwagbemile. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Babatunde Ditan Adeyinka now wish to be known and addressed as Adeyinka Babatunde Ditan.

All former documents remain valid. general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OPALEYE: Formerly known and addressed as Opaleye Kabiru Olakunleyin, now wish to be known and addressed as Opaleye AbdulKabir Olakunleyin. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

SUSAN: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Susan Oyindamola Temitope, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ajayi Oyindamola Temitope.

All former documents remain valid.

General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

ADETUTU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Folasade Adetutu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Folasade Adebayo. All former documents remain valid. Ogun state Institute of Technology, Igbesa and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

AGU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Agu Nnenna Lynda, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Eze Nnenna Lynda. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OSHO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Osho Mariam Omotayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Sodeinde Mariam Omotayo. All former documents remain valid NYSC AND general public take note

This is to notify the general public that the above named church has applied for Registration, with the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

1. Pastor Kusoro Sunday Temitope - Chairman 2. Miss Grace Obake - Secretary 3. Mrs Justina Biribina - Member 4. Mr Awonise Robert Olakanmi - Member THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To promote youth & adult spiritually by the way of fellowshipping.

2. To preach & reach people in all nations for Jesus Christ 3. To strengthen & encourage christians who desire to serve the Lord Jesus Christ Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within twenty-eight (28) days of this publication.

SIGNED:PASTOR KUSORO SUNDAY TEMITOPE (CHAIRMAN)

SIGNED: TRUSTEES

1. Prophet Opeyemi Adesola Adeyinka 2. Pastor (Mrs) Maria Funmilayo Adeyinka 3. Bro. Ayomide Adeyinka 4. Mr. Olatunji Solomon Obase 5. Mr. Isaiah Oladele Babatunde

CHANGE OF NAME

OFOR: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ofor Nkechi Juliana, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okeke Nkechi Juliana. All former documents remain valid General public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE THE LIVING BODY OF JESUS CHRIST NON DENOMINATIONAL CHURCH

PUBLIC NOTICE FIRST GRASSROOT YOUTH INITIATIVE.

Notice is hereby given to the general public that the above named initiative has applied for registration Under Companies and Allied Matters Decree 1 of 1990 Part ‘C’.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

OLD TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Chum Tunji Adio 2. Chum Kehinde Olamolu 3. Chum Tunde Kelani NEW TRUSTEES ARE: 1.Chum Tunji Adio 2.Chum Timothy Oladipo 3.Chum Tunde Kelani 4.Chum Yomi Bolarinwa 5.Chum Tunde Abiola

55

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

- Chairman - Vice Chairman - Secretary - Member - Member

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

a. To worship the Lord our God in truth and in Spirit. b. To gain souls for Christ. c. To preach the Gospel of peace to all Nations. d. To have branches wherever converts are made, so as to mature them as Disciples of Christ. e. To conduct and perform the church ordinances of Baptism, Holy Communion, marriages, child naming, dedication, camp meeting, House Fellowship and organize crusade using Internet and Television for the propagation of Gospel.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within twenty-eight (28) days of this publication.

SIGNED: BRO. AYOMIDE ADEYINKA SECRETARY (BOARD OF TRUSTEES)

PUBLIC NOTICE BENUE UNITED AND PROGRESSIVES ASSOCIATION JOS

This is to notify the general public that the above named Organization has applied for Registration, with the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Hon. Sunday Adah Obla Hon. David Yuah Comrade David Asor Mr. Sylvester Ikwe Mr. Peter Ejeh Mrs. Grace Anyebe

- Chairman - Secretary

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

1. For the harmonization of the sons and daughters of Benue state on the Plateau into a formidable and common voice.

2. To use the association as a medium of instruction for Benue people on the need for peaceful coexistence.

3. For the constant sensitization of the Benue people on the sincere need for unity, which shall culminate into the development and progress of Benue State Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within twenty-eight (28) days of this publication.

SIGNED:DANIEL OBLA ESQ., MARTIN OMOHWO & CO. 109B BEROM ROAD, WEST OF MINES, JOS, PLATEAU STATE

WORLD RECORD

Largest glow in the dark painting Vol. 04 No. 875

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

N150

The largest glow in the dark painting measures 104.18 m² (1,121 ft² 55 in²) and was achieved by SZITIC COMMERCIAL PROPERTY CO.LTD (China) in Shenzhen, China, on 29 March 2012.

Nigeria’s election boondoggles

E

lections are here again. This time the focus, drama and accompanying hoopla have shifted to Ekiti State, where the people will in four days time file out to elect a new helmsman to pilot their affairs for the next four years.

Come Saturday, all eyes will rivet towards Ekiti to see if the voters there have learnt anything new in the art of peaceful elections or whether the usual maniacal penchant for snatching ballot boxes and even causing mayhem at polling stations will be the order of the day. Barring any last minute fudge in logistics and administrative debacle, the country expects the elections not only to be peaceful but also devoid of the usual rancour and cacophony that accompanies procedures at voting booths and even collation centres If the flurry of activities and swear

S

uper Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi, yesterday criticised his players for being nervous and unsettled in their FIFA World Cup opener against Iran at Curitiba on Monday.

The reigning Africa

Okay Osuji (okegbuchulam@yahoo.com) 08034729256 (sms only)

words that were seen and heard at the heat of the campaigns are anything to go by, it then means that Nigerians must brace up for the worst. Elections in this country have followed a predictable pattern of violence and bloodshed, masterminded by those in power and the opposition alike.

No politician loses elections in Nigeria, as every contestant expects to come out a winner, even when all indicators and exit polls point to the contrary. That is why election tribunals are always kept busy arguing through legal pyrotechnics to choose a winner for the voters, long after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared one. The ongoing legal contest in Anambra State over who really won the November 2013 gubernatorial elections is a case in point Even when Willie Obiano,s All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) is already ensconced in Government House at Awka, the Chris Ngige-led All Progressive Congress (APC) has refused to acknowledge defeat. Such mentality of not playing according to democratic rules and norms has been responsible for the stunted growth of an enduring civic culture in Nigeria, 53 years after independence.

This buccaneering attitude at elections is a holdover from an inglorious past which has painfully infested the country with a military mindset of deploying regimented personnel to oversee elections. No wonder this benighted cycle is being re-enacted in Ekiti State few days to voting. One could be forgiven to think that the state is at war or has been overrun by foreign invaders,

ONE WONDERS WHY THE COUNTRY MUST PUT ITS ARMED FORCES ON DISPLAY WHENEVER ELECTION APPROACHES while the federal government is mobilising for full scale war. What! With phalanx of armoured cars, Alsatian dogs, attack helicopters and battalion of shock troops armed to the teeth, all set to descend on this small piece of territory auspiciously to maintain peace during voting.

One wonders why the country must put its armed forces on display whenever election approaches. What has a civic duty like voting got to do with military mobilisation? Is there any guarantee that the presence of fully armed troops will deter trouble makers and give voters the confidence to cast their ballots in a serene atmosphere? Of course, past experiences have shown that some armed personnel later turned accomplices in the rigging of ballots and engaging in other electoral shenanigans. While it may be simplistic to dismiss their visible presence at polling centres, we are yet to be convinced that it serves the purpose of instilling confidence in our electoral system. But the authorities have always relied on them to provide security at times like this.

Definitely, that should not be. If anything,

Sport Extra World Cup: Keshi blasts players over Iran draw Cup of Nations champions failed to make their possession count as they came up against a disciplined Iranian defence and failed to break the deadlock in the goalless

encounter.

Keshi believes his players were not in the right frame of mind as their hopes of reaching the second round were dealt a significant blow.

“The boys were unnecessarily edgy and I kept wondering what went into them,” the gaffer said.

“Such thing is not acceptable at this stage.

“Above all, I think we really

their presence have in no small measure scared away potential voters who for fear of accidental discharge preferred staying within the confines of their homes. Then, what should be done? That is where the experience of India in elections’ management comes in With a voter population of 845 million as at last May elections, the country was able to conduct elections that spanned five weeks using real time computerised machines. These tamper proof equipments were not only manufactured by Indian companies, they withstood the rigours of massive voting without crashing and in the end produce near perfect results that could not be challenged in the courts.

There is nothing stopping the Nigerian government from cooperating with India to build such simple, yet sophisticated voting machine for our electoral commission.

I know some persons will question the rationale when there is no reliable electricity supply. For the records, India also suffers from intermittent power outage due to its developing economy and huge geographical land area. Yet, it solved this handicap by manufacturing battery and solar powered computers for use in remote and inaccessible areas Incidentally, no thug was able to snatch any of them because of its zero value immediately voting is completed. Each machine instantly relayed individual votes to the central data bank in New Delhi which in turn stored such information in a cryptic format. The results were only known and relayed nationwide on last day of the elections. With this, the use of ballot papers for thumb printing was eliminated and so denied those waiting to pounce on ballot boxes the opportunity of doing so. Even though India deployed thousands of troops for their elections, they merely watched out for those unruly voters out to disrupt the queues or harass election officials. If we embrace the Indian system, it would not only bring sanity to our electoral processes but also give it a human face.

didn’t perform as expected but we have to move on.

“Doing better when we face Bosnia on Saturday has now become non-negotiable.

YESTERDAY’S RESULTS Algeria 1-2 Belgium Brazil

0 - 0 Mexico

xxxxxx

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