Binder1

Med-View Airline flies re-opened Maiduguri route OLUSEGUN KOIKI

Bankole

Vol. 5 N0. 1150

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arely three weeks after the Federal Government re-

opened the Maiduguri International Airport, one of the leading airlines in the country, Med-View Airline, has indicated readiness to recommence

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Police storm NASS in search of Ekweremadu

flight operations to the airport this Friday.

With the re-commencement of flight operations to the city, Med-View now

...Dep Senate President alleges threat to life

CONTINUED ON PAGE 8>>

National Mirror Online

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P.6

N150

Buhari bails out states, okays N400bn for workers’ salaries ...directs CBN to package N250bn special intervention fund FG, others to share N391bn from Excess Crude Account Honda begins production of UI ranked Nigeria’s best Accord Sedans in Nigeria P.6 varsity, 8th in Africa

ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

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uccour has finally come the way of workers owed salaries for months across the country, as President Muhammadu Buhari has approved over N400bn as relief package to states.

The N400bn was among the comprehensive package CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

L-R: Suspected Ikorodu bank armed robbers, Promise Abiwa, Agbojule Bright, Monday Omoboye (Male a.k.a Alarm Blow) and Monday Ikuesan, being paraded by Lagos Police Command in Ikeja, yesterday.

PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

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

Police parade 4 robbers that raided Ikorodu banks Suspects bought SUVs, land with loot 20 persons, 22 cows die in Kogi auto crash

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Jos blasts: Residents besiege hospitals as death toll rises to 44 P.12

CAN demands relocation of Boko Haram prisoners from Anambra P.10

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Police parade 4 robbers that raided Ikorodu banks DARE AKOGUN

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agos State Police Command yesterday paraded a four-man gang that robbed two banks at Ipakodo, Ebute, near Ogolonto in Ikorodu, a fortnight ago.

The suspects’ names were given as Promise Abiwa, Agbojule Bright, Monday Omoboye (a.k.a Alarm Blow) and Monday Ikuesan.

It was learnt that the suspects were rounded up by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS on Friday, following tipoff by soldiers in Ondo State.

One of the suspects was arrested in Okitipupa, Ondo State, while the others were picked up in Ikorodu, Lagos State, according to the outgoing Commissioner of Police, Kayode Aderanti.

The police commissioner revealed that soldiers arrested one of the suspects in Ondo, adding that the arrest was the break needed.

He said as the time of the arrests, some of the suspects had used their loot to buy exotic cars which were also shown to newsmen.

He said that there were efforts to arrest those still at large.

Two Lexus Jeeps and an Infiniti jeep with registration numbers KRD 29 DA, and EKY 641 DB respectively, were among the vehicles recovered from the suspects.

“The soldiers were on a stop-and-search and they found the suspect, identified only as Baba Ibeji, while on his way to his home town in Okitipupa, Ondo State.

“During a search, they found bundles of new N1000 notes with bank seals in his bag.

“The soldiers, who were also aware of the bank robbery in Lagos, smelt a rat and contacted the Lagos State Police Command on the development.

“Immediately, we contacted experienced hands in SARS for the interview of the suspect. The suspect gave the contacts and names of other suspects.

The operatives subsequently mobilised more officers to Ikorodu and made some arrests.

“Three suspects were picked up by the police in Ikorodu. Two of them had bought Sport Utility Vehicles with the proceeds. All of them had bought plots of land with their loots. Three vehicles have been recovered for now,” Aderanti said.

The suspects claimed that their 18-man gang, aside raiding banks in Lekki, Ijede and Ebute (both in Ikorodu) also engaged in pipeline vandalism and illegal bunkering.

Giving detailed account on the operation, Agbojole who said they were “small fries” in the gang, told reporters that their leaders were Million and Kakado.

He claimed that he was contacted a week to the operation, adding that he obliged them because of poverty.

Agbojule said he was a timber worker at Ebute Meta before joining the gang.

He also denied that a woman was in the team that raided the banks.

“There was no woman in the group. Our leaders are Million and Kakado.

“We planned the operation from Ishawo creeks.

It was Milton and his men who came to us and told us about the operation.

Million brought guys from Warri.

“It was from the creeks that we planned the whole thing and this is my first operation with them. I was among those who kept watch along the road. I was given a Pump Action gun.

We had eight guns and two Pump Action rifles.

“I am a student of the College of Education, Ekiadolor. I did not follow them to Lekki or any other robbery operations, but I know it was the gang that attacked those banks.

“We left very early for the Ikorodu operation and it was some of Million boys who went into the police station, I did not go with them.

“It was Million and Ka-

kado who brought the dynamite used to open the bank doors as well as the guns.

They were the ones who also taught us how to use the guns.

“My role was to stand outside, with one of the pump action guns, shooting sporadically. I was also instructed to shoot at anyone who dared to intrude, while the boys recruited from Warri confronted the police.

“I had over 900 cartridges. At the end of the operation, we escaped in a fibre boat and went to the creeks, where the loot was shared. At the creeks, we analysed the operation

and Million said we did well, promising to use us for subsequent operations “I do not know how much was gotten because it was the leaders who counted and shared the money.

My share was N2m from where I bought a Lexus jeep at N1.5m. I bought jerry can for my brother to start illegal oil bunkering; gave my wife N30, 000 for her joint exam and also gave my friends money.

“I was arrested in Ikorodu where I live. My friend Akpan called me and I didn’t know that it was because police was looking for me,” he said.

Victims of bomb blast that rocked the First African Church Mission Inc., hospitalised at Plateau State Specialist Hospital in Jos, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Buhari bails out states, okays N400bn for workers’ salaries CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

approved by the President to cushion the effect of current cash crunch being faced by the 36 states governments.

The President, it was learnt, has okayed a threepronged relief packages that would not only end workers plight, but also buoy the finances of states to be able to undertake some capital projects.

The packages include the sharing of about $2.1bn (N413.7bn) in fresh allocation between states and the Federal Government.

The money is sourced from recent Liquefied Natural Gas, LNG, proceeds to the Federation Account, and its release as approved by the President.

The President also approved a Central Bank of Nigeria-packaged special intervention fund that will offer financing to the states, ranging between N250bn to N300bn.

This would be a soft loan made available to states to access for the payment of backlog of salaries. The CBN is expected to negotiate the terms with individual states.

There is also a debt relief programme proposed by the Debt Management Office, DMO, which will help states restructure their commercial loans currently put at over N660bn, and extend the life span of such loans while reducing their debt-servicing expenditures.

“This third option, by extending the commercial loans of the states, would therefore make available more funds to the state governments which otherwise would have been removed at source by the banks.

“The Federal Government will use its influence to guarantee the elongation of the loans for the benefit of the states,” a source said yesterday.

It was learnt that the package, which was considered at the National Economic Council, NEC, last week, was designed specifically for workers.

Furthermore, President Buhari has now reviewed and approved the package in his bid to intervene and

alleviate the sufferings of workers, some of who have not been paid for over 10 months.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, when contacted, confirmed that the proposed special package was on the way, adding that the President is deeply concerned about the plight of workers.

The package is expected to go into effect this week as the President was said to have directed that the funds should be made available as soon as possible.

Some Federal Government workers are also being owed salaries and the package is expected to address their cases too.

It was learnt that the Ministry of Finance and CBN have pegged the amount needed to settle all outstanding public workers’ salaries, including those of federal civil servants, at about N250bn.

Some of the states affected by the huge salary backlog include Osun, Rivers, Oyo, Ekiti, Kwara, Kogi, Ondo, Plateau, Benue, Ogun and Bauchi among others.

President Buhari, had while inaugurating the NEC last week, asked the body to advise him on the best approach to take in solving the lingering issue of unpaid salaries.

Also yesterday, the Accountant General of the Federation, AGF, Ahmed

Idris, said federal, state and local governments are to share $1.7bn (N391bn) from the Excess Crude Account, ECA, based on approved formula.

Idris disclosed this while speaking with State House correspondents after the Ministry of Finance briefed President Buhari at the Presidential Villa.

Buhari had on June 25 appointed Idris as the AGF, following the exit of Jonah Otunla.

Speaking on the sharing of the ECA, Idris said the Federation Account Allocation Committee, FAAC, would meet and share as agreed and directed during the NEC meeting last MonCONTINUED ON PAGE 7>>

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Tuesday, July 7, 2015

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Tuesday, July 7, 2015

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L-R: Programme Officer, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, Mr. Salaudeen Hashim; Project Coordinator, National Association for Peaceful Election in Nigeria, Ms. Kikelomo Salawu and Executive Vice Chairman, NAPEN, Mr. Samie Ihejirika, during a press conference on the outcome of monitoring of electoral violence on the 2015 general elections, in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Wife of Anambra State Governor, Chief (Mrs.) Ebelechukwu Obiano (left) and Regional Bank Head of UBA, Mr. Jerry Azih, during presentation of books to CAFÉ in support of girl-child education campaign in Awka, yesterday.

L-R: Head, Corporate Marketing, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Koye Sowemimo; overall best graduating student, Samsung Engineering Academy Class of 2014, Sunday Oyelami; Head, Lagos Eko Secondary School Education Project, Mrs. Folasade Fasehun and Managing Director, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Brovo Kim, during Samsung Engineering Academy graduation ceremony in Lagos.

L-R: Lecturer, Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries, University of Ibadan, Prof. Olujimi Faturoti; Head, Aquaculture and Fisheries Department, Prof. Bamidele Omitoyin; Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Eustace Iyayi and representative of Africa Aquaculture Productivity Programme, Dr. Oludare Adeogun, during entrepreneurship development training in aquaculture business at the University of Ibadan, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

National News GeorGe oji ABUJA

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ndependent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, has appealed to the Senate to partner with it in the fight against corruption.

The commission explained that the lawmakers could do this by passing on the outcome of their oversight activities on ministries, departments and agencies of government, which contains indication of likely corrupt suspicion, so that the commission could follow up on such tips.

The commission also

ICPC seeks senate’s partnership to fight corruption …urges speedy passage of whistle blowers bill urged the lawmakers to expedite action in the passage of the whistle blowers bill now before the National Assembly, in order to provide effective cover and protection for the lives of people who provide information to the commission on corruption.

Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Ekpo Owo Nta made the plea yesterday, when he led his management team to pay an official visit to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

Nta disclosed that in the past, tips provided by the lawmakers through their oversight activities,

had enabled ICPC to know companies that did not pay taxes adding that the Commission made substantial recoveries therefrom.

Nta noted that the country has always taken the initiative on the issue of addressing corruption, stressing that it was not a matter that was impressed

from the international community.

On whistle blowers, Nta stated: “The whistle blowers Bill if successfully passed into law will further help because we face a lot of problems with people who blow the whistle because sometimes their lives are threatened and

ideally in a country like this, we should have safe houses where we can take such people to, to protect them from persons who are doing this.”

The commission later went into closed door meeting with the Senate President and some senators.

INEC reconstitutes 14 standing committees omeiza ajayi ABUJA

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cting Chairperson of the Independent National Commission, INEC, Amina Bala Zakari, has approved the re-constitution of the Commission’s 14 Standing Committees.

In a memo issued and

signed by Secretary to the Commission, Mrs. Augusta Ogakwu, the committees were expected to commence operation from 1st July, 2015.

An INEC document made available to National Mirror showed that the Appointment, Promotion and Disciplinary Committee, APDC, is headed by Amb.

Lawrence Nwuruku, with Amb M.A. Wali, and Dr. Chris Iyimoga as members.

Planning, Monitoring and Strategy Committee is chaired by Dr. Chris Iyimoga, while Prof. M.A.Salau and Amb. M.A. Wali are members.

Information and Voter Education/Outreach and

Partnership Committee has Dr. Chris Iyimoga as chairman and Amb. M.A. Wali and Lawrence Nwuruku as members.

The Health and Welfare Committee is headed by Dr. Abdulkadir Oniyangi, with Amb. M.A. Wali and Prof.

M.A. Salau as members.

The Operations and Logistics Committee is also

chaired by Dr. Chris Iyimoga, while Amb. Lawrence Nwuruku, and Amb. M.A. Wali are members.

Others are Estate, Works and Transport Committee; Election and Party Monitoring Committee; Board of Survey and Technical Equipment Acquisition Committee and the Tenders Board Committee.

Other committees are the Legal Services Clearance Committee and the Board of Electoral Institute Committee.

Zakari herself chairs three committees, which are those of Information Technology and Voter Registry; Finance and General Purpose Committee as well as the Security Committee.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

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Tuesday, July 7, 2015

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OAU workers protest unpaid allowances BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

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taff of the Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, yesterday protested the nonpayment of their hazard allowances approved by the Federal Government since 2013.

Workers under the

aegis of Non-Academic Staff Union, NASU, paralysed academic activities for several hours during the protest.

The protesters also locked all entrances to the university and prevented vehicular movement in and out of the institution for many hours.

The workers insisted

on employing all means to ensure the management paid allowances for about 64 months due them, an amount running into several millions of Naira.

Chairman of NASU, OAU chapter, Comrade Wole Odewunmi, explained that, “after this,

if the management refuses to respond to our demand, we will notify the management of an industrial action. This is just a notification ahead of our strike.

“We met with the prochancellor, but his response did not suit us. After I took the report of the meeting to our members,

they decided we should make our agitation known to the management and the public.

“For the past 64 months we have been owed hazard allowance and we have had several meetings that yielded no results. The two parties - government and management - keep pushing blames to one an-

other and it is this people we know that we will carry our protest to.”

Moreover, a circular obtained through Public Relations Officer of OAU, Mr. Biodun Olarewaju, explained that the university would pay the workers as soon as it gets the allowance from the Federal Government.

S’West APC not opposed to Buhari’s appointments, NASS leadership –Igbokwe

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Representative of Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr. Ben Ogbeha (6th left), representative of Commandant, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Brig.-Gen. Benjamin Sawyer (5th right), and participants, during the opening of NEMA simulation exercise in Jaji, Kaduna State, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Police storm NASS in search of Ekweremadu GEORGE OJI ABUJA

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en of Force Criminal Investigation Department, FCID, of the Nigeria Police Force yesterday stormed the National Assembly in search of Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who had been invited to Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Ekweremadu was invited by the police to answer allegations of forgery of the Senate Standing Rules, 2011, by a group of senators.

The FCID men were sighted at the National Assembly at 2pm and were led by a commissioner of police, apparently to question Ekweremadu over his role in the allegation of forgery.

It was not possible to ascertain the name of the commissioner of police who led the team of investigators because he was not wearing his name tag.

It was gathered that when the police officers could not see Ekweremadu, who was not in the office when the policemen visited, they left instructions for him to appear before them today at Force CID headquarters, Area 10, Garki, Abuja.

The police officers had also visited the offices of both the Clerk of the National Assembly

and office of the Clerk of the Senate.

It was not disclosed what transpired between the police investigators and the officers of the National Assembly visited.

The visit of the police men was however not unconnected with the allegations against Ekweremadu.

National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Olisa Metuh, said in a statement in Abuja on Sunday that the invitation by the police was a build up to what he described as, “phantom charges with a view to arresting and incarcerating Ekweremadu, and thereby creating a vacuum in the Senate to pave the way for imposition of a preferred APC senator to take his position.”

Meanwhile, Senator Ekweremadu has alleged threat to his liberty and life by desperate politicians.

But he has also declared that no amount of intimidation or harassment would stop him from carrying out the constitutionally prescribed duties, “which on June 9, 2015, PDP and APC senators willingly elected him in the full glare of the world to perform.”

In a statement yesterday in Abuja, Special Adviser to the Deputy Senate President, Uche Anichukwu, disclosed

that Ekweremadu has “assured all Nigerians and concerned members of the international community that everything was under control and that all democratic steps were being taken to preserve the nation’s democracy and protect the independence of the legislature.”

Ekweremadu was invited

by the Inspector General of Police to the Force Headquarters, Abuja, on Monday to answer questions on a petition filed against him by a group of senators, who alleged that he unilaterally altered certain provisions of the Senate Standing Rules 2011, relating to the election of the president of the Senate and that of the deputy.

Honda begins production of Accord Sedans in Nigeria –CEO

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onda Motor Company said it has begun building of cars in Nigeria by retooling parts of its factory that previously made motorcycles.

The firm’s new chief executive, Takahiro Hachigo, said this at his first news conference since taking over in June, yesterday, in Tokyo.

Hachigo said the company, which began production in July (this month), plans to produce 1,000 of its Accord sedans annually at the plant.

The new chief executive said Honda would boost production if the local market grows, adding that the plant would service other African countries.

Meanwhile, Hachigo also said that Honda has no plan

for now to provide financial aid to Takata Corp, the airbag supplier at the centre of a costly global airbag recall.

However, Hachigo said Honda has set aside enough to cover the cost of recalling over two million cars with potentially faulty airbag parts made by Takata.

“We have money budgeted for quality-related costs, as we did last year, and we think we can respond within this allocated amount,” Hachigo told reporters.

Last month, Honda revised its operating profit for the year ended March to 606.88 billion yen ($4.92 billion) from the 651.68 billion yen it reported in April to account for expanded recall costs.

ll Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday denied a claim that its South West caucus met over alleged lopsidedness in President Muhammadu Buhari’s appointments.

Lagos State spokesman of the party, Joe Igbokwe, in a statement said there was no iota of truth that the South West wing of APC ever met to take a position on federal appointments and leadership of the National Assembly, saying no chapter of the party has the mandate to take a position contrary that of John Odigie-Oyegun-led APC at the national level.

In a statement titled, ‘Re-APC SW frowns at Buhari’s tribal appointments, rejects Saraki, Dogara,’ Igbokwe blamed the misinformation on some fifth columnists, who never wanted unity in the APC fold.

The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to a story circulating online with the title: ‘SW APC frowns at Buhari’s Appointments, Rejects Saraki, Dogara.’

“This is to inform the general public that South West APC chairmen never met anywhere in the South West and did not in any way issue the purported statement.

“We consider it potentially dangerous and unacceptable that some persons or group of persons will resort to this type of petty politics either to entertain themselves or create further divisions within the APC family.

“We know we have some issues to resolve at the National Assembly but it has not come to the point that we have to use our hands to pull down a solid house that we built together.

“Consequently, we want to warn these mischief makers to desist from this ugly act that was framed in the first place to heat the polity and further embarrass the leadership of the party nationwide. This is the handwork of the enemies of our great party and they will fail at the fullness of time.

“We are therefore using this medium to appeal to APC leaders and supporters in the South West and Nigeria as a whole to be calm, and believe strongly that the dust raised by the National Assembly issues will soon be a thing of the past and our great party will bounce back stronger, solid and more united.”

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known as Miss Uroghome Charity Eriyodawe now wish to be known as Mrs Charity Ejiro Asamaigor. All former documents remain valid general public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Miss Laniyan Abiola Mariam now wish to be known as Mrs Adegoke Abiola Mariam, all former documents remain valid general public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Miss Adeyemi Adetola Tolulope now wish to be known as Mrs Ayodele-Oni Adetola Tolulope. All former documents remain valid public please note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Miss Charity Agwaoma Vincent now wish to be known as Mrs Charity Agwaoma Orem. All former documents remain valid general public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known as MRS OMOLARA DORCAS SOJI, now wish to be known and addressed as MISS OMOLARA DORCAS AZANOR. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

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Tuesday, July 7, 2015

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Buhari bails out states, okays N400bn for workers’ salaries CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

day.

While explaining what he met on ground, Idris said: “It is hovering between $1.6bn and $1.7bn, and that is what we are going to distribute among all the three tiers of governments, the federal, states and local governments based on the approved formula,” However, at last week’s NEC meeting, Edo State governor, Adam Oshiomhole, had disclosed that about $2bn was left in the ECA. Speaking further on the meeting with the President,

Idris explained that Buhari stressed the need for prudent management of resources.

“The general message is clear: Mr. President had a clear direction which we all have to fall in line with - prudent management of resources and identification of more alternative ways of generating revenue, which we are set to do and to manage the meager resources we found on ground very efficiently and effectively for the betterment of the economy,” he said.

Speaking earlier, permanent secretary Ministry of Finance, Anastasia DanielNwaobia, maintained that the state of the finances of the country was nothing to be worried about, stressing that it is in the right shape.

She said: “The state of Nigeria’s finances is okay; our finances are still okay, though we are still going through challenges of revenue stream to government, and this you know obviously is from the oil shock.

“The price of oil that has dropped; it has significantly reduced the revenue stream

to government; but we are working in other ways to see how we can shore up the revenue so that we will be able to meet our expenditure.”

She said there is a liability on subsidy payment, which was being verified by the CBN and the Budget Office.

“We did not say that we will not pay subsidy. Like the former minister said, there is a liability on subsidy, which is being verified by the CBN and theBudget Office of the Federation.

“The issue has to do with

the forex differentials which they were claiming and this committee is looking into it, and as soon as it is resolved we will be able to pay the verified amount also,” she added.

Daniel-Nwaobia described as unfair, reports of massive looting in the ministries as a result of the absence of ministers.

She noted that those making the allegation should come with evidence that there is largescale looting going on.

Come claim your wife, children, Lagos begs runaway husband FRANCIS SUBERU

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Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah (5th right), Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima (3rd left) and top military officers, during Army Day celebration in Maiduguri, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

SEC sets reclassification deadline for market operators, others TOLA AKINMUTIMI

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ecurities and Exchange Commission, SEC, yesterday directed all capital market operators proposing reclassification such as broker/ dealer to sub-broker or seeking to reduce their registered functions in view of the new minimum capital requirement, to notify the commission not later than the end of this month.

A statement by the management of the commission indicated that the directive, earlier communicated through a circular, also applies to capital market operators opting for mergers, acquisitions or any other form of business combination as well as those seeking to downsize from stockbroker to sub-broker; brokerdealer to either broker or dealer and from multiple functions to a single function, among others.

It would be recalled that the commission had on December 31, 2013 announced major increases in the minimum capital requirements for capital market functions under a new minimum capital structure that was initially scheduled to take off on January 1, this year but which was extended to September 30.

Under the revised minimum capital requirements regime, the minimum capital base for broker and dealer was increased by 329 per cent from N70m to N300m, while a broker, who currently operates with a capital base of N40m, is required to have N200m, representing an increase of 400 per cent.

In addition, the minimum capital base for a dealer increased by 233 per cent from N30m to N100m, just as issuing houses, which facilitate new issues in the primary market, are now required to have a

minimum capital base of N200m as against the current N150m.

The capital requirement for an underwriter also doubled from N100m to N200m.

Although, the capital requirements set for the various categories of operators in the market generated serious reactions from those affected as some claimed that over-capitalisation could be dangerous for the market as it may lead to a situation where too much funds will be chasing few stocks.

However, others maintained a contrary opinion, saying that the minimum capital base for the various players is desirable for deepening the capitalisation of the market and ensuring its sustainable growth.

For instance, the managing director of APT Securities and Funds, Garba Kurfi, noted that SEC con-

sulted widely before setting the new requirements but that brokers had expected lower capitalisation.

Kurfi also urged brokers to embrace mergers and acquisitions to meet the minimum capital requirement as announced by SEC. Debunking the allegation of non-consultation with stakeholders, the commission confirmed that the Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria, ASHON, and the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, CIS, were among stakeholders consulted before deciding and announcing the new minimum capital requirements.

SEC explained that the new capital regime was the outcome of a process, which commenced in 2010, with the setting up of a technical committee chaired by a former executive commissioner of operations in SEC.

She said the absence of ministers would not affect proper administration of ministries, saying that civil servants are the people that drive the affairs of government.

“I don’t think it is an issue to bother about.

Government is a continuum, even if you have political heads there, the engine room of the service is the civil servants, and we have continued to do our work,” DanielNwaobia said.

eputy Governor of Lagos State, Idiat Adebule yesterday urged the runaway husband of Mrs. Ruth Uche to come forward and take up the responsibility of caring for his family.

The deputy governor, who spoke while receiving Uche in her office, admonished her husband Benjamin, to be appreciative of the divine blessings that have come his way through the children.

Benjamin ran away from home when he discovered that his wife, who had given birth to twins at two different occasions repeated the magic the third time, bringing the total number of the family’s children to six.

Benjamin was a factory worker at Expression, a weavon making company in Iju road, Lagos, while Ruth works as a teacher in a private school. They live in a

one room apartment.

The deputy governor hosted Ruth in compliance with the directive Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, that the woman and her children be rehabilitated and assisted by all relevant government agencies to ensure they are in good condition.

Adebule sympathised with Ruth over the traumatic experience she has faced in trying to raise the six children alone.

She assured that the state government is ready to come to her aid and ensure the well-being of her children.

“As a woman and a mother, I can only imagine what you have gone through managing six children, it must have been energy sapping and depressing, but I salute your courage and I want to assure you that this government will not abandon you, we will stand by you and ensure that you are assisted to get back to a normal life,” Adebule assured.

Police arrest man with fake 1,250,000 euro at Lagos Airport OLUSEGUN KOIKI

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igeria Police, Airport Command, yesterday arrested a 45-year-old man at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja, Lagos, with fake currency.

The suspect, Mr. Lawrence Agbe, was allegedly in possession of 1,250,000 euro, about (N274m) suspected to be fake.

Commissioner of Police, Airport Police Command, Mr. Fredrick Lakanu, disclosed this to journalists at the airport.

Lakanu said the suspect was arrested when he want-

ed to board a flight out of the country at the international wing of the airport.

Lakanu emphasised that in a bid to further unravel where the fake foreign currency emanated from, the command got a search warrant to search the culprit’s printing press at Agege area of Lagos.

He explained that in the course of the search, over 2,000 police statement forms were recovered from the printing press.

Lakanu added that on further interrogation, the suspect mentioned one Steve, residing in Abuja but now at large as the owner of the fake currency.

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Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Oyo CP tours Oke-Ogun communities

…proffers solution to farmers/Fulani crises

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yo State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Muhammed Musa Katsina, has rounded off his official visits to Oyo and other divisional police stations in Oke-ogun area of Oyo State. The commissioner and his entourage was first received at Oyo Police Divisional Headquarters by Oyo Area Commander, Assistant Commissioner of police, ACP, Olawale Olokode, and other divisional police officers in the area.

The CP, who expressed readiness to work with other sister security agen-

cies in the state, used the opportunity of the visit to inspect the command headquarters, divisional police stations, police posts in Oyo, Iseyin, and Saki before leaving for Ibadan the following day.

At Oyo Area Command, Katsina advised the police and other security agencies, including Police Community Relations Committee, PCRC members, and others to work together and avoid being overzealous in the discharge of their duties.

He added that there should be understanding

between them, as police work is a joint effort of everybody in the society.

He stated that community policing was important because it affords the people the opportunity to give vital information, which could lead to the arrest and prosecution of criminals.

The CP later paid a courtesy visit to the Akibio of Ilora Oba Dr. Steven Oparinde Ilufemiloye II. On arriving at Iseyin, he also paid similar visit to the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Abdul-Ganiyu Adekunle Salaudeen, the Ajinase 1of

Iseyin.

At Iseyin and saki, the CP held meetings with the farmers association and Fulani herdsmen, where he proffer solutions to the crisis between the two and made them to understand that peace is the only solution development.

Katsina condemned act of criminality and advised people to report any criminal activities to the police.

He further stressed that nobody has the monopoly of violence, and warned that people should not take the law into their hands, by reprisal attacks.

L-R: Director of Agriculture, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr. Damilola Niaiyeju; Director, Finance and Accounts in the ministry, Mr. Mamman Idris; Executive Secretary, Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, Prof. Baba Yusuf Abubakar and Permanent Secretary, Mr. Sunday Echono, during a meeting on activities of the ministry with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Imam laments rivalry among clerics Abiodun nejo ADO EKITI

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resident, League of Imams and Alfas in South West, Edo and Delta states, Alhaji Jamiu Kewulere, has decried unhealthy rivalries and frosty relationship among notable Muslim clerics.

Kewulere, who lamented that disunity among Muslims had deprived the Muslim community of its rights in the past, urged Muslim faithful to overlook the shortcomings of one another in the spirit of Ramadan and forge a common front.

The Islamic cleric, who is also Grand Imam of Ekiti State, spoke at

the weekend during commissioning of an ultramodern 500-seater central mosque built by Akinbami Islamic Foundation at Federal Polytechnic Road, Ado Ekiti, for Friday Jumaat prayers, and Centre for Quranic Education. It is the third in the series built by the foundation.

At the event, Ustaz Ashiru Ayobami, was confirmed substantive chief imam of the new mosque by the grand imam.

Kewulere, who cautioned those stoking the ember of discord among clerics to desist forthwith or be prepare to face the wrath of God, said

tale-bearers and fifth columnists had no place in Islam, except that the reward of their good deeds shall be consumed in the day of reckoning.

The grand imam recalled the unhealthy rivalry that once existed between him and the Missioner of Ansar-ulDeen Society of Nigeria, Ekiti State Chapter, Alhaji Hadi Adebayo, reassuring that such sad episode would never be re-enacted.

Kewulere, however, promised to use his new position to further unite Muslims in the state and spread the tentacles of the religion.

In his lecture entitled:

"The Virtues of Ramadan," Alhaji Adebayo admonished Muslims to strive hard to attain the full benefits and rewards promised by Allah in the glorious month.

Earlier in his remark, the donor of the Mosque and founder of the Foundation, Alhaji Sulaiman Akinbami, said that he was inspired by generosity of spirit and philanthropist instinct of Arabians who always loved to share whatever they had with the poor.

Akinbami urged wellto- do Nigerians to always assist the poor and downtrodden so that the nation could banish poverty and hardship.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Med-View Airline flies re-opened Maiduguri route

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

becomes the first carrier in Nigeria to return to Maiduguri airport, which was shut for 18 months following consistent attacks by the Boko Haram.

The airline in a statement signed by its Managing Director, Alhaji Muneer Bankole, stated that it returned to the city in response to assurance by aviation authorities that Maiduguri Airport was safe for operations.

Bankole stated that the airline would commence operations to the city with four flights weekly, thereby reconnecting the region to other parts of the country.

Bankole said the four flights are on Fridays, Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays, stressing that the recommencement of flight operations to the city would reduce the long hours of stress on the road, which people of that region had been going through to get in and out of Maiduguri.

The statement added that the four flights from Lagos to Maiduguri would be routed via Abuja airport.

With Maiduguri, Kano and Kaduna on its schedule, MedView Airline now flies to eight destinations - Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Yola and Enugu on domestic routes - and Accra on regional route. Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire and Conakry, Guinea would soon join the Med-View network.

It would be recalled that just over the weekend, FAAN Managing Director, Engr Saleh Dunoma, had charged staff of the agency at Maiduguri International Airport to ensure total safety and security at all times.

He also told them to create comfortable ambience for air travellers and other users of the airport recently re-opened for commercial operations by the Federal Government, 18 months after closure.

Dunoma said these in an online statement signed by General Manager, Corporate Communications, FAAN, Mr. Yakubu Dati.

The Federal Government had on June 9, 2015, re-opened the Maiduguri International Airport for commercial activities, 18 months after it was closed following high insurgency activities in the state.

The airport was closed early in December 2013 few days after the insurgents launched a daring attack on the 79 Composite of the Nigerian Air Force base in Maiduguri and destroyed three military helicopters.

Since then, commercial airline operators had since suspended flight operations to the state and preferred to operate at the nearest airports within the city while air travellers board commercial vehicles to their destinations.

Ikere Ekiti monarch gets staff of office

…bemoans ascendancy dispute Abiodun nejo ADO EKITI

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he Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu, yesterday ascended the throne of his forefathers, having received the staff and other paraphernalia of office from the state governor.

Oba Adu, who said he would dedicate himself to the service of the community, told the people: "The time for unity among us has come as it is only in an atmosphere of unity and peace that progress and development can come."

The monarch, who hails from Agirilala Ruling House, spoke in Ikere Ekiti shortly after he received the staff of office at an elaborate event witnessed by Deputy Governor Kolapo Olusola,

top government officials, Ekiti monarchs, Ikere Ekiti kingmakers, chiefs and people.

Reflecting on the thorny road to the throne as obtainable in many Yoruba kingdoms, Oba Adu said the ascendancy dispute in Yorubaland was too high, describing it as unfortunate.

It would be recalled that crisis greeted Adu's election as monarch by the kingmakers, a situation that culminated in two different rounds of elections, all of which the monarch won convincingly to ascend the throne.

Speaking at the event, Governor Ayodele Fayose said the selection process was undertaken painstakingly in a transparent manner to ensure peace in the town.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Oyo PDP decries Ajimobi’s inactivity K emI O laItan IBADAN

O

ed the state and brought untold hardship on the people, because he had ran the state for four years and should have a reasonable blueprint by now.

He said, “Our party views the inactivity in governance more than a month after the second term inauguration

of the governor as a bad development. It is quite worrisome that Governor Ajimobi, after four years in office, is still comporting himself like a first term governor, who would have excuses about learning the ropes or sabotage from predecessors. We sincerely hope this slow motion

is not going to ruin Oyo State, as workers are still being owed and the economy continues to suffer.

“We call on the governor to wake up from his post-election hangover, elections are over and it is time to deliver the promises he made to the electorate.”

yo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday came hard on Governor Abiola Ajimobi, describing his inactivity since inauguration for another term in office as a poor.

The party in a statement issued by state Chairman, Alhaji Olayinka Taiwo, called on the governor to wake up from his slumber and set machineries in motion to ensure the well-being of people of the state, who have been groaning under the weight of economic hardship foisted on them by his government.

He flayed the governor for running a one-man show and economy of the state down as a result of his failure to appoint commissioners and others that would administer the state, just as he reminded him on the call by the party to declare his assets.

The party boss, who lauded the governor for heeding PDP’s advice on reduction of cost of governance and number of ministries in the state, however, said he has no excuse for the current inactivity that has ground- ICAN President, Otunba Femi Deru (right) and others during the laying of foundation stone for the 350 capacity lecture theatre at The Polytechnic Ibadan, recently.

UI ranked Nigeria's best varsity, 8th in Africa KemI OlaItan IBADAN

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ince establishment in 1948, the University of Ibadan, UI, has again recorded another achievement, emerging the best in Nigeria.

The enviable position of the university arose from the latest ranking of African universities and higher institutions conducted by Journals Consortium on 1,447 higher institutions.

National Mirror learnt the Journals Consortium made use of research publications and citations from the last five years (2010 to 2014) as well as visibility on the internet.

On Africa point of view, the University

of Ibadan was 8th best university in a ranking largely dominated by South African institutions, which occupied six of the first best 10 institutions.

The results of the ranking which is available on the web (http:// ranking.jour nalsconsortium.org/), revealed that South African institutions dominated the top ten, with University of Cape Town topping the rank with Total Influence factor (TIF) of 45.02, followed by Cairo University (43.43) and the University of Pretoria (43.35).

The top ten include six institutions from South Africa, two from Egypt and one each from Kenya and Nigeria (University of Ibadan).

First generation universities were in top positions in the latest ranking with University of Ibadan coming 8th in Africa and first in Nigeria, followed by University of Nigeria, Nsuka (13th), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (18th), University of Lagos, UNILAG, (20th), Obafemi Awolowo University,Ile -Ife (24th), University of Ilorin (31st), University of Portharcourt (36th), Nnamdi Azikiwe University (42nd), University of Calabar (43rd), Federal University of Technology (FUTA-49) while the only private university in the top list is Covenant University which is placed 53rd in the ranking.

Reacting to the ranking, the Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Pro-

fessor Isaac Adewole, said the vision of the university is to be a world-class institution for academic excellence geared towards meeting societal needs.

He added that the university will not rest on its oars until it ranks at par with renowned universities and higher institutions globally, saying his administration was poised to expand the frontiers of knowledge through provision of excellent conditions of learning and research.

The Vice Chancellor, however, called for special funding status for the university from the Federal Government for its vision and mission to be fully realised towards transformation of the Nigerian society through creativity and innovation.

9

Counsel’s absence stalls murder suspect’s arraignment mattheW IrInOye

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he scheduled arraignment of alleged killer of a Lagos-based human rights lawyer, Kunle Fadipe, before a Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, was stalled yesterday due to absence of counsel to the suspect, Seun Oladapo.

While addressing the court, Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, Mrs Idowu Alakija, who the lead prosecution counsel said was ready to go on with the matter, but added that the defendant was not represented by a counsel.

Presiding judge, Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye, asked the defendant if he had any lawyer to represent him in court.

In response, Oladapo said he would call his family, adding that he never knew he would be brought to court.

Following the development, Justice Ipaye ordered the DPP to send his case file to the Office of Public Defendant, OPD, and notify them of the adjourned date.

She also ordered that the

defendant should make arrangement for a lawyer, adding that the court cannot wait till eternity.

Justice Ipaye subsequently adjourned till July 22, 2015, for arraignment and ordered the DPP to write OPD and furnish them with proof of evidence.

It would be recalled that a year ago, Fadipe was stabbed to death in his resident at Harmony Estate, Ifako/Ijaye, on July 3, 2014.

It was reported that about 11:30 pm when the estate was plunged into darkness following power outage, the lawyer sent his son to switch on the generating set and as the boy came out from the house, the assailant, who was armed with a knife, seized the boy and ordered him to take him to his father.

As soon as the man got to Fadipe, he stabbed him in the neck and back before his daughter ran out of the apartment to call for help.

One of the security guards in the estate rushed in and another guard came in and shot the suspect in the leg.

Group lauds Buhari over Zakari’s appointment Wale IgbIntade

T

he STAGE for Women 2019 Project Coalition has commended President Muhammadu Buhari over the choice of Mrs. Amina Bala Zakari as Acting Chairperson of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. Zakari was appointed following the exit of Professor Attahiru Jega as INEC Chairman.

The group in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Dr. Angela Daniel, described the appointment as a plus for Nigerian women.

The group added that the appointment of a woman as Acting Chairperson of INEC comes at a crucial time when necessary reforms to enhance women’s integration into the political process were needed more than ever.

The STAGE for Women 2019 Project Coalition expressed the hope that the appointment will pave the way for more women to contribute and strengthen President Buhari’s firm belief “that women

hold up half the sky”.

The statement reads ‘’The coalition appreciates President Buhari for considering a woman for this position. It is indeed proof that President Muhammadu Buhari will be committed to his electoral promises that his leadership will among others, ensure that gender is mainstreamed throughout all the government’s commitments in key areas of national development, implement the 2005 National Gender Policy, include gender as a component of federal character, as well as improve and strengthen support for women in all sectors of the economy’’. ‘’The STAGE for Women 2019 Project Coalition stands for Strategies to achieve gender equality for women and is committed to promoting gender equality in leadership roles between men and women, which is now globally accepted as a development strategy for reducing poverty levels, improving health and living standards and enhancing efficiency in resource allocation and public investments.

10

South East

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ebonyi set to boost IGR through culture, tourism AliunA Godwin ABAKALIKI

E

bonyi State government yesterday restated its readiness to boost the state’s internally generated revenue, IGR, through culture and tourism.

Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Euphemia Nwali, made this known in Abakaliki during inauguration of the central planning committee for the state’s home-coming event of Ebonyi stars in the media and entertainment industry slated for August 6 to 8, 2015.

She said the government was prepared to improve the tourism sector of the state.

“It is not in doubt that our cultural heritage and potential, which we have been showcasing to the entire world, has suffered setback due to neglect by past administrations," she said, adding that the forthcoming event "will draw investors from all over the country to visit and invest in Ebonyi and also put the state in rank

with others in the federation in terms of entertainment.

She commended the doggedness of Governor Dave Umahi in laying emphasis toward boosting the revenue generation of the state just as she urged committee members to show more commitment and effort towards the forthcoming event, as it would generate revenue for the government.

Earlier in a remark, Dr. Jerry Uhuo, who leads the committee, noted the commitment of the committee to help the state government generate at least N100 million every month, adding that the reason for organising the homecoming of Ebonyi stars in the media and entertainment industry was to bring home directors in the entertainment industry so as to help develop the state.

He lamented the failure of hotels and restaurants, among other establishments in the state to pay rent to the state government, stressing that the situation has adversely affected the IGR of the state.

Tribunal strikes out APC motion against Ihedioha Chris njoku OWERRI

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mo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Owerri yesterday struck out a motion filed by Governor Rochas Okorocha of the All Progressives Congress, APC, against the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the PDP on issues relating to the mode of service to respondents.

The counsel representing the 1st respondent, Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), noted that the parties were not properly served, stating that the APC was supposed to have been served at its headquarters in Abuja instead of Owerri.

Aligning with that submission, the 37th respondent (APC) counsel, Chief Nelson Ezerioha, observed that service to the client was fundamentally defective and therefore null and void, stating that in that circumstance, no motion could be moved until all the necessary services were duly con-

cluded.

While the 15th respondent, Robert Okwuego, who was APC’s agent in Oru East during the governorship election, said he had not been personally served, counsel for the 13th and 14th respondents, S.N. Nnadi, admitted that his clients were duly served and that he was ready to go on with the matter.

Counsel to the petitioner, Chief Mike Ahamba (SAN), had earlier addressed the tribunal on the need to go on with the pre-hearing session having had parties put on notice through the pre-hearing questionnaire which they had duly answered.

But the three-member tribunal, chaired by Justice David Wyom, upheld the submission of Hon. Ihedioha and PDP lead counsel that the respondents were properly served since the petitioner served a copy of the petition at the state head office of the APC, stating that once the parties have been served whether at the headquarters or its branch office, it was service duly done.

L-R: Abia State SSA Media, Mr. Ugochukwu Emezuo; Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Godwin Adindu; Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and Deputy Chief of Staff, Elder John Nwagborogwu, during a maiden world press conference in Umuahia, yesterday.

CAN demands relocation of B’Haram prisoners ChArles okeke AWKA

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hristian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Anambra State chapter, has called on the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency relocate the Boko Haram inmates from Ekwulobia Prisons in the state to any of the northern states where they allegedly committed offences for which they were arrested.

CAN's call yesterday for government to hasten and remove the Boko Haram prisoners from Ekwulobia Prisons came amid protest by various Christian women, youth wings of CAN as well as their clerics at the

Emmaus House in Awka, Anambra State capital.

Speaking at the end of an emergency meeting of the state executive and leaders of CAN forum in the state, chairman of CAN in the state, Senior Apostle Tim Okpala, said the insurgents should be transferred to any other place or places in the country, but not Anambra State or any part of South East, as a matter of urgency.

Reading the content of the communiqué issued at the end of CAN’s meeting in Awka yesterday, Apostle Okpala stated that much as they were aware that Ekwulobia Prisons is a federal establishment and that the Federal Government has the right to use it for in-

mates from any part of the country, it should be noted that bringing Boko Haram insurgents to Ekwulobia Prisons in Anambra State constitutes serious security threat to the lives and property of people of the state.

Okpala had on the occasion, which was attended by five bishops from Catholic and Anglican churches, as well as heads of all the groups that make up CAN, maintained that leaving the insurgents in Anambra State could inflict emotional injuries on the people, who have been living in the relatively peaceful Ekwulobia environment.

He also urged the Federal Government to take the dreaded inmates to a well-

armed military barracks or maximum security prisons. He urged the people of Anambra State to remain calm.

Among the bishops present were the Archbishop of Niger Province, Church of Nigeria, Rev. (Dr.) Christian Efobi; Catholic Archbishop of Awka, Dr. Paulinus Ezeokafor, Anglican Bishop of Awka Diocese, Dr. Alexander Ibezim, Bishop Johnson Ekwe of Niger West, Anglican Communion, Bishop Sam Ezeofor of Ogbaru Diocese.

Okpala lamented that some people living around Ekwulobia prisons have started relocating, while those remaining are living in palpable fear.

Ikpeazu declares war against ghost workers, padding of salaries GeorGe opArA ABIA

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overnor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has declared government’s resolve to deal decisively with civil servants found racketeering on salary padding and ghost workers.

He said the twin monsters have unduly raised the state’s wage bill astronomically.

The perpetrators, according to him, are unpatriotic top civil servants, who in their various official

work schedules have put the coffers of the state under pressure for their own enrichment.

Ikpeazu disclosed this in his maiden press briefing with newsmen yesterday at the banquet hall of Government House, Umuahia, to mark his first one month in office while answering questions on how his administration would cope with payment of arrears of salaries owed workers in the state.

It was uncovered that workers in the state’s ministries are being owed two

months’ salaries (May and June), while those in parastatals, institutions and agencies are being owed four to five months’ salary arrears (February – June).

However, the governor promised that his administration would begin to service the arrears of wage bills he inherited from the immediate past administration by starting with payment of one month’s salary dating back to when he assumed duty before sorting out payment of other accumulated arrears gradually.

Explaining further, Ik-

peazu said his body language, however, does not betray the fact that the state was financially unhealthy as he inherited both assets and liabilities.

However, the governor blamed agencies and institutions of state that generate revenue internally for not sincerely disclosing how much they generate monthly to determine government’s subvention, stressing that these are fundamental questions that have to be answered to forestall financial crisis.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

11

Tears as ex-military officer narrates how NDA ‘murdered’ his son a za msue KADUNA

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ing Commander, Danladi Angulu Kwasu (rtd), yesterday broke down in tears while narrating how the Nigerian Defence Academy, NDA, ‘murdered’ his 19-year-old officer cadet son, Elshaddai Zishindung Kwasu.

Addressing a news conference in Kaduna, Kwasu, who could not hold back tears, said his son with NDA/10037 identification was admitted into the academy last September as a member of the 66th Regular Course, adding that the young boy was sent to his untimely grave through a combination of gross negligence and deliberate action and inaction by the NDA. Kwasu, who is also a member of Kaduna State House of Assembly, said

the late Elshaddai died in April this year as a result of drowning "occasioned by gross negligence combined with some deliberate acts on the part of the NDA and its associates."

Kwasu called on the academy to release the unedited recordings of activities leading to the death of his son.

"I am here today to cry out, to let the world know and also protest the way and manner the NDA murdered my son through a combination of gross negligence and deliberate action and inaction. My 19-year-old son, Officer Cadet Elshaddai Zishindung Kwasu (NDA/10037), was admitted into the NDA in September, 2014; as a member of the 66th Regular Course.

"He was in year one at the time of the incidence. My son died on 30th April, 2015, as a result of drowning, occasioned by gross negli-

gence, combined with some deliberate acts on the part of the NDA and her associates.

The NDA carried them for a camping exercise (Camp Highland). In the course of the exercise, the NDA staff pushed him into the water of the Kangimi dam (in the outskirt of Kaduna) at the deepest part of the dam. He was pushed into this deep water from a platform that is some metres high above the water.

"According to eyewitnesses, before my son was pushed into the water, he told his colleagues his reservations on the idea of using a rope as safety measure; and the NDA staff overheard him.

"When my son disappeared into the water, the NDA staff watched helplessly as there was no any safety measure in place. Note that no life jacket was provided and there was no any life-

guard or diver that could go into the water to save the boy. The NDA running out of ideas on what to do, then called in local fishermen to use their fishhooks to search for my son inside the water.

“Consequently, from the time the boy disappeared from the surface of the water at about 9am, it took the NDA three hours to bring him out from the water (at 11:55am) via the services of local fishermen.

“They (NDA) callously used a fishhook that hooked him by the mouth like a fish and dragged him out of the water, dead. It was only after the death of my son that the NDA authority went and brought life jackets for others to use. It was also then that they brought in four local rescuers to be on standby.

"Unfortunately, this is the institution that is supposed to train young officers that are to lead our troops into

Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel (5th left) with new commissioners and special advisers after swearing-in at Government House in Uyo, yesterday.

battle ground to defend our father land.

"I will not keep quite in the face of this kind of impunity. I will take all steps at my disposal to address this impunity and incompetence as displayed by the NDA authority. This is necessitated by the fact that my son was not the first officer cadet in NDA to get drowned due to negligence and incompetence on the part of the authority. To date, not less than 20 officer cadets have suffered this fate; such cases include the

3,634 tourists visit Point-of-No-Return Island in 6 months —Official

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ecretary of Tour Guides Association, Badagry, Mr. Anago James, said yesterday that 3,634 tourists visited the Point-of-No-Return Island, also known as Gberefu Island, between January and June this year.

James disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Badagry, Lagos State.

He said the figure would have been higher if the tourist site had all the modern-day facilities required.

“The amount of tourists that visited here within the period under review is still relatively okay, because of the effort of tour guides in making tourists see things from a different perspective.

“If the tourist site had modern day facilities like chalets, where the tourists could stay, tents and restaurants, among others, the tourist that visit here would

Plateau Assembly, Lalong may clash over councils James abraham JOS

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overnor Sımon Lalong of Plateau State and members of the House of Assembly are set to clash over the latter’s dissolution of 17 council areas in the state.

Governor Lalong had in a statement yesterday dissolved the 17 council areas in the state.

Also dissolved were all members of the executive arm, councilors and other political appointees in the council areas.

Both chairmen and the

councilors, who were elected under the administration of former Governor Jonah Jang, last year were yet to complete their threeyear tenure as allowed by the Constitution.

But Governor Lalong, who had earlier said he would not dissolve the elected councils, however, said yesterday that their dissolution was in the exercise of the powers conferred on him by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Edict establishing the Local Government Council Administration in the state.

The statement signed by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Emmanuel Nanle, quoted Secretary to State Government, Hon. Rufus Bature, as saying that the governor directed all the dissolved chairmen of councils; all members of the executive arm, councillors and other political appointees to hand over all government properties in their possession to Directors of Personnel Management, DPM, of the 17 local government councils.

The statement also added all security operatives in the various local governments

and particularly the DPOs and members of the various labour unions in the local governments are to ensure that all government properties are secured in the custody of all the DPMs in line with the directive.

The statement added that the governor has also approved the appointment of Mrs. Hulda Fwangchi as the new Head of Civil Service of the State. Until her appointment, Mrs. Fwangchi was a permanent secretary with the state government; she replaces Mr. Ezekiel Dalyop who, until now, was the

case of Officer Cadet Ambele, Officer Cadets Barau and two others, in addition to cases of the over 15 officer cadets that got drowned in Onne, among others.

“Yesterday, it was all these people; today it is my son; tomorrow it could be anybody,” Kwasu said.

Meanwhile, our correspondent’s calls and text messages to NDA’s public relations officer on behalf of Commandant, Major General Muhammad Inuwa Idris, were not answered or replied.

Head of Service of the State.

But the state House of Assembly yesterday said it was shocked by the governor's action.

House Majority Leader, Hon. Daniel Dem, who expressed the feeling of his colleagues, told journalists in Jos yesterday that the House was shocked by the action of the governor because he had earlier vowed to govern the state according to the rule of law, only for him to turn round to rubbish the same constitutional provision that brought him to power.

have been more because the place would be more attractive.

“Most times, tourists bring their food because there is no restaurant or bar on the island, which should not be the case.

“There are no modern facilities here; so many tourists that visited here do not spend time here as they just come, see what they want to see and leave.

“The state government started building chalets and a walk path, but it has been abandoned for several months as the chalet structures are still at foundation level.

“The state government needs to rebrand the place so as to make it more attractive for tourists - to always want to visit regularly or come back to,’’ he said.

James noted that the tourist site does not have toilets for tourists.

“Most times, tourists who visit here have to resort to the bushes whenever they want to use the bathroom because there are no toilets here.

“Also, there are no waste bins; so sometimes, the place is dirty, especially the beach side. We always try to clean up the place but our efforts are not enough because the basic facilities like waste bins and toilets are not available,’’ he added.

James, who is also a blogger, added that despite the challenges, the tourist site still has all its historic relics.

He noted that a certain percentage of the money was paid to the community for each tourist that comes.

12

North

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Jos blasts: Death toll hits 44 ...Lalong orders re-introduction of checkpoints

JaMes abrahaM JOS

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eath toll from last Sunday’s twin bomb blasts ın Jos, Plateau State capital, has risen to 44, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, confirmed yesterday.

According to NEMA, the blasts, which occurred at Bauchi Road and DilimiYan Taya axis of Jos North Local Government Area on Sunday night, also left 47 others critically injured.

The first blast occurred about 9:30pm around Yantaya area of the local government near a mosque, while the second went off 10 minutes later near the

University of Jos consultancy hostel.

Speaking with journalists at the premises of Plateau State Hospital, where most of the injured victims were receiving treatment, NEMA North Central Zonal Coordinator, Mr Mohammed Abdulsalami said, “As at 3am, we had 44 people dead, while 47 are injured and majority of them are in the Intensive Care Unit, ICU, of the hospital.

“This was the first hospital we brought them, but because of the casualty figure, the hospital facility was overstretched, so we took some of them to Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jankwano and

Our Lady of Apostle, OLA, Hospital.”

He added that the agency has made provision for some consumables to be used in treating the patients, but more would be provided based on requirements of the hospitals.

Abdulsalami commended the action of the medical personnel for obeying the call by the state’s chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, for members to come and assist in tending the injured.

When National Mirror visited Plateau Specialists Hospital yesterday, doctors were seen battling to save the lives of some of the injured victims who were

writhing in pains on their beds.

Relations of the injured victims were also seen trooping in, in search of their loved ones.

A survivor of the blast, Zacharaih Ahmed said: “We were inside a Mosque when we started hearing gunshots, in the process people started running outside; it was in the process that the bomb blast took off.

In his words: “I was lucky to have escaped. After the blast we saw plenty of mutilated bodies of those killed in the blast all over the premises.”

He however, said that more than 40 corpse were

seen at the scene of the blast at the premises of the Mosque.

Meanwhile, Plateau State Governor, Sımon Lalong, has ordered that the check points earlier dismantled by security agents in the state be returned, so as to checkmate the rising wave of insecurity.

The governor described as unfortunate the incidence of the bomb blasts at Bauchi Road and Dilimi -Yan Taya as well as the sporadic gun shots within the Jos Metropolis on Sunday.

Lalong in a press statement signed by his Director of Press Affairs, Emmauel Nanle, yesterday called on all Jos North residents and the entire citizens of the state to remain calm in the midst of the unfortunate multiple bomb blasts and sporadic gun shots in the neighbourhood of DilimiYan Taya and Bauchi road.

The statement reads; “It is regrettable that at a time when Moslem faithful have

settled to the fulfill a religious obligation, agents of death, chaos and anarchy have chosen to disrupt the peace of the state by orchestrating a spade of sporadic bomb blast to portray a state of dissatisfaction that pitches otherwise peaceful cohabitants against themselves.”

Lalong, commiserates with all the victims of this heinous crime and calls on all citizens of the state to remain calm and stand in solidarity with one another in the face of this onslaught by agents of death on our collective resolve to remain as one united people in spite of ethnic and religious difference.

Meanwhile, in view of the security situation in the state, occasioned by the bomb blasts, Lalong has directed the immediate suspension and rescheduling of the flag off and sales of fertilizer for the 2015 cropping season, earlier scheduled for Tuesday, (today) at Bassa Local Government Area to a later date.

Boko Haram: Adamawa to submit N23bn bill to FG Livinus Menedi YOLA

Cross-section of Kaduna State chairmen of local government caretaker committees, taking oath of office in Kaduna, yesterday.

El-Rufai scraps state, LGs joint account

a za Msue KADUNA

K

aduna State Governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, yesterday abolished ‘state, local government joint account’, saying his government would be remitting its ten per cent of Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, to local government councils in the state.

Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the governor, Samuel Aruwan, who disclosed this in a statement shortly after the governor sworein chairmen of Interim Management Committees of the state’s 23 local government councils, said

the governor also warned the chairmen against residing outside their local government areas.

He advised that anyone of them who cannot live in the local government he has been appointed to serve should vacate the office.

El-Rufai said, “You have no excuse to fail. Perform and bring real development to our state at the local government level. I am using this occasion to fulfill our campaign promises, during the campaign we said we would not hold local government funds, if elected.

“Therefore, I am happy to inform you that the government under our watch has formally abol-

ished joint account in Kaduna State, there will be no more holding local government funds hostage under the pretence of joint account.

“Added to this, I also wish to inform you that the government will do its best to be remitting ten percent of the state’s Internally Generated Revenue to the local government areas of our dear state. Like I said, we must deliver; we can’t let our people down.

“You must take security serious, partner with traditional rulers and religious leaders and the entire stakeholders. Don’t be arrogant to your people; you are assigned to serve them and nothing more

than that. We will not hesitate to call you to order if you think you will play with our people and the trust vested in you.

The governor also asked that the interim local government chairmen should submit within two weeks a list of government assets such as schools and hospitals that have been encroached on by trespassers.

El-Rufai assured them that they will be supported by able personnel to help them succeed.

“We did not appoint you because of your religion, ethnicity or where you come from. You have been appointed to work and bring positive change,’’ he said.

A

damawa State government will on Wednesday present to President Muhammadu Buhari a bill worth N23 billion as the amount needed to repair damaged public institutions destroyed

by Boko Haram in the state, Governor Mohammed Bindow has said.

The governor, who disclosed this yesterday at Government House, Yola, while receiving report of the ad- hoc committee set up to assess the impact of insurgency on public institutions, said the N23 billion is the amount estimated to get destroyed public institutions, including schools, security formations and hospitals in the affected local government councils operational again.

He said report of the committee, which he

received and promised to present to President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday, was in line with the Presidency’s directive to governors of the North East region to furnish the Federal Government with report of the impact of Boko Haram attacks in their respective states.

He further added that the state government set up the committee made up of credible bureaucrats and drawn from key ministries in view of the importance government places on the report.

Earlier, while presenting report of their findings to the governor, Permanent Secretary, Government House, Mr Ibrahim Emmanuel, who served as committee chairman, said N23 billion was required for all destroyed public institutions occasioned by Boko Haram insurgency to normalcy.

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

SUPER TUESDAY

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

13

Politics

Dogara must be fair to all factions, parties –Agbonayinma

14 Borno State governor and chairman, Norther Governors’ Forum, NGF, Kashim Shettima, has been one of the governors faced with challenges of governance in the midst of Boko Haram terrorists’ activities.

Throughout his last four years tenure, beginning from 2011 to 2015, Borno State has witnessed deadly attacks and sacking of communities. Presently, 22 out of the 27 local government areas of the state were sacked with over 1 million Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, who were camped in Maiduguri being catered for by the state government.

Although most of these local government areas, according to military claims have been liberated, but the big question that begs for answer is: are these liberated council areas like, Abadam, Mobbar, Monguno, Bama, Askira-Uba, Konduga, Mafa, Gamboru Ngala, Kalabalge, Marte, Dikwa, Nganzai, Gubio and Damboa among others accessible to fleeing residents?

The simple answer is no. This was just as it is estimated that tens of billions of naira would be required to reconstruct destroyed structures and fumigate the communities before they become habitable.

Shettima, who has been re-elected for a second term in the 2015 general elections, is confronted with a lot of challenges in his second term, topmost of which is managing the insecurity posed by insurgents who have continued their sustained deadly attacks using suicide bombers and other missions.

Coupled with this is the dwindling economic fortune of the state, as there were no means of getting revenue/ income to the state from internally generated revenue, IGR, following the closure of many business outfits and schools for fear of attacks, thus foreclosing generation of any income from such businesses.

But, determined to confront these challenges headlong, particularly unemployment, which many have attributed to the rise in the ranks of insurgents, Shettima in his inaugural speech after he took the oaths of office and allegiance for second term alongside his deputy, Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha, promised to work tirelessly on job creation, insisting that the present high level of unemployment in the state in particular and the country as a whole has made turned many energetic youths into “political trekkers”.

The governor after the oaths administered on him by the state chief judge, Justice Kashim Zannah, said: “We are seriously worried by the throng of unemployed youths in Borno. An idle and desperate mind is often vulnerable to external manoeuvre which also lead to poverty and criminal act.”

The governor, who said though he does not mean to disrespect some Nigerian youths that invented a new way of celebration by embarking on long distance trekking from one extreme point to another, maintained that lack of employment provided the time and environment for embarking on such exercise.

He said: “I really do not think any youth that is gainfully employed could have embarked on trekking for weeks. For me, I have taken note of two messages from these trekkers. The first message is a strong and bold reminder that there are no jobs for the youths in Nigeria.

“The second, which I consider more seriously, is that Nigerian youths have the courage and strength to do what many leaders never thought they could do. If youths can trek from one state to another, it means they have potentials for good use while they have strength to revolt like lions in the event they are pushed to the wall.

We must create jobs for Nigerian youths.”

He said this year’s Democracy Day celebration is a moment of hope for the people of his state and Nigeri-

Shettima and governance challenges amidst Boko Haram insurgency

INUSA NDAHI writes on the challenges of governance in Borno State in the face of Boko Haram insurgency and how Governor Kashim Shettima intends to confront the challenges in the enxt four years.

Shettima

ans, following the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Shettima said enormous possibilities also lay ahead for the people, adding that Borno people have suffered enough under Boko Haram insurgency, alleging that the outgone President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration did not do enough to save the situation.

“The situation was often difficult, especially because we faced a hostile Federal Government, which lived in denial about the savagery of Boko Haram and which also saw the insurgency from the most perverted, narrow and irresponsible prism, that somehow, the insurgency had been fuelled against it, by the political and other elites of this part of Nigeria.”

Governor Shettima, while making a clarion call on his people to join him to confront some of the challeng-

it becomes imperative that willing members of the

boko haram sect

that want to come out of the bush must be given the opportunity to be

de-radicalised and then rehabilitated to become useful citizens of the society.

es in the next four years said: “We need the support of all our people to consolidate the returning peace in our state. This support is essential, and we appeal to all our people, no matter the party you belong to or whichever candidate you voted for, in the last election.

“Our community needs all of us to work together to consolidate the peace; this is because the consolidation of the peace offers the best opportunity to begin to rehabilitate the hundreds of communities that were devastated by the insurgency. It is also by the united endeavour of all of us that we can provide the basis to return our people to their livelihoods, so that we can rebuild solidarity and community ethos, which have all been the basis of our well-known civilisation in Borno; one of the greatest civilisations to be constructed on the African continent!

“As a government, we will be dedicated to the promotion of an all-inclusive growth; that would focus on Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, the Three Rs. This is a matter of principle for us, because unless we want to engage in an endless war of attrition, that will be hallmarked by the continuing destruction of lives and property, it becomes imperative that willing members of the Boko Haram sect that want to come out of the bush must be given the opportunity to be de-radicalised and then rehabilitated to become useful citizens of the society.

“It is never easy to accept back into the community, those who have taken up arms, killed, pillaged, raped and destroyed, but on the long run, society must make very expensive choices for peace, reconciliation and development. We are therefore appealing to the Federal Government of Nigeria and the international community to assist our endeavour in that regard.

“We are also committed to a Borno process dedicated to Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, to which all will be invited to participate in. We believe that the Borno State government, the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the international community, should work together, for a concerted ‘Marshall Plan’ initiative for Borno State in particular and the Nigerian North-East geo-political zone in general, where millions of people have suffered tremendously from the years of deprevation, suffering and death, associated with the Boko Haram insurgency.”

There is no gainsaying the fact that education is the bedrock of the modernisation and the development of any society, but unfortunately, all the developmental effort put in place to uplift the education sector by the Governor Shettima-led administration, have not yielded any positive output, as almost all the newly renovated and constructed primary and secondary schools across the state were destroyed by insurgents, even as secondary schools remained close in the past one year.

However, the governor in his second term inaugural speech said: “Citizens can bear testimony to the visible changes in our primary, secondary and tertiary schools.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 44

14

Politics

W

hat is your observation of the leadership tussle plaguing the House of Representatives?

Politics is about give and take; lobbying one another, consulting one another, and if it comes to a point where you should dialogue, you dialogue. You also disagree to agree and agree to disagree. But unfortunately, in Nigeria, democracy is the demonstration of craziness, where people are always working for their own selfish interests. Politics should be about putting the nation forward. It’s about putting Nigeria first.

We are elected to serve the people and we must carry the people along. It’s not only to legislate or continue to pass bills, motions and resolutions, but to continue to adhere to the great tenets and political doctrine of loyalty, participation, commitment and dedication to our dear nation. Regardless of our political affiliation, we must all, collectively, put Nigeria first. We must know that we were elected by the people to represent their interests. We are elected to serve the people, so we must make sure that regardless of our political affiliations, we work for the interest of the people.

But unfortunately, what has happened so far is pathetic, appalling and unacceptable. My constituents and my children asked me questions about lawmakers throwing punches on the floor of the House, during the past saga between the All Progressives Congress, APC, members. But the sad situation puts the APC on trial, rather than the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. So the APC should put its house in order. Because there was no need for what happened on the floor of the House to have happened. We have a duly elected Speaker of the House of Representatives, in the person of Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara and again, whether some people voted for him or not, is not the issue. Today he is the Speaker of the House, and we must make sure that we work together with him to make sure Nigerians receive the dividends of democracy.

If there is any issue at all, it is coming from the APC angle. I think their problems should be resolved outside the floors of the National Assembly. The National Assembly is not APC secretariat and neither is it a PDP secretariat, so we must come together as elected members to work together, so that at the end of the day, we can all see Nigeria moving forward. Like the Speaker rightly said before, in a country of about 170 million people, we are lucky to be selected to come to the National Assembly and represent our constituencies and so we should not abuse that privilege.

It is expected that as soon as the House resumes, the issue of who heads committees would come up. How would you advise the leadership to go about it?

Anything about administration is about bargaining.

You have to go out there are consult and ask for what you want. You have to ask, because the Lord Himself said: ‘Ask and it shall be given’. But it’s not all the time that human beings ask for what they want and they are given or what they need is available. But the most important thing is that the Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, should be able to go beyond political rhetoric, to be able to do what is right. We have good and competent people in the House across political divides and he should not forget that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, gave him huge support and also don’t forget that we have some APC members who contested with him like Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, who is very outstanding and was even considered by his party, but conceded defeat and must be treated with respect. And at the end of the day, we have leaders of the PDP in the House who have huge experience; somebody like Leo Ogor, who was Deputy Majority Leader then in the seventh National Assembly and we hope he will be the Minority Leader. But on that note I believe that we can all come together and the sharing of various committees will not be an issue.

However we were not sent to the House to chair particular committees or belong to any committee. We were sent to serve and anything that God gives you to do, do it well and at the end of the day, you are serving God and also serving your people.

The last administration is said to have left the economy in a bad state. Governor Adams Oshiomhole even accused the former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Dogara must be fair to all factions, parties –Agbonayinma

•Says Reps must probe Okonjo-Iweala on state of economy Hon E. J Agbonayinma, represents Egor/Ikpogba Okha federal constituency of Edo State in the House of Representatives, under the platform of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. He speaks passionately, but objectively with TORDUE SALEM on the crisis in the House, committee allocation, PDP’s choice of leaders in the Green Chamber and the nation’s economy. Excerpts: that she never did anything wrong, well she might have indicted herself with that singular statement, because at the end of the day she might have to prove beyond every reasonable doubt that everything that she did, was to save this country money.

A lot of people have been curious to know what happened. Even me myself I would want her to come to a public hearing and talk to us. Even the Comrade Governor might have an evidence to prove that the woman stole money, and by the way, let’s call a spade a spade, for somebody who came from the World Bank, was that the best she could give her country? Is that the performance expected from somebody who came from such a high position in World Bank? How can she exonerate herself of the ruinous state our economy? So I feel strongly that she has questions to answer from Nigerians at a public hearing where the economy will be broken down sector by sector and she will answer questions on what went wrong.

Agbonayinma

Iweala, of ruining the finances of the country. What is your take on this?

For me, in a court of Law, until you are proven guilty, you are innocent. But of course, as you know that we also have the people’s court, and in the people’s court, once you have been identified as some one that is a criminal and has stolen money, the people’s court can always say that you are guilty as charged. But however, I would like to see true evidence, and as a National Assembly, we have the responsibility to make sure that everything is done right in this country. So there is nothing wrong in encouraging my colleagues to call for a public hearing so that we will be able to find out the facts behind the allegations that the Ministry of Finance under the last administration pilfered money.

I would like to know what happened to the finances of the country and what happened to the monies that have been alleged missing or not lodged in the Federation Account in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution. Even though people say that the past President tried as much as possible, and we must give him credit, because when you point a finger at someone, the rest are pointing at you, because there is no perfection in any human being. But if Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said

But the most important thing is that the

speaker, hon. YakuBu Dogara, shoulD Be aBle to go BeYonD political

rhetoric, to Be aBle to Do what is right.

Are you for the restructuring of the country’s economy or its diversification?

I have often said that government has no business doing business. Government must be creative to get investors to invest in different sectors of the economy. While I was growing up, I could see cocoa in the South, I could see palm oil in the East and groundnut pyramids in the North. This idea of every state government coming to the centre to dip hands and take from the federal allocation and go back and pay salaries and wait for another time will not sustain us, and that is why governors are finding it difficult to pay salaries now.

When you are not creative, that’s what happens. Let me tell you, in America and other parts of the world, it doesn’t happen that way. In a state like California in the United States, they are good in entertainment and they take it very seriously. It’s a billion-dollar business. What are we doing about agriculture? In Ohio in America, it’s a billion-dollar business. That is why today, whenever I think about the days of President Musa Yar’Adua, may his soul rest in peace, a humble man, I feel bad. He proposed that every state should be able to commit a minimum of 25 of their annual budgets to agriculture. The youths are suffering. The local governments have been disbanded or disengaged. They are no longer part of the system. Money comes from the federal through the state governments and it doesn’t get to them or to the local governments or grassroots. So I am of the opinion that this money they share without working for should be stopped. If you are going to use the money, let the Federal Government decide.

We have Abuja today that is well built. So if you want this country to be developed all. Go to the South-South, South-East, North-Central, North-East and build great cities like Abuja. Also engage America in the building of infrastructure in all sectors. What you cannot do for yourself, you get someone to do it for you.

We need to also diversify our economy, because this oil that we are getting can dry up. We cannot depend for too long on only one area of our economy to make progress. There are several other viable areas like agriculture and the rest that we can harness to expand our economy.

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Tuesday, July 7, 2015

15

A PUBLICATION OF NATIONAL MIRROR NEWSPAPERS

Church at war with 87year-old woman over land dispute RICHARD NDOMA, CALABAR

W

hy would any one fight because of a piece of land,can any mortal be buried or go to his grave when he dies with any piece of land?

No,no one can be buried with an hectare of land said to be acquired when he or she was alive on earth. instead such a mortal would just be buried in the ground. if the question is in the affirmative, then as humans, we are stupid each time we launch a fight against our fellow brother just because we are interested to acquire the same piece of land our brother also wnt to own. It is against this backdrop that I urged the warring parties of the leadership of the Mount Zion Light House Full Gospel Church Inc, Abitu Assembly Anantigha, in Calabar South Dioceses in Cross River state who are said to be at war with an 87year aged grandmother, Mrs. Nkoyo Edet Bassey over a piece of land which both parties are claiming ownership.

A tale which had caused many to remain with their mouths open, pondering on whose claim is truthful when it comes to the rightful owner of the controversial parcel of land.

Does the land belong to Mount Zion church or does it belong to the the 87 years old woman is The church trying to claim ownership of the plot of land which they had already build their church? Is it because they are richer that the help old woman? Or is because the old woman had no one to speak for him? All these are question which answers are difficult to be provided.

Problem ensued when the 87 years old woman Mrs. Nkoyo Edet Bassey who claimed that her ordeal with Mount Zion Full Light started in 2001 when she realized that Mount Zion Full light had encroached into a piece of land which she bought in 1979 from Chief Ita Okokon Ekpeyong who at that time was not yet a paramount of Efut land also in Anantigha community in Calabar South of Cross River state at the rate of a N100,000.

Niger Delta Mirror gathered that Mrs. Nkoyo Edet Bassey a native of Edik Okon Idem in Akpabuyo Local Government in Cross River State had acquired the controversial piece of land

L-R: Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr.Chiedu Ebie; Commissioner for Water Resources, Chief Fidelis Telije; Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr.Joycee Overah, and Commissioner for Energy Barr.Neworld Safugha, during the swearing-in ceremony of Delta State new Commissioners and Special Adviser

by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in Asaba.

from Chief Ita Okokon Ekpeyong with a signed and Valid Deed of Lease on 23RD November 1979 and registered as N0 2 at page 2 in volume 9 of The Register of Deeds kept in the Ministry of Lands/Survey Registry,Calabar.

According to the 87 years old grandmother, the land in which the church errected its auditorium is her parcel of land stressing that building a church does not mean to usurp a helpless woman`s property but building the church on a land that is rightly acquired that matters. “since I bought the land in 1979 from Chief Ita Okokon Ekpeyong I never sold even a fraction to any one neither had I given any one the mandate to sell the slightest fraction of that land in my stead. So I don’t know who sold the piece of land in question to the church people who had taken delight to bring misery to me,”the aged woman queried.

A source said that there was more to what we have heard and stressed that they seems to be something” sinister” in the deal that transpired between the church and whoever that purchased the land.However, receipt of the land is written by (Chief Okokon Ambo) , a different name, while their Deed of Lease was by HRH Munene Ita Okokon Ekpeyong.

But Superintendent of Calabar Diocese of the Church, Bishop U.E. Akpanitiat confirmed that he is aware of the matter and stressed that the church acquired that portion of land properly.

“That place was sold to the church by the late Muri Munene(Chief Ita Okokon) with the receipts of payment and agreement made.

The church has struggled to build even when the Muri was alive. But we are shocked that

I BOUGHT THE LAND IN 1979 FROM CHIEF ITA OKOKON EKPEYONG I NEVER SOLD EVEN A FRACTION TO ANY ONE NEITHER HAD I GIVEN ANY SINCE

ONE THE MANDATE TO SELL THE SLIGHTEST FRACTION OF THAT LAND IN MY STEAD

a woman and her son couldn`t come out to make claims of ownership when the Muri who sold the land to the church was still alive she allowed the church to complete the building,now that the Muri (monarch) had died and the building is completed that was when the aged woman came out to make claim that she owns that piece of land”.Akpanitiat said.

Bishop Akpanitiat averred that the 87years old woman and her son started only started formenting trouble after the church finished organizing a fund raising feast at the Abitu Assembly to build a Mannes for the Pastor in charge stressing that it was at that time the aged woman woke up from wherever she was and started scandalizing and blackmailing the name of the church and that of the pastor in charge.

The cleric went further and said that when the matter was taken to the High Court Calabar for hearing, the woman and her son bluntly refused to show up in court, but rather proceeded to the Ministry of lands stressing that “the Muri (a traditional ruler) that sold the piece of land to them told them that he gave the land to his girlfriend and cut part of the land to sell to them” Akpan maintained. On his part, the pastor in charge of Abitu Assembly of the Mount Zion Light House Full Gospel properly Inc, Apos-

tle David Ekpe told Niger Delta Mirror that he is about the 9th minister in that Assembly and that the place was acquired in a right order but not through the backdoor as alledged by those who hate the church.

A receipts he presented to our reporter, showed that the land was sold to the church at the rate of N100,000 by Chief Okokon Edem Ambo (Clan Head for Efut Anantigha Clan in Calabar South) and not Chief Ita Okokon Ekpeyong who was at that time a chief and later became the Muri Munene of the Efut before his demise.Niger Delta Mirror gathered that the deed of lease was also signed by the late Muri while the said Chief Edem Ambo was only a witness and not the seller of the land in question.

Niger Delta also gathered that the matter was reported to the palace of HRM, Muri Munene , Ebuka Ebuka Ita Odionka Effiong Okokon Mbukpa where the waring parties were summoned to make appearance before the EFUT COMBINED ASSEMBLY on the 24 and 27 of February 2014 in two occasions incidentally the church did not honour the invitation.

But Muri- Munene of Efut, HRM Muri Efiong OKokon Mbukpa confirmed that it was true that the land was sold to Mrs. Nkoyo Edet Bassey by his predecessor (Muri -Munene Ita Okokon Ekpeyong). “ I reject , I detest and will not condone any form of double dealing in land I inherited this matter ,it is a pathetic case and I demanded to know their status as regards the land in question other parties came but the church never showed up.

“I was shown the agreement that was made between the former Muri- Munene; I don’t know the status of the church because they did not come to me. But I believe that their documents are doubtful otherwise they should have come to tender their documents as well as come to settle the matter amicably.

Since they refused to appear I advised the woman to go to court to seek redress” the monarch queried.

“If I am called to come to court I will be glad to testify as a witness in this matter and as a matter of fact there was no CONTINUED ON PAGE16

16

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Council boss presents N2.5bn to legislature RICHARD NDOMA, CALABAR

C

hairman for Ogoja Local Government Council, Hon. Rita Agbo Ayim, has presented 2015 budget estimate of N2,534,064,991.00 before the Legislative House for the 2015 fiscal year.

The budget cheristined “budget of reality”, structural adjustment and diversification would address critical issues that borders on security, revenue, agriculture, education, health and tourism development.

Agbo stated that the 2015 budget would help the council deal with the problems of unemployment thereby create job opportunities for the army of unemployed youths in the council area.

Rita-Agbo said, the proposed budget estimate goal is revenue driven and approach that will motivate government to filled revenue capacity gap through multi-sectorial internal revenue generation.

The Council boss noted that, this creative funding approach which is tax for service, if intensified and fully mobilize, it would serve as one of the most veritable means toward improving the well being of Ogoja people.

Ayim noted that her administration came at the time of immense economic crisis and critical resources constraints adding

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike (right) with the new State Police Commissioner, Mr Chris Ezeike, during his visit to Government House, Port Harcourt.

that her defining moment remain actualizing the promises made to the people.

The Council boss call for cooperation of both government and the people to work together especially in the areas of structural adjustment, prioritizing needs to meet the present day realities in the area of micro small

and medium scale industries to promote profiting and improve economic scale.

The Chairman solicits for all hands to be on deck so as to move the council forward and promised that she would remain committed to the provision of social amenities like funding of primary education, develop-

ment of agriculture,, provision and maintenance of health care delivery service, water,youth/ sports development.

The Council Boss maintained that the current budget system is design to ensure that there was fiscal discipline in application of government fund with the realization of these func-

Church at war with 87year-old woman over land dispute CONTINUED FROM PAGE15 cooperation from the church at all, they were uncooperative and very antagonistic .A religious organisation is supposed to be disciplined. My primary responsibility is to ensure peace in my domain” Ita Odionka maintained. “The church knows my stand they know that I will always speak the truth, if there is loophole in their document I will surely point it out, there is something fishy about the document the church is using” the traditional ruler said.

A source told Niger Delta Mirror leant that after the attempt by the Monarch to call the church to order failed Mrs Nkoyo Bassey went to court during which she got an interim injunction (EDC/CV/10/2014) to stop any development on the land but the church allegedly disregarded the said injunction and continued building and the matter was later transferred to the high court in the state.

But counsel to the aged wom-

an, Barr Edet Essien claimed that her client has not been served up till now and that the interim injunction (order)still stands even though they had gone ahead to disregard it.

At the Cross River State Ministry of Lands a senior staff who preferred anonymity claimed that the church allegedly passed through the “back door” to acquire approval for the building which has not been given as at the time of this report.

The source, said “we hear that there was an interim injunction for the Church to stop the development on the controversial parcel of land and the woman brought an original document (Deeds of Assignment) which shows that she is the original owner of the land in question .The land is not our concern but the structure and what they applied for was temporary stay”.

“We can not allow it, more so the structure is directly under a high tension and water drain-

age, we have asked them to write to us officially, we also asked them to tell the chief to come but

they told us that the traditional ruler was no longer alive”, the source maintained.

tions on LEEDS assessment basis to communities in the area.

Agbo Ayim said that,council has initiated a programme to empower 400 youths in the area of natural resource sector towards creating a green economy adding that council has implement the UBE programme through the Cross River State Ministry of Education, partnering and collaborating with both Federal and State Ministry of Health, Tulsi chanri, USAID, DFID, CIDA,in the provision and transformation of rural health services. including routine immunization, reduction of maternal and infant maternity rate and HIV/AIDS prevention and control, construction of over head tank as well as provision of toilet facilities in Ishibori market, provision of trailers and truck park at Ndok junction.

Review of last year`s budget for Ogoja council revealed that the council budgeted a total sum of N2,267,667,757.00 (Two Billion, Two Hundred and Sixty Seven Million, Six Hundred and Sixty Seven Thousand, Seven Hundred and Fifty Seven Naira),which represents total recurrent expenditure of N1,467,667,756.00 (One Billion, Four Hundred and Sixty Seven Million, Seven Hundred and Fifty Six Thousand Naira), total capital expenditure of N597,667,756.00 (Five Hundred and Ninety Seven Million, Six Hundred and Sixty Seven Thousand, Seven Hundred and Fifty Six Naira) while 27% contributions to join account.

N524,610,000.00 which is the total of N2,267,667,757.00.

Group promises to support Buhari’s peace, security initiatives THEOPHILUS ONOJEGHEN -WARRI

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pressure group, Supportive Youths for Change (SYC) has pledged to mobilise youths across the country to support President Mohammadu Buhari’s peace and security initiatives in order to create conducive atmosphere for development of the country.

The group expressed belief that if majority of Nigerians support the current administration in its fight against Islamic insurgents in the northern part of the country, the current security challenges facing the country would still be a thing of the past.

Addressing newsmen, after their monthly meeting held at Warri, Delta State, the Nation-

al President of the association, Comrade Sunny Nwankego, said that they decided to support the president to enable him deliver on his electoral promises to Nigerian youths and the country at large.

According to him, “as youths we know that without peace there cannot be meaningful development, therefore, we are mobilizing youths across the country to support the President in ensuring that peace reign in all parts of the country.

He added that from the responses so far from the meetings held in the six geo-political zones, Nigerian youth has assured that they support President Buhari’s peace and security efforts in their different zones in order to check the activities of pipeline vandal,

cultism, insurgency, militancy and kidnapping.

He noted that, “cultism is the breeding ground for other criminal groups and gang, and that if it is checked; we would have a peaceful Nigeria.

Nwankego also stated that the major aim of SYC is to have a well secured Nigeria which will boast the economy of the country, which will also attract direct foreign investment which will create job for our teaming unemployed youths.

He stated further that with the members of SYC in all the critical sector of the economy that if properly engaged they can work with security agencies by providing need security intelligence to check insurgency, militancy, cultism and other criminal activities.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Views

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

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Still on the June 9 NASS election saga YINKA SALAAM

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t is only the politically naive that will be surprised by the event that rocked the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), leading to the emergence of Dr. Bukola Saraki as the Senate President and bringing the already almost comatose Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into political relevance. The current crisis in the APC was long in the waiting, having been managed at the keenly contested presidential primaries and the emotion laden exercise that produced Professor Yemi Osinbajo as Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari running mate. However, what was not expected and evidently surprising was the dramatic dimension it took when it ultimately occurred.

It will be an understatement to state that the hurriedly and craftily planned legislative coup that led to the emergence of the immediate past Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu from the PDP, and also conceded three out of the initial four positions (including majority and minority leaders) to the members of the newPDP in APC, sent jitters down the spines of Nigerians, particularly those who voted for CHANGE and have hinged their hope on smooth sailing of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Change Agenda on a very cooperating legislature.

Otherwise, how on earth would the first session of the 8th Senate that was supposed to have the full representation of

all the Senators-elect with family members and their well wishers be composed of just half of the expected members with about 80 percent of members of the ruling party in absence. Saraki was elected, nay selected by 58 of the 109 senators on June 9 with most of his party members absent but with the support of the minority PDP, the party he left because of its highhandedness.

Perhaps the most worrisome aspect of the intrigue which the ruling party referred to as ‘treachery’ was the concessioning of sensitive positions like Deputy Senate President. Critics believe Saraki went too far and that not even in the most advanced democracies of United States of America, United Kingdom or Australia has such experience been recorded.

Many could not believe that a politician of integrity which APC stands for will because of personal interest jettisons party’s wish and connive with the same party that Nigeria brazenly rejected at the polls for their impunity, corruption and misgovernance.

As event was unfolding live via broadcast media, it reminded many Nigerians of Godswill Orubebe phenomenon as they began to express concern on the real intentions of Saraki and his group refusing to accept it as mere intra party politicking.

Some queried if the new-PDP, the old-PDP and the current-PDP are effectively in control of the National Assembly, would they not constitute a blockade to anti-corruption crusade of Buhari? And to some,

SARAKI’S BETRAYAL WAS FURTHER STRENGTHENED

BY HIS UTTER DISRESPECT FOR THE PARTY LEADERS it will be a cog in the wheel of progress of sanitizing the polity. Nigerians simply pray that the gang up of “old friends” will not spell a doom for the anti- corruption crusade of PMB. Perhaps the most worrisome aspect of the intrigue, which the ruling party referred to as ‘treachery’, was the concessioning of sensitive positions like Deputy Senate President. Critics believe Saraki went too far and that not even in the most advanced democracies of United States of America, United Kingdom or Australia has such experience been recorded.

Many could not believe that a politician of integrity which APC stands for will because of personal interest jettisons party’s wish and connive with the same party that Nigeria brazenly rejected at the polls for their impunity, corruption and mis-governance.

Contrary to Yoruba culture, Saraki’s betrayal was further strengthened by his utter disrespect for the party leaders in addition to his humiliation of Vice President Yemi Osibajo as well as the shunning and

dishonouring of President Muhammadu Buhari’s call for reconciliation at the International Conference Center, (ICC) Abuja. In fact, this made the elder statesmen of the National Peace Committee 2015 including General Abdulsalami Abubakar and Bishop Hassan Mathew Kukah, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (rtd) and Mrs. Priscilla Kuye to conclude that the process that led to the election of the key principal officers of the Senate was faulty and “unacceptable”.

The committee said it was important for the highest legislative body to uphold ‘moral authority and values’. Given the maturity, track record and experience of the body, the Committee wondered why a routine process turned into an ugly, selfish dogfight.

“This is unacceptable to Nigerians. It neither dignified the Senate nor does it honour what Nigerians voted for...It is not the way to thank God for what He has done to those who were lucky to be elected to that high offices, nor does it honour what He has done to our country,” they concluded.

The event is a quick reminder of the Ajagungbale (he who fights a war to secure the land) phenomenon that is rapidly gaining popularity in Lagos and in some parts of Ogun State. Ajagungbale, a dreaded war lord, deeply connected in government arena. Nobody crosses his part or challenges his decision whenever he lays his hands on any land!

Yinka Salaam, a staff of Voice of Nigeria, Lagos wrote via yinkasalaam62@gmail.com

Buhari’s ‘to be, or not to be’ dilemma DESTINY ISIGUZO

O

ne of the greatest tragic works I have ever read is William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”. The play captures the essence of trueness to one’s cause and the tragedy of inaction. Hamlet, the tragic hero, termed this situation as “to be, or not to be”; a great philosophical question any great leader that is committed to confronting impediments his/her nation’s development must ask himself.

President Muhammadu Buhari is indeed aware of the precarious nature of Nigeria and has admitted before, during, and after the last general elections that there is a great task ahead confronting the “witches and wizards” that are tormenting this country. What has surprised some of us is the inaction of the president towards the avalanche of problems threatening the polity. “To be, or not to be”, according to Hamlet, “is the question”. For me, President Buhari has only one option: “to be”. If he fails to end these problems, then there will be another tale of tragic leadership in Nigeria.

No doubt, Mr. President has demonstrated that he is poised to making things work by subscribing to the principle of separation of powers, which he demonstrated in his acknowledgement and acceptance of the leaders of the National Assembly even when the process that threw them up was rejected by his party.

Nevertheless, Buhari’s governance mo-

mentum is seen generally as a snail-pace one.

Having in the race for the nation’s presidency since 2003, one will summit that he is over ready to hit the ground running after he won the trophy in his fourth attempt. President Buhari had 12 years to plan and readjust his plans. This exposes the true nature of our leaders who are ill prepared, especially towards equipping themselves with information and facts about the economy and politics of the country they aspire to rule.

In saner societies, the blue print of any aspiring leader is usually ready and its implementation starts immediately after being sworn in following an electoral victory. But in President Buhari’s case, we are seeing troubling foot dragging, which his spokesperson attributed to “the cleansing of Augean stables”. While this could be true and germane, Mr. President must know that to the assumption by Femi Adesina that Nigerians are hands in hands with him, it is not totally true. These are the kind of untruths and half truths that must have misled former President Goodluck Jonathan. For what passes as the true position of things in the country, President Buhari should go through some of the comments in the social media to know that Nigerians are not that patient. One such comment is that Buhari is busy cat-walking on the red carpets of different countries and the commentator comically asked “if Buhari was voted to be a Nigerian beauty pageant?”

NIGERIANS ARE FACING A SEA OF TROUBLES AND

BUHARI MUST

OVERCOME THE

“TO BE, OR NOT TO BE”

DILEMMA OF

The problems facing this country are capable of destroying the economy of this country if the current executive inaction continues. Currently, one US dollar exchanges for N225. There are daily bomb blasts and suicide attacks in the North East, thousands of post NYSC graduates are thrown into the labour market, and there is chronic inflation in the face of months of non-payment of salaries to public servants in the states. Threats of labour strikes are resonating across the country and majority of Nigerians are still living on less than a dollar a day. If the “cleansing of the Aegean stables” Mr. Adeshina is preaching will bring progress, then fine, but it must be done quickly. There is no time to waste on excuses and inactions. Everything is stagnant because people are skeptical and uncertain over the president’s policy direction.

I don’t even want to talk about the delay in the appointment of cabinet members since the directors and technical staff of the various ministries have access to the president and are reporting

to him; but the president must also know that this delay in the appointment of cabinet members may not entirely work.

If ministers are dispensable, it wouldn’t have been so important to include it in the structure the executive arm of government. The ministers have political powers that can work where the ability of the directors and technical staff may fail.

I was thinking that Buhari was over prepared for this job, but my assumption is very wrong. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar set up a committee to plan his policies while he was still vying to clinch the presidential ticket of the APC prior to the last general elections.

I think if Nigerian leaders can emulate Atiku in this regard, we will seldom experience the kind of delay that is threatening the polity now.

Nigerians are facing a sea of troubles and Buhari must overcome the dilemma of “to be, or not to be”. The country is beset with outrageous misfortunes that were set rolling by the evil politicians in APC, PDP and other political parties.

The decay was not wrought only by PDP; there are also monstrous skeletons in the cupboards of some APC politicians.

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.

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Editorial

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

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

SUNDAY OLAJIDE MANAGING DIRECTOR/CEO BEN MEMULETIWON ACTING DAILY EDITOR GBEMI OLUJOBI SATURDAY EDITOR AYO OLESIN SUNDAY EDITOR DOZIE OKEBALAMA COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD CALLISTUS OKE EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR ISE-OLUWA IGE ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF AUGUSTUS IMEKAN ACTING HEAD, GRAPHICS

Last minute scramble for BVN I t was a huge relief for millions of bank customers in the country last Tuesday when the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) announced its extension of the deadline for obtaining the mandatory Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs) to October 31, a grace period of three months. But before the CBN interventionist measure announced by Mr. Dipo Fatokun, the apex bank’s Director in charge of Banking and Payments Systems Department, banking halls nationwide were choked with intense pressure, indeed, chaos, as hundreds of thousands of their customers enslaved by the last minute bug, procrastination or ignorance, crowded banks’ premises.

Three months to the initial CBN’s June 30, 2015 deadline, in other words, about last April, reports had indicated that scores of bank customers were yet to embrace the initiative introduced by the CBN early last year, despite the widespread public enlightenment campaign back-up the exercise attracted. It was categorically made clear that bank customers were not only required to have their BVNs by June 30 this year, but that they would not be eligible to operate their bank accounts after the said date, except if the exercise is extended. It is quite unfortunate that the timeline for the completion of a crucial project as BVN registration ended up being extended because of the predi-

lection of many Nigerians that hardly take any public policy serious, though they crave ‘change’.

Obtaining a BVN involves the identification by banks of an individual based on physiological or behavioural attributes, like fingerprints, facial features, signatures, et cetera, mainly because of increasing incidents of Password and Personal Identification Number (PIN) frauds crooks perpetrate against bank customers. A customer’s all 10 fingers and facial image are captured, making it possible for individuals involved in banking transactions to identify themselves using their biometric features, which will, in turn, be matched with information in the central database at the Nigeria Inter-Bank-Settlement System (NIBSS), which all deposit money banks have access to. With a BVN, bank transaction authentication can be done without the use of cards, but with only biometric information and a PIN. The CBN, through the Bankers’ Committee, Deposit Money Banks and NIBSS, launched the centralised biometric identification system, re-christened as BVN, early last year. The current CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, who before his appointment was the Chairman, Bankers’ Committee Sub-Committee on Biometrics, we recall, once described the initiative as an ambitious step that would revolutionalise bank-

July 7, 2002 A scandal broke out in the United Kingdom when news reports accused MI6 of sheltering Abu Qatada, the supposed European Al-Qaeda leader. The Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), commonly known as MI6 (Military Intelligence, Section 6), is the British intelligence agency which supplies the British Government with foreign intelligence. It operates under the formal direction of the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC).

THE ATTITUDE OF NIGERIANS WHO

MOUTH CHANGE AS

MERE LIP SERVICE BUT FIND IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO EMBRACE SAME, IS DISGUSTING

ing operations in the country. “It is a rare opportunity that needed to be embraced. This project has capacity to serve over 160 million people. The good thing is that even when one forgets his/her Personal Identification Number (PIN), once the information is verified, transactions can be done”, he said.

Emefiele added that the project would lead to the resetting of credit standards in the banking sector, among others.

When he launched the project in Lagos in February 2014, the then sitting CBN Governor, now Emir of Kano, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, also said BVN would be a game-changer for financial inclusion, and that it would address issues relating to unified identity for bank customers. Biometric Project Manager at NIBSS, Mr. Oluseyi Adenmosun, did say as well that BVN would give a unique identity verifiable across the banking industry. The biometric information, according to Adenmosun, would be used as

ON THIS DAY July 7, 2012 At least 172 people were killed in a flash flood in the Krasnodar Krai region of Russia. The floods occurred in southwest Russia, mainly in Krasnodar Krai near the coast of the Black Sea. The equivalent of five months of rain fell overnight in some southern parts of the country, according to the Hydrometeorological Centre of Russia. Russian police said the floods also damaged the homes of nearly 13,000 people.

a means of first identifying and verifying all individuals that have accounts in any bank in the country; and as a means of authenticating customers’ identity at the bank/point of transaction.

In spite of all its positive attributes and official assurances on its prowess in combating frauds in the banking sector, however, stakeholders expressed reservations on the ‘real’ motive behind the initiative. Questions revolved around the privacy and safety of personal information, as well as the possibility of smart crooks cashing in on sensitive information about bank customers to perpetrate fraud. But the CBN insists the BVN is meant to ensure accountability, protect bank customers’ accounts from unauthorized access, reduce exposure to fraud, check identity theft, enhance credit advancement to bank customers, and also encourage financial inclusion.

Therefore, it is shocking, the lacklustre attitude of Nigerians towards BVN enrolment. Consequently, extending the exercise beyond October 31 is unthinkable.

We so insist because any Nigerian or bank customer that eventually finds the basis of BVN to be false, or whose rights as a bank customer is infracted, can seek redress in court. The attitude of Nigerians who mouth change as mere lip service but find it extremely difficult to embrace same, is disgusting.

July 7, 2005 A series of four explosions occurs on London’s transport system killing 56 people including four suicide bombers and injuring over 700 others. The incident involved a series of coordinated suicide bomb attacks in central London, which targeted civilians using the public transport system during the morning rush hour. On the morning of Thursday, 7 July 2005, four Islamist men detonated the four bombs.

Business Tuesday, July 7, 2015

FG rallies stakeholders for climate change action plan

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Professionals chart course to avert infectious diseases in air travels

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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NAICOM licences 16 micro insurance firms 33

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Economy: Exploring freight to cushion impact of low oil prices

AIRLINES’ FLIGHT SCHEDULES

Dana Air Abuja-Lagos 9am, 1pm, 5.28pm daily Lagos-Abuja 7am, 11am, 1.23pm,3.30pm daily Lagos-PH: 7.20AM, Ph-Abuja9.54am, Abuja-ph: 3.30pm and Ph-Lagos: 5.28pm daily Lagos-Uyo: 9.20am, Uyo-Abuja: 11.07am, Abuja-Uyo 1.05pm, Uyo-Lagos: 3pm daily Weekends Lagos-Abuja: 7.02am, 9am, 3.30pm Abuja-Lagos: 9am, 2.20pm and 5.28pm Lagos -Phc: 11.07am Phc-Lagos: 1.05pm Phc-Abuja: 12.51pm Abuja-Phc: 10.50am Lagos-Uyo: 9.18am Uyo-LOS -3.03pm Uyo-Abuja: 11.07am Abuja-Uyo: 1.05pm

Aero Contractors

A tanker vessel

The gradual decline in the price of the product in the international market since July 2014 from over $120 per barrel to less than $65 currently has caused the country serious fiscal challenges over the period. But shipping experts believe that the country could explore the affreightment option in crude oil export to cushion the negative effects of declining oil prices on the nation’s economy. FRANCIS EZEM, reports.

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s a member of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, and the sixth largest exporter of crude oil to the global markets, Nigeria exports between 2.4 million and 2.7 million barrels of the crude oil per day.

The nation has no doubt made a lot of fortunes in the sale of the product, especially during the oil boom and the short lived Gulf War era.

But the current downturn in the global crude oil market, which

led to a sharp decline in the price of the black gold to all time low of less than $50 per barrel recently has led to a sharp decline in Nigeria’s revenue with the attendant far reaching adverse effects on the national economy.

Lamentably, many state governments are no longer able to meet their financial obligations to workers and even contractors due to the sharp decline in national revenue, especially since the last quarter of last year, amongst other factors.

It was in reaction to this obvious economic reality that the Federal Government in January, in addition to reducing the 2015 budget figures also declared austerity measures, to cushion the effect of this decline in revenue.

In line with this, the government introduced some fiscal measures that are targeted at boosting national revenue. One of such fiscal measures is the hike in the tariff on imported luxury goods such as Champagne, and also the proposed introduction of special

tax on owners of private jets, among several others.

The governments at the Federal, State or even the Local Government level, are also currently exploring the option of increasing internationally generated revenue, in line with sustained advice of financial and development experts over the years.

Shipping business analysts however believe that the country could adequately cushion the effect of the decline in the price of CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

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

Med-View Airline Lagos- Abuja (Mon-Fri): 07.00, 08.50, 12.00, 16.30. Abuja- Lagos (Mon-Fri): 09.00, 14.00, 15.00, 18.30. Lagos-Yola (Mon-Fri): 8.50am. Yola-Lagos (Mon-Fri): 13.00. Lagos- PHC (Mon-Fri): 17.00. PHC-Lagos: 19.00. Abuja-Yola: 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

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Business

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Economy: Exploring freight to cushion impact of low oil prices CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 crude oil if she could develop a national fleet that would enhance the participation of indigenous shipping companies in the shipment of the black gold.

For instance, with the export of about 2.7 million per day at an average freight cost of $2.5 per barrel in terms of affreightment, which is the benchmark charged by the foreign shipping companies to freight the product, Nigeria loses over N2.2 annually.

This is because the country has not been able to develop the required indigenous tonnage that would enable her nationals partake in the lucrative business of crude oil shipment, which currently seems to be exclusively reserved for foreign shipping lines.

It is therefore in the light of these that shipping experts argued that a deliberate policy geared towards the development of a national fleet by the Federal Government would pave way for indigenous participation of the lucrative crude oil affreightment, pointing out that this will partly mitigate the negative effects of low crude oil prices and by so doing, boost economic growth and development.

Managing Director of KAMANY Marine Services Limited, a marine consulting, freight forwarding and logistic company, Mr. Charles Okerefe, noted that following the collapse of the Nigerian National Shipping Line NNSL, which had over 27 ships on its fleet at a point, the nation had no vessel on its fleet to support revenue generation drives of government.

He noted that following the discovery of crude oil in commercial quantity in Nigeria since 1959, the nation’s economy would have fared better if measures were put in place by successive governments over the years that would enable citizens actively participate in the affreightment of the crude oil.

“Nigeria does not take part in the freight component of the crude trade more than 55 years after the discovery of oil and this is a big minus. Since 1959 when oil was discovered in commercial quantity, if Nigeria had developed a programme of carrying the crude or involving indigenous carriers, by now the country would have been freighting over 90 per cent if not 100 per cent of the crude oil export and till date, foreigners earn all the freight that accrues from crude oil export”, he lamented.

While insisting that the nation’s maritime growth in terms of indigenous tonnage has been stunted, arguing that other oil producing nations, especially members of OPEC, have developed their crude oil carriage alongside their national fleet.

He said: “Imagine a country like Iraq, even during the civil war with the Americans and the Western World; she was able to carry her share of the crude oil export in her own vessels, otherwise her economy would have gone completely under. So, you can now imagine the importance of a national fleet” “The direct implication of this is that Nigeria has not derived maximum benefits from her crude oil exports in the last 55 years but the current decline in crude oil price should serve as an eye-opener for the country to explore the freight component

Akpobolokemi

Okunbor

Omotowa

Labinjo

rather than focusing on crude sale alone”, he also said..

He pointed accusing fingers on the International Oil Companies IOCs operating in the country, who he said would stop at nothing in trying to frustrate Nigerian shipping companies in participating in the business, not even lifting refined petroleum products.

He however expressed optimism that the enactment of the Coastal and Inland Shipping Cabotage, Act, 2003 and the Nigerian Content Act, 2010, both of which promote indigenous participation in the shipping as well as the oil and gas sector will go a long way in enhancing the participation of Nigerian operators in both critical seg-

ments of the nation’s economy.

President of Nigerian Ship Owners Association NISA, Captain Niyi Labinjo, who also decried the inability of the nation to partake in the lifting of crude oil, argued that it would be more profitable for Nigeria to lift crude than merely selling it.

He also noted that the situation is even made worse by the sharp decline in the price of the product, arguing that foreign liners make more out of Nigeria’s crude oil than the country, which generates the product and also suffer the environmental hazards associated with its exploration.

Labinjo noted that as a result of the exclusion of the indigenous shipping companies from lifting the crude, these

AS A MAJOR MARITIME AND OIL AND GAS NATION, NIGERIA NEEDS A ROBUST FLEET OF A NATIONAL CARRIER BOTH FOR THE PURPOSES OF CARRYING HER SHIPMENTS COMPRISING IMPORT AND EXPORTS AS WELL AS FOR TRAINING THE MUCH NEEDED SEAFARERS

companies would have been able to create over 5,000,000 jobs annually, a development that has continued to work against the Nigerian nation and her citizens, with the attendant high rate of youth unemployment.

He alleged that indigenously –owned shipping companies have been schemed out of the lifting of crude oil by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation NNPC and its foreign collaborators under the guise that the indigenous operators do not have the required capacity, which he said was not good enough for the country.

It was in realisation of the huge economic benefits associated with the lifting of the products that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA decided to work out a blueprint on the reestablishment of the new National Carrier, as part of efforts to build a national fleet, which is completely absent now.

Director General of the agency, Ziakede Akpobolokemi, said recently that the agency was rather working on the policy framework of the new venture.

According to him, a high powered committee made up of relevant government agencies and the private sector has been established with the mandate to work out the details and structure of the new company.

“The blueprint is expected to provide the needed roadmap for other relevant government ministries and departments and as soon as the blue print is concluded and approved, the agency will now go ahead with the project since the project background has already been laid”, he also said.

Meanwhile, President of the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners NAMM, umbrella body for retired indigenous ship captains, chief engineers and engineers, Captain Ade Olopoenia, pointed out that to achieve the objective of re-floating of a national carrier for Nigeria, there was the need to adopt a Public Private Partnership PPP, arrangement.

While recounting the factors that culminated in the demise of the NNSL, he said that there are other national lines in Africa such as in Ghana, Congo, and several others, which had to go under due to a combination of poor management and excessive government interference in the day-day running of the companies.

“As a major maritime and oil and gas nation, Nigeria needs a robust fleet of a national carrier both for the purposes of carrying her shipments comprising both import and exports as well as for training the much needed seafarers”, he said.

While insisting that the government should adopt the PPP Model for the new National Carrier, he cited the instance of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited NLNG, which is doing very well because it is a PPP arrangement between the Federal Government and private investors including Shell, which undertakes the dayday running of the business.

Analysts believe that it has become expedient for the Federal Government in this fiscal trying times to muster the required political will towards building indigenous tonnage so as to enhance the participation of Nigerian nationals in the lifting of crude oil, which will have a multiplier effect on the nation’s economy.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business News

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

21

Local Content: GE to create 2,300 jobs in five years UDEME AKPAN

G

eneral Electric, GE has promised to create 2,300 jobs as part of its local content development in the next five years.

The GE Nigerian Content Manager, Mr. Sunny Ojieh disclosed that General Electric Nigeria currently has 502 Nigerians in its employ, with a good percentage of them holding executive positions.

He noted that GE was imple-

menting a programme that fast tracks Nigerians into global positions and 31 Nigerians had graduated through the programme since 2012.

Ojieh explained that the company’s operations were anchored on localizing operations, building capacity, developing and leveraging on the local supply chain.

He added that GE also focused on creating long-term job opportunities and empowering indigenes of host communities with skills relevant to the company’s operations.

The Nigerian Content Manager disclosed that General Electric had spent over $320m on in-country projects since 2010 and had committed to invest additional $1bn in the Calabar assembly and manufacturing facility over the next five years.

According to him, the plan is to domicile most of the company’s operations in Nigeria, adding that GE Nigeria was also injecting $3m into community health programme as part of its corporate social responsibility obligations.

The site visit also featured interactions with the company’s Manufacturing Manager, Mr. Felix Anikpo, who disclosed that $6m was invested to develop GE’s shop floor at Onne where products like specialty connectors, pipes, mud mats and wellheads were being manufactured.

While appealing to the Board to help in ensuring that the capacity of the facility was fully utilised, he disclosed that the company had recently worked for SNEPCO and Exxon Mobil.

In his speech, the Executive

Secretary of the NCDMB, Mr. Denzil Kentebe assured General Electric that the Board would continue to partner with serious indigenous and foreign investors towards attracting industry projects to their facilities so as to justify their investments and encourage capacity building in the oil and gas industry.

Kentebe who was represented by the Manager Capacity Building, Engr. Godwin Ukobo commended the company on the Project Emerald training facility which is billed to open in 2018.

Airtel, Journalism Clinic trains 100 Journalists DAVID AUDU

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L-R: Mr. Richard Morgan, Managing Director, YTGO Limited; Mrs. Abigael Oyewobi, Managing Director, Pinnacle Project Managers; Mr. Dipo Akinyemi, Branch Manager, John Street, Sterling Bank Plc and Dr. Akanimo Odon, Africa Strategy Adviser, Lancaster University at a workshop supported by the Bank in Lagos.

Nigerian SMEs to showcase innovation at ITU World 2015 ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN

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elecommunications companies in the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) of the country will showcase their creativity and innovation at the 2015 International Telecommunications Union, ITU world forum.

A statement by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, indicated that a committee made up of officials of Ministry of Communications, Nigerian Communications Commission , Galaxy Backbone, Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited, Nigerian Postal Service, and Universal Service Provision Fund had been set up for the purposes of ensuring full participation by the country at the event, which holds in Budapest, Hungary.

Chairman, Media and Publicity Sub- Committee and Director, Public Affairs NCC, Mr. Tony

Ojobo said that Nigeria liked to showcase her entrepreneurial capacity in this year’s participation when a large number of SMEs will be on ground to dwell around the theme of this year’s event: Innovation To make Lives Better and Faster.

He said that Nigeria’s participation will build on the reality that regulatory robustness had led to a spiral growth in voice telephony and look beyond that by coming out with innovative products to improve the lives of the citizens.

Ojobo disclosed that the ITU has listed five key reasons countries, individuals, corporate organisations should participate in the Hungary event noting that the event will provide exceptional knowledge sharing, opportunities, focus on accelerating innovation and growth of SMEs as well as innovative networking opportunities.

He said that the role of SMEs

in driving national economies will feature, adding that one of the key concerns of the Hungarian government is to provide a balanced and predictable business environment where SMEs can easily find support or exploit business opportunities.

According to him, that is the reason the Hungarian government wants countries to participants in the Budapest event adding that the Nigerian SME ecosystem will be guided by the experience they share through ITU Telecom World 2015.

The event will focus on the crucial role of innovation and entrepreneurship in the fast growing ICT ecosystem, covering a broad-based international audience with specific outreach to SMEs and start-ups from across the world, as well as leading global ICT players, policy makers, regulators, industry experts and investors.

irtel Nigeria has partnered The Journalism Clinic to host a four-cityfour-week multimedia journalism training and road show for 100 Nigerian journalists.

The initiative, billed to start in Lagos soon, will expose select participating journalists to tools and techniques to make their content more compelling to the vast audiences who now, more than ever before, consume news and other content on digital platforms.

According to the Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya, the initiative demonstrates the company’s commitment to creating empowerment platforms to enrich the lives of all its critical stakeholders including the media.

“The epic growth of smart phones and social media has turned news upside-down. To stay ahead, journalists need to create compelling stories which would not only be shared on social but

also easily accessible on mobile devices. It is our delight to support journalists in Nigeria to perform optimally in this mobile age.

Media audiences will also get better engaged while media owners should expect increased traffic to their platforms. It’s a win-win for everyone,” said Ogunsanya The trainer and specialist in online, mobile and social media, Dan Mason, will facilitate the hands-on workshop which, apart from Lagos, will also be held in Ibadan, Abuja and Port Harcourt.

The Journalism Clinic’s founder and director Taiwo Obe said: “Participants, who will be drawn from print, electronic and online media, through nominations by editors and managers of news media platforms, will learn how to approach, plan and create multimedia stories that shout ‘share me!’ on social media.”

He added: “Mason, a Briton, nicknamed Otunba by appreciative journalists who have attended some of his workshops in Nigeria, is excited about this programme.’’

Lonovo rebrands, unveils new logo PIUS ANAKALI

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enovo West Africa, makers of Lenovo IT gadgets, has rebranded its products in line with her decision to be a major player in the IT world.

Disclosing this on Wednesdayin Lagos where the products’ new logo was unveiled, the company’s Senior Manager, in charge of West, East and Central Africa, David Caleb, said the decision to rebrand was informed by the need to be relevant in the ever changing IT market and the desire to meet customers’ needs and demand.

“The IT world is dynamic and we want to be dynamic too, by bringing in new innovations.

That is what we are doing with

the unveiling of the new logo and our rebranding of our products”, he said.

According to him, Lenovo is not just rebranding, but offering a completely new and re-engineered, PC’s Computers and Tablets.

The logo unveiling which was witnessed by some big players in the industry, commends the company’s decision to rebrand.

One of the major attractions Lenovo Yoga Tablet, which Caleb says now, has better features.

Unlike what exist in the market, the Lenovo Yoga product has a built-in kickstand, which opens to let the Tablet stand on its own.

The Lenovo Tablet also comes with a battery that last well over 18hrs, far above the standard in a single charge.

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Business News

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

NSC partners concessionaires, shipping firms on cargo delivery FRANCIS EZEM

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he Nigerian Shippers Council, NSC, has unveiled plans to adopt new measures to further enhance efficient and timely release of imported cargo from the ports.

To achieve this, the Council is currently holding consultations with the various terminal operators and multinational shipping companies operating in the country.

NSC’s Executive Secretary/ Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Hassan Bello, who dropped the hint at the weekend, said that the Council was committed to enthroning a regime of efficiency at the nation’s seaports with a view to reducing cost of doing business.

According to him, one of the best ways of achieving this is to ensure that speedy cargo clearance at the nation’s ports is achieved as early as possible once

the freight forwarder or the Customs brokerage agent as the case may be has lodged his entry for the process.

It was gathered that as part of measures to achieve this, top officials of the Council had been holding consultations with providers of shipping services, especially terminal operators and shipping companies, with a view to ensuring that they deploy both equipment and appropriate digital technology that will facilitate quick clearance of goods at their terminals.

Bello however acknowledged that there had been improvement on the part of the service providers, including the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, especially in terms of the time it takes to clear goods at the ports.

He said: “As the Economic Regulator, the Council is very much concerned about the high dwell time of cargo at the nation’s seaport and we do not want a situ-

ation whereby imported goods would stay for so long at the ports before they are cleared”, Bello said emphatically.

“We are also disturbed by the effects of the high dwell time on cargo, especially on cost, which would be transferred to the final consumers. We don’t want cargo to stay very long in the port. Port is not a place of storage. As soon as cargo comes in, it is cleared.

We encourage terminal operators to take their cargo away from the port for examination”, he also said.

Bello also warned that the Council does not want ships bringing goods into the country to be delayed before leaving the ports.

According to him, the turnaround time of vessels calling at the ports has improved from 21 days to between three and four days, adding that this has been possible through the introduction of appropriate technology in the system.

L-R: Mr John Anyawu from KPMG; Head Retail Directorate, Diamond Bank, Aishah Ahmad; Winner of One hundred Thousand Naira, Mrs Jamaba Ideozu. And Head, Mass Market, Diamond Bank, Mr. Osita Ede, during the Diamond Bank Xtra Mid-year draw in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, yesterday.

Vitafoam links growth to employees’ capacity building, reward

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itafoam Nigeria Plc, a manufacturer of foams and allied products, has attributed one of its critical success factors to systematic capacity building through employees’ reward for exemplary performance.

The company stated that one of the ways of achieving this was by identifying its top-performing staff and rewarding them under a programme tagged ‘The Chairman’s Merit Award’.

The ninth edition in the series was won by three staff reflecting junior staff, supervisory and the management cadres after a competitive screening, using criteria such as contribution to business, attitude, productivity, high level of competence and assisting the

company to safe huge amount of money through efficiency and effectiveness.

At the end of the exercise, the winners who got corporate gifts include,Mr. Ojo Olatunbosun, Junior Management category; Mr. Olusola Abitul, Supervisory category and Mr. Adeyemi Mofikoya, Management category.

Speaking at the award ceremony, the company’s Group Managing Director, Mr. Taiwo Adeniyi, explained that the broad objective of the award was to promote healthy competition while encouraging every staff irrespective of his or her status to strive to contribute meaningfully to the overall objective of the entire group.

Adeniyi said the chairman’s

Merit Award had become the most popular programme on the company’s calendar, adding that the award which was initially restricted to the company had been expanded to the entire group, thereby making it more broadbased.

The Chairman, Dr Dele Makanjuola, expressed joy at the rate at which Vitafoam group was growing.

He explained that one of the differences between a collapsing company and a growing one is the quality of leadership, adding that despite the inclement operating environment in Nigeria, some companies are making profits and expanding while many are battling for survival.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

LASTMA to rid Tejuosho market of roadside traders ADEJUWON OSUNNUYI

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he Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, (LASTMA) is set to clear Yaba area of Lagos metropolis of all impediments hindering free flow of traffic so as to reduce undue hardship being experienced daily by road users.

This indication emerged on Tuesday during a joint monitoring exercise embarked upon by the management of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the Lagos State Task Force on Environmental and other special Offences to access the impact of street trading on traffic congestion associated with the area and towards finding a lasting solution to the problem.

The General Manager of

LASTMA, Mr. Babatunde Edu, who led the team, warned them to discourage street trading and indiscriminate parking on the road and urged them to comply with the new directive as Law Enforcement Agents had been mandated to ensure compliance.

He recalled that the popular Tejuosho market is gradually turning into a traffic bottleneck area due to the essences of traders, commercial bus drivers and street urchins who have narrowed the road to suit their illegal operations thereby causing serious unnecessary traffic congestion and security threat to motorists.

Edu noted that this is the right time for the agency to wade in and curb the tide of the traders and make the route accessible to others.

Kenya Airways offers cheap tickets through ‘KQ Hot Deals’

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enya Airways is seeking, through its ‘KQ Hot Deals’, to compel its passengers to take advantage of early flight booking to ensure they get the best deals for their travel.

The airline’s introduction of the ‘KQ Hot Deals’ is part of the airline commitment to enhancing customer experience and improving its commercial business with flexible ticket price offering KQ Hot Deals will require a customer to buy tickets either 28 or 42 days in advance and save on the purchase. In addition to early booking, this deal comes with some stipulations such as a minimum stay or weekend stay as is common with many airlines across the globe.

The company’s CEO, Mbuvi Ngunze, said, “We have intro-

duced new, lower entry fares on some of our markets. We are keen to have our guests grab the “KQ Hot Deals” and enjoy a whole new experience with us.

“Our customers will benefit from a whole new range of ticket prices and we expect this to open up air travel to more people in the region. We also want to encourage our customers to plan and book early to enjoy these low fares.”

The fares will be available till August 2015.

In Africa, research has shown that many passengers book their tickets two or less days to the date of their flights unlike their counterparts in Europe and Americas. Domestic and regional flights are especially affected in Sub Sahara region.

FAAN boss tasks staff on service delivery …as Maiduguri Airport re-opens

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taff of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, have been enjoined to remain committed to successful operations of the nation’s airports as the Maiduguri airport opens for commercial operations.

A statement by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs of the Authority, Hon. Yakubu Datti, at the weekend quoted the Managing Director, Engr. Saleh Dunoma, as giving the charge even as he also commended staff the re-opened airport for ensuring that facilities and equipment of the Authority were maintained while the airport was shutdown.

Dunoma charged the workers

to make safety, security and passenger comfort their key objectives in line with the mandate of the Authority while assuring them of management’s support as they operate in midst of security challenges.

He also urged them to keep supporting the Federal Government, especially the armed agencies using their facilities in their current war against the insurgents The Maiduguri Airport Manager, Mr. Saidu Nazeef, commended the Managing Director for his support and special interest in the staff welfare, noting that staff have been re-invigorated to excel in their duties.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Jobs & Career

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SERAP, NLC slam FG, others over unpaid workers’ salaries Unpaid salaries and remuneration have continued to take its toll on millions of workers nationwide. Many are suffering and dying. This worrisome situation is now compelling groups concerned about the unending plights of workers to campaign against debtor states and employers. MESHACK IDEHEN reports.

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he Economic Activist Group, the SocioEconomic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) said that it had dragged state governments and the Federal Government to International Labour Organisation (ILO) over unpaid workers’ salaries.

According to the group, private sector employers will also not be spared, as the cries and agony of millions of workers had assumed deafening proportion.

Analysts and experts believe that resorting to the option, has become inevitable, when considered that many workers have died or on the verge of it, due to the obstinacy of some public and private sector employers to offset the long months of salaries and wages owed their workers.

SERAP stated that it had requested its governing body to, “suo motu”, and in its own capacity, establish without delay a commission of inquiry to examine systematic and egregious non-observance of Convention No 29 on Forced Labour and other international standards on the right of workers to timely payment of salaries.

The organisation explained that the complaint was brought pursuant to articles 26-34 of the ILO Constitution which is applicable in the country.

SERAP’s Executive Director, Mr Adetokunbo Mumuni, while lamenting the plight of workers and what the group plans to do about it, told journalists that its petition had also been addressed to the Director General of ILO, Mr Guy Ryder, over the plight of millions of Nigerian workers.

Disclosing that the complaint was copied to the United Nations (UN) Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Mumuni said SERAP is seriously concerned that several state governments and the Federal Government of Nigeria are failing and/or refusing to pay workers’ salaries and pensioners’ entitlements, amounting to billions of dollars in arrears.

According to him, some of the state governments that failed and/or refused to pay workers’ salaries and pensioners’ entitlements include Osun, Rivers, Oyo, Ekiti, Kwara, Kogi, Ondo, Plateau, Benue, and Bauchi states.

He clarified: “SERAP contends that the failure and/or refusal of state governments and Federal Government to pay workers’ salaries and allowances and pensioners’ entitlements is a clear violation of the right to work recognised by various ILO instruments and article 6 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, to which Nigeria is a state party.

Mumuni pointed out that the right to work is essential for realising other human rights and forms an inseparable and inherent part of human dignity, noting failure of states to pay workers’ salaries is tantamount to penalising

Mumuni

Aremu

The failures of privaTe secTor employers, sTaTe governmenTs and federal governmenT in nigeria To pay workers’ salaries show ThaT They are unwilling To use The maximum of Their available resources Through insufficienT expendiTure or misallocaTion of public funds them. He added the ILO sees such as menace penalty that amounts to forced labour and economic exploitation.

“Workers have not offered themselves to work without pay. SERAP also contends that the failure to pay workers’ salaries amount to a fundamental breach of the obligation to ensure the absence of forced labour and economic exploitation, and guarantee workers’ remuneration so as to provide an income allowing workers to support themselves and their families.

“The right to work contributes to the survival of the individual and to that of his/her family, and to his/her development and recognition within the community. Therefore, by failing to pay workers’ salaries the state governments and private sector employers in Nigeria have violated the right of the workers to live in dignity.”

SERAP argued further that there was absolutely no justification why state governments or the Federal Government in Nigeria should not pay workers’ salaries since international law provides that workers’ salaries must be paid even in times of severe resource constraints, as disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and groups must be protected by the adoption of targeted programmes to ensure that they live in dignity.

The group also contended that the failure of the state governments and the Federal Government in Nigeria to pay workers’ salaries was

as a result mismanagement of resources and corruption which under the covenant amount to deliberate retrogression in the protection of the right to work.”

“While ordinary Nigerian workers and pensioners are routinely denied their salaries and entitlements, senior government officials continue to receive their salaries and live lavishly.

This also clearly amounts to discrimination against workers on the grounds of national or social origin, or civil, political, social or other status, as it has the effect of impairing or nullifying exercise of the right to work on a basis

of equality,” the group lamented.

In a similar stance, General Secretary of Garment and Textile Workers Union of Nigeria, Mr Issa Aremu,said organized labour had decided to come together in order to confront a common enemy.

He said while about 22 states and some government agencies were owing workers months of unpaid salaries, that workers in the private sector were receiving a harsher deal in the hands of their employers.

Aremu, who is also the Deputy President of a faction of the NLC noted that the failure to pay workers’ salaries also violates Nigeria’s obligations to respect, protect and fulfill the right to work, including requiring state governments and Federal Government in Nigeria to refrain from interfering directly or indirectly with the enjoyment of that right, and to adopt appropriate economic and budgetary measures to ensure timely payment of workers’ salaries and pensioners’ entitlements.

“The failures of private sector employers, state governments and Federal Government in Nigeria to pay workers’ salaries show that they are unwilling to use the maximum of their available resources through insufficient expenditure or misallocation of public funds, for the realisation of the right to work in violation of their obligations under article 6.”

The labour leader lamented that the state governments, private sector employers and Federal Government have taken no effective measures so far to address the salary crisis in the country, and have in fact significantly downplayed it.

“Organised labour is therefore urging relevant stakeholders like the ILO to set up a commission of inquiry to examine the salary crisis in Nigeria with a view to making recommendations to state governments and Federal Government of Nigeria to end discrimination and unequal treatment of workers in terms of timely payment of salaries of all workers whether or not they belong to disadvantaged and marginalised sectors of the population”.

PWC appoints new partners Meshack Idehen

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r i c e Wa t e r H o u s e Coopers (PWC), said it had appointed Obioma Ubah, Andrei Ugarov and Kwabena Asante-Poku, as new partnership the firm.

A statement by the company indicated that Obioma will be responsible for client service delivery to the firm’s audit and assurance clients, while Andrei

with core interest in corporate finance be advising clients across industries on Mergers and Acquisitions as well as debt and equity raising transactions.

According to PWC, Kwabena Asante-Poku will leads the firm’s transaction services team and will provide due diligence, business valuation and project finance advice to the firm’s clients in vari-

ous industries.

Congratulating the new partners, Country Senior Partner for PwC Nigeria, Mr Uyi Akpata, said the company was delighted to welcome these new admissions to the partnership.

He said these three professionals have proven their ability to adapt to new challenges, provide distinguished client service, and nurture the careers of those around them.

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Jobs & Career

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Union seeks governors’ investigation over unpaid workers’ salaries storIes: Meshack Idehen

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he Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) said it had petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately commence the investigation and prosecution of past and present governors that owed workers’ salaries.

According to the union, the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, (ICPC) should prosecute those who will be found to have misappropriated state funds, while there must also be prosecution of both serving governors and those who have com-

pleted their tenures.

In a communiqué jointly signed by NCSU President, Mr Kiri Mohammed and Acting General Secretary, Mr Felix Ifoh, the union decried the inability of some states and local governments to pay workers’ emoluments due to corruption.

The communiqué by NSCU said the investigation has become necessary because state resources are used in paying for inflated contracts and other personal expenses including chartered flights, sponsoring of political campaigns, bogus security votes and payment of severance allowances by some of the past and present governors.

It said civil servants are facing difficulties as a result of non-payment of salaries with a lot of them unable to neither buy food, afford school fees of their children, nor attend to the medical bills of their families and are forced to trek to their various offices daily.

However, the union said it was commending the Federal Government for averting a serious industrial dispute capable of crippling the poor state of the Nigerian economy, by taking the

bold and courageous step of assisting the states to meet their salaries and wages obligations to workers.

NSCU also hailed the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for putting in place a task force on unpaid salaries of workers in states and local governments, saying same should be applied to the private sector where millions if workers are grappling with months and years of unpaid salaries and wages.

ITF, firm partner to promote skill acquisition

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he management of Ikeja Area Regional office of the Industrial Training Fund, office, said it had entered into a partnership arrangement with a professional club, The Collectives, Sagamu, Ogun State to train 16 youths in electrical installation, web designing, tiling and plumbing.

The President of the club, Mr. Adewale Fayemi, disclosed this during the inauguration of new executives and induction of new members in Sagamu.

He said the club was concerned about the challenge of youth unemployment in the country and in their immediate environment, hence its determination to sponsor the 16 youths in three-month training at the ITF skills acquisition centre in Lagos.

While stressing the club’s commitment to community service and corporate social responsibility, Fayemi explained that the Club also organised free health screening and treatment for Sagamu residents.

The Chairman, Board of Trustees of the club, Mr. Tunde Ajayi, said in the last 15 years, the club had made giant strides in areas of empowering people, ranging from sports to academics.

He said: “We encourage people of like minds to continue to show interest in the club, while we will not sacrifice merit on the altar of expediency, we believe its growth will impact positively on our community.”

At the event, a N25m endowment was launched to sustain the club’s development programmes.

Tips for increasing productivity at work

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roductivity is the combination of intelligent planning and focused efforts. Staying productive at work or at home can be a challenge. Every time the work day ends, odds are that you are not satisfied with what you have accomplished. Productivity can be continuously improved, but here are some pointers that have really worked.

Seek help / delegate tasks accordinglyEverybody needs help and should never take on large tasks alone. Two of the biggest barriers for getting help are trust and introversion.

In order to get help from others, you need to trust your colleagues in helping you complete work. If you tell your colleague what the deadline is for the project, then they will likely take it very seriously. Make sure to give your col-

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he positions for Patient Access Managers in East and West Africa from (www.findjobafrica) opens job vacancies for this week.

The openings are proposed to be based in several West African capitals, and the recruiting organisation said in these roles, that the incoming key jobs focus will be to drive and implement patient access strategy across these respective regions.

The successful candidates will be based in East and West Africa respec-

league all of the resources that he or she needs such as relevant documents or spreadsheets in order to reach the best deliverable.

People are not going to volunteer in helping out so you have to feel comfortable about asking for help. If you are too introverted to ask for help, then you will most likely be doing tasks on your own. You may also end up becoming somebody else’s work-horse because you are too shy to speak up.

Do not get sucked into unnecessary meetings- Time is the most important currency in your life. While it may be tempting to meet with as many people for the benefit of networking, the time you get at your desk is extremely valuable. Knowing what meetings to refuse is very important.

Workers exchanging ideas in office

Rivers TUC urges CP on security of lives, properties Meshack Idehen

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he Rivers State Chapter of Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has assured the Commissioner of Police in the state of the Congress and all the workers’ readiness to collaborate towards improving security of lives and properties in Rivers State.

The State Chairman of TUC, Mr Chika Onuegbu, in a statement made available to National Mirror, lamented that the state, which is the treasure base of the nation and the centre of oil and gas operation in Nigeria, had witnessed spates of criminality like kidnapping; armed robbery; oil theft and pipeline vandalism.

Onuegbu also bemoaned wanton destruction of lives and property has reached an unprecedented level in the state, while many workers and residents of the state have been kidnapped, killed, attacked and maimed with impunity in recent times without any effective action by the security agents to curb this ugly

Job vacancies

tively but will be required to travel extensively to key countries across their regions, and the roles will suit individuals who have an understanding of African health systems, international healthcare experience or the workings of health related NGO’s.

The qualifications are education up to degree level or MBA, excellent organisational, analytical and problem-solving skills, Self-driven, flexible, autonomous, and customer centric individual and action-oriented, sales focused, with high

sense of urgency.

From www.jobberman.com is the vacant post of Head - Membership Care / Client Services to be based in Lagos.

Minimum qualification is a degree and requires experience of 5 - 7 years.

The responsibilities for this position are Meeting member’s queries and enquiries as well as designing membership care strategies, overseeing the meetings and other activities of Board of fellows.

trend.

He described the situation as so bad that many members of TUC in the state now live in fear and are actively seeking for transfers out of Rivers State. Also worrisome, he added, is the unwarranted attacks on the secretariat and leadership of labour unions in Rivers state.

“In view of the above, congress hereby notifies you that if by 14 days from the date of this letter, we do not see any significant reduction in the aforementioned criminal activities in Rivers State, we shall call an emergency state council meeting and where the council so approves, withdraw our members from work in self defense, pending when we consider it safe for them to go/return back to work. “ It is our fervent prayer that you give serious attention to our pleadings in this letter in the interest of the people and workers of Rivers State who depend on your state command for the protection of their lives and property as they go about their lawful businesses”, the labour leader warned.

The post is also responsible for marketing of qualified members and processing of Fellowship election, coordinates the Fellowship & HCIB Investiture, services the needs of out of work members and Produces membership directory amongst several other duties.

Other requirements are a first degree (BSc/HND) in social sciences or any related field, a Postgraduate degree in Social sciences or related field and a professional qualification which will be an added advantage.

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

25

Real Estate & Environment

FG rallies stakeholders for climate change action plan In demonstration of its commitment to the global efforts targeted at slowing down the degree of global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Nigeria has commenced the process of preparing the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions(INDCs), a policy document that will guide the nation’s programmes/actions in tackling the menace. OLUFEMI ADEOSUN reports

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he need for all parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change [UNFCCC] to be committed to setting realistic target towards reducing the greenhouse gas emissions, formed the fulcrum of discussion during the 19th session of the multilateral climate forum which took place in Warshaw, Poland.

Ozekhome picks holes on CCB’s stance on assets declaration 27

One of the resolutions arrived at the meeting was the need for all parties to the convention to submit their Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs). The document is expected contain policies and programmes that align with the global attempt to reduce the level of global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

According to environment experts, the borderless nature of the negative effects of climate change has compelled countries globally to come together to explore ways of addressing the drift.

They noted that although the level technological advancement in the developed economies has made them major emitters, the negative effects of it is more bit-

Firm unveils technology for mass housing 28

ing on the developing nations because of their low resilience status.

For instance, in Nigeria, the extreme desert encroachment in the northern parts of the country, erosion problem in the East, menace of ocean surge and flooding in the South-West have been regarded as manifestations of the negaCONTINUED ON PAGE 26

Ways to arrange the kitchen 29

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Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FG rallies stakeholders for climate change action plan CONTINUED FROM 25 tive effects of climate change.

They pointed out that these environmental challenges were not only constituting a blight on the poverty alleviation programmes of successive governments in Nigeria, but also aiding the worsening security confronting the country.

It is against this background that environment experts during stakeholders’ forum in Abuja urged the new administration to utilize the opportunity availed through the development of the INDCs document to embark on policies and progrmmes that would not only help to address, in a sustainable manner some of these climate change induced challenges.

This is in addition to also helping to position the country on the path of low carbon economy and high growth without jeopardising national development priorities.

As part of the processes for the successful submission of the document in September, Nigeria had two months ago hosted a Project Initiation Workshop in April 2015, in Abuja. It also recently commissioned a British environmental consulting firm of Ricardo-AEA to execute the project.

The consortium, which is being led by a climate change policy expert, Hans Verolme, will be supported by local experts including, Prof. Olukayode Oladipo and James Okeuhie.

Speaking at the sidelines of the consultants/stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, the Director, Climate Change Department, Ministry of Environment, Dr. Samuel Adejuwon underscored the significance of the INDCs to the country.

According to him, apart from helping the country to develop its developmental programmes across the various sectors of the nation’s national life in a greener manner, it would also help to address some of its environmental challenges in a sustainable manner.

On the modalities for the production of the document, he said “The whole exercise (INDCs) will consider some prior-

Buhari

Former Minister of Environment, Laurentia Mallam

MAYBE MANY WHO DO NOT UNDERSTAND IT MEANS MAY BE UNDERESTIMATING IT. BUT AS AN

EXPERT, IT POINTS TO THE FACT THAT

WHETHER NIGERIA

LIKES IT OR NOT, THE ERA OF FOSSIL FUEL IS OVER Verolme

ity sectors, look at the baseline and look at our needs too for development and see what we can put on the table that we are going to strive to mitigate in terms of Green House Gases. And it is not something you just rush into without understanding because you are never too sure whether the potential agreement in Par-

is will be legally binding.

According to him, the requirement for countries to submit their commitments ahead of the conference is to see if they will be able to address the impact of climate change. He, however, maintained that the ministry had held series of workshops to fulfill its commitment

to climate change conventions and protocols as well as exploit opportunities as a party to the protocols.

Also one of the consultants who spoke on the project, Prof. Olukayode Oladipo the development of the document, would enable the country diversify its energy base, particularly the need to do away with fossil fuel.

He said, “Maybe many who do not understand it means may be underestimating it. But as an expert, it points to the fact that whether Nigeria likes it or not, the era of fossil fuel is over. Every country is now exploring how to use lesser energy for more things in an efficient manner, how to rely on renewable energy sources than what we are doing and how to be able to drive our economy through reduced energy consumption without actually reducing the rate at which our economy is growing.”

When reminded that implementation of policies has always been a problem in Nigeria, he maintained that the present administration had demonstrated sufficient commitment to the issue of climate change and such the issue of whether it would be able to muster the needed political will to push it through should not arise.

“I have to be honest with you and I have been saying it since President Buhari assumed the leadership of the country, that for the first time we have a Nigerian President reflecting climate change in during his electoral campaigns.

Not only that, during his inauguration climate change was recognized as one of the challenges that government will face. That gives me the confidence and the joy that Nigeria is now recognising the importance of carrying climate change along the developmental path. I am confident this government will accord it a pride of place. Moreover, the document must be approved will be approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

Also, a Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos and member, National Committee on COP21, Prof. Babajide Alo, noted that beyond Paris, INDCs would be an action plan that would be of immense benefit to the nation as it would help it develop policies that promotes green living.

In particular, he said the document would help the country reduce the effect of climate change, reduce flooding.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Country Director, Dr. Pa Lamin Beyai noted that the process was extremely important for Nigeria in view of its leadership role within the African continent.

In his words, “The process is extremely important for Nigeria because of the leadership role Nigeria stands to play in the area of climate change negotiation in Africa. If Nigeria is serious about pushing forward the climate change agenda, it is important that the INDCs be developed in a very robust manner.

That is why the UNDP supported the preliminary discussion on the INDCs. We will continue to support Nigeria in its climate change efforts.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Pollution: Environmentalists, residents slam brewery firms

MORTGAGE NOTES

SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE

with Adenike Fasanya-Osilaja

F

Fasanya-Osilaja

Email: Nike@MVPSolutionsinc.com https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=35277333

Is there a Case for a Dual Real Estate System?

G

reetings all. I was involved in a very enlightening discourse with a valued older financial guru recently who has been extensively involved in the Nigeria market, and he made a statement that really stuck with me. In his opinion, it will be almost impossible to have a unilateral mortgage finance system in Nigeria due to certain unique features of the Nigerian housing market.

I was quite surprised to hear this because this person has been in the industry for over 30 years, so I asked for his reasons for such a drastic statement. He basically reiterated that the mortgage finance products in the Nigerian industry today, by their very nature can only be offered to a very select clientele, and that there would always be a vacuum in the higher property market. He went further to discuss his reasons: 1.

The Purchase Price Dilemma: The prices of property purchased in Nigeria seem to automatically establish parallel pricing based simply on the mode of acquisition. Properties with a mortgage component seem to sell for lower prices than those purchased for cash. As is universally known, real estate has long been the preferred investment tool for ill-gotten gains. The danger with this scenario is the fact that the people who try to hide such ill-gotten wealth do not negotiate a realistic market based price for the properties they buy. As a result, similar properties in the same vicinity end up selling for wildly different prices.

2.

The Mortgage Qualification Dilemma: I f the typical upper level civil servant cannot afford to purchase the properties being sold by their own state, then the problem has not been solved.

They would have

been priced out of the market because they cannot (or should not be able to) pay cash for their desired property. As a result, the “luxury market” should not even be considered at any point, in the development of a relevant mortgage industry in Nigeria. In fact, he felt that the mortgage financiers would be best advised to stick to trying to sell to the lower end of the market rather than trying to source both high and low markets. Indeed, if the NMRC tried to make a play for the upper price level properties, their funding would be used up in a jiffy.

3.

The NMRC Guidelines (Implementation) Dilemma: One of the areas in which our company is training mortgage staff and consulting the most for them in, is in the practical applications of the NMRC guidelines. It is clear that the said guidelines will not work for every loan, but it is especially evident that they will not work for the luxury market. Again, the issue of debt ratio was his biggest concern. His contention was that if mortgage practitioners are forced to grant credit using the ratios set forth in the guidelines, no one would qualify for the higher priced properties. According to him, Nigeria is a market that must take into consideration the “doctrine” of “income derived from other sources” in the underwriting of most mortgage loans, even of the lower priced property market. Otherwise, most homeowners today would not have qualified for the purchases they made. The sheer amount of such “other income” for luxury properties, if they were subject to the same guidelines, would put them well beyond reach.

4.

The Goal/Specializa-

27

tion of the Mortgage Practitioners: He believed that forcing the entire market into a “one size fits all” mortgage guideline box could cause an upheaval in the industry. As it is, different companies have found their niches in the areas they are most comfortable operating. It would be a disservice to force anyone to operate outside of their specialization and emphasized that there would be a backlash from the industry if this was seen to be the case.

I actually agreed with a lot of the issues the gentleman raised, but as always, my take on the matter is that we must start from somewhere.

It is agreed that right now, the market is such a mess that any sudden changes might upset its fragility. The fact remains that the market has to be standardized and sanitized, and if we don’t start to work on it, it will only continue to get worse. So, my view is that we have to start the process, xxxxx watch its practical implementation, and amend as we move forward. Nothing is impossible, not even the standardization of the Nigerian mortgage system.

I would really like to know what you all think regarding the above. Do you agree that a dual market is the only way out for the Nigerian mortgage industry? Have the NMRC guidelines forced you to alter your business model? How are you getting the job done?

I look forward to hearing from you soon. In the meantime, please feel free to put up your comments and/or questions, and as always, make it a great day.

ABOUT THE WRITER Fasanya-Osilaja a lawyer and mortgage expert has owned and operated Marvel Ventures Mortgage, Inc. (www.marvelmortgage.com), a Chicagobased Mortgage Brokerage Company since 2000 and has worked in the US Mortgage industry since 1996. She also consults and facilitates industryrequired activities, from set up of mortgage organisations to documentation, training and compliance.

estering allegations have continued to trail some brewery firms over industrial pollutions in the country.

Prior to now, some environment experts had taken a swipe on some industrial firms, yet to key into global modern system of productions, aimed at reducing industrial wastes.

Investigation had revealed that industrial sector generate more industrial wastes, than other sectors, even as it was disclosed, that a large number of the wastes come from brewery companies.

Over the weekend, a resident of Iganmu area of Lagos, Mr Lawal Adeniyi told National Mirror, that the residents of the area are still grappling with industrial pollutions, being generated by some industries operating in the area.

Alleging that some of them are yet to comply with the production system aimed at eliminating wastes, he noted with dismay that such act is capable of causing health hazards.

He said, ‘’major contributors to this problem are brewery and manufacturing sectors in our area.

They are many there. They contribute to both gaseous and toxic wastes. State and federal governments should intervene to save our souls’’.

Long before now, the Head of Media, Environmental Rights Action and Friends of the Earth, Mr. Philip Jakpor had told National Mirror on phone that the issue of industrial emission is alarming.

Jakpor however linked the problem to poor urban planning, breach of environmental laws as well as inadequate monitoring by concerned government agencies among others.

Blaming governments at all levels, for lack of urban renewals, aimed at stemming the tide, he also chided operators for the lax in reducing gaseous emissions in the country.

He said, ‘’by right, people are not supposed to live near such areas. I blame government for the poor urban planning. I blame companies for breach of environmental laws and also blame agencies vested with the responsibility to monitor environmental activities, aimed at sanctioning those flouting environmental laws. People suffer from effluences of these companies.

However, Nigerian Breweries Plc in its 2014 annual report said, it strives to comply with current and future environmental laws and regulations, aimed at minimising pollution impacts on the environment.

In the report, signed by the Company Secretary and Legal Adviser, Uaboi Agbebaku, the company said, ‘’it would also develop cost effective strategies to ensure that residue or by-products generated are collected and processed in a manner suitable for recycling and disposal with least possible impact on the environment’’.

This is in addition to encouraging necessary awareness among its employees on issues of environment while engendering active involvement in maintaining clean and tidy working environment.

Ozekhome picks holes on CCB’s stance on assets declaration OLUFEMI ADEOSUN ABUJA

A

constitutional lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Mike Ozekhome, has faulted the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) over its position on the administration of assets declaration, saying that the process had failed to deter public officers from illegally acquiring property.

Ozekhome stated this in a paper presented at the National Continuing Professional Development Programme on asset declaration organized by the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers.

Speaking on the theme “Asset declaration as a veritable anti-corruption strategy,” he said there was the need for the CCB to grant free access to Nigerians that may wish to know details of the declared assets by public officials.

According to him, for the exercise to have meaningful impact, there is the need for the CCB to work with professional valuers such as the NIESV in verifying information provided by public office holders.

This, he added, would help to expose discrepancies as well as curtail corruption through under declaration of over acquisition of assets by public officers.

He said, “If the CCB must achieve its aim of curtailing corruption through under declaration or over acquisition of assets by public officers, then it must partner with professional bodies like NIESV so as to be a step ahead of dubious declaration by unscrupulous public servants.

“Assets declaration must be published by any public servant who desires to be taken seriously as being above board in matters concerning corruption.’’

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Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ways t

Whether you’ve just m new space, are settlin mer rental, or are just f with your kitchen, here ideas to help you arran kitchen for maximum c cleaning efficiency tha mucking about in the s more fun.

Start with what you love them, you may hate t you’ve got y g the money y for a vation, va ation, your urr sink, stove a aren’t going anywhere. Th dic di e g tth ssp ke k M Pu P Bo tho th less les som Kur Ku my choi cho out, way t them Cre Cr Source: apartmenttherapy.com

Firm unveils technology for mass housing OLUFEMI ADEOSUN ABUJA

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TG Group Nigeria Limited has entered into an agreement with Weiler GMBH Germany to set up a large scale Precast Factory in Nigeria for the provision of affordable mass housing to bridge the lingering housing deficit gap put at 17 million units.

Weiler GMBH is a Germany based, leading engineering and manufacturing company for the precast concrete industry.

While First Bank of Nigeria Plc is partnering with the group on the project for the provision of mortgage finance for the offtakers, another company, Geelhoed group has sealed a deal with Anambra State Government to adopt the new technology for the provision of 1,000 units of housing for the ordinary people in the state.

Speaking while unveiling the new housing solutions in Abuja, the Chairman BTG Group Nigeria Limited, Dr. Arodiogbu Ijeomah, said the initiative would aid production of large scale modern

...flags off 1,000 prototype units in Anambra

real estate solutions for Nigerians at affordable prices with best quality and with fast delivery timeline.

According to him, the new technology would be deployed to support the social housing policy of government with a view to bridging the huge housing deficit gaps in the country.

He said the group had concluded plans to set up factories that would be producing the precast concrete products in the six geopolitical zones of the country.

On the uniqueness of the precast housing solutions, he stated, “Our precast products have several advantages which include being strong and extremely durable, can be shaped in nearly any design, have high factory made constant quality, have very high fire resistance. Our precast concrete buildings are earthquakeand hurricane-proof, are based on natural raw materials,], and most importantly can be used for any construction application.”

Speaking further, he maintained that, “The Group is com-

mitted and feels privilege to be investing in the future of Nigeria real estate sector and most especially introducing innovative solution on a very large scale to bridge the huge gap within the affordable homes provision to Nigerians, because in these tough economic times, Nigeria need smart organizations, like BTG Group Nigeria Limited, that have Nigeria’s interest at heart to support government and its MDAs in their quest to uplift Nigeria’s home ownership drive through provision of investment funds and excellent large scale affordable homes production mechanism coupled with excellent project management services more than ever.”

Also speaking, the Sales Director, Weiler GmbH Mr. Christoph Mueller-Bernhardt, it is not only Nigeria that is confronting the increasing demands qualitative, affordable, high-quality as a result of population explosion, saying that the best way to confront the challenge is to think outside the box solutions.

According to him,”Weiler GmbH is more than happy that our global leading precast technologies, machines and services have been core to this unique business partnership with BTG Group Nigeria Limited with sole objective of providing high quality affordable homes and buildings on a very large scale in Nigeria for the huge population of Nigeria with a very short timeframe.”

Ongoing construction works of Abuja – Kaduna standa

Only 60,000 benefit from NH

T

he National president, Real Estate Developer Association of Nigeria (REDAN) Rev. Ogochukwu Chime, has expressed concern over the failure of National Housing Fund (NHF) to address the housing need of Nigerians workers who constitute major contributors.

He stated that it was lamentable that since inception of the Fund only a negligible 60,000, representing 1.5 per cent of the 4 million contributors

have so far benefitted from the fund.

In order to address the ugly trend, Chime who spoke during a Housing Stakeholders’ interactive workshop in Abuja at the weekend, advocated the deployment of part of the pension fund which is equally contributed by the Nigerian workers for housing provision.

The National Pension Fund which amounts to about 4.9 trillion is said to by lying fallow at the vault with the consequence of being eroded by

in

in fa va fu

wh 20 co in A Ho

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

29

to arrange the kitchen

moved into a g into a sumfrustrated e are some nge your cooking and at will making space a lot

have: You may them, but unless a full scale renoand refrigerator heir position will ctate where everything else goes. Cleaning hem up (Magic ponges, Bareeper’s Friend, Mrs. Meyer’s All urpose Spray, on Ami and ose curly stains steel sponges metimes called rly Kate’s, are weapons of ice), inside and can go a long towards making presentable. eate stations:

Taking a cue from restaurant kitchens, mentally assign stations for all of the tasks that you do in your kitchen: cleaning, storage, prepping, cooking, putting food away.

I bake a lot, so I also have a baking station.

Organize items according to task: The point is to organize the kitchen so that there’s as little unnecessary movement as possible. If, after you’ve washed the cutlery from tonight’s dinner at the sink, putting it away means walking across the kitchen to do so, chances are it will never get put away, no matter how pretty the cutlery drawer organizer is.

Move things around so that what you need is in arm’s reach: Cutlery and dishes should be near the sink; spices and cooking implements, whether rubber spatula or skillet, should be near the stove; put knives and chopping boards near your prep area; store sugar, flour, rolling pins, cookie sheets and standing mixer near your baking area.

Out of reach: Put things you rarely use — the turkey platter you pull out at Thanksgiving, the holiday-themed cookie cutters — higher up or lower down. Having to get on a ladder, or even bend your knees, means you’ll use something less frequently.

If necessary, buy two: I use cinnamon for cooking and for baking, so I’ve got one canister near the stove and one in my baking area. While I’m not suggesting you buy two food prep machines, consider doubling up on little items like spices and spatulas.

Merchandise your storage: Yes, I con-

fess, my kitchen is always ready for its close up. I like my kitchen itchen organized, I also like it pretty.

Arranging items by size and color as well as by how often you use them can go a long way towards making your time e in this room pleasant.

Pretty but also useful: ul: If the canister that you use e to store flour is hard to o open, it’s not useful. Before you buy something, try itt out in the store and consider de er how you’ll use it. Does it feel eell substantial in your hand butt also light enough that it’ it’s ’s easy to use? Can you open na container with one hand? I’ve ve removed rubber sealant rings gs from many a flour container ner in order to make them easierr to open.

Stick with the place you’ve u’ve given for things: With everyerything in my kitchen assigned ed a spot, it’s easy to see what I have and what’s missing. With a quick glance into my refrigerator, I can tell that I’m out of butter orr milk or low on veggies. Since I always keep these things in the same place, a glance at my kitchen en cupboards tells me I’m out of glasses and I’d better get washing!

Forex rules hurting real estate sector –Expert

G

eneral Manager, Alphamaed Property Development Company, Damola Akindolire has said the new forex rules of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, was hurting the nation’s real estate sector.

Akindolire, who joined CNBC Africa to discuss the impact of such rules on real estate sector, said naira has weakened to N230 to a dollar in the parallel market, thus reflecting the impact of new forex rules that ban the sale of dollars to importers of 41 items.

He said, the real estate sector, is directly impacted by such policy as iron

ard rail line

HF scheme –REDAN

nflationary trend.

According to him, the impact of nflation and other micro economic ctor, have contributed in bring the alue of workers’ contribution to the und to as low as 26 per cent.

He said.”Unlike most countries in hich housing contributes upward 0% to the GDP of the economy, the ontribution of housing to the GDP n Nigeria ranges between 5% to 7%. major concern is that the, National ousing Fund with about 4million

contributors, has not impacted seriously on the contributing public.

“Records have it that only about 1.5% of the contributors have benefitted from the scheme since inception. The pension fund, also contributed by workers, which encompasses a much larger pool, is effectively lying fallow, as far as contributors’ welfare is concerned.”

“The NHF and the NPF are first created to ensure that while in service and in retirement the average

Nigerian worker is catered. We all know that three elements form the basic needs of man, which include food shelter and clothing. While government has been intervening on the issue of food, making single digit fund available for farming, unfortunately the same government has not deemed it necessary to some of the provisions of the National Housing Fund and the revised National Pension Fund to dovetail into the welfare workers.”

rods, steel nails and roofing sheets are no longer valid for foreign exchange.

Foreign experts, Godfrey Mutizwa, said to stem the impact, African countries should withdraw their foreign exchange reserves He said, ‘’African countries should withdraw foreign exchange reserves deployed in foreign markets and use the money to fund infrastructure projects at home, where returns are better and risk is improving.

“It really doesn’t make sense to be buying the bonds of developed countries and funding their fiscal deficits, when the needs are great here and the returns are so low,” Professor Leonce Ndikumana of the University of Massachusetts said at the annual general meeting of the African Export Import Bank in Lusaka, Zambia The United Economic Commission for Africa estimates the continent’s 54 central banks hold an estimated 500 billion largely in dollars, euros and the Chinese yuan as a risk measure at a time when Africa has an infrastructure financing gap of $93 billion.

With global benchmark bonds,

including US treasuries and German bunds yielding less than three per cent, African countries are missing a huge opportunity for better returns while fixing a key sector hobbling growth, Ndikumana said in a paper looking at mobilizing resources for export diversification.

In some cases, the same money was recycled back to Africa as higher cost loans, he said. While previously these reserves were held offshore as a risk measure, the 2008 global financial crisis had exposed the fallacy of some of the risk assumptions and perceptions, Ndikumana said.

On their own, African countries could help reduce the funding gap by selling infrastructure bonds and using domestic resources residing in sovereign wealth funds and pension funds.

Capital flight, estimated to have cost the continent some $1.3 trillion since 1970 could also be plugged by improving governance, Ndikumana said. Justin Lin, a former World Bank Chief Economist, said successful economies developed competitive market systems with the state playing a facilitation role.

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Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

UK home ownership optimism drops

O

ptimism in the UK property market has slowed down, with fewer home owners anticipating an increase in the value of their home over the next 12 months, a new survey shows.

Just under half, 49 percent, believe their home will increase in value over the next year compared to 54% in January and 55 percent a year ago. A further 49 percent anticipate that the value will stay the same whilst 2 percent believe

it will decrease.

The survey from Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks also shows that Londoners are the most optimistic with 73 percent anticipating an increase in the value of their home, followed by 62 percent of those in the South East and 56 percent of those in the East.

In sharp contrast 11% of those surveyed in the North East expect the value of their home to decrease, a view shared by 6 percent in the North West and Scotland.

Those living in the South East and London are the most upbeat about rising property prices with 67 percent in the South East and 64 percent in London citing this as the main reason for anticipating an increase in the value of their home. In contrast only 37 percent of those in the North West share this view.

The report suggests that the key factor for those who think their home will increase in price is rising property prices as well

as the positive impact of the economic recovery.

‘It has been positive to see confidence returning to the property market however our latest research has shown that this is levelling out with a drop in the number of people who believe their home will increase in value over the next year,’ said Steve Fletcher, director of retail banking.

‘There are still a number of property hot spots, such as London and the South East, where

property prices are rising and we anticipate that this will continue however this is not mirrored across the UK as a whole,’ he pointed out.

He added that the Banks have a range of competitive mortgages including a two year fixed, fee offer product up to 75 percent LTV at 2.09 percent and a five year fixed, fee offer product up to 75 percent LTV at 2.89 percent, both for remortgage applications above £75,000.

RICS, UN launch global real estate initiative

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UK property

Property prices fall, sales up in Spain

A

lthough, the recovering in housing sales in Spain continues with transactions up by 1.9 percent in April, prices are still falling, the latest figures show.

The data from the General Council of Notaries shows sales up almost 2 percent in April but prices down by 3.9 percent year on year nationally. Overall a total of 30,758 transactions were completed which the council says ‘reflects the stabilisation in monthly sales’.

The average price of homes bought in April was €1,188 per square meter with new homes, the data also shows and the number of mortgages available is ris-

ing, up 12.3% year on year. Buyers are also able to get higher loans with the average mortgage sixe up 9.2% to €122,119.

Meanwhile, the average Spanish home costs €200,000, according to the annual Spanish housing market report from appraisal firm Euroval.

But there are considerable regional variations in values. In Barcelona, for example some 54% of homes for sale are offered at less than €254,000, whilst in Madrid 61% of homes for sale cost less than €247,000. While in cities like Alicante, on the Costa Blanca, 58% of homes have a price below €143,000.

The Euroval report also looks at what has been happening in the Spanish property market in the last couple of years and shows that sales increased by 21.63% between 2013 and 2014.

It also shows a decrease in the number of new homes being sold and the largest numbers of transactions are still taking place in Andalusia, which represents 19.2% of the total volume.

When it comes to valuation activity, the firm reports an 11.5% increase in 2014 over the previous year, after eight consecutive years of declines. But this is just 30% of the volume of appraisals which were carried out in 2005.

oyal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the United Nations have issued a call to organisations in the land, construction and real estate sectors, and those working with them, to take a leading role in responsible and sustainable business practices.

The UK headquarter RICS and the UN’s Global Compact organisation, undertaking its first initiative to promote responsible business that focuses exclusively on one specific economic sector, launched a new report in New York.

It examines the sector’s impact in relation to the UN Global Compact’s four focus areas of human rights, labour standards, the environment and anti-corruption and identifies some of the most critical issues facing the sector.

‘There is a tremendous opportunity for real estate to become a driving force for a more sustainable financial, economic, social and environmental system, through collaboration and collective action,’ said Georg Kell, executive director of the UN Global Compact.

It points out that the land, real estate and construction sector represents up to 70% of global wealth, contributes around one tenth of the total global gross domestic product, GDP, each year and represents 7 percent of overall employment.

The sector also has a substantial impact on land development, resource use and waste generation. There are also issues related to human and labour rights dur-

ing development and construction.

‘Responsible action needs to become business as usual within global real estate markets, driving prosperity, innovation and investment, and helping to secure vibrant and transparent markets, thriving economies, inclusive communities and a greener, healthier planet,’ explained Sean Tompkins, RICS chief executive Officer of RICS, speaking at the New York launch.

The launch heard that although many businesses in the sector have corporate sustainability strategies and policies in place, the challenge for many is to translate those policies into actions that are practical, achievable and repeatable, across organisational and geographic boundaries.

The report aims to guide a broad cross section of organisations with their decision making throughout the real estate life cycle from commissioning, planning, design and construction, through operation, refurbishment and ultimately disposal.

The resource is the result of two year collaboration between the UN Global Compact and RICS, a global professional body representing more than 100 000 members in 146 countries. It is the product of extensive dialogue with diverse stakeholders in the sector.

‘The land, real estate and construction sector has an enormous impact on global economies, the environment and people’s lives.’’

Property prices in Dubai low

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esidential real estate prices in Dubai continued to fall in the first six weeks of the second quarter of this year compared to the first three months of 2015, according to the latest data.

However it is not necessarily

bad news, according to the mid quarter research report from Phidar Advisory. ‘The ongoing erosion of sale prices is a healthy correction. The more significant concern is the scale and nature of the upcoming launched and announced projects,’ said Jesse

Downs, the firm’s managing director.

The report shows that apartment lease rates decreased a nominal 2.4%, while sale prices decreased 1.5%, marginally tightening yields. Lease rates for villas decreased 0.6% and sale

prices decreased 2.9%, which pushed up yields slightly.

In the first five months of 2015, apartment transaction volumes were down a modest 1.5%, compared to the same period in 2014. SFH volumes contracted almost 25%, over the same period.

This is based on initial transaction data from the Dubai Land Department, which is subject to revision.

The report references income specific supply-demand imbalances.

Aviation

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

31

Professionals chart course to avert infectious diseases in air travels Players in the Nigerian aviation industry and the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, are becoming increasing concerned about the menace of contagious diseases in the industry globally. Recently, they converged on Lagos to discuss the effects of diseases like Ebola Virus Disease and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, MERSE, and how to prevent their outbreak in the industry. OLUSEGUN KOIKI writes.

T

he International Air Transport Association, IATA, in its recent statistics stated that over one billion passengers travel by air annually and that more than 50 million of these travel to the developing countries.

Although infrequently reported and very difficult to assess accurately, there is a risk of disease transmission during commercial air travels and this risk has in recent times, become a major concern of industry stakeholders.

The growing mobility of people and popularity of airline transportation has amplified the potential for disease to be transmitted to passengers not only during, but also before and after flights.

The Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, outbreak in the West African sub region last year but more specifically in Nigeria on July 20, 2014 showed how air travels could be one of the most dangerous transmission channels of infectious diseases.

Before the disease could be curbed in Nigeria, about 10 people including the leader of Sawyer’s medical team who led the medical team at First Consultants Medical Centre, a Lagos-based hospital, Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh, lost their lives to the dreaded, yet poorly controlled EVD. Though, Nigeria had heard about the ravaging impact the disease was causing in Liberia and Sierra Leone, but some felt the country was immune from the disease until it came knocking.

In addition to the flight crew, public health officials and health care professionals have an important role in the management of infectious diseases transmitted on airlines and should be familiar with guidelines provided by local and international authorities.

The International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, on its part is working towards global harmonisation in the aviation sector with re-

I want to use thIs opportunIty to apprecIate stakeholders In the nIgerIan avIatIon sector for theIr professIonalIsm and commItment In the contaInment of

ebola outbreak In the country In 2014. some of you rIsked your lIves and the

that of your famIlIes for the general good of the country spect to managing health risks triggered by communicable diseases.

One method adopted by the organisation for achieving this was to work in regions of the world that have common characteristics and established communication networks.

By establishing a regional network of experts comprising representatives from the national pubic health and civil aviation authorities, airport and airline operators, and other stakeholders and partners such as the local World Health Organisation, WHO, and ICAO representatives, a system for providing ongoing advice to the aviation sector is facilitated.

Recently ICAO Collaborative Arrangement for the Prevention and Management of Public Health events in Civil Aviation, CAPSCA, led by its Programme Global Coordinator, Michiel Vreedenbugh visited Nigerian airports on its preparedness to tackle outbreak of any communicable diseases as the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, MERSE, is currently ravaging the Middle East region.

At the two day-event held at the annex headquarters of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Annex at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos ,stakeholders in the countries aviation sector, which included

NCAA, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, Federal Ministry of Health, Port Health Services, airlines, ground handling companies and the Police Force among many others, all shared their experiences and resolved to continue to work together to fight any outbreak of communicable disease and pandemic that might be imported into the country through the airports.

In his presentation, Vreedenbugh explained that ICAO through the programme would analyse the preparedness of Nigeria’s air transport industry in the event of an outbreak of communicable disease and also advice and assist Nigeria on how to go about putting in place good public health system in the country’s entry and exit points.

He maintained that the decision to assist Nigeria using air travel was as a result of the fact that communicable disease rapidly spread through this means of transport to a large population with a very short time.

Vreedenbugh said that the national aviation authorities needed to ensure that they were fully involved in the planning process to ensure that their expertise was available to the national public health authority.

He continued that an area where specific expertise from the national aviation authority would be required as that of air traffic management as several issues would need to be considered, such as procedures to ensure flight safety when aircraft are diverted because of a suspected case on board, the reliable notification of the national public health authority by air traffic control after receiving information of a suspected case from a pilot, and how air traffic operations could be sustained when many personnel are simultaneously absent from work, possibly for several weeks.

He also commended the Federal Government for successfully combating the spread of EVD in 2014 and urged Nigeria to use this opportunity to prepare for the audit slated for later this year, stressing that collaboration, cooperation, coordination and partnership was key to achieving the desired results.

Also, the Director-General, NCAA, Capt.

Muhtar Usman in his presentation disclosed that the regulatory agency in conjunction with other aviation agencies, companies and the Federal Ministry of Health had come up with a National Aviation Health Emergency Preparedness Plan to prevent the outbreak and spread of communicable diseases in the nation’s aviation industry.

Usman said that the plan was drawn mainly from the template provided by ICAO and said it would serve as a guidance material to all aviation stakeholders in the handling of suspected cases of communicable diseases within the Nigerian airspace.

He said, “I want to use this opportunity to appreciate stakeholders in the Nigerian aviation sector for their professionalism and commitment in the containment of the Ebola outbreak in the country in 2014. Some of you risked your lives and that of your families for the general good of the country.

“This inter-agency collaboration, cooperation, coordination and communication displayed during the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak must be sustained to enable us effectively handle any suspected case of communicable disease in our airports. The ICAO CAPSCA Africa Project team visited Nigeria in 2009 and 2011 to assist Nigeria in developing competencies, structures and procedures in preventing the spread of communicable diseases through air travel.”

The Managing Director of NAMA, Abdulsalam Ibrahim stated that to achieve success in fighting against communicable disease there must be collaborate efforts by stakeholders.

NAMA, he stated was ready and willing to perform any role given to the agency as it concern the role of Air Traffic Controllers, ATC, adding that the agency would continue to give its support to such collaborative efforts geared towards the prevention and management of public health emergencies.

32

Aviation

Tuesday, July, 2015

We organize safety seminars to update employees StorieS: oluSegun KoiKi

T

he Managing Director, Greater Washington Logistics, Mrs. Adenike Brown, has said that company’s management the organised a three-day seminar on dangerous goods and safety to over 60 of its field staff to keep them abreast with global best safety standards.

Speaking with aviation correspondent, Brown said that the training was organized for the affected employees in line with the industry standards as recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, International Air Transport Association, IATA, and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA. She explained that the training, which is organised every six months, would further enhance the staff’s knowledge of the industry, the security compliance around the airport and facilities at the cargo shed.

She noted that the resource persons for the seminar were IATA and NCAA certified, stressing that as one of the leading companies in cargo and baggage handling companies in the sector, it could not toy with safety and security in its operations.

She said, “The current training we are having now, which is dangerous goods and security training is being facilitated by NCAA Aviation Security, AVSEC. We do the training by in-

L-R: Chief Implementation Planning & Support, Safety Section, International Civil Aviation Organization, ICAO, Mr. Michiel Vreedenburgh, Director-General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Capt. Muhtar Usman and Managing Director, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, Engr. Ibrahim Abdulsalam at the event of Collaborative Arrangement for the Prevention and Management of Public Health in Civil Aviation held recently at NCAA Annex, MMIA, Lagos.

dustry standards every six months. It is safety and security awareness. This one is just the awareness that we carry out every six months to enable our staff to get to speed on what the industry standard is on identification and false declaration of dangerous goods.

“Also, safety is in the front burner in the industry particularly in Nigeria today. So, we need to bring them up to the standards of AVSEC of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, is taking on safety so that everyone who does business at the airport does so with utmost sense of security and safety.”

Also speaking at the event, the Head, Cargo Operations and Agency Business, Mr. Tope Popoola, said that the major security issue confronting cargo business in the industry was

wrong declaration of items by agents.

He pointed out that the agents who acted as middlemen most times would want to engage in sharp practices to earn some extra money from their clients at the expense of safety in the system, saying however that through proper scrutiny and checks, some of the wrong and under-declared items had been detected by its personnel.

Popoola explained that most of the agents were ignorant of the in-depth knowledge on weight and balancing, a situation, which he noted made them to in most cases attempted to smuggle in extra kilograms to make additional money for themselves.

He insisted that the current policies in the system were aimed at further improving safety and security in the sector.

Our new tariff based on NCAA’s approval – NAHCO

…says equipment, services among best globally

T

he Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO Aviance), said the industry regulator, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, approved its recent 20 per cent tariff increase on cargo based on industry-wide endorsement.

The Manager, Communications, Mr. Tayo Ajakaye stated this in a statement.

The ground handling company provides aircraft, passenger and cargo handling services and other related services in the country’s aviation industry.

According to the company’s spokesperson, the Director-General,

Usman

NCAA, Capt. Muhtar Usman, gave the approval in a letter dated June 2, which was addressed to its Managing Director, Mr. Norbert Bielderman.

He insisted that the approval of the tariff was a sign of endorsement of the processes embarked upon by the ground handling company in reviewing its tariffs recently.

NAHCO and clearing agents under the aegis of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA, and the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, NAGAFF, had on May 15 reached an agreement on the increment after almost a week of negotiation and protest.

Subsequently, the Import Handling Charge was increased from N38 per kg to N46 per kg and the Courier Handling Charge from N45 per kg to N54 per kg as agreed with the stakeholders.

On the quality of technological and other ground handling assets of NAHCO, Ajakaiye stated that the past few years had witnessed huge investment in equipment and other operational assets by the company

that improved its services significantly in line with global standards.

For instance, he disclosed that no ground handler had even one fifth of the equipment NAHCO has acquired in furtherance of its corporate objective to offer world class services to its clients.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Airside shegzzy4live2000@yahoo.co.uk 08186007273

AMCON and Aero takeover

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ews went round last week that the fleet of the oldest airline in Nigeria, Aero Contractors had depleted from 11 to five under two years of takeover by the Asset Management Company of Nigeria, AMCON. The news also described the take over and the restructuring exercise as a scam, alleging that some of the amount of money spent on restructuring of the airline was diverted into private pockets. AMCON currently owns 60 per cent shares of the airline.

This is indeed a sad story about the airline, which prided itself as the safest airline in the country. Despite operating for over 50 years, the airline is yet to have a single crash but

experienced only minor incidents.

Airside thinks when AMCON takes over an asset, the fortune of such company is supposed to blossom under the takeover, but the reverse is the case with the airline, whose fortunes have continued to nosedive.

Airside advises the government to investigate this accusation against the AMCON and whosoever that is found guilty should be brought to book.

Aero Contractors with one of the best corporate image in the airline sub-sector in the country should not be allowed to fold its wings abruptly due to bad takeover and management. Time for Buhari’s government to act is now.

Kudos to Capt. Ore as he bows out

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apt. Dele Ore recently bowed out as the Chairman of Aviation Round Table, ART, a Non-Governmental Organisation, championing the cause of operational efficiency ans standardization in the aviation industry. Ore was the second Chairman of ART after its formation in 2003.

Ore during his stewardship at the ART performed creditably well, doing an objective critique of every government’s policies and pronouncements. In fact, he put corrupt government officials especially ministers on their toes through his unbiased interviews and comments.

As a Director of Operations in the defunct national carrier, Nigeria Airways, Ore never used his position to amass selfish wealth and none of the findings and enquiries on the mismanagement of the airline has been traced to

his door step unlike some of his counterparts. Airside is proud of this incorruptible Nigerian.

Ore as a student, graduated at the British Air University, AST, Perth Scotland; Oxford Air Training School, Mannin University, UK and the University of Lagos, UNILAG. He is also a notable aircraft training captain and type rating captain and examiner.

Presently, Ore is a Barrister-atLaw. Ore became a commander of airlines at a relatively young age of 26, having flown all types of aircraft from the least to the highest jumbo Boeing 747. At a time, he was the commander of the presidential fleet.

Airside wishes Ore well as he bows out of the leadership of ART, but insists his wealth of experience is still required by the players and investors in the industry.

Kano, Calabar rated best among FAAN – Managed airports

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he Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar, and Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, have been awarded the best performing airports among those managed by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN. FAAN in a statement by its General Manager, Corporate Communications, Mr. Yakubu Dati stated that the awards were based on the Performance Management System, PMS, rating initiated by the agency. The initiative he stated is being packaged

by FAAN’s Department of Planning.

As at date, there are 21 airports being controlled by FAAN apart from other states owned and the Murtala Mohammed Airport Two, MMA2, which is managed by the BiCourtney Aviation Services Limited,

BASL. Dati emphasized that the essence of the initiative was to measure, monitor and improve airport management and service quality through the assessment of each airport with the aim of improving travellers’ experience.

The award, which was presented by the Managing Director of FAAN, Engr. Saleh Dunoma at a recent event, was given in the category of ‘Best Performing Domestic Airport’ for Calabar, and ‘Best Performing International Airport’ for Kano.

The awards were received by respective managers, Alhaji Mohammed Sanni (Calabar) and Alhaji Gambo Aboki (Kano).

He maintained that Margaret Ekpo International Airport Calabar emerged as the ‘Best Domestic Airport’ for the first quarter while Mal-

lam Aminu Kano International Airport emerged as ‘Best International Airport’ in the country.

Besides, Dati stated that the Security Directorate of FAAN was recognized with the ‘Exemplary Performance Award’ for its role during the just concluded International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, Security Audit carried out in the country.

The statement added, “This second award was initiated by the authority to encourage hard work and diligence among staff of FAAN in the discharge of their duties of providing safe and secure airports, improving and standardising airport operations, instituting minimum customer service standard, and transforming our airports into viable commercial and tourist centres, and customer-friendly.”

Insurance

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

NAICOM licences 16 micro insurance firms StorieS: MeShack idehen

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he National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has issued licence to 16 companies to commence micro insurance operations in the country.

The Commission, which stopped the issuance of new operating licences to life and general underwriting companies in 2011, our correspondent observed, has been encouraging mergers and acquisitions in the sector by welcoming new investors with the required capacity to buy into existing companies.

However, NAICOM, it will be recalled, had also expressed its readiness to issue new licences to investors who were interested in starting micro insurance companies after it released the regulatory guidelines to commence the process for the emergence of the firms.

Commissioner for Insurance, Mr Fola Daniel, told journalists with the issuance of the micro insurance guideline, that NAICOM had provided clear rules for operators as well as consumer protection requirements,

explaining the commission have licensed 16micro insurance firms.

Daniel said the guidelines simplified supervisory reporting, underwriting and licensing processes and identification of certain incentives for micro insurance, model selection, fees and commission level for intermediaries.

According to the Commission, micro insurance policies cover little risks and, therefore, exclude special risks like motor insurance (except tricycles and motorcycles), professional indemnity and other pecuniary risks, with the sum insured higher than N1m.

NAICOM also clarified that all third party liability risks, with the sum assured above N1m, were excluded from micro insurance business, while it has pegged the minimum capital to commence life micro insurance and nonlife micro insurance business at N150m and N200m, respectively, while firms willing to operate both are expected to have at least N350m capital.

Ogunbiyi

Speaking on the developments, Group Managing Director, Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, Mr. Akin Ogunbiyi, said the firm realised many years back the need to develop micro insurance as part of its growth strategies.

According to him, the firm has a paradigm shift in its market approach and decided to develop micro insurance because it plans to make insurance more relevant, accessible and affordable to more Nigerians.

ARIAN, FRSC plan insurance awareness for motorists

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he Association of Registered Insurance Agents is partnering the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, to increase insurance awareness among motorists and improve road safety in Lagos state.

National President of ARIAN, Mr Gbadebo Olamerun, disclosed this

Olamerun

when he led a delegation of the association on a courtesy visit to the office of the Zonal Commanding Officer, Zone RS2, Federal Road Safety Corps, Mr Nseobong Akpabio, in Lagos.

He disclosed that the association would organise a road show on insurance awareness in Lagos next month.

“A lot of motorists still do not know that there are lots of benefits in taking the minimum third party insurance that can provide claims to the tune of a million naira for the third party if there is an accident,” he said.

He said that partnership with the FRSC would go a long way in creating the necessary road safety awareness. Akpabio said the FRSC was joining insurance companies to educate Nigerians generally on insurance and road safety.

“The role of insurance companies in ensuring road safety is enormous. If more insurance companies can partner the FRSC in creating awareness, drivers will be able to know they can get claims if they have cover and people are benefiting from it,” he said.

Akpabio observed that many motorists were ignorantly taking fake papers as insurance certificates with names of non-existing companies.

According to him, the FRSC was working with the insurance sector to maximise the potential in the Nigerian Insurance Industry Database (NIID) introduced by the NIA. With the NIID, he said that car owners could verify the genuineness of their insurance cover because all registered insurance companies and insured cars could be found in the data base.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

33

Tips for Business Insurance Agents

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usiness insurance is a specialised and competitive form of insurance.

Business insurance agents need to work hard in order to provide their clients with the best possible service and ensure that they enjoy a successful relationship with their firm and their clients. Agents need to be able to provide the best possible advice and service, while also building up a good client base.

Business insurance is a specialised type of insurance- Insurance agents who wish to work in this field will be more successful if they are able to focus on handling business insurance policies. It is important for an insurance agent to obtain as much experience as possible in this field and to build up plenty of specialised knowledge.

Business insurance agents need to be able to provide their clients with expert advice- so they need to know as much as possible about this type of insurance. Agents also need to ensure that they stay up-to-date with all of the latest developments in their field in order to remain competitive.

Successful business insurance agents need to build up as much experience as they can in the field of business insurance- They also need to ensure that they have the best possible reputation among both insurance professionals and business clients. Having a good reputation is essential for success in this type of insurance since one of the most important ways in which business insurance agents find new clients is through referrals made by their existing clients.

Agents also need to work hard to promote their own services and to find new clients.

Business insurance is a very competitive field, so

business insurance agents need to be as competitive as possible- This means that they need to keep their clients happy, to build up a goof reputation and work to attract new business clients. Businesses which are searching for an insurer tend to spend a lot more time making their decision than clients in other forms of insurance. They are more likely to choose an insurer based on a referral from a business associate, and they are usually going to shop around before choosing an insurance provider. It is essential that a business insurance agent is aware of this and that they make sure they create the best possible first impression for potential new clients.

Providing a high quality service is also essential in business insurance since business clients will be searching for an insurer with whom they can have a good business relationshipIt is, therefore, important for business insurance agents to focus on service as well as on providing good insurance policies. A successful agent should be open and honest with their clients. They should offer the best possible advice and they should work on building strong relationships with their clients. This will encourage business clients to refer their agent to their business associates. It will also help build a loyal client base.

Business insurance agents and businesses seeking insurance policies should ensure that they know as much as possible about how business insurance works- The Cheaper Business Insurance Quotes website is a good place to start exploring the options that are available in business insurance.

Source: www.insure.net

34

Insurance

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Harnessing potential of Micro, Takaful insurance for national devt With guidelines for the practice of Takaful and micro insurance now in place, getting Nigerians at the grassroots and in the informal sector to embrace the products, in the views of analysts, may be a new challenge for insurers and regulators alike to contend with in the years ahead, MESHACK IDEHEN writes.

T

he country’s insurance industry regulator, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), said last week it had given out licences to several organisations for the commencement of the business of micro and Takaful insurance.

According to some analysts, the commission had earlier announced it outlined channels to be utilised to reach potential micro-insurance consumers, following the release of the guidelines for micro-insurance operations in the country NAICOM listed these channels to include, cooperative societies, micro finance institutions (MFIs),micro finance banks, (MFBs), Non-Governmental Organisations, postal agents, mobile payment system, telecommunications, brokers, agents, trade organisations, health service providers, esusu, adashi group, age grade, faith based organisations, and self employed market women.

Besides, the insurance industry regulators said micro-insurance scheme shall have the features of simplicity, the policies conditions; procedures and marketing be made simple, the risk pooling method, procedures and coverage must be unambiguous and easily understood, and the microproducts be accessible to the target market in terms of purchase, premium payments and claims.

Notwithstanding the potential benefits of the innovative products to the insurance industry and more particularly the nation’s economy, some experts have identified the real challenge of their implementation as getting people in the grassroots, the primary targets of the products, to participate and access the potential micro insurance products.

An insurance expert, Mr. Obasi Ngwuta, noted while all the policies and guidelines that had been released by the commission were in order, those guidelines will only become useful and productive if it is keyed into by its targeted market Ngwuta said as things presently stands, that vast majority of micro and Takaful insurance target market are yet to become aware or yet to key into the scheme, adding what is required is a massive sensitisation campaign by the regulators and operators.

According to him, it is only when such massive sensitisation and awareness campaign is embarked upon; that Nigerians in the informal sector can get to know and understand the benefits of keying into the scheme, saying just releasing the guidelines alone was not enough to achieve desired results.

Similarly, another industry expert

Ngwuta

Daniel

Let’s not forget the insurance industry is stiLL grappLing with inherent chaLLenges, despite the growth signs being seen

and projected.

to remove aLL and any

takafuL and micro insurance practice wiLL experience, naicom must chaLLenge

keep assuring the operators of its support and former Executive Director of Hallmark Insurance Brokers Limited, Mr. Patrick Enyi, said that while the onus now fell on insurance operators to develop micro and Takaful insurance market,that the Commission needed to re-assure stakeholders, particularly the operators, on the profitability of this scheme.

Enyi explained though NAICOM has proved that micro and Takaful insurance is profitable in the country, that most operators will not spend fund to deepen or develop the sector, except they get constant assurances from the regulators.

“Let’s not forget the insurance industry is still grappling with inherent challenges, despite the growth signs being seen and projected. To remove all and any challenge Takaful and micro insurance practice will experience, NAICOM must keep assuring the operators of its support”, he said.

However, the Commissioner for Insurance, Mr Fola Daniel, explained in response to Enyi,s observation, that the commission can confidently assert that micro-insurance and Takaful presents stakeholders and the country at large a vehicle for geometric growth.

According to the commissioner, “the regulatory body is determined to facilitate deeper market penetration with a

view to ensuring that the insurance industry contributes equitably to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Daniel said the efforts of the commission in this regard have started yielding positive results and that the commission did recognise the desirability of incorporating micro-insurance and Takaful as important vehicles for achieving greater insurance penetration.

Highlighting the fact that microinsurance and Takaful products or services shall be designed to meet the needs of clients; be beneficial, fair in price and coverage, and the delivery and distribution channels must be efficient to both the insurer and the policyholders, Former Financial Planner with Royal Exchange Assurance Plc, Mr. Nosa Igbinoba, told National Mirror NAICOM needs drum up that part of the guideline into operators ears.

Igbinoba said getting operators to comply with that part of the guidelines is sure to present critical challenge, adding the reason being that most operators are yet to understand how to deal with Nigerians on the lower cadre as far as selling insurance products were concerned.

According to him, one other major challenge micro insurance practitio-

ners will have to contend with, and which the regulators have to also look into, is the guideline that said potential micro-insurance operators shall comply with the prudential standards.

He explained what the commission means by prudential standards is that any micro-insurer intending to commence a specialised micro-insurance business shall have a minimum paid up share capital of N150 million for life, N200 million for general business, and that a specialised micro-insurer shall maintain with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBGN) a statutory deposit of 10 per cent of the minimum capital requirement.

Lamenting that guideline was way to huge for micro insurers to comply with, he pointed out such huge monetary requirements to guarantee licence to practice and operate the scheme will lead to a situation where the operators will eventually pass the burden to those buying into the scheme.

“The financial requirements are way too much. It is a micro scheme and must be treated as such. NAICOM making such huge demand for guarantee will only scare of those it intend to bring into insurance and into financial inclusion”, he observed.

The regulators, it would be recalled, has also decided that micro insurers shall maintain adequate and valid reinsurance arrangements a copy of which shall be submitted to the commission on or before December 31st of the preceding year.

The micro-insurer carrying on general insurance business, the commission has also said, may offer general and life micro-insurance products and vice versa, provided there is an arrangement between the general microinsurer and life micro-insurer, whereby the life portion of the business is transferred to the life micro-insurer as the case may be.

The commission ruled also that shall be the responsibility of the general micro-insurer, to settle the claims and subsequently recover the portion of the claims due from the life microinsurer.

Despite these potential challenges, other experts believe the performance of the Takaful Insurance policy has been above average since, and has aided in boosting insurance penetration.

Vice-Chairman of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) Oyo State Chapter, Mr. Babatunde Omosola, said that like Takaful, micro insurance will soon attain more than 70 per cent penetration in the country and drive the industry forward, when the potential are fully harnessed.

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Money CBN: Fighting liquidity war through banks’ prompt remittance of revenue

35

As part of its efforts to ensure that volume of money is efficiently managed for the purposes of ensuring price stability and other benefits to the economy, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has directed the Deposit Money Banks, DMBs, to remit promptly collected revenues on behalf of the Federal Government to the Federation Account as required. UDO ONYEKA reports

I

n recent times financial institutions have been experiencing some pressure on its liquidity position following some measures from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to curtail excess liquidity in the banking sector.

Perhaps to further reduce and monitor the amount of money in the economy the CBN, last week, reminded banks operating in the country not to keep money collected for federal government and its agencies.

The apex bank in circular date June 30, signed by Director of Banking Supervision, A.O. Idris gave the directive.

The CBN refers to circular referenced BSD/DIR/GEN/LAB/08/003 dated January 14, 2015, said the lenders were not complying with its earlier directive on the subject. The circular read in part “We have observed with dismay that most banks are yet to comply fully with the provisions of the circular directing banks to transfer all revenue accounts collected on behalf of the Federal Government and its agencies to CBN account within 24 hours of the value date of such collections with effect from February 28, 2015. “Banks are therefore, by this circular, directed to ensure strict compliance with effect from the date of this circular, failing which severe financial and administrative sanctions will be imposed.

“For emphasis, June 30, 2015 shall be the final deadline”, the CBN said requiring strict compliance.

In a similar vein four banks were fined N576m by the apex bank for misclassifying some public sector deposits and not remitting what they should as cash reserve requirement in 2014.

The apex financial regulator had in the first quarter of 2014 increased Cash Reserve Requirement, CRR, for public sector deposits from 50 per cent to 75 per cent in an effort to manage the pressures on the naira and the country’s external reserve. The policy brought untold hardship to banks who as it were not prepared for that kind of shock. The liquidity crunch that followed was as the CBN followed up and harmonized to 31 per cent, from 75 and 20 per cents CRR on the public and private sectors respectively.

Regarding the N576m fine Skye Bank paid the largest fine of N323m, followed by Access Bank which paid N174m, Sterling and Zenith Banks paid N50m and N32m respectively.

CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele

GTBank MD, Segun Agbaje

According to him the Attention And recognition been given to retAil bAnking by bAnk executives in the country hAs shown thAt this segment of bAnking business hAs so much to offer now And in the future The CRR misclassification fine was the biggest fine for Skye Bank which paid a total of N330m for various contraventions in 2014. This was the same for the some other banks.

Some other measures that have affected banks include, the increase in Monetary Policy Rate ,MPR, to 13 per cent from 12 per cent, the increase in cash reserve requirement, the gradual phase-out of commission on turn over ,COT, to zero percent per mile by the year 2016, it currently stood at one percent per mile.

Last year, the FG had issued a directive to government agencies, ministries and departments (MDAs) to close their revenue collection account domiciled in the deposit money banks.

According to experts although this development was healthy for the economy, it certainly put further pressure on banks liquidity. They are concerned that banks negate their intermediation role by not lending to the economy but place their excess liquidity to government securities.

“But for banks, it had been pressure on liquidity as they lose some of their public sector deposits”, the experts say.

According to a Lagos based financial

analyt, Izuchukwu Ezeh, following the trends in 2014, banks will continue to wade through tides, finding ways to thrive amidst changes in the regulatory and business environment – with the outcome of each bank’s strategic response becoming more quantifiable.

He said with significant strains on commissions and fees income, competition in the banking industry will become stiffer and banks will continue to wrestle for low-cost deposits even as it is anticipated that Commission On Transaction, COT, rates have dropped to a maximum of N1 per mile in 2015 and zero per mile in 2016.

However many experts have said the way out would be emphasis on retail banking. While customer retention and acquisition remain critical to success, the need to develop more customercentric products, provide satisfactory service experience and maximize customer value will be more emphasised.

Chairman of Lafferty Group, United Kingdom, Michael Lafferty, who was a guest speaker at the 2015 annual lecture of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, CIBN, with the theme: The Changing Global Retail Banking Landscape: How Competitive are Nigerian

Former President CIBN and MD, Maxifund Finance and Securities Limited, Okechukwu Unegbu

Banks? noted that retail banking is leading the way, among other segments of the banking industry such as corporate, investment and others.

Lafferty said that Nigeria is not an exemption in the increasing relevance of retail banking in the globe.

According to him the attention and recognition been given to retail banking by bank executives in the country has shown that this segment of banking business has so much to offer now and in the future.

Lafferty said retail banking is different from corporate banking, because the customers are people and small businesses, rather than big corporations and that it is also much more challenging than corporate banking, because people tend to bring emotions into their decision-making – while corporates are generally far less demanding because they make decisions on a rational basis.

He said retail banking is a much better business from a shareholder’s perspective than corporate banking, because of its capacity to generate sustainable, higher profits long into the future, adding that retail deposit-taking is the very lifeblood of banking, as those personal deposits are so precious that a “value can hardly be put on them in times of stress.”

“Retail lending is also far less risky than corporate lending, because the individual amounts at risk are small and typically dispersed across a vast customer base. By contrast, a few corporate loans that go bad can wipe out much of a bank’s capital base – and all too often they do”, Lafferty had said.

36

Global Business

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Aetna to buy Humana for $37bin Divided and desperate Greeks vote in referendum that may decide euro future in largest insurance deal

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reeks voted on Sunday in a referendum that could determine their future in Europe’s common currency, with banks shuttered, the treasury empty and a population desperate, angry and so deeply split that the outcome was too close to call.

The referendum is officially a Yes or No vote on a bailout offer from creditors, but a ‘Yes’ could bring down the government of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, while European leaders say a ‘No’ could force a chaotic exit from the euro.

The country of 11 million people is being asked whether to accept the offer which left-wing leader Tsipras rejected eight days ago. Elected in January on a promise to end years of crippling austerity, he calls the offer a “humiliation”.

He is urging a resounding ‘No’, saying it would give him a strengthened mandate to return to negotiations and demand a better deal, including a writedown on Greece’s massive debt.

His European partners, however, say rejection would set Greece on a path out of the euro, with potentially far-reaching consequences for the global economy and Europe’s grand project of an unbreakable union.

“I voted ‘No’ to the ‘Yes’ that our European partners insist I choose,” said Eleni Deligainni, 43, in Athens. “I have been jobless for nearly four years and was telling myself to be patient ... but we’ve had enough deprivation and un-

employment.”

Angry and exhausted after five years of pension cuts, falling living standards and rising taxes, Greeks now face closed banks, rationed ATM withdrawals and the prospect of the country literally running out of cash.

Pensioners besieging bank gates to claim their retirement benefits, only to leave empty-handed and in tears, have become a symbol of the nation’s dramatic fall over the past decade, from the heady days of the 2004 Athens Olympics to the ignominy of bankruptcy and bailout.

Tsipras, a 40-year-old former student activist, has framed the referendum as a matter of national dignity and the future course of Europe.

“As of tomorrow we will have opened a new road for all the peoples of Europe,” he said after voting in Athens, “a road that leads back to the founding values of democracy and solidarity in Europe.”

A ‘No’ vote, he said, “will send a message of determination, not only to stay in Europe but to live with dignity in Europe.”

Not everyone agreed.

“You call this dignity, to stand in line at teller machines for a few euros?” asked pensioner Yannis Kontis, 76, after voting in the capital. “I voted ‘Yes’ so we can stay with Europe.”

H

Tsipras

Polls close at 7 p.m. (1200 EDT), with the first official projection of the result expected at 9 p.m.

Most opinion polls have the ‘Yes’ vote narrowly in front. But all have been within the margin of error.

Called at eight days’ notice, the referendum offers Greece a ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ vote on a proposal that is no longer on the table, which would have required cuts to pensions and hikes in taxes that Tsipras says would be ruinous.

Given the chaos of the past week, in which Greece became the first developed economy to default on a loan with the International Monetary Fund, creditors say a new deal will have to be drafted, probably involving harsher terms.

China rolls out emergency measures to prevent stock market crash

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hina’s stock markets face a make-or-break week after officials rolled out an unprecedented series of steps at the weekend to prevent a full-blown stock market crash that would threaten the world’s second-largest economy.

The government is anxiously awaiting the market opening on Monday to see if the new measures will halt a 30 percent plunge in the last three weeks, or if panicky investors who borrowed heavily to speculate on stocks will continue to sell.

In an extraordinary weekend of policy moves, brokerages and fund managers vowed to buy massive

China President Xi Jinping

amounts of stocks, helped by China’s state-backed margin finance company which in turn would be aided by a direct line of liquidity from the central bank.

China has also orchestrated a halt to new share issues, with dozens of firms scrapping their IPO plans in separate but similarly worded statements over the weekend, in a tactic authorities have used before to support markets.

“After the 28 companies suspended their IPOs, there will be no new IPOs in the near term,” the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) said in a statement on Sunday night.

An online survey by fund distributor eastmoney.com over the weekend, which polled over 100,000 individuals, said investors believed stock indexes would rise more than 5 percent on Monday. But many of those polled didn’t think the bounce will last long.

“You’re going to need the central bank to open the floodgates to take us back to 4,500 points in Shanghai,” said an investment manager in Shanghai.

The Shanghai Composite Index was last at 4,500 on June 25, and is now trading 22 percent lower.

China stocks had more than doubled in just 12 months even as the

economy cooled and company earnings weakened, resulting in a market that even China’s inherently bullish securities regulators eventually admitted had become too frothy.

But the slide that began in midJune, which the CSRC initially tried to downplay as a “healthy” correction after the fast run-up, has quickly shown signs of getting out of hand.

A surprise interest-rate cut by the central bank last week, relaxations in margin trading and other “stability measures” did little to calm investors, who sent shares down another 12 percent in the last week alone.

China’s top leaders, who are already struggling to avert a sharper economic slowdown, seem to be losing patience.

Earlier, in a series of initial announcements on Saturday, China’s top brokerages pledged to collectively buy at least 120 billion yuan ($19.3 billion) of shares to help steady the market, and would not sell holdings as long as the Shanghai Composite Index remained below 4,500.

The China Mutual Fund Association said 25 fund companies also pledged on Saturday to buy shares.

Another 69 fund firms said on Sunday they would do the same.

ealth insurer Aetna Inc (AET.N) on Friday said it would buy smaller rival Humana Inc (HUM.N) for about $37 billion in cash and stock, in the largest ever deal in the insurance industry.

The combination will push Aetna close to Anthem Inc’s (ANTM.N) No.2 insurer spot by membership, and would nearly triple Aetna’s Medicare Advantage business.

The deal will face antitrust scrutiny but if it goes through it would dwarf the previous largest insurance deal announced just this week, where Swiss property and casualty giant ACE Ltd (ACE.N) announced it was buying Chubb Corp (CB.N) for $28 billion. It would also dwarf Anthem Inc’s purchase of WellPoint in 2004 for $16.6 billion.

Analysts have said that M&A activity in the healthcare sector had been waiting for last week’s Supreme Court ruling on Obamacare, which upheld key subsidies that underpin the reform and thus gave more certainty to healthcare insurers.

The bigger the insurer, the more power it has negotiating prices and improving its doctor networks.

Anthem has offered to buy Cigna Corp (CI.N) to create the largest insurer in the country, toppling UnitedHealth Group Inc (UNH.N).

Media reports have also said UnitedHealth could be eyeing Cigna and Aetna. On Thursday, Centene Corp (CNC.N) said it would buy smaller rival Health Net Inc

(HNT.N) for $6.3 billion.

Antitrust authorities, who were aggressive in their review of the failed deal between Comcast (CMCSA.O) and Time Warner Cable (TWC.N), are expected to scrutinize how the combination of insurers will affect competition for each line of insurance: Medicare, Medicaid for the poor, individual insurance, commercial insurance for small and large businesses and the large employer business.

Aetna and Humana are in nine of the same states in Medicare Advantage. Combined, they would have market share of 88 percent in Kansas, 80 percent in West Virginia, 58 percent in Iowa and 51 percent in Missouri.

Wall Street analysts and some antitrust experts have said they expect the combination will be approved, although regulators may ask for some divestitures.

Others have said it is unclear that this group of regulators will stick to the usual review playbook for such a large deal and may add other restrictions.

Obama

Fiat Chrysler CEO says no news on approach to GM but consolidation good

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onsolidation continues to be necessary in the auto industry but there is nothing new to report on Fiat Chrysler’s (FCHA. MI) (FCAU.N) desire for a tie-up with General Motors (GM.N), FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne said on Friday.

“The (need for) consolidation remains valid, no one has questioned its economic rational,” Marchionne said, speaking on the sidelines of the launch of a re-styled version of its popular Fiat 500 hatchback.

Marchionne approached his

Fiat truck

counterpart at GM, Mary Barra, with a merger proposal earlier this year but was rebuffed.

Asked if there was anything new to report on FCA’s appetite for a link-up with GM, he said there was not.

Asked whether the ongoing dismantling of an alliance between Japan’s Suzuki Motor Corp’s (7269.T) and Germany’s Volkswagen AG (VOWG_p.DE) could create opportunities for Fiat Chrysler, Marchionne said it was too early to say.

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Capital Market

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

37

‘Why PFAs take low risk in capital markets’ The Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers, Mr. Dele Sotubo, speaks on efforts to attract interest in the market through stakeholder engagements, provision of quality investment advisory services as well as value added services, among other issues in this interview with JOHNSON OKANLAWON. Excerpts : best dealing member firm, both in volume and value terms, in the capital market in 2014. To what did you ascribe this recognition?

The award reinforces Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Limited as the largest stockbroking firm in Nigeria in both volume and value of total transactions executed in 2014.

Market data for the year under review showed that Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Limited achieved a turnover in excess of 24billion units of shares, which represented 11.42 per cent valued at over N472 billion or 17.55 per cent to lead both the volume and value tables. Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers was also the largest stockbroking house in Nigeria in 2013.

The appointment of Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers two years ago to manage bonds for the Federal Government was expected by stakeholders to lead to a more robust market for bonds. Would you say stakeholders’ expectations have been met?

Yes, Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers was appointed by the Debt Management Office as the Government Stockbroker to FGN Bonds and part of the duties assigned is to create awareness on retail bond trading. Retail investors have started taking advantage of investing in bonds on the secondary market through retail bond trading as this helps to diversify their potfolio and manage their risk.

Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Limited has been able to consistently provide liquidity in the retail bond market. We now have retail investors participating in the bond market with a minimum of N100,000 as against wholesale bond market which requires N100m minimum. We will continue to organize workshops and educate the public on the advantages of investing in bonds.

The current reforms in the economy, particularly in power and agriculture, have helped to position Nigeria as an investment haven. Are investors showing strong appetite for opportunities in the aforementioned sectors?

With the recent Gross Domestic Product, GDP, rebasing and the reforms around the power sector, we see strong appetite from investors, perhaps not on the stock market now.

However, investors have shown increased interest in partnering with Nigerians on power projects and to a large extent agricultural transformation.

In the last decade, technology has redefined the operations of the capital market. For instance, the Nigerian Stock Exchange has introduced the X-issuer and X-Gen, which enables remote and mobile trading, among other transformation initiatives.

How do you see technology shaping the stockbrokerage business in the next few years?

The interesting thing about technology is that it fosters efficiency and productivity. It also drives transparency in the capital market. This can also be a mode through which retail investors can be attracted into the market. Many Nigerians using mobile devices can now have access to put their trades through the market. With the introduction of Direct Market Access (DMA) and other similar initiatives, we expect that this will help to improve participation of investors in the capital market.

You were involved in the recent listing of the Stanbic IBTC ETF 30. The exchange traded fund is a relatively new product in the Nigerian market, barely three years old, with only three listings. Do you think the market is sufficiently mature to appreciate this product?

The market is growing gradually and the ETF will help deepen our market as well as diversify investors’ portfolio and risk. ETF represents baskets of stocks and a simplified method of investment whereby investors have a stake in many companies tracked by the ETF. More awareness towards its benefit will give room for growth. The market will definitely support this product.

There have been agitations for multinational oil and gas companies and telecoms giants to list on the Nigerian Stock Exchange to further boost the capital market’s contribution to the GDP. What efforts are market operators making to encourage telecoms and multinational oil and gas companies to list on the Nigerian Stock Exchange?

The listing of these companies will help deepen the capi-

Ethics and corporate governance are major talking points in the market, particularly after the 2008 market crash. How demanding is the corporate governance processes at Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers and how do you ensure staff plays by the rules?

Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Limited is known for integrity and professionalism, which comes from strong corporate governance. We have a robust compliance and monitoring team that ensures all rules and regulations are adhered to.

We will continue to uphold standard operating procedures, actively participate in the market without compromising our values and have every staff understand the company’s position at all times. We have zero tolerance for non-adherence to rules and regulations by staff members.

Personal account trading rule and code of conduct are in place, which guide the activities of staff.

Sotubo

In the last decade, technology has redefIned the operatIons of the capItal market tal market. The regulators and operators are currently in discussions with the government on the best way to ensure that these companies list on the Exchange to help deepen the market.

Beyond that, we will continue to play an active role in listing such companies on the NSE. The listing of Seplat, an oil and gas company, on the NSE is a clear example of our contribution as financial services group to deepening the NSE. How do you encourage local and retail investors participation, given the figures from the market, with the latest being 58.51% foreign portfolio investors, continue to show that there are more foreign investors participating in the Nigerian capital market than there are locals.

Restoring confidence in the market after the global melt down will be a gradual process as activities in the equities market is cyclical. Foreign investment withdrawal from the market in 2014 was largely as a result of Macros fall in oil prices and currency devaluation and exchange rate instability.

Improved macro-economic situation will galvanize investors’ interest and boost retail investors’ confidence in the market.

The increase in the number of more sophisticated domestic investors such as pension and asset management and insurance companies should drive participation in the medium to longer-term. We believe that the increase in retail investment products such as ETFs will also encourage retail investors’ participation.

Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers won the NSE CEO award as the

There seems to be a general disposition by Pension Fund Administrators, PFAs to federal government securities, about 40 per cent PFA’s investments are skewed in that direction, followed by money market instruments. Investment in the capital market is considerably less. Which factors, in your opinion, other than regulation, determine these investment decisions?

Apart from the perceived low risk appetite of PFAs, which is understandable when we consider the adverse effects of the 2008 stock market crash on portfolio investors, we also believe that the limited number of high quality liquid stocks reduces their options.

Lack of depth in the Nigerian market makes the available options limited. The preference for capital preservation and guaranteed money market yields also contribute to the low risk appetite for equities.

Part of the regulation also requires pension funds to report returns on an annual basis, which discourages them from taking the long term view on investments.

We expect the listing of more quality companies as reforms in sectors such as the power, oil and gas, telecommunication and agriculture increase demand for capital.

What can investors expect from the capital market going forward?

We expect continuous volatility in the equities market as macro concerns linked to the falling oil price and currency drive investor sentiment. The passive position of domestic investor has not helped the situation. Despite the bearish outlook, we expect trading opportunities to continue to emerge for short-term investors while longer-term investors take advantage of the falling prices to increase exposure in quality stocks. We also expect the political risk as we approach the general elections to weigh on investor sentiments in the short-term.

However, we expect to continue to see investors interest in quality names.

Features

38

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Scene of flood in Bauchi

Unending menace of flood resurfaces in rainy season BY

OUR CORRESPONDENT

T

he Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has warned that 12 states might experience high flood this year.

The Director-General of the agency, Dr Moses Beckley, gave the warning at the presentation of the 2015 Annual Flood Outlook in Abuja.

Commenting on the highlight of the report, Beckley listed the states as Niger, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Anambra, Taraba, Nasarawa, Kebbi, Sokoto, Adamawa, Kogi and Benue.

Beckley said that probable risks areas in the country had been classified into: High Risk, Medium Risk and Low Risk Flood areas.

He listed River Basins of SokotoRima, Niger-Benue and Anambra as those that might experience high flooding.

Beckley also said that local areas in Shinkafi, Biase, Chikum, Munya, Bukuru, Bonny, Etiosa among others might experience moderate flooding.

The director-general said that Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta and Lagos are expected to experience coastal flooding due to the rise in sea level and tidal surge.

He urged Nigerians to put in place responsive measures that would help in reducing flood hazards.

According to him, the call is necessary because human activities are majorly responsible for recurrent flood in the country. ``Indiscriminate dumping of refuse, deforestation, and poor drainage systems have devastating effect on the environment.

“Natural disasters are becoming more common all over the world, 80 per cent of these disasters are waterrelated.

“This can be linked to the effect of climate change, it is a reality, and we can't reverse it.

“That is why we must do all we can, through attitudinal changes, and measures in place to help in reducing flooding hazards,” he said.

Beckley said that the devastating effect of flooding would greatly affect

socio-economic development.

The director-general said that with timely and proper responses, Nigerians do not need to worry about the rains.

He recommended that all stakeholders should begin immediate public enlightenment on the need to desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuses and wastes.

Beckley also urged all stakeholders to begin immediate maintenance of hydrological structures in the country, saying this would go a long way to reduce disaster risk.

He also called for the immediate evacuation and relocation of people living in the flood-prone areas and waterways to further mitigate against any eventuality.

Also speaking, the Director-General, Nigeria Metrological Agency, Dr Anthony Anuforom, commended NIHSA on the report.

He said that this would go a long way to educate Nigerians on what to expect during the rainy season.

Anuforom said that NIMET had made it a point of duty to educate Ni-

gerians on weather forecast through its Seasonal Rainfall Predictions (SRP).

He urged Nigerians to embark on disaster risk reduction measures to make the country safe for all.

In his remark, Mr Istifanus Musa, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, said that the report was drawn in partnership with NIMET’s SRP, and a long historical record of hydrological data.

Musa, represented by Mr Joe Kwanashe, Director, Irrigation and Drainage, said that through sensitisation and early warning campaigns, there would be a reduction in loss of lives and property to flood.

Musa urged Nigerians to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to put in place measures to protect the environment, saying that government could not do it alone.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Annual Flood Outlook provides flood forecasts and advice on precautionary measures on probable or critical flood zones.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Features

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

39

High rate of road accidents worry Benue residents HENRY IYORKASE MAKURDI

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he road traffic crashes has always been a source of worry to stakeholders and members of the public who often worry about the constant reoccurrence of road mishaps resulting to the death of beloved ones which often leave dependants helpless.

The reasons advanced by the state Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission in Benue state Mr. Habu Dauda on why this menace continues to rear its ugly head includes reckless driving, road unworthiness of vehicles, overloading as well as deplorable state of roads condition in the country.

To curtail this the commission had embarked upon proactive measures to reduce road accidents through various training programmes such as holding seminars, workshops, sensitization where the preventive actions by road users are taught.

To this end it rests on the oars of the road users to apply the knowledge garnered during the seminar for their safety and constant vigilance of the rules and regulations towards ensuring the safety of commuters and drivers and other stakeholders.

A recent survey conducted by theFederal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Benue state on road mishap involving motor accidents on the highways across the state put the figure at over two hundred persons between 2014 to date.

Investigations indicate that most of the accidents resulted in death of commuters as well as drivers of such vehicles with the percentage of commercial vehicles higher than that of private vehicles.

Not a day passes by without the report of road crashes on these routes which occur on the ever busy trunk 'A' MakurdiLafia-Abuja road, Makurdi-Gboko road, Otukpo to Enugu expressway leading to the eastern part of the country.

In recent times prominent Indigenes like former Rector of Benue state Polytechnic Ugbokolo Prof. O.B. Ella, Barr.

Yima Kajo, Gideon Kuha, Akulaga Ibya and John Atumba former leader of the People's Democratic Party from Buruku local government are among those who lost their lives through ghastly motor accidents in the state.

Statistics obtained from Federal Road Safety Commission reveal that in Benue state from October 1st 2014 to 29th June 2015 the number of road traffic crashes (RTC) is 200, while persons involved include 187 male and 85 female. People injured were males 157 out of which 26 died and Females 58 and 7 died, the total number of vehicles involved in the mishaps were 153.

The state comprises of three senatorial districts namely Benue North East senatorial district and Benue North west as well as South west senatorial district all put together to make up the total segments in the state.

For instance in all these areas hardly an interval of two day can pass before scores of lives are being lost while in

Scene of auto crash in Makurdi

Former Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom

some instances those who escape death by the whiskers sustain multiple injuries and so on.

Most often victims of these road mishap even when they survive are either left deformed with a scare or cannot afford to settle their medical bills at the hospitals in some instances are held hostage towards ensuring that the management of such hospitals recover their fees for services rendered .

However, observers were of the opinion that in many cases the accidents were caused by amateur drivers who lack the clout to be on the road due to inexperience to observe speed limits when behind the wheel.

In some cases some mishap can be attributed to negligence of mechanics and electricians who oftentimes after repairs of the vehicle from their clients decide to go on testing.

Similarly the testing which is usually to use the clients vehicle for their own purpose had so far caused triple tragedy

for a renowned Makurdi based legal luminary Barr. Iorlaha Ututu whose car Mercedes 500 ML vehicle black colour was discovered to have somersaulted over 100km away after the air conditioner was refilled by one James Atume.

In this encounter Barr. Ututu who graduated in 1990 obtained LLB degree in law from the University of Calabar and was called to the bar in 1991 thus has 24 years spanning in private practice narrates the ordeal thus : " On the 18th of June I was preparing to travel for the burial of my father late James Azuanongu who was to be buried on 20th of June, in Tsar -Mbaduku Vandeikya Local government of Benue State ,I went to refill the gas for air conditioning for my Mercedes 500 ML black jeep as I took the vehicle to my electrician coincidentally bear the same name with the other electrician who is now deceased.

The vehicle was sub letted to someone else Terlumun Atume whom I had not known to refill the gas in the air condi-

tion towards evening I called to find out if the refilling was completed soon after he replied in affirmative that until the following day being 19th would the job be completed and ready for collection.

Surprisingly the electrician Mr. Terlumun Atume had finished the work and travelled to attend a burial of his friend with the vehicle in company of his friends names withheld and while rushing on return had summersaulted with the Jeep at Abiem and he was thrown out through the windshield apparently due to over speeding .

He further narrated that his son of 10 years old Terhemen Ututu and another lawyer from my chambers Barr. James Tilley boarded a vehicle from Gboko to join me in Makurdi after returning from my father,s burial on 22nd june were involved in an accident at LGEA primary school Abaver, Mbayion when their Toyota Corrola vehicle with seven occupants ran under a truck crushing three commuters to death on the spot while others sustained several degrees of injuries and the vehicle was damaged beyond repair.

Despite the circumstances which beclouded me in recent times I give God the glory for the protection and ever grateful to numerous friends and associates who stood behind during this trying moment.

Many observers who spoke on condition of anonymity suggests that there is urgent need for motorists to take an insurance life cover in order to guard against uncertainties that are prevalent in the society.

They added that a life assurance cover holder in case of any casualty where the the breadwinner is gone there will be alternative to cushion the agony faced by the dependents especially where the insurer will come to the rescue of the family by presenting the lump sum that are usually meant to augment the hardship faced by the family in case of any eventuality .

40

Global Business

BP reaches $18.7bn settlement over deadly 2010 spill

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P Plc will pay up to $18.7 billion in penalties to the U.S. government and five states to resolve nearly all claims from its deadly Gulf of Mexico oil spill five years ago in the largest corporate settlement in U.S. history.

The agreement adds to the $43.8 billion that BP had previously set aside for criminal and civil penalties and cleanup costs. The company said its total pre-tax charge for the spill now stands at $53.8 billion.

BP shares jumped more than 5 percent in New York trading as investors said the British company, often mentioned as a potential acquisition target, could now turn the page on one of the darkest chapters in its centurylong history.

Under the agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice and the states, BP will pay at least $12.8 billion for Clean Water Act fines and natural resource damages, plus $4.9 billion to states. The payouts will be staggered over as many as 18 years. The preliminary settlement, subject to all sorts of variables, avoids a substantial amount of further litigation.

The rig explosion on April 20, 2010, the worst offshore oil disaster in U.S. history, killed 11 workers and spewed millions of barrels of oil onto the

Oil spill

shorelines of several states for nearly three months.

The agreement, which still needs to be approved by courts, covers Clean Water Act fines and natural resources damages, along with claims by Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas as well as 400 local government entities.

“This is a realistic outcome which provides clarity and certainty for all parties,” BP Chief Executive Officer Bob Dudley said in a statement. “For BP, this agreement will resolve the largest liabilities remaining from the tragic accident.”

The size of the settlement was slightly more than the $17.6 billion that investors had initially feared BP would be fined for gross negligence under the Clean Water Act alone.

U.S. District Court Judge Carl Barbier, who has overseen the case, was expected to rule on that issue later this year. Even then, BP would have faced years of lawsuits to address claims by states and by the federal government under a natural resource damage assessment.

The settlement announced Thursday closes off those remaining liabilities.

Rubbing along with robots tackles Abe’s double dilemma

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actory worker Satomi Iwata has new co-workers, a troupe of humanoid automata that are helping to address two of Japan’s most pressing concerns - a shortage of labor and a need for growth.

The 19 robots, which cost her employer Glory Ltd (6457.T) about 7.4 million yen ($60,000) each, have eye-like sensors and two arms that assemble made-to-order change dispensers alongside their human colleagues in a factory employing 370.

“They aren’t human, but it’s as if I’m working with colleagues who do their work very well,” said Iwata, who has worked at the factory for

Abe

four years.

Glory is in the vanguard as Japanese firms ramp up spending on robotics and automation, responding at last to premier Shinzo Abe’s efforts to stimulate the economy and end two decades of stagnation and deflation.

Cowed by weak demand in a country of aging consumers, risk-averse companies had largely turned their noses up at ultra-low borrowing costs delivered by years of loose money policies from the Bank of Japan, but times appear to be changing.

Capital expenditure rose 11 percent in January-March from the previous quarter. If that pace is sustained, it would exceed Abe’s target of 70 trillion yen this year for the first time since the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008.

A BOJ survey on Wednesday showed that big companies plan to boost capital expenditure at the fastest pace in a decade in the current fiscal year.

“We’re seeing companies spend more to enhance their plants’ productivity or renovate equipment,” said Ko Nakayama, head of the BOJ’s economic statistics division.

Companies who make the auto-

mation equipment are already gearing up for the extra business.

Industrial robot maker Fanuc Corp (6954.T) will spend about 130 billion yen to build a new plant to produce computer control system equipment, and Sony Corp (6758.T) plans to spend about 210 billion yen this fiscal year to boost production capacity for imaging sensors.

Yukitoshi Funo, the BOJ’s new board member who presided at auto giant Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) for four decades, says Japanese companies tend to spend more time deciding on new investment then their U.S. rivals, but current spending seemed to mark an inflection point.

“When you see these conservative companies increasing investment, you can expect (other) Japanese executives to ramp up spending,” he told reporters on Wednesday. “I think we’re at a critical juncture now.”

That is welcome news for Abe, who started pushing firms to raise wages last year and now wants them to boost capital expenditure, all crucial to the success of “Abenomics”, his policy mix of loose money, fiscal stimulus and structural reforms to push growth.

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Credit Suisse CEO vows action for ‘impatient’ investors – NZZ

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ew Credit Suisse AG (CSGN. VX) Chief Executive Tidjane Thiam has told a Swiss newspaper he wants quick action to implement results of strategic review he is conducting at the Swiss bank.

“Our investors have grown impatient given the pace at which we have moved. They expect quick change, and perhaps we must indeed move somewhat faster,” he said in an interview with the Neue Zuercher Zeitung printed on Saturday.

He said he had no preference in principle for either wealth management or investment banking and that the strategy the bank develops this year would determine how much capital it needs for a robust balance sheet.

“The bank’s strategy is not a matter of mutually exclusive alternatives. We will put strong focus on Asia without neglecting other markets,” the NZZ quoted him as saying.

“Switzerland will still be the core of Credit Suisse. The country is strong economically and the bank has its roots here,”, he said, adding talk that he was fixated on Asia was exaggerated.

He noted Credit Suisse was already the biggest provider of wealth management services in southeast Asia. “We were helped here too by the fact that we combine private banking with investment banking, which is attractive especially for entrepreneurs. We will continue this strategy.”

In an separate interview with the Financial Times, Thiam promised a “ruthlessly selective” review of the bank’s businesses, amid expectations that the incoming CEO would cut staff by about 15 percent from its investment banking arm.

Thiam

Quartet of crises threatens Europe union

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our great crises around Europe’s fringes threaten to engulf the European Union, potentially setting the ambitious post-war unification project back by decades.

The EU’s unity, solidarity and international standing are at risk from Greece’s debt, Russia’s role in Ukraine, Britain’s attempt to change its relationship with the bloc, and Mediterranean migration.

Failure to cope adequately with any one of these would worsen the others, amplifying the perils confronting “Project Europe”.

Greece’s default and the risk, dubbed ‘Grexit’, that it may crash out of the shared euro currency is the most immediate challenge to the long-standing notion of an “ever closer union” of European states and peoples.

“The longer-term consequences

EU Bank President Mario Draghi

of Grexit would affect the European project as a whole. It would set a precedent and it would further undermine the raison d’être of the EU,” Fabian Zuleeg and Janis Emmanouilidis wrote in an analysis for the European Policy Centre think-tank.

Though Greece accounts for barely 2 percent of the euro zone’s economic output and of the EU’s population, its state bankruptcy after two bailouts in which euro zone partners lent it nearly 200 billion euros ($220 billion) is a massive blow to EU prestige.

Even before the outcome of Sunday’s Greek referendum was known, the atmosphere in Brussels was thick with recrimination - Greeks blaming Germans, most others blaming Greeks, Keynesian economists blaming a blinkered obsession with austerity, EU officials emphasizing the success of bailouts elsewhere in the bloc.

While its fate is still uncertain, Athens has already shown that the euro’s founders were deluded when they declared that membership of Europe’s single currency was unbreakable.

Now its partners may try to slam the stable door behind Greece and take rapid steps to bind the remaining members closer together, perhaps repairing some of the initial design flaws of monetary union, though German opposition is likely to prevent any move towards joint government bond issuance.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Tuesday, July 7, 2015

CMD of UCTH decries resident doctors’ strike RICHARD NDOMA, CALABAR

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Epie Cultural Group displaying during a New Yam Festival by the people of Epie Kingdom in Yenagoa Lga of Bayelsa on Sunday

Civil rights group, Lawyers set for showdown over threat against Dickson OSAHON JULIUS YENAGOA

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ngry Civil Right Activists and Youth leaders from Bayelsa State and some lawyers under the auspices of Young Lawyers Coalition for Good Governance, are set for a showdown over threats by some youths to drag Governor Seriake Dickson to court over his refusal to fulfill a social contract and not rehabilitation of renounced cultist in the state, The civil right group and the youth leaders had threatened to drag the state governor to Court over his refusal to fulfil a social contract signed between his administration and renounced cultists over rehabilitation and Bursary payment plans in the last three years in the state.

The aggrieved Civil Rights Activists,in coalition with the officials of the National Youths Council of Nigeria (NYCN) and the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC),also demanded an apology from the State Governor,Hon. Seriake Dickson over alleged failure of the present administration to honour a social contract signed with the youths on youth empowerment and development in the state.

The Former President of the NYCN in Bayelsa and a Youth Empowerment Advocate, Comrade Bright Igrubia,who made this known in Yenagoa during a special Radio Interactive programme,said the aggrieved youth leaders have handed a 30 days ultimatum to the State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson to

review its policies on Youth development and reverse the noticeable retrogression of such policies on youth matters in the last few months.

According to Igrubia,” the Youths are angry because they embraced the restoration policies of the present administration.After 34 months of the present administration,we have witnessed a drastic decline in the youth initiatives of the present administration.The last 34 months of the present administration was a waste.And it also witnessed a poor relationship between the State and the Youths.”

Igruibia noted that the relationship between the youths of the State and the State Government have detiororated in the state with poor communication gaps,”We have discovered that there is a conspiracy against the youths of the State by the present administration.Dickson should address the social contract he signed with the youths of the State.If he does not come up with a social contract and economic empowerment committee,we will drag him to court.”

“If the issues are not resolved ,it will create distrusts and promote further insecurity in the state.6months after the renouncing ion by former cultists in the state,they are disappointed.”

But the Lawyers, under the auspices of Young Lawyers Coalition for Good Governance, have dared the youth groups for threatening to sue Governor Seriake Dickson over alleged nonrehabilitation of repented cultists.

The lawyers in a statement at the weekend and signed by their President, Igbete Itari, and Secretary, Beinmote Amambogha, the groups noted that the civil right group and the youth leaders were been misguided, saying that their threat was empty.”

Also reacting to the allegations against the governor, the lawyers warned the groups against inciting the youth of the state, saying that Dickson’s administration was reputed for its unparalleled youth development and empowermet policies.

The statement reads,”It is therefore unfortunate that Bright Igrubia, who could not move freely in the state because of menace of cult activities before Dickson assumed office, could open his mouth wide to attack the governor.

“Let Igrubia and his like know that there was no time the Dickson’s administration promised payment of any sort or a salary being paid amnesty beneficiaries for cultists.

“On the contrary, cultists were asked to renounce their membership of such criminal gang.

“Dickson, being mindful of the special place of the youth in the maintenance of peace, social order and development in the state has taken a holistic approach in tackling youths restiveness.

“Dickson has appointed more than 30 per cent of qualified youths into various political offices as senior special assistants as well as 70 per cent appointed into the rural development authorities among other empowerment programmes.”

They said the Fertiliser and Petrochemical Company sited at Odioma in Brass area of the state was aimemploygenerating over 30,000 jobs for the teeming youth.

The lawyers also noted that the Samson Siasia Football Academy at Angalabiri, the Sports Academy at Asuene, the International Institute of Tourism and other such programmes were clear testimonies of the governor’s determination to develop and empower youths in Bayelsa.

The lawyers, who were determined to go all hog to defend Dickson in any court, urged the youth not to allow themselves to be incited by unappreciated groups but to file out in their large numbers to back second term bid of Dickson in order to consolidate on his programmes of building a new Bayelsa for the youth.tate Governor,Hon. Seriake Dickson over alleged failure of the present administration to honour a social contract signed with the youths on youth empowerment and development in the state.

The Former President of the NYCN in Bayelsa and a Youth Empowerment Advocate, Comrade Bright Igrubia,who made this known in Yenagoa during a special Radio Interactive programme,said the aggrieved youth leaders have handed a 30 days ultimatum to the State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson to review its policies on Youth development and reverse the noticeable retrogression of such policies on youth matters in the last few months.

hief Medical Director of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Dr Thomas Agan,on Monday in Calabar decried the recent strike action embarked upon by residents doctors at Teaching hospital Calabar and said that even though the indefinite strike was having an adverse effect on the hospital management are doing everything possible to censure that the strike is called off.

It would be recalled that members of the Association of Resident Doctors at the UCTH had last week went on indefinite strike over alleged management’s negative response to doctors`s strike accusing management of treating their matters with kid-gloves.

Speaking on the issue, President of the association, Dr Ukweh Ikechukwu, stated that the strike followed a 21day ultimatum which ended on Wednesday, July 1st 2015.

Among issues raised by doctors of the UCTH who embarked on the strike includes, better working conditions, the implementation of the sponsorship arrears from 2012,upgrading and automatic stepping up of training and patient care, and skipping salaries for doctors.

Speaking to journalists in Calabar on Monday the UCTH COMMAND Dr. Agan stated that the management`s hands were on deck to ensure that things work well at the UCTH. Agan maintained that most of the demands made by the doctors of the hospital were not within their capacity as they depended on funding from the Federal Government which had not come yet.

“There is no point pretending. The effect of the strike is heavy on the patients.

The consultant doctors are around but would not provide the maximum attention the patients would require.

Agan admitted that what is happening in the health sector is although quite embarrassing, especially as doctors taking the Hippocratic Oath to to help patients and said once funds are released in the next few days, it will be sorted out.

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Tuesday, July 7, 2015

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General donates boreholes, renovates schools, to help Niger Delta communities OSAHON JULIUS YENAGOA

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Gbenemene of TAI Kingdom, HRM King Godwin Gininwa and Rivers State Co-ordinator of the National Youth Service Corp, Mrs Ngozi Nwatarali during Passing Out ceremony of the 2014 Batch ‘B’ Corps Members in Rivers State.

Students urge Buhari to stay action on amnesty review OSAHON JULIUS. YENAGOA

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s the Federal Government prepares to end the amnesty programme put in place for repented Niger Delta militants in the wake of the crisis that almost crippled the Nigerian economy, Nigerian students in higher institutions in Great Britain have called on President Muhammad Buhari to review the decision of his administration to end the programme.

The students said such review should include a proper exit plan for beneficiaries of the Amnesty deal in order for it to achieve its set objectives as an abrupt end will only leave hundreds of youths stranded not only in foreign lands but also in life, which can only be counter-productive to the collective development of the nation.

The Nigerian Students, drawn from Birmingham City University, Swansea University, Wales , Aberdeen University, Scotland and Liverpool John Moores University in the United Kingdom, said though the present administration’s decision to terminate the Amnesty deal by December, 2015 is welcomed, the lack of proper exit strategy, the non-appointment of a Special Adviser, the non-payment of Scholarship fees have created hitches and turned Nigerian students to destitute a on the streets of the United Kingdom.

The Nigerian Students, in a communique issued after an emergency meeting at the Birmingham University auditorium and signed by Emomotimi Ziprebo Pius, (Birmingham City

University), Matthew Ayibakuro Noah(Birmingham University), Stow Emmanuel( Swansea University, Wales), Raphael Frank (Aberdeen University, Scotland) and Amangala M. Joshua ( Liverpool John Moores University), said the decision to end the amnesty programme by 2015 has created issues of concern due to the absence of a proper exit plan for beneficiaries.

The Communique,made available to Niger Delta Mirror through email, stated that “ the students view of recent developments in the polity of the Nigerian state, with respect to the sustainability of the presidential amnesty programme, particularly, the recent declaration of December 2015 as the end date of the scheme bereft of a proper exit strategy, which has given rise to obvious concerns and to ensure that our budding democracy remains one which prioritizes the future of its people in our collective march towards deepening and safeguarding our seat at the table of true democracies.”

“An abrupt end will only leave hundreds of youths stranded not only in foreign lands but also in life, which without stating the obvious can only be counter-productive to our collective development as a nation. That because of the enormity of the challenges confronting the region and the need for a special attention as Mr President commences the arduous task of infrastructural intervention, human capital development and environmental regeneration. The Presidential Amnesty Proclamation should be reviewed and a

proper exit strategy drawn out.”

“An exit plan that takes into due cognisance the life span of the running programs and an effective and goals oriented alternative form of bringing the scheme to a rational and justifiable end. The suggestion of collapsing the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs and the Amnesty programme into the Niger Delta Ministry or any bureaucratic creation, supposedly at the expiration of the present subsisting amnesty proclamation by the end of this year should also be discarded as it does not acknowledge the unique nature of the scheme.”

“That presently, because of the absence of a head in the amnesty office, students are experiencing untold hardship. In some institutions, especially in the University of Dundee in Scotland, some students have not been paid their allowances for months. This is also applicable to other institutions across the UK. We view with sadness, the fact that similar programmes being funded by the federal government like the PTDF with Oil money from the region are given special attention and their allowances and stipends are paid promptly. In this respect, we request that all outstanding allowances, especially for April and May be paid and a Special Adviser and Chairman Amnesty also appointed swiftly, to ease the suffering of the students.”

“That what is required is a fundamental restructuring, of the Abuja and London offices and elsewhere. Idle minds and unproductive hands should be weeded

away and students who know where it pinches most should have representatives in the office, likewise for those that are engaged in other capacity building trainings and empowerment programmes.That while as students we cannot select who will serve the country as Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs and Chairman Presidential Amnesty committee.”

“The person should be knowledgeable on what gave rise to the setting up of the office and also vast on issues that relates to the Niger Delta. The person should be known to share in the change agenda of the present government and devoid of known and proven cases of corruption.

Some of the greatest challenges facing the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta are lack of funding, alleged cases of corruption and uncaring attitude of some staffs to students that needs to be corrected.”

“That for the students who are in various institutions across the globe and some that are in different training programmes to achieve the desired goal of the Presidential Amnesty Initiative, the allowances, stipends and tuition fees should be paid in good time to avoid unnecessary distractions. Possibly, the stipends and allowances should be paid 2 or 3 months in advance. The challenges of training students in various institutions abroad and also in Nigeria without a plan to gainfully engage them to contributed meaningfully towards the growth of the country should be addressed by the government at

espite his tough stance and his zero tolerance for criminalities in the Niger Delta where oil thieves and sea pirates has, prior to his arrival as Commander of the Joint Task Force, JTF, held sway, Major General Emmanuel Atewe, is a general with the heart of a gold, fighting criminalities with a heart full of love. Like ‘mother Theresa’ he has continued to show his meek side of a soldier, donating, giving, sensitizing and giving succour to a people impoverished by oil pollution, exploration, exploitation and illegal oil bunkering.

Standing just above feet, the diminutive General has taken a different and a more resulted oriented approach to its war against oil theft in the oil-rich region., a total paradigm shift from the status quo of fire-for-fire to the application of rendering help to the communities through donation of basic amenities which the government and the major oil companies has failed to do over the years The Commander and the Management Staff of the Operation Pulo Shield having identified abject poverty, lack of basic social amenities as well as absence of quality leadership as the root causes of the illegal oil bunkering, kidnapping and sea piracy in the Niger Delta, decided to come to the rescue of some of these communities.

Though his initial reason was to embark on a sensitization tour of some of the flash points communities on the need to dissuade their sons and daughters from illegal bunkering and pipe line vandalism, the tour which started last year however has turned into a kind of ‘Father Christmas’ as the Commander having seen the level of poverty in the region have since swung into action, brining succour r to the inhabitants of the oil-rich but highly impoverished region.

On Thursday, the 4th of July, it was the turn of people of Koluama II Communty in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, to partake of the milk of kindness, flowing in the vein of the Army General. The people who had been subjected to untold hardship since 2012 when a platform belonging to chevron Nigeria limited exploded in their water became one of the major beneficiaries of his kind heart.

The people trooped out in large numbers with sigh of relief in their faces as Major General Atewe led his entourage to commission a borehole water project constructed for the community by the JTF and jubilant community rolled out the drums to welcome the JTFCommander with hearts full of appreciation.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

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Northern group threatens aggrieved senators over Saraki A zA Msue KADUNA

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Northern group under the auspices of Arewa Youth Development Association, AYDA, has told aggrieved senators to urgently sheath their swords against Senate President Bukola Saraki for peace to reign at the National Assembly.

The group however declared its intention to resist any attempt by some politicians within and outside the All Progres-

sives Congress, APC, to frustrate the emergence of Senator Saraki as Senate President.

The group, threatening to fight back if those aggrieved fail to accept Saraki and allow peace reign in the Senate and House of Representatives, said it’s prepared to explore all means within the law to ensure that the election is valid.

Addressing a news conference organised

by AYDA in conjunction with other eleven groups across the 19 Northern

states held in Kaduna, AYDA National President, Alhaji Imrana Wada Nas, said it is only when the aggrieved senators concede defeat and allow peace to reign that the lawmakers can settle down for legislative duty which they were primarily elected for.

Wada Nas said: “We are just wondering what could have informed the rejection of Saraki after he was duly elected by 57 Senate members against 51.”

According to him, now that the APC as party has

accepted Senator Saraki’s emergence as Senate President, it is expected that aggrieved party leaders and members do same.

He said: “We have high regard for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other aggrieved, but as concerned Nigerians, we urge everyone to sheath their swords.

“All we are urging them to do is to allow Nigerian enjoy the good governance and concrete dividends of democracy the current administration of President Muhammadu

Buhari promised Nigerians.” Commending President Buhari for displaying high level of statesmanship during the Senate brouhaha, Wada Nas said the group will continue to stand by Saraki, not as Northerners, but as concerned Nigerians who believe in the peace, unity and progress of Nigeria.

While stating reasons for balance, fairness and justice, he explained: “After President Buhari from the defunct Congress for Progressive Change, CPC is President, Prof

Yemi Osinbajo from the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN as Vice President; it is only fair to give or allow a new PDP member in the APC to emerge.”

He explained that AYDA has decided to stand by Saraki because it knows he has adequate capacity, experience, right leadership qualities and ability to give the Senate the expected focus and direction to deliver on its primary mandate of making law for peace, progress and development.

Dickson, Sylva’s loyalists bicker over factional crises in Bayelsa APC osAhon Julius YENAGOA

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Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki (left) and Mr. Ekpo Nta, the Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, ICPC, during a courtesy visit to the Senate President in Abuja, yesterday.

Prosecute INEC officials used to rig election, NAWE tasks Zakari AdeolA Tukuru ABUJA

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igerian Association of Women Entrepreneurs, NAWE, has tasked acting chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Mrs. Amina Zakari, to prosecute all corrupt INEC officials who colluded with unscrupulous politicians to rig elections and punish them according to the laws of the land to serve as a deterrent to others.

NAWE further tasked Zakari to ensure that card readers are used in subsequent elections to avoid electoral malpractices that have impeded the nation’s democratic process.

In a press statement signed by its President, Chief Ada Ozongwu, NAWE further called for the use of electronic voting system in the 2019 general elections, saying that sovereignty resides in the people and therefore, their mandate must be respected

in all elections.

It said: “This is the change Nigerians desired in the electoral body. We are optimistic that Mrs. Zakara will discharge her duties creditably without fear or favour.

“We have no doubt that Mrs. Zakari will justify the confidence Nigerians reposed in her as the first woman to lead INEC since independence in 1960. Her appointment is an eloquent testimony that President

Muhammadu Buhari is gender sensitive and will appoint credible and competent Nigerians to serve in his government and deliver dividends of democracy to the longsuffering populace.

“Nigerians lost confidence in INEC due to the massive rigging and violence that characterised the 2003, 2007 and 2011 general elections. The card readers introduced by Prof Attahiru Jega for the 2015 polls were instrumental to

the success of the polls in which the All Progressives Congress, APC, defeated the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The card readers either failed or were deliberately not used in many polling units particularly in the South.”

NAWE also condoles with families that lost their loved ones in the recent Boko Haram attacks at Monguno and Kukawa in Borno State where over 100 people were killed.

s the battle for who occupies Creek Haven, the sprawling palatial official Government House of the Bayelsa State government hots up, Governor Seriake Dickson and loyalists of former Governor Timipre Sylva at the weekend engaged one another in war of words over the alleged involvement of the state government in funding and sponsoring the factional crises in the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state.

While APC chairman, Chief Tiwei Orunimigha alleged that preliminary investigation conducted by party leaders in the state fingered Dickson and the state Police Commissioner as sponsors of recent factional crises that hit the party, Dickson, through his Chief Press Secretary, CPS, Daniel Markson-Iworiso, would not want to be associated with the state APC crises.

Dickson said APC leaders were the architect of the crises with their acceptance

One month after, Buhari’s portrait absent in Taraba Govt House JusTin Tyopuusu JALINGO

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ore than one month after the inauguration of Muhammadu Buhari as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, his official portrait is conspicuous missing at the Taraba Government House, Jalingo.

National Mirror reports

that while the portrait of Governor Darius Ishaku is found in all ministries, parastatals and even private outfits in the state, that of President Buhari is only found in banks and other private outfits.

When contacted, Senior Special Assistant, SSA, to the governor on Media and Publicity, Slyvanus Giwa, said due process was to be followed before the picture of the President could be hanged in the Government

House.

He said: “There is no big deal over the absence of the President’s portrait in Government House. We are following due process and by close of work today (yesterday), Mr. President’s official picture would be available.”

Meanwhile, the governor yesterday appealed to the people of the state to give him time to choose the best hands that would help him deliver on his campaign promises.

Ishaku made the plea while swearing Barr Haruna Gbana and Abubakar Bawa as Special Advisers, SAs on Legal and Legislative Matters and Political Matters respectively.

He pledged to be fair to all and sundry irrespective of political, ethnic and religious differences and plead for time from the people of the state to choose his first eleven that would help him achieve his dreams for the state.

of failed politicians into the party’s fold.

APC, had in a statement issued at the weekend by Orunimigha, dismissed the move by some aggrieved leaders led by former Security Adviser in the state, Chief Richard Kpodo, describing it as acts by political jobbers and blackmailers.

He said: “Ordinarily, we would have ignored him given his antecedent and the fact that he has been expelled with ignominy from the party, but for the benefit of the unwary good people Nigeria and Bayelsa State in particular, who may be oblivious of his tainted background as a blackmailer and political jobber.

“We hereby urged the people to disregard Kpodoh as he is a drowning man who has constituted himself into a nuisance in the state and a stooge of the Governor Dickson. We are not unaware of his antecedent. He has always lend himself useful as an agent of destabilisation in state.

This has been his way of life. That is why he is today been used by the Bayelsa State government to cause confusion in the APC. He will not succeed.”

But Dickson distanced himself from the multiple crises rocking the state APC, insisting that he is “too preoccupied with the business of governance and is determined to transform the lives of Bayelsans for good as is already evident in his transparent administration, commitment to good governance, landmark infrastructural development, empowerment of the people, free compulsory and qualitative education, social welfare payments to the elderly and unprecedented health infrastructure.”

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Shettima and governance challenges amidst Boko Haram insurgency CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 Infrastructure for five faculties and senate building are currently being built at the site of Borno State University. Our target is to commence academic activities this year. We have drastically transformed the feeding in secondary schools. To boost attendance, we have started school feeding in primary schools at a pilot stage.

“We intend to expand the program to the entire state, especially to Northern Borno which is lagging far behind in education. We have introduced free transport system for students; we provide free uniforms, free books, paid most fees for final year secondary school students as part of our policy of free and compulsory education. We have introduced foreign capacity development for teachers in order to lay a good foundation for pupils. We have promoted 13,000 teaching and non-teaching staff, paid all Universal basic Education, UBE, counter-part fund. All these will be sustained.”

Agriculture has been and remains the corner stone of Governor Shettima’s administration, but the sacking of most communities and farmers in perpetual fear of going to their farms due to numerous attacks and burning of farmlands by insurgents has equally hampered developmental effort in the sector, as it remained another major challenges faced by the present administration.

Besides the annual procurement and distribution of fertilizer and other inputs at subsidised rates to farmers, the state government has achieved the following: procurement of 600 medium and large rice mills from Thailand, 20 large scale vegetable oil mills from China; 10,000 units of drip irrigation equipment capable of cultivating 5,000 hectares of different crops; 56 units of centre pivot irrigation equipment to cultivate 3,300 hectares; procurement of green houses with the capacity of raising 12 million seedlings of various crops and these green houses are currently being installed.

In summary, the state government has laid a solid foundation to take advantage of its vast land for rain-fed and irrigation agriculture with emphasis on job creation through the entire value chain, however, over 80 per cent population of farmers are no more engaged in farming due to sacking of their communities by insurgents.

Another major challenge according to National Mirror observation has to do with managing the IDPs by the Borno State government, as the immediate past executive chairman of the newly established Borno State Emergency Management Agency, BOSEMA, Mallam Grema Terab, in an interview with National Mirror, revealed that the agency had to cut on the expenditure of the IDPs to manage the crisis unless help comes from across the globe.

His words: “Our major challenge is the high influx of IDPs into Maiduguri. When I came on board as the chairman/chief executive officer of BOSEMA, we were managing few camps, there were about 13 or 14 local governments displaced by insurgents and we had camps for each of the local governments but now it runs to about 22 different camps.

“Surprisingly where we thought things are getting better, we are getting more people displaced and many more people are trooping into our camps. When you found out what is responsible for this increase, you get to know that the displaced persons who were taking refuge in the host communities are now coming into the IDPs camps, some of them have exhausted their rent and some of the people hosting them in some of these communities are tired of taking care of them, and the IDPs have nowhere to turn out to but the camps, this has come to continuously increase the numbers in our camps.”

Grema stressed that just recently, BOSEMA received about 400 IDPs into the Mafa camp, about 300 into Kukawa camp, about 400 into Monguno camp and also a large number of people into Bama camp.

Another challenge is the continual infiltration of unscreened youths of questionable character into the Civilian JTF, who were complimenting the effort of security operatives in the fight against Boko Haram. On many occasions, some of these infiltrated members of the Civilian JTF are not well trained and have turned

out to be criminals or even collaborators with the sect group to unleash terror on innocent civilians.

A clear example is what happened recently in Monguno Local Government Area, where about 30 people including members of youth vigilante were feared dead with scores injured when a bag filled with Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, discovered by operatives of the Civilian JTF at a deserted camp of Boko Haram near Monguno village in Borno State incidentally exploded.

An eyewitness and operative of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, VGN, Haruna Bukar, told journalists on phone that a group of Civilian-JTF on patrol along Monguno-Marte route stumbled upon a bag containing metallic substances at an area where Boko Haram terrorists had once camped before they were dislodged by Nigerian soldiers in February this year.

He said: “When they found the bag containing what later turned out to be IEDs, they brought it to Monguno town where people gathered to take a look at it. As they were busy fiddling with the content of the bag, the IEDs went off with a massive blast that killed about many persons and injured dozen others.

“It was really a very sad incident that affected many families. Most of those affected are young men and a few females”.

A VGN officer in Maiduguri, Abbas Gava, also confirmed the incident to journalists, though he did not give the actual number of casualties, but insisted that dozens of people were killed and injured in the blast.

He said: “Initially we thought it was a Boko Haram attack as it was being rumored in the town of Maiduguri, but when we later checked, we discovered that it was somehow an accidental explosion caused by the foolishness of the Civilian-JTF operatives who discovered such a dangerous device and refusing to call on the police or

we were managing few camps, there were about

13 or 14 local

governments displaced by insurgents and we had camps for each of the local governments but now it runs to about different camps.

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military that has the expertise to handle such things.”

However, the emergence of the All progressives Congress, APC-led Federal Government, under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari rekindles a lot of hope in Borno people that an era of peace and stability is finally around the corner.

It is against this background that Shettima intend to use his four years’ experience and his fresh mandate, which was overwhelmingly granted to him by his good people, to pursue their agenda to aggressively re-engineer Borno. The content of this agenda will be closely interrelated issues, namely ending the insurgency and rebuilding Borno.

He however asked for support from the people of the state irrespective of their political differences, while calling for their unity.

Buhari believes in party supremacy –Gbajabiamila Former Minority Leader in the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajamiamila recently led 29 members of the House to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa over the crisis in the party at the National Assembly. He speaks to State House Correspondents after the meeting. ROTIMI FADEYI brings excepts: What is the outcome of your meeting with the President?

It was an All Progressives Congress, APC, caucus of the House of Representatives meeting with Mr. President to iron out and fashion out the issues that have come up since June 9 and to find the way forward, and it was a very good and very successful meeting, and I think the caucus of the party is going to come out bigger, stronger and better for it.

What was the President’s reaction?

The President as you know, without even been told, is a party man, he believes in the party supremacy; he believes in the ideology of the party and he believes that the party would move forward, that much I can tell, that is not news, we all know the President; we all know what he stands for.

Why is the Speaker absent at the meeting?

Well, the Speaker probably has other engagements, there are still a few members of the caucus that were not here, we cannot get everybody here, but you find at least 25 percent, which is a representation of the caucus. If you are talking about a caucus, you are talking of about 210 members, you can’t get 210 members here, it is a representation of the 210 members.

It seems all those who attended are people who are loyal to you, who support your aspiration as Speaker?

No, it is not about me, we need to get that very straight, they voted for me yes, but the idea is about

Gbajabiamila

the party, they supported the party, they toed the party line and that is who we are and there is nothing more to be said about that, it is not about any individual.

What is the best way forward for the party?

I have said it can be said in different ways, we all came here on the platform of the party not me, not on individual basis, nobody came here as an independent candidate, and the sooner we understand that, the sooner we will be able to chart the way forward and I think the people are beginning to understand that.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Boma agidi

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he Ijaw nation, generally known as the proverbial goose that lays the golden eggs, but gets in return for its God-given endowment, neglect, pollution as well as environmental degradation with attendant health hazards.

It was this concern that agitated the minds of Ijaw stakeholders, who gathered at the weekend at the Banquet Hall of the Bayelsa State Government House, Yenagoa, under the auspices of Ijaw Professionals Association, IPA, to deliberate on how to chart a new vision for the Ijaw nation.

The seminar with the theme: Translating the Ijaw Vision into Reality: The Leadership Challenge’, was the second in the series organised by the association.

It took the brains to task on the possible alternative means of diversifying the economy of the region from the current dilemma of over dependency on oil revenue.

And, of course, this could not have come at a better time than now when the global price of crude oil is on a dwindling trend. Speakers upon speakers emphasised the need for self actualisation through focused leadership, value orientation and invention of new economic potentials for the teeming youths.

They charged the people to take their destiny into their own hands and refocused their minds on productive activities that would liberate them from the shackles of poverty and unnecessary lamentation.

Delivering his opening remarks, chairman of the event, Chief Doukpolagha, commended IPA for its noble initiative, assuring of his commitment to the course of the Ijaw people.

He recalled the history of the creation of Bayelsa State in 1996, describing the state as the Jerusalem of the Ijaw ethnic nationality; stressing the need for the people to look inward in the quest for focused leadership and new economic potentials.

His words: “Hard work is a necessary prerequisite for leadership. Leaders in Abuja should be our ambassadors. To this end, they are to fight for opportunities for the Ijaw man. It is important to look inwards when the question of leadership is raised.”

Doukpolagha identified constitutional constraints to resource control as well as absence of fiscal federalism as the main issues slowing down the development of the Niger Delta, adding that in view of this, it had become imperative for the people to key into critical areas of oil production to fulfill the destiny of the Ijaw nation as an active player in the Nigerian project.

He said training was crucial for the people of the Niger Delta, urging the youths to be patient and learn from the elders, even as he accordingly, challenged them on relevant training and skill acquisition.

Guest speaker at the event, Dr Tom-George, in his presentation titled: “Rethinking Leadership and Development in the Niger Delta,” outlined what leaders needed to do to ensure speedy development of the region. These, he said, included: creating a vision for tomorrow, invention of new idea for economic prosperity, selflessness, sacrifice, effective mobilisation and utilisation of available human and material resources for the common good of the people.

He said: “A leader is as happy as the least happy person. In sum, a leader should ensure service delivery to the people through self-sacrifice and leadership. A leader must galvanise the best genius of our people; be community minded and be surrounded with people of peculiar interest. An example is John Kennedy who made his brother, Robert Kennedy the Attorney-General when he was President of the United States of America.”

He further urged the leadership to focus more attention on capacity building for the youths, saying: “There is a dominant negative trend among the Ijaws, which is the wrong notion of thinking that the

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Repositioning Ijaw nation for new vision, national politics

Seraki Dickson

Ijaw man is defined by the natural resources in his environment. The Ijaws are more than oil and gas and should therefore focus on capacity building. The greatest resource is the human intellect. It is paramount to build the human knowledge economy and invest in the human capital development of the Ijaw man.”

During the interactive session, there was a general consensus on the need to partner with government to establish skill acquisition centres to facilitate training of youths in relevant areas. The stakeholders also reviewed the conduct of the last general election and commended former President Goodluck Jonathan for setting a new democratic standard for the nation.

The communiqué issued by the IPA emphasised that there is urgent and pressing need to create an effective and futuristic Ijaw Vision; the Ijaw nation should develop vision 2025 aimed at building a united, inclusive, prosperous, peaceful and influential nation within the Nigerian and global context; Ijaw vision 2025 should be actionable and serve as a blueprint for all sections of the Ijaw nation to build a united and prosperous entity based on shared values and a common destiny; the vision should be dynamic, acceptable to the majority and adaptable to current realities; it should also incorporate the basic core values.

It further stressed that the Ijaw leader should be capable of mobilising the Ijaw Vision to action and

there is urgent and pressing need to create an effective and futuristic ijaw vision; the ijaw nation should

develop vision 2025 aimed at building a united, inclusive, prosperous, peaceful and

influential nation within the nigerian and global context

adapt same to current realities; be selfless, self-sacrificing and pursue the collective interest; remain focused on the collective interest to sustain the galvanised support of the people; the Ijaw should review and address leadership selection process; there is need for more people of Ijaw extraction to participate in sharing ideas on their common destiny.

The communiqué also opined that the Ijaw should promote the culture of robust debates, promote openness on every issue of collective interest and collapse sectional interest into one unified vision; look beyond oil and gas and develop expert power - promote human capital development and knowledge-based economy; focus on higher goals and be committed to a culture of excellence.

In addition, the seminar re-emphasised the need to project and promote the real Ijaw brand and tell positive Ijaw stories as well as change the stereotype by controlling the Ijaw narrative.

Challenging IPA to promote her values amongst people of Ijaw extraction all over the world and engage young Ijaw professionals, the seminar also suggested mentoring of young Ijaw professionals through introduction of a Graduate Internship Program, GIP, under the supervision of IPA; promote unified Ijaw vision by initiating Family Tree Project, FTP; commence the process of developing Ijaw Vision 2025 by inaugurating the IPA chapter in Yenagoa, which shall drive the Vision 2025 project.

Earlier in his key note address, IPA President and Executive Secretary, Nigeria Contents Development and Monitoring Board, NVDMB, Arc. Denzil Amagbe Kentebe, decried the perceived neglect and marginalisation of the region by successive governments and urged the people to take their destiny into their own hands and avoid unnecessary lamentation.

He said: “We need to go beyond the usual complaints, protests and lamentations. We should objectively discuss a new Vision 2025 for Ijaw land.”

Special Guest of Honour, Governor Henry Seriake Dickson, who was represented by his deputy, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah, rtd, commended the organisers of the event for taking the initiative to fashion a new vision for the Ijaw nation.

The seminar was a follow up to the one earlier held in May at Eko Hotel and Suites which attracted eminent personalities like former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe.

According to IPA, the aim of the seminar was to promote cross fertilisation of ideas on how to actualise the new vision for the Ijaw nation to reposition it as an active player not only in the Nigerian economy, but the globe at large.

Prominent among the stakeholders in attendance were: IPA President, Kentebe; chairman, IPA Board of Trustees, Gen. Paul Alaowei Toun, rtd; Dr. Chris Ekiyor, Barr. (Chief) Boma Obuoforibo, Chief (Mrs) Veronica Bamuza-Mutu, Engr. Charles Ambaowei.

Others were: Chief Francis Doukpola, former traditional ruler of Agbere community, Lady Anne, Secretary of the Elders Council of Bayelsa State, Lady Meg Agidi, a member of the Ijaw National Congress, Moses Siasia, a member of the Nigerian Young Professionals, Engr Ambaowei, acting President of the Ijaw National Congress, and Iniruo Wills, Bayelsa State Commissioner for Environment.

The seminar provided a platform for concerned stakeholders to brainstorm on issues affecting the Ijaw ethnic nationality and the way forward. IPA Secretary-General, Mr Efiye Bribena, explained that the aim of the seminars so far organised by the association was to promote professional excellence among people of Ijaw extraction.

•Agidi writes from Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

46

Politics

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Tribunal fixes July 27 in petition against Gbajabiamila matthew iRinOye

T

he National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal headed by Justice C.U Anwuka, yesterday fixed July 27 for hearing of the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate for Surulere I federal constituency of Lagos State, Mr. Tony Ashikodi, challenging the declaration of Hon Femi Gbajabiamila of the All Progressives Congress, APC,) as winner of the March 28 election.

It would be recalled that the PDP candidate, through his counsel, Mr.

Kalu Onuah, had petitioned the three-man tribunal, alleging irregularities during the election which, he said breached the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.

During yesterday’s sitting, the chairman of the three-man panel, Justice Anwuka, struck out all pending applications earlier filed by both the 1st and 2nd respondents, Gbajabiamila and INEC respectively, following the request by their counsels, Messrs Dele Adeoti and C.N Olaitan.

The judge subsequently adjourned the matter till July 27 for hearing of the substantive petition.

Anxiety over delay in appointing new chair for Oyo guber tribunal Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

T

he Oyo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal yesterday suffered another adjournment over non-appointment of a substantive chairman for the tribunal.

It will be recalled that the former chairman of the tribunal, Justice F. C. Obieze retired about three weeks ago and a new judge is yet to be appointed.

It will be recalled that former governor of the state and Accord Party candidate in the last April 11 governorship election, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, had dragged Governor Abiola Ajimobi, the All Progressives Congress, APC, the Oyo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Rufus Akeju and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC before the tribunal challenging the results of the state gubernatorial election.

At its scheduled sitting yesterday, counsel to Ladoja, Chief R. A. Ogunwole, SAN, said the tribunal cannot sit without a chairman as this will be contrary to paragraph 24 of the 2010 Electoral Act as amended.

Counsel to the first, second and third respondents, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, Mr. Rotimi

Akeredolu, SAN and Mr. Adebayo Shobanjo, respectively all agreed with Ogunwole over the stipulation of the Electoral Act. The presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Karaye, said he was verbally directed to act as chairman of the tribunal but in light of the provision of paragraph 24 of the Electoral Act, he is left with no choice than to adjourned sitting till July 10 pending the appointment of a new chairman for the tribunal.

Meanwhile, a group, the Coalition for Good Governance, CGG, in the state, led by its president, Comrade Wole Adepoju has expressed anxiety over the delay in the appointment of a new judge to head the governorship tribunal.

CGG expressed worry based on the fact that the tribunal has 180 days to deliver judgment with three weeks already wasted because the chairman of the tribunal has not been appointed.

Adepoju then appealed to the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, to as a matter of urgency appoint a new chairman for the tribunal in other for the case before it to resume forthwith.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Osun APC, PDP trade allegations over planned protests •As civil societies plan mother of all rallies against Aregbesola bOladale bamigbOla OSOGBO

O

sun State All Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday called on security agencies to hold the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the August 9, 2014 election, Senator Iyiola Omisore and his party responsible for any breach of the peace in the state.

Earlier, Civil Societies’ Coalition for Emancipation of Osun State, CSCEO, had said 500,000 people across Osun State will participate in a protest march today in support of Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s impeachment.

CSCEO said over 20 civil and faith based societies, who are its members, are already mobilising their members towards the mass rally.

CSCEO chairman, Com-

rade Adeniyi Sulaiman Alimi, gave the names of associations ready for the rally as The Voices, KIMPACT, Centre for Human Rights and Social Justice, Grassroot Democratic Network, Christian Initiative for Nation Building, Christian Leadership Mobilisation and Better Future Initiative.

Others are Nigerian Union of Pensioners, NUP, Justice, Development and Peace Commission Movement, JDPCM, Positive Movement, Good Governance Support Group, Democratic Socialist Movement and Conference of National Political Parties, CNPP. APC in a statement by its Director of Media and Strategy, Barr Kunle Oyatomi, said it was aware of plans by a “group of profiteers being sponsored by Omisore and PDP to unleash violence on the state

using the issue of workers’ salaries as camouflage.”

He said: “Specifically we must alert the whole world to a threat issued by Omisore on June 14 at the PDP secretariat in Osogbo, promising members of his party that he was prepared to make this state ungovernable for Governor Aregesola.

“We are using this medium to inform members of the public and the media to be wary of activities of this set of opportunists who are the real profiteers behind the undeserved focus on Osun among the more than 20 states that are currently facing salary challenges.

“The APC government under Aregbesola in Osun has been having very fruitful negotiations with labour and we can therefore say without any contradiction that labour has no hand in this proposed pro-

test.

“It is high time the whole world read through the selfish agenda of Omisore and others who after suffering a humiliating defeat in the August 9 gubernatorial election, have seen the national wage crisis as another avenue to commit treason by threatening a legitimate government.”

But PDP in a counter statement issued by Prince Diran Odeyemi, said it observed “with disillusion, the allegation by Aregbesola and his paid agents that Otunba Omisore and PDP are sponsoring workers to protest unpaid salaries.”

He added: “It is unfortunate that the sinking government will still be engaging in buck passing when Aregbesola should be busy looking for money to settle unpaid salaries and allowances of workers.”

L-R: Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Mr. Nuhu Gidado; Governor Muhammed Abubakar and Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Ahmed Suleiman, during the SSG’s swearing-in in Bauchi, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Lagos Arewa hails Obasa, calls for support RObeRt awOKuse

C

hairman, Lagos Arewa, Alhaji Monmondu Dandamayabo, has described the Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon Mudasiru Obasa, as a distinguished charismatic leader who always makes the needs of Lagosians a top priority on his agenda.

Speaking with National Mirror, Dandamayabo

said Hon Obasa is a visionary, dependable and passionate representative, who on many occasions has brought dividends of democracy to his people, through good legislations and oversight functions as well as instituting developmental projects, which has positively affected the lives of many Lagosians.

He also noted that Obasa is not biased and sentimental about ethnicity, stressing that he had supported the group in dif-

ferent quarters whenever the need arises.

He further called on Obasa and the leadership of Lagos assembly to continue to support Lagos Arewa through favourable legislations for an enabling environment that will enhance their livelihood, noting that the Arewa community contributes greatly to the economic development of Lagos through the sales of food items, clothing as well as other materials

and services which the group is noted for.

He added: “We have been receiving support from the past administrations, especially in the area of our market. We implore the Speaker to use his office to further consolidate on the relationship we have established with the previous government and the support we have been getting since the dispensation of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu till date.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

NUC inaugurates committee to accredit CIS programme

L

ong anticipated proposal by the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) to get accreditation for some of its programmes got a boost at the weekend when the National Universities Commission (NUC) set up a committee to midwife the implementation.

The Institute, led by its second Vice Chairman,

Mr Adedapo Adekoje, at the weekend visited the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, Professor Julius Okojie on the need by NUC to accredit its programme and approve the study of Securities and Investment in the school curriculum.

Adekoje, who was accompanied by both the Institute’s Council member,

Mr Oye Oyeniyi and Registrar and Chief Executive, Mr Adedeji Ajadi, reaffirmed the desire of the CIS to work with NUC to achieve the government’s agenda in the area of capacity building in Nigerian universities.

According to him, high quality and competitive programmes should be run in our universities in

spite of the tough operating environment and CIS is well-positioned to assist the government realize this vision.

The NUC’s Executive Secretary assured the CIS team of necessary support for their programmes and other courses being proposed for inclusion in the school curriculum.

Naira exchanges N232 to dollar on black market ...Equities shed 0.3% JOHNSON OKANLAWON

N

aira was quoted at a record low of N232 to the dollar on the parallel market yesterday, down from N230 on Friday, traders told Reuters.

The naira has been under the ropes on the black market after the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, two weeks ago curbed access to the dollar on the official interbank market for importers buying a wide range of goods, shifting demand for hard currency to the black market.

The currency traded at N198.50 on the interbank market.

Trading in equities dropped further on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday following massive sell off that has persisted on the local bourse.

The NSE All Share Index

and market capitalisation, each declined by 0.29 per cent; this was amid declines in banking, consumer goods and oil/gas equities, which declined respectively by 0.22 per cent, 1.16 per cent and 0.55 per cent.

However, insurance and industrial equities bucked the trend having risen by 0.90 per cent and 1.53 per cent according to the NSE Insurance Index and the NSE Consumer Goods Index.

With only 22 gainers and 29 losers, the key benchmark indices maintained negative trajectory to close in the red, as activities in the shares of blue chip companies dragged down the equity market.

Trading activities on the floor of Exchange had at the weekend also closed in red following negative sentiments of investors.

Consequently, the All-Share Index dipped 94.22 basis points or 0.29 per cent to close at 32,444.12 as against 32,538.34 recorded the previous day while market capitalisation of equities depreciated by N32 billion or 0.29 per cent from N11.107 trillion the previous day to N11.075 trillion as market sentiment remained in the red.

Meanwhile, a turnover of 155.8 million shares worth N1.6 billion in 3,230 deals was recorded in the day’s trading.

Just as in the previous day , the banking sub-sector of the financial services sector was the most active during the day (measured by turnover volume); with 93.8 million shares worth N754.8 million exchanged by investors in 1,180 deals.

Volume in the banking subsector was largely driven by activities in the shares of Access Bank Plc and Diamond Bank Plc.

Global markets crumble

I

more than ever before, and pulled $699 million from short-term investment-grade U.S. bond funds, Bank of America Corp. and Wells Fargo & Co. data show. While these assets have traditionally been havens during rocky periods, they look less appealing now after more than six years of unprecedented monetary stimulus that pushed yields to record lows.

Why is that a problem?

Well, the European Central Bank’s bond-purchasing program this year sent yields so low (negative, in fact) that investors revolted, selling German debt in the face of some signs of economic growth and causing unprecedented volatility. In the U.S., the economy has improved enough that the Federal Reserve is

planning to raise interest rates this year from virtually zero, where they’ve been since 2008.

And nations and companies around the world have taken on unprecedented amounts of debt, all with the hope of igniting some growth, with the results being rather tepid.

Investors are clearly getting more concerned about a fullblown selloff in assets globally after Greece rejected austerity measures required to receive additional bailout funds, and as the Shanghai Composite Index fell 25 percent from its peak in mid-June.

Add to that Puerto Rico, where Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla said last week he wants to delay payments on some of the $72 billion of debt amassed by the government

47

Source: NSE

Inter-Bank Rate Naira

US Dollar

$1

N196.95 Market indicators

Also, other financial services sub sector, boosted by activities in the shares of FBNH Plc, followed with a turnover of 20.3 million shares valued at N198.6 million in 517 deals.

Further analysis of the day’s trading showed that Neimeth Nigeria Plc topped the day’s gainers’ table with 9.84 per cent to close at N1.34 per share while NEM Insurance Plc followed with 7.46 per cent to close at 72 kobo per share.

Mansard Insurance Plc added 4.81 per cent to close at N2.83 per share.

On the flip side, Enamelwa Plc led the losers’ with a drop of five per cent to close at N30.23 per share while Dangote Flour Plc and Carverton Plc shed 4.97 per cent each to close at N3.44 and N3.25 per share respectively. Total Oil Plc plunged by 4.85 per cent to close at N157.00 per share.

All-Share Index 32,444.12 points Market capitalisation 11.11trn

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

NEIMETH

1.22

1.34

0.12

9.84

NEM

0.73

0.72

0.05

7.46

MANSARD

2.70

2.83

0.13

4.81

MAYBAKER

1.50

1.57

0.07

4.67

FIDSON

3.33

3.48

0.15

4.50

CHAMPION

5.65

5.90

0.25

4.42

WEMABANK

0.93

0.97

0.04

4.30

VONO

1.19

1.24

0.05

4.20

COSTAIN

0.75

0.78

0.03

4.00

TRANSEXPR

1.34

1.39

0.05

3.73

CHANGE

% CHANGE

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

ENAMELWA

31.82

30.23

-1.59

-5.00

DANGFLOUR

3.62

3.44

-0.18

-4.97

CAVERTON

3.42

3.25

-0.17

-4.97

TOTAL

165.00

157.00

-8.00

-4.85

EVANSMED

1.05

1.00

-0.05

-4.76

LIVESTOCK

2.39

2.28

-0.11

-4.60

ASHAKACEM

22.50

21.50

-1.00

-4.44

CONTINSURE

1.00

0.96

-0.04

-4.00

UACN

44.49

41.06

-1.68

-3.93

CILEASING

0.52

0.50

-0.02

-3.85

FGN Bonds

…as investors scramble to sell risky shares

nvestors tend to respond to impending doom by selling risky stuff and hiding out in safer assets -- namely, bonds in places such as Germany and the U.S. There’s a problem with that formula this time around: Traders aren’t so sure they can find anything that’s truly safe right now.

So, instead of piling into sovereign debt of developed nations, traders are pulling their money out of those places as the Greek economy teeters on the brink of collapse, Puerto Rico talks about delaying some debt payments and China’s stock market suffers its biggest selloff since 1992.

Investors yanked $2.9 billion from European government bond funds last week,

Capital Market

and its agencies.

This all seems pretty bad, especially if it’s just a sign of a bigger worldwide problem of too much debt and not enough economic expansion.

(Source – Bloomberg.com) Rate (%) Inflation

8.2

MPR

13

Crude oil price

$58.96

Exchange

Rates (N)

WAUA

270

USD

196.95

EURO

214

CFA

0.32

YEN

1.64

SWISS FRANC

202

POUNDS STERLING

293

SDR

273

Bid

Description

Offer

Price

Yield

Price

Yield

13.05 16-AUG-2016

1.11

98.21

14.81

98.36

14.66

15.10 27-APR-2017

1.81

100.15

14.96

100.30

14.86

16.00 29-JUN-2019

3.98

102.84

15.02

103.14

14.92

15.54 13-FEB-2020

4.61

101.49

15.06

101.79

14.97

16.39 27-JAN-2022

6.56

105.71

14.99

106.01

14.92

14.20 14-MAR-2024

8.69

97.01

14.81

97.31

14.75

Closing Market Prices of July 6, 2015

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

01-Oct-15

13.00

13.41

07-Jan-16

12.69

13.56

02-Jun-16

12.65

14.29

NIBOR Tenor

Rate (%)

O/N

5.1250

1M

14.1547

3M

15.5823

6M

16.3288 The Fixings of July 6, 2015

Capital Market

48

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Stock exchange daily equities summary Daily Summary as of 06/07/2015

Daily Summary as of 06/07/2015 Printed 06/07/2015 16:27:49.049

Printed 06/07/2015 16:27:49.049

Daily Summary (Bonds)

Equities as at July 6, 2015 Activity Summary on Board EQTY

No Debt Trading Activity

1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

1st TierHEALTHCARE Securities

Daily Summary (Equities)

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Crop Production OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals

Symbol OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 23 9 32

Current Price 28.99 34.00

Quantity Traded 112,627 14,554 127,181

Value Traded 3,381,646.82 498,274.00 3,879,920.82

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 14 14

Current Price 2.28

Quantity Traded 269,586 269,586

Value Traded 616,543.24 616,543.24

396,767

4,496,464.06

Quantity Traded 5,690,070 454,914 6,144,984

Value Traded 15,258,134.15 19,120,919.08 34,379,053.23

Daily Summary as of 06/07/2015

AGRICULTURE Totals Printed 06/07/2015 16:27:49.049

CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals

46

Symbol

No. of Deals 100 60 160

TRANSCORP Daily Summary (Equities) UACN

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

CONGLOMERATES Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Building Structure/Completion/Other BuildingStructure/Completion/Other Structure/Completion/OtherTotals Building COSTAIN (W A) PLC. Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Published by JULIUS The Nigerian StockNIG. Exchange BERGER PLC. ©

Current Price 2.66 41.06

160 Symbol Symbol COSTAIN Symbol JBERGER

6,144,984

34,379,053.23

No. of Deals Current Price No. of Deals 7 Current Price 7 0.78 No. of Deals Current Price 10 48.50 10

Quantity Traded Quantity249,412 Traded 249,412 Quantity Traded Page 87,106 87,106

4,108,974.00

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 24 24

Current Price 10.20

Quantity Traded 128,292 128,292

Value Traded 1,361,067.47 1,361,067.47

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Symbol UNION HOMES REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST (REIT) UHOMREIT UPDC REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST UPDCREIT Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Totals

No. of Deals 1 1 2

Current Price 45.22 10.00

Quantity Traded 100 10,000 10,100

Value Traded 4,296.00 100,000.00 104,296.00

474,910

5,768,878.83

Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Real Estate Development Totals

Daily Summary as of 06/07/2015 CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals Printed 06/07/2015 16:27:49.049 CONSUMER GOODS Automobiles/Auto Parts DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC Automobiles/Auto Parts Totals Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC CONSUMER GOODS INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC MULTI-TREX INTEGRATED FOODS PLC NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC U T C as NIG. Daily Summary ofPLC. 06/07/2015 Food Products Totals Printed 06/07/2015 16:27:49.049 Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY Household Durables NIGERIAN ENAMELWARE PLC. CONSUMER GOODS VITAFOAM NIG PLC. Household Durables VONO PRODUCTS PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Household Durables Totals Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Personal/Household Products Totals

43

Quantity Traded 11,000 11,000

Value Traded 5,500.00 5,500.00

Symbol CHAMPION GUINNESS INTBREW Symbol

No. of Deals 23 53 14 No. of Deals

Current Price 5.90 147.20 19.50 Current Price

Quantity Traded 727,443 203,908 Quantity101,144 Traded

Value Traded 4,122,050.35 30,710,132.81 1,960,760.86 Value Traded

95 185

142.16

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 33 33

Current Price 194.00

Quantity Traded 79,502 79,502

Value Traded 15,299,946.73 15,299,946.73

Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR MULTITREX NASCON UTC

No. of Deals 33 23 47 20 1 18 2 144

Current Price 3.44 6.65 34.00 3.47 0.50 8.00 0.50

Quantity Traded 1,139,483 525,078 380,926 215,928 100 103,130 66,000 2,430,645

Value Traded 3,928,290.56 3,513,089.22 12,931,528.19 748,468.44 50.00 798,774.35 33,000.00 21,953,200.76

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE Daily Summary

No. of Deals 25 20 (Equities) 45

Current Price 35.05 850.01

Quantity Traded 56,378 40,367 96,745

Value Traded 1,886,131.48 34,304,761.20 36,190,892.68

No. of Deals Current Price 1 30.23 31 5.75 No. of Deals Current Price 2 1.24 34

Quantity Traded 224,000 481,183 Quantity Traded 75,000 Page 780,183

Value Traded 6,771,520.00 2,671,178.60 Value Traded 93,000.00 13 3 of 9,535,698.60

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

No. of Deals 56 30 86

Quantity Traded 1,137,781 91,912 1,229,693

Value Traded 35,823,629.45 3,841,919.05 39,665,548.50

7,156,595

372,004,769.00

Quantity Traded 30,659,234 19,961,233 2,453,008 3,211,151 5,556,826 1,782,491 1,879,570 12,105,393 133,500 2,373,365 Quantity Traded 1,836,013 11,912,368 93,864,152

Value Traded 163,161,694.22 84,819,718.10 53,957,909.19 5,339,930.07 148,791,731.12 4,073,167.63 3,850,353.60 55,462,254.26 1,226,576.73 5,760,494.80 Value Traded 1,772,417.13 226,591,295.66 754,807,542.51

Current Price 31.25 43.50

529

No. of Deals 200 31 68 57 225 (Equities) 72 13 140 31 44 No. of Deals 20 279 1,180

Current Price 5.33 4.21 22.10 1.70 26.80 2.32 2.07 4.56 9.35 2.49 Current Price 0.97 19.00

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC GREAT NIGERIAN INSURANCE PLC LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC MANSARD INSURANCE PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. Daily Summary as of 06/07/2015 PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. Printed 06/07/2015 16:27:49.049 REGENCY ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

Symbol AIICO CONTINSURE GNI LINKASSURE MANSARD MBENEFIT NEM NIGERINS PRESTIGE REGALINS SOVRENINS UNIVINSURE WAPIC Daily Summary

No. of Deals 21 17 1 4 3 6 27 1 1 20 1 1 5 (Equities) 108

Current Price 0.95 0.96 0.50 0.51 2.83 0.50 0.72 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50

No. of Deals 2 2 No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 1.05

Symbol NPFMCRFBK Symbol ASOSAVINGS

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FBNH FCMB ROYALEX STANBIC UBCAP

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

212,561,037.71 13 2 of 249,353,981.73

Symbol ENAMELWA VITAFOAM Symbol VONO

Symbol ACCESS DIAMONDBNK ETI FIDELITYBK GUARANTY Daily Summary SKYEBANK STERLNBANK UBA UBN UNITYBNK Symbol WEMABANK ZENITHBANK

HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC PHARMA-DEKO PLC. Pharmaceuticals Totals

1,496,332 Page 2,528,827

No. of Deals 32 6 286 43 3 75 72 517

Current Price 0.50

Current Price 2.73 4.00 7.96 3.00 0.50 24.55 1.35

1,808

Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH PHARMDEKO

No. of Deals 17 10 12 15 27 3 84

Current Price 1.00 3.48 44.00 1.57 1.34 2.15

Value Traded 25,616.28 25,616.28 Value Traded 2,262.00 2,262.00 5 of 13 Value Traded 967,643.72 147,358.16 54,089,527.85 7,839,263.01 6,500.00 128,496,157.55 7,127,170.65 198,673,620.94

Value Traded 275,050.00 453,245.75 3,873,454.75 465,391.47 718,402.14 228,522.00 6,014,066.11

Page

6

of

No Of Deals

84 Quotation(N)

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials Daily Summary as of 06/07/2015 ASHAKA CEM PLC Printed 06/07/2015 16:27:49.049 BERGER PAINTS PLC Daily Summary as of 06/07/2015 CAP PLC Printed 06/07/2015 16:27:49.049 CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Activity Summary on Totals Board EQTY

Activity Summary BoardProducts EQTY Electronic and on Electrical INDUSTRIAL GOODS

CUTIX PLC. Electronic and Electrical Products INDUSTRIAL GOODS Electronic and Electrical Products Totals Packaging/Containers Published by BETA The Nigerian Exchange © GLASSStock CO PLC. Packaging/Containers GREIF NIGERIA PLC Packaging/Containers Totals

Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals Daily Summary as of 06/07/2015 Printed 06/07/2015 16:27:49.049 Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors BECO PETROLEUM PRODUCT PLC CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. Activity Summary on Board MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. EQTY TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. OIL AND GAS Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals Exploration and Production PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Published by SEPLAT The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Exploration and Production Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 2,550 2,550

Value Traded 1,275.00 1,275.00

Symbol CHAMS

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 1,000 1,000

Value Traded 500.00 500.00

3,550

1,775.00

Quantity Traded 101,808 2,201 34,778 174,091 315,249 110,992 251,176 990,295

Value Traded 2,185,509.66 23,506.68 1,299,769.38 1,929,607.40 53,721,921.73 543,600.00 26,061,928.50 85,765,843.35

Quantity Traded

Value Traded 152,198.00 Value Traded 152,198.00 Value Traded 13 7 931,666.50 of Value Traded 36.00 931,702.50

3

Symbol No. of Deals ASHAKACEM 11 BERGER 5 CAP 12 CCNN 19 DANGCEM 49 Daily Summary (Equities) PORTPAINT 3 WAPCO 36 Daily Summary (Equities) 135 Symbol CUTIX Symbol

Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals Daily Summary as of 06/07/2015 Employment Solutions Printed 06/07/2015 16:27:49.049 C & I LEASING PLC. Employment Solutions Totals Hotels/Lodging IKEJA HOTEL PLC Hotels/Lodging Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Media/Entertainment SERVICES DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC Media/Entertainment Media/Entertainment Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Printing/Publishing Daily Summary as of 06/07/2015 ACADEMY PRESS PLC. Printed 06/07/2015 16:27:49.049 LEARN AFRICA PLC UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. Printing/Publishing Totals

SERVICES Totals Road Transportation ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC EQTY Board Totals Totals Road Transportation Transport-Related Services SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC Published by AIRLINE The Nigerian Stock Exchange © NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Daily Summary as of 06/07/2015 Transport-Related Services Totals Printed 06/07/2015 16:27:49.049 Support and Logistics CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC Support and Logistics Totals

Symbol BETAGLAS Symbol VANLEER

86,849,743.85

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 13,100 13,100

Value Traded 6,550.00 6,550.00

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 127 127

Current Price 15.69

Quantity Traded 1,502,916 1,502,916

Value Traded 23,555,190.29 23,555,190.29

No. of Deals 3 25 12 (Equities) 61 17 3 40 161 No. of Deals 18 18

Current Price 0.50 40.85 2.45 192.00 148.00 50.54 157.00

Quantity Traded 9,634,702 65,875 172,673 403,140 55,161 410 249,673 10,581,634 Quantity Traded 92,816Page 92,816 Page

Symbol BECOPETRO CONOIL ETERNA Daily Summary FO MOBIL MRS TOTAL Symbol SEPLAT

Current Price 336.05

309

Value Traded 4,817,351.00 2,465,763.67 410,408.09 76,880,102.55 8,192,426.39 19,688.20 39,351,333.70 132,137,073.60 Value Traded 31,464,283.30 8 of 13 31,464,283.30 9 of 13

12,190,466

187,163,097.19

Symbol RTBRISCOE

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.77

Quantity Traded 13,432 13,432

Value Traded 9,939.68 9,939.68

Symbol REDSTAREX TRANSEXPR

No. of Deals 8 5 13

Current Price 4.75 1.39

Quantity Traded 42,000 139,730 181,730

Value Traded 201,021.44 184,563.40 385,584.84

Symbol CILEASING

No. of Deals 18 18

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 3,944,462 3,944,462

Value Traded 1,979,850.94 1,979,850.94

Symbol

No. of Deals 6 6

Current Price 3.65

Quantity Traded 146,630 146,630

Value Traded 529,705.10 529,705.10

Symbol DAARCOMM Symbol

No. of Deals 1 No. of Deals 1

Current Price 0.50 Current Price

Symbol ACADEMY LEARNAFRCA UPL

No. of Deals 17 2 3 22

Current Price 0.95 1.25 6.03

Quantity Traded 100,000 Quantity Traded 100,000 Page Quantity Traded 386,796 100,000 21,500 508,296

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Daily Summary (Equities) IKEJAHOTEL

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol ABCTRANS

Symbol Symbol AIRSERVICE NAHCO Symbol ACADEMY Symbol LEARNAFRCA CAVERTON UPL

Value Traded 50,000.00 Value Traded 50,000.00 13 10 of Value Traded 363,784.82 125,000.00 124,455.00 613,239.82

Quantity Traded 14,000 14,000

Value Traded 7,000.00 7,000.00

No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded 4 2.08 29,650 1 100,000 20 5.02 231,732 24 261,382 No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded 17 0.95 386,796 No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded 2 1.25 100,000 8 3.25 811,365 3 6.03 21,500 8 811,365 22 508,296

Value Traded Value Traded 58,713.50 50,000.00 1,164,822.87 1,223,536.37 Value Traded 363,784.82 Value Traded 125,000.00 2,636,936.25 124,455.00 2,636,936.25 613,239.82

95 No. of Deals Current Price 1 0.50 3,223 1

5,981,297 Quantity Traded 14,000 155,588,078 14,000

Symbol AIRSERVICE NAHCO

No. of Deals 4 20 24

Current Price 2.08 5.02

Quantity Traded 29,650Page 231,732 261,382

13 11 58,713.50 of 1,164,822.87 1,223,536.37

Symbol CAVERTON

No. of Deals 8 8

Current Price 3.25

Quantity Traded 811,365 811,365

Value Traded 2,636,936.25 2,636,936.25

5,981,297

7,435,793.00

155,588,078

1,663,387,518.40

Symbol ABCTRANS

Daily Summary (Equities)

95

3,223 Symbol MCNICHOLS

No. of Deals 6 6

CONSUMER GOODS Totals

Current Price 1.50

Quantity Traded 280,672 Page 280,672

6

Symbol CAPOIL

No. of Deals 1 1

OIL AND GAS Totals

Current Price 0.50

7,435,793.00 Value Traded 7,000.00 1,663,387,518.40 7,000.00 Value Traded

Value Traded 401,360.96 13 of 401,360.96

11

280,672

401,360.96

Quantity Traded 50 50

Value Traded 25.00 25.00

50

25.00

1

ASeM Board Totals

7

280,722

401,385.96

Equity Activity Totals

3,230

155,868,800

1,663,788,904.36

Daily Summary (ETP) Exchange Traded Fund Daily Summary as of 06/07/2015 Name 16:27:49.049 Printed 06/07/2015 LOTUS HALAL EQUITY ETF NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF Exchange Traded Fund Totals ETFbyBoard TotalsStock Exchange © Published The Nigerian ETP Activity Totals

13

1,117,223

Symbol JAPAULOIL

Activity Summary on Board ASeM EQTY Board Totals

OIL AND GAS Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CAPITAL OIL PLC Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals

Quantity 101,400 Traded 101,400 Quantity Traded 25,525Page Quantity Traded 3 25,528

146

SERVICES Totals

CONSUMER GOODS Food Products MCNICHOLS PLC Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Food Products Totals

Current Price 21.50 11.24 41.00 11.50 170.00 4.90 104.50

No. of Deals Current Price 1.50 No. of Deals5 Current Price 5 No. of Deals Current Price 5 Current36.00 No. of Deals Price 1 11.48 6

OIL AND GAS Totals SERVICES Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals

1,438,615 Value of 6,014,066.11 Quantity Traded Shares(N)

Symbol COURTVILLE

ICT Totals

ACADEMY PRESS PLC. Support and Logistics LEARN AFRICA PLC CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. Support and Logistics Totals Printing/Publishing Totals

Quantity Traded 25,114 25,114 Quantity Traded 4,524 4,524 Page Quantity Traded 353,416 37,676 6,790,617 2,625,456 13,000 5,223,337 5,250,722 20,294,224

Quantity Traded 271,300 131,077 87,068 307,239 536,921 105,010 1,438,615

Processing Systems CHAMS PLC Processing Systems Totals

SERVICES Transport-Related Services Media/Entertainment AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC Media/Entertainment Totals NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Printing/PublishingServices Totals

13 4 of Value Traded 2,886,238.10 1,212,898.50 3,000.00 57,375.00 283,000.00 126,000.00 1,153,601.30 1,350.00 500.00 2,000.00 500.00 5,500.00 32,873.50 5,764,836.40

959,273,878.13

name

ICT Computer Based Systems COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC Computer Based Systems Totals

Road Transportation ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY Road Transportation Totals

Page Quantity Traded 3,046,798 1,250,000 6,000 112,500 100,000 252,000 1,642,912 2,700 1,000 4,000 1,000 11,000 65,747 6,495,657

120,683,671

HEALTHCARE Totals Company

OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Energy Equipment and Services Totals

Current Price 0.50

NB

Sector

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals

No. of Deals 2 2

FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking Daily Summary as of 06/07/2015 ACCESS BANK PLC. Printed 06/07/2015 16:27:49.049 DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC. Activity Summary on Board EQTY UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC UNION BANK NIG.PLC. FINANCIAL SERVICES UNITY BANK PLC Banking WEMA BANK PLC. ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals

NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC FINANCIAL SERVICES Micro-Finance Banks Totals Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services ASO SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC FBN HOLDINGS PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UBA CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals

Value Traded Value Traded 194,541.36 194,541.36 Value Traded 14,108,974.00 of 13

Symbol DUNLOP

Daily Summary (Equities)

CONSUMER GOODS Totals

Activity Summary Banks on Board EQTY Micro-Finance

Daily Summary (Equities)

Symbol LOTUSHAL15 NEWGOLD VETGRIF30

Daily Summary (ETP)

No. of Deals 1 1 1 3

Current Price 10.55 2,239.00 14.93

Quantity Traded 5 53 20 78

Value Traded 52.75 118,667.00 298.60 119,018.35

3

78 Page

13 12119,018.35 of

3

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119,018.35

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

49

Community Mirror I am setting up more court martial to try people who ran, show cowardice, abandoned troops and equipment and ran away.

Chief of Army Staff – Lt-Gen. Kenneth Minimah

Ikere-Ekiti: Kingmakers express support for new King ABIODUN NEJO

K

School children having their lunch at internally displaced person's camp at Kichingoro in Abuja, recently.

However, at the weekend meeting which came at the instance of a community leader, Chief Olusola Bayode, and a lawmaker, Mr Sunday Akinniyi, also in attendance, who had earlier informed the governor that the Ogoga-elect had lost the support of all the kingmakers, who they alleged had all defected to Aruleba's camp, 10 kingmakers

pitched their tent with the monarch-elect while the remaining three stood up for Aruleba.

The governor, who reiterated commitment to openness, transparency and fairness to all factions involved in the crisis, said that he was in hurry to lay the controversy surrounding the vacant Ogoga stool to rest in order not to allow a messy situation.

Speaking after the meeting, the Ologotun of lkere Ekiti, Chief Emmanuel Ayeni, praised the Governor for his transparency and state manly disposition throughout the crisis.

"It is evident to everyone here that the Governor was only concerned about doing things right.

At the end of the day, falsehood has taken a bow," he said.

Couple drags IGP to court over assault GBENGA OGUNBFUNMI

A

Lagos-based couple, Mr Titus Nwali and his wife, Ijeoma Nwali, have dragged the Inspector General of Police before a Federal High Court, Lagos, over alleged failure of the Nigeria Police to charge to court a retired customs officer, Mr. Jubrin Okelewu, for assault.

Joined as co-defendants in the suit are, the Divisional Police Officer, Ogombo Police Station, Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, and Assistance Inspector General of Police Zone 2 command.

In an affidavit sworn to by Titus Nwali (plaintiff) and filed be-

FRANCIS S UBERU

T

ADO EKITI

ingmakers in Ikere-Ekiti kingdom, Ekiti State, have affirmed their choice of Prince Adejimi Adu as Ogoga-elect of the town.

The state government has promised to announce the next Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti within the next 14 days to lay to rest the lingering controversy over the stool.

Ten of the 13 kingmakers from Ikere Ekiti present at a meeting with Governor Ayodele Fayose and the Deputy Governor, Dr Kolapo Isola, in Ado Ekiti, at the weekend said they stood by the election of Adu as Ogoga-elect, while the three queued behind another contender.

Also at the meeting were the members of the lkere Council of Elders who are in support of Adu, the Oba-Elect and loyalists of Mr Gbenga Aruleba, one of the contestants for the vacant stool.

It would be recalled that Adu had recently emerged as the monarch-elect having defeated other contenders with 11 of the 14 votes of the 14 kingmakers in the community, which was greeted with protests in some quarters.

I will resolve crisis in Celestial church –Olatosho

fore the court by their counsel, Onyenuchie Enyi, the applicants averred that sometime in 2008, his wife, Ijeoma Nwali, stopped Okelewu from helping her in the construction of a building and consequently pay him the sum of N480, 000, which Okelewu claimed to be his personal expenses on the building.

The plaintiffs said that since then, Okelewu has been threatening and intimidating them and that the matter was reported at various police stations, but no step was taken on it.

Nwali further averred that on November 6, 2014, Okelewu led thugs to their resident, disconnected their building from the PHCN electricity pole and carted away the wire and that when

he was challenged, he, Okelewu, assaulted them.

The complainant said the matter was reported at Ogombo Police station and that on the November 19, 2014, the Police told him they were arraigning Okelewu in court, but never took place till date.

He, therefore, urged the court to compel the Police to arrest Okelewu and charged him before court of competent jurisdiction.

However, in his counter affidavit, filed before the court by Barrister Ademola Koko, Okelewu averred that Nwali is not known to him and that the allegations against him are untrue.

Okelewu averred that he lives in a private gated Rest and Joy

Estate, Olokonla, Lekki Penisula, Eti -Osa Local Government of Area of Lagos State with infrastructural facilities such as securities, roads, power supply solely provided by the residents and property owners pay nominal charges at intervals .

The defendant averred that he never had any physical quarrel with the applicants, adding that the applicants without the consent of the management of the estate and having refused to pay their dues, illegally and forcefully tapped electricity from the estate and that this was resisted by the residents.

He therefore asked the court to dismiss the couple's suit for being incompetent and an abuse of court process.

he Unification Leader of Celestial Church of Christ, CCC Worldwide, Rev. Olatosho Oshoffa has promised to unite the different warring factions in celestial fold; saying his divine commission is to bring all celestial back into one fold.

Rev. Olatosho, who was at the C.C.C. Progress Cathedral, Province Headquarters, Itele-Awori, Aparadija, Ayobo area of Ogun State on Sunday to celebrate the feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, promised he would not only take care of all the shepherds, he would unite them and lead the sheep of the flock to one fold.

The newly anointed leader of the church also promised to complete the C.C.C Cathedral at Imeko in five years as one of the founding churches of Celestial Church worldwide.

According to him "Since the death of my father, SBJ Oshoffa about 30 years now; our holy church has suffered a great deal and has not witnessed real development but the Lord as anointed me to bring back our lost glory.

"My major mission is to unite the church and bring everybody back to one fold. I will ensure that within five years, the Cathedral at Imeko is completed.

This is part of my mission as the anointed leader of C.C.C." Olatosho who lost his 80-year-old mother, Elizabeth Oshoffa few days ago thanked all members and shepherds of celestial church for their support and prayers and for accepting the change that God has given to them; saying in not too long, the church would be properly positioned.

Host Shepherd and Province Head of Progress Cathedral, Superior Senior Evangelist DR. S. A Adebanjo (JP) thanked God for giving celestial Rev. Olatosho; even as he confirmed that his emergence as the new leader of the church is divine.

50

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

World News

What a win for Team USA! Great game. Your country is so proud of you all. Come visit the White House with the World Cup soon.

–US PRESIDENT, BARACK OBAMA

AfolAbi GAmbAri

WITH AGENCY REPORT

E

urozone finance ministers say they expect to hear new proposals from Greece after the country voted to reject the terms of a bailout.

A spokesman for German Chancellor Angela Merkel said there was currently no basis for talks on a new bailout and the ball was in Greece’s court.

Merkel has met French President Francois Hollande in Paris ahead of a eurozone summit today.

Meanwhile, Greek banks are to stay closed today and tomorrow.

They had been due to reopen today but the head of the Greek banking association, Louka Katseli, said the period had been extended following talks yesterday.

Germany’s Economy Minister, Sigmar Gabriel, has warned against any unconditional writeoff of Greece’s debt, saying it would destroy the single currency.

“I really hope that the Greek government, if it wants to enter negotiations again, will accept that the other 18 member states of the euro can’t just go along with an unconditional debt write-off,” Gabriel, who is also Germany’s vice-chancellor, said.

“How could we then refuse it to other member states? And what

Greece debt latest: Euro ministers face ‘proposals’ suspense

H

Iraqi bombers in ‘accidental discharge’ At least eight people were killed yesterday after a technical problem caused a bomb to fall from an Iraqi military plane over Baghdad.

The Iraqi air force say the Russian-made Sukhoi jet was returning from a bombing raid against Islamic State (IS) militants.

The pilot made six attempts to dislodge the bomb after it became stuck during the attack, according to the military.

It then fell as the plane overflew the capital, destroying several houses.

“One of the bombs became stuck because of a technical problem, and during the aircraft’s return to base it fell on houses in Baghdad Jadida,” security spokesman, Brigadier General Saad Maan, said.

30 die in Saudi-led strike

Customers mass in front of closed bank yesterday, amidst ATM restriction

would it mean for the eurozone if we’d do it? It would blow the eurozone apart, for sure,” he added, stressing, “The Greeks aren’t willing to pay back their debts and I’m not very happy about it. I want Greece to think of the whole of Europe and not just themselves.”

Eurozone finance ministers are to meet today followed by a full summit of eurozone leaders.

A Greek government official said Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is expected to present fresh proposals at the summit.

Meanwhile, Greece has named

Pope gets rousing Ecuador welcome

undreds of thousands of people gathered in the Ecuadorean port city of Guayaquil yesterday to greet Pope Francis.

The Pope, who waved to the crowds from his custom car

WORLD BULLETIN

ahead of an open-air mass in the city’s Samanes Park, arrived in Ecuador on Sunday for the first leg of his three-country trip to Latin America, which will also take him to Bolivia and Paraguay.

Pope Francis greeting the crowd in Guayaquil, Ecuador, yesterday

City officials said a million visitors had travelled to Guayaquil to see the Pope.

Pope Francis was making his second visit to Latin America since becoming Pontiff in 2013 Looking relaxed, the pontiff

Euclid Tsakalotos to replace outspoken Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis, who resigned yesterday, even as the European Central Bank (ECB) says it will maintain emergency cash support for Greek banks which are running out of funds and on the verge of collapse.

smiled as the crowds in Guayaquil cheered him and snapped selfies.

Before his procession he visited the city’s Divine Mercy shrine, where he reacted with good humour to nearly being poked in the eye by a young boy.

He spent a minute praying at the shrine and told the crowd he would pray for them.

A Vatican official estimated that half a million people had lined the streets of the Ecuadorean capital, Quito, on Sunday, to see the Pope.

Many also gathered in front of the Vatican Embassy in Quito, where he stayed the night.

He joined them for a prayer and, according to some of those present, said: “I am going to give you a blessing so that you go home and rest and let the neighbours get some sleep.”

After landing in Quito, the Pope thanked God “for having allowed me to return to Latin America”.

An air strike by the Saudi-led coalition has killed at least 30 people in the southern Yemeni port city of Aden, witnesses said yesterday.

It is unclear how many of the dead were civilians or Houthi rebels who the coalition planes have been targeting.

The rebels captured the capital, Sanaa last year, forcing President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi into exile.

Some 3, 000 people have been killed since the Saudi-led campaign began in March, the UN saisd yesterday.

The latest strike hit a marketplace in Fayoush, a suburb of Aden, witnesses also said.

“There was blood from people mixed with that of the sheep and other livestock at the market,” one resident said.

Zim elephants flown to China At least 20 elephants from Zimbabwe have arrived in China after being flown there from the capital, Harare.

They were sold for around $40, 000 (£26, 000) each after their controversial capture last year.

The sale has raised money to help run the Hwange National Park and also slows the growth of the elephant herd, Zimbabwean officials said yesterday.

There are concerns elsewhere in Africa that poaching may lead to elephants becoming endangered.

The capture of the animals was criticised by the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force (ZCTF) last year when it said in a statement that the elephants would be “sentenced to a life of inhuman treatment”.

Campaigners have also said the younger elephants were forcibly separated from their mothers.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

51

Kogi, Bayelsa governorship: PDP rules out automatic ticket ObiOra iFOh ABUJA

A

head of the coming governorship election in Kogi and Bayelsa states later in the year, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, may have ruled out automatic ticket for the incumbents, as the party proposes to throw the slot open to the best candidate.

The PDP has once again vowed to reclaim power from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in the

next general elections in 2019.

Governors Idris Wada and Seriake Dickson of Kogi and Bayelsa states, respectively, will later in the year face the electorate in their re-election bid.

According to a source, PDP leadership has insisted on ensuring the congresses will be managed by the national headquarters and the governors would not be allowed to hijack the process as in the past.

"The party leadership appears to be learning from

their past mistakes and is determined to check the excesses of governors, who had ensured their decision were not challenged.

"This NWC is working hard to reposition the party. They refused Governor Wada's list of delegates and they are insisting on a neutral list that would ensure fairness during the primaries."

Part of efforts to reclaim power was the postelection committee set up by the party to look into the remote cause of why

PDP lost to the APC in the last election.

The post-election committee headed by Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has restated its commitment to correct whatever led to the party's poor performance during the just concluded 2015 general elections.

Addressing journalists at a meeting with North Central members of PDP, Chairman of the North Central sub-committee, Emeka Ihedioha, said that the mistakes that led to the

party's poor performance in the last elections were being corrected to reposition the party for future victory.

He said: "The party cannot afford to lose in some states elections including Kogi State, which is expected to hold next year."

Explaining why the committee was set up, Ihedioha, said much is expected from the committee, which was

Community Health Insurance: Kwara plans one million enrolments WOle adedeji ILORIN

K

L-R: Divisional Head, IT Project Management,UBA Plc, Mr. Lanre Bamisebi; Group Managing Director, Mr. Phillips Oduoza, and Director, Information Technology, Mr. Rasheed Adegoke, during the press launch of the Bank’s simplified solution for Biometric Verification Numbers (BVN) registration, in Lagos, yesterday.

Gunmen kill AGIP manager in Rivers

G

dence and shot him dead as he was about to drive out.

Sources in the area said with their mission accomplished, the armed men escaped in a tinted KIA car they came in without picking an item belonging to their victim.

Contacted, State Police

Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Ahmad Muhammad, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), confirmed the incident.

Mohammad said the victim was shot dead outside his house, adding that the command had intensified efforts to apprehend the assailants.

set up to address issues of post elections' grievances, why the party lost amongst other issues.

He noted that much was expected from the party as some governorship elections were around the corner, but he however lamented the party's lost both at the presidency, the Senate and House of Representatives as well as states to APC.

wara State government is planning to hit a one million enrolment by 2019 under its Community Health Insurance Scheme in partnership with the National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS. Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed gave this indication in Ilorin when leadership of the NHIS paid him a courtesy visit at Government House.

Ahmed said Kwara State was ready to team up with the NHIS in driving universal health coverage through health insurance as a model for the country, adding that the funding window the NHIS proposed for the staterun community health insurance scheme was a welcome development.

The governor pointed out that the state was exploring new ways of funding the scheme in order to meet the desired coverage.

The governor noted that the population of the state tilts towards the youths, a potential huge work force saying that the state re-

quires qualitative healthcare delivery for the youth to be productive.

His words', “we must come up with a strong platform that will take advantage of the current age bracket.

Ahmed identified poor data as a hindrance to planning in all sectors, particularly in qualitative healthcare delivery, stressing that the nation must evolve pragmatic planning and data collection strategies for the realisation of impact in the health sector in the country.

Speaking earlier, the Acting Executive Secretary of NHIS, Mr Femi Akingbade, said the fact that the state has a structured scheme on ground made it expedient for the NHIS to flag off its primary health insurance pilot scheme in Kwara.

The Executive Secretary said NHIS was also willing to partner with the Kwara State Government in ensuring that the community health insurance scheme enjoys sustainable flow of funding especially as the present funding partners would not fund the scheme in perpetuity.

unmen have killed a 42-year-old staff of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company, NAOC, identified as Mr. Zubairu Olalekan, in Mgbuoshimiri, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Olalekan, whose wife is said to be pregnant, was

shot dead about 7am while setting out for work on Monday.

The victim was Acting Deputy Manager incharge of Information and Communications, ICT, of the oil and gas company.

It was gathered that the suspected assassins laid siege to the victim's resi-

Francis suberu

Lagos Environmental Taskforce arrests 30 miscreants

I

n other to further reduce crime rate in Lagos, the state's Special Taskforce on Environmental and other Related Offences has arrested 30 hoodlums and miscreants popularly called “Area boys,” suspected to have been terrorising innocent residents.

It was gathered that the taskforce acted on a directive from Governor Akinwunmi Ambode before storming the popular Oshodi area and arrested the miscreants.

Confirming their arrest, new chairman of the taskforce, Superintendent of Police (SUPOL), Hakeem Adedeji, said the raid was in line with the commitment of the administration of Ambode in tackling the issue of security with the aim of protecting lives and properties of citizens.

He said: "The measure became necessary following several complaints from innocent citizens over rising cases of robbery attacks in the axis, especially at night."

Adedeji, who personally led the operation, said ten teenage suspects of the 30 initially arrested were released on the spot after showing proof of innocence, but added that the remaining suspects would be prosecuted at the Magistrate’s Court as soon as possible.

According to the taskforce boss, during preliminary interrogation of the suspects especially the much younger ones, it was discovered that most of them are from other states

of the federation as they could not give a particular residential address in Lagos.

Most of the suspects, who were between eighteen to thirty years old, were also caught in possession of illicit drugs such as Indian hemp which they used as stimulant whenever they set out to perpetrate heinous crimes.

The taskforce boss advised parents and guardians to keep their children and wards away from the streets and criminal hide-

outs so as not to be influenced by hardened criminals and even ritualists.

He assured that the state government would not relent in its efforts to rid the state of miscreants and other people that are involved in illicit activities.

In another development, Lagos State Government yesterday announced the appointment of a new General Manager for the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Mr Michael Kolawole Akindele,

he replaces Dr. Olu OkeOsanyintolu Akindele was a former Vice Chairman Ikeja Local Government Area and later became Special Assistant on Health to the former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola 2004-2007. He also served as Senior Special Assistant to Fashola on Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, 2007 -2011.

He also served as Senior Special Assistant on Housing to Fashola 2011-2015.

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North

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

20 persons, 22 cows die in Kogi road crash WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

A

t least, 20 persons and 22 cows died in the early hours of yesterday in a ghastly road accident at OkeneLokoja-Abuja highway.

Emir of Dass, Alhaji Usman Bilyaminu (middle) and others, during the swearing-in of Secretary to Bauchi State Government, Alhaji Ahmed Suleiman and others, in Bauchi, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Buhari’s portrait still missing at Taraba Govt House …one month after becoming president JUSTIN TYOPUUSU JALINGO

M

ore than one month after Muhammadu Buhari was sworn-in as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, his official portrait is still missing at Taraba Government House, Jalingo.

Our correspondent gathered that while the portrait of Governor Darius Ishaku is displayed in all minis-

tries, agencies and even private concerns in the state, that of President Muhammadu Buhari is only found in banks and other private outfits.

When contacted, Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Media and Publicity, Sylvanus Giwa, said due process was to be followed before the portrait of the president could be hanged in Government House.

“There is no big deal over the absence of the president’s portrait in Government House. We are following due process and by close of work today (yesterday), Mr. President’s official picture would be available,” he said.

Meanwhile, the governor yesterday appealed to people of the state to give him time to choose the best hands that would help him

deliver on his campaign promises.

Ishaku made the plea while swearing in Mr. Haruna Gbana and Abubakar Bawa as Special Advisers on Legal and Legislative Matters and political Matters, respectively.

He pledged to be fair to all and sundry irrespective of political, ethnic or religious differences, pleading for time to choose his First Eleven that would help him achieve his dreams for the state.

Katsina to investigate SUBEB’s finances JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

F

ollowing allegations of financial sleaze in Katsina State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, the government has set up a committee to investigate the board’s finances.

It would be recalled that Governor Aminu

Bello Masari sacked SUBEB boss, Aminu Danbaba, days after assuming office on May 29, over allegations of diversion of funds amounting to over N700 million.

According to the governor, “I had to sack the executive chairman of SUBEB when I found out that over N700 million was diverted,” adding, “we are uncovering more

and we shall deal with them accordingly.”

Masari, however, assured that findings would be made public as soon as investigations were completed and that all those involved would be given fair hearing.

To achieve this, the government yesterday set up a committee to look into the board’s finances that covered peri-

od of the former administration.

The committee would also look into finances of the 34 council areas alleged to have been mismanaged under Ibrahim Shema’s administration.

The committee, which has a former Auditor General of Katsina State, Ibrahim Dabo, as chairman has three weeks to submit its report.

National Mirror gathered that the crash occurred when a vehicle ran into a road block mounted by armed robbers near Irepeni Village at the highway.

Sources said a luxury bus marked KRD 799 LC coming from Lagos and heading for Abuja suddenly ran into the road block mounted by bandits, as the bus tried to manoeuvre its way, a trailer marked KTN 711 YZ loaded with cows rammed into the bus, killing several people on the spot.

A reporter, who was passing by the highway about 8am yesterday saw scores of mangled bodies been put into vehicles by men of the Federal Road Safety Corps.

About six bodies of passengers were counted with their heads completely severed, as FRSC officers, the police and sympathisers gathered severed human parts into nylon bags, which were conveyed with the corpses to the mortuary.

Similarly, 22 cows died instantly at the scene of the accident, while surviving ones were scattered at the scene of the accident.

One of the surviving victims, Chinyere, said she lost her husband in the crash.

Submit illegal arms, get amnesty –Ortom

G

overnor Samuel Ortom, on Monday of Benue State has offered amnesty to anyone who surrenders illegal weapons in his possession to authorities.

Ortom made this offer in Makurdi at the swearing-in of a Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Colonel Edwind Jando (rtd), and 23 Local Government Caretaker Chairmen.

The governor gave August this year as deadline for all possessors of illegal arms to surrender them or risk arrest.

He said anyone who surrenders illegally acquired arms and ammunition would be rewarded in accordance with the type

of weapon submitted.

The governor said such person would be reintegrated into the society upon conclusion of rehabilitation programme.

“Starting from the day of my inauguration to end of August 2015, all possessors of illegal arms and ammunition in the state should please submit their arms or risk arrest.

“Those with weapons such as AK-47 and the likes shall receive N100,000 upon submission of their weapons, automatic pistols N50,000, locally-made rifles N20,000 and locallymade pistols N10,000, respectively.

Gombe Anglican bishop condemns gay marriage

…tasks clergies on ‘modified sins’ WILLIAMS ATTAH GOMBE

B

ishop of Gombe Anglican Diocese, Rt. Rev. Henry C Ndukuba, has challenged clergies in the country on the need to redouble their effort in preaching against un-Biblical evil that is gaining accep-

tance in some parts of the world.

Speaking in an interview with National Mirror shortly after ordination service of five priests and four deacons yesterday at the Cathedral of Saint Peter, Bolari, Gombe, the bishop regretted the rising wave and acceptance of gay

marriage in some parts of the world and challenged clergies to speak against the evil, else, “our own society would be consumed by it”.

He said, “We are living in a generation that has carried and renamed sin, a difficult and delicate generation, a generation that is running after material things, a generation where a man will

look at a man with the eyes of lust, a generation where a man will change his features and become a woman, a generation where the pulpit is no more where the word of God is declared, hardly do people cry for their sins today, and no matter what the situation is, the wages of sin still remain death.”

He said God is still looking for people who

will preach the word in this sinful generation without fear, adding that it was not going to be easy, but challenging.

“We are encouraging these ones that have been ordained to know why they have been called. Let them be ready for trouble and spiritual warfare,” he said.

He stated that the occasion was very important

in the life of the church, as it is practicing what Jesus commanded when He called the 12 disciples, sent out the 70 apostles, all with the aim of enlarging the gospel.

“These newly ordained are expected to go out and preach the word of our Lord Jesus Christ and build people in the faith and word of God,” he stressed.

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Serena too much for Venus

We don’t intend hiring a foreign coach in the near future. We will keep believing in local coaches –President, Football Association of Zambia, Kalusha Bwalya

Ex-Falcon cautions NFF on Okon’s replacement

53

54

Super Falcons striker Asisat Oshoala (in green shirt) during the recent World Cup in Canada

ment, tour na a d a n he Ca ndisciing at t tical i t c u a o T “ hey atid: bane. T that wh adu sa ’s y m a m d M a r e e t est ed the nding irror y preferr e was le defe i n F h li F p w N t tional M c the lity compa leader.” hoice on qua lacked cked a ever c icated la d e m e also r a p e be the t ard, sh d ld w n u r a o b h fo o s . ay ac who tter erience coach n the w ot ma n O MErcy J a s e d o e and exp ne their it d forcal or : “We rs use playr me d e o lo i s y F a s n “ s la i o p h lc c Fa the his coa g that Super make knows nythin , has e a ll her the i t u h e d d s w i a h r o or mer o w v m a M he es.” h and ureen aid. long as akness Footstrengt er, Ma madu s eign as geria heir we i t t M s N e ected n ,” s i p s o e a x n p g h e t rly a een uld ex o for a er onio b la o g h c u d c r o war ned i t a o t h r ) t to the ch er a (NFF ot pa prior So mu foreign ent for ration I am n s a e “ m n d e f o e c o F lc t s la en so litrep tter ball e Fa y gave mploym ach as Edwin hat ma e om th e o , h w fr c e t h c h e y t t a t s u o t li u ec group p, b eca qua ns’ c to corr time b the fef three orld Cu y d Falco o g t s e W i n li k i e i h s t c t n b a a o t i a s h’s the ing prec ecen hers a e coac , draw two ot isks de t the r h r le . t a t g r m n t o s d i a i , u e s e n o c t g i lo Oko not nd goin nock r ional anada lapses e the k ames a stophe ior nat r C i g e n r fo n h e h i e t s C b r ls , le e a ma oach ashed Cup fin midfield alcons erim c they cr World f the F for mer An int o e e h g t r b a su d,” stage. a, is ch forwar ent of a Danjum dismal pointm ’ p s a . n e d o h e t lc d g ad the Fa pendin a -raying tly on gaffer.

X n e e r iv r t u n c s sta , who i told Na Mmadu urope, E n i g g stin coachin

F

NBBF elections: Court summons Ahmedu Paul ErEwuba

A Ahmedu

Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has summoned the President, FIBA Africa Zone 3, Col. Sam Ahmedu (rtd), to appear before it on July 9, 2015.

The FIBA President is to give evidence in a suit filed in connection with the Election conducted into the Board of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) by the National Sports Commission in 2013.

Some dissatisfied basketball stakeholders led by Ah-

medu had filed the suit challenging the entire process of the election by the NSC into the NBBF Board and also sought consequential orders from the Court.

Based on entreaties from some stakeholders in Nigeria and around the globe, Ahmedu withdrew from the case shortly after his election as President of FIBA Africa Zone 3 in July, 2014.

Confirming the court order yesterday, Ahmedu said: “I have been subpoenaed by the Federal High Court, Abuja, to appear before it and give

evidence in the case of Osita Nwachukwu & 4 Ors Vs the Attorney General of the Federation & 5 Orders (Suit No.FHC/ABJ/CS/464/2013).

This case relates to matters arising from the elections conducted onto the Board of the NBBF by the National Sports Commission during the last National Federations Elections held in Abuja, in 2013.

“I wish to expressly restate my commitment to the development of basketball across the globe and crave the understanding of all stake holders in this matter,” Ahmedu stated.

Sports

54

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wimbledon Open 2015:

Serena too much for Venus S

erena Williams yesterday continued her march towards a sixth Wimbledon singles crown as she reached the quarter finals with a straight sets victory over sister Venus on Centre Court.

The top seed won 6-4 6-3 in 70 minutes, to make it 25 straight victories in Grand Slam tournaments.

The 33-year-old was serving close to her best and, apart from being broken in the fourth game of the opening set, never looked in danger of dropping her service again.

Serena sent down 10 aces to just two from Venus, while also avoiding any double

faults. In her final seven service games she conceded just eight points.

Venus, meanwhile, had to save five break points on her own serve otherwise the margin would have been wider.

In the end, Serena’s ability to combine power with accuracy proved too much for the 35-year-old Venus whose most recent Grand Slam title came seven years ago.

The match was a complete contrast to Serena’s three-set victory over Heather Watson on Friday when the British player came within a couple of points of beating the world No 1.

If the younger sibling can win three more matches this

Serena Williams in action yesterday

week, she will hold all four Grand Slam titles for the second time in her career.

She previously held the quartet of titles in 2003 and, if she were to win here for a sixth time, it would be her 21st

A

Gyan

with a huge transfer fee while Gyan will see his weekly earnings rise to a staggering $350, 000.

Shanghai SIPG is reportedly making preparations for Gyan’s arrival prior to his unveiling tomorrow.

This will end Gyan’s successful four-year stay in the UAE where he helped Al Ain win the Arabian Gulf League three times and also emerged semi finalists in last season’s Asian Champions League.

Gyan’s lowered productivity in this past season occasioned by injury appears to have forced Al Ain officials into a decision to let the Ghana international go.

He was on a fat contract with the UAE club and his move will thus free up the enormous wage bill of Al Ain while also freeing up the foreign player quota space in the club.

In tomorrow’s quarter-finals, she will face the winner of the match between 18-yearold Swiss star Belinda Bencic (No 30 seed) and two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka (23).

‘Gotze

Transfer: Gyan set for Shanghai switch

l-Ain striker, Asamoah Gyan, is due in China tomorrow afternoon to sign a mega deal to join Chinese top side Shanghai SIPG. The 29-year-old has received the all-clear from Al Ain to agree on personal terms with the Chinese club coached by Swede Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Al Ain will be compensated

Grand Slam success.

Possibly the only milestone remaining for Serena to achieve would be to win all four Slam events in the same year, a feat last completed by Steffi Graf in 1988.

is wasting in Bayern’

B Gotze

ayern Munich Coach, Pep Guardiola, has destroyed midfielder Mario Gotze, according to the player’s agent Volker Struth.

Gotze, who scored the winner for Germany in the 2014 World Cup final, netted 15 goals and provided seven assists in 48 outings for the Bundesliga champion last season.

Struth, however, is unhappy with his client’s progress under Guardiola.

“Guardiola has destroyed Gotze. He feels

like the coach doesn’t have faith in him and yet still he is asked to be decisive when he gets on the pitch,” the agent said yesterday.

“I’m surprised that Guardiola didn’t use Mario in important matches like the German Cup and Champions League semi finals and was only fielded in the easy games.

“I wonder why no one at the club has realised that and defended Mario.”

Gotze joined the Bavarians from Dortmund for 37 million euro in 2013.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

55

AAG 2015: NTTF calls Quadri, 19 others

Gen. Minimah

Minimah hints on Congo-bound boxers IfeanyI eduzor

A

bout 60 out of a total number of 250 male and female boxers that participated in the maiden Kenneth Minimah National Open Boxing Championship will be invited to camp ahead of the All Africa Games.

President of Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF), General Kenneth Minimah, who made this disclosure at the final of the competition at the weekend, stated that the federation would ensure adequate preparation for the pugilists.

“The fact that new champions emerged in some of the weight categories is an indication that the federation will produce boxers that will do the country proud in Congo Brazzaville with adequate preparation,” the Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff said.

“I am assured that we will surpass our previous records at the Games,” he added.

Minimah also tasked the boxing coaches to intensify the athletes’ training to enable Nigeria capture the elusive medals at the games ahead of the Olympics in Rio next year.

In some of the final bouts, experienced Apochi Efetobor recorded a 2-1 victory over Gabriel Francis to maintain his dominance of the 91kg while Ajagba Efe defeated Ibrahim Segun 3-0 to emerge winner in the +91kg.

Azeez Dauda defeated Oyekunjo Rasheed 2-1 in the 49kg with women champion, Agu Ogoke Edith recording a 2-1 victory over Umunakwe Jacinta in the 75kg category.

Judo: NSCDC leads in AAG trials

T

he Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) has invited 2014 ITTF Star Player, Aruna Quadri, to top the list of nine male players that will be camped ahead of the 11th All Africa Games holding in Congo Brazzaville in September.

Others are Africa’s most decorated table tennis player, Segun Toriola, Seun Ajetunmobi, Ojo Onaolapo, Kazeem Makanjuola, Olaniran Boboye, Olawale Fagbamila, Hammed Hafeez and junior sensations, Nurudeen Hassan and Olasunkanmi Oginni.

The female players will be led by Germany-based duo of Funke Oshonaike and Edem Offiong. Others are Cecilia OtuAkpan, Janet Effiom, Rashidat Ogundele, Bosede Odusanya as well as junior players Tosin

Oribamise, Ajoke Ojomu and Halimot Ayinla.

Chief Coach, Nosiru Bello, said that the players’ invitation was based on their performance in some of the national and international competitions in the past year.

“We have not invited anybody without proven records.

But hopefully the best will be selected for the country at the end of the day,” Bello said, adding, “Ten players made up of five male and five female will make the final list to AAG.” Nigeria finished second behind Egypt with three gold medals at the 2011 edition of the AAG in Mozambique while Egypt won four to emerge as the overall best team for the first time since 1999 that Nigeria had dominated the table tennis event.

Quadri

…Animashaun shines at Hopes Challenge

T

welve-year-old Abayomi Animashaun has made Nigeria proud again in Shanghai, China where he defied odds to finish second in the boys’ singles of the 2015 International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Hopes Challenge.

Animasahun, who has complimented his feat at his first

international competition at the Egypt Junior Open in June when he won the U-12 boys’ singles event before finishing among the top eight at the China Junior Open last week, was the toast of ITTF officials who described the Ekiti State-born player as “Africa’s prospect in the sport”.

From the group stage, Ani-

masahun defeated highly-rated players from The Netherlands and Thailand to settle for second place having lost to United States’ Nikhil Kumar in one of the three matches in the preliminary round.

In the quarterfinal match, he overcame New Zealand’s Nathan Xu 8-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-5) to set up a semifinal tie against

Belgium’s Adrian Rassefosse which he won.

Egypt’s Sara Elhakem emerged winner in the girls’ singles after beating Germany’s Sophie Kee in the final.

Animasahun’s compatriot, Muibat Bello, failed to make it to the podium having finished eighth among the 16 players that competed in the event.

Animashaun (2nd left) on the medal podium in Shanghai, China at the weekend

IfeanyI eduzor

J

udokas representing the Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) topped the medal table at the National Judo trials to raise a team for the 11th All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville.

The NSCDC team garnered five gold medals, one silver and

two bronze to emerge champion at the two-day event which took place the Corps Academy in Sauka, Abuja.

Ondo finished second with three gold medals, one silver and three bronze while Kano ended with two gold, one silver and one bronze was placed third.

About 100 judokas from 14 states, three clubs, the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Immigration and

Nigeria Prisons attended the event.

Meanwhile, President of the Nigeria Judo Federation (NJF), Dr. Musa Oshodi, has said that the athletes who performed well would be invited to camp to further preparation for the Africa Games.

“We intend to have an intensive preparation which will include taking the team on a tour

of the West Africa sub-region for some exposure,” Oshodi said.

Highlights of trials include the grading and investiture of the Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Dr. Ade Abolurin as a blue belt for what Oshodi described as deserving for the awardee’s “enormous contribution to judo development in Nigeria”.

WORLD RECORD

human chaintwo (length) FastestLongest marathon dribbling basketballs

N150

Vol. 05 No. 1149 Tuesday, July 7, 2015

On 11 December 2004, over 5 million people joined hands to form a human chain, 1,050 km (652.4 miles) long from Teknaf to Tentulia, Bangladesh.

Restoring Nigeria’s culture of development plan Continued from last Tuesday

U

nderdevelopment has been a global challenge. World leaders in September 2000 came up with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to tackle it. The MDGs consist of eight time bound goals (2015) with 18 targets and 48 indicators. The goals include eradication of extreme poverty and hunger, achievement of universal primary education, promotion of gender equality and empowerment of women, reduction in child mortality, and improvement on maternal health. Others are combating HIV/ AIDS, malaria and other diseases, ensuring environmental sustainability and development of a Global Partnership for Development.

African leaders acted on global partnership

Guest Columnist

Olusola

Akinyemi

for development, when they met in July 2001 in Lusaka, Zambia and successfully formulated the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) programme, which was predicated on the premise that Africans must be involved in the development process of their respective countries.

The African Union (AU) adopted NEPAD; moreover, they came up with African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) programme to monitor the progress of NEPAD, using Democratic and Political Governance, Economic Governance and Management, Corporate Governance and Social Economic Development mechanisms.

In Nigeria, the Federal Government came up with National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategies (NEEDS), a national plan for prosperity/poverty eradication strategy. The state’s version State Economic Empowerment and Development Strategies (SEEDS), LEEDS for local government and CEEDS at the community level.

On account of the nation’s loss of touch with an internal national development plan, the reception of the MDGs was with no difficulty. This is 2015 and it is pertinent to attempt an assessment of Nigeria’s achievement of some of these goals.

The average poverty rate in Nigeria, going by the National Bureau of Statistics’ General Household Survey (2012/2013) is about 33.1 percent; but the North East rate is about 52 percent.

Primary school net enrolment ratio during the period 2008-2011 is about 57.6 percent; people living with HIV as at 2012 is 3800; under five mortality rate in 2012 was 124, while annual reduction rate is from 2000-2012 is 2.5 percent; maternal mortality ratio 2008-2012 is 550 of 100,000, antimalaria treatment 2008-2012 is about 44 percent (UNICEF Statistics).

THE NEEDS CONTAINS WORTHWHILE STRATEGIES FOR

DEVELOPMENT, BUT ITS ACHIEVEMENT IS SCANTY The NEEDS contains worthwhile strategies for development, but its achievement is scanty. One of such is on education: renewing and streamlining the curricular offerings at the pre-tertiary levels so that the products can profit from higher education as well as cooperate maximally in the world of work. Target: II. All primary and secondary school curricula will be reviewed and streamlined so that the products can profit from higher education as well as cooperate maximally with the world of work.

III. Establishment of Handicraft/Resource Centres at least one in each local government area in the country.

IV. Reactivation of all the defunct Handicraft/ Resource Centres nationwide.

The achievement of this would have contributed immensely to skill acquisition for the teeming youth and thereby reduce unemployment rate in the country. Now that we are in 2015 when the tenure of MDGs is ending, the world is strategising for post 2015 development agenda tagged Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with wider scope than the MDGs. An objective perusal of the goals vis-à-vis Nigeria’s wealth of endowment with human and natural resources

will reveal that Nigeria should have transcended substantially the challenges necessitating the applicability of the MDGs to the nation.

The recent idea of point agenda at the federal level and another set of agenda at the states level constitute another limiting factor to the realisation of national development in the country. It is common knowledge that most of these agendas have not been fulfilled, and where a state is achieving the set agendas, the fact that they are not synergetic with the federal ideal and commitment has limited the fulfillment. The experience of Lagos State readily comes to mind where the vision of megacity is being slowed by poor competition from other states and lukewarm approach of the Federal Government in making Nigeria an advanced country let alone actively support the Lagos vision. The Lagos vision therefore continues to put more pressure on the state and infrastructures by influx of people from other states in Nigeria.

The MDGs, the SDGs and the recent adoption of agenda point for executives at the federal and state levels are all reiterating the need for Nigeria to restore the culture of holistic national approach to development planning. The NDP gained a better commitment for fulfillment than the MDGs and the agenda points recently adopted by public executives.

Nigeria, at this state of our national existence, is in dire need of the restoration of the NDP culture. For her to achieve a sustainable national development, there must be a clearly mapped out strategy that incorporates the states in its realisation. There should be short, medium and long term goals. The short term plan should include a critical appraisal of all existing laws, regulations and policies to facilitate the reordering of the nation on its national development sojourn.

The preparation of the NDP should feature the representation of all tiers of government, private sector, development stakeholders and professionals. It is quintessential that the NDP be people-oriented. This will only ignite the peoples’ unreserved support for development.

Concluded Akinyemi, is President, Joseph Initiative Ltd/Gte, Lagos.

Sport Extra

F

ormer Germany striker, Miroslav Klose, believes his compatriot Thomas Muller has a real chance of breaking his record for most World Cup goals.

The 37-year-old went one better than Ronaldo when

‘Muller can break Klose’s World Cup scoring record’ he netted for the 16th time in his country’s 7-1 semifinal win over host Brazil at last year’s tournament.

Muller, now 25 years of age, has already struck 10 goals at FIFA’s biggest

event.

“I think Thomas has very brilliant chances to become the record scorer in the World Cup finals, having already had 10 goals,” Klose said yesterday.

“If he stays healthy, I assume he can still play in two more World Cup finals.

Everyone knows he has a good nose for goals. In addition, he takes charge of penalties, something I was

never allowed to do.”

Klose, who recently signed a contract extension at Seri A side Lazio until 2016, retired from international football in August 2014.

Muller

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