Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Jonathan appoints Arogbofa as new Chief of Staff ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

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resident Goodluck Jonathan has appointed BrigadierGeneral Jones Oladehinde

Vol. 4 N0. 791

Boko Haram:

Arogbofa as his new Chief of Staff.

A statement issued yesterday by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said Arogbofa, whose

‘Diversion, sharp practices responsible for high kerosene price’

appointment takes immediate effect, has taken up his new post at the Presidential Villa.

The statement further said Arogbofa, a retired ofCONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

P.4

Alison-Madueke

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

N150

Relocate Army hqtrs to Maiduguri, Reps tell FG Borno Gov’s assessment misplaced –Presidency

OBIORA IFOH, TORDUE SALEM AND INUSA NDAHI

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he House of Representatives yesterday reacted to the carnage going on in Borno State, with a resolution urging President Goodluck Jonathan to urgently relocate the headquarters of the Nigerian Army to Maiduguri, the state capital.

The lawmakers said CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

LEFT: Secretary, Joint Action Front, Comrade Abiodun Aremu (middle), leading students of Lagos State University in a rally to the State House of Assembly, Alausa in Lagos, to protest the hike in school fees and alleged maltreatment by the school’s administration, yesterday. RIGHT: Deputy Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Musibau Kolawole Taiwo, addressing the students.

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Senate confirms 11 ministerial nominees

Osun senators fail to halt Adesiyan’s confirmation

Yoruba’ll insist on regionalism at confab

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Senate confirms 11 ministerial nominees GEORGE OJI ABUJA

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he Senate yesterday confirmed 11 out of 12 ministerial nominees presented by President Goodluck Jonathan for screening and confirmation.

Jonathan on January 21 forwarded 12 names to the Senate for confirmation.

They were Musiliu Obanikoro (Lagos), Mohammed Wakil (Borno), Aminu Wali (Kano), Akon Eyakenyi (Akwa Ibom), Lawrencia Malam (Kaduna) and Aliu Gusau (Zamfara).

The others were Boni Haruna (Adamawa), Khaliru Alhassan (Sokoto), Hadjia Jamilla Salik (Kano), Abduljelil Adesiyan (Osun) T.W Danagogo (Rivers) and Asabe Ahmed (Niger).

The Senate President, David Mark, said that the screening of Salik, the second nominee from Kano, had been deferred to another legislative day. No reason was given.

The three senators from Osun State put up very spirited efforts to frustrate the confirmation of Adesiyan, as a ministerial nominee without success.

The senators who opposed the nomination were Senators Olusola Adeyeye (Osun Central), Babajide Omoworare (Osun East) and Mudashiru Oyetunde Husain (Osun West).

The opposition to the nomination of Adesiyan by his senators was predicated on the allegation that the nominee had a hand in the death of the late AttorneyGeneral and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige, who was murdered in December 2001.

This was despite the fact that Adesiyan had during his screening last week, denied knowledge or complicity with the said death.

Shortly before the confirmation of Adesiyan, Adeyeye had raised a point of order and rising under Order 14 of the Senate Standing Order on Privileges, called the attention of the Senate to the opposition of his colleagues to the nomination of Adesiyan.

Adeyeye said: “I want to put it on record again that all three senators from Osun State unanimously opposed this nomination. I also want to place it on record this nominee is the 6th person

that was nominated by the President on an appointment that requires the confirmation of this Senate.

“I want to put it on record that all previous nominations, all three of us, have not only endorsed the nomination of the President, we have canvassed support for them among our colleagues.

“This is the first time that we are opposing any nomi-

nation brought before this senate.

“This opposition is not being brought on the grounds of partisan politicking. I am aware that in recent times, there has been an outmost in the House of political cleavage. I pray to God that in his mercy He will heal that cleavage, so that as one family, we can do what is in the best interest

of our republic.

“We oppose this nomination on two grounds; one, we do not believe that the president of our country will be best served by the appointment of Mr. Adesiyan.

“When he met the three of us from Osun, he did as he well did when he appeared before the senate, he told a long story about his being accused falsely of the

murder of the late Chief Bola Ige. “He spoke at length and when he finished, I told him that two things are clear; one, Bola Ige did not kill himself, two, the dead do not talk, Bola Ige cannot tell us who killed him.

“So, we said, we are not going to bother you about that, whether you are the CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

President Goodluck Jonathan (4th left); President, Actors Guild of Nigeria, Ibinabo Fiberesima (3rd left) and others, during a visit of the guild to the State House in Abuja, yesterday.

Relocate Army hqtrs to Maiduguri, Reps tell FG CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

that the decision would enable the Chief of Army Staff to battle terrorists to a standstill and put an end to the insecurity in the area.

An attack by the Boko Haram sect, which started on Saturday, has now claimed over 150 lives.

About 10,000 residents are said to have fled Borno State for the neighbouring Adamawa State where they are now taking refuge in Gulak in Madagali Council Area of the state.

The House also called on the Federal Government to partner with Chad, Niger Republic and Cameroon on how best to tackle the inter-border insurgency.

Hon. Peter Biye Gumtha (APC-Borno) who moved the motion requested the military to dispatch more soldiers to worst-hit areas as part of a grand strategy to crush the terror network in the state.

While commiserating with the people, the House

urged the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to immediately provide relief materials to the victims of the last attacks.

Hon. Gumtha in his narrative, announced that besides the civilian victims and the soldiers killed in Izge village, several others lost their lives in Gavva West and East local governments as 150 houses were razed.

He said in Zalidva village, Sabon Gari, 14 people were killed, while 30 houses were razed.

“In Ngoshe town, 46 people were killed, while 30 houses were razed; seven people were killed in Hambaged and about 140 cattle were taken away.

“In Chinene village, seven people were killed and also Krawa town, 20 people were slaughtered and 20 shops razed down.

Emir of Gwoza’s house at Jaje village was razed with property and food stuffs worth millions of naira destroyed. Several houses in Juba village

and places of worship were razed with property worth millions of naira destroyed,” he said.

The lawmaker also said that 10 people were killed in Wala ‘A’ and three people in Wala ‘B’, adding that many cattle were taken away during the attack on the two villages.

“In Ndufa village, six deaths were recorded and 120 cattle taken away, while in Pulka town one person was killed and eight people were abducted. In Ngoshe Sama village, 18 people were killed and 80 houses were razed and 150 cattle taken away.

A total of about 120 places of worship were destroyed by the gunmen from December, 2013 to February, 2014, including churches and mosques,” he added.

In his contribution, Hon. Mohammed Monguno (APC-Borno), echoed Governor Kashim Shettima by saying that the terrorists were better equipped than the Task Force battling them.

Hon. Titsi Ganama (PDP-Adamawa) added that the government must sit up in its efforts to crush the insurgency in the North East.

Meanwhile, Shettima yesterday visited Izghe village to sympathise with the victims of Saturday’s deadly attack.

The governor, who was accompanied by a senator representing the affected community, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume and other government officials also announced additional N100m donation to complement the initial N100m earlier released by the state government for the victims.

Shettima, who alongside Senator Ndume shed tears upon seeing the magnitude of damages to human lives and property as well as the displacement of over 10,000 residents from their homes, urged the people to continue to pray to God for the restoration of peace and unity in the North East in particular.

Shettima had recently admitted that the state is in a war situation and expressed shock at the level of destruction by the terrorists.

He appealed to the victims to take solace and commit all what happened to them as an act of God, as according to him, God is the only solution to what he described as “endless insecurity to lives and property” in the state since 2009.

While addressing the victims earlier, Senator Ndume called on the fleeing victims not to panic as government is already aware of all their predicament and very soon, it will take a stance to see to it that such unfortunate incident did not repeat itself again.

Ndume, who thanked Governor Shettima for identifying with his people, particularly at this moment of sober reflection by coming to the aide of the victims urged all and sundry not to relent in their prayers for peace

to be restored not only in the state, but the country in general.

The Presidency yesterday took on Governor Shettima over his comments on the ability of the armed forces to deal with the current spate of insecurity in the state, noting that his assessment was unfair and misplaced.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, at a press briefing also stated that the recent attacks on villages by the sect was due to the dislodgment of the insurgents from their strongholds and hideouts in the mountainous forest areas of Borno State.

According to him the location of the villages which suffered from the attacks are close to the mountains which afford the insurgents the opportunity to launch strikes at night and sneak back across the border into neighbouring countries.

Okupe said: “It is wrong CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

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Wednesday, February 19, 2014

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Wednesday, February 19 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Manager, Health Portfolio, MTN Foundation, Mr. Ekong Udoabang; Executive Secretary, Ms. Nonny Ugboma; Chairman, Sickle Cell Foundation of Nigeria, Prof. Olufemi Akinyanju; and Managing Partners, CTRU Concepts Nigeria, Mr. Adeleye Babatunde and Mr. Olowokere Taiwo, during the presentation of a CSR award for Innovative Partnership to MTN Foundation in Lagos recently.

L-R: Executive Director, Women Arise for Change Initiative, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin; Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku and Chairman, National Human Rights Commission, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, during a one-day policy dialogue on gender-based violence affecting young people in Nigeria, in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

L-R: Nollywood actor, Uti Nwachukwu; Retail Customer Marketing Manager, Nokia West & Central Africa, Mr. Olajide Adeyemi; Head of Marketing, Ms. Debbie Shepard; Consumer Engagement Manager, Mr. Mayor Esiaba, during the Nokia/Maggi Food Photography Night to celebrate the launch of Nokia Lumia 1520 and Lumia 1320, at the Social Media Week in Lagos on Monday.

L-R: Managing Director, National Mirror Newspapers, Mrs. Kafilat Ogbara with former Minister of Finance, Senator Nenadi Usman during the Nigeria Women Strategy Conference in Abuja, on Monday.

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National News

'Diversion, sharp practices responsible for high kerosene price' WOLE OLADIMEJI

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assive diversion of kerosene and other sharp practices have been identified as fresh facts affecting supply and high prices of kerosene in the nation.

The Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mr. Andrew Yakubu, at the National Assembly yesterday said that kerosene was not sold at the official price of N50 per litre because of diversion of the product by some marketers.

The other reasons for the high price of kerosene, according to him, include sharp practices by middlemen, usage for road construction and aviation fuel.

Yakubu said this at an investigative hearing on the supply, subsidy and distribution of kerosene in the country.

He said that this trend could be checked through adequate monitoring of the country’s borders to ensure that the product was not smuggled.

Yakubu also said that the diversion of the product

would be curtailed if the production and supply of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) was improved.

He said that the corporation was making efforts to make pipelines across the country functional to check the continued diversion of kerosene.

On kerosene subsidy, Yakubu said that though there was a directive to stop subsidy on the product it was not followed to conclusion.

He said he needed time to avail the committee accurate volume of kerosene imported between 2010 and 2013 as well as budget for subsidy.

The NNPC boss explained that the corporation became the sole importer and supplier of kerosene when marketers withdrew because of the uncertainty over subsidy in 2011.

He stressed that the National Assembly through its resolution directed the restoration of subsidy on kerosene.

The Managing Director of Pipelines Product Marketing Company (PPMC), Mr. Haruna Momoh, said

that daily supply of kerosene was increased from nine million litres to 11 million litres in 2011.

Momoh, who corroborated Yakubu’s arguments, said that the company had revived the depots in Kano, Suleija, Jos, Benin and Aba, to check diversion of kerosene.

The Chairman of the committee, Hon. Dakuku Peterside (APC-Rivers), said the hearing was not aimed at witch hunting any organisation or person.

However, the spokesman of Petroleum Tanker Drivers, which is an arm of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, Mr. Abdul Garba said in a telephone interview that members of the organisation encounter serious harassment in the process of carrying out their responsibilities.

He quoted the National Chairman of the group, Mr. Timothy Ogbu as stating that the union was left with no choice than to embark on the strike in Bayelsa State a few days ago because of harassment the Civil Defence

Corps members who seized its tanker for allegedly carrying contaminated product.

It was learnt that this and other harassment sometimes caused operators to incur unexpected cost, thus making it impossible for them to sale the product at N50 per litre.

Contrary to government expectation, a survey showed the price of kerosene has hit the roofs at over N200 in many parts of the nation.

But many marketers who spoke with National Mirror alleged that they paid about N25 per litre to officials before they were allowed to lift the product at the depots.

An independent marketer who preferred not to be named said, “It is not easy to get kerosene allocation.

Many marketers paid up to N25 per litre before they can load the product.

He said, “There is no way marketers can lift kerosene at less than N75 per litre, including the settlement of officials directly involved in the process.

The PPPRA template

stated that N140 per litre was set aside to meet basic cost.

A breakdown showed that cost plus insurance and lightering expenses accounted for N128.83 and N4.09 respectively.

The NPA and financing charge accounted for N0.68 and NN0.63 respectively.

There is also N0.80 storage charge which increased the landing cost of kerosene to N140.32.

More than that, distributors also get their margins.

A breakdown showed that retailers get N4.60 per litre while transporters get N2.99 per litre.

The template has it that dealers get N1.75 per litre while bridging fund accounted for N5.85 per litre.

Marine transport average attracts N0.15 per litre while administrative charge accounted for N0.15, thus increasing subtotal margins to N15.49 per litre.

The template puts the total cost of kerosene at N155.81 per litre while the official ex-depot price stands at N34.51, thus leaving the government under-

cover at N105.81per litre and open market price at N155.81.

A market survey showed that despite the subsidy, the many consumers cannot see the product to buy in Lagos and other parts of the nation.

Members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN had started the sale of kerosene at N50 per litre in Lagos and its environs a few weeks ago.

The National President of the Association, Alhaji Abdulkadri Aminu, who flagged off of sales of kerosene at N 50 per litre in Lagos, had promised that the exercise would continue.

But investigations in Lagos and its environs showed that most independent marketers did not have the product to sale to consumers.

Consumers were seen waiting in long queues in a few stations that selling the product at arbitrary prices in the area.

The Secretary General of IPMAN Mr. Mike Osatuyi did not take his telephone calls yesterday.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Wednesday, February 19, 2014

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Relocate Army hqtrs to Maiduguri, Reps tell FG CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

for anyone, Nigerian or foreigner, to assert that

our armed forces cannot defeat the Boko Haram insurgents or to insinuate

that the insurgents are better armed.

“We believe strongly

that the statement made by the Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shet-

L-R: Minister of Works, Chief Mike Onolememen; Director-General, National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion, Dr. Umar Bindir; Ministers: Mrs. Serah Ochekpe (Water Resources) and Prof. Chinedu Nebo (Power), during the inauguration of the National Research and Innovation Council in Abuja, yesterday.

Senate confirms 11 ministerial nominees CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

one who participated. Mr. President, there is a serious issue, that if you have this albatross around your neck, are there no other persons in your party?”

The Senate President, who at that point interrupted Adeyeye said: “Prof, please I am afraid I will have to stop you at this point, the reason is very simple.

Let me put something on record. It is true you approached me; it is also true that you did ask whether you could ask him when he appears here or not.

“You will recall that I said that I had no problem with that and I think you should have reported that bit. I also did say that dur-

ing confirmation you can make your objections. That I think is very clear from the voice votes. I asked openly here. When he was here, whatever questions you had for him, I did not stop you from asking. Mine was just a simple advice and I was very specific. I said yes, you can ask him once he is here.

I think we must put all these behind us. This is my own honest advice.

“This house cannot become a law court, where we prosecute and discharge people. If he is not prosecuted in the law court, anything we do here is just an allegation. Thank God you said the issue is not just only about Bola Ige. He did not nominate himself, he was nomi-

nated by Mr. President and we all heard the voice votes here and if you have an objection to the voice votes, you can call for a division if that is what you want.

“But I think from the voice votes, it is clear to everybody here that this nominee is approved by this house. So, I don’t see where your privilege has become an issue that you are coming under privilege now.”

All these happened at a day the senate completed the screening exercise and subsequently confirmed the nomination of the 11 candidates.

The second nominee from Kano State, Hadjia Jamilla Salik was absent from the screening exercise.

It was revealed that the nominee would be replaced by the former governor of Kano State, Ibrahim Shekarau, who recently decamped from the All Progressive Congress, APC, to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The name of the former governor is expected to be forwarded to the senate next week by the President, together with the replacements for the four ministers who were sacked last week.

The sacked ministers were Godsday Orupebe (Delta State), Stella Oduah (Anambra State), Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade (Ekiti State) and Dr. Yerima Angama (Kebbi State).

Reps adopt report on Malabu, FG oil deal TORDUE SALEM ABUJA

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he House of Representatives yesterday adopted the report of its ad-hoc committee on the oil deal between Malabu Oil Limited and the Federal Government.

The presentation of the report had twice been shelved following protests by lawmakers that they did not have copies to follow the consideration of the document.

Some members also insisted the committee went beyond its mandate in investigating and issuing a report on certain areas on the oil deal.

Last Thursday, when

another attempt was made to present the report, the Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, who presided over the plenary, had to adjourn and ordered the chamber staff to give copies of the report to each member of the House.

Despite all efforts to ensure that the presentation of the report was hitch-free, some lawmakers still protested when the report came up for consideration.

Hon. Simon Arabo (PDPKaduna), who was the first to speak, stressed that the recommendations contained in the report were in violation of the 1999 Constitution.

He said that going by Section 4 and 6 of the constitution,

the House would be usurping the duties of the judiciary if it went ahead to debate the contents of the report.

“This report is an embarrassment to this House. It’s unconstitutional for us to have such a report. We’re not part of the judiciary, so we can’t play their role,” he said.

At this point, Ihedioha, who also presided over yesterday’s plenary, called on the Chairman of the House Committee on Justice, Hon. Ali Ahmad (APC- Kwara), who said much as Arabo’s observation was in order, the recommendations could be looked one after the other, and where necessary, amendments made.

However, Hon. Kamil Akinlabi (PDP-Oyo), suggested that the word “cancel” in one of the report’s recommendation, which stated that the Federal Government should cancel the entire Malabu oil deal, be changed to ‘review’.

He argued that by leaving the word, it would show that the House was acting as a court, contrary to the constitution.

Majority of the lawmakers, however, opposed Akinlabi’s submission, insisting that the word ‘cancel’ be retained.

When put to vote, all the nine recommendations contained in the report were adopted by the majority.

tima that the insurgents are better armed than our military is based purely on a civilian perception of the situation at hand. It is clear that Governor Shettima does not have the expertise to categorise or classify the effectiveness of any weapon.

“We state categorically that the Nigerian military is one of the best equipped in Africa and that in 2014, the Federal Government made budgetary provision in excess of N1trn for the military and other security agencies, an amount, which is about 22 percent of our entire national budget for this year. This definitely belies the suggestion in certain quarters that the Federal Government is not doing the needful in prosecuting this war.

“The statement on low morale and lack of motivation is equally unfair and misplaced. Whereas insurgents are usually motivated by ideological fanaticism, on the contrary well-disciplined militaries like ours are spurred by patriotic sense of duty, national pride and strict adherence to professionalism.

“Therefore, the morale of troops engaged in this war is high and ought not to be dampened by unsavory and certainly untrue comments of low motivation.”

While admitting that Nigeria is involved in guerrilla warfare, Ok-

upe said it is heartwarming that the military, having participated in numerous international peace keeping operations where they helped to quell insurgencies, has acquired the sophistication and necessary capacity to adapt to the ever changing modus operandi of the insurgents.

Meanwhile, the Jama’atu Nasril Islam, JNI, yesterday condemned the recent attacks on innocent people in Konduga, Izge and Madagali areas of Borno and Adamawa states.

The condemnation is contained in a statement signed and issued in Kaduna by JNI SecretaryGeneral, Dr. Sale Aliyu.

“The JNI expresses deep concern over the continued killings and merciless attacks on innocent people in Borno and Adamawa,” it said It called on the government to strengthen its forces to protect the lives of innocent people in the two states.

“Why will blood be allowed to spill for no just cause? Are we not aware of the devastating repercussion associated with spilling of blood?’’ it stressed.

The statement condemned the devastating attacks on unarmed citizens, and called on members of the public to be wary of happenings around them.

Jonathan appoints Arogbofa as new Chief of Staff CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

ficer of the Signals Corps of the Nigerian Army, replaced Chief Mike Oghiadomhe, who resigned his appointment last week Monday.

The new Chief of Staff to the President was born on November 10, 1952. He hails from the Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The statement said that in addition to administrative capabilities and experience garnered from a distinguished career in the Nigerian Army, Arogbofa brings an impressive array of academic qualifications to his new job.

According to the statement, they include a Di-

ploma in Communications Engineering from the Rochester Institute of Technology, USA, a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Alabama, USA. He also holds a Masters degree in Military Arts and Science from the United States Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

The new Chief of Staff holds several military honours and awards, including Mss, Fss, Fsc and Fwc, and is also a member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE.

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Wednesday, February 19, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Reps commence probe of N300bn intervention fund WOLE OLADIMEJI ABUJA

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peaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, yesterday expressed concern over the N300 billion power and airline intervention fund, which has dwindled to N100 billion.

The Speaker, who stated this at the opening ceremony of the public hearing organised by the ad-hoc committee on the disbursement of public funds, said the legislature was to ensure that the funds were not subjected to waste or corruption.

Tambuwal hinted that the House has resolved

at all times to investigate any matter that undermines the growth of the federation.

“We shall continue to devote attention to situations where the action of government or any of its agencies infringe on the constitution.

“By some accounts, the volume of this fund which originally amounted to about N300 billion has now dwindled to less than N100 billion. Officials claim that over N200 billion have been disbursed through deposit money banks to certain individuals and corporate organisations without following due process.

“You will agree with me that we have a very serious issue here which falls within the precincts of the constitutional mandate given to the National Assembly that all revenues belonging to the federation, must be paid into the consolidated revenue fund, withdrawals therein shall only be carried out solely upon the authority of an Act of the National Assembly,” he said.

He said it was mandatory of the legislature to ensure that where funds are so authorised to be withdrawn that they are not subjected to waste, corruption, or inefficiency.

“Section 88 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, makes it mandatory for the National Assembly to protect the interest of the citizens and that of the general tax payer, with respect to the use of public funds.

“In this vein, we shall not hesitate to recommend appropriate sanctions where any such violation has occurred.

However, we shall not pursue every rumour of misdeed or subject government officials to unnecessary harassment either,” he said.

In his welcome address, Chairman of the committee, Hon. Yakubu

Dogara, said the probe became inevitable following agitations from different quarters that the disbursement of the fund did not follow due process.

He said this manifests in a way that increases the quality of public funds’ value-addition.

Hence, the philosophy behind the legislative oversight on the activities of the executive (financial and otherwise), is hinged on the hallowed principle of sepa-

‘Reforms in Customs’ll boost regional trade, security’ ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

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L-R: Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke; Permanent Secretary, Mr. Daladi Kilfasi and the Group Managing Director, NNPC, Mr. Andrew Yakubu, during the hearing on need for expenditure and subsidy on dual purpose kerosene in Abuja, yesterday.

We’re committed to technological development –Jonathan ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said his administration is committed to the scientific and technological progress of the country through research and the innovative spirit of Nigerians.

Speaking at the inauguration of the members of the National Research and Innovation Council, NRIC, the President said the administration would also pursue a knowledge-based economy as part of his transformation agenda for the development of the country, Jonathan, who is also the chairman of the council, stressed collaboration with

other agencies to transform all sectors of the economy.

The President said; “You will recall that only last week, we launched the industrial policy of the country and when people talk about the country’s educational policy, they always feel that there is a missing link between the our education, products of our universities or tertiary institutions and the needs of the society.

“The science technology and innovation programmes will stand as a major link between search and industrialization. There is no country that can develop technologically if it continue to relay on primary commodities either they are raw minerals or agriculture produce”

“I always say that for Africa to get out of the woods, it must industrialise. Without that, you can only be supplying goods and creating jobs outside the country. This must change in Nigeria and Africa,” Jonathan added.

Responding on behalf of other members of the body, Minister of Communication Technology Mrs. Omobola Johnson, gave an assurance that they would strive to meet the objectives of the initiative.

Johnson said research was important in the technological advancement of the country.

Other members of the research council include the Ministers of Science and Technology, Information,

Power, Health, Petroleum, Finance, Industry, Trade and Investment, Water Resources and Environment.

ration of powers; that the credibility of any item of public spending is enhanced whenever any item of public expenditure is passed through the deep heat of legislative chemotherapy.

“This is one of the major reasons why investigative hearing such as this, remains a bourgeoning pillar of participatory democracy. It is vital at this point, that I highlight an overview of how this hearing will be guided,” he said.

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said the ongoing reforms in the Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, would enhance regional and continental trade.

According to him, the reforms would also boost security in the country by helping to curtail the influx of illegal small arms and light weapons.

Speaking while receiving the visiting SecretaryGeneral of the World Customs Organisation, WCO, Mr. Kunio Mikuriya, President Jonathan said the reforms were necessitated by the need to redefine the core values and operations of the service.

The President further told Mikuriya that with the reforms, the NCS was being progressively modernised and given the additional role of trade facilitation.

“I started out my career

in the Nigeria Customs Service. Within that period and now, there have been significant changes.

The role of Customs as a trade facilitator is becoming more apparent.

“We promise you that the Nigerian government will continue to support reforms in the Customs. If we do things well, others will emulate us in the region,” the President said.

Jonathan congratulated the secretary-general on his re-election to lead the global body, saying that it must have been due to his strong leadership skills.

In his remarks, Mikuriya told the President that he had toured ports in Lagos and the Nigeria Customs College, where well motivated staff showed readiness to learn and deploy new skills in their operations.

He said he also met with the business community in Lagos, who testified to the positive impact of ongoing reforms in the Customs.

Ndiomu takes over as AHQ Garrison commander UBONG UKPONG

ABUJA

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rigadier-General Barry Ndiomu, yesterday took over as the new commander of the Army Headquarters, AHQ, Garrison command in Abuja.

The new garrison commander took over from Major-General Tammy Dibi, who has been posted to Lagos as the General Officer Commanding,

GOC, 81 Division Nigerian Army.

A statement yesterday by the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Aliyu Yusuf, said the handing and taking over exercise took place at the Commanders’ Office in Mogadishu Cantonment.

Before his appointment, Brigadier-General Ndiomu has served in several capacities in Nigerian Army formations as commander, staff and

instructor within and outside the country.

He was one time Commander, 1 Division Provost Group, Colonel, General Staff Headquarters, Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police. He also served as Defence Attaché at the Nigerian Embassy in the Republic of Chad.

The last appointment he held was the Director of Standards and Combat Readiness, DSCR, in Army Headquarters.

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Wednesday, February 19, 2014

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Wednesday, February 19, 2014

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Gowon decries fragmentation of North by elders AZA MSUE KADUNA

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ormer Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, yesterday decried the constant fragmentation of the North through the emergence of different groups claiming to speak for the region.

It will be recalled that a renowned politician and elder statesman, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, recently launched pro-Jonathan/ Sambo Group and Northern Elders Council (NEC) among others.

Gowon expressed concerned over the growing hype of ethnic nationalism and ethno-religious activism, which he claimed breed cleavages.

The former Head of State, however, stressed the need for all Nigerians to join hands in fighting all the challenges threatening the nation’s existence.

Speaking at the inauguration of the new leadership of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) in Kaduna, Gowon said there was the need for all Nigerians to come together and unleash their synergy against the security challenges and other national malaise that threaten the economic and social development of the country.

He noted that the ACF was built on the promise

of an unwavering commitment to the pursuit of peaceful co-existence in the North and in the context of one united Nigeria.

According to him, the noble objectives of the ACF could not be expected to come to pass when there is proliferation of elders groups in the North claiming to speak for the region.

He said: “We believe the situation is not beyond redemption and so, should not be allowed to set a national agenda of reconsideration of our unity and nationhood.

“Freedom brought about by democracy… is expected to thrive on a triple foundation of liberty, justice and common decency. That is why it is said that democracy is rather a contest of ideas and reasons and not contest for survival where politicians take it out violently among themselves in the name of democracy. Only liberty, justice and common decency are true elements of democracy.

“We, therefore, appeal to our politicians not to resort to violence in the name of freedom that comes with democracy. You will agree with me in saying that although Nigeria may be going through hard times, political, economic and social, we have a resilience to tackle it successfully.”

2015: APC engages US-based firm to boost electoral chances

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head of the 2015 general elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has engaged an international consulting firm, AKPD Message and Media, to boost its electoral chances.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that AKPD Message and Media is a media consultancy firm, based in Chicago, United States.

In a statement issued yesterday in Lagos, the APC Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said that the United States-based company was best known for its role in President Barack Obama’s presidential campaigns in 2008 and 2012.

Mohammed explained that the firm had also worked with key Democratic Party candidates through-

out the United States.

The APC spokesman said that the firm also had a strong reputation for supporting leading populist movements across the globe.

He said: “We have been working closely with AKPD Message and Media over the past few months and we shall leverage on the firm’s skill, experience and expertise throughout the upcoming campaign cycle.

“As a party destined to bring change and succour to the long-suffering people of Nigeria, the APC is proud and excited to work with one of the foremost exponents of change in the world.

“We are especially excited with their track record of success in political climates akin to ours, notably in Kenya, Tanzania and Ghana.”

L-R: A prominent businessman, Chief Kessington Adebutu; Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Education, Hon. Wahab Alawiye-King; Commissioner for Education, Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye and Governor Babatunde Fashola during a Corporate Social Responsibility Award Breakfast meeting in Lagos, yesterday.

Tribunal sacks Edo LG chairman, orders rerun

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n Edo State Local Government Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Benin yesterday nullified the election of Esan NorthEast Local Government Area chairman.

The tribunal chairman, Justice Alero Eruaga, declared that the election of Mr. Sam Oboh on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the Chairman of Esan NorthEast Local Government Area and the defeat of Mr. John Yakubu, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stand voided and nullified.

While ordering the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) to organise a rerun as the law provides accordingly, the

tribunal declared that the election that was held on October 22, 2013 only took place in nine wards of the 11 wards that make up the local government.

The three man panel of judges declared that the PDP candidate was able to prove that there was no proper collation of results of the election before the winner was declared.

The process of election, according to the tribunal, entails accreditation of voters, voting, collation and announcement. An absence of any of these components, the tribunal added, voids and nullifies an election.

Justice Eruaga added that evidence provided at the tribunal by EDSIEC officials, who participated in

the conduct of the election, revealed that there was no collation of results in nine wards, where election took place before the final announcement of the result in Benin by EDSIEC Chairman, Mr. Solomon Ogoh.

Particularly, the tribunal said that the result of the elections ought to have been announced at Eguare Primary School after collation at the same venue by the returning officer.

Disagreeing with the argument of the PDP candidate that he duly won the election, the tribunal ordered EDSIEC to conduct a re-run into the chairmanship position in accordance with the state local government Electoral Act. But the APC candidate said the party would appeal the judge-

ment.

On the other hand, Yakubu described the judgment as a “partial carryover” of what transpired on the election day, a statement that clearly indicated that PDP rejected the verdict.

Edo State PDP Chairman, Chief Dan Osi Orbih, said: “We have received the judgement with mixed feelings as the verdict falls short of expectations. Our team of lawyer did a good job as they were able to prove beyond any doubt that the PDP won the election.”

It will be recalled that EDSIEC had declared Oboh, the APC chairmanship candidate, winner of the election with 12, 672 votes against Yakubu, the PDP candidate’s 3, 314 votes.

Group flays critics of Amosun’s N19bn fresh loan request FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

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n Ogun Statebased group, The Rebuilders, yesterday flayed critics of Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s quest for a fresh N19 billion loan to expand the infrastructural renewal of the state.

The group, which rose from a meeting to commemorate its first anniversary in Abeokuta, the state

capital, called on the opposition to stop overheating the polity unnecessarily over the loan request.

In the communiqué issued after the meeting and signed by its Chairman, Adebayo Sheriff, The Rebuilders described members of the opposition political parties as “confused politicians who need to step up their political game to enable them measure up with the realities which the governor has introduced to governance.”

The group claim that Amosun had judiciously utilised previous loans obtained to develop the state and had also succeeded in repaying a substantial amount which gave the government the opportunity to borrow more.

Stressing that Amosun acted within the confines of the law since the money had already been included in the 2014 budget, the group explained that the governor’s resolve to seek the House of Assembly’s ap-

proval was a demonstration of his openness in financial prudence.

The group said: “Elections are not won in the media, opposition politicians’ analysis of the Ogun State debt profile has further exposed how empty they are and such an analysis is laughable.”

It, however, called on members of the House Assembly not to be distracted by the “ranting of political neonates” in discharging their constitutional roles.

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Wednesday, February 19, 2014

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Yoruba to insist on regionalism at confab –Olajide KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

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s the nation awaits the commencement of the proposed national conference scheduled to hold next month, the people of the South-West have said there is no going back on the Yoruba agenda which focuses on the right to self-determination and regionalism.

Secretary-General of Yoruba Agenda Committee in the ongoing consultations among all sons and daughters of the race, Dr. Kunle Olajide,

said this yesterday while addressing journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Olajide, the Publicity Secretary of the Yoruba Council of Elders, YCE, and one of the most respected voices in the zone, said the 2015 general elections won’t hold unless and until the resolutions of all the issues to be tabled by the different ethnic nationalities.

This, he said, would be strictly adhered to and implemented for the continuous and peaceful co-existence of the nationalities in the

country as one corporate indivisible entity.

While describing yesterday’s meeting at Ishara-Remo, Ogun State where all Yoruba groups were coalesced under what is today known as the Yoruba Assembly on National Conference; Olajide said another summit where all Yoruba people will sit to present a common front will hold on February 27.

He added that the national conference is the solution to the myriads of problems confronting the nation and that everything must be done to make it successful.

He said; “This national conference is timely and is a divine intervention for this country. It is the solution to the problems facing this nation. Look at the Boko Haram crisis; if you want to have Sharia law in your region, there should be no problem about that.

“We have seen the beauty and Achilles heel of this country and that is why we are insisting that since we are heterogeneous in nature as a country, our staying together as a nation should be reviewed for a solid foundation for another 100 years.

“The 2015 elections

L-R: Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Coordinator, New Initiative for Social Development, Mr. Abiodun Oyeleye and the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Perry Calderwood, during a courtesy visit/dinner at the Government House, Ado-Ekiti, recently.

LASU students protest hike in school fees FRANCIS SUBERU

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tudents of the Lagos State University, LASU, yesterday stormed the state House of Assembly protesting over the hike in their school fees.

The protest came even as they threatened to resume school on February 24, 2014 as opposed to the partial resumption ordered by the school authority.

The protesting students displayed placards with varied inscriptions like: “Education is a right not a privilege,” “Adequate funding of education is non-negotiable” and “Reverse the fees now,” among others, chanting anti-establishment songs.

National Coordinator

of Education Rights Campaign, Mr. Hassan Soweto, who spoke on behalf of the students, lamented the harrowing experience of indigent students who pay exorbitant tuition year in year out, saying the root cause of LASU’s crisis was hike in school fees.

It will be recalled that the university has been in crisis since January 23, 2014 after the closure of the school portal by the management which led to the indefinite shutdown of the institution.

Recalling the intervention of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Soweto said the lawmakers were bias in their judgement by putting all the blames on the students rather than addressing the actual problem affecting the university.

“I want to tell you that

the hike in fees since 2011 has been the cause of the recurrent crisis in LASU. The fee is one of the most expensive in the country.

We think the House has acted in error. It is unfair to put all the blames on the students.

“This is against the claim by the party that calls itself progressive; it is undemocratic,” Soweto said.

Also speaking, the Secretary-General of the Joint Action Front, JAF, Abiodun Aremu said the House has constitutional responsibility to reverse the fees; adding that; “We are passionate to be here today because we know the lawmakers were beneficiaries of public education.”

He reiterated that it was quite unfortunate that the Lagos State government is

aggravating the problem instead of finding ways to resolve the issue. He added that; “Universities cannot be run by dictators so that the right of students would not be jeopardised.”

In his response, the Deputy Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Kolawole Taiwo, said it was unfair for the protesters to say that the House had been one sided in the way it handled the matter.

According to him, the members passed a resolution for the re-opening of the portal to allow students who were yet to register gain access and be opportuned to register. He commended the courage of the students by being law abiding despite being aggrieved about the situation.

should not hold until there is a solution to how we want to be governed.

The position of the Yoruba people should be respected; power must not remain as it is; it should be reorganised.

“We are looking at Nigeria in totality; the basis of our union and for the Yoruba insistence on regional agenda, there is no short cut to it. It is a must.

We fared better as a race under regionalism than the present arrangement. We want regional government comprising of the existing six states in the SouthWest.

“Presently, Nigerians are not happy with the three arms of government - viz executive, legislature and judiciary. Nigerians must sit together and determine how we want to be governed. We want a new constitution and a parliamentary system put in place. The present presidential system of government is extremely expensive.

“A saint will become a Satan if he becomes a president in Nigeria of today.

Tafawa Balewa contested election in Bauchi and he later became Prime Minister.

Also, the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, also contested in Remo, Ogun State and these great men

later became leaders of their people.

“Parliamentary system is the best option for Nigeria because it will drastically reduce corruption ravaging us a nation. We have a right to self-determination.

Nigeria is presently in a state of undeclared state of war and this is the auspicious moment for us as a nation to sit together and resolve our problems for the future of this country and generations yet unborn.”

Speaking on preparation for the conference, Olajide said; “We encourage groups to continue to meet on the future of the country. We want a new Nigeria and I envisage a Nigeria that is not build from the roof, but from the bottom up and with one single legislative list.

“We want a central government and regional governments where revenue will be no more shared on the basis of existing local governments.

“We also want state and regional police where individual rights will be protected and indigenes/ settlers rights protected too. A nation where resources domicile in your region will be extremely yours but few agreed remittances to the federal/ central government.”

Akingbola: Court annuls registration of N212.2bn foreign judgement WALE IGBINTADE

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espite came the way of the former Managing Director of the defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc. Mr. Erastus Akingbola as a Lagos State high court yesterday discharge and set aside the registration of the N212.2 billion judgement delivered against him by a London court.

Ruling on an application dated September 27, 2013 filed by Akingbola’s lawyer, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, the trial judge, Justice Samuel Candide-Johnson, held that a federal high court and not a state high court has jurisdiction to adjudicate on Companies and Allied Matters Act, CAMA. Besides, the court stuck

out the suit filed by Access Bank seeking to enforce the foreign judgement.

The London court had ordered Akingbola to pay Access Bank N212.2 billion (£654 million) for alleged fraudulent practices committed when he was in charge of the defunct bank, which Access Bank has now taken over.

In order to enforce the judgement in Nigeria, the judgement creditor, (Access Bank) in an ex-parte application brought before Justice Adedayo Oyebanji of a Lagos high court sought the registration of the judgement and the accompanying order of Justice Burton, dated September 13, 2012.

Justice Oyebanji in her ruling ordered Akingbola to pay Access Bank Plc N212.2 billion (the judgement sum).

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Lagos stops work on FG-approved estate ...condemns structures on wetlands

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he Lagos State Government yesterday stopped an ongoing construction of a housing estate allegedly approved by the Federal Government on Lagos wetlands and under high tension cables in Ikoyi.

State Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, who gave the order yesterday during the inspection of ongoing projects as part of the state government’s pre-rains/ de-flooding programme, said the approval of the

structure constituted danger to the lives of over 21 million residents in the state.

He explained that wetlands are to naturally absorb water from the canals and should not be toyed with so as not experience massive flooding in the state.

Bello, who expressed displeasure with the sand filling of the wetland and commencement of construction work by the construction company, said it is illegal to erect struc-

tures anywhere without consideration for ‘no go areas’ such as drainage channels, canals and wetlands which could trigger disaster.

He said: “We can’t continue that way; the building must be stopped, and it has to be stopped now.

It is a disaster waiting to happen. The structure is erected on the wetland, the natural habitat for the storm water, and you can also see that the structure is under high tension cables.”

The commissioner also stopped some labourers felling trees on Adeola Odeku Street, Victoria Island, and warned that it was forbidden for anyone to cut down any trees in the state without obtaining approval from the state government.

He added that the state was making efforts to encourage tree planting to mitigate the impact of climate change and it would not allow anyone to cut any tree.

On the illegal struc-

ture, Bello said that the wetlands are globally assumed to be reserved land for absorption of water from the canal, saying they were not meant to be converted to residential areas or house any structure.

“We don’t need to consult the Federal Government before stopping the illegality. It is like building on the highway. So, you see the structure is right under high tension cable; it won’t stand. It

Court affirms Anozie as Ezeigbo Oyo KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

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n Ibadan High Court presided over

by Justice Moshood Abas yesterday ruled that Eze Alex C. Anozie is the only and authentic head of the Igbo community in Oyo State.

The ruling has therefore laid to rest the over 13 years tussle over the headship of the Igbo communities among Anozie, Chief James Oramadike and Chief Alloy Obi. Justice Abas, in his ruling, said Anozie is the only Ezendigbo, Onyendundigbo in Ibadanland and Oyo

L-R: Archbishop of Owerri, Most Rev. Caleb Maduoma; new Bishop of Yewa Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Michael Oluwarohunbi; Primate of Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh and wife of Bishop of Yewa, Mrs Grace Oluwarohunbi, at the consecration of the new bishop in Ibadan, yesterday.

EFCC to arraign five over alleged N274m theft WA L E I G B I N TA D E

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ustice Kudirat Jose of the Ikeja High Court has fixed March 18 for commencement of trial of five for mer staff of the Lagos Inter national Trade Fair Complex who allegedly stole N274 million belonging

to their employer.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had charged Bassey Eyamba, Francis Dajilak, Lazarus Okocha, Bar nabas Kolo and Eunice Okafor for the alleged theft.

The defendants were arraigned on November 28, 2013 and

pleaded not guilty to the 20-count charge of conspiracy and stealing preferred against them.

EFCC counsel, Anslem Ozioko, alleged that the defendants committed the offences between January 2009 and December 2011 in Lagos.

Ozioko said they had

fraudulently obtained various sums of money belonging to their employer by renting and selling some plots of land owned by the complex.

He said the alleged offence contravened Sections 390 (6) and 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State, 2003.

Fuel scarcity bites hard in Ondo OJO OYEWAMIDE AKURE

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he fuel scarcity being experienced in Ondo State in the last one week has continued to paralyse economic activities.

Investigation by our correspondent yesterday showed that only a few of the filling stations in

Akure, the state capital, were opened for business.

A litre of the product was being sold at between N100 and N120, as against the official rate of N97.

While managers of some filling stations claimed they had no fuel to sell because they could not get it from the Ore Depot, others said their

fuel tankers were in Lagos to lift the product.

It was learnt that the problem was caused by a vandalised fuel pipe at Ijegun.

A source from the Petroleum Monitoring Committee, PMC, said: “The pipe linking Atlas Cove in Lagos with the service depot in Mosimi, Shagamu, Ogun State, was vandalised some-

where in Ijegun, thereby breaking the link of supply to Ibadan, Ore and Shagamu depots.”

He stated that the problem was discovered penultimate Tuesday, disclosing, however, that repair work was being carried out by experts.

“NNPC officials are working round the clock to fix the damaged portions,” he added.

would be removed.

“Those who erected the building have gone beyond the boundary and the wetlands. The wetlands are internationally approved reserved areas.

We have major water collectors, drainage channels and canals besides them.

“What has happened there is a clear violation of the laws and regulations.

The owner of the structure has even blocked our drainage channels,” Bello added.

State.

The court also ordered that no other person should parade himself or herself as either Ezendigbo, Onyendundigbo in Ibadanland and Oyo State henceforth.

As early as 8.00 a.m, the court premises had been besieged by hundreds of members of the Igbo communities who came to show solidarity to Anozie.

Anozie, while addressing journalists shortly after the ruling, thanked God for allowing truth to prevail at the end of the day.

He also expressed his appreciation to the Ndigbo living in the state for their support over the years.

Cyclist killed in petrol tanker crash

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ne person was confirmed dead while properties worth millions of naira were destroyed in a tanker fire incident that occurred on Monday night at Takie area of Ogbomoso in Oyo State.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN reports that the fire was caused by a petrol tanker which crashed into a nearby park following brake failure.

Some eye-witnesses told NAN that the vehicle, which was trying to negotiate a roundabout at Takie, fell

and spilled its content before bursting into flames.

The Oyo State Police Command confirmed the death of a motorcyclist who was crushed when the vehicle ran into the park.

The spokesperson of the command, Mrs Bisi Ilobanafor, confirmed the death of the motorcyclist in an interview.

Ilobanafor also said policemen and officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC and the State Fire Service were at the scene to put out the fire.

Aregbesola receives award Friday

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overnor of the State of Osun, Rauf Aregbesola, will on Friday, February 21, receive his award as the 2013 Independent Newspapers Limited, INL, ‘Man of the Year’.

The investiture, which will hold at the convention centre of the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, will be graced

by prominent citizens from all works of life in the country.

In a statement signed by the editor of Daily Independent, Rotimi Durojaiye, the reason for the award was to celebrate the governor for his exemplary performance in office, especially for his outstanding accomplishments with his educational reform programmes.

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South-East

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Umuahia killing: Rifles of suspected policemen recovered GEORGE OPARA ABIA

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he Abia State Police Command said yesterday that it had recovered the rifles of the three policemen who allegedly killed Mr. John Ndubuka, an aide to Chinedu Orji, the first son of the state governor, Chief T. A. Orji.

The killing occurred last Saturday in Umuahia, the state capital.

The command said that the three policemen had been arrested and were undergoing investigation.

In a statement signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Geoffrey Ogbonna, the police promised to make public the result of the investigation.

The command said that it was aware that the incident had attracted “a lot of comments and insinuations in the social and other media” and, however, urged the public “to ignore such imaginary and unguided publications which are diversionary.”

The statement reads: “The Abia State Police Command is fully abreast

of the shooting incident which occurred on Saturday, February 15, 2014, at the old Umuahia Main Market, venue of a grand reception organised in honour of the Executive Governor of the state, Chief T. A. Orji,

by Ikwuano and Umuahia people.

“The incident, which resulted in the death of one John Ndubuka, a personal aide to the governor’s son, Mr. Chinedu Orji, has attracted a lot of comments and insinuations in the social and other media.

“The command,

therefore, urges members of the public to ignore such imaginary and unguided publications which are diversionary as the police are on top of the situation.

“Meanwhile, the rifles of the three policemen who were at the immediate vicinity have been recovered and the policemen arrested and undergoing thorough investigation, the result of which will be made public soon. Anyone found culpable will be made to face the full wrath of the law.”

Commission boss, GM suspended over fraudulent purchase of shares ALIUNA GODWIN ABAKALIKI

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overnor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State has suspended the Chairman of the state Fiscal Responsibility Commission, Chief Reginald, for alleged fraudulent purchase of N1 billion shares of the state investment company.

The Acting General Manager of the investment company, Mrs. Esther Anyigor, was also suspended.

The statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Dr Onyekachi Eni, said that the suspension was with

immediate effect.

The governor further directed that the suspended officials should hand over all government property in their possession to relevant authority.

The statement said: “Following the ongoing investigation into the purchase of N1 billion shares by the Ebonyi State Investment Company, Governor Martin Elechi has approved the suspension of the Chairman of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission, Chief Reginald Onwe, and the Acting General Manager of the company, Mrs. Esther Anyigor.”

Minister hails rising Anambra’s GDP CHARLES OKEKE AWKA

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L–R: Member, Board of Trustees, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, during a meeting with PDP stakeholders in Ikeduru Local Government Area in Imo State recently.

Two Alvan Ikoku College students held over artiste’ murder CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

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he Imo State Police Command has arrested two students of Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri, in connection with the killing of a foreign-based artiste, Prince Noel Tochukwu Unuegbu.

The artiste, who hailed from Akwu, Akokwa in Ideato North Local Government Area of the state, was assassinated on February 4, 2014 in a popular hotel at Amokohia in Owerri North Government Area of the state.

The suspects, Eze Charles Nnamdi (22), a native of Abakaleke, Ebonyi State; and Madubuchi Augustine (20), a native of Ekwulobia, Anambra

State, both 400 and 300 level students of the college, were arrested following the command’s intensified effort.

Also arrested were four kidnappers who attempted the abduction of one Dr. Christian Anyawun of Ibeku-Olakwo Enyiogugu in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area.

Two of the kidnappers were apprehended in a church, one in a hotel while other was nabbed in a bank when he came to collect money through his Automated Teller Machine (ATM).

The kidnappers are Onuegbu Emmanuel Onyebuashi (33) from Nchakeme Arondizuogu, Ideato North Local Government Area; Mark Okoro (42) of Ibaku-

Olawko Enyiogugu Aboh Mbaise LGA, Ikenna Amunze (25) of Mbutu Aboh Mbaise and Kingley (30) of Ezeala Eyiogugu Aboh Mbaise.

However, one Chibuike Ogbuo, an in-law to the victim and one Ikechukwu Azorji are now being hunted by the police following their alleged roles in the kidnap saga.

Parading the suspects yesterday at the command headquarters in Owerri, the new Commissioner of Police, Abdulmajid Ali promised to smoke criminals out of their dens across the state.

He warned that the fight against armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism and other social vices “is taking another fire-forfire dimension.”

Ali, who was former Commissioner of Police in Charge of Explosive Ordinance Department (EOD), Abuja, advised members of the public to report any suspected movement or persons to the nearest police station as conspirators and collaborators would be treated as culpable.

Describing himself as a dogged fighter, he further advised those involved in crimes to stay off the state and be engaged in lawful business before he catches up with them.

The police boss said: “I will fight to eradicate kidnapping, armed robbery and other vices in the state by positioning my Rapid Response Squad throughout the nooks and crannies of the state.”

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he Supervisory Minister of National Planning and Minister of State for Works, Bashir Yuguda, has revealed how the economy of Anambra State has grown, leading to about 40 percent rise in its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from N735.80 billion in 2009 to N1.005 trillion in 2011.

The minister expressed happiness over the impressive rise in the state’s GDP, noting that it grew better than those of some African and Caribbean countries.

Speaking yesterday while presenting the Pilot Survey Findings on the GDP to the members of the Anambra State Executive Council at the Governor’s Lodge in Awka, the state capital, Yuguda attributed the rise to purposeful leadership of Governor Peter Obi. He said that the Pilot Survey Scheme conducted by the National Planning Commission in collaboration with the National Bureau of Statistics in seven states selected from the six geo-political zones would be completed by December.

The minister disclosed that the findings were based on data generated from agriculture, industry and other services using production and income approaches, with agriculture recording 30 percent; industry four percent and

service sector 66 percent.

He assured that the commission would commence immediate updating of the GDP to capture the numerous achievements recorded since 2010 when the last study was conducted before the end of Governor Obi’s tenure.

The Statistician General of the Federation, Mr. Yemi Kale, said Anambra was one of the most developed states in the country.

Kale urged the people of Anambra State to take advantage of the huge opportunity in small and medium enterprises potential to improve internally generated revenue.

Responding, Governor Obi said Anambra had achieved a lot in all sectors, adding that it recorded robust direct foreign investments by multi-national companies.

The governor noted that the state had the highest number of bank branches after Lagos and Abuja, which he said was an indication of viable economic growth.

Obi said: “Anamrba remains the only state that has not borrowed in the country.”

He said the rating of Anambra in the pilot survey was a strong statement of the status of the state in the country.

Also speaking, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Oseloka Obaze, said Anambra ranked higher in direct foreign investment.

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Wednesday, February 19, 2014

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We’ve lost 50 personnel to Boko Haram insurgency –Prison Service RICHARD NDOMA CALABAR

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he Nigerian Prison Service (NPS) has lost no fewer than 50 personnel to the Boko Haram insurgency in the North, Controller-General of Prisons, Mr. Zakari Ohinoyi Ibrahim, stated this yesterday in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

He said the personnel died as a result of the attack launched by the sect on prison facilities.

The Controller-General, who spoke at a workshop on the “Overview of the

Management of the Prisons Welfare Insurance Scheme- Challenges and Opportunities,” stressed that many other men and officers also sustained various degrees of injury due to the attack by the violent sect.

Ibrahim decried the slow pace of justice dispensation and the near abandonment of awaiting trial inmates, which according to him, triggers agitation and escape bid by convicts.

He said: “One of the major challenges of Nigerian Prison is congestion

caused by slow judicial system. Our trial processes are a bit slow.

“Side by side with these challenges is the ability to convey the inmates awaiting trial to court effectively because of logistic problem.

“We have the problem of inherited old structures because some of these structures were not designed for the categories of prisoners we have to-

day, and we are gradually phasing out some of these structures so as to replace them with modern structures. Also, there is need to update facilities and equipment in line with the sophistication of crime.”

Ibrahim, however, expressed satisfaction with the Prisons Welfare Insurance Scheme, noting that the scheme had brought relief to the injured and families of deceased offi-

cials through prompt payment of claims without the clumsy and cumbersome processes usually associated with insurance claims.

The Controller-General said the scheme had been expanded to cater for all categories of personnel.

According to him, 700 persons, including junior and senior staff, had benefited from vehicles provided by the insurance

scheme.

Ibrahim said: “The insurance scheme has helped to guarantee their immediate financial needs before other entitlements are paid and it is for this reason the administration of the service under my leadership, at inception aimed at security, welfare and training for both staff and inmates as strategic thrust to guide our service delivery.”

Cordelia Agbebaku confirmed as Ambrose Alli University VC SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN

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overnor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has confirmed the appointment of Prof. Cordelia Agbebaku as the substantive ViceChancellor of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.

Oshiomhole said the decision was borne out of the fact that Agbebaku had brought stability and development to the university.

The governor spoke yesterday when he received traditional rulers from Edo Central Senatorial District at the Government House in Benin, the state capital.

Oshiomhole said: “We are confirming the ViceChancellor of Ambrose Alli University. I believe she brought some stability to the institution.

They tried to politicise the whole thing by bringing ethnicity into it, but Edo will be driven by merit because we recognise merit.

“We will continue to do our best to make the point that Edo is one and the same. Politics of ethnicity is promoted by people who do not have ideas and there is nothing that is good for the Bini man that is bad for the Esan man.

And there is nothing that is good for the Esan man that is bad for the Bini man. Politicians create this divide.

“One of my objectives is to remind ourselves of our common ancestry and common dialect. I want to thank you for all you are doing to promote the cause of peace and shar-

ing information with security agencies that has led to the reduction of crime in the state.”

The traditional rulers, who were led by the Onojie of Opoji, Ehidiamen 1, commended the governor for developing Edo Central Senatorial District.

Ehidiamen said: “We recall with nostalgia that in your first tenure as the governor of Edo State, you sacrificed the position of Speaker of the House of Assembly that was in your area to Esan people.

This gesture of yours has, again, demonstrated how much you appreciate the Esan people after appointing Mr. Jerry Obazele as the Head of Service of Edo State.

“Your action has, again, shamed your critics who believed you do not love the Esan people. We are particularly happy because you have not lived short of the responsibility of the Adolor of Esanland. When you appreciate any good, it is an indication that you expect more good. Sir, we shall ever remain grateful to you.

“We want to commend you for all you have been doing in respect of the road networks in Edo State and we, in Edo Central, look forward to more in this year’s budget.

“We don’t see you as an Etsako man. The Esogban of Benin Kingdom once said Oshiomhole is a Benin man. We are today saying you are an Esan man because what we have not received from past governors, you have done it for the Esan people.”

L-R: Onojie of Ugbegun, Samuel Obade II; Onojie of Opoji, Ehidiamen 1 and Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole during the presentation of a certificate signed by royal fathers in Edo Central conferring the title of “Adolo of Esan” on the governor in Benin, yesterday.

NDLEA arrests two drug suspects in Bayelsa EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA

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he National Drug Law and Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested two suspects, Emmanuel Umunna and Callistus Ndulokwe, with 32.4kg of cannabis sativa popularly called Indian hemp concealed in two commercial buses in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

In a statement signed by the NDLEA Commander,

Mr. Frank Hanacho, the agency said Ndulokwe was arrested on February 8, 2014, with 25kg cannabis sativa hidden in sacks of coco yam in an unbranded bus at Swali Market in Yenagoa.

Hanacho added that Umunna was arrested on February 5, 2014, with 7.4kg of cannabis sativa hidden in an Echolac traveling box along Mbiama-Yenagoa Road in a branded bus belonging to a notable transport firm.

According to him, the

branded bus was coming from Onitsha to Yenagoa when NDLEA personnel intercepted it.

The NDLEA, however, warned commercial motorists to always reject attempts by passengers to use their vehicles for illegal business.

He said:” Commercial bus operators should be vigilant about their customers’ luggages and wares as the law provides for forfeiture of vehicles used in trafficking hard drugs.”

Hanacho urged the

transport companies to take appropriate measures to ensure that their vehicles were not used to transport illicit drugs.

The commander warned drug traffickers and dealers, whom he referred to as “merchants of death” to desist from their nefarious activities or be prepared to face the wrath of the law.

Hanacho also advised users of hard drugs to desist from the shameful act in their own interest.

UNICAL graduates 15,000 students February 22

T

he University of Calabar (UNICAL) in Cross River State is to graduate about 15,000 students during its 27th convocation ceremony slated for February 22, 2014, according to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. James Epoke.

Epoke spoke yesterday in Calabar when he paid a visit to Dr Thomas Ika IkaOqua III, the traditional

ruler of the Quas and Grand Patriarch of the Qua and Ejagham nations.

Epoke, represented by the Deputy ViceChancellor (Academics), Prof. Austin Obiekezie, said the convocation would be for the award of certificates, diplomas, first degrees and post-graduate diplomas.

He also said that

Masters and Ph.D degrees would be awarded to deserving students in various disciplines as well as awards and prizes for academic excellence.

The VC said that the university’s management was at the palace to inform the traditional ruler of the event and also to invite him in line with the institution’s tradition.

Epoke said that the traditional ruler’s presence would add grandeur to the occasion.

He said that graduating such a large number of students was a landmark achievement by the university.

Dr Thomas Ika-Ika Qua III commended the ViceChancellor and thanked him for the visit.

Wednesday February 19, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

13

Politics

2015: Return of Udenwa, Araraume to PDP and Okorocha’s chances The defection of political heavyweights and supporters of Governor Rochas Okorocha within the APC in Imo State to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP is whittling the 2015 chances of the Governor. However, many particularly acolytes of the governor believe that the defection will not have any serious impact in the election. CHRIS NJOKU x-rays the chances of Governor Okorocha in 2015.

W

hen in 2013, it was speculated that Chief Achike Udenwa and Senator Ifeanyi Araraume were at the verge of dumping the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, many people, including the incumbent Governor Rochas Okorocha could not believe it.

Second day in the new year, Senator Araraume, three years after he left the PDP, defecting to the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, formally announced his return, alongside his numerous supporters to the PDP. It was learnt that he made up his mind shortly after the 2011 polls to keep Governor Okorocha at a distance.

It was also learnt that the senator fell out with the governor because the agreement reached between them on how to run the state was allegedly breached by the governor.

On other hand, Chief Udenwa had tried to keep a page with the APC in the hope that Governor Okorocha’s administration would protect his political interests. However, on two occasions that the two groups reached agreements, the governor has allegedly always ended up observing them in the breach. This confirms the fears entertained by the Udenwa camp that the governor does not want them in his camp.

Although the leadership of the APC and close associates of Udenwa had tried to play down the defection or return to the PDP, but many of the events organised to herald the coming of the APC in the state witnessed the copious absence of the former governor. The notice of the cold war started in part when Chief Udenwa and other members of the defunct ACN and their supporters, late last year hoisted the APC flag at former ACN secretariat along Owerri-Onitsha Road, Governor Okorocha did not honour the invitation nor sent any representative to the event.

It was however gathered that the governor was officially invited to the event. But Government House sources disclosed to National Mirror that Chief Udenwa and his supporters were in a hurry to take the shine out of the governor by hoisting the flag first without even getting approval of the governor. Before then the defunct ACN

Okorocha

Udenwa

members had accused Governor Okorocha of trying to hijack the new party.

It was at the flag hoisting event that Chief Udenwa tried to assuage the fears entertained by his group by debunking rumours of possible hijacking of the APC structure in the state, adding that no one has been anointed or appointed leader of

the party at any level.

The former governor observed that “we only have the interim management committee set up at the national and state level, who are charged to conduct registration of members and organise the party’s congress, no leader has emerged yet; we should go back to our wards and mobilise

MANY THINGS WERE DONE WITHOUT UDENWA’S KNOWLEDGE AND EVERY ATTEMPT MADE BY

UDENWA AND HIS GROUP TO MAKE THEMSELVES RELEVANT HAS ALWAYS BEEN BRUSHED ASIDE BY THE MIGHTY HANDS OF THE GOVERNOR

for the party.”

He urged the members of his camp to disregard rumours that the new party has allocated positions, adding that if that was done without his knowledge, it will be reallocated, saying: “If anyone does anything unconstitutional or anything we did not sit down to agree on, we will upturn it.”

However, many things were done without Udenwa’s knowledge and every attempt made by Udenwa and his group to make themselves relevant has always been brushed aside by the mighty hands of the governor. This step divided the APC into two factions - the one led by Governor Okorocha and Chief Udenwa’s faction.

Before then, the governor had equally beaten Udenwa’s camp into submission in the constitution of the interim state executive council of the APC. Of the four key posts in the exco, the governor could only CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

14

Politics

Wednesday February 19, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

2015: Return of Udenwa, Araraume to PDP and Okorocha’s chances CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 concede the secretary to the camp while pocketing the positions of chairman, women and youth leaders.

Findings showed that the last straw that broke the camel’s back was the recent let down meted to the former governor and his camp in the reconstitution of the state expanded executive council. Prior to that exercise, the two gladiators had negotiated on the way forward for the new party.

To give all sides a sense of belonging, it was agreed that a certain number of positions be ceded to the members of the defunct ACN, led by Chief Udenwa. Same concession was also to be extended to members of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, led by Chief Mike Ahamba and the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, led by Chief Vitalis Ajumbe, who later left out of frustration. But shortly after the agreement, the governor released the list of his commissioners without any known loyalist of Udenwa included. Instead, it was gathered that the governor not only ignored the former governor but also went ahead to appoint two of his arch-enemies Ichie Best Mbanaso and Chief Jerry Okoli both from Udenwa’s local government area into his cabinet.

On this premise, the former governor’s camp believed there was no more future for them in the APC, since even the interim National Executive Council of the party could not help matter after series of complaints were lodged at the national headquarters in Abuja.

Perhaps, it was this winner-takes-all style of Governor Okorocha that prompted the outcry of some critics. A prominent lawyer, Ahamba, SAN, publicly warned Okorocha to tread softly or risk being dragged to court since he was not a bonafide APC member. According to Ahamba, until the party embarks on membership registration, which was recently concluded, only those from the parties that merged could legitimately claim to be APC members.

All these indicators notwithstanding, Udenwa’s loyalists insist that their principal was part of the new APC. Mrs Vivian Echeruo, former member of the interim state executive committee of the APC and a core loyalist of Udenwa, while reacting to the story of his principal’s imminent defection, said that his boss is still in the APC. According to Echeruo, Chief Udenwa is not on the verge of crossing over to the PDP. But when that becomes possible, she said “we will be informed and it will be celebrated.”

According to her, things are still being sorted out between his principal and Okorocha, a twist could only be contemplated if the governor refuses to turn a new leaf.

But the governor did not budge and that finally prompted Chief Udenwa to bid the party goodbye. They would impress it on President Goodluck Jonathan that they hold the ace in political stability in the state. This may be true, because since they left the PDP all has not be well in the state, even though they also suffered political marginalisation and relevance in the state.

Analysts have continued to weigh the implications of such political event for Governor Okorocha in particular and the state generally in 2015. While some opined that it would cause serious political damage to the governor, others think that the move by the gladiators to dump the APC and return to the PDP would not in any way threaten the victory of the party in the state in 2015.

“Okorocha is not handling the whole thing well and I think this may affect his second term bid in 2015,” a political analyst, Ikechukwu Nwafor, said.

Within the government circles, some appointees of the government also expressed dissatisfaction with the way the governor had been treating the Udenwa camp and other politicians, who would have provided support for his 2015 bid either as governor or as presidential aspirant.

They agreed that the defection of Udenwa, Ararume, Senator Chris Anyanwu and Col. Lambert Iheanacho with their supporters to the PDP may destabilise Okorocha’s administration.

An appointee who spoke under the condition of ano-

Araraume

Interim National Chairman, APC, Bisi Akande

ARARAUME HAS NO SERIOUS JOKER TO PLAY IN 2015 AS HIS PEOPLE HAVE NOW COME TO KNOW HIM AS A PERSON WHO TAKES ADVANTAGE OF ANY OPPORTUNITY TO ADVANCE

HIS OWN SITUATION, ALWAYS PLACING EXPEDIENCY ABOVE PRINCIPLE nymity maintained that the government stands to lose politically if Udenwa and Araraume defected, saying that whether anybody like it or not, the former governor, in particular, has many political followers.

“We are all products of Udenwa. He has many products, it will be a big mistake if Governor Okorocha loses him,” he stated.

Dr Ifeanyi Ekenasi, the state Publicity Secretary of APC disagreed with those saying Udenwa’s defection or any other person’s carpet crossing would affect Governor Okorocha’s bid in 2015, saying: “I don’t think Udenwa and Araraume’s move back to the PDP would in any way influence votes against Governor Okorocha in 2015.”

He however said that Senator Araraume has the right like any citizen to belong to any party he wants to be, adding: “But in the first place, Araraume is not a member of APC, so how can a person who is not a member of a political say he is leaving the party, Ararume is not a member, more over he is out of the trend.”

Former Deputy National Chairman, National Democratic Party, NDP, South-South/South-East, Prince Benson Ihueze Amaram, agrees with the APC Publicity Secretary.

He said that Senator Araraume’s return to the PDP would not have any serious impact in the PDP’s quest to wrest power back from Governor Okorocha.

His words: “He (Araraume) is from Mbano and there are so many loyalists there who are beautiful brides. Most people from there had realised that the man is a frustrated man.”

According to him, “Ararume has no serious joker to

play in 2015 as his people have now come to know him as a person who takes advantage of any opportunity to advance his own situation, always placing expediency above principle. In the first place, he was there when the governor single-handedly took power away from them.”

He was of the view that before the governor could be defeated, the PDP must prove the current administration to be worse than theirs, adding: “For instance the governor was accused of borrowing N60 billion and the governor has challenged them to prove that actually he borrowed such money, until now, nobody has been able to prove that.”

Although many of the governor’s loyalists sound optimistic ahead of 2015, investigations however suggest otherwise. Unlike in 2011, when Okorocha rode on popular support that cut across the political elite and ordinary citizens of the state to power, the next governorship election will be a different ball game. Indeed, if anything, political pundits believe that Governor Okorocha is very close to playing the same character and role his predecessor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, found himself playing against the masses tidal wave that eventually swept him off the seat of power.

First, while the incumbent governor in 2011 worked and enjoyed the support of many Imo political leaders, he is at daggers drawn with almost all of them today. The only politician of note with him at the moment is Udenwa, but that relationship is very strained now. Udenwa, it was reported would soon leave him to the PDP. Come 2015 therefore, Governor Okorocha is going to be working against every Imo political leader, a situation many see as deleterious to him.

Aside the heavyweights, the governor is also no longer the darling of the masses. Except school teachers and perhaps keke drivers, many other categories of the citizens also have an axe to grind with him at the moment. Clearly, this disquieting reality, to all intents and purposes, is quite grim. However, some people believe that the governor could turn the situation in his favour.

However, speaking during the ceremony that herald his coming back to the PDP fold, Senator Araraume expressed optimism that with his re-entering, the feat the party would repeat the feat recorded during the elections from 1999 to 2007, if he would receive the same support accorded those hey days.

From all indications, the 2015 governorship elections in Imo state would be fiercer that the epic battle of 2011, but whichever way the pendulum would swing come 2015, it is the teeming masses who own the master key that would unlock the Imo Government House for the next occupant.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

National Mirror National News www.nationalmirroronline.net

15 15

From The Civil Service About 33, 000 teachers in public schools need retraining – Fashola 16

Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr. Ima Niboro (left) and Director-General, National Orientation Agency, Mr. Mike Omeri, during his visit to NAN in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Sack rumour causes confusion, panic in Edo civil service •NLC: We are ready for war with government SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN

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anic and confusion now reigns among Edo State civil servants after rumour broke out at the beginning of the week that the government had at the weekend secretly laid off about 1, 800 workers.

The government has vehemently denied that it carried out as such a purge could reduce the state civil service work force, according to ex-

perts, from the initial 15,000 in 2008 down to the present manageable force of 5,000 further down to an inconsequential 3,200.

Information gathered from some anxious staff who craved anonymity in Benin City said the list of sacked workers were drawn from different Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), where they were found to have either falsified documents to perpetuate themselves in office even when they have overstayed or were

Oduah hands over without fanfare, seeks continuity of reform P.16

found to have presented forged documents or were found with any other alleged discrepancies in their documents.

It might be recalled that before the latest disagreement, the state government had been locked in a dispute with the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and its parent unions, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) over the sack of 836 teachers in December. The state government later decided

to review the case of the teachers but with a condition that all public school teachers must undergo a competency test that the NUT has directed all teachers to shun.

True to the NUT directive, public school teachers have not only threatened not to show up for the test but have also gone ahead to wear black clothes to mourn the perceived harassment of the teaching profession in Edo State.

In his reaction, the

Angry FCT Minister accuses director of frustrating her P.42

Chairman of NLC in Edo State, Comrade Emmanuel Ademokun, said that the news of the rumoured sack was yet to be confirmed by the state government to labour. He explained that the organized labour in the state sees the plan as “a working document.”

Ademokun threatened, however, that “Labour would do what it knows best,” if government eventually decides to retrench workers and officially communicate same to la-

bour.

Ademokun, who spoke to newsmen after an emergency meeting of the congress in Benin City said, “I will call it a working document because we are used to seeing government verification of workers’ credentials,” while adding that the state government could not be considering the further reduction of workers, which population he put at 15, 000 when Governor Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole assumed ofCONTINUED ON PAGE 16

Customs CG, Diko bows to pressure, showers promotion on deserving officers

P.16

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Civil Service

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

About 33, 000 teachers in public schools need retraining – Fashola Spends N.5binon training of teachers in 3 years FRANCIS SUBERU

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agos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola yesterday enjoined good spirited people and corporate organization to join his government in its effort

at improving the standard of education in the state, even as he said about 33,000 teachers in public schools in the state need to be retrained.

Governor Fashola who spoke at the breakfast meeting and corporate social responsibility awards orga-

nized under the support our school initiative programme of the Lagos State Ministry of Education, held at the Lagos City Hall, said most of the teachers need to be trained in the area of ICT competence.

According to Fashola;

“at the primary school level for instance, we have about 12,000 teaching staff that need to be trained. At the secondary school level, we have about 21, 000 that need to be trained. And if you look at our training budget year in year out, between 2010 and

L-R: Chief Research Officer, DIASPORA, Ms. Ammie Egbufoama; Special Adviser to the President on Youth Empowerment, Ambassador, Mr. Obi Adim; Director General, Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Shuaibu Sulaiman and Project Consultant Presidency Integrated Youth Empowerment Programme, Mr. Agwu Amogu, at the Foreign Ministry Youth Business Partnership with the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Youth Empowerment in Abuja recently.

Oduah hands over without fanfare, seeks continuity of reform TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

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n what appears one of the most quiet ways of bowing out from office, the immediate past Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah, yesterday handed over the affairs of the ministry to the Supervising Minister and current Minister of State, Trade and Investment, Dr Samuel Ortom, with a plea that the reforms in the aviation sector be sustained in order to consolidate its gains.

This is even as she thanked President Goodluck Jonathan, workers and stakeholders in the aviation sector for the opportunity availed her to serve the country and for the tremendous support given during her two and a half years’ stewardship as Aviation Minister.

The Minister, whose hand-over of the affairs

of the Ministry was done without the usual media glitz that characterised her official assignments during her tenure, stated in a statement by her former Media aide, Joe Obi, that it was a privilege for her to be chosen amongst millions of Nigeria to serve, adding that her great joy remained the achievements recorded in the sector during her years of leading the ministry.

The statement reads: “It was a great privilege to be chosen from amongst over 160 million Nigerians to serve in the Federal Cabinet.

My profound gratitude goes to Mr President who provided me with this rare privilege. I also want to thank him for all the support he accorded me to pursue his Transformation Agenda in the Aviation Sector. I equally wish to thank my personal aides, aviator sector workers and stakeholders who partnered with me to realize

our Vision and Mission in the sector”, Oduah declared, continuing: “During my tenure, we gave our best to institute reforms in line with Mr President’s Transformation Agenda. We produced the Aviation sector Master plan and implementation Road Map. Using the Master Plan and Road Map, we were able to reconstruct and remodel all 22 federally-owned airports across the country.

We also commenced the construction of five new international terminals in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu and Kano.

“We also introduced the Perishable Cargo and Aerotropolis concepts to drive the growth and development of not only the aviation sector, but also the Nigerian economy.

Construction of the cargo terminals has commenced across 16 airports across the country while modali-

ties have been completed to kick-start the Aerotropolis project. We also carried out institutional reforms, built the capacity of NCAT to produce enough professionals both for the local aviation market and for export.

“My greatest satisfaction comes from our accomplishments in the area of safety and security of the Nigerian airspace. We were able to procure, update and install safety-critical infrastructure that has repositioned the sector to achieve our objective of zero-accident rate in the Nigerian airspace”, Oduah added.

The former Minister said the reforms instituted during her tenure will no doubt propel the sector to greater accomplishments and expressed the hope that her successor will sustain the momentum of transformation in the interest of the sector, air travellers and the nation’s economy.

2013, we have spent about N.5billion on teacher training but certainly it could be more.”

He enjoined teachers who have acquired additional knowledge in relevant field of studies to come forth as his government was ready to accept their certificates if they are acquired from credible institutions, adding that the Lagos State government will not only give them values for it but will equally give them commensurable remunerations.

Fashola said with the support of people of the state and corporate organizations, a milestone that has been achieved in education sector could be built upon.

He said: “With your support, a milestone has been achieved but we have to look ahead. I want you all to join me in facing this titanic challenge we are facing in the education sector. Let no one be in doubt at all as to the challenge we are facing.

“We have alluded to the declining standards of education today compared to the past. The question I ask myself is that, is it true that there were public schools in the past? I thought over it and find it difficult to find public schools in the past.

Most of the schools I remember in the past are actually mission and private schools.

“The truth really is that as at that time of prosperity and educational success, the schools were not run by the government. They were run by the missions and private sector, what the government did was to regulate, set standards, set calendars, set the rules and the exams.

“Now, government itself has realized that it is not a one man show, and that is why some of those owners now have their schools back both Christians and Muslims but still the challenge endures. That is why we are calling on private sector to work with us to do what they have done before.

Sack rumour causes confusion, panic in Edo civil service CONTINUE FROM PAGE 15

fice in 2008 but which he said has since depleted to less than 5, 000 now.

According to some of those who spoke to National Mirror, majority of the affected civil servants that were purportedly sacked learnt of the sack when they could not find their names in the January 2014 salary voucher while a few others were said to have got the news from letters delivered to them.

Further reacting, Ademokun denied that anybody’s name was quickly removed from January salary voucher contrary to the claims of workers that their sack was recommended by the Information, Communication and Technology Unit (ICT Unit), which allegedly found them to have either over-stayed, mentally unstable, physically blind or falsified ages and credentials to continue to remain in service.

He stated, “Government has not decided to

remove their names from the payment voucher. Just like what happened to the 928 teachers who were affected by a similar exercise in 2013, which the government said will be recalled, we have said that if by February 28th they have not been recalled, all the workers in Edo State will embark on an indefinite strike action.”

On the controversial issue of competency tests for public school teachers, Ademokun added that they have said that they will not write the test and that labour was fully in alliance with teachers, which makes the issue of the test a forgone issue.

But speaking on the issue, Edo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Louis Odion said, “It is not true that any list has been officially released. Whatever list is in circulation is fictitious and it is being circulated by persons with mischief.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Wednesday, February 19, 2014

17

On external loan, FOI Act and LASG PUBLIC DOMAIN

DELE

SETEOLU

deleseteolu@nationalmirroronline.net (08033137577 SMS only)

T

he Socio-Economic Rights Project (SERAP) has sued the Lagos Sate government at the Federal High Court, Lagos, to explain how it spent $90m World Bank loan obtained to refurbish and upgrade public schools in the state. In his response, the Lagos Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye, has disclosed that the government was not obliged to account for the loan. More so, he argued that the FOI law is a federal legislation that is not binding on the states.

The pronouncements of the Lagos Commissioner for Justice have engendered reactions and comments in the public domain. Critics are amazed that the Lagos State government that lay claim to progressivism and accountable leadership would fail to account for public funds. More so, critics insist that the external nature of the loan makes it imperative to explain how it is spent.

We should recall that the country receded into external debt peonage through the uncontrolled borrowing of the federating units and centre. In 1978, the country got into external debt crisis when it secured

loans at the international capital market.

The foreign debt crisis became accentuated with the pattern of maturities and commercialisation of interest rates. The Chief Olusegun Obasanjo administration especially paid one third of the nation’s external debt and got partial debt forgiveness of official creditors. There is a fear that the country will likely recede into external debt crisis through the new borrowing patterns of the centre and federating units.

The Lagos State governor, Mr. Raji Babatunde Fasola (SAN), has been very outspoken on the country’s federal structure and insists on the imperative of responsive, responsible leadership. Governor Fashola has carved a niche for himself as a disciplined, focused and prudent governor. It is amazing therefore, that the government would shun a demand to account for state funds by a watch dog body.

The Freedom of Information law had been passed by the National Assembly and signed by President Goodluck Jonathan to foster democratic rule and ensure that the governing class is held accountable.

We should recall that the FOI bill went through a decade of struggle at the National Assembly and became a law albeit modifications inserted by the legislature.

It is tragic that states, including Lagos State, have failed to domesticate or localize the law. This development raises fear about the democratic and progressive credentials of fractions of the political class. It is ironic that the Lagos State government would claim the FOI Act is a fed-

THE LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT SHOULD HAVE A RE-THINK ON THE

FOI LAW;

THE LAW SHOULD BE LOCALISED AS A PROOF OF THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO PEOPLE-ORIENTED LEADERSHIP eral law when it was pursued as a national struggle to foist accountability in the public sector.

This writer expects that the Lagos State government and the All Progressives Congress (APC) controlled states would lead the domestication of this law and exhibit proven commitment to change as sloganised by the party. The need to account for the $90m World Bank loan becomes imperative when critics claim that the public schools are still poorly equipped, staffed and funded. We should recall that the Campaign against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) had detailed studies on public schools in Lagos State. It found that several schools are still devoid of necessary infrastructure required for effective learning. It provided pictures showing students sitting on bare floor in decrepit environments.

We commend SERAP for its trail blazing

role in the polity and recall that SERAP sued the former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida (retired), to explain how his administration spent $12.3 billion excess crude oil windfall. SERAP succeeded in re-introducing the $12.3 billion unaccounted fund in the public consciousness through its legal action. The Babangida administration created a dedicated account, which became a conduit for primitive accumulation or looting of public treasury. The Babangida administration also institutionalised corruption and sustained this tactic as a state policy through ‘settlement’ and co-optation policy.

The literature is replete with documentations on the anti-people nature of Babangida administration’s socio-economic and political policies. Its Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) impoverished and alienated the populace amidst the profligate and corrupt nature of the governing elite. The state’s neo-liberal policy has eroded the role of state institutions in social provisioning and undermined the legitimacy of state actors.

The Lagos State government should have a re-think on the FOI law; the law should be localized as a proof of the government’s commitment to people-oriented leadership.

The Lagos State arguments on FOI law are retrogressive, anti-working people, antipoor, and it vitiate its claim to proffering alternative development agenda to those of the ruling at the centre. The FOI law must be localized in the states pursuance of transparent and accountable governance.

Aregbesola and the jabs about hijab FOLA OJO

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on’t let his skinny appearance deceive you. Governor Rauf Aregbesola of the State of Osun is not a wimp. He is a master politician and a tough cookie who has his fingers on the buttons of his assignment as governor. His good deeds are bold prints buried in many crevices and fissures of the state, and he knows how to score a goal in the soccerfield of what he does. Lately, the governor’s toughness has been put to test following pockets of confusions that have erupted in some schools in the state. And the rattlers keep coming as some high school students draped up in masquerades’ costumes, church choir attires, and Islamic hijab, threw decorum to the dogs chanting lyrics toned in hate to one another, and in love to the gods of their religion. That was the ugly scene at the Baptist High School, Iwo recently.

The roots of the rowdiness has gone far down into surreal dialogue around hijab, a garment and veil worn by Muslim women beyond the age of puberty in the presence of adult males outside of their immediate family. For the women, hijab helps them conform to a certain standard of modesty and decency. But in the State of Osun, the fracas and noise it has generated are not in any way modest or decent. And the governor, an avowed Muslim almost in the category of an Imam, is at the center of it all.

Not even in the heart of the Islamic north-

THERE ARE CLOSE PEOPLE IN HIS

HOUSEHOLD AND A GOOD NUMBER OF HIS CABINET MEMBERS WHO ARE COMMITTED

CHRISTIANS, AND HE

HAS NOT CONVERTED THEM ern part of Nigeria can I recall a sitting governor enmeshed in such a controversy about religion and its infantile trumpeting in schools. But it is happening under the watch of Ogbeni Aregbesola, and it is brewing, with many people, Moslems and Christians alike justifiably apprehensive and concerned that some cities in the state may soon become hotbeds of unnecessary religious skirmishes and outright violence if the fire is not put out now. What we are hearing is that the body language and gestures of the governor in public events are misinterpreted as a tacit approval that Osun is now an Islamic State.

Christians, who have lived together in harmony with others in this environment until now, don’t want to hear that.

A few days ago, the governor with a team of dousers visited the battle field where the fire first started, and where the boiling effusion may now be simmering. “We

are a product of the rule of law and this has guided all our actions…We have not approved the use of hijab in any school.

Let me repeat this again for the hearing of mischief-makers who have been working tirelessly to bring religious war to our state…those sowing the seed of discord in our schools and community and inciting one religion against another… government did not at any time approve the use of hijab in any school…”, the governor reportedly said in an address to the students and teachers.

I do not agree with those who claim that the governor intends to Islamize the State of Osun and force all of us to worship Allah because he hates Christians and Christianity. This is a preposterous babbling.

The governor is a product of the tutelage parents in this part of the country handed over to their children about religious harmony. There are close people in his household and a good number of his cabinet members who are committed Christians, and he has not converted them. He taught in the high school in my home town of Imesi-Ile in the early 70s, and he did not attempt to convert his students. Why then this much inferno of religious ruckus and hubbub? Is it just an election year politics or a good government policy misunderstood and misinterpreted? Were the citizens prepared for such a grandiose school merger move with just a stroke of the pen from a governor who is very expressive about his faith? Why are we not having similar incidents in other APC states governed by Moslem persons? Is this an over-

reach from an overzealous governor who is engrossed by his mission and absorbed by his vision? These are the questions many people are asking, and only the governor can provide some of the answers.

I have visited Osun State about four times since Ogbeni became governor, and the lofty works he has done are recordbreaking, no doubt. The road constructions going on, the new face of school structures, the attention he has paid to the elderly, programs set up to rejuvenate the minds of the youth, all of these are lofty deeds for which we should salute him. The blotch on the windshield of his achievements, however, may be in the brewing spate of religious fireworks that may dwarf the good works he has done as governor.

This furor is small today, but in this dispensation of global religious skirmishes and battles in Nigeria, in these times where terrorist recruiters are looking for feeble minds to enlist in their armies of havoc, it may grow bigger tomorrow. And when it does and boils over, Aregbesola’s name may not, undeservedly so, be mentioned in good light.

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

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

Editorial

18

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

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KING ODODORU

HEAD, GRAPHICS

Banks’ alleged connivance with money launderers

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he level of criminal exploit dogging the Nigerian system is simply frightening. This is in spite of all official ‘efforts’ to bring crime under control. Just recently, the banking sector, one of the strategic sectors of the economy and which has always been in the news for the wrong reasons, was accused by the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, of abetting economic crimes, especially money laundering. At a recent meeting of the Committee of Chief Compliance Officers of Banks in Nigeria (CCCOBIN) in Lagos, Lamorde revealed that some banks, apparently driven by sheer greed and the pressure to post huge profits, allow criminals to use their facilities to perpetrate frauds and illicit businesses.

Such banks, according to him, sabotage the efforts of law enforcement agencies and do not cooperate with them during their investigation of suspected bank customers. “We have had instances where banks sheltered criminal elements and allowed them to use their services to perpetrate their activities…. It may seem profitable in the short term, but in the long

INDEED, NO FINANCIAL CRIME WOULD RECORD REMARKABLE SUCCESS WITHOUT THE COOPERATION AND COMPLICITY OF THE BANKING SECTOR term, it would have negative effects”, he said. Lamorde also accused some bank officials of tipping off customers whose accounts were on the ‘watch-list’ because of the material benefits they would obtain from such crooks, an action he described as dangerous to the security of the nation and its citizens. He made reference to a recent case where an account owned by a prominent Nigerian was being investigated, but a bank official leaked the investigation to the customer.

It is of public knowledge that banks, like other commercial institutions, are set up to make profits. In the process, they give premium to the protection of the interest of their customers. This involves some levels of privacy.

A bank that gives out information about its customers without restraint is viewed as not

being customers-friendly; and such a bank may not be able to survive the stiff competition in the modern-day banking sector. This probably explains why Swiss banks serve as havens for the loot of many corrupt leaders worldwide, Nigeria inclusive.

Nonetheless, it is imperative that banks demonstrate sufficient sense of responsibility by not making their facilities available to fraudsters. Banks ought not to be promoting the interest of customers, particularly common criminals, at the expense of the interest of the country and the populace. Such high brow collusion with criminals amounts to economic sabotage that the government should seriously tackle, not just with the word of mouth, like Lamorde has done. We insist on the visitation of the full weight of the law on the erring banks. Proven cases should be punished and the operations of such banks possibly suspended for a while.

A progressive banking culture must centre on how to build the entire economy, not just concentrating on bloated profits and narrow interests. Fraudsters and money launderers have been known not only to ruin the banking sector, but the entire economy of nations. That is

why security measures are put in place by the government to assist law enforcement agencies keep watch on the activities of crooks that masquerade as bank customers. Instead of being complicit in such vices, banks should assist law enforcement agents to fish out their customers involved in economic crimes, on the one hand; while protecting the interest of their honest and decent customers, on the other hand.

Perhaps, the EFCC boss did not disclose the names of the banks involved for security reasons. But the dubious financial institutions involved know themselves. They should turn a new leaf. Indeed, no financial crime would record remarkable success without the co-operation and complicity of the banking sector. Banks should begin to play their roles in the economy with a sense of responsibility and patriotism.

It does not make any economic sense for them to post enormous profits even when the nation’s economy and image are being ruined. Situations where banks consciously choose to play the ostrich when customers suspected of sharp practices are being investigated affront the law. Doing such is a disservice to the nation.

ON THIS DAY February 19, 1985 William J. Schroeder became the first recipient of an artificial heart to leave hospital. The transplant was performed at the Humana Heart Institute International in Louisville, Kentucky, United States, by Dr. William C. DeVries. After 18 days, he suffered the first of a series of strokes, eventually leaving him in a vegetative state. He died on August 7, 1986 of a lung infection, 620 days after receiving the ‘Jarvik 7’.

February 19, 1986 The Akkaraipattu massacre: The Sri Lankan Army massacred 80 Tamil farm workers in the eastern province of Sri Lanka and had their bodies burned. Although the alleged massacre happened on February 19, 1986, the incident came to light only few days later after community leaders visited the remote location near the town of Akkaraipattu, where the farm workers were shot. Several empty cases of ammunition were found in the field.

February 19, 2006 A methane explosion in a coal mine near Nueva Rosita, Mexico, killed 65 miners. The mines were run by Grupo México, the largest mining company in the country.

It was estimated that 65 miners, who were working the 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. shift that morning, were trapped underground by the explosion. Only two of the 65 bodies were recovered. There were also conflicting reports regarding the depth at which the miners were trapped.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

19

Health & Wellbeing ‘We’ve turned around Nigeria’s herbal industry’

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Nigeria loses 80% of children living with cancer!

FRANKA OSAKWE

S

...experts decry low cure rate due to treatment abandonment

ix-year-old Onyinade Awelewa is completely blind and disfigured in one eye.

Her doctors, consultant paediatrician, Prof.

Edamisan Olusoji Temiye, Prof. Akinsule and senior resident paediatrician Dr Oluwakayode Omidiji of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), confirmed she had retinoblasma, a cancer that starts in the retina, the eye balls, and spreads to other parts of the body. If untreated, Prof. Temiye says, the retinoblasma cells could grow along the optic nerve and reach the brain,

Onyinade Awelewa

the covering layers of the eyeballs, into the eye socket, eye lids and nearby tissues. Once the tissues outside the eyeballs are affected, the cancer may then spread to the lymph nodes (small bean-shaped collections of immune system cells) and to other organs such as the liver, bones and bone marrow (the soft inner part of many bones).

Retinoblasma, if detected and treated early, can be cured, but Onyinade’s case had already degenerated and

Preventing, treating Pr common cold 21

the next best thing now was to reTHE CURE RATE FOR move the eye balls following series of chemotherapy. Dr. Omidiji says CHILDHOOD CANCER Onyinade will have to go through two chemotherapy session before IS EXTREMELY LOW AS the surgery and another session after surgery, and during these treatEIGHTY PERCENT OF ments, she will have to endure pain and some unpleasant side effects, CHILDREN WITH CANCER depending on how her body reacts to it.

END UP DEAD BECAUSE But Onyinade was not born with th this condition, according to his disOF TREATMENT traught dad, Adebayo Awelewa, a carpenter in Idimu, a Lagos suburb who ho also ABANDONMENT recently lost his wife.

“It started with a white spot, like cat eyess might appearing on her eye balls two years ars back, r e t u r n then it starts to enlarge, and then she could when the case is too severe and all we can do not see with the eye. We went to Lagos State is give palliative treatment which does not University Teaching Hospital LASUTH on cure, except to alleviate the pain before the the 5th of September 2012 but were told to child finally passes on.” report back after six months. Thereafter She also said the foundation had recently we were referred to Guinness eye care, in lost four kids who were present during their LUTH.” Christmas party on the 10th of December, Mr. Awelewa said in-between those pe- between then and now. Mrs. Patience Eghe riods, his wife fell sick and eventually died Okoro, a Matron at the paediatric ward and because of financial constrain, Ony- LUTH, however cited finance as the major inade’s case was put on hold until two weeks challenge faced by parents of affected chilback when she was eventually admitted at dren and this, she says is the reason why the children’s emergency ward in LUTH. many of them run away from completing The affected eye has started to swell and treatment. had deteriorated. Presently, Onyinade For instance, according to her, leukaemia has completed one chemotherapy ses- could cost up to 10 to 15 million naira with sion. She has been discharged and will bone marrow transplant inclusive within a have to return three weeks later for the two to three years period. second session before the operation.

“Some cost less than this; To treat nephroBut Mr. Awelewa is groaning under the blastoma in Lagos costs between N186, 000 financial burden the disease has placed and N240, 000 for six months, without suron him, the total cost of treatment and gery, all the treatment is usually expensive medical expenses has been estimated for the poor people who are the ones that to one million Naira, and he has no idea bring their children for treatment in LUTH. how he would continue paying.

The rich ones who can afford the money “This is the point where they all abscond take their children abroad for treatment. from treatment and the next thing you will That is one reason our cure rate is very low. hear is that the patient is dead,” says The parents come and when they see the Prof. Edamisan Temiye who enormous cost, they just walk away. And explained that the cure rate the next time you see them, they tell you the for childhood cancer child died at home.” is extremely low as The International Network for Cancer eighty percent of chil- Treatment and Research (INCTR), also atdren with cancer end tributed the high death rate of children up dead because of treat- with cancer to delays in diagnosis leadment abandonment. ing to presentation with advanced disease.

Indeed, a recent study at LUTH’s paediat- Poor patients receive affordable or available ric department over a period of 18 months treatment, not optimal treatment hence revealed that 168 out of 540 admissions were many patients go home and die. The organdue to cancer, the cure rate for these admis- isation also noted that an unknown number sions was found to be below 20 percent. This of the children never even make it to the is extremely low compared to developed centres capable of providing treatment for countries where you have up to 80 percent the disease. cure rate. In Netherland, for instance, the The World Health Organization (WHO) cure rate is reported to be 92 percent. had projected that cancer would overtake Matron, Dr Nneka Nwobbi and founder ischemic heart disease as the leading cause of Children Living with Cancer Foundation of death in the world and the second leading (CLWCF) also confirmed the high death rate cause of death after accidents in children saying it is a common occurrence in our envi- less than 15 years. Statistics also show that ronment for parents to default in treatment. one in 300 children will have cancer before “We found out that most parents default in the age of 16. Already, more than 70% of their treatment and when they do, these global cancer deaths occur in low and midchildren all end up dead. However, some dle income countries.

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Health & Wellbeing

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

H

aving an adequate knowledge of how and what an athlete consumes immediately after a workout is essential for both his performance and recovery process. This is because in a hard workout, you can use up all your stored glycogen.

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

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

The meal consumed after exercise is critical to the recovery process and this improves the ability to train consistently. Before an individual begins an exercise, it is vital to be well-hydrated since most athletes find it challenging to match fluid intake to sweat loss. Restoring fluid and electrolytes (sodium and potassium) lost in sweat by consuming carbohydrate-electrolyte sport drink and monitor the water consumption of fluids during training that feels comfortable.

This would help prevent significant weight

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Eating for recovery after workout loss from sweating and improves ability to recover quickly from training and contest. It is also vital to weigh oneself before and after exercise and replace fluid losses. Water, sports drinks, watery foods that contain salt (soup, vegetable juice) can help replace fluid lost during exercise. It is essential to replace fluid and potassium losses by consuming fruits and vegetables.

The second stage to bear in mind is to consume carbohydrate and protein rich foods that would aid in repairing damaged muscle tissue and to stimulate development of new ones. This is however carried out by replenishing the muscle and liver glycogen stores by replacing muscle fuel (carbohydrate) utilized while performing. Glycogen is the source of energy most often used for exercise. Research has shown that eating 0.30.6 grams of carbohydrate for each pound of body weight within two hours of endurance exercise is essential to building adequate glycogen stores for continued training. Waiting longer than two hours to eat results in 50 percent less glycogen stored in the muscle.

Research also shows that combining protein with carbohydrate within thirty minutes of exercise nearly doubles the insulin response, which results in more stored glycogen . Protein provides the amino acids necessary to rebuild muscle tissue that is damaged during intense, prolonged exercise. It can also increase the absorption of water from the intestines and improve muscle hydration.

The optimal carbohydrate to protein ratio for

this effect is 4:1 (four grams of carbohydrate for every one gram of protein). Eating more protein than that, however, has a negative impact because it slows rehydration and glycogen replenishment. Examples of foods needed during recovery state are: sports drinks that contain carbohydrate and electrolytes, banana, bread or roll with jam or honey, peanut butter and low chocolate milk, sandwich with turkey, avocado pear, whole wheat grain products and other carbohydrate and protein rich foods. One study found that athletes who refueled with carbohydrate and protein had 100 percent greater muscle glycogen stores than those who only ate carbohydrate. Insulin was also highest in those who consumed a carbohydrate and protein drink.

In Conclusion, it is vital to support the immune system to handle the damage by manu-

When to brush

I

n the surgery on a regular basis, dentists are faced with some very recurring questions, this can be likened with getting rid of the recurring decimal (Ten divided by three will mathematically give the result 3.3333333...

A few examples of such questions are what toothpaste is best for cleaning the teeth? What toothbrush is recommended for use to clean the teeth? How often should we clean our teeth?

The billion naira question, since everything seems to be denominated in billions these days is: Just how many times or when should one brush the teeth?

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

The use of toothbrush and a toothpaste to clean the teeth is actually a routine and like most routines, there are individual variations. The extremes could be seen from individual to individual, from those that do not have the time or could not afford to brush the teeth in days to those that will brush the teeth at every opportunity or after meals.

These variations are individual in nature and fit into the individuals’ lives.

The position on the issue amongst dentists also varies from the traditional to the new thinking. The common selling point generally though, is that dentists recommend the use of a routine of

brushing the teeth to remove dental plaque with a toothbrush and a fluoride containing toothpaste.

Fluoride containing toothpastes are however not recommended in areas that by nature have a higher concentration of fluoride ion in the drinking water in which case non fluoride toothpaste may suffice. High fluoride concentration may be found in spring water sources, and most especially in places like in the north east of Nigeria. The water corporation, where functional, should be in the best position to advice on the mineral and ionic content of water in their jurisdiction. (Hopefully these records are available at the water board).

The age long advice from dentist has been to have the teeth brushed first thing in the morning and last thing at night before going to bed.

This sounds logical and sensible as the teeth are actually in danger of serious build up of plaque, just hypothetically let’s say one has not cleaned/ brushed the teeth and mouth all day, eaten all day, failed to brush the teeth and mouth at night. Food debris will sit in the mouth and plaque easily accumulates on the teeth. Saliva flow is in addition very low in the night; the amount of saliva produced is at the lowest in the night. Saliva is a natural neutraliser of the acid produced by the bacteria in the mouth acting on the food debris to produce lactic acid which dissolves the tooth substance, the whole process initiating tooth decay. Saliva has a ba-

facturing new muscle protein, red blood cells and other cellular components as part of the process. Research has shown that adequate glycogen stores maintained during pre and post exercise can reduce the disturbance of immune system markers as the consumption of carbohydrates can help reduce the bodys’ stress hormone response to exercise.

However, regular consumption of vitamins C and E, zinc etc, have all been said to aid in the protection and support of the immune system.

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

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

08108155239 sic pH , that is the hydrogen ion concentration, in a fluid. It is a measure where substances are graded according to their acidity or basic nature , 1 being highly acidic and 14 being highly basic 7 is neutral so the saliva has a ph close to 7.4.

This factor makes the teeth most susceptible to the effect of acid at the period if plaque is not removed before bedtime.

Brushing after breakfast is sensible for those who will be at work and school or workshop whichever place of business. Brushing first thing in the morning not only freshens the breath, it removes the halitosis (bad breath) common on waking in the morning.

This has the additional advantage of stimulating the saliva production which neutralises whatever acid has been produced in the night by the action of bacteria which are normal in the mouth. Chewing stimulates production of saliva. It is the opinion of some professionals, that is another school of thought posits, that where it is possible to brush the teeth after meals, a travel or pocket toothbrush can be kept in the office or in the school or work place. Others advocate rinsing the mouth with fluoridated mouthwashes, whilst others feel where it is not entirely possible, the use of sugar-free chewing gum containing xylitol will be able to cleanse the teeth to stimulate saliva flow.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

21

Health crisis management committee resumes sitting FRANKA OSAKWE

•JOHESU halts strike till March 13

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to it and could not achieve its goal following the resignation of the chairman.

The former Secretary to the Government of the Federation was reported to have, resigned his position as the Chairman of the Presidential Committee of Experts on Inter-Professional Relationship in the Public Sector due to lack of funding from federal government.

However, indications are rife that Yayale will soon be called back to resume his duty as funds are now available for his assignment. This was revealed by

here is an indication that the presidential committee on Harmonious work relationship in the Health Sector, inaugurated last year September, 2013 and chaired by Alhaji Yayale will soon commence its work again.

The committee set up to Review the current roles of various professional cadres in the health sector and recommend measures to remove areas of conflict was unable to submit its report within the 8 weeks allocated

the secretary to the federal government SGF during a recent meeting between the federal government and the joint health sector union JOHESU at the secretary to the Federal government’s office. The Yayale Ahmed committee will be expected

to appraise other issues related to Job Evaluation and a total review of the other contentious matters in the Health Sector.

The meeting chaired by the Secretary to the government of the federation (SFG) Senator Anyim Pius,

the minister of Labor, ministry of Health, Chairman Salaries and wages and other government functionaries, led to some resolution, some of which are; That the SGF should liaise with the Head of Service of the Federation for a feedback on the position of the National Council on

NGO advocates free medical treatment for children with cancer FRANKA OSAKWE

A

nongovernmental cancer intervention organization, Children with Cancer Intervention Initiative (CCII) has called for government’s attention on the plight of children living with cancer in Nigeria.

The call was made during a press conference recently to mark this year’s Children Living with Cancer day at Ikeja Lagos. The coordinator of the organization, Mrs. Honor Onyebuchukwu lamented the rapid death rate of cancer kids saying, “In our pilot hospital, the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) alone, we followed up cases of 25 bright and intelligent children aged between 8 months and 14 years battling with the

disease as at May 2012, out of which we lost 10 of them. Just a week before Christmas 2013, we lost yet a dear little 2 years old girl referred to LUTH from Port-Harcourt hospital, and these are the ones to our knowledge”.

She attributed these deaths largely to lack of proper medical care and inadequate medical equipment in the nation’s paediatric oncology wards. “Our visits to the Oncoloy ward of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) revealed the urgent need for installation of Oxygen Piping, Cold Centrifuge and provision of accommodation for care givers during treatment. She also mentioned the exorbitant cost of treatment which she said is often overwhelming for the parents of these kids.

Lagos residents savour Rotary Club’s free healthcare AISHA TITILAYO

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ver one thousand people have benefitted from the free medical services conducted by the Indian community in Nigeria under the auspices of Rotary Club Lagos Palm Grove Estate.

The health camp which has been in existence for several years and conducted five times in a year, was held at the ICA Premises, D’Alberto Road, Palm Grove Estate, Ilupeju, Lagos and had several Indian medical practitioners, supported by their Nigerian counterparts attending to beneficiaries.

In a release the President of the Rotary Club International, Mr Venugopal Jajoo,

stated that the gesture was an off-shoot of other peopleoriented activities which are aimed at contributing to healthy living. “We have done a substantial amount of work in the district. Our star project, the Eye Camp, had been completed with over one thousand people benefiting from free eye glasses and treatment.”

Explaining further, he said: “We want all the people around us to be healthy. They can check their health status, and we have provided medication for minor ailments. In the case of major ailments, we can counsel them and refer them to an appropriate medical centre.”

A large percentage of the health camp was constituted

L-R: President, Nigeria Medical Association, Dr. Osahon Enabulele; Minister of Health, Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu and Kogi State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Idris Omede at the opening ceremony of the NMA Maiden Doctors’ Games at Eket Township Stadium, Akwa Ibom State on Monday.

Establishment with respect to retirement age of health workers from 60 to 65 years.

A bargaining committee to be put in place for negotiations of the problems areas of the consolidated salaries and allowances of the CON HESS scale while payment of specialist allowances should be worked out for hospital-based health workers who have post-graduate fellowships Phds, Msc, PGDs or other appropriate and recognized specialist programmes. The resolution further stated that the Attorney-General of the Federation should interpret who is medically qualified to be appointed a consultant in hospitals, among other issues.

Based on this outcome, the indefinite strike as proposed by JOHESU was put on hold pending the outcome of their next meeting scheduled for March 13th, 2014.

FG strategises for post 2015 National Health Plan MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

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he Federal Government has said it had begun plans on what would guide the nation’s health sector after 2015 when the current National Strategic Health Development Plan, NSHDP, is expected to expire.

Minister of Health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, disclosed this recently at the launch of Nigeria State Health Investment Project, NSHIP, in Abuja.

He said the NSHDP had guided the nation’s health sector since it was launched in 2010 and

would be disastrous if government failed to begin to work on another plan for the sector. His words: “There are policies; there are governance tools that have governed health in the last few years in this country.

“Some of them are now due for a review but they are still extant and they are still operational. Of course, we have our National Health Policy which we are about commencing another review. And, it was on the National Health Policy that when the world started thinking that it is always good to have a coasted plan.

When the world began to feel that even in federated countries, we need to have a national plan, one plan.

“When the world felt that in terms of monitoring and evaluation, the template for measuring results, we need to work on Monitoring and Evaluation framework; the country came up with the National Strategic Health Development Plan.

“That is what is guiding us; that will guide us up till year 2015. At the beginning of this year, I charged the Permanent Secretary and the Directors that we need to begin to work with our partners and the states and local governments,

including other stakeholders in the Nigerian health sector to begin to work for the plan that will take us from 2016 to 2020; that if we waited until the end of 2020, then, there would be no plan for anybody to work on in the health sector from 2016,” the Minister added.

According to him, work would start on the new plan this year and by next year, the National Council on Health would give approval to it while the Federal Executive Council would consequently endorse it. The plan, he said, will take the nation from 2016 through 2020.

Preventing, treating common cold: Nothing to sneeze at

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andwashing and zinc may be best for prevention of common cold whereas acetaminophen, ibuprofen and perhaps antihistaminedecongestant combinations are the recommended treatments, according to a review in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).

The common cold is well, common, affecting adults approximately 2-3 times a year and children under age 2 approximately 6 times a year. Symptoms such as sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, cough and malaise are usually worse in days 1-3

SCIENCE

By Franka Osakwe

and can last 7-10 days, sometimes as long as 3 weeks.

Drs. Michael Allan, Department of Family Medicine, University of Alberta, New Zealand reports that, “Although self-limiting, the common cold is highly prevalent and may be debilitating. It causes declines in function and productivity at work and may affect other activities such as driving,” Most colds are caused by viruses, with only about 5% of clinically diagnosed colds having a bacterial in-

fection, yet antibiotics cs are sometimes used inapproappropriately for viral infections. ctions.

Treatment options ons are; Antihistaminess combined with decongestants and/or pain medications appear to be somewhat or moderately effective in treating colds in older children -- but not in children under age 5 -- and adults, Pain relievers: ibuprofen and acetaminophen help with pain and fever. Ibuprofen appears better for fever in

children, Nasal sprays: ipratropium, a drug used to treat allergies and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, may alleviate runny nose when used in a nasal spray but has no effect on congestion.

22

Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘We’ve turned around Nigeria’s herbal industry’ Many Nigerians are worried over the activities of the Nigerian Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development, (NIPRD), the country’s apex medical research institution expected to help fast-track the nation’s quest for sustainable breakthrough in medical research and production. The Director-General of the Institute, Prof Karniyus Gamaniel in this interview with MARCUS FATUNMOLE x-rays efforts of the institute, its challenges and achievements in the nation’s medical research drives. Health. Excerpts:

What is NIPRD doing to help boost local production of drugs and reduce importation?

When we discovered that importation of drugs was becoming unacceptable, we said, “No, we have to turn around the herbal industry into what Nollywood has done to the film industry.” Now, regarding research for herbal medicines, we have two platforms for herbal medicines. The first platform is when trying to manufacture product which is done anywhere, and you want to list or register it with NAFDAC and NAFDAC not sure of the safety and efficacy of the product, comes to us. That prompted our collaboration and MOU was signed with NAFDAC. NAFDAC said “Yes, they had the labs in various parts of the country to test for safety but they don’t have the capacity to test efficacy. So, in the MOU regarding herbal medicine, we test for safety and efficacy of products that NAFDAC intends to list.

In what way has NIPRD contributed to local production of drugs in Nigeria?

One of our claims at this institute is the research done on Niprisan which is the product NIPRD developed for the first time for the management of sickle cell anaemia.

The product was not only certified in Nigeria and patented in Nigeria, it was also patented in five other African countries. And, the FDA registered this product under the category of confined drug. Sickle cell as you know has affected many people and Nigeria.

And, given our population, two percent of our population is estimated to be sickle cell patients.. In our product pipeline, we have actually, recently, obtained a trademark registration from the Ministry of Trade and Industry for four of the products that we have been researching on. Very soon, they will come into limelight the way Niprisan has come into the limelight. We have the certificate of trademark; that is the first step to commercialization; we will also do the protection for its quality. This product has also been filed for patent registration still at the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

When you take the background, at least it takes between 15 to 20 years to develop just a product in the orthodox way. It has happened so because we are working on products that our forefathers have been using.

We already have a clue on where to go and the search for the model is different from the usual test which comprises random screening that had happened in the industry.

Given the current drive for production of drugs locally, do you have capacity in place to support researchers who are able to develop patents that are not just for trademark

registration but are intellect-driven?

This is what we’ve been trying to enlighten people about. NIPRID is a public institution; I am here today, I may not be here tomorrow. So, it is a public institution funded by taxpayers. The privilege there, like the Niprisan that was developed from Rev Ogunyele’s recipe, if you left the product to Rev Ogunyele of blessed memory, we would have been able to see Niprisan as we do today. If you say because of budget and the research is prohibited, we would not have got to this stage.

But, the man was wise. He realized in the beginning during our discussion that he would not surrender it to someone else but to the institution. And, in his words, I was the one that interviewed him during the interaction; he said “Look, you know your institution is for the public, if you work on this product and it yields something useful to the public, glory be to God.” That was his statement. What I am trying to say is that unless with an institution like this to partner with, to get budget for even that patency process or to get grant for patency process, UNDP patent helped us patent in 45 countries. NIPRID through its budget couldn’t have afforded it.

How does the institution examine efficacy of herbal products?

We have five distinct Departments of Medicinal Plant Research and Traditional Medicine. If we have an herbalist that has something new, it first goes to that department to sort out what plant and what names the product carries? Identity matters throughout the process. So, the department through its scientists does the preliminary.

The make of the herbal product at various samples; that is their role. They deal with the plants and with the traditional healers.

Then, it moves to Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Quality Control. This department deals with more of standardization at the final level. Then, the product goes to microbiology and biotechnology which is another area. From there, it moves to pharmacology and toxicology. These are the departments that test this product for biological systems on bacteria and so on. They give result. From pharmacology and toxicology, the product moves again to Department of Pharmaceutical Technology; the delivery stage, the formulation department. No matter how good your drug is in the laboratory, if it is not formulated to be taken by human being in a standard way, it doesn’t worth the effort.

So, each of the five departments has two different departments in it. We have dedicated the remaining two departments to what we call Central Laboratory Facilities. There

Gamaniel

NO MATTER HOW GOOD YOUR DRUG IS IN THE LABORATORY, IF IT IS NOT FORMULATED TO BE TAKEN BY HUMAN BEING IN A STANDARD WAY, IT’S NOT WORTH THE EFFORT

are some pieces of equipment that are being used in common in all the departments.

There are some equipment that you cannot afford to buy as a department; it will be inadequate. So, those specialized instruments and expensive instruments or instruments of common use are stationed in a special unit in my office to handle the lab.

There have been accusations that NIPRID is not living up to public expectation; what are the challenges?

The challenge we have is the running cost. Some instruments, once you launch them, they are alive like human beings. You cannot put them off; you have to be feeding them with necessary consumables as spare parts. The consumables and the spare parts are not seen in the budgetary process as capital. And then, the overhead that is supposed to cater for the cost is severely inadequate. We are talking of about N250 million or a little more than that to run this institute successfully as overhead or running cost. But, what do we get? For this year, especially, it is N54 million. It comes to about four million naira monthly; and it is what you use to pay for in-house services and what have you.

How soon can we have breakthrough as a nation in local production of vaccines?

All over the world, the issue of vaccine production is not as straightforward as people think. Though technically, the production of vaccine and tablet; tablet is probably

more complicated. But, because of its nature, vaccines have requirements in research that have to do with preliminaries. In 1996, NIPRD coordinated a study of the HIV strain that is predominant in Nigeria…The idea then was to know the predominant specie of HIV in the country. Production of vaccines will be more to that because you have to prepare something that the disease responses to. That has been done. I know there are other studies that are going on now. But, that is the problem because you don’t just make vaccine.

Secondly, the introduction of vaccines into the human system is not the same as introduction of tablet because the body may just react because it is antigen. What I am saying is that effort is on but it is relatively slow. As it is, there are some services that are required like the typhoid vaccine. The effort is being made now to get that vaccine. The vaccine is converted from abroad. We need to know if it will survive in Nigeria or in a different environment. This is the kind of service we do; we simulate, change situations. If the vaccine is viable and survives in our environment, then, we can come in and use it for our people. Is any work being done by NIPRD? Yes, NIPRD is collaborating with agencies of government that are doing this. And, as a matter of fact, NIPRD started it and it is documented in a scientific journal; what NIPRD has done and the findings.

Wednesday, February Wednesday, June 19, 12, 2014 2013

National Mirror Mirror National www.nationalmirroronline.net www.nationalmirroronline.net

23

Arts Lounge

Stage is more frightening to me – Nonye Marvis

25

AGN visits Jonathan; calls for sack of NFC, NFVCB bosses

26

NGOZI EMEDOLIBE

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n spite of the giant strides being recorded in the film industry, many people still have reservations about madein-Nigeria films. This has made comments like ‘I don’t watch Nigerian movies’ or ‘I know how this film will end’ commonplace.

The complaints most times, revolve around technical issues, ranging from story line, picture quality, poor sound and light enhancement, costuming and continuity problems. These often neglected details have made some experts conclude that clinching an Oscars or being a major contender in major film festivals like Berlinale (which just ended) or Cannes may remain a tall order for the country’s films.

While quantity has put Nigeria on the map of filmmaking nations, it is appropriate to imagine what benefits could accrue to the nation when the quality of works is greatly improved. And this is exactly where the *Project ACT Nollywood* initiated by the President Goodluck Jonathan administration and administered by the Federal Ministry of Finance is being lauded by the generality of the industry. As at press time, Arts Lounge gathered that arrangements have been concluded to send the first batch of film directors numbering about twenty four to study directing at the University of Colorado, in a move that is gulping Project ACT about $6000 per participant. Earlier about forty other filmmakers have reportedly benefitted from such trainings.

Filmmaker and national president of the Directors Guild of Nigeria, DGN, Andy Amenechi who confirmed the trip, also told this writer that it was a very positive step for the industry in the quest to getting the technical details of our films right.

“It is not a guild thing. It is not restricted to the members of the guild only. But you must be part of the industry. About 24 of the applications from some of the members of the Directors Guild of Nigeria have been approved.

The application is open on the website. My members applied for the funds on the website and were adjudged successful. That is good for the industry because it will make the directors better to make better films which will

Film location

NOLLYWOOD:

Raising the bar with capacity building The first batch of Nigerian directors is currently being trained in the United States of America under the Project ACT Nollywood, initiated by the Federal Government. Such technical development must be broadened to make industry impactful. give Nigeria that competitive edge in the filmmaking business globally.”

For filmmaker, Ifeanyi Onyebaor, the training should be a continuous exercise, because filmmaking technology is constantly being updated. “It is a great development. But my worry is that after this what happens next? The reality is that so many of our directors are not good in terms of the technology being developed for camera works which is the basis of film making. Films are all about the camera, and a lot of these technologies are strange to many directors. This will help, but there must be a programme to make it a regular thing. It does not have to be by the government. The filmmakers should develop the passion to get better at their work to make things better for the industry.”

But as rightly observed by Arts Lounge, a new spate of capacity

building consciousness is sweeping across the industry, with several guilds and associations coming up with programmes and projects to make their members better at their jobs. The Lagos State chapter of the Actors Guild of Nigeria under the leadership of Victor Osuagwu have been organising such workshops in the past couple of months.

This according Alex Eyengho, the national president of the Association of Core Nollywood Producers, ANCOP, has informed why the association is also hinging its activities on the training of its numerous members as a way of improving the quality of works from them. “You cannot ignore the importance of knowledge. One of the reasons why this association, ANCOP came into being is as a result of the poor attitude the other association had towards training and re-training of the members. It is and still re-

mains one of the cardinal objectives of ANCOP, because in a dynamic world, as we live in, little can be achieved if people are not being trained on how to handle new tools of movie-making, and harnessing new ways of distributing our works”.

Of course, many personalities as well as corporate entities have continued to intensify their efforts in this direction.

With the National Broadcasting Commission’s deadline for full digitalisation of broadcasts in Nigeria drawing closer, the commission in conjunction with the Nigerian Film Corporation convened a training session for Nollywood practitioners under the acronym-SHOOT, designed to prepare the industry for the task ahead. According to Brian Etuk, spokesperson of the Nigerian Film Corporation, “the programme will underscore how this transition can impact on

production activities for film, television and radio in Nigeria and prepare practitioners within the sector for the challenges inherent in the transition”.

Another filmmaker in Nigeria who has consistently been lamenting the poor approach to capacity training is Tunde Kelani, the chief executive officer of Mainframe Productions. In an earlier interview, he complained that the trend was bad for the industry and could be held responsible for the stunted situation of things. “It is difficult now, and I have been complaining that it is bad. During my days, we used to attend trainings and workshops, some of them were held outside the country. I was employed by the Western Nigeria Television (WNTV) as a cameraman. From there I was sent to England for a course in Film-Making. So it has become a part of life for me.

I started on TV. I was attached to the filming section of the television house at a time, so I was deeply involved in it that I cannot say this is the first attempt. We were shooting for every section from news to sports to drama.

I am lucky to have worked with most of the best brains in broadcasting. I am also privileged to have acquired knowledge in many of the formats and techniques in film making. I am a beneficiary of fifty years of successful broadcasting in Africa.”

It is also pertinent to note that other professionals involved in the film industry like the media also need to be trained on how to critically appraise works coming out of the industry. As observed by Stanley Okoronkwo, erstwhile national president of the Association of Movie Journalists, Nigerian film reporters need to imbibe a new orientation of critically rating films before they are shown to the audience. “We once organised a training programme for journalists on film critique with the help of the BOB TV crew, and people were reluctant to attend, which was surprising because you need the training to be able to assess the quality of works being produced. I have noticed that Nigerians are always in hurry and whatever does not translate into immediate naira and kobo does not bother them.”

Perhaps the step towards making the industry a major income earner for the nation has just begun with this orientation.

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Arts Lounge

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Nollywood: A thing or two about piracy CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK

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he income that would be gotten by producers in one month would eclipse what they make from rental clubs in Nigeria annually.

This unique step would reduce the devastating impact of digital piracy to Nollywood but some die hard pirates would still remain. These online pirates want to eat and well die alone. The beauty about the Internet is everybody has an address that is registered somewhere. Monitor the paper trail for sites that are generating traffic with keywords such as Nollywood, Nigeria Film, Ghana film. Anyone that violates your Intellectual Property, send the webmaster a letter from your lawyer to cease and desist from such. If there is no response, take the case to court, provide evidence, get an injunction, provide your letter to the company hosting the site and the site would be taken down. It would not be that easy but a special taskforce in Nigeria for dealing with piracy both land and online has to be created to facilitate court processes. Some of the sites hosted might be in areas where there’s no jurisdiction, such places might be extremely difficult to achieve your goal. In such scenarios, you can go after their source of income, report the site to Google or the Ad Manager with evidence and Google might block out their Ad Account. Let’s hope such scenarios are not popular.

On the domestic side, major forms of land pirates are the rental club pirates.

The rent-a-club pirates, these are the guys who run video clubs and rob the producers in both broad and narrow day light.

I mean, they are just slapping the industry. I understand when Desmond Elliot (a popular Nollywood actor) says the Video Clubs have to be scrapped. I mean if people steal from you every day and you can see them but probably do nothing, you would also wish for their extinction.

VOICES

I SUGGEST PERIODIC INSPECTIONS ON THE VIDEO CLUB OWNERS AND BONUSES FOR TARGETS MET AND FOR CLUB OWNERS WHO GO THE EXTRA MILE TO CURB PIRACY IN THEIR VICINITY Some of these video club owners redub the movies and sell at a giveaway price to consumers. This is a major problem as there are more than 7000 clubs scattered across the country. Video clubs are meant to be adding more revenues to Nollywood but the relationship is parasitic. From the article ‘Video rental business as a lucrative venture’ by Oyetunji Abioye, most video club owners purchase movies from marketers at the rate of N240, to rent out at the rate of N100 for a 12hour window.

This is perfect business for the club, but major revenue loss for the movie producer. The club has to rent the movie out to 2 people in 24 hours to break even on that movie and from thereon they keep raking in profits from that movie copy.

Marketers or producers should renegotiate a higher license fee or sign a revenue sharing agreement. Because of nationwide spread, a good relationship with rental clubs is pertinent for the time being. But $2 as a license fee to rent out your movie is ridiculous. According to this logic, it is very clear the Video Rental Clubs as a group would even rake in more revenue than the marketers, writers, actors all combined. When I buy a movie for

Rotilu

N240 from you, it becomes my property and I have repeat business from the rent, the marketer only has a one off business for that movie which is the N240 paid.

An option could be get the movie license at N5000 or get the operating license at N1000 and pay us a percentage you get from the revenue of my movie. This is a solid rip-off. Back to piracy in the rental clubs, you can trust the video club owners but you have to verify. I suggest periodic inspections on the video club owners and bonuses for targets met and for club owners who go the extra mile to curb piracy in their vicinity (probably by provisions of posters in their ward to sensitise the public). Bonuses could be a tax break from the Government (Nollywood needs all the government’s support it can get), discount on registration fees, or anything to motivate the video club owners to be fully committed to this fight.

Other areas where revenue can be sought after to offset the lost revenues due to piracy is in Product Placements, Movie producers need sharp marketing buffs to attract product placement deals from companies whether small, medium or large. Your budget would determine the airtime and positioning your campaign would receive. I have seen millions of mobile phones and other products used without any charge attached to it. This is a massive loss in revenue. Imagine if Blackberry Babes (a Nollywood movie) was actually sponsored by Blackberry. Almost every scene had a Blackberry handset or logo in it. I am not saying Research In Motion would have been willing to sponsor the movie because well the story just wasn’t great, but if a decent movie with great talents attached approached MTN or a small scale business or a start up for a product placement at a sensible fee, no one loses and we have offset some losses from piracy.

From my vantage point, these are some plugs that can offset the damage from the millions of leaks presently killing the industry. There are so many other leaks that can be plugged to at least offset some losses due to piracy. In Nollywood 2.0, product placement should be taken seriously, Video club operators should be inspected and the deals should be renegotiated, deals with television stations especially Africa Magic must be adequately renegotiated and proper domestic/international distribution has to be a priority. In fact if Mr. President’s $200 million stimulus went into distribution alone, the effect would change Nollywood forever. Proper distribution is the key to piracy reduction.

CONCLUDED Jide Rotilu is a Technology Strategist, a comedy sketch writer and an MTV Award Winner, based in England.

MEMORABLE READS

MARTIN ONOVO National Leader –Strategic Union Of Professionals For The Advancement Of Nigeria

What book do you like most?

It will be The Sinners Guide. It was written by Venerable Louis of Grenada, many years ago.

How would you summarise the book?

Some people have referred to the book as the best after the Bible, and I think it is close to that. The first part of the book speaks to die-hard sinners. Fr. Louis puts forth compelling arguments on why you should fear hell, why you should repent, and why you should repent immediately. The second part of the book offers advice to the repentant sinner-how to avoid the ever-present temptation to commit mortal and venial sins.

One theme I enjoyed throughout the book was his depiction of God’s dual nature: His outstretched arm and firm hand; His justice and His mercy. The repentant sinner will receive mercy, but for the unrepentant... Fr. Louis uses extensive scriptural citations and quotes from the Church Doctors to support his arguments. These references are always on point and frequently beautiful and moving. So, besides providing instruction on how to better your character, the book will deepen your understanding of the

Bible and the roots of Catholic theology. Fr. Louis quotes St. Augustine extensively. For me, his “Confessions” had a much greater impact, maybe because it was so personal and so human a story.

Why do you like the book?

The Sinner’s Guide is packed with practical spiritual advice for those struggling along the pilgrim path to God. Overcome by anger? Worn out by stress? Worried about apathy in prayer? The Sinner’s Guide can help. It is Insightful and practical.

What makes the author unique?

His book is insightful, and in so many ways it provided answers to some challenges in the journey of life. It is highly recommended to anyone seeking answers about life.

How did you come in contact with the book?

It was recommended.

If you should consider writing a book, what will be your theme?

It will dwell on the answers to the age-

long questions about life and its purpose.

This is because a lot of things are misconstrued about life and its purpose. People need to understand why we are here and where we are going.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

ARTISTE UNCENSORED

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MIDWEEK JUMP Afrika Shrine holds Artist Discovery Night tomorrow

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annabe artists can take part in the February edition of the open mic event tagged: “Artist Discovery Night” tomorrow. All who aspire to sing are eligible to take part in the audition-like show that will begin at 4pm at the Agidingbi location of the shrine that is home to the four-time Grammy nominated Afrobeat musician, Femi Kuti.

All those who intend to participate need do is to be armed with the N500 fee and get to the venue on time.

The organisers said that those who showcase their talent tomorrow will do so in the presence of record labels, producers, artiste managers and fans alike and stand a chance to be discovered.

Stage is more frightening to me – Nonye Marvis

Kunle Afolayan for African Film Week in Athens

A

Nonye Marvis may have more or less just come unto the acting scene, but this graduate of biochemistry knows what she is about and with three movies under her belt, she knows where she is going.

TERH AGBEDEH

B

orn Chinonye Marvis Ukenenye, the young Nonye Marvis has done stage, modelling and film and said she is more comfortable with the camera.

Perhaps that is why she has found the time to so far do three films in Igbo language in spite of her 9-to-5 job as a biochemist.

What is more, she is writing a book on medical biochemistry. For someone who came into the Nigerian movie industry on the wings of the Niger Delta talent hunt show around 2010 it is easy for anyone to tell that Nonye is not your everyday actor and hence should be watched closely.

Add to the mix the fact that no role, whether comic, romantic or what have you, poses a challenge to her and you have a new kid on the block that will cause upheaval in Nollywood.

“I love acting and I know that I can do better there. It is not that I cannot do better in biochemistry it is just that I want to bring out the talent in me,” she said of her foray in acting. But to get here she had to surmount a lot of obstacles, chief among them being to please her dad by studying biochemistry first. Now, Nonye, who intends to a higher degree or two in the sciences, even medicine, said she has the blessing of her father to act.

One need only see the deft handling of her roles in the Igbo language movies, The Battle of Owerri, Nwa-Mary and Tufia to understand the single-mindedness with which the Port Harcourt, Rivers Statebased Nonye is approaching her venture in the industry.

“I have not really gone for any training as all my acting is natural and I am just amazed about what people say. They say that it is in you so I do my best,” she said.

The actor, who is avidly reading acting books and said she is not good at spelling in Igbo, speaks it fluently enough to take part in films in that language.

“I speak pure Igbo when I am speaking Igbo not mix it with English,” she said.

She is also fluent in the English language and has auditioned for a couple of roles in core Nollywood films, for which she said there has been positive responses and she would soon move to location.

Nonye said mixing biochemistry with acting is not difficult for her because she has a flair for acting and the two are not related so is like walking different paths whenever she finds herself in one or the other.

But if you think she does more of one than the other then you must think again because her time is equally dedicated to both and it helps that not many of her biochemistry colleagues know that she also acts.

“Only a few (colleagues) know, those that really know me closely are the ones who also know that I am a model,” she explained.

She has appeared on billboards and calendars mainly in Owerri, Imo State where she obtained her biochemistry degree at the Imo State University.

So professional is she that she already has a manager at her beck and call and a mentor, too in the person of the Nollywood actor and producer, Ifeanyi Ezekwe.

Nonye also loves Stella Damasus, counts her as one of her few mentors and has seen most of her movies. Beyond Nollywood, Nonye who dreams of plying her acting trade in Hollywood and is ready for the big time, loves to watch Hollywood movies including Galaxy starring Sandra Bullocks and George Clooney.

The card-carrying member of the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria, AGN would rather not comment on the way AGN politics is played since she has not

problem with that.

“But I won’t want to run for or hold any office. I just want to act,” she explained.

She however hopes to write movie scripts in the future “I have some ideas that I would like to work on”. And her language of choice for her scripts is English.

But is she comfortable with the toga that people dress female actors in, saying they are loose or even prostitutes?

“It is not every actor that is that way, it depends on what you want to portray to the people, for instance, I cannot act nude in a movie. I will only take on roles that I know I can handle,” she said.

No doubt such roles may not be anywhere near the stage as Nonye prefers the big screen.

“Stage is more frightening to me than the camera. When you are on stage a crowd of people are watching your every move but on camera there is no stage fright,” Nonye, who played the role of Ada in Tufia stated.

“Everybody likes (Ada) and picks on her, don’t do this, don’t do that they tell her,” she said.

The major biochemistry-related project she is working on is a biochemistry book.

“I have so far done two chapters. (But) you will get to know about that after I finish work on it. And right now I have written about three thousand words,” said the actor who does not feel that you must not wear make-up to look good.

Nonye whose favourite musician is R. Kelly listens to R & B, plays chess and calls on her friends to relax.

She hopes to publish her biochemistry book early next year by which time she said her acting career would “be higher than where I am now. I would have done a maximum of ten movies and a minimum of six. I am talking about lead roles”.

ctor and Director, Kunle Afolayan is Nigeria’s representative at the third edition of the African Film Week, which holds in Athens, Greece from February 20 to 26.

Put together by the Greek Film Achieve in conjunction with embassies and honorary consulates of African countries, the festival celebrates films from all over Africa. Each embassy brings films from its home country.

“I am glad to tell you that our films: The figurine (Araromire), Phone Swap and A documentary from our stable titled: Orisa, has been officially selected to represent the country. I shall be there to interact and attend to question and answer sessions and am using this opportunity to invite all the Nigerians and our brothers and sister from other African countries living in Greece to come have a nice timewith us,” said Afolayan in a Facebook status update.

A statement on the organisers website said it is an opportunity for those who come to the festival to experience Africa.

The public will have the opportunity to continue its journey to the continent, to follow familiar or not so familiar trails, and, by crossing geographical boundaries, to get to know even more movies and documentaries, produced mostly between 2004 and 2013 by renowned and younger directors,” the statement said.

Afolayan

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Arts Lounge

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FAR AND NEAR

AGN visits Jonathan; calls for sack of NFC, NFVCB bosses ROTIMI FADEYI

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resident Goodluck Jonathan has pledged support for the Actors Guild of Nigeria, saying that the movie industry remains a veritable tool to redefine Africa.

Speaking when he received members of the Actors Guild of Nigeria led by Ibinabo Fiberesima at the Presidential Villa, Jonathan explained that actors have made positive impact on the image of the nation.

He noted that Nollywood has touched the lives of Nigerians even at the grassroots level.

Jonathan promised to look into the request of the guild for a land in the

Federal Capital Territory to build the secretariat of the group.

Speaking, Fiberesima said Nollywood was in dire need of purposeful, practical, dynamic and experienced leadership at the helm of affairs of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) and the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB).

According to her, those that have been appointed to run the regulatory agencies have shown lack of capacity to put the industry on the path of growth especially in the transformation agenda of the Federal Government.

The Actors implore the President to review appointments at the regulatory agencies and appoint administrators with passion, zeal and total dedication

to the development of the film Industry.

They also requested for a modern, responsive legal environment for Nollywood to continue to thrive and remain relevant to the present administration’s transformation agenda.

According to the group, the present Copyright Act was now grossly inadequate particularly in digital and Internet environment.

“We are aware of the various abuses that Nigerian movies are subjected to, while the regulatory authorities are helpless.

The criminal sanctions for piracy and other copyright infringements have become ridiculously low and no longer as sufficient deterrence to infringers”, Fiberesima said.

Wande Coal, Wizkid headline NUGA closing concert TERH AGBEDEH

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ande Coal and Wizkid will perform at the Diamond S.W.A.G. Account Concert that will close the ongoing 24th Nigerian University Games, NUGA. The hip hop artistes will headline the concert, which will take place on Saturday, February 22, the final day of the tournament at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State.

Mrs. Ayona Trimnell, Head, Corporate Communications, Diamond Bank, said the concert will afford the students the opportunity to unwind after 10 days of competition and reward those who opened the bank’s S.W.A.G account during the games.

“As the lead sponsors of the 24th NUGA Games holding at OAU, we

L –R: Head, Consumer Propositions, Olumide Akindele; Wande Coal; Executive Director –Retail Banking, Uzoma Dozie; Wizkid; Head, Corporate Communications, Ayona Trimnell; and Banky W during a recent visit to Diamond Bank Plc.

came with two major side attractions to make the experience a memorable one for the thousands of Nigerian youths who have come from far and near to participate in the Games. The first is the launch of the Student With A Goal, S.W.A.G Account, a new proposition aimed at providing Nigerian youths with the right support to help them achieve their financial goals. The second is the S.W.A.G Concert which is the bank’s way of both rewarding and encouraging the youths who are already embracing the new propositions

in their thousands,” she said: Explaining the modalities for the S.W.A.G Concert, Mr. Kayode Makinde, Business Manager, Diamond Bank.

Ile Ife, said that tickets for the concert would be issued to students when they open the Diamond SWAG Account and fund it with at least N1, 000.

S.W.A.G. Account, the youth-oriented product from Diamond Bank, was launched at NUGA last week. Diamond Bank Plc is the lead sponsor of the competition.

Gentleman

Gentleman in Lagos for Soundsystem Show TERH AGBEDEH

G

entleman, the world-famous reggae artiste will be in Lagos as part of an African tour which includes Cape Town, Dakar, Abidjan and Addis Ababa.

Organised by Goethe-Institut Nigeria in conjunction with the New Afrika Shrine and dubbed the Soundsystem Show, the concert features Tamika and Treesha from Gentleman’s band performing tracks selected by Kingstone Records producer Rodney.

Prior to his recent tour of Africa, Gentleman has visited Ghana, Gambia and Nigeria, where he featured in an hour-long documentary with the country’s famous female musical export Asa, in Lagos. The documentary, Through the Night, was produced by French TV company Arte and broadcast on German television.

This time round, Gentleman will be sharing the stage with Grammy nominee Femi Kuti, a multiple award-winning Afrobeat musician and son of Afrobeat creator Fela AnikulapoKuti. Two decades ago, Gentleman first set foot on Jamaican soil and over the years, he has spread reggae music all over the globe and is now an international reggae headliner, topping charts and garnering awards along the way. The intensity of his vibes and his honest personality continue to earn him growing respect and the love of a global audience.

Last year, he released the album New Day Dawn to mark his 20th year in reggae music.

The show with an admission fee of N500, will take place at the New Afrika Shrine in Ikeja at 7pm on Sunday, February 23.

Nite of a Thousand Laughs thrills Calabar

T

he entertainment spotlight fell on the beautiful city of Calabar, as the MTN sponsored Nite of a Thousand Laughs, Nigeria’s leading stand-up comedy show, took place on Friday February 14, 2014, at the Cultural Centre.

Nigeria’s music rave, Terry G, was on hand to excite the crowd that thronged the venue, as everyone tried to catch a glimpse of the ‘Free Madness’ crooner who came ringing his ‘bell’ as he sang and danced on the stage. Ace comedian, Gordons, did not allow his performance to be outdone by Terry G, as he dished out fresh rib-cracking jokes that almost made the fans forget the mind-blow-

ing performance of Terry G. “Warri No Dey Carry Last”. This was Gandoki’s tongue-in-cheek response to the challenge posed by the performances of those before him, which means people from Warri, Delta State, are streetwise. And that was exactly what he did with his jokes as he stepped on stage to deliver what was arguably the best performance of his career to the appreciation of the enthralled fun-seekers who came to enjoy themselves.

The audience did not go home empty handed, as MTN, gave out goody bags. There was also a raffle draw that saw five people emerge as winners. The quiz that saw couples

being asked questions about MTN Dobox, a platform that allows people to rent and watch the movies they love on their phones, also saw some couples walk home with mouth-watering prizes.

Other acts that performed included: Koboko, Funny Bones, Professor Aboki and Monkals. Some young talents were also given the chance of a life time to perform on a big platform like the MTN Nite of a Thousand Laughs.

The show which held on the same day the world celebrated Valentine’s Day, a day set aside for sharing love with family, friends and the general public, kicked off at 7pm and ended in the early hours of the next day.

Terry G performing

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Obasi 30 targets Eagles recall

Dike

NFF plans Portugal warm-up

N

igeria has proposed a World Cup warmup game against Portugal, officials have disclosed.

The African champions have confirmed only next month’s friendly against Mexico as a warm-up game for Brazil 2014.

But chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) technical committee, Chris Green, has now said another match against Portugal could well be on the cards.

However, Green said the game would be played if Portugal accepts the arrangement.

“We are considering playing a friendly with Portugal, they play like Argentina and Bosnia-Hezegovina. But for the friendly to come to life, Portugal have to accept and be interested,” Green said on Brila FM. Nigeria has also been working on another test game against Croatia, to prepare for Argentina, Iran and Bosnia-Herzegovina in Group F of the Brazil 2014 World Cup.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

27

Sport

Whether I will go to Brazil or not depends epends largely on the coach and the form I attain in soon –SUPER EAGLES’ CAPTAIN, JOSEPH H YOBO O

W/Cup: Dike blows for Eagles N

igeria’s preparation for the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup has been hit with the sad news that Toronto FC striker, Bright Dike, might miss the tournament after rupturing his Achilles.

The burly all action striker sustained t h e injury duri n g h i s MLS side’s preseason

training and this has cast a huge doubt on his participation as he might not recover in time for the tournament, the Toronto Sun reported yesterday.

Dike, took to the social network site, Twitter, to express his dismay at this latest setback on his handle (@bbright19) saying: “Worst day of my life”.

The 27-year-old striker, who was listed in the 23-man list released by Coach Stephen Keshi to prosecute the March 5 friendly with Mexico in Atlanta has had a history of injuries on his Achilles.

He just recovered from the same injury last season and also had problems with the same Achilles in 2011 just before he made his MLS debut.

This will come as a huge setback for Toronto FC’s preparation for the new MLS season as well as Super Eagles coach, Keshi, who has kept faith with the former Portland Timbers forward.

Dike , who is a cousin to Super Eagles striker, Emmanuel Emenike, made his Nigeria debut against Catalonia in an international friendly prior to the 2013 African Cup of Nations.

He has four caps for Nigeria, scoring two goals.

28

Sport

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Evra set for summer exit

M

anchester United defender, Patrice Evra, is expected to leave the club despite having the option to trigger another 12-month deal.

Reports claimed Evra is still set to return to France in the summer despite triggering a clause in his United contract that means the Red Devils will have to honour a new extension to the deal that expires at the end of the season.

The left-back is said to have had the clause written into his last deal signed in 2011 that would signal an automatic Old Trafford renewal for the Frenchman if he started 25 matches for the club in this final year of his deal.

Despite that cushion for his future, Evra has been heavily linked with his former club Monaco and big spender PSG has also shown huge interest in the international defender.

Bayern wary of Gunners’ resilience O

fficials and players of Bayern Munich have said they are bracing themselves for a much tougher challenge against Arsenal in tonight’s Champions League cracker at the Emirates.

According to Bayern midfielder Javi Martinez and captain Philipp Lahm, the Gunners have become daunting opponents who have taken great strides forward in the past 12 months.

Bayern outclassed Arsenal at the same round of 16 stage last year, but only edged through on away goals after losing at home in the second leg on its march to winning the trophy.

But Arsenal is currently in the Premier League title race and FA Cup quarter-finals.

“This game is different to last year. Arsenal is never easy but they are a better team this time,” Martinez observed.

“They have better players, confidence and Mesut Ozil is a decisive player for any club.”

Lahm

Evra

Ozil gets Ballack backing

Kaka sure of Atletico fall

F

A

ormer Chelsea midfelder, Michael Ballack, has urged Arsenal fans to be patient with Mesut Ozil.

Ballack was a vastly experienced 29 years old when he arrived in England to play for Chelsea in 2006, compared to Ozil’s 25.

“When Mesut first arrived, he wanted the ball so much,” Ballack said.

“But he is not used to playing through the winter without a break like you do in England. It can be hard to adapt.

“He is tired but the expectation is so high. Of course, he should be one of the leaders of the team.

“He cost so much and that also means pressure to perform week in and week out. I am sure he will be a really big and important player for Arsenal in the future.”

Ozil

C Milan midfielder, Kaka, is relishing the prospect of taking on Atletico Madrid in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League today.

Kaka revealed in a Twitter question and answer session that the mood in the camp was confident after Sunday’s 1-0 triumph over Bologna, in which Mario Ballottelli scored a wonder strike.

The Brazilian has made 22 appearances for the Rossoneri this season, scoring six goals, and is pleased to have had a sustained period of time in the first team after a number of years blighted by injuries.

“After the win against Bologna, we are confident and ready for Atletico,” he said yesterday.

On his chances of making country’s team to the World Cup, he said: “I’m doing everything to not miss the tournament.

Kaka

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

29

Lagos Polo gallops off H

Cavani

No EPL move for Cavani P SG striker, Edinson Cavani, is set to snub a move to England, according to latest reports.

Chelsea and Manchester United have been chasing the Uruguay international who reports said could settle for either of both EPL top clubs next summer.

But French agent, Francois Gallardo,

said Cavani would not move to England.

“There is a player on the staff of PSG who is not comfortable, who wants to leave, and he is called Cavani,” Gallardo said.

“If Real Madrid were looking for a crack attacker, we are now approaching the time to do business.”

‘Reds’ EPL ambition intact’ L iverpool captain, Steven Gerrard, is adamant an FA Cup exit to Arsenal will not disrupt the Reds’ Premier League campaign, claiming the Anfield side equal to its top-flight opposition.

“There is nothing to be down about.

Sometimes you just don’t get what you deserve from games and this was an example of that,” Gerrard said yesterday.

“We have to move on, dust ourselves off and go again against Swansea next Sunday.

Gerrard

T/tennis: Quadri outshines Taipei’s Weng

Quadri

N

igeria’s Aruna Quadri defied odds yesterday to surmount highlyrated Chinese Taipei’s Wang-Wei Peng at the ongoing International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Tour in Doha, Qatar.

But the woes of Quadri’s compatriot, Kazeem Makanjuola, continued after he was beaten by Singapore’s Zhaoxu Xin in the first group match of the men’s singles event of the competition.

Quadri ensured that his teenage opponent did not have an upper hand in the explosive encounter as he won the first matches at 12-10, 11-5.

The Chinese Taipei star recovered to win the third match at 13-11. Quadri, however, increased the lead with another 11-4 win and claimed the victory in the fifth match at 11-8.

Quadri won the sixth match at 11-6 to record a emphatic 4-2 win and his last group match will be against Portugal’s Joao Montiero today to decide the eventual winner of the group that will compete in the main draw.

“I am happy that I won the match in a four sets battle,” Quadri said after the match, adding, “I noticed a little improvement in my game but I am yet to receive service very well.”

Also today, Nigeria’s duo of Quadri and Makanjuola will confront home boys–Qatar’s pair of Fahed Almughanne and Mohammed Alyafei in the preliminary round of the men’s doubles.

About 200 players from 35 countries are participating in the money-spinning five-day tournament, which is one of the Super Series in the tour.

ostility will begin today at the Ikoyi Polo Club as the 2014 Lagos International Polo Tournament gets underway with Lagos Bonhams and Lagos Valkyrie contesting.

The Stream A match is one of the four encounters scheduled for the opening day which is dedicated to the Dansa Cup. The tournament which has MTN and GTB as major sponsors will also see Lagos Sao Paolo battle Unity Polo, who qualified at the expense of Badboys, in the second match of the day in Stream A while Ibadan A and Kano Tripple K will confront Kano Titans/Ibah and Ibadan B respectively in Stream B to round off the day’s activities.

The first week of the tournament runs from February 19 to 23 where four of the nine titles will be decided as the Open Cup, Beginners Cup as well as the Oba of Lagos Cup are up for grabs.

The final week which runs from February 26 to March 2 will see teams battle in the Low Cup and the prestigious Makekodunmi Cup. The Independence Cup, Lagos Governor’s Cup and the Italian Ambassador’s Cup will also be contested.

The tournament is regarded as the biggest in the calendar of the Nigeria Polo Federation and also has Veuve Clic-

quot, Union Bank, Chapel Hill, UBS, Caverton Group, Dansa Foods Ltd/Dangote, Southern Sun Hotel, Smooth FM, Beat FM, Delaney and Avlon Group as co-sponsors.

Action at the 2013 Polo tournament

Chrisland targets child development

C

hrisland School, Ikeja Lagos has held its14th Inter-house sports with notable individuals witnessing the pupils compete for honours at the Agege Sports Stadium.

Some of the personalities at the event include former Super Eagles’ player, Jonathan Akpoborire, Strongest man in Africa, Mr. Uchenna Okalome; Super Sports General Manager, Mr. Felix Awogu; and Chairman of Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area, Apostle Oloruntoba Oke, who was chairman.

The school’s head teacher, Mrs. Kemi Fajimirokun, said the event had become imperative to ensure the pupils’ healthy well-being.

“Sports is a very critical aspect of hu-

man development, which helps to develop the brain, body and mind,” she said.

“At Chrisland, we reckon with sports because it is a very good factor in the development of cognitive and psychomotor domain of every child.

“It is for this reason that we shifted the venue of this year’s competition to a more spacious Agege Stadium.”

Mrs. Fajimirokun, who encouraged the pupils to engage in active sports, also said: “Without sports, physical and mental abilities will be in short supply.”

Lotus House emerged winner with 16 gold, 8 silver and 9 bronze medals to retain the title it won last year in the competition.

Chairman Ifako-ijaiye LGA, Apostle Oloruntoba Oke (right) after presenting trophies to winners

30

Sport

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

NPL: Warriors get free boots

…players passed fit A philanthropist and Chancellor of Gregory University, Uturu, Abia State, Dr. Greg Ibe, has donated 50 pairs of new boots to Abia Warriors Football Club in the effort to mobilise the team towards a good outing in its Premier League debut season.

Ibe, who presented the gift to Chairman of Abia Warriors, Chief Emeka Inyama, in Umuahia, said his gesture was aimed at complementing government’s efforts in funding of the club.

The Chancellor, who is a patron of the club and was represented on the occasion

by Media Manager of the institution, Mr. Ogbonnaya Ogwo, also revealed plans to donate jerseys and other kits to the club.

He, however, urged the players to ensure

they win a continental ticket at the end of the season.

Chief Inyama expressed appreciation for Ibe’s gesture and called on other stakeholders to aid the Warriors in the season.

“We are determined to reciprocate the gesture of government and donors as we look ahead to the new season,” the NFF board member said.

Meanwhile, the management of Abia Warriors has concluded the medical examination of all the players that will contest in the season in compliance with the guidelines of the League Management Committee (LMC).

The tests were carried out at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia by experts who certified all the players fit.

An Aba Warriors player, Ugochukwu Obiegbu, undergoing medicals at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia yesterday

Musa fires Mexico Obasi targets warning Eagles recall Obasi

S

Musa

uper Eagles winger, Ahmed Musa, has hit target for CSKA Moscow in a preseason game ahead of next month’s World Cup warm-up against Mexico.

Musa scored the second goal against Videoton FC in Spain in the 75th minute after Ivorian striker Seydou Doumbia netted the first goal.

“I am always happy when I score a goal and contribute to my team’s victory,” the petit player said yesterday.

I am working hard in pre-season to be at my best as I look forward to the resumption of the league in Russia as well as the friendly against Mexico in the USA,” he added.

Musa scored five goals in 19 games in the first round of the season.

CSKA, which will face Sokol Saratov in the Russian Cup quarterfinal on March 2, sits fifth on the Russian Premier league table with 34 points from 19 games.

I

n-form Chinedu Obasi has said he has a place in the Super Eagles’ team after he was snubbed for next month’s friendly against Mexico.

Obasi, who has won 18 international caps for Nigeria, also said he would soon earn an Eagles recall after he bounced back from a long-term injury.

“The coach’s decision is final, you can’t query him for that, but that does not mean the door is closed for me,” Obasi said yesterday.

“The best way to be in the team is to support them despite not being there.

“As a matter of fact, I don’t have anything against the coach. But the truth is that we can’t all be there at same time and some won’t even be there.”

The Beijing 2008 Olympic Silver medalist said he would keep working hard for an invitation.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

31

Business & Finance We are getting these things ready. Government is investing a huge amount of resources to make sure that most communities in Nigeria that are not connected to the national grid eventually get connected.

– Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo

N5.6tn was not actually the amount of money AMCON spent; the money we spent was N4tn. The N1.6tn was the interest for three years.

– MANAGING DIRECTOR, ASSET MANAGEMENT CORPORATION OF NIGERIA, MR. MUSTAFA CHIKE-OBI

TCN seeks private investments in transmission projects CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

T

he Board of Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, has expressed readiness to welcome investors in the transmission sub-sector of Nigeria’s Electricity Supply Industry, NESI, in order to attain the vibrancy required to meet the expectations of the growing economy.

Speaking at a press briefing in the Headquarters of TCN, the Chairman Board of Trustees of TCN, Mr. Ibrahim Dahiru Waziri, noted that the TCN needs investors who have a long term view of their returns to enable the company efficiently achieve its set objectives.

Waziri said the company is willing to share its strategic national grid growth and stabilization plans with investors wishing to key in the transmission subsector of the economy.

He disclosed that frameworks for such partnership are being finalized to obtain legal backing and safeguards.

“Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, it is very clear to us that for the sector to attain the vibrancy required to fully meet and exceed the expectation of our rapidly growing economy and Nigerians, we need and indeed welcome in-

vestors who have a long term view of their returns. We are open to sharing our strategic national grid growth and stabilization plans with investors wishing to key in.

Frameworks for such partnership are being finalized to obtain legal backing and safeguards” The new TCN board chairman, who stated that TCN is currently confident of 700MW on a balanced delivery as of now, disclosed that the company has over 165 ongoing initiatives and projects aimed at

doubling the power wheeling capacity from 500MW to 10,000MW by 2017.

To this end, he said the board has asked the management to review and prioritize the raft of ongoing projects to ensure a more prudent focus of limited resources to key projects with immediate tangible impact.

Also, he added that about 522 engineers were recently employed and are undergoing off and on the job trainings, while old

staffs are being trained to bring about the necessary revitalization of the work force.

Waziri, who stated that evaluation of the demographics of the company’s human capital was being carried out with a view to optimal deployment of resources to meet the challenges ahead, lamented funding constraint and acts of vandalism in the power sector, stressing that these pose a very serious challenge to the much needed service delivery.

L

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Mr. Dauda Kigbu (right) handing over to the new Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ambassador Abdulkadir Musa, during the official handing over at the ministry’s Headquarters, Abuja.

LIRS seals power plant over non-remittance of N9.2m taxes agos State Internal Revenue Service, LIRS, yesterday sealed the Ikorodu Industrial Power Ltd ,IIPL, for refusing to remit over N9.2m in income taxes.

News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that IIPL is a power plant

FLIGHT SCHEDULE

located in Odongunyan in Ikorodu, licensed to generate 10 Megawatts of electricity, with its administrative office at Ogba, Ikeja.

The Head of the Enforcement Unit of LIRS, Mrs. Folasade Coker-Afolayan, said that the power plant company defaulted in the remittance of the Personal Income Taxes of its workers.

“We decided to seal the company because it owed the Lagos State Government N9.2m. The amount is the workers’ income

CPC clamps down on CocaCola, NBC over unwholesome products 32

taxes from 2008 to 2010.

“The company’s administrative office will not be re-opened for business until the tax liability is remitted,” she said.

Coker-Afolayan said that the state government had written the management of the IIPL on the need to remit the taxes.

According to her, the Distrain Unit of the LIRS had no alternative than to seal the only offices used by the company when the management failed to respond to

its request.

She said that payment of taxes was a civic responsibility of everyone.

Coker-Afolayan added that government needed the taxes to provide infrastructure for economic growth and improved standard of living.

“Tax payment is a civic responsibility of everyone because it enables government to provide adequate infrastructure for the people,” she said.

Illegal mining: Tale of human casualities, investment lossess

35

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

Extension workers must be equipped to help link farmers with markets –Adesina 46

32

Business & Finance

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CPC clamps down on Coca-Cola, NBC over unwholesome products AYO OLESIN

T

he Consumer Protection Council has directed the Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited and the Nigerian Bottling Company to subject their manufacturing processes to the Council’s inspection for a period of 12 months to ensure compliance with laid down safety standards and regulations.

The directive follows a recent investigation by the CPC, which revealed that cans of Sprite soft drink manufactured by NBC under the licence of Coca-Coca Nigeria Limited, were unwholesome for human consumption.

The Director-General, CPC, Mrs. Dupe Atoki, said at a press briefing in Lagos that pursuant to a consumer complaint received regarding two half-empty cans of Sprite, the Council after investiga-

tions found, among other things, that the cans of sprite were defective and had health and safety implications for consumers.

“The Order requires the Nigerian Bottling Company and CocaCola Nigeria Limited to subject their manufacturing process to the Council’s inspection for a period of 12 months to ensure compliance with safety standards and regulations; formulate and make available to the Council, a Shelf Life Policy within 90 days to facilitate the removal of expired products from the market.”

The CPC boss, however, said that Coca Cola and the NBC had also been directed to pay compensation to the consumer whose complaint triggered the investigation.

Failure to comply, she said would result in prosecution of the company’s directors who risk a jail term or a hefty fine.

The companies were also ordered to “review within 90 days their Grievance Resolution Policy to address compensation for injuries, or compensation in instances where replacement will be inadequate; review their supply chain management policy within 90 days to include retailers in order to minimise the distribution of defective, non-conforming or expired products; review within 90 days their traceability policy to make it easier for the companies to track their products without necessarily requesting purchase information from the consumer; compensate the consumer whose complaint necessitated the investigation; and pay civil penalties to act as deterrent.” she noted.

According to the CPC boss, the Council had, prior to this complaint, been inundated with similar situations and other complaints, such as rusty bottle tops,

L-R: Non-Executive Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc/Managing Director, Renaissance Capital WA, Ms. Yvonne Ike; Managing Director/CEO, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Seni Adetu and Head, Transparency and Anti-Corruption, UN Global Compact, Ms. Olajobi Makinwa, at the Pathway of Pride event organised by Guinness Nigeria Plc to showcase business integrity in Lagos, yesterday,

FG, NISER, UNICEF identify social protection as crucial to inclusive growth TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

E

xperts from leading Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, and development partners in support of Nigeria’s efforts socio-economic development programmes have linked a well developed and implemented social policy programmes as crucial to ongoing efforts aimed at alleviating poverty and achieve inclusive growth in the country.

Making their views known on the role of a robust social protection policy in national development at the opening session of the Validation Workshop on the Draft National Social Protection Policy, NSPP, yesterday in Abuja, experts who included, the Supervising Minister of National Planning Commission, Amb. Bashir Yuguda; Director Nigerian Institute

of Social and Economic Research, NISER, Prof. Olufemi Taiwo; and Chief of Social Policy, UNICEF Nigeria Country Office, Enrique Delamonica; submitted that integration of social protection into fiscal and monetary policies were crucial to achieving broad-based development in the country.

The Minister in his Keynote Address noted that the Social Protection Policy Framework now being fine-tuned for adoption as part of the initiatives being undertaken by the NPC to prevent, manage and overcome situations that adversely affect the socio-economic wellbeing of ordinary Nigerians.

He explained that Social Protection Policy had become imperative for Nigeria in view of the experiences around the world and with the security challenges in the country, pointing out that the gap between the “haves and “have

not’s” must be bridged.

He said: “The gap between the “haves” and the “have not’s must be bridged and now is the time to put in place the mechanism that will cater for the vulnerable to promote inclusive growth and development in our dear country” In his goodwill message at the forum which was attended by top officials of Ministries of Education, Health, the NPC, and a few others, NISER Director General, Prof. Olufemi Taiwo, who disclosed that the Institute had taken part in the studies and various regional validation workshops that followed the completion of the studies, explained that the forum was important in that it seeks to gain the buy-in and ownership, confirm the integrity of the document and explore further ways of widening the usefulness of the policy.

rusty cans and foreign particles in NBC beverage products.

The panel, after five hearings, held between September 2013 and February 2014, substantiated the allegation of product defect and violation of the Consumer Protection Council Act. Other findings, according to the CPC, are that the NBC’s supply chain management does not

extend to retailers who the bulk of Nigerian consumers buy their products from; that the NBC’s traceability policy fails to effectively address the real purpose as the company often relies on information as to the place of purchase of the product.

The NBC sold three billion bottles of products in Nigeria last year.

AU selects Dana Air for IOSA compliance audit OLUSEGUN KOIKI

I

t has been revealed that African Union is sponsoring about 10 airlines in the continent to be International Air Transport Association Operational Safety Audit, IOSA before the end of the year.

One of the selected carriers in the continent is Dana Air, which in late January resumed flight operations after months of suspension by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA. The Chief Operating Officer, Dana Air, Mr. Yvan Drewinsky disclosed this to aviation journalists yesterday at the Murtala Mohammed Airport Two, MMA2, Lagos during the recommencement of its Lagos-Port Harcourt route.

Drewinsky informed that the weeklong workshop that would ensure compliance by the airlines would commence on March 17, 2014 in Lagos.

He however noted that for any airline to be fully compliant, it takes between six to nine months, but assured that Dana Air would meet the December 31st deadline as stipulated by IATA.

According to him, through the compliance, carriers would improve their safety records while passengers would have more confidence in their operations.

He said, “African Union last year decided to sponsor 10 airlines to make them more safe and pay for their IOSA. We have been selected as one of the 10 airlines by the African Union, the first workshop, will be on March 17, for one week, we will have trainers, instructors, people helping us to become IOSA, we are definitely on the IOSA back, we decided that a long time ago.

“From the way we’ve started, probably we will be compliant by the end of this year, but takes you about six to nine months to be compliant. So, by the end of this year we will be IOSA certified with the help of IATA.” On its Lagos-Port Harcourt operations, Drewinsky promised that the airline would constantly review its product to offer convenience to her numerous guests.

He noted that Dana Air was pleased to embark on further expansion of its route network beyond Abuja by re-commencing flight operations to the oil rich city of Port Harcourt.

Farmers appeal to govt. for storage facilities

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rrigation farmers in Ngalda, Fika Local Government area of Yobe, yesterday appealed to the state and Federal Governments to provide storage facilities to prevent post-harvest losses.

The farmers, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, said fresh vegetables were left to decay due to the lack of storage facilities.

“Farmers lose most of their harvest because of the lack of market for their produce.

“At the peak of harvest, buyers come from parts of the North to buy vegetables but most of the harvests rot away,” Alhaji Isa Ali, a vegetable farmer said.

Hansatu Sani, a housewife and vegetable farmer, said she was forced to reduce the size of her farm because she was operating at a loss.

“After the harvest, if there are no buyers, we are forced to dry the produce and sell at very low prices.

“If we have storage facilities,

l can assure you that we can provide half of Nigeria’s vegetable needs, fight poverty and provide more employment opportunities,” she said.

Hussaini Bagiwa, another farmer, said they were losing patronage due to poor storage and appealed to the government to provide storage facilities to boost vegetable farming.

Bukar Usman, a civil servant, said that Nigeria should not be importing tomatoes and pepper.

“Look at these fresh vegetables; they are far better, nutritious and healthy than imported canned tomatoes.

“Governments should, as a matter of urgency, provide farmers with the storage facilities, to improve agriculture and ensure food security for the country.

“This is also a challenge to the Ministry of Science and Technology. It should fabricate local storage facilities to preserve vegetables,” Alhaji Isa Ali, a vegetable farmer said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business & Finance

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

33

78% of daily bank transactions done electronically –Lemo KUNLE A ZEEZ

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he immediate past Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Operations, Mr. Tunde Lemo, has disclosed that 78 per cent of daily bank transactions is now done electronically as against cash transactions.

Disclosing this during a dinner organised in his honour by the Electronic Payment Providers Association of Nigeria, E-PPAN, Lemo said the growth profile of electronic transactions in Nigeria has been gaining impressive traction.

According to him, “That figure of transaction is what is being

transacted on a daily basis. Today (last Friday), we only have 22 per cent of over 134 billion bulk money transaction was done by physical cash and by cheques.

Electronic funds transfer and the Nigerian Inter-Bank Settlement Systems, NIBSS, instant payment, did the rest.

“The electronic funds transfer goes through the clearinghouse and the customer gets the credit the following day, but with the NIBSS instant payment, the customer gets the credit instantly.

The other two combined therefore accounted for 78 per cent.

This means that Nigerians are embracing the cashless policy of the CBN and this means of that

Nigerians are now less dependent on cheques and cash.

“Today in the US, cheques transaction still accounts for 30 per cent or more, but in Nigeria as at today, we have been able to reduce that. In the retail ends, as at today, over 67,000 Point of Sales, PoS, transactions have been concluded in Nigeria, totaling over a billion naira in cash volume.

That is remarkable and I think we should be celebrating that yet we are improving by the day.”

Lemo also stated that the introduction of e-payment in Nigeria has helped to reduce identity fraud in the country by 96 per cent.

“The CBN was inundated with

complaints from customers that unauthorized people had access to their accounts and were making unauthorized withdrawals, through their Automated Teller Machines, ATM, cards. We investigated the matter and discovered that some of them were releasing the ATM PINs to their wives, housemaids and mistresses.

“These people, in turn, go round to make the unauthorised withdrawals. We also discovered that some fraudsters actually stand from a distance and watch other people carryout transaction with their ATM cards and were able to get the PIN in the process, and after the rightful transaction, they will use that PIN to carryout unauthorised transaction.”

He explained that, in collaboration with Electronic Funds Forum, EFF, which is a forum of bankers and CBN, “we were able to deduce that magnetic stripe cards as vulnerable to identity fraud and so we decided to mi-

grate from EMV-compliant Chip & PIN cards, and this has helped in fraud reduction.”

Speaking at the dinner, EPPAN President, Mr. Macaulay Atasie, said E-PPAN’s decision to honour Lemo was informed by the honoree’s critical role in engendering e-payment economy for Nigeria while at CBN. Chairman of the Occasion and Chief Executive Officer of Chams Plc., Mr. Demola Aladekomo, praised Lemo’s role I bringing about electronic revolution in Nigeria, described him as a man with foresight, an astute banking professional.

Other stakeholders at the EPPAN-organised dinner commended Lemo for his exceptional and un-matched regulatory acumen, while calling on him to always make his contribution to the growth of the nation’s financial services sector even after his retirement from active civil service.

Nigeria achieving MDGs goal one through CCT –Gbenol

S L-R: Head, Consumer Protection Council, Lagos Office, Mr. Tam Tamunokonbia; Director-General, CPC, Mrs. Dupe Atoki and Director, Legal, Mr. Emmanuel Ataguba, during a press briefing on the investigation into the violation of product quality standards by companies, in Lagos yesterday.

Great Green Wall Initiative: FG targets 15 million seedlings

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he Federal Ministry of Environment said yesterday that it estimated to plant 15 million seedlings under its Great Green Wall, GGW, programme.

The Director, Drought and Desertification Amelioration Department, Ministry of Environment, Dr. Bukar Hassan, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Abuja.

He said that the tree planting was aimed at fighting desertification at both state and local levels.

“Since inception in June 2013, the programme has secured plots of land in 92 communities across 46 area councils in the 11 frontline states.

“We estimated that we need about nine to 15 million seedlings.

“Each community will be raising 80,000 seedlings and if you

multiply them by 92 communities, you will know how many seedlings that will be coming out from the communities.

“Along the line, the programme will provide facilities like irrigation materials, water, bags and chemicals needed to produce the seedlings.

“Now, once these seedlings are raised, the programme will pay the communities and ask them to plant them, while they will be paid some stipend for their activities.

“So, when you look at the entire segment of the programme, we are not only getting our land back after a long period of degradation, but also providing livelihood to the people.

“They raise seedlings, we buy them over and in turn, pay them to plant; so, at the end of the day, the land and the people them-

selves are better off,’’ he said.

Hassan said that the programme also intends to establish five fruit and vegetable orchards to be totally owned and managed by the communities.

He said that the orchards would engage the communities economically as it would provide additional income for the people.

“If you recall, the orchards are normally managed in the dry season, so the communities now have something to do in the dry season.

“And they will be able to harvest whatever they plant, sell what they plant and own the money.”Hassan said the programme will also provide all inputs needed to secure the area such as fencing, provision of irrigation facilities and purchase of assorted fruit trees or vegetables they intend to raise.

pecial Adviser to the President on Millennium Development Goals, Dr Precious Gbeneol, has said that the implementation of Conditional Cash Transfer, CCT, scheme has helped Nigeria in achieving goal one of the MDGs. This is contained in a statement issued by Mr. Desmond Utomwen, the Media and Communication Consultant to Gbeneol, yesterday in Abuja.

The statement said that the implementation of the scheme was being accompanied by systematic efforts at measuring its effectiveness and broader impact on household behaviour.

“The implementation of the scheme has helped Nigeria attain goal one of the MDGs by increasing school enrolment and preventing more than 100,000 basic school-age children from dropping out of school.

“The CCT has also improved gender parity since the MDGs office through the government provided funds to girls as an incentive to make them to stay in school.

“It has also helped indigent

beneficiaries access to primary health care and increase household food consumption with improved living conditions of those concerned,’’ it said.

The statement added that the CCT had encouraged utilisation of basic health service infrastructure in the rural areas as well as improved the health of various communities.

It stated that it allowed the under-five children to access basic health services, including immunisation vaccination.

According to it, widows and widowers, poor aged households, physically challenged persons, victims of Vesicovaginal Fistula and Persons Living with HIV and AIDS have also benefited from the scheme.

“Nigeria investment in CCT is expected to lead to significant changes in women empowerment and increased socio-economic development in the country,’’ it said.

The statement added that the investment was aimed at reducing the high rate of poverty in communities and ensures that benefiting households kept their children in school.

mal input of modern information technology systems, which has been a big challenge in the area of easy reference, among other problems.

“The essence of the automation is to minimise human errors, increase rate of accuracy, and develop figures and data set that can be easily referenced.

“Automation will also lead to

increased revenue generation accuracy, an application which will capture online and real time, all inflow into the federation account, from the revenue generation bodies,’’ it noted.

The report said unless the revenue generation process was automated, there was no real value in analysing and defining it.

RMFAC installs ICT to enhance its operations

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he Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMFAC, says it has commenced the installation of Integrated Information Technology System, IT, to ensure easier link with Federal Government agencies.

This is contained in a publication tagged; ``Fiscal Monitor’’ ob-

tained by the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, yesterday in Abuja.

The report stated that the installation was aimed at ensuring accurate monitoring of revenue accruing from sources to the federation account, and disbursement of same by the commission.

According to the publication, the commission has previously

relied on old method of data collation and physical inspection of papers of agencies for monitoring accruals and remittances.

It described the method as unreliable, inaccurate and slow in terms of data gathering, computation and references.

“Initially, allocation of revenue has been implemented with mini-

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Business & Finance

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Only 1% container traffic moved by rail-Concessionaires FRANCIS EZEM

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xpectations that Nigeria has commenced full scale container haulage through the rail systems to reduce the pressure on the existing dilapidated road infrastructure and also end the perennial congestion at the seaports were dashed, as the concessionaires say less than one per cent of the cargo traffic is moved by rail.

This is just as the Nigerian Railway Corporation NRC said that the transfer of some containers from Apapa to some Inland Container Depots, especially in the northern parts of the country as an interim measure to check congestion was stopped as soon as the signs of congestion disappeared.

Chairman of the Seaport Terminal Operators Association

of Nigeria STOAN, Mrs. Vicky Hastruup, who spoke in an interview, disclosed that what was experienced last year in terms of movement of containers by rail was skeletal services, which cannot make any impact in terms of reducing pressure on the existing dilapidated roads, especially within the port environment.

According to her, at most, not more than 40 containers were transferred daily by rail last year, which represents less than one percent of container traffic that move in and out of the nation’s seaportsacross the country.

She noted that there are no rail services in the country, mostly in Lagos, Nigeria’s economic hub, which ought to be served by several rail systems both underground and surface for easy and efficient movement of goods and people.

Hastruup, who doubles as

Executive Vice Chairman, ENL Consortium, the concessionaire in charge of terminals C and D of the Lagos Ports Complex, regretted that the near total absence of rail transport has continued to pile pressure on the few existing roads with the attendant traffic gridlocks.

“Because of the absence of rail services, there is serious pressure on the roads and so it costs more to maintain them and that is why the Lagos State Government has imposed the Wharf Landing Fee on imported containers to cover part of the cost of resurfacing and maintaining the roads”, she said She noted that one of the greatest challenges faced by the concessionaires was the poor state of the roads, which makes it so difficult to move cargo in and out of the ports and has also made life unbearable for stakeholders in the industry.

L-R: Customs Area Controller, Delta/Edo Command, Mr. K.O. Adesanya; President, Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA, Prince Olayiwola Shittu; Vice-President, ANLCA, Chief Emenike Nwoleoji and SecretaryGeneral, Emmanuel Opara Ogu, at ANLCA trustees election held in Warri, Delta State yesterday.

New capital requirement: ICMR assures of members’ compliance

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he Institute of Capital Market Registrars, ICMR, said yesterday that its members would meet the new capital requirement released by the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC. ICMR Registrar/ Chief Executive Officer, Dr David Ogogo, gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Lagos.

Ogogo said that the new capital requirement was not a threat to the industry because most of its members had capitalised above the commission’s new capital requirement.

NAN reports that SEC on Dec. 19 issued a new capital requirement for capital market operators with Dec. 31, 2014 as deadline for

operators to recapitalise.

Under the new capital requirements framework, a registrar’s operational capital was reviewed to N150 million from N50 million.

A Broker/dealer now requires a minimum capital of 300 million or an increase of 328.57 per cent, compared with the initial capital of N70 million.

A Broker is now required to increase its capital to N200 million from N40 million, while a dealer’s minimum capital now stands at N100 million, against N30 million.

Issuing house operational capital requirement also rose to N200 million from N150 million, while underwriters are now expected to have N200 million as working capital from N100 million.

According to him, the institute

is comfortable with the registrar’s new operational capital because the review was in line with its recommendations to SEC. “We don’t have issues with our own capitalisation because what was approved for us was what we submitted to SEC during a consultation exercise,” Ogogo said.

He said that the institute had in 2013 mandated its members to recapitalise to the tune of N150 million.

Ogogo said that a few smaller firms yet to recapitalise were working tirelessly to ensure compliance.

He said that the firms could embrace mergers and acquisitions, to meet up with the commission’s new capital requirement.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Strikes capable of jeopardising Vision 2020, says union MESHACK IDEHEN

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he new President of the Senior Staff Association of Communications, Transport and Corporations, SSACTAC, Mr. Mohammad Yunusa, has said that Nigeria’s quest to be part of the best economies in the world may be endangered.

According to him, the country’s economic goal of catching up with the rest of the world by the year 2020 through the vision 2020 20 may not see the light of day, if the frequent workers’ strikes in the country are not addressed.

The SSACTAC president said in a statement on Tuesday that the union is advising the Federal Government to evolve viable industrial relations policies that

would place the issues of workers and their relationship with their employers on the front burner in national discourse, adding a sound industrial relations policy can help check frequent strikes in workplaces in the country.

Lamenting also that the country usually losses huge revenue and that machineries also depreciate when incessant strikes happens and persists, Yunusa called on the Federal Government to prioritise policies that would sustain industrial relations issues with a view to ending frequent strikes by workers in the nation’s economy this year.

According to him, ending strikes in the country in 2014 will attract the much-needed local and international investors that will sustain the transformation agenda of the government.

Seme Customs makes N7.5m rice seizure

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n a single operation, the Seme Command of Nigeria Customs Service has made a seizure of rice, boat with outboard engine and vehicle for conveyance valued at N7.5m.

Making good his promise to adhere strictly to the Comptroller General of Customs zero tolerance for smuggling, Customs Area Controller of Seme, Comptroller Willy Egbudin achieved this feat in the fight against rice smuggling through the nation’s borders.

According to a statement by the Command with a thought that officers and men of the Command have relaxed their surveillance that came with the yuletide period, an attempt by some smugglers to unlawfully bring in rice through the waters was foiled.

“Armed with the necessary intelligence and available logistics, a patrol team led by Superinten-

dent of Customs, Aina Olufemi tracked the movement of the smugglers to be sure where their boat will berth and discharge.

“Having fully discharged the smuggled rice, our operatives swooped on them while loading and tactfully achieved the arrest of one suspect who is helping us with investigation that will lead to the arrest of the baron and others involved in the economic vice”, the command said.

The command said this recent move by smugglers to test our vigilance has not only been foiled as it also sends a strong signal that our round the clock surveillance remains far from being relaxed.

It also said the CAC has insisted that all vehicular and foot patrols in the hinterland remains sustained with increased intelligence to monitor and defy smugglers’ antics along the borderline.

Ekiti bags ICT award for social media use

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kiti State Government has emerged winner of the 2014 Alder Top Social Media Brand in the Social Media Icon Government category.

Lagos State Government and the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, which came second and third respectively, trailed the state in the category.

In a statement the state said the Alder Social Media Report was put together in 2013 to look at brands that make effective usage of social media in entertainment, Government, Business, Technology, and Culture.

According to Leke Alder of Alder Consulting, this is the first report and the main focus is for it to be an African and a global report that will be used of by all.

“The rankings, carried out

by Alder Social Media Ranking, ASMR, are results of a public poll

and expert rankings of brands, which effectively use social media in Nigeria”, the agency said.

According to the agency, which is based in Lagos and London, the rankings are from popular and expert perception of the brands, with the popular ranking being the public’s favorites and expert ranking indicating an analytical insight into the actual operations and impact of the nominees on the society.

It is recalled that Ekiti State Government website, www. ekitistate.gov.ng was last year ranked as the best state government website in Nigeria by the Nigerian Governors Forum.

Meanwhile, the Ekiti State government Youtube channel has been verified. This makes the State’s Youtube platform the only government Internet video channel to be verified in Nigeria.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Energy Week

udemea@rocketmail.com 07031546994

Illegal mining: Tale of human casualties, investment losses The Federal Government has taken steps to reduce illegal mining in the nation. But CHIDI UGWU who investigated the subject reports that the activities of illegal miners and their collaborators still flourish in the northern part of Nigeria.

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he Federal Government’s failure to optimise the potentials in its solid minerals sub-sector is no doubt impacting negatively on the nation’s wealth with billions of naira allegedly lost annually through illegal mining. Apart from the huge financial losses which authorities say runs into trillions of naira, the number of deaths resulting from the illicit venture is appalling.

Analysts say the illicit venture has snowballed into a mega business as expatriates and their Nigerian collaborators now run cartels around it, with no licences or mining rights, raking in millions of dollars each year. The arrest of two Chinese and a Nigerian in Niger State, in June of last year, by the State Security Service (SSS) is a tip of the iceberg regarding how the country’s resources roll into private hands.

The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) disclosed that Chinese and Indian companies have been involved in illegal mining of Nigeria’s solid mineral deposits across the country. Chairman of the National Stakeholders Working Group (NSWG) of NEITI, Mr. Ledum Mitee, confirmed at the presentation of the inaugural audit report on Nigeria’s solid mineral sector, which was commissioned and released recently in Abuja that several illegal artisanal operations in Nigeria’s solid mineral sector were being sponsored by Chinese and Indian companies but with support from local authorities.

Mitee noted that base-line information gathered from scoping studies that were conducted earlier in the sector, revealed discrepancies in government receipts and operating companies’ payments within the periods. He expressed regrets that illegal mining has continued to thrive in the sector as a result of an apparent lack of regulation.

He said the illegal miners “engage local artisans and government authorities to do this at ridiculously low rates and export to make extreme profits but NEITI will all the required provide information to enforcement agencies

Illegal miners at work

with which they can use to hunt down such firms in the sector.”

However, it is regrettable that while these people rake in billions of naira for themselves, citizens suffer from lead poisoning and other dangerous diseases. For instance, hundreds of children were treated in Zamfara of lead poisoning in October this year, some of who eventually died.

According to official reports, 400 children reportedly died from contamination from lead poisoning which affected at least 2,000 children in several northern Nigerian villages as a result of illegal mining of gold. The deputy coordinator of Zamfara state’s rapid response team, Nasiru Tsafe, confirmed that ‘there are 2,000 children suffering from lead poisoning in eight

IT IS REGRETTABLE THAT WHILE THESE PEOPLE RAKE IN BILLIONS OF NAIRA FOR

THEMSELVES, CITIZENS SUFFER FROM LEAD

POISONING AND OTHER DANGEROUS DISEASES.

FOR INSTANCE, HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN WERE TREATED IN ZAMFARA OF LEAD POISONING IN OCTOBER THIS YEAR, SOME OF WHO EVENTUALLY DIED

lead-contaminated villages’.

“These children are exposed to more danger by their constant exposure to lead and delay in treatment.”

Jane Cohen, a researcher with New York-based Human Rights Watch who visited the area recently, said the situation was worse than anticipated with “a large number of children exposed to high lead contamination well above the WHO (World Health Organisation) accepted limit.”

Stakeholders have blamed the trend on the unfortunate neglect of the subsector and over-reliance on oil, stressing that the menace of illegal mining has threatened states’ vision of resource diversification in an era where oil revenue shortfall is beginning to bite hard.

Federal Government said more than $50 billion (about N8trillion) have been lost in the last two years, while Zamfara state alone lost over N62 billion in CONTINUED ON PAGE 36

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Wednesday, February 19, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Illegal mining: Tale of human casualties, investment losses CONTINUED FROM PAGE 35 a few years following the activities of illegal miners.

“What the country loses to illegal mining is tremendous; but the truth is that the amount of gold that left this country because of the illegal mining activities was more than $50 billion in the last two years,” said the former permanent secretary, Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Linus Awute, at a Nigerian-Brazil Investment Forum held in Abuja recently.

Experts say the environmental impact of illegal mining should also be of concern to the country as it allows for toxic pollutants to contaminate surface waters.

The Vice-Chancellor and Distinguished Professor of Environmental Engineering & Science, Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST), Botswana, Prof.

Hilary Inyang stated, “Illegal mining of construction aggregates and solid metals is a problem all over Nigeria, not just in the North. It alters the hydrology of terrains and contributes to erosion and silting of surface water resources. He said as experienced in some states of the North, illegal mining also allows toxic pollutants to leach from exposed tailings and contaminate surface water and crops.

The expert said, “Very many people have died as a result of these exposures. Other hazards that are less obvious are radon exposures and gamma radiation in the Middle Belt of Nigeria where some of the mined rocks contain radioactive minerals like radium and indium. Upon exposure and decay, they emit ionising radiation that can cause cancer, birth defects and other ailments in exposed individuals.

“There are no operational mines in the country as we had before the nation’s civil war, when such mines and intense mining activities were obtainable in Plateau and other cities. The over-dependence of the country on oil, led to this development, although the government is determined to reverse the trend,” Herbert Diala, former managing director, Nigerian Coal Corporation, said at a workshop for artisanal and small-scale miners in Abakiliki, Ebonyi State.

Stakeholders say proper funding of

Jonathan

Okonjo-Iweala

BETTER FUNDING OF THE SECTOR WILL BE OF BENEFIT TO

MINERS IN GENERAL, AS IT WOULD ENSURE ACCESS TO BETTER GEOLOGICAL DATA

PURPOSES, PURCHASE OF GEOLOGICAL EQUIPMENT AND ENSURE THE BUILDING OF BETTER ACCESS

Musa Sada

artisanal, small- and large-scale miners remains the only option for reversing the trend and making the sub-sector revenue-generating for states and the Federal Government.

President, Nigeria Miners Association, Sani Shehu said it was necessary to fund miners through the Central

Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) $200 million fund for small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), insisting that the country and its citizens stood to gain a lot from it.

“Better funding of the sector will be of benefit to miners in general, as it would ensure access to better geological data purposes, purchase of geological equipment and ensure the building of better access roads. It will also

assist Nigerian miners to build their capacity as well as provide a form of intervention for them,” he said at a recent workshop on the future of mining.

For the NEIT Chairman, who stated that the country can benefit in revenue, the time for Nigeria to fully embrace the development of the solid minerals sector of the extractive industry is now.

“It is NEITI’s firm belief that the time for Nigeria to fully embrace the development of the solid minerals sector of the extractive industry is now, we successfully undertook a scoping study in the solid minerals sector which confirms that all notable minerals are available in commercial quantity in all states, local government and communities in Nigeria starting from gold, bitumen, diamond, salt, coal, iron ore, limestone, lead and zinc and the country can benefit in revenue from them,” Mitee said.

But, Ministry of Mines and Steel Development said that the Federal Government had put mechanism in place to check illegal mining, stressing the government is using a carrot method to persuade them into forming cooperatives to enable them benefit from extension services provided by the ministry.

The Director, Artisanal and Small Scale Mining (ASM) Mr. Obiorah Azubuike said the ministry has also created what it called mining surveillance, a task force that comprising all the security operatives, including the Police, State Security Service, to arrest people who engage in illegal mining operations.

“First of all, because those people referred as illegal miners are citizens of this country, we are trying to form associations and cooperatives, we are trying to legalise their operations because they are entitled to a lot of things like the extension services that we provide and even the micro credit scheme. We just concluded one through the instrumentalities of the World Bank; we gave out some grants to these ASM operators that have formed into cooperatives.

The other form is what we call mine surveillance; there is a task force that comprised of all the security operatives, the Police, SSS to arrest people who engage in illegal mining operations”.

Baker Hughes January 2014 rig count drops to 1,325 UDEME AKPAN

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aker Hughes Incorporated has announced that its international rig count for January 2014 was 1,325, down 10 from the 1,335 counted in December 2013, and up 46 from the 1,279 counted in January 2013.

The international offshore rig count for January 2014 was 302, down 4 from the 306 counted in December 2013, and down 5 from the 307 counted in January 2013.

The average U.S. rig count for Janu-

ary 2014 was 1,769, down 2 from the 1,771 counted in December 2013, and up 12 from the 1,757 counted in January 2013.

The average Canadian rig count for January 2014 was 504, up 132 from the 372 counted in December 2013, and up 1 from the 503 counted in January 2013.

The worldwide rig count for January 2014 was 3,598, up 120 from the 3,478 counted in December 2013, and up 59 from the 3,539 counted in January 2013.

The Baker Hughes Rotary Rig Counts are counts of the number of drilling rigs actively exploring for or

developing oil or natural gas in the United States, Canada and international markets.

Baker Hughes has issued the rotary rig counts as a service to the petroleum industry since 1944, when Hughes Tool Company began weekly counts of US and Canadian drilling activity.

Baker Hughes initiated the monthly international rig count in 1975.

North American rig count data is scheduled to be released at noon central time on the last working day of each week.

The international rig count is scheduled to be released on the 5th working day of the month. Additional detailed information on the Baker Hughes rig counts is available from our website.

Baker Hughes is a leading supplier of oilfield services, products, technology and systems to the worldwide oil and natural gas industry.

The company’s 59,000-plus employees today work in more than 80 countries helping customers find, evaluate, drill, produce, transport and process hydrocarbon resources.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

UDEME AKPAN

T

he price of OPEC basket of 12 crudes stood at 105.58 dollars a barrel on Friday, compared with $105.27 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations. (View Archives) 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 Secretary General of OPEC, Dr. Abdalla S. El-Badri stated, “The size, scope, and complexity of the global oil market make it almost unique among physical commodities. Currently more than 90 million barrels of oil are produced and consumed every day.

He said that beyond the scale of this trade, the strategic importance of oil and the crucial role that it plays in the global economy make it a commodity like no other.

The Secretary General stated, “It is the backbone of the global transportation sector, and is used to develop and produce a vast array of everyday products.

He said, “The price of oil is, of course, a central component to all this. In fact, how oil prices evolve in the future matters to every one of us.

The Secretary General stated, “Whether you are a consumer pur-

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37

OPEC basket price rises to $105.58 per barrel

El-Badri

chasing a petroleum product at the pump, or the refined products for your airlines, ships and trains; or whether you are a producer looking at oil investments and future prices, a stable and fair oil price is vital.

He stated that high oil prices, for example, are bad for consumers today and lead to situations that are bad for producers tomorrow.

And low oil prices are bad for producers today and lead to situations that are bad for consumers tomorrow.

The Secretary General stated, “Thus, as I have often said, extreme prices – either too high or too low – are not in the interests of either producers or consumers.

He stated, “I think it is important to initially stress that past experience has shown us that no one country or institution can set or control prices.

However, it is crucial we better understand how the market can help realize a stable and fair oil price and eliminate excessive fluctuations. It means looking at the price from both the short- and long-term perspectives.

The Scribe stated, “Clearly there is always much focus on the ups and downs of the price on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. Short-term price fluctuations caused by such issues as geopolitics, supply disruptions, economic developments and weather are natural. They are expected. They are unavoidable. They are absolutely normal.

He stated, “Over the past decade, we have witnessed the increased financialization of oil markets. Oil has increasingly being treated as an individual asset class by financial investors. Speculative funds flowing into – and out of – the commodity futures markets, have exposed the physical oil market to financial market volatility.

The Secretary general stated, “Given the long-term nature of our industry, especially when looking at investments, we need to also pay close attention to future years and what can be done to help provide more stability in the long-term price.”

Source: Oilprice.com

Domestic electricity generation still below 4000mw –Report CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

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ollowing repairs of vandalised pipelines especially along the Escravos-Western axis and subsequent return of gas supply to electricity Generation companies (Gencos), total power generation available for domestic consumption is yet to hit 4,000 megawatts , reports disclosed.

Statistics from the electricity National Control Centre (NCC), in Osogbo, Osun state made available at the weekend revealed that the total maximum capacity of the nation’s grid stood at 4,151mw with the minimum capacity evacuation put at 3,703mw as at Thursday the 13th of February, 2014.

However, the maximum capacity available for domestic consumption stood at 3,861mw while the maximum capacity available for export to neighbour-

ing country, Niger Republic was put at 290mw.

It would be recalled that the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sahel Power SPV, the new owner of Kano Distribution Company (Disco), Jamil Gwana said at the sidelines of the first CEOs meeting with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) last December that part of its allocation is evacuated to nearby Niger Republic in line with a Federal Government agreement.

Also recall that the national grid dropped from 3,563mw to 3,200mw in January 27th following a shutdown of the Shiroro generation facility for routine maintenance.

Although the new owners of electricity companies have blamed the cut in power supply to inadequate gas flow to the generation companies (Gencos) since early January, the Federal Government has blamed the gas supply constraint on oil and gas infrastructure vandalism cutting

Nebo

short gas supply to over seven affected power generation plants both in the eastern axis and the Escravos-Western axis linking Lagos and the entire southwest.

Chairman of NERC, Dr Sam Amadi

Commodity

Units

Price

Change

% Change

Time(ET)

Crude Oil (WTI)

USD/bbl.

101.41

+1.11

+1.11%

10:03:04

Crude Oil (Brent)

USD/bbl.

109.66

+0.48

+0.44%

10:03:49

TOCOM Crude Oil

JPY/kl

67,400.00

+130.00

+0.19%

10:04:07

NYMEX Natural Gas

USD/MMBtu

5.49

+0.27

+5.24%

10:04:44

Source: Bloomberg

had also referred to inadequate gas supply as being responsible for shutting down some of government’s already commissioned National Integrated Power Plants (NIPPs).

He stated that despite the plants being commissioned, gas supply challenges which was not adequately considered before the project procurement kept them struggling with commencement of operation.

But the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo at the Power Financing Conference last week said the issue of gas supply constraint caused by recent pipeline vandalism is being addressed squarely in collaboration with the oil and gas sector.

He said, “We are collaborating with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the security agencies to secure our pipelines.”

With gas supply gradually in place, power generation and evacuation is expected to rise to its peak of 4,500mw, barring any short change. Statistics from the Ministry of Power however place the peak demand forecast at 12,800mw, with current peak generation only at 4,151mw.

Energy experts have described the situation as a mismatch, demanding more efforts being put in place to fast track expansion of the Gencos, and the transmission network at the upstream sector, and improved service conditions by the Discos at the electricity downstream sector.

38

Energy Week

UDEME AKPAN

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he depot price of petrol has risen from N82 to N95 per litre in many depots as the Federal Government delays the release of 2014 first quarter allocation to independent and major marketers in the nation.

Investigations showed the importation of the product has reduced drastically as many marketers, especially independents said they do not have the resources to import.

It was learnt that it is mostly the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC that has commercial stocks on the product.

An authoritative source at Apapa, Lagos who preferred not to be named said, “The government has not yet released allocation for first quarter importation.

That is why we do not import anymore.

He said, “It is mainly NNPC that is currently importing petrol into the nation. That is why the price of petrol at the depot has increased to N95 per a litre at the moment.

The latest template of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA puts the landing cost of petrol, trader’s margin, lightering, NPA, financing, Jetty depot thru’ put charge and storage charge at N124.71.

It puts the subtotal margins, including transporters, dealers, bridging fund, marine transport average and adminis-

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Depot price of petrol rises to N95 as FG delays first quarter allocation

Fuel tanker

trative charge at N15.49 per litre.

The agency, which also placed the official ex-depot price at N81.51 stated that the Federal Government has to bear the cost as the price of fuel is still pegged at N97 per litre.

The PPPRA had put the January, 2014

government subsidy at N46.63 per litre which showed a reduction from N44.94 per litre recorded in December, 2013.

The agency stated that the landing cost, including cost and freight, traders margin, lightering expenses, NPA, financing, jetty depot thru’ put charge,

and storage which amounted to N128.14 in December has fallen to N126.45. It stated that distribution margins, including retailers, transporters, dealers, bridging fund, marine transport average and admin charge remained static at N15.49 as was the case last December.

Discos consider embedded generation to improve supply CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

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he Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regularity Commission (NERC), Dr. Sam Amadi has said the new owners of electricity Distribution Companies (Discos) have considered applying embedded generation to cut dependency on the Bulk Trader to procure generated electricity.

Amadi made the disclosure recently while receiving a delegation of energy experts from the United States Department of State Bureau of Energy at the NERC headquarters in Abuja.

He stated that the monthly meetings held with Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of Generation companies (Gencos), Discos and NERC is to review policies; and required further consultations are tabled for deliberations.

According to a statement by NERC Head, Public Affairs, Dr. Usman Abba Arabi, the 7000mw benchmark bid for the take-over of Gencos has not been realised due to shortage of gas/fuel control and the activities of vandals which has prompted the introduction of Interim Rules by the Commission.

But Amadi noted at a press briefing that the embedded generation will help the Discos to get supply faster and also cut down their dependence on the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET) which ensures that power evacuated from the Gencos are readily paid for by the Discos.

The Deputy Assistant, Secretary of

State for Energy Transformation, Dr. Robert Ichord who led the delegation said its agency is interested in electricity distribution to improve energy efficiency.

“There are many issues to be discussed but we are more interested in the distribution side of the sector,” Ichord said.

The delegation sought information on distribution aspects that includes the expectations of the new Discos. He observed that investors’ relationship may be preceded by a disagreement between them and the regulator, which may cause them to close their business-

Nebo

es.

Ichord urged the Commission to curtail such an experience noting that, “The effort to try to address or develop framework with the Discos initially, in terms of the losses are about moving it to commercial development.”

Amadi however said there has been

consistency in the reform as every aspect is backed by law, with strong protocol regulations.

While stressing the cordial relationship that exists between the Commission and government Amadi said, “We haven’t had government interference with any of the regulations.”

OPEC raises crude exports - Oil movements

T

he Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries will increase shipments this month to the highest level in more than a year as Asian refiners accumulate inventories, according to Oil Movements.

OPEC, supplier of about 40 percent of the world’s oil, will bolster sailings by 890,000 barrels a day, or 3.8 percent, to 24.35 million barrels a day in the four weeks to March 1, the highest level since December 2012, the researcher said today in a report.

It’s the biggest increase in about a year, and compares with 23.46 million in the period to Feb. 1. The figures exclude two of OPEC’s 12 members, Angola and Ecuador.

“There’s a lot of refinery expansion under way in the east, and to do that you must build stocks,” Oil Movements founder Roy Mason said by phone from Halifax, England.

“It’s probably mainly China, Korea and Japan doing the business,” he said, adding that a “substantial amount” of the supply increase came from Saudi Arabia.

China, the second-biggest oil consumer, imported a record amount of crude for a second month in January, customs data

showed on February 12.

Oil inventories in advanced economies tumbled in the fourth quarter by the most since 1999 because of “surprising robustness” of demand in the U.S. and other developed nations, the International Energy Agency said today.

Middle Eastern exports will increase by 4.7 percent to 17.88 million barrels a day in the month to March 1, compared with 17.08 million in the previous period, Oil Movements said. These figures include non-OPEC nations Oman and Yemen.

Crude on board tankers will rise by 4.7 percent to 497.92 million barrels through March 1, from 475.66 million in the previous period, data from Oil Movements show.

The researcher calculates volumes by tallying tanker bookings and excludes crude held on vessels for storage.

OPEC’s members are Algeria, Angola, Ecuador, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Venezuela. The group will next meet on June 11 at its headquarters in Vienna.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Energy Week

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Don’t procure electricity equipment, IKEDC tells customers

I

n its bid to stop corruption and drive customer awareness towards effective service delivery by the new owners, the Ikeja Distribution Company (IKEDC) over the weekend advised all its customers, communities under its network should enhance forth desists from contributing money for electricity workers to buy transformers, cables and others installations equipments.

The Assistant General Manger Public Affairs, Mr. Pekun Adeyanju, gave the marching order during the Customers Consultative Forum and sensitisation campaign in Ikorodu.

The exercise, which had over 2,000 customers in attendance provided a platform for the company to interact directly with customers to change customers perceptions towards electricity Distribution Company and also updates on the state of power even as it continues to work with its technical partners to ensure seamless and equitable distribution of power across its network.

Commending customers for their support, Adeyanju stated contribution money by teeming customers or communities to buy transformers, cables, installations and equipments will not be condoled under the new management.

According to him, “Our customers should enhance forth stop contributing money for any electricity workers to buy installations be it transformers, cables etc.

“We have made sufficient provision of equipment to paying customers who required them. Once you are paying your bills, it is our responsibility to change any faulty equipment within our network.

“Customers should also assist us in protecting our installations judiciously to

T

Meter

FMC Technologies awarded $720m contract

F

Transformer

able to serve you better,” he said.

Adeyanju said that the essence of the customers forum is to sentised customers on the need to mutual partnering in ensuring all customers is captured in the data base.

He said that the company will soon embark on a Know Your Customer programme to acquint with workers and understanding customers plights.

The public relations boss said that there lots of energy losses due to illegal connections and lack of control on the use of electricity, adding that the only way to curb such is through customer support. “ we are committed in delivering effective power supply to customers but we are challenged due to gas pipeline vandalsim that affects the transmission company

from given us energy required.

Adeyanju explained that apart from being an opportunity to give back to the society, the CSR scheme was designed to provide a platform for IKEDC to interact closely with the public to create better understanding of its activities as well as the rights and the responsibilities of electricity consumers.

He said that distribution companies are at the end of the energy value chain and can only distribute the power generated and transmitted by Gencos and Transcos, he urged customers to show more understanding and take advantage of IKEDC flyers containing contacts of its principal officers to make complaints and contributions that will move the sector forward.

US experts to partner regulatory commission

he Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Transformation, US Department of State Bureau of Energy, Dr. Robert Ichord has noted the enormity of the work before the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, with regards to coping with challenges towards energy efficiency for the power sector.

“There are many issues to be discussed but we are more interested in the distribution side of the sector”, Robert said.

The delegation sought information on distribution aspects that includes the ex-

39

pectations of the new Discos. He observed that investors’ relationship may be preceded by a disagreement between them and the regulator, which may cause them to close their businesses.

According to him, the Commission has to curtail against such an experience.

He pointed out that, “the effort to try to address or develop framework with the Discos initially, in terms of the losses are about moving it to commercial development” he said.

In his response, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commis-

sion, Dr. Sam Amadi revealed that there has been consistency in the reform as every aspect is backed by law. He stated that,” the reform has been realised and is backed up with strong protocol regulations”.

Amadi told the delegation of the cordial relationship that exists between the Commission and government. He said, “We haven’t had government interference with any of the regulations”.

In reference to the new distribution companies, the Commission’s helmsman disclosed that the monthly meetings that are held with Chief Executive Officers and NERC is to review policies and where further consultations are required, they are tabled for deliberations.

According to him, the benchmark bid for the take-over of generating companies was placed at 7000 MegaWatts of electricity capacity, but has not been realised due to shortage of gas/fuel control and the activities of vandals which has prompted the introduction of Interim Rules by NERC. He revealed that the Discos have considered doing a bilateral contract, by focusing on embedded generation as against depending on the Bulk Trader for now.

MC Technologies, Inc. has received an order from eni Muara Bakau BV to supply subsea systems for its deepwater Jangkrik Complex development offshore Indonesia.

The order has an estimated value of $720 million in revenue if the full scope of the award is called off.

FMC Technologies’ scope of supply includes subsea trees, manifolds, jumpers and connection systems, umbilicals, tooling and associated topside and subsea controls systems.

The Jangkrik field is located in the Muara Bakau working area, in Makassar Straits offshore Kalimantan, Indonesia, approximately 44 miles (70 kilometers) from Balikpapan.

FMC Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: FTI) is a leading global provider of technology solutions for the energy industry. Named by Forbes® Magazine as one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies in 2013, the Company has approximately 19,300 employees and operates 30 production facilities in 17 countries.

FMC Technologies designs, manufactures and services technologically sophisticated systems and products such as subsea production and processing systems, surface wellhead systems, high pressure fluid control equipment, measurement solutions, and marine loading systems for the oil and gas industry.

Petrofac, gets $3.7bn project notice

P

etrofac, the international oil and gas services provider, leading a joint venture with Korean based Samsung Engineering Co Ltd (Samsung) and CB&I Nederland BV (CB&I) has received an award notification for Kuwait National Petroleum Company’s (KNPC) Clean Fuels Project, Mina Abdulla (MAB1) refinery in Kuwait.

Located in southern Kuwait, the US$3.7 billion contract, of which Petrofac’s share is US$1.7 billion, will be completed over a period of approximately four years.

The lump sum engineering, procurement and construction scope of work includes the provision of 19 new refining units at Mina Abdulla, revamping of five existing units at the Shouaiba refinery site and the accompanying inter-refinery transfer lines.

The Clean Fuels Project is one of KNPC’s major investment projects to upgrade the Mina Abdulla and Mina Al Ahmadi refineries, in order to reach a daily production target of around 800,000 barrels of oil per day.

Subramanian Sarma, Managing Director of Petrofac’s Onshore Engineering & Construction business, commented: “This will be our ninth project in Kuwait and I am delighted we have secured the opportunity to work with KNPC, who is a new customer for us.

Along with our partners, Samsung and CB&I I look forward to strengthening the relationship with KNPC as we deliver CONTINUED ON PAGE 40

40

Energy Week

Petrofac, gets $3.7bn project notice CONTINUED FROM PAGE 39

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

NERC conducts hearing on enforcement, content regulations

the project.”

This is the second substantial refinery project to be awarded to Petrofac within recent months; the first being the US2.1 bil- UDEME AKPAN lion Sohar Refinery improvement project he Nigerian Electricity Regulatory for Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Commission, NERC has concluded Industries Company in Oman and fura public hearing on the draft reguther underpins the Group’s appetite in the lations on Enforcement and National downstream sector.

Content, in line with the Electricity Power Sector Reform Act (2005).

The program, which was well attended, took place on Thursday, 13 February, he Association of Traditional 2014 at the Commission’s head office in Rulers of Oil Mineral ProducAdamawa Plaza, Central Business Dising Communities of Nigeria trict, Abuja.

(TROMPCON) has called for the reacThe public hearing served as a forum tivation of the Partners for Sustainfor the Commission to interface with a able Development (PSD) Forum, which range of individual stakeholders and serves as the clearing house of the Niger groups to garner valuable opinion and Delta Development Commission, NDDC. comments on the two regulations, which The royal fathers made the call on had been made available for public comTuesday when they paid a courtesy ments about a year ago. visit to the Managing Director/Chief The Chairman/CEO of the CommisExecutive Office of the Niger Delta Desion, Dr. Sam Amadi gave this indication velopment Commission, (NDDC), at its in his welcome remark, stating that, “The headquarters in Port Harcourt. regulations have been in the works for Eze Akuwueze Ikegwuruka, the parmore than a year now.

They were sent to amount ruler of Ngbirichi in Imo State stakeholders, the distribution and generand the national chairman of TROMPation companies, and institutions includCON, said that the PSD Forum was an important organ for bringing all the ing the World Bank, European Union, and stakeholders under one umbrella to aid International Monetary Fund, whom we the process of harmonizing develop- received comments from”.

He said the process was rigorous, as ment projects as enunciated in the Nia lot of work had gone into it but noted ger Delta Regional Development Master

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Revive PSD forum, TROMPCON urges NDDC

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Plan (NDRDMP).

Eze Ikegwuruka said that TROMPCON was concerned about the increasing incidence of oil theft and illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta. To put a stop to this development, he said that the group was planning to host an international conference to address the issue.

He assured the Federal Government and the NDDC of their “commitment to creating the enabling environment for the execution of various development projects in the Niger Delta Region.”

Addressing the Royal Fathers, the NDDC Managing Director, Sir (Barr.)

Bassey Dan-Abia, said that the new governing board of the commission had in its meeting on February 6, 2014 approved the re-activation of the PSD Forum.

He said that the NDDC management realized the importance of the forum which brings together representatives of federal and state governments of oilbearing states, youth and women leaders, traditional rulers as well as the organized private sector, civil society, the mass media and international development agencies such as the UNDP and the World Bank.

The NDDC Chief Executive Officer assured the traditional rulers that the commission would not relent in providing sustainable development despite funding constraints.

“We have so many projects spread across the region, running into trillions of naira. But don’t judge us by the number of projects awarded, rather judge us by the projects completed, because we are all out to complete outstanding projects,” he said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Amadi

that with public input, more incisive comments can be gathered and included in the two regulations.

Amadi decried the activities of some public interest groups, who often would not attend public hearings in order to see to the final obligation that will be placed on licensees in this regard, but are quick to scandalize and criticize policies of government.

He appealed to interest groups to be more participatory in public consultations, stating, “We must be public spir-

ited, let’s not think that the regulator has all the answers”.

Commissioner of Legal, Licensing, and Enforcement, Dr. Steven Andzenge buttressed Amadi’s point that the Commission saw the need for the two regulations and considered them imperative to the success of the new electricity industry in Nigeria.

He said that the process has been successful, stating that, “What we have succeeded in putting in place is not different from what is already in existence in our law. The act gives us the power to set up the regulations as well as get the public involved”.

The enforcement regulation is premised on the need to ensure orderly transformation of the electricity industry that would promote competition and efficient service delivery.

Enforcement law gives the Commission the power to warn, suspend and revoke licenses even as it maintains its position as an unbiased referee for the electricity market.

The National Content Regulation provides for the development of Nigerian Content as key components for project execution. It also gives priority to qualified Nigerian to be hired by operators for all works and services.

Chevron moves to make peace with community workers UDEME AKPAN

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hevron Nigeria Limited has started moves to restore harmonious relations with community workers in Escravos, Delta State.

Investigations showed that negotiation targeted at amicable settlement has started in the area.

Authoritative company source stated, “We have started preliminary engagement with the workers. It is our hope that the issue would be resolved.

Over one thousand workers of Chevron Nigeria Limited have regained their freedom in Escravos, Delta State.

Oil workers at work

The junior contract workers of the firm were forcefully locked at their camp for five days by some protesting community workers.

The General Manager, Policy, Government & Public Affairs, Mr. Deji Haastrup stated in a statement yesterday that, “Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), operator of the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture, confirms that more than 1000 junior contract workers locked down over the past five days in our Escravos Gas-To-Liquids (EGTL) Camp have been freed. The workers had been held against their will by some protesting community workers employed by local community contractors.

He stated that the Federal Govern-

ment’s security apparatus, the Joint Task Force (JTF) successfully set the workers free on Saturday February 15, 2014. All the workers are safe and on their way home.

“We are happy that this has been finally brought to a peaceful conclusion,” said Deji Haastrup, CNL’s General Manager Policy Government and Public Affairs.

Many of the workers are now either back in Warri, Delta State or en-route to Warri to re-unite with their families.

He stated, “CNL has notified their employers of the successful rescue of their workers. The Delta State Government and community leaders have all been continuously briefed throughout the duration of the lock down.

The general Manager stated, “CNL reiterates its commitment to treating all its contractors fairly. We will continue to advocate respect for the Rule of Law and the use of constructive dialogue in the resolution of all issues. The safety of our employees and contractors remain our first priority in all our operations.”

Chevron is the third-largest oil producer in Nigeria and one of its largest investors, spending more than $3 billion annually.

In Nigeria, we do business through our subsidiary Chevron Nigeria Limited. The company operates under a joint-venture arrangement with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and has assets on land, swamp and near-offshore concessions covering approximately 2.2 million acres (8,900 sq km) in the Niger Delta region.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Civil Service

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

41

Customs CG, Diko bows to pressure, showers promotion on deserving officers UBONG UKPONG ABUJA

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t last, the Comptroller General (CG) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Inde Abdulahi Diko, has bowed to pressure and showered promotion on all deserving personnel in the Service.

Few weeks ago, National Mirror reported on the lopsidedness in the recent promotion released by the Service.

The earlier list was alleged to have favoured personnel along regional and religious line with largest population in the Service and representation at management level.

Others who found themselves promoted outside that were said to be those who liaised with people in promotion office closely with something after allegedly greasing palms.

For instance, in the whole of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)Area

Command, National Mirror learnt that those promoted were unacceptably few and mostly older officers with few years to leave service.

Majority of the relatively new officers who were employed around 2009 and were due for promotions were denied by the first list.

National Mirror had earlier reported on the apprehension of these personnel when the exercise was delayed more than necessary after the examination that

commenced around May 2013.

The people had expressed faith in the CG to grant them promotion but were very disappointed after that first list that their names were missing.

The disappointment led to a serious uproar that National Mirror reported about two weeks ago, as many personnel even reportedly took ill on hearing that unfortunate news.

However, last week, the Customs Boss who sources

tried to absolve from having full knowledge of that controversial promotion list, gave in to pressure ordering approving a second list where all deserving personnel were promoted.

National Mirror learnt that the CG was so gracious to order that whoever did not find his or her name on the list should bring it forward for promotion to be effected.

The news of the new list where so many deserving personnel were promoted

sent the personnel into jubilation as they continued to call their relatives and friends to share the good news with the Christians continuing with the sharing of testimonies in their churches over the promotion that has finally reached them.

Those who spoke to National Mirror commended Diko for listening to the voice of reason and promoting his personnel enmas, praying too for him to receive God’s blessings.

... 94 officers promoted in Ondo/Ekiti HAKEEM GBADAMOSI AKURE.

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Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang (right), congratulating the new Commissioner for Transport, Alhaji Abubakar Dashe, during his inauguration in Jos recently.

PHOTO:NAN

NOA donates sporting equipment to FEPSGA JOEL AJAYI

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he National Orientation Agency (NOA) has donated some sporting equipment to the Agency’s Sports Club to motivate its members to greater future performances following a sterling outing at the 2013 Federation of Public Service Games (FEPSGA) in Makurdi.

Director-General of NOA, Mr. Mike Omeri made the donation while receiving the NOA Sports Club who came to present the cup and seven medals

they won at the competition to the DG at the Agency’s Headquarters during a General Staff Meeting in Abuja.

Omeri, who was visibly thrilled by the achievements of the club in the Markudi games, donated fifty volley balls, Volleyball nets and antennas to the club.

According to Omeri, the donations were aimed at encouraging the winning team to make more giant strides, stressing that the Management and Staff of the NOA held the club in high esteem.

He also, assured that the Agency would seek external funding for the club in addition to the budgetary provisions made for the club.

In his own remarks, the FEPSGA President, Mr. Victor Orji who is also the Team Manager of NOA Sports Club earlier informed the NOA Director General that, the club won one gold medal each in Chess and Female Handball events as well as a golden cup for winning the Female Handball events in Makurdi.

The club also won a bronze medal in the Female

Football event and four bronze medals in swimming events, adding that with the total of seven medals and one cup, the NOA Sports Club took the eighth position in the overall ranking of the participating teams at the end of the games.

Mr. Orji expressed gratitude to the Management and Staff of NOA for their support for the club and the monthly Walking/Jogging exercise of FEPSGA, pledging that the club would continue to fly high the banner of the Agency in FEPSGA tournaments.

s part of the ongoing restructuring exercise in the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), no fewer than 94 officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) attached to the Ondo/ Ekiti state command have been promoted.

The newly decorated officers include the Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Umar Bologi who was promoted to the rank of Deputy Comptroller of Customs and the Public Relations Officers of the command Abdullahi Musa Kabara, who was promoted to Deputy Chief Inspector of Customs Decorating the newly promoted officers at the Ondo command headquarters, Akure yesterday, the Area Comptroller, Aminu Dangaladima charged the newly promoted officers to be more committed to duty and work for the betterment of the country.

He said: “I am directed by the Customs Area Comptroller to congratulate the newly promoted officers and men of the command and implore them not only to put in their best but to make sure their best is good enough for the service because for whom much is given much is expected.”

Those who also made the list include the Staff officer of the command , Superintendent of Cus-

toms Okolo Chukwuma Monday who was promoted to the rank of Chief Superintendent of Customs , OC vehicle seat, Fasehun Fayobi Fayoke who was promoted from the rank of Principal inspector of Customs to Assistant Chief Inspector of Customs.

Others include the Provost, Ogunleye Hamzat promoted from Principal Inspector of Customs to Assistant Chief Inspector of Customs, OC stores, Mrs Suileiman Hajarat promoted from Senior Inspector of Customs to Principal Inspector of Customs , orderly to the comptroller, Ubandoma Haruna Ibrahim who was promoted from the rank of Assistant inspector of Customs to Inspector of customs and Chief Imam to the command Hassan Adamu Mohammed promoted from custom assistant grade 2 to custom assistant grade 1.

The federal Government had retired some top rank officers of the Service, appointed some and promoted others en mass as part of efforts aimed at motivating officers and men to promote greater productivity this year 2014.

It was however gathered that a total of 765 officers may be sent home nationwide from the Service at the end of the year.

These include those to be retired due to age and year of service.

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Wednesday, February 19, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Angry FCT Minister accuses director of frustrating her OMEIZA AJAYI

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n apparently enraged Minister of State in the Federal Capital Territory FCT, Mrs. Olajumoke Akinjide yesterday chided the Director of Sports in the Social Development Secretariat of the FCT Administration, Alhaji Musa Halim, accusing him of frustrating her especially with regards to the inauguration of Sports Associations in the territory.

She expressed shock that even though she had approved membership of the committees over six months ago, the director was yet to follow up on the

development or revert to her if he met any brickwall.

Halim had tried to rationalize the situation when he said the lump sum approved for the associations was yet to be released, hence the delay in their take-off.

However, the minister, who was obviously enraged, faulted the director for not drawing her attention to the fact that the money had not been released.

She also said even without the money, the membership of the committees should have been announced in order to put to rest any speculation among stakeholders in the sector.

The incident took place when FCT Chapter of the Football Coaches association paid a courtesy call on her.

Chairman of the association, Mr. Godwin Bamigboye had accused the director of not carrying along sports stakeholders in the territory, urging the minister to ensure an improved relationship between the FCT

Sports Department and stakeholders.

Akinjide thereafter ordered the director to ensure that the issue is resolved latest next week.

“It is your job to see to it that the associations are working. It is your job and you must do it”, she said.

Expressing her frustration, the minister said she has been requesting for a comprehensive list

of sporting facilities and recreational-designated lands to no avail, blaming the director for stalling.

“I have been requesting the director for a list of sporting facilities and recreational-designated land in the FCT. I want that on my desk on Monday. Go and sit with the Director, Regional Planning.

It is all there. Let us identify the lands and partner

with the private sector to develop it.

“I don’t see why someone in Kuje has to come here (AMAC) before enjoying sporting facilities.

“Although I do not want to say this. I am frustrated. How many times have I asked for this? I want a map of all the areas designated for land use and recreation or sports in all the Area Councils”, she said.

Rumblings over N824m MDGs Office budget for Women Affairs ministry, ADEOLA TUKURU ABUJA

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he Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Zainab Maina, was yesterday forced to clarify how the sum of N824m allocated to her minster by the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Office was spent.

The Senior Special Assistant to President on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Dr. Precious Gbeneol, at the Nigeria Women Strategy Conference with theme: “Building bridges of opportunity 2015 and Beyond” yesterday in Abuja had revealed that the MDGs Office budgeted the sum of N824m to the Ministry of Women Affairs for women in political participation in 2013.

At the event, after women from various states started grumbling aloud and pointedly demanded to know what happened to the money.

The minister quickly explained that the sum of N824m which the MDGs approved to the ministry was for a different programme and that N80m was released to them last year to support women in political participation.

She estimated that the sum of N95million was used for an ongoing National Gender Policy and Stakeholders Forum, N71m was used for Economic Empowerment for each political zones, adding that after the empowerment programme,N30,000 was given each to participants for capital.

She further explained that N18m was used for the Domestication of the United Nations,N11m was used for Political Empowerment programme for disabled while, N20mwas used for Disabled Centre in Lagos for Blind Men and Women.

“Whenever we go for these training, we liaise with each state commissioner, so they can attest to this,” she said.

She stated that before her assumption to office, a Women Political Empowerment Centre was established in six states, which is used for training, encouraging and supporting women for political participation.

“We also used part of this money to support these women. We have also established the Women Trust Fund. I am a woman of integrity and my aim is to support the younger generation women and see them grow,” she said.

L-R: Enugu State Commissioner for Human Capital Development, Mr Godwin Ogenyi; Representative of the Secretary to Enugu State Government, Mr John Agu; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Human Capital Development, Mr Sylvester Ugwuagbo and Principal, Enugu State Cooperative College, Mr Banaiah Udechukwu, at a workshop on Accessing Central Bank/Bank of Industry Loans in Enugu yesterday.

Civil servants screening: Kogi students throw weight behind Gov Wada WALE IBRAHIM,LOKOJA

T

he National Association of Kogi State Students NAKOSS has disclosed that it has thrown it weight behind the state governor, Captain Idris Wada over the ongoing workers screening exercise to ascertain the number of workers in the state .

The student body said in order to stem the endemic corruption embedded in the payment of the monthly wage bill in the state, the screening of civil servants in the state was inevitable This was contained in a statement signed by its na-

tional president Comrade Abubakar Shuaibu Ohida and copy of which was made available to journalists in Lokoja.

They said that contrary to opposition’s view, the governor has the right to conduct another staff screening to ascertain the numbers of civil servants in the state Wada had earlier raised an alarm over the astronomical rise in the wage bill from the initial N1.3bn monthly to N3bn monthly without giving employment to anybody Wada therefore ordered that a screening committee be set up in conjunction with Skye bank to know the actual number of civil servants in the state payroll

and to block all leakages However, some opposition politicians in the state said the governor was merely hiding under the screening exercise, which they claimed said has been done carry out retrenchment exercise, even though the state government said the aim was not to retrench The students’ body in the statement described Wada administration as “just and fair to all and should not be condemned for carrying out a legitimate screening exercise on its employees” The Student body urged opposition to close rank with the government so as to move the state forward, imploring that the governor to look into the plight of stu-

dents in the state The statement specifically called on the governor to honour his promise by providing a 25 seat bus and laptops, which he promised the body last year The statement further stated that the governor should expedite the release of the bus to enhance their movements within and outside the state and to enhance the payment of the bursary awards to students in tertiary institutions all over the country The Student Union also commended the governor for his transformation agenda and for making education a priority of his administration.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Wednesday February 19, 2014

Dr. Vitalis Orikaeze Ajumbe the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Progressive Alliance, PPA. In this interview with CHRIS NJOKU, Ajembe, who has thrown his hat into the political ring in Imo State to contest for the state governorship promises another upset in favour of the PPA, like it happened in 2007. Excerpts:

PPA’ll win Imo governorship again in 2015 –Ajumbe eventually Achike, who didn’t have one kobo emerged as governor. And the time of Ohakim, everybody thought that it would have been Ararume or Martin Agbaso, it went round and Ohakim emerged. In 2015, it will be the same and I will become governor of Imo State.

What is your political ambition in 2015?

I will run for the governorship election of Imo State come 2015 on the platform of the Peoples Progressive Alliance, PPA, which has large followership in Imo State, and I believe with the structures in place now, I will win the governorship election.

What structures do you have on ground that gives you the confidence to win the governorship election in the state?

I started early as far back as last year.

I have been able to build structures in the 305 electoral wards in this state. I have about six structures in a ward, I have over 1,252 coordinators and about 135 local government coordinators and we have been meeting regularly at the grassroots to finetune our strategy, because I believe that power belongs to the people. It is only the grassroots, particularly, that give power and not the wealthy in the society. It is the locus; these are the people we are going to employ. We are going to operate like the Jehovah Witness, moving from door to door to market our manifesto. We will let the people appraise us and what they foresee that we can do. We are not going to run politics of antagonism as it is the case in the country, we are not going to antagonise anybody, but we are going to tell the people this is what we can do. We are also going to review some of the laws that are not strictly to the wishes of the people. We are going to obey the rules of the law to ensure normalcy in governance.

Are you saying in effect that the people will note vote Okorocha for a second term?

I don’t care who is going to be my opponent in 2015 and I don’t care if Okorocha wants to run. If he wants to run, let him come and run but I am running to win, not to make noise.

Are you sure after winning you won’t abandon your supporters like Chief Ohakim did after winning the election under PPA? Let me tell you how Ohakim became a candidate of the PPA. In 2007, Ohakim was looking for ticket in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, but because he didn’t have the money to challenge the big boys there, he came to me, then I was the chairman of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP and asked that both of us should run under the ANPP. Then we agreed. He briefly transited from PDP to ANPP. What happened after that?

We moved to Ibere, Abia State to meet

43

It appears from your analysis; you will be more comfortable working with anybody who emerges as the President under the PDP than the All Progressives Congress, APC. What is your reason?

Well my concern is for Imo, any person can be the president of this country provided the allocation of the state is not denied us, of course it cannot be denied us because it is statutory, so I don’t care who becomes the president; it could be APC , PDP or even PPA, but my concern is the allocation of this state.

Ajumbe

I DON’T CARE WHO IS GOING TO BE MY OPPONENT IN 2015 AND I DON’T CARE IF OKOROCHA WANTS TO RUN. IF HE WANTS TO RUN, LET HIM COME AND RUN BUT I AM RUNNING TO WIN, NOT TO MAKE NOISE Orji Kalu. This is the story of how Ohakim got his ticket. After entertaining us, Orji asked Ohakim: ‘do you want to run?, he said yes, Orji said ‘the only person that will make me to give you ticket is Ajumbe and Ajumbe I want to ask you a question, between Ifeanyi Ararume and Ohakim, who would you want me to give ticket’?

Because that time, Ararume had lost out in the PDP and was looking for a platform to contest the election. I gave him an analysis. I said Ararume has a structure that is committed, Ararume has the money to prosecute his election but Ararume has a problem with government in power, which was a minus. Then I said Ohakim has no structure and may not be as rich as Ararume but Ohakim and government in power are friendly which was a plus. But I told him that with money, you can build a structure. It was at that time that Orji said ‘I think Ajumbe is right’ and said the condition to give it to Ohakim would be for both us to run. I refused and said unless we run under the ANPP. He refused

and that was how we ended it. This is to let you know how I was attached to my party.

Orji declared for presidency and Ohakim followed him and went for Adaokwonu as deputy. Nobody thought that a party that has no flag could produce a governor. Now it is history that it happened and the same history will repeat itself in 2015.

How is that possible?

It will happen again. If you check the history of governors in Imo State, it has always been emerging from where you thought it will never emerge from. It has always emerged like the birth of Jesus Christ, where the Pharaohs were waiting; cleaning their houses for the king to be born in their house, the child was born in a manger to the house of a carpenter. So, if you check, in the time of Sam Mbakwe it would have been Nwakama Okoro, but what happened? Mbakwe became the governor. In the time of Achike Udenwa, Achike was not as rich as Anumudu, who came first, Achike came third or fifth but

With what is happening in the PDP today, would you say that the party lacks discipline?

What is happening in the PDP can happen in any other party at any time. When you have a large house you should also expect this. You know that PDP is populated by people who are very greedy, people who are not interested in the party but are interested of what they will get from the party and that is unfortunate. I don’t see the problem in the PDP as problem that will make somebody to leave the party. What is the main problem in the party, forcing the President to remove the National Chairman of the party? There are several ways to go about it, if they know their onions. A sitting governor is in control of the party structure in every state. The governor can invite the state exco of the party or members of the NEC from his state and brief them on what to do during the next NEC meeting and during the next NEC meeting, if they pass vote of no confidence on the National Chairman, then he goes according to the constitution.

What is your take on sharing of APC’s presidential and vice presidential slots?

The APC has not shared the positions from what I know, because they have not had a convention.

What is your reaction on zoning?

Zoning is good for less populated zones.

But for me as a person, I see politics as something you have to work for not something you will sit down they will bring to you because it is our own turn. By so doing, it will be given to any idiot in your zone, you must work for it. I believe that whoever would be given any position must be qualified for it, it doesn’t matter which zone one comes from. Let those who are clamouring for it go and struggle for it; that’s what the Igbo believe. Power is not given to anybody, you must work and struggle for it.

44

Politics

Wednesday February 19, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

APC registers over .2m members in Ekiti –Awe OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU

T

he All progressives Congress, APC, has registered a total of 226,527 members in Ekiti State during the recently concluded membership registration exercise of the party.

This was disclosed by

state chairman of the party in the state, Chief Jide Awe, who observed that “despite provocation and condemnation from opposing camps,” the exercise, which witnessed a large turnout, was peaceful and without any let or hindrance.

While commending those who have registered for keeping faith with the

LG poll: APC plans to smuggle candidates list into NASIEC –PDP IGBAWASE UKUMBA LAFIA

N

asarawa State chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Yunana Iliya, yesterday alleged of plans by the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state to smuggle in the list of its candidates for the forthcoming local government election in the state into the Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission, NASIEC, office.

A Lafia High Court had on Monday restrained the state interim harmonisation committee chairman of the APC, Stanley Buba, and his executives from parading themselves as officials of the party, pending the determination of a substantive suit brought in by a chieftain of the party in the state, Hon. Omar Nurudeen.

Iliya made this allegation

during a chat with journalists in Lafia, claiming that the list of candidates of the APC primary election conducted for the forth-coming local government election was yet to be submitted to NASIEC before the Lafia High Court ordered the leadership of the party to stop parading themselves as the party’s leaders.

His words: “I want to, on behalf of myself and the entire leadership of the PDP in Nasarawa State, alert the whole world of plans by the APC, in conjunction with the state electoral body, to smuggle in the list of candidates of the APC into the NASIEC office, despite the court order.”

NASIEC chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Modibbo, confirmed to journalists that “as of Monday, when he was leaving office by 2:00 pm, only the PDP that had submitted its lists of candidates for the local polls.”

Ogun: PDP factions accuse INEC of bias FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

T

hree factions in the crisis ridden Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have accused the state office of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, of bias.

The three factions, which comprised of those loyal to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Minister of Commerce, Jubril MartinsKuye as well as that of the immediate past governor of the state, Gbenga Daniel, specifically alleged that the state office of INEC has taken side with the Buruji Kashamu faction.

In what appeared to be a reaction to the reply written by the INEC Secretary, Abdullahi. A. Kaugama, to the situation report on the

Ogun State PDP crisis, the faction alleged that INEC has compromised in its official duties by recognising and dealing with only the Adebayo Dayo-led state executive committee backed by the party’s financier, Kashamu.

The factions, under the aegis of Concerned Ogun PDP Stakeholders, in a legal notice from their lawyers, Gani Bello and Co, dated February 10, and sent to Jega, argued that

by INEC’s alleged support for the Dayo-led state exco, the commission has failed in its responsibility as the “main referee and umpire for party primaries.”

In a five-page notice to Jega, the factions threatened to seek legal redress against INEC if it failed within 21 days to withdraw its recognition of the Kashamu-backed state exco.

party, Awe advised intending members that have yet to register to visit their wards and do so, describing the APC membership registration as inconclusive and ongoing.

Chief Awe, who had earlier forecast that the party would register no fewer than 100,000 members, said he based his earlier permutation on 100 per polling unit and expressed delight at the way the exercise

eventually turned out, adding that it was “a show of great support and endorsement for APC, while the people have also expressed their trust in the Dr Kayode Fayemi administration.”

A breakdown of the figures according to local governments showed Ado Local Government, which registered 30,070 member, with the largest turnout, followed by Oye Local Government with

23,130 members while Ekiti South West came third with 19,972 members, Ijero followed with 16,379 while Ikole, 16,294; Ekiti West, 16,020 and Irepodun/Ifelodun, 15,389 followed in that order.

Others were Ido/Osi, 13,100; Gbonyin, 12, 656; Moba, 11,028; Ikere, 10, 568; Ekiti East, 10,070; Ise /Orun, 9,586; Efon, 8,594; Emure, 8,156 and Ilejemeje, 5,515, respectively.

Describing the allegation of compelling civil servants or any other person to register as members of the party as the figment of the imagination of the peddlers, Chief Awe said that the party had no such intention but had only attracted the large turnout because of its popularity and the faith people have in it as well as the trust in the good work of the administration of Dr. Fayemi.

L-R: National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Adamu Mua’zu; Niger State governor, Babangida Aliyu and Sokoto State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Shagari Muktar, at the meeting of PDP governors with President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja on Monday night.

Defection: Youths dissociate from Belgore WOLE ADEDEJI ILORIN

A

collection of youths in Kwara State, who claimed they were once members of a group they called MDB Solidarity Group yesterday announced that they were no longer in support of Mohammed Dele Belgore, SAN. Addressing a press conference, the group, led by its spokesman, Mr. Olaitan Obalowu, said the group was dumping Belgore

because he recently decamped from the All Progressives Congress, APC, to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The group, according to Obalowu, was originally formed to support Belgore because of his progressive ideals, when he was contesting for the governorship seat on the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN. He said they were not happy that Belgore dumped the progressive party for the PDP, describing the de-

velopment as “embarrassing, not just to the group but to all lovers of firm defence of Nigerian constitution and democracy.”

He declared: “In the interest of well meaning Kwarans, we officially dissociate our forum from Belgore’s political movement and subsequently announce our merger and harmonisation with other progressives and vibrant youths of the state to be known and addressed as APC Team Kwara.”

Reacting to the develop-

2015: Canada partners INEC on free, fair polls ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

C

anadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Perry Calderwood, has assured of his country’s readiness to assist the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, conduct free and fair polls.

Calderwood said the assistance would cover the 2014 governorship election in Ekiti State in particular

and the 2015 elections.

The envoy, speaking with journalists in Ikogosi Ekiti at a one-day Regional Conference on Promoting Gender Development and Increased Participation of Women in Democratic Governance in South-West Nigeria, however, did not specify the nature of the assistance.

Calderwood said: “As a country, Canada cannot impose on Nigeria to accept any device that can assist

them in curbing election malpractices, but if the Nigerian government asks for any assistance in this regards, we shall provide it.”

He itemized other areas of collaboration with Nigeria to include women participation in politics and gender equality, saying: “As a strong supporter of democratic development, Canada welcomed the contributions of civil society and public institutions to 2011 elections.”

ment, Belgore, who spoke through his media aide, Mr. Rafiu Ajakaiye, said; “We are not in any way surprised at the action of one Obalowu Olaitan. It is in fact the least expected of the characters, who are understandably threatened by the well-reasoned defection of Belgore to the PDP. “And as videos and pictures give the lie to their initial claims that Belgore’s defection was a flop, we expect those trying to sustain the evil status quo in Kwara to come up with yet another game. The beauty of the whole thing is that Kwarans are not fools!

“Clearly mirroring the desperation of those behind the fellow called Olaitan and typical of their shoddiness, they forgot that there is no such group like MDB Solidarity Group. The group of youths allied to Belgore across the length and breadth of Kwara is MDB Solidarity Team. They missed it. We wish Olaitan and his backers well as they continue to live in a fool’s paradise.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

JOHNSON OKANLAWON

M

ore investments in stocks sustained bullish trends in equities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday.

Specifically, the All Share Index gained 0.02 per cent to close at 38,972.56 points, compared to the increase of 0.51 points recorded the preceding day to close at 38,964.75 points.

Market capitalisation appreciated N3bn to close at N12.530trn, lower than the rise of N100bn recorded the preceding day to close at 38,964.75 points.

Analysts at Meristem Securities Limited noted that the market should close marginally positive for the week as some investors take advantage of the cheap prices and corporate

Capital Market

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Index dips 0.02% as SA firm acquires Oasis Insurance actions.

Oasis Insurance Plc led the gainers’ table with four kobo or 7.69 per cent to close at 56 kobo per share, followed by African Prudence Insurance Plc with 19 kobo or 5.64 per cent to close at N3.56 per share.

Mansard Insurance Plc was up 11 kobo or five per cent to close at N2.31 per share, while May and Baker Plc added 10 kobo or five per cent to close at N2.10 per share.

UAC Properties Plc rose 97 kobo or 4.91 per cent to close at N20.72 per share.

Conversely, Guinnes Nigeria Plc shed N9.60 or five per cent to close at N182.40 per share, while Learn Af-

rica Plc dropped nine kobo or five per cent to close at N1.71 per share.

Unilever Plc dipped N2.70 or five per cent to close at N51.30 per share, while Livestock Plc declined 20 kobo or 4.90 per cent to close at N3.88 per share.

Okomu Oil Plc depreciated N2.00 or 4.88 per cent to close at N39.00 per share.

A total of 475 million shares valued at N4.22bn were traded in 6,074 deals.

However, Mauritius equity market closed positive on Tuesday, gaining 0.13 per cent, while Kenya market continued its losing streak dropping 0.86 per cent.

South African market gained 0.24 per cent, Egypt market returned 1.90 per cent, Zambia market lost 0.99 per cent and Ghana market lost marginally 0.03 per cent.

Meanhwile, a South Africa’s firm, Sanlam had acquired an indirect stake in Oasis Insurance after a company it partially owns purchased 71.2 per cent in the motor and fire insurer.

Sanlam said in a statement that FBN Life Assurance, which is part owned

by Sanlam, had bought the stake. Oasis gives Sanlam an entry point into the general insurance sector in the country.

S

Its shares were up 3.7 per cent to N21 naira per share on Tuesday.

Last month Oando announced plans to raise N250bn to fund a $1.79bn acquisition of a ConocoPhillips Nigerian oil field, causing Oando’s shares to fall sharply.

The company, which is also listed in Toronto and Johannesburg, has been struggling to raise the capital needed to close the deal.

The company said it has paid a $450m deposit for the acquisition and has a balance of about $1.23bn

to pay.

The Group Chief Executive Officer of Oando Plc, Mr. Wale Tinubu had in January informed stockbrokers on the trading floor of the Exchange in Lagos that the ConocoPhillips (COP) Nigerian assets would boost its earnings before tax to N100bn annually.

Giving an update on the Oando’s bid to acquire the COP assets in Nigeria, Tinubu assured the stockbrokers that all the financial obligations for the acquisition have been met.

Source: NSE

Source: FMDA

Market indicators All-Share Index 38,972.56 points

Oando shareholders approve N250bn capital raising plans

hareholders of Oando yesterday approved plans to raise N250bn ($1.54bn) through a combination of rights issues, bonds and global depository receipts.

Of that, N50bn would be in a rights issue, the company said in a filing through the Nigeria Stock Exchange.

The oil and gas company said the extra ordinary general meeting of its shareholders also agreed to increase its share capital base to N7.5bn, from N5bn previously.

45

He re-emphasised that Oando is not raising fresh capital to finance COP acquisition, explaining that all the financings needed for the deal have been raised.

“All we require now is the consent of the minister, which is the legal requirement. The transaction will not be fully consummated until the minister consent is received,” he said.

He assured the brokers that ministerial consent is a near certainty, saying the final approval will be granted very soon.

Market capitalisation 12.53 trillion

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

OASISINS

0.52

0.56

0.04

7.69

AFRIPRUD

3.37

3.56

0.19

5.64

MANSARD

2.20

2.31

0.11

5.00

MAYBAKER

2.00

2.10

0.10

5.00

UAC-PROP

19.75

20.72

0.97

4.91

TRANSCORP

3.78

3.96

0.18

4.76

INTBREW

26.75

28.00

1.25

4.67

FIDELITYBK

1.99

2.08

0.09

4.52

WAPIC

0.91

0.95

0.04

4.40

DNMEYER

1.42

1.48

0.06

4.23

CHANGE

% CHANGE -5.00

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

GUINNESS

192.00

182.40

-9.60

LEARNAFRCA

1.80

1.71

-0.09

-5.00

UNILEVER

54.00

51.30

-2.70

-5.00

LIVESTOCK

4.08

3.88

-0.20

-4.90

NASD to explore GTI trading floor

OKOMUOIL

41.00

39.00

-2.00

-4.88

STUDPRESS

2.52

2.40

-0.12

-4.76

CCNN

8.60

8.20

-0.40

-4.65

JOHNSON OKANLAWON

NEIMETH

1.74

1.66

-0.08

-4.60

JOHNHOLT

1.33

1.27

-0.06

-4.51

AIICO

0.89

0.85

-0.04

-4.49

T

he board of NASD Plc would hasten discussions with GTI Securities Limited on possible areas of cooperation on securities trading on GTI Securities’ private trading floor with a view NASD Plc, an Over the Counter market for non listed securities, is planning to explore GTI Securities’s private trading floor.

A statement quoted Vice chairman, NASD Plc, Mr. Chike Nwanze, who led other directors to GTI Securities to Nigeria’s first private trading floor, said that both firms have complementary roles in deepening Nigerian capital market and would work together to achieve

this common goal.

Nwanze described the GTI’s trading floor as one of the greatest contributions that has come to our market and applauded the dynamism of the GTI in ushering in a new era of development for the Nigerian capital market.

He urged all stakeholders to support GTI noting that the Nigerian capital market needs milestone private initiatives like the GTI trading floor to realize its full potential as Africa’s financial hub.

The Group Managing Director, GTI Capital Group, Mr. Abubakar Lawal, said the group has put together a network of financial resources and expertise to energise Nigerian companies and assist professional financiers to effectively per-

form their functions.

The Managing Director, NASD Plc, Mr. Bola Ajomale, said the firm will work closely with GTI to explore the concept of its private trading floor, which he described as a state-of-theart platform.

“We are very excited about this, it has really set a standard and we want to move closer to see how we can partner with GTI. I believe that the mind that put this together is not empty yet, it still has much more to come out of it,” Ajomale said.

The Managing Director, Goldbanc Asset Management Limited, Mr Abayomi Sanya, also reiterated his support for GTI pointing out that it has changed the growth curve of the Nige-

rian market as many operators are now reviewing their growth plans.

Lawal said GTI has a back-up of both local and international funding to be able to assist financiers to meet demand of their transactions and close deals that may otherwise be beyond the capacity of the firms.

He stressed that the GTI is committed to deepening the Nigerian market to channel funds for economic development.

Oyekunle said the GTI trading floor offers immense benefits to all stakeholders as it will reduce cost of operations to market operators, provide wider access to Nigerians and global investors to participate in the trading.

Primary Market Auction TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

91-Day

22,057.31

11.50

07-Nov-13

182-Day

30,000.00

11.59

07-Nov-13

182-Day

47,786.39

13.05

07-Nov-13

Open Market Operations TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

178-Day

86,709.13

12.35

07-Nov-13

175-Day

95,368.69

12.35

07-Nov-13

-

-

-

-

Wholesale Dutch Auction System AMOUNT OFFERED

MARKET DEMAND

AMOUNT SOLD

DATE

$350m

N/A

$343m

04-Nov-13

$400m

N/A

$399m

30-Oct-13

46

Executive Discourse

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Extension workers must be equipped to The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina on Monday pushed further the frontiers of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda, ATA, with the launching and distribution of 800 motorcycles to agricultural extension officers in the first phase of a nationwide project. At the end of the formal launch, he fielded questions from journalists, OLUFEMI ADEOSUN was there. Excerpts: How would you describe the support of the State Governments for the ATA, including this new move to bring agricultural services to rural farmers?

Let me say that the support of the state governments has been very crucial in the agricultural transformation agenda of Nigeria, remember that the land is in the state and we have been working very closely with all the state governments.

I have said it that the democracy of the stomach is a right of every Nigerian. And so we are working so hard to realise that.

With regard to the extension, for the first time since independence, we are having a federal department of agricultural extension. That is very crucial because extension policy gets set, the regulatory environment gets set and the delivery mechanism then work with the state government and that is why we are revamping the agricultural development project. And that is why we are training a lot more agricultural extension service workers.

If you look all across the hundreds of motorcycles you see here, they are going to be distributed to agricultural extension workers in all the states of the federation to support them to have easier mobility to reach farmers. So absolutely we are working with the state governments as a ministry more than ever before. Today we have 36 states offices from the federal ministry of agriculture; we have six regional offices all of them manned with directors. We are also learning from the bottom up as we are working closely with the state governments to evaluate and deliver the programme together. I think we have excellent relationship with every single state in the country.

Would you give an insight to why government is exploring the area of agricultural extension services?

The agricultural development programme that we have for the ATA is designed as a strategy through which we can reach our farmers. We have begun the process of reviving all the agricultural development projects. The critical thing for an extension worker is being able to gain mobility to reach farmers in the remote parts of the country. Today we are providing 800 motorcycles to all agricultural extension workers. We are revamping support for 5,000 agricultural extension workers in the country. That will create a lot of jobs. But we are going beyond distribution of motorcycles; we are using modern ICT to reach those farmers.

I have always said that the most important tool in the hands of a farmer is the mobile phone. Under this programme, we are going to provide agricultural extension information to farmers on their mobile phones. This information will give details about when to plant their crops,

Adesina

800 MOTORCYCLES TO ALL AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION WORKERS. WE ARE REVAMPING SUPPORT FOR 5,000 AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION WORKERS IN THE COUNTRY. THAT WILL CREATE A LOT OF JOBS. BUT WE ARE GOING BEYOND DISTRIBUTION OF MOTORCYCLES; WE ARE USING MODERN ICT TO REACH THOSE WE ARE PROVIDING

FARMERS what kind of seed to plant, early maturing or later maturing. Also, it would afford them critical information on how to apply their fertilisers. Again, the farm-

ers also need to know when there will be drought or flood.

How are you going to realise all these?

We are working with both local and international agencies to do real time weather forecast that will enable a farmer wherever he is, access rainfall pattern right from his mobile phone. That is why we are empowering our farmers with the modern ICT and this will enable them deal with the issue of climate change.

Climate change requires you have access to information and you must have it in real term.

National information on rainfall is not alone, farmers need to when it is likely going to rain on his farm and that is what we are providing. We are going to make them available to our farmers in local languages. And it would be made available to them cheaply because it is mere information on their phones.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Executive Discourse

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

47

help link farmers with markets –Adesina ly complex challenges in today’s rapidly changing food, fibre and agricultural markets. New demands imposed by supermarkets and consumers, stringent environmental regulations, high demands for grades and standards, require farmers to be better informed and supported.

The extension system needed today is not just to produce more food. Farmers need to be supported to use the right kinds of seeds, fertilizers, meet maximum residue levels in food commodities, improve food handling, storage, packaging and marketing of produce. As food chains become increasingly complex, food safety standards are being strictly enforced in local, regional and global markets.

How will the farmer deal with the issue of network fluctuation, won’t this not constitute a major impediment to the realisation of the project?

We are working right now on what I will call GES-3.0. We are upgrading the GES and the electronic wallet system.

Today, in areas that you don’t have networks, we are working with the UK government; we are actually testing already with several thousands of farmers. It is demonstrated in a way that a farmer will get just a smart card and the smart card will put close to an android phone where all the information on everything he needs will be in real time form.

It is being tested already in FCT area and also in Sokoto State. We are going to roll it out from the wet season this year, which will allow farmers to have the ability to receive farm inputs, even in the areas where you don’t have good network coverage. And we will be the first actually, even in the world, to try that system.

How many extension workers do you have to deliver on this new initiative?

Well, we are training five thousand extension workers, which mean we will create jobs for at least five thousand people not to talk of the multiplying effects that it will have on the lives of rural dwellers.

How do you intend to sustain this programme?

We have reached six million farmers directly and increased the food security of thirty million people in the last two years. We expect this year to do ten million farmers and improve the food security of fifty million people. The very poor farmers who are getting their seeds and fertilisers without any corruption in the system are the ones that would support the reforms and guarantee their continuity not the people that sit in their office and talk.

National Assembly has a crucial role to play in this. It has been very supportive of the reforms that we are doing and the chairman of the House Committee on agriculture has already said that the national assembly will speed up the passage of bills to safeguard the GES programme. Finance also plays a very key role in the sustainability of the agricultural project. Agriculture needs increased funding, there is no doubt about that, and as the funding comes, we will be able to do more for our farmers. The farmers are the largest share of this population; therefore we just cannot take their issues lightly. The president is fully committed to increase funding to the agricultural sector.

What do you think happened to the nation’s agricultural extension services, especially given the invaluable role it played in the pre and immediate post independence era at the regional levels?

The agricultural extension system in Nigeria collapsed in the 1980s, shortly after the structural adjustment programmes. The Agricultural Development Projects, ADPs, which formed the backbone of the extension system,

AGRICULTURE NEEDS INCREASED FUNDING, THERE IS NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT, AND AS THE FUNDING COMES, WE WILL BE ABLE TO DO MORE FOR OUR FARMERS. THE FARMERS ARE THE LARGEST SHARE OF THIS POPULATION; THEREFORE WE JUST CANNOT TAKE THEIR ISSUES LIGHTLY.

THE PRESIDENT IS FULLY COMMITTED

TO INCREASE FUNDING TO THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR worked well before the structural adjustment period. The Agriculture Extension and Research Liaison Service, AERLS, in Zaria used to be a first rate institution that disseminated extension service information to farmers, through pamphlets, radio and other avenues. With the end of the World Bank support for the ADPs, the extension system spiraled downwards. The ADPs ran into difficulties due to lack of access to financial resources to support their operations. The performance and hence the effectiveness of our agricultural extension service, had been seriously impaired by poorly trained staff, lack of funding to pay for

field extension activities, lack of synergies with donor supported projects and use of predominantly top-down, non-participatory approaches.

The programs were also heavily weighted in favour of male farmers leaving women and youth with little support relevant to their needs. And yet agricultural extension is the prime vehicle for bringing technological innovations to farmers for sustainable development and improved quality of life. The extension system needs to be rapidly upgraded to serve the emerging needs of the agriculture sector, as agriculture as a business takes hold. Our farmers face increasing-

You spoke about the partnership with Sasakawa Africa Association in order to build extension workers’ capacities to link farmers more effectively and responsively to domestic and international markets and to enhance crop diversification. Could you throw more light on the relationship with the Association in your efforts to achieve the goal of this new programme?

Extension workers must be equipped to help link farmers more effectively and responsively to domestic and international markets, to enhance crop diversification, to couple technology transfer with other services relating to input and output markets, to view agriculture as part of a wider set of rural development process that includes enterprise development and non-farm employment; and build linkages between farmers and other agencies. This is why we launched the Agricultural Extension Transformation Agenda. Our goal is to bring to the service of our farmers the best of agricultural extension approaches, building on global best practices. This vital farmer support system is imperative to our success to achieve food and nutrition security, wealth and job creation and indeed to make Nigeria a major player in global food markets. To further revive the extension service, the Ministry has entered into partnership with the Sasakawa Africa Association.

Under this partnership, 5,000 agricultural extension workers will be trained.

Management training plots will be established in each of the five pilot states; Ogun, Kastina, Anambra, Benue and Cross Rivers, postharvest management extension support, strengthen farmer field and farmer business schools in each of the states, and will embark on monitoring, learning and sharing of experiences.

In support of this, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has provided N200 million to support the take off of the extension activities in the five pilot states. They will be supported with the upgrading of all the Agricultural Development Projects, ADPs, all across the country. To kick start the agricultural extension mobility service, we are today distributing 800 motorcycles in the first instance, to all the ADPs and Sasakawa Africa Association to support agricultural extension agents across the country.

48

Capital Market

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stock exchange daily equities summary Equities as at February 18, 2014 1st Tier Securities

1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

49

Community Mirror I don’t care whether elections are here but I do care that peace is restored in Borno and the North-East sub-region, so people should stop playing politics.

BORNO STATE GOVERNOR, KASHIM SHETTIMA

Residents protest high food prices in Calabar RICHARD NDOMA CALABAR

R

esidents of Calabar metropolis have frowned at the increasing rate of food prices and services, describing the situation as alarming, even as they appealed to the government to intervene.

They made this known when our correspondent visited some markets in the city.

A house wife, Mrs Agnes David, said that a basin of garri which sold for N4000

a month ago, now sells for N5000.

She maintained that many families are going without food, adding that this has caused untold hardships on the people.

She said, garri is the major food of the people, as the sudden increase is causing more hardship to consumers.

“The price of yam and rice has also gone up; a bag of rice now sells for N10, 200 as against N9, 500.

While 10 tubers of yam

are sold for N6, 000, rather than N4, 00 a month ago”, she said.

Another house wife, Mrs, Iquo Sunday appealed to the government to intervene in order to enable the poor buy the commodities.

Giving reason for the high food price, a trader at Watts Market, Ekpeyong Isong attributed it to the hike in transport fares.

“I travel as as far as Benue State to buy tomatoes and pepper, and transporting them to Calabar

cost a lot of money.This has led to increase in the price of tomato from N650 to N780 a bucket”, she said.

Mr. Mohammed Lawal, a dealer in onions, said if the cost of transportation is reduced, the prices of food items will also come down.

He appealed to state and federal governments to embark on road rehabilitation which hampers the movement of vehicles, so that food item can be transported from the hinterlands without difficulty.

Tricycle operators petition over embezzlement GEORGE OPARA ABIA

M

embers of the proscribed Aba Tricycle Riders Integrated Welfare Association, ATRIWA, have petitioned the Speaker of Abia House of Assembly, Hon. Ude Okochukwu regarding the embezzlement of the association’s N6m

by Barrister Moses Ogbonna.

According to the petition signed by six members including the chairman, Anthony Egwim and secretary, Kingsley Ogbonnaya, the lawyer was said to have been contracted by them to register the association.

They alleged that after the registration, the lawyer refused to release the Certificate of Incorporation and seal of the association to the bona fide members but rather forced them to use his office for operation and his chamber’s receipt to intending members.

They equally alleged that when they persisted in their demand, Ogbon-

na prepared a Memorandum of Agreement, MoA, whereby the lawyer’s NGO was to retain 60 percent rights and ATRIWA 40 percent.

The ATRIWA members said as a result of non release of the Certificate of Incorporation to them, the association was unable to open a bank account and all the monies realised was paid into the lawyer’s personal account with a commercial bank.

The members also accused Ogbonna of not only using fake ATRIWA receipts which he issues to members of his tricycle cooperative union but has been occupying their office at No. 1 Industry Road, Aba. The petitioners therefore urged the Speaker to compel Ogbonna to return the N6m to the association and to vacate their office without further delay.

When contacted, Ogbonna did not deny the allegations, but only advised that ATRIWA seek redress in court if they feel wronged.

Gombe trains youths for orientation programme Traffic jam caused by the ongoing reconstruction on Apapa-Oshodi expressway, yesterday.

PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI

Two suspects arraigned for ship piracy WALE IGBINTADE

T

he Police has charged two suspected pirates before a Lagos High Court for allegedly robbing a ship captain and cabin crew at Apapa.

In his testimony, Sergeant Patrick Patinvo, of the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Panti, Yaba, told the court that the defendants and others at large used a sledge hammer, broken

bottle, and cutlasses to rob the occupants and made away with jerry-cans of diesel.

Patinvo told the court that the defendants were returning from a night party when they saw the ship and invaded it.

“They robbed the captain of the ship and cabin crew of money, phones, and made away with some jerry-cans of diesel. One of the cabin crew ran to hide in the ship toilet, but the defendants broke the door

with sledge hammer and threw him into the sea’’.

State counsel, Afolabi Sholebo, urged the court to receive the duplicate copy of the defendant’s statement obtained by the police.

Objecting to the statement, Mr. O.A. Azeez from the Office of Public Defender, OPD, urged the court to discountenance it arguing that it was not made voluntarily and it was not original.

Presiding judge, Justice Aishat Opesanwo, then

adjourned to March 26 for trial-within-trial, to test the voluntary of the statement.

Information on the charge says that “Sunday Mekuleyi; 22, Michael Daniel; 20, and others at large on June 20, 2008 at Techno Horizon Company at Aletile Street, Off Kirikiri Town, Apapa, Lagos, while armed with cutlasses, broken bottle and hammer did robbed one Engr. Isaac Eshor and his co-workers of N167,000.00 and six handsets.”

DANJUMA WILLIAMS GOMBE

A

total of 1, 554 youths recruited by the Gombe State Government under the Talba Youths Reorientation Programme have been warned against attitudes considered detrimental to the success of the scheme.

Speaking through the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Alhaji Abubakar Sule Bage, Governor Dankwambo charged the participants to embrace the scheme as a means of re-orientation and rehabilitation to become useful in the society.

He explained that the programme offers opportunity for them to contribute their quota towards the development of the state, saying that those yet to be absorbed still stand the chance of participating.

The governor also charged people, especially community and religious leaders to rise to the challenge of inculcating moral values in the youths.

In his speech, the Commissioner for Youths and Poverty Alleviation, Alhaji Mijinyawa Sani Labaran, enumerated the success of the programme which has been fully embraced by youths in the state.

50

North

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

North should shun dependence on oil - Sambo •Tambuwal slams graft in region A ZA MSUE

KADUNA

V

ice President Namadi Sambo yesterday said there is need for the north to free itself from dependence on oil.

He also said that the Federal Government would continue to provide infrastructure and other socioeconomic facilities that will diversify the region’s economy.

Addressing participants at Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF public lecture entitled: “Northern Nigeria Economy Free of Oil Revenues” held in Kaduna, Sambo appealed to the ACF to come out with far reaching recommendations that would be useful to improve the wellbeing of the north and the nation in general.

His words: “It is clear that there is a need for the northern region to effectively free itself from dependence on oil resource only.

“This can only be possible through deliberate policies aimed at diversifying the northern economy.

“In this regard, the Federal Government is diligently contributing by providing the necessary infrastructure and other socio-economic facilities that will create the enabling environment to diversify the economy to make it dependable on its own without necessary depending entirely on oil revenues.”

The vice president added: “Although the north seeks to diversify away from dependence on oil

revenues, it is however instructive to note that government is engaged in efforts to explore her oil and gas potentials and tap from the reservoir, for our collective socio-economic development.

“Integrated studies have been carried out in the Chad Basin, which has provided information on oil and gas prolific areas.

“These areas formed the basis of the current seismic data acquisition campaign that will eventually lead to maturing the leads to drillable prospects. We are committed to sustaining and consolidating the gains already made.”

Earlier, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, said the cor-

ruption in northern states has damaged the economy of the region.

Tambuwal maintained that if money allocated to every state in the north was being utilised for the purpose meant for, the development in the region would have been far ahead of other regions that get more allocations from the Federation Account.

Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima (2nd left); Senator Mohammed Ndume and others during a condolence visit to victims of Boko Haram attack at Izghe at one of their refugee camps in Madagali Council Area, Adamawa State, yesterday.

PHOTO: INUSA NDAHI

Displaced residents and victims of Boko Haram attack at Izghe at their camp in Gulak, Madagali Council Area of Adamawa State, yesterday.

PHOTO: INUSA NDAHI

‘FG committed to minority rights’ OMEIZA AJAYI ABUJA

T

he Federal Government has expressed its unflinching commitment to the protection of minority rights in the country.

It explained that the development was why it kick-started the process of engaging every seg-

ment of the Nigerian state in a national discourse.

The government conceded that with over 300 ethnic groups in the country living mutually and competing for available resources, issues of domination and conflict as well as violence, are bound to arise.

Minister of the Interior, Comrade Abba Moro,

restated the position of government yesterday in Abuja when he received the Rita Izsak-led United Nations Independent Experts on Minority Issues.

He said the government would continually strive to provide equal opportunities to all Nigerians irrespective of tribe, gender, belief or social class.

The minister, who at-

tributed the “pockets of agitation” in some parts of the country to the insatiable nature of man, expressed optimism that with the presence of the UN-expert group in the country, many minority issues could be articulated and put into proper perspective at the proposed National Conference.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Mark, Yero, SOKAPU mourn Balat GEORGE OJI AND A ZA MSUE

S

enate President, David Mark, yesterday literarily broke down in tears when the news of the death of Senator Isaiah Balat filtered into town.

Balat died at the National Hospital, Abuja yesterday after a brief illness.

A statement by Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, Special Adviser on Media to Mark, explained that the Senate President was devastated by the news of the death.

He lamented the death of Balat whom he described as an astute politician, a distinguished parliamentarian, respectable colleague and gentleman.

Mark, the statement said, recalled his relationship with Balat in the Senate between 2003 and 2007 and submitted: “Balat was a friend and a brother.”

He noted that Balat was one of the shinning lights in the political scene and indeed demonstrated his love, patriotism and dedication to the ideals of nationhood.

Mark said: “In all his dealings, he (Balat) was a shining example. He represented the best in the political evolution of Nigeria.

He was outstanding and forthright and passionate about the indivisibility of our great country, Nigeria.

“We shall miss his candour, his frank and honest dispositions to national issues,” Mark prayed that God in His infinite mercies grant Balat eternal rest, just as he prayed that the Almighty gives the bereaved the fortitude to bear the painful loss.

Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero and Southern Kaduna Peoples Union, SOKAPU, also expressed shock over the death of Balat, who until his death was a Special Assistant to Vice President Namadi Sambo.

In a statement by Yero’s Director-General, Media and Publicity, Ahmed Maiyaki, the governor described the death of Balat as a ‘big loss’, not only to his immediate family and Kaduna State, but to the entire country.

Yero said: “This unfortunate demise of the late

Senator Balat is coming at a time that our state and indeed the entire country needed his experience and patriotic zeal the most.

“We have lost a rare gem who dedicated his lifetime to the service of fatherland and humanity.”

The governor eulogised the late Balat for his immense contribution to building and sustaining Nigeria’s democracy, saying “Balat has exhibited the true essence of sacrifice as one of the leading lights of our present democratic dispensation.

“History will judge him fairly as one of those who gave their all in building a modern, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.”

While condoling with President Goodluck Jonathan, Vice President Namadi Sambo and the immediate family of the deceased, Yero urged them to take solace in the fact that the late Balat had left his footprints in the sands of time as a former Minister and federal lawmaker.

Meanwhile, SOKAPU President, Dr.Ephraim Goje described Balat as true son of Southern Kaduna, saying his name is written in gold and remains forever in Kaduna state history.

SOKAPU said: “It is very shocking news because it is not long when we lost our dear brother, the late governor of Kaduna State, Mr. Patrick Yakowa. Isaiah Balat has been a frontline politician and a pillar on which all our politicians from Southern Kaduna had rallied round.

“Just as we are recovering from the death of Yakowa, we are receiving this blow again; this is another big blow to the Southern Kaduna people.

“But our consolation is that both him (Balat) and the late Yakowa left their marks in the political terrain of Kaduna State.

“The political history of Kaduna State cannot be written without their names. They have written their names in gold. To us, this is a challenge to politicians, especially the young ones, to emulate the great legacies left behind by these our illustrious sons.

We will continue to mourn them.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

.

Presidents Day brawls shut down

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number of Presidents Day brawls broke out on in Miami on Monday, leading police to make multiple arrests and shut down a portion of State Road A1A. The brawls began around 5 p.m. on the corner of Las Olas Boulevard and A1A and worked their way up the beach to Beach Place.

Police quickly responded to try and get the situation under control.

“They were in quite a hurry because there was one after another after another after another, like 18 or 20 cars,” witness Marty Siegel told the Sun Sentinel.

“That was quite a robust response.”

Miami Beach Detective Vivian Hernandez estimated the crowd may have included almost 2,000 people.

“We have large crowds that gathered up on the beach from the holiday,” Hernandez told the Miami Herald.

Volunteers put together more than 2 million meals

A

Michigan pastor said nearly 9,000 volunteers came together and prepared more than 2 million meals to be shipped to needy children around the world.

Brad Powell, a senior pastor with NorthRidge Church, said nearly 9,000 volunteers with three churches pitched in between noon Friday and 4 p.m. Sunday to assemble 2,029,536 dried meals at the Suburban Collection

Cocktail

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Showplace in Novi for 5,560 kids to receive one meal per day for a year, the Detroit News reported Monday.

The meals are being shipped to locations including Haiti, El Salvador and the Philippines.

Powell said many of the participants were firsttime volunteers.

“It’s not just the people who will be eating whose lives are changed,” Powell said.

51

Oddities

Woman jailed for 20 months for burying husband illegally

A

woman who buried her husband on the Welsh farm belonging to their religious sect got a 20-month sentence Monday for collecting his benefits after his death.

Rebekah Ladan Sturdey, 56, pleaded guilty to fraud and failing to provide her husband with a lawful burial, Wales Online reported.

Investigators said she collected 77,000 pounds (almost $130,000) in disability benefits and other payments over almost five years.

Geoffrey Sturdey, 60 when he died in 2008, was the “shamar” or guardian of a sect that lived on a farm in Ceredigion, Prosecutor Huw Rees said.

“Before his death he chose his own burial plot from where he expected to be raised from the dead,” Rees said. “They expected Jesus’ return to Earth seven days after he died.”

Rees said there was no sign Sturdey died by violence, and Judge Paul Thomas said he accepted that Sturdey died of natu-

ral causes, was cared for you were not entitled,” by his wife and others on Thomas said. “Whatever the farm during his last the initial motive, it gave days and buried as he wished.

But he said that did not justify his wife telling authorities her husband was on an extended trip to Europe.

Another woman, Boger-Ore Adie, also got a 20-month sentence. Rees said she bought gold sovereign coins for those in the sect in 2010.

A third woman received a suspended sentence.

“You BogerOre Adie and you Rebekah Ladan Sturdey took advantage of the sad death of Mr. Sturdey to conceal the fact that he had passed away to thereby claim benefits to which A chimpanzee hugging another animal.

you the opportunity to enrich yourselves at the expense of the rest of us.”

PHOTO: ODD MAGAZINE STUFF

52

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Mgbakor Jennifer Ogochukwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Anyanwu-Mgbakor Jennifer Ogochukwu. All former remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

SOLANKE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Solanke Afusat Motunrayo now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Salako Afusat Motunrayo. All former documents remain valid. Federal College of Education, Osiele and general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

IKPEFAN: Formerly known and addressed as Ikpefan Olohigbe Victory, now wish to be known and addressed as Abhulimhen Olohigbe Victory. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Imeobong Gabriel, now wish to be known and addressed as Imeobong Gabriel Udoh. All former remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OLAOTAN: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Olaotan Temitope Christianah, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Olatunji Temitope Christianah.

All former documents remain valid.

General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

OJEMEN: Formerly known and addressed as Mrs Ojemen Amenya Margret, now wish to be known and addressed as Ms. Abhulimen Margret. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

SALAWU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Salawu Funmilola Funmike, now wishes to be known and addressed as Mrs Adebiyi Funmilola Funmike.

All former documents remain valid, general public take note.

This is to confirm that Odeleye Segun is the same person as Odeleye Segun Adebayo, that henceforth wish to be known and addressed as Odeleye Segun Adebayo. All former documents remain valid, Osun State Polytechnic, Iree and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

OJO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ojo Elizabeth Temitope, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Alabi Elizabeth Temitope.

All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

SOKOYA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Sokoya Oluwaseun , now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Agboola Oluwaseun.. All former documents remain valid. Ogun State Hospital and general public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE MISSIONARY BIRTH ATTENDANTS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part C of the Companies and Allied Matter Act 1990.

CHANGE OF NAME TIJANI: Formerly known and addressed as Fatima Tijani, now wish to be known and addressed as Fatima Abdullahi Yusuf. All former remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

OKECHUKWU: Formerly known as Miss Chinemerem Akudo Okechukwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chinemerem Esther Obimba. All former documents remain valid NYSC, general public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ODEWALE: Formerly known and addressed as Odewale Idowu Koledade, now wish to be known and addressed as Olawale Ifeoluwa Koledade. All former documents remain valid. Jesus is Life Church, general public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME ADIGUN: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adigun Olabisi Afusat , now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oluga Olabisi Esther. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME NWAOHUOCHA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwaohuocha Tina, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Sunday Tina. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Elder Reuben Chimezie Ogbuine. Now wish to be known and addressed as Elder Timothy Chimezie. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

OLIYIDE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Oliyide Oluwaseun Iyabode, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adili Lucy Oluwaseun. All former documents remain valid; Ogun state Ministry fo Health, general public please take note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

CHANGE OF NAME

UBAH: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Jennifer Chikanyima Ubah, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Jennifer Chikanyima Nevobasi.

All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

(1 X 1) CLASSIFIED ADVERT RATE IS NOW N2,500 EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY, 15, 2014

SIGNED: PROPHETESS RUTH OLUWATOSIN ARISOYIN

1. Mr. James Onyemenam 2. Mr. Calistus Mba 3. Mr. Tochukwu Olisagu THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To coordinate and promote the collective interest of all members of Princely.

2. To encourage the commitment of members to the ideals of a peaceful neighbourly and human society.

3. To offer assistance and support as well as canvass for the protection of the rights of members.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affair Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: ADELARIN BAMMEKE (SOLICITOR), 08187262070

PUBLIC NOTICE

ODUDUWA UNITED PEOPLE ASSOCIATION

The general public is hereby notified that the above named association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part C of the Companies and Allied Matter Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: Chief Mrs Shadia Akanke Oloto Professor Kola Raheem Mr Jimi Olusola III Mr. Ayodele Aderinwale MFR, Chief Akinsowo I. Olatokunbo Chief Obanla Olufemi Chief Mrs Adebayo Abike Fausat Chief Jimoh Olawale Taofeek Barr. Alausa Shakirudeen

- Chairman - Vice Chairman - Member - Member - Member - Member - Member - Member - Secretary

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.To promote the peace, unity, harmony and progress of the association 2.To help the less privileges in various ways of human endeavours 3.To compliment government efforts towards a better nation 4.To encourage youths to embrace useful and transform responsible activities as future leaders for optimum result.

Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Cresent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: BARR. ALAUSA SHAKIRUDEEN

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME ODINKENMA: Formerly known and addressed as Eze Lorreta Odinkenma, now wish to be known and addressed as Eze Lorreta Onyinye. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ODO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Odo Chinyere Paschaline, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Okeke Chinyere Paschaline. All former documents remain valid. UNN/IMT and general public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE SIX UNITED FELLOWS CLUB OF LAGOS NIGERIA

Notice is hereby given to the general public that the above named club has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under Part ‘ C ‘ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990 1. Yessoufou Yacoubou. Latifou 2. Ogundero Bola Richard 3. Olojabi Adeniyi Rotimi 4. Samuel Christian Dagbeyon 5. Bakare Olaniyi Isiaka 6 Dosumu Felix Emmanuel Babatunde THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To promote unity among members 2. To encourage social economic and educational development 3. To provide support morally, financially among members Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission (C.A.C) P.M.B 198, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Irosi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

CHANGE OF NAME

OLADEPO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Oladepo Oluwabusola Racheal, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adetunji Oluwabusola Racheal.

All former documents remain valid; general public should please take note.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To promote unity among members and to promote health, maternity development in the society.

2. To bring about extensive training among members.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration in accordance with the provisions of part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

CHANGE OF NAME

ONABANJO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Onabanjo Ebunoluwa Oluwayemisi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Solarin Ebunoluwa Oluwayemisi.

All former documents remain valid; general public should please take note.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

2. Pastor (Mrs.) Abiola Omolara Ebeloku 4. Prophet Folake Ojo 6. Lady/Evang. Mary Oloruntobi 8. Prophetess Anike Toluwalase 10. Lady/Pastor Florence Oluwatuase

PUBLIC NOTICE PRINCELY MEWS ESTATE RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION, LAGOS.

CHANGE OF NAME

ADEREMI: Formerly known and addressed as Aderemi Opeyemi Odunayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Adu Oluwabukola Opeyemi Christianah. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

GANIYU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ganiyu Sekinat Olufunmike Omodasola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Igor Racheal Olufunmike Omodasola Sekinat. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

ENEBERI: Formerly known as Miss Eneberi Chisom Queen-Rita, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Justice Queen-Rita C. All former documents remain valid NYSC, Government and general public please take note.

The public is being informed of the loss of original C of O regd as 14/14/42 plot no L5A BLK 1 situated at Airport Rd GRA fed. Govt L/out belonging to Alh. Halidu Mailana. If found return to D95 Faki Rd Tudun Nufawa Kaduna or nearest police station.

CHANGE OF NAME

OLUPEKA: Formerly known and addressed as Olupeka Temitope Josephine, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olorunfemi Temitope Josephine. All former remain valid. General public take note.

OGUNYOMI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogunyomi Oluwabukola Oluwaseun, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Titcombe Oluwabukola Oluwaseun.

All former documents remain valid.

Ogun State Ministry of Commerce and general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

SALISU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Salisu Oluwakemisola Afusat, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Opanuga Oluwakemisola Afusat.

All former documents remain valid.

General public take note

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Prophetess Ruth Oluwatosin Arisoyin 3. Mrs. Grace Johnson 5. Pastor (Mrs.) Roseline Folashade Ilesanmi 7. Prophetess Dorcas Adejuwon 9. Prophetess Deborah Adejuwon

CHANGE OF NAME BALOGUN: Formerly known and addressed as Balogun Nurudeen Adewale, now wish to be known and addressed as Taye Nurudeen Adewale. All former remain valid. General public take note.

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SIGNED: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

ORISUN-AJE BUILDING MATERIAL DEALERS ASSOCIATION OGUNPA IBADAN

The general public is hereby informed that the above named Association has applied to the corporate affairs commission for registration under part “C” of the companies and allied matters act 1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1 2.

3.

4.

5

Sulaimon Wahab Aroka Jimoh Sheriff Chief Bashiru Adebayo Badmus Abass Oloya Akeem Subair Olatunji

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

1. To foster unity,peace and progress among members 2. To render assistance to members in their day to day activities.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrargeneral, corporate affairs commission, plot 420 Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Garki, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

PUBLIC NOTICE GREEN AGRARIAN DEVELOPMENT AFRICA INITIATIVE

The general public is hereby informed that the above named Initiative has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters act 1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.

2.

3.

4.

Ayo - Vaughn Raphael Kehinde Prof. Olumide Tewe Dr. Wale Okediran Prof. Sebastian Kehinde Sanwo

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

1. Free alternative medicine for the less privilege 2. Civil society advocacy 3. Educational advancement for youth and woman Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission (C.A.C) P.M.B 198, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Irosi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED: TRUSTEES

SIGNED: TRUSTEES

PUBLIC NOTICE TOYIN WALE OGUNADE FOUNDATION

PUBLIC NOTICE

The general public is hereby notified that the above named foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, No. 1, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

THE STAR OF GLORY SALVATION CHERUBIM AND SERAPHIM CHURCH, AGO – ERI The general public is hereby notified that the above named church has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990 PART C.

1. Professor Lawrence Babatope Kolawole 2. Pastor Samuel Olurotimi Nathaniel 3. Mrs. Atim Nneyen Efiong 4. Mrs. Oluwatoyin Titilolami Ogunade 5. Barrister Victor Adewale Ogunade

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

1. To promote the cause of humanity.

2. To help the less privileged in the society.

3. To support widows and orphans.

4. To promote peaceful co-existence in Nigeria.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi-Ironsi Street PMB 198, Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

SIGNED: BARR. WALE OGUNADE WALE OGUNADE CHAMBERS 2ND FLOOR (RIGHT WING), 29/31 OBAFEMI AWOLOWO WAY, IKEJA, LAGOS, NIGERIA. TEL: 08033205436

1.

2.

3.

Special Apostle Olugbade Olasunkanmi Jacobs Apostle Itunu Alamu Uriel Elder Micheal Olasunkanmi Sunday

1. To pursue Christian crusade in which the name of God will be glorified.

2. To inculcate in members implicit faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior of mankind 3. To provide facilities for moral and spiritual education to its members and workers.

4. To promote true Christian love and fellowship among its members and to be at peace with all men.

5. To engage charity works.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, P. M. B. 198, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the date of publication.

SIGNED: TRUSTEES

Wednesday February 19, 2014

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53

World News

49 killed in Iraq Bomb attacks

54

Iranian forces have no authority to cross our borders in violation of the international law. We must respect each other’s borders.

–Pakistani President, Mamnoon Hussain

Zimbabwe arrests former US congressman PAUL ARHEWE,

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

F

ormer U.S. Rep. Melvin Jay Reynolds has been arrested in Zimbabwe on suspicion of possessing pornography and an immigration offence.

Reynolds is being held in custody and is expected to appear in court soon, immigration official Ario Mabika told The Associated Press.

Reynolds, 62, was arrested Monday by police detectives and immigration officials at a Harare hotel, according to the state-controlled newspaper, The Herald.

He brought several Zimbabwean models and other women to his hotel room where he took photographs and videos, the newspaper reported.

As Reynolds was being escorted to a government vehicle he demanded that officials give him his mobile phone and laptop computer, according to The Herald, whose reporter arrived at the hotel as the arrest was taking place.

Reynolds complained that he was not expecting such treatment when he had brought investors to the country, according to the newspaper. He said he had been to Zimbabwe 17 times and had called for U.S. sanctions to be dropped against President Robert

Mugabe and his top associates.

This is the latest of several legal problems for Reynolds, an Illinois Democrat, who once was a Rhodes scholar. Reynolds resigned from his congressional seat in 1995 after he was convicted of 12 counts of statutory rape, obstruction of justice and solicitation of child pornography. While in prison he was also convicted of bank and campaign fraud. He was in jail until his sentence was commuted by President Bill Clinton in Jan. 2001.

Regarding Reynolds’ new arrest in Zimbabwe, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Embassy, Karen Kelley, said the embassy could not comment as it was a private matter and the embassy did not did not have a privacy waiver.

Reynolds also has accumulated hotel bills worth $24,500 which he has not yet paid, reported The Herald.

Reynolds could face up to two years’ imprisonment or a hefty fine if found guilty of possessing pornographic material and deportation for breaching Zimbabwean immigration laws. It is illegal in Zimbabwe to possess any material of a sexual nature.

Before his arrest, Reynolds had gained prominence in Zimbabwe for being involved in attracting

Reynolds

investment for the $145 million construction of a Hilton Hotel and office complex in Harare, reported The Herald. Construction is expected to begin in April and be finished in last 2016, said the newspaper.

“He toured the construction site back then in the company of government ministers Walter Mzembi, Webster Shamu and Ignatius Chombo, and businessman Mr Farai Jere,” according to the paper.

At one time Reynolds was considered a rising star in the Democratic party.

A Harvard graduate, Reynolds

Two bodies found in collapsed South African mine

T

he bodies of two illegal miners have been discovered at a disused mine east of Johannesburg in South Africa.

The abandoned mine is in the same area where more than 20 illegal miners were recently rescued after being trapped underground for several days.

Those miners, who were re-

portedly trapped by a rival group of illegal miners, were arrested after they emerged from the shaft.

They are due to appear in court on charges related to illegal mining.

The land around the town of Benoni near Johannesburg is dotted with disused mine shafts, which attract men from around

As the body was pulled out of the shaft, the other miners started singing in mourning for their dead friend.

PHOTO: AP

the region, including Lesotho, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, with the promise of remaining gold deposits.

BBC’s reporter said the two miners who died are believed to have been killed following a rockfall several days ago.

They were discovered by other illegal miners who went underground to search for them after they were missing for about a week, she said.

The illegal miners say the police refused to help bring up the bodies, saying it was too dangerous.

So they brought up one to the surface themselves on Tuesday morning, but the other body believed to be of a Zimbabwean man - remains underground.

The group of trapped illegal miners was discovered on Sunday morning when police heard cries for help while patrolling the area.

unseated U.S. Rep. Gus Savage in 1992, two years after a House ethics committee determined that during an official trip to Africa Savage had made improper sexual advances to a female Peace Corps volunteer.

But then Reynolds was convicted in his own sex case and sent to prison in 1995. Later, while still behind bars, he was convicted of fraud for concealing debts to obtain bank loans and diverting money intended for voter registration drives into his election campaign.

They removed the boulders which had been put over the mine shaft.

A total of 25 men have since been rescued and arrested, David Tshabalala, from the emergency medical care service ER24, said yesterday.

It is not clear if more illegal miners, known as “zama zamas” meaning hustlers, are still underground at the site.

Paramedics initially said 200 illegal miners remained trapped but the latest figures put the numbers at much lower, at just over 10.

Notices warning miners that they face arrest and that the mine will be sealed in two weeks’ time have been thrown down the shaft.

BBC said there is fierce rivalry underground between the illegal miners, who often work with their fellow countrymen in groups.

“If another group finds you underground they make you work for them at gunpoint, like a slave.

So we go underground armed,” one illegal miner told the BBC.

WORLD BULLETIN 20 S’Sudan soldiers charged for killing civilians More than 20 South Sudanese soldiers have been charged with murdering civilians, a South Sudanese military official said.

South Sudanese military spokesman Col. Philip Aguer told reporters on Monday that since mid-December, when fighting broke out in the capital Juba before to spreading across the country, at least 70 soldiers have been arrested and charged over a range of crimes from homicide to looting. Some suspects had gone into hiding after learning an investigation is underway, he said.

He dismissed a recent report by Human Rights Watch urging South Sudan and Uganda —whose militaries are jointly trying to put down a rebellion led by a former deputy president — to investigate the alleged use of cluster bombs in Jonglei state.

The United Nations says both warring factions in South Sudan have committed rights violations.

Armed guards force airport closure in Libya Security guards forced Benghazi airport in eastern Libya to close for six hours yesterday to demand back wages as well as an investigation into the crash of a helicopter which took off from the airport last week, officials said.

Members of the armed unit in charge of protecting the Benina airport blocked the runway and prevented staff from entering the passenger terminals, according to an airport official who said he was in contact with the group.

The guards said they had not received their salaries for several months, the official said, and also wanted full disclosure into the circumstances of the helicopter crash.

Pakistan warns Iran not to send in troops Pakistan warned Iran yesterday not to send troops across the two countries’ shared border to retrieve five kidnapped Iranian border guards, an incident that threatens to exacerbate regional and sectarian tensions.

On Monday, Iranian Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani-Fazli was quoted as saying Iran might consider sending its forces onto Pakistani soil if Pakistan did not take the steps necessary to fight against militants.

“Iranian forces have no authority to cross our borders in violation of the international law. We must respect each other’s borders,” the Pakistani government statement said.

Predominantly Shi’ite Iran says militants seized the guards about 5 km (3 miles) inside Iran on February 6 in the province of Sistan-Baluchistan and took them into Pakistan.

54

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

B

ombs exploded in predominantly Shi’ite Muslim districts of the Iraqi capital and in the southern city of Hilla yesterday, killing at least 49 people, police and hospital sources said.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for any of the attacks, but CHANGE OF NAME

Shi’ites are often targeted

by Sunni Islamist insurgents who have been regaining ground in Iraq over the past year and overran several towns in recent weeks.

The deadliest attacks on Tuesday occurred in and around the mainly Shi’ite city of Hilla, 100 CHANGE OF NAME

BELLO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Bello Idayat Fayokemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oduyemi Fayokemi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OKERUKWEM: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Okerukwem Precious Chinyere, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Uzoma Precious Chinyere. All former documents remain valid. Ministry of Education Imo State and the general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME NNADI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Emeh Nnadi Irene, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Odoemenam Irene.. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

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ONYEYIRI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Akunna Ifeoma Onyeyiri, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Akunna Humphrey Emmanuel.

All former documents remain valid.

NYSC and General public should please take note.

49 killed in Iraq Bomb attacks km (60 miles) south of Baghdad, where 35 people were killed in seven car bomb explosions inside the city itself and the nearby towns of Haswa, Mahaweel and Mussayab.

“I was sitting in my CHANGE OF NAME

IGBOKWE: Formerly know and addressed as Mr Ebere Johnson Igbokwe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr Precious Ebere Johnson. All former documents remain valid. General Public take note.

EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY, 15, 2014 CHANGE OF NAME

KALU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ezinne .E.M. Kalu now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ezinne Egbe Mba Asuoha. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

OLADAPO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Oladapo Rebecca Olatundun, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okunola Rebecca Olatundun. All former documents remain valid. Oyo State Board of Internal Revenue and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OKORIE: Formerly known and addressed as Joy Nnenna Okorie, now wish to be known and addressed as Joy Nnenne Ochonma. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that Mrs Grace Ezeagwu Uzo Odega and Mrs Grace Anyiha Daniel are one and the same person but wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Grace Anyiha Daniel.

All former documents remain valid.

Authorities concerned and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OGBODO: Formerly known and addressed as Mr. John Ogbodo Ugwuagbo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. John Ikemefuna Ugwuagbo. All former documents remain valid. Catholic Church and general public take note.

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SABA: Formerly known and addressed as Aishah Mohammed Saba, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Aishah Mohammed Abdullahi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

ADENAIKE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adenaike Omotoyosi Yetunde, now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Busari Omotoyosi Magret.

All former documents remain valid.

Muslim Girls High School Ijebu-Ode and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

KOKO: Formerly known and adressed as Miss.

Sharon Tamunobaraboye Koko. now wish to be known and adressed as Mrs. Sharon Tamunobaraboye Oghomienor.

All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

NWAKERENDU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Agharanya Hope Nwakerendu, now wish to be known as Mrs. Ukahianwa Hope Nwakerendu. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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NWAEBO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwaebo Chialuka Nadin, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ofoego Chialuka Nadin. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

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AKOMAYE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Cora Unyin Akomaye, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Cora Unyin Adie. All former documents remain valid. Obudu Local government council and general public take note.

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UKAEGBU: This is to inform the general public that Mr Ukaegbu Ugochukwu .C. is also known and addressed as Mr Ukagwu Ugochukwu .C. All former documents remain valid.

FEDPONEK Owerri Imo State and the general public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE HOUSE OF CHRIST FAITH MISSION

Notice is hereby given to the general public that the above named mission has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under Part ‘ C ‘ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

1. Bishop Sodje Efeoghene Wilfred 2. Rev. (Mrs) Edith.E. Wilfred 3. Henry Sampson Dinkpa 4. Sister Joy Ikperoku 5. Sister Happiness Samson

- Chairman - Secretary - PRO - Treasurer.

- Member

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To provide a ministry of the word of God in order to reach any person irrespective of race, colour and nationality.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: BISHOP SODJE EFEOGHENE WILFRED (CHAIRMAN)

CHANGE OF NAME

NWANKWO: Formerly know and addressed as Miss Nwankwo Christiana Ukamaka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Okoli Christiana Ukamaka. All former documents remain valid.

General Public take note.

(1 X 1) CLASSIFIED ADVERT RATE IS NOW N2,500

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Ikenna Umechikere, now wish to be known and addressed as Umechikere Kingsley Ikenna. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

ONADEKO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Onadeko Dolapo Omotola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Faleti Dolapo Omotola. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

shop when suddenly a powerful blast smashed the front window,” said Ali Mousa, whose minimarket was near the site of one bomb in central Hilla. “I went out to see what happened and saw

IMPORTANT NOTICE

This is to inform the general public that my correct names are Felix Shulamite .K. not Felix Shulumite .K. All former documents remain valid. the General public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

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OKORO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Okoro Blessing Nneoma Nkemakolam, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Onyekachi Blessing Nneoma Nkemakolam.

All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

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UGORJI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ugorji Veronica Mgbeodichinma now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Friday Veronica Mgbeodichinma .

All former documents remain valid.

NYSC and General public take note.

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ODUSANYA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Odusanya Oluwaseyi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adewale Oluwaseyi. All former documents remain valid. Ogun SUBEB, I.N.E.L.G.E.A and general public take note.

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OGUNYOWA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogunyowa Subui Bolade, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adesanya Subui Bolade. All former documents remain valid. Tai Solarin University of Education and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

OYESIJI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Oyesiji Oluranti Comfort, wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oluranti Comfort Olufuwa henceforth. All former documents remain valid. CMB and the general public take note.

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ONYEKWUZIRI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Onyekwuziri Maryrose Chinyere, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Onyeka Maryrose Chinyere. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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ABUTU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Maria Abutu now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Maria Odoh. All former documents remain valid. The Nigeria Police Force and General public take note.

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bodies on the ground and wounded people bleeding and shouting for help”.

At least 90 people were wounded in the blasts, which Hilla police chief, Major General Abbas Abid blamed on groups linked to al Qaeda.

“Al Qaeda terrorist groups stand behind today’s attacks in Hilla to confuse the security forces and cause high casualCHANGE OF NAME

OKAFOR: Formerly know and addressed as Miss Helen Uju Okafor, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ogbonna Helen Obianuju. All former documents remain valid. General Public take note.

PRESS RELEASE

RE: DISPOSAL OF UNCLAIMED FOUND PROPERTIES /EXHIBITS AT OJI-RIVER DIVISION ENUGU A release from Police Public Relations Department, Enugu Command reveals that the underlisted items are lying unclaimed at Oji-River Division, Enugu.

OJI-RIVER DIVISION:

(A)MOTOR VEHICLES (BUS/CAR): i. One (1) Toyota Corolla, Reg. No. BH 746 ENU ii. One (1) Peugeot Car, Reg. No BB 875 KSF iii. One (1) Honda Jeep, Reg. No ENU 670 AE iv. One (1) Toyota Bus, Reg. No XA 215 TSE v. One (1) Mazda Bus, XQ 363 KSF

(B) MOTORCYCLES: i. One (1) K.C. Sanya M/cycle Reg. No DT 4928 MA

SIGNED:

(DSP EBERE L. AMARAIZU) POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, STATE HEADQUARTERS, ENUGU.

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NWAOBIA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwaobia Ugochi Anita, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Stephen John Ugochi Anita. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

EKWERIKE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ekwerike Catherine Chinenyenwa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nwosu Catherine Chinenyenwa.

All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME ISMAILA: Formerly known and addressed as Maryam Ismaila, now wish to be known and addressed as Maryam Danchinda.

All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

ONYEUBA:Formerly known and addressed as Miss Onyeuba Chidinma Veronica now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Onuoha Chidinma Veronica. All former documents remain valid.

NYSC and the General public take note.

OHAZURIKE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ohazurike Ogadinma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Orji Iheadiwonma. All former documents remain valid. Abia State Polytechnic, Aba and the general public to please take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME

FAREMI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Morenikeji Odunayo Faremi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Morenikeji Odunayo Kolipe. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME IGRUBIA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Nancy Igrubia, now wish to be known as Mrs Nancy Ovoniroyese.

All former documents remain valid. NSITF and general public take note.

ONI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Oni Oluwaseun Roseline, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Babalola Oluwaseun Roseline. All former documents remain valid. Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ido-Ekiti, Ekiti State and general public take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME

ALAH: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Martina Ingiegah Alah, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Martina Ingiegah Agiake. All former documents remain valid.

Obudu Local government council and general public take note.

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NWAOGU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwaogu Innocentia Ijeoma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Amaechi Innocentia Ijeoma. All former documents remain valid. Imo Poly and the general public take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as Miss Rofiat Oluwaseun Ayinde, now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Rofiat Oluwaseun Ayinde Agbaje. All former documents remain valid.

LAUTECH Ogbomosho and general public take note.

OLUWASOLA: Formerly Oluwasola Oluwafunke now Osuntoyinbo Elizabeth Oluwafunke. All former documents remain valid St Joseph Prymary School Ikere Ekiti, Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and general public take note.

ONOKOKA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Benedicta Onokoka now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Benedicta Onuosah. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ii. One (1) Azubros C.G 125 M/ cycle Reg. No AN 977 GR iii. Two (2) Lifan M/cycle Reg. No Nil iv. Three (3) Carter M/cycle Reg. No EN 707 EB, QY 602 UWN & wt 602 ENU v. One (1) Kymco M/cycle Reg. No QN 633 ZBL vi. Two (2) Suzuki M/cycle Reg. No. Enu 5065 & OA 048 JRV vii. One (1) Yamaha M/cycle Reg. No. BN 1482R

Owner(s) of the said items are advised to come up with proof of ownership for identification and collection within Thirty (30) days with effect from the date this publication otherwise the items would be disposed of by way of public auction, please.

AMOKUADE: Formerly Miss Amokuade Omolewa Alice now Mrs Ibitoye Omolewa Alice All former documents remain valid Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) AdoEkiti, L.A Aafin Nur/Pry School Ikere Ekiti and general public take note NWANTA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwanta Nwanneka Eugenia, now wish to be known as Mrs Aprebo Souwei Nwanneka Eugenia. All former documents remain valid. UBEC Bayelsa State Office and General public take note.

ties among civilians,” he said. “They are criminals and they never get enough of innocent blood”.

Last year was Iraq’s bloodiest since sectarian violence began to abate in 2008.

Fourteen people were killed in explosions in mainly Shi’ite districts of Baghdad. In one, a bomb inside a parked vehicle exploded near a bus station in the Bayaa district, killing five people, the sources said. There were also blasts in the Amil, Ilam and Shurta districts.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

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OSUAGWU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Osuagwu Ijeoma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Gasiokwu Ijeoma. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and General public take note.

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I, Miss Idowu Racheal Oluwatoyin is also known and addressed as Miss Ajiboye Racheal Oluwatoyin as stipulated on my N.Y.S.C. Certificate. All former documents remain valid. LAUTECH and general public and all authorities concerned should note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

AGBAYI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Chizoba Cynthia Agbayi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Chizoba Cynthia Onwumelu. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

AROWOSEGBE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Arowosegbe Modupe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Owoyemi Esther Modupe. All former documents remain valid Ekiti State College of Education Authority Ikere Ekiti and general public take note.

This is to confirm that Arowobarin Janet O. is the same person as Arowobarin Oluwakemi Jane in NECO. Henceforth want to be known and addressed as Arowobarin Janet Oluwakemi. All former documents remain valid. College of Education Ikere Ekiti and general public take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME OKOROAFOR: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Jane Anuri Okoroafor, now wish to be known as Mrs Jane Anuri Boma Okponipere.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME EGWUOGU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Egwuogu Amaka Ruth, now wish to be known as Mrs Oseha Amaka Ruth. All former documents remain valid. NSITF and General public take note.

ADAH: formerly known and addressed as Miss Francisca Unyioukiema Adah now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ugar Francisca Unyioukiema.

All former documents remain valid.

Obudu Local government council and general public to take note.

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YETUNDE: Formerly known and addressed as Adeosun Yetunde Aderonke (Miss), now wish to be known as Adeosun Ayotunde Aderonke (Miss). All former documents remain valid. General public take note

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AMU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Amu Caroline Boyi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Caroline Gabriel Egbelo. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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IGBOEKWU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Igboekwu Modesta Obiageli now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Neboh Modesta Obiageli. All former documents remain valid.

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North

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

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10 killed in Nasarawa auto crash JAMES ABRAHAM AND IGBAWASE UKUMBA

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t least 10 people were yesterday killed in an auto crash in Nasarawa State.

•As gunmen killed seven villagers in Plateau

They were killed when the vehicle they were travelling in had a head-on collision with another one at Gako village in Nasarawa Eggon Local Government

Area of the state at about noon.

The accident involved a Sharon bus marked: GTU 66 XA, coming from Keffi towards Lafia and a Bed-

ford truck marked: AS 708 PHC, coming from the opposite direction.

State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Idirisu Kennedy, confirmed the

accident, adding however, that the police command was yet to get the details of the accident.

In a related development, gunmen yesterday killed seven persons who were said to be returning from the market in Gero village, Jos South Local Government Area of the state.

Eyewitnesses said the gunmen attacked the car

in which the passengers were travelling in and killed all the passengers.

State Public Police Public Relations Officer, Felicia Aslem, confirmed the attack when contacted.

She said the gunmen attacked the passengers while they were returning from a market around the locality.

Defection: Abuja court rules on fate of 79 lawmakers March 26 ISE-OLUWA IGE

A New General Officer Commanding (GOC), 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Kenneth Osuji (left), being decorated with 1 Division Badge by the former GOC, Maj.-Gen, Garba Wahab, during the hand-over ceremony in Kaduna, yesterday.

PHOTO:NAN

CP sets up police, traditional rulers’ security committee

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lateau State Police Commissioner, Mr. Chris Olakpe, has set up a joint Police-Traditional Rulers’ Security Committee, to curtail violence in the state.

Olakpe announced the formation of the committee during a one-day interactive session with traditional and religious leaders yesterday in Jos. “The committee will be holding security meetings every end of the month to trash out grey areas, through intelligence information sharing.

“The police and the traditional leaders will be holding the meeting with the sole aim of checking unnecessary killings in Plateau North senatorial

district and other parts of the state.

“The main committee, with 20 powerful members, will be headed by the Ponhzi Tarok, General Domkat Bali and the Emir of Wase, Alhaji Sambo Haruna, as his deputy.

“The main committee will be holding its monthly meetings at the command headquarters in Jos. “Divisional Police Officers, DPOs, have been directed to also set up local security committees in their respective divisions, with the same mandate of sharing security information with the police,” he said.

The commissioner then appealed to the people of

the state to provide vital information on the activities of criminals, assuring that such information would be treated with utmost confidentiality.

“We shall now rely heavily on you to provide necessary information to break this group of criminals that have been killing innocent farmers and cattle breeders,” he said.

Responding on behalf of the traditional rulers, Chief of Langai village in Mangu Local Government Area, Yunusa Yaktor, said the leaders needed police protection before they could provide such security details about criminals in their domains.

“Any traditional ruler that passes information

about criminals in his area without proper security protection, will not leave to see the next day.

“When a leader passes information to the police about a criminal and that criminal is later released, he will be intimidating such leader.

“We are ready to work with the police, but we need your assurance about our security because the youths are very restive,” he said.

Other leaders that spoke during the session also expressed fears about their safety if they were to assist the police with vital information on activities of criminals in their respective domains.

Two policemen feared dead in clash with youths

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t least two policemen were feared dead yesterday following a clash between the police and some youths in Difa village of YamaltuDeba Local Government Area of Gombe State.

A reliable source in the area told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Gombe that the incident

occurred in the night of February 16.

According to the source, some policemen on routine patrol from Kwadon division arrested some youths in the village for allegedly being in possession of illegal drugs.

The source said the arrest did not go down well with other youths whose

protest led to violent clashes that resulted in the death and burning of the bodies of the policemen.

NAN learnt that police investigators from Gombe had been deployed to the area to investigate the incident, a development that compelled many youths and elderly men to flee the village.

Contacted, the Public Relations Officer, PPRO, of the state police command, Fwaje Atajiri, confirmed the incident, saying that investigation was ongoing.

Atajiri, however, declined comments on the number of casualties in the incident and the arrest of some traditional rulers.

n Abuja Federal High Court yesterday fixed March 26 for judgement in a suit filed by 79 legislators seeking to stop the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the leadership of the National Assembly from declaring their seats vacant.

The lawmakers are 22 PDP Senators and 57 members of the House of Representatives.

The court fixed the date after taking arguments from the opposing parties.

The verdict will lay to rest the legal controversy surrounding the conditions precedent to defection and the powers of the leadership of the National Assembly over defecting lawmakers.

At the resumed hearing of the case yesterday, the 79 lawmakers justified their decision to decamp from the ruling PDP. The lawmakers argued that the Senate President, David Mark and Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, could not declare their seats vacant by virtue of their defection.

They contended that Mark and Tambuwal cannot rely on the provisions of sections 68 (1) (g) and 68 (2) of the constitution in declaring their seats vacant because there is division in the PDP and a faction of the party had merged with other parties.

They argued that the two conditions precedent for lawful defection, as provided in the constitution - division and merger - had occurred to warrant their defection.

Plaintiffs’ lawyer, Mahmoud Magaji, SAN, argued that as against the contention by the PDP, it’s ex-Chairman, Bamanga Tukur and Mark, the power to decide whether a defecting lawmaker’s seat is vacant or not, where his party is factionalised, is the court.

Magaji, who adopted his final submissions in the case, argued that his clients were justified in their decision to abandon the PDP and that the National Assembly leadership cannot, by virtue of their defection, declare their seats vacant.

His argument was in relation to arguments

by Joe Gadzama, SAN, and Ken Ikonne (lawyers to the PDP, Tukur and Mark) to the effect that the plaintiffs’ seats automatically becomes vacant upon their defection, by virtue of the provision of Section 68 (1) (g) of the constitution.

They had argued in their counter affidavit that the suit was misconceived as the plaintiffs were under the wrong impression that it requires the pronouncement by both Mark and Tambuwal before the seats of defecting lawmakers could be declared vacant.

Both lawyers argued that there was never a division in the PDP to justify the plaintiffs’ defection and qualify them for exemption as provided under Section 68 (1) (g) of the constitution.

Gadzama, who tendered two judgsments from earlier cases involving the Tukur-led faction and the Abubakar Barajeled faction of the party, argued that the PDP was never divided.

WORLD RECORD

Largest arms-linked toast Vol. 04 No. 791

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

N150

The largest arms-linked toast is 260 and was achieved by the Global Management Team of Oriflame Cosmetics (Sweden), in Guia de Isora, Tenerife, Spain, on 10 October 2013.

Now that Jonathan wants a second term

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f rumour from the grapevine is anything to go by, it then looks like everything is set for President Goodluck Jonathan to declare his intention to run for a second term come next April. Before now, all his body language and actions are geared towards sending a message to all doubters that he will surely throw in his hat in the ring. Never mind his proverbial aloofness and cagey disposition towards the issue, which has remained the most contentious topic in the past one year. But the question is will Jonathan run in 2015?

Your guess is good as mine, and if his recent politically veiled visits to traditional rulers in the North and Southwest geopolitical zones are anything to go by, then it follows that the President is trying to kill two birds with one stone.

Even when traditional rulers are for-

Okay Osuji (okayosuji@nationalmirroronline.net) 08034729256 (sms only)

bidden to publicly hold political views, we all know that many of them are discreetly supporting political parties and politicians. Such political sentiments may have motivated the President to embark on his recent homage to their palaces, even when Aso Rock continues to insist that the visits are personal and with no political undertones. Of course, President Jonathan will not be the first incumbent to undertake such courtesy visits on Obas, Emirs and Obis in the run up to political campaigns and elections.

Past presidents are known to have employed this soft power to warm into the embrace of royal fathers, and by extension their subservient subjects.

Definitely, President Jonathan is not oblivious to the fact that these traditional rulers wield a lot of influence in their traditional communities, especially in the core North and Southwest, something not akin to the Southeast zone of the country due to its republican nature. In embarking on this goodwill tour, Jonathan knows that given the political reality, it is the Southwest, Northeast and North central geopolitical zones that pose the greatest challenge to his 2015 bid due to the strong influence of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) there.

Matters are not made rosy by the shifting loyalties of some politicians in these zones and their shrill cries to depose him.

As an individual and in his quiet moments, Jonathan must have been continually worried that some of his political friends from these areas have now turned

IT IS NOT ENOUGH FOR PRESIDENT JONATHAN TO EMBARK ON A FENCE MENDING MISSION WITHOUT LETTING

NIGERIANS KNOW WHAT HE HAS ACHIEVED IN PAST FOUR YEARS foes and are not only roiling the waters but determined to stop him from going back to Aso Rock in 2015. Importantly, Jonathan has embarked on the visits to show that as president, he should be seen to live above the fray and be a father to all Nigerians, even when confronted by a debilitating political opposition.

In this wise, the presidency has tried to portray Goodluck Jonathan as a statesman. But who does not know that some powerful politicians and opinion leaders in the North are hell bent on stopping the former shoeless Otueke-born politician from retaining the presidency. If there is one thing that has united all Rottweiler from this zone, it is the perception that the presidency belongs to them and must therefore, be domesticated. So, the continuous sing song has been that all hands must be on deck towards achieving this objective, whether noble or not. It is here that the Southwest represented by the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) that fused with others to form the APC

comes in handy.

Instinctively, those leading the party in this zone have their grouse against the President, as they are always accusing him of marginalising them in terms of political appointments. So, what other way than to join forces with those vehement at dethroning him so that future political harvests will be theirs for the asking? Some are asking why the President is not visiting traditional rulers in the Southeast and Southsouth in his flag stop show of goodwill. The guess is that he sees the zones as friendly, where the people will always support his second term bid.

But the presidency may be playing its hands too far to think that voters in the two zones will remain loyal to the end if they have nothing to show for it.

It is not enough for President Jonathan to embark on a fence mending mission without letting Nigerians know what he has achieved in past four years. While acknowledging his constitutional right to seek a second term despite misinformation by a vocal minority that he swore to serve for only four years, it is pertinent to note that what will differentiate the Jonathan presidency from the opposition is the score card of the present tenure. How he parleys such valuable election winner will make for victory or failure.

Nigerians are eagerly waiting for the opposition trump card to see whether it is potent enough to derail the ‘Jonathan victory train’. Definitely, that will include their presidential candidate and the party’s manifesto. For now, all we are witnessing is a destructive impulse by their members to pick holes in the programme of President Jonathan and his party without letting us know why they should be trusted with governance of the country. For now, the presidential election is Jonathan’s to lose. And how he straddles the political space in the coming months will determine whether majority of voters will plump for him or the opposition.

Sport Extra

G

ermany defender, Jerome Boateng, says his decision to play for the European nation was borne out of the fact that he has played for its youth sides since he was a kid.

Boateng, who plays for

Why I rejected Ghanaian switch–Boateng Bayern Munich, revealed that he loves Ghana despite opting to play for Germany when the Ghana Football Association contacted him.

His brother Kevin-

Prince plays for Ghana after he switched nationality from Germany to play for the Black Stars.

“For me, it was from Day 1 Germany. It is where I grew up, played

for the youth teams,” the player said.

“I do feel my African side, but I’ve always wanted to play for Germany.

“Ghana did contact me, but I told them and my dad

that I was sure I wanted to play for Germany.”

Germany, who will face Portugal and the United States in the first round of the World Cup in June, will also meet Ghana.

Boateng

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