Binder1

CBN, NDIC fight over statutory roles GEORGE OJI ABUJA

Emefiele

Vol. 51 N0. 1065 115

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he Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has protested the proposed amendment being

sought by the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC, to its enabling Act, describing the move as attempt to usurp its core mandate.

Expressing the apex

bank’s concern at a one-day public hearing on the “NDIC Act 2006, Cap N102 LFN 2012 (repeal and re-enactment) Bill, 2015”, organised by the Senate Committee on BankCONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

19 DAYS TO GO

Mbeki, Abdulsalami visit Buhari

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Bribery scandal rocks Customs, 12 suspended FRANCIS EZEM

...11 others under investigation

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welve senior officers of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, have been suspended for extorting $13, 000 (N2.73m) CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

7 PDP govs mobilising for APC, says Okorocha

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‘Jonathan, Muazu in excellent relationship’ L-R: Minister of Communications Technology, Omobola Johnson; Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and Minister of Health, Dr. Khaliru Alhassan, during the launch of Growing Girls and Women in Nigeria (G-Win) in Abuja, yesterday.

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Chadian, Nigerien troops free Borno towns, kill 300 insurgents ...lose 15 soldiers in battle with sect FG spends N100bn yearly on education –Sambo

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We’ve not received court papers on new party –INEC P.6

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Tuesday, March 10, 2015

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CBN, NDIC fight over statutory roles CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

ing, Insurance and other Financial Institutions in Abuja, the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, specifically urged the National Assembly to refuse the proposal.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Sulieman Barau, said the amendments to the NDIC Act, if allowed, were capable of causing chaos and anarchy in the financial sector.

He said some of the proposals sought to confer coordinate functions and powers on the NDIC, pointing out that the Corporation, being the undertaker cannot seek to be a judge and prosecutor in its own case.

Specifically, Emefiele noted that the implications of the proposed amendment would make the NDIC a parallel/coordinate regulator for banks; confer conflicting supervisory functions and powers over banks and create overlapping regulatory responsibilities.

He added that the powers that in the Corporation sought to assume and exercise and their consequences included, the power to licence banks, power to supervise banks without reference to the CBN, power to determine the licences of banks and power to appoint itself as liquidator.

Emefiele clarified: “It is pertinent to mention that all the above powers, which the NDIC seeks to assume and exercise, are ostensibly to ensure that it carries out its function as a risk minimizer and that depositors of distressed banks and other deposit taking financial institutions are paid in good time to avoid delays.

“While the CBN supports the desire to pay depositors of distressed institutions in good time, the proposal to make NDIC “the judge and juror” in cases involving banks is fraught with dangers and is a recipe for financial instability. It is indeed the ingredient for chaos and anarchy and is not practiced in any financial system in the world.

“There is also the moral hazard of the NDIC as a deposit insurer that charges premium on the basis of the riskiness of an institution which it supervises without recourse to the CBN to rate such institutions as riskier than they actually are in order to enhance the premium

charged to bolster the deposit insurance fund.”

He explained that in view of the reasons given, it was essential that NDIC must flow from its primary function, which is the basis for its establishment, that is, Deposit Insurance, adding that it is then and only then, will its role in the financial system as it relates to banks and other deposit taking financial institutions be properly defined.

In his defence of the move by the NDIC to amend its Act, the Managing Director, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, said even though CBN may perceive the proposed amendments as incursion into the mandate of the bank, in reality, NDIC was not seeking any role outside

its lawful mandate.

Ibrahim said that the Corporation was seeking the amendments to ensure safety and soundness in the banking system just as he pointed out that the NDIC was not in competition with the CBN but however cherish its operational independence and mandate as provided by its Act. Ibrahim said: “Yes, we may have disagreements here and there; we are not reinventing the wheel. I noticed from the presentation of Mr. Barau that apparently he may not be aware of the fact that a lot of these have been resolved and will be resolved.

“We are for collaboration; we are for the safety and soundness of the system.

We are not in competition with the CBN. At the same time we cherish our own operational independence and we cherish our mandate as provided by our Act. I can assure you that by the time we go through the details you will find that there are very few areas of misunderstanding or conflict that we need to resolve.

“There are very few new things that we have introduced and some of them have been read out.

“But a lot of the issues still remain valid, in our rules and I keep saying that the founding fathers of NDIC, who decided that NDIC should operate as a risk minimizer, in other words, given full powers to be involved in supervision

and bank examination and in the liquidation among others, did not do that by mistake.”

Recalling that for about 25 years, the Corporation has been playing its roles effectively in the financial system, the NDIC boss explained that what it was trying to do through the proposed amendments to its enabling Act is to add value and enhance financial systems stability, especially the banking system.

Earlier, Senate President, David Mark, had while declaring the public hearing open, said the exercise was aimed at obtaining authentic information from various shades of interest and opinion to enhance and guide the Senate in its legis-

lative action.

Represented by Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, the Senate President expressed the hope that the exercise, if successfully completed, would produce results that are acceptable to the generality of the citizenry.

Chairman Senate Committee on Banks, Insurance, and other Financial Institutions, Bassey Otu, said the repeal and re-enactment being sought in the Bill was targeted at revitalising and enhancing the operational framework of the nation’s financial institutions and in essence strengthens their capacities in addressing challenges in line with international best practices.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

L-R: Former Nigerian Head of State, Gen. Abubakar Abdulsalam; former South African President, Mr. Thabo Mbeki and APC presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, during a visit to Buhari’s office in Kaduna, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Bribery scandal rocks Customs, 12 suspended CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

from passengers as well as releasing seized consignments Also being disciplined are 11 other senior officers, who are currently being investigated by disciplinary panels set up by the Comptroller General of Customs, Abdullahi Dikko, bringing to 23, the number of erring officers.

Public Relations Officer of the Service, Wale Adeniyi, a Deputy Comptroller, who made the disclosure yesterday, said three of the suspended officers are of the rank of Assistant Superintendent, serving at the Currency Declaration desk

of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja.

They were implicated in a case of extorting $13, 000 from a passenger during the outward clearance of an Emirates Airline flight.

Five of the affected officers, who are of the rank of Assistant Comptrollers at the Tin Can Island Port command, were suspended from office pending the outcome of the panel set up to investigate allegation of improper release of seized consignments leveled against them.

Adeniyi said further that two other officers, who are also of the rank of Assistant Superintendent, serving at the Seme Border Command

were suspended for alleged rape, an offence said to have been committed in Badagry area of Lagos State recently.

The disciplinary measures were also meted on middle level management officers serving in the various ports formations for one form of offence or the other.

Investigations also showed that another set of five officers, including a Deputy Comptroller posted to Apapa Port Command have appeared before an investigative panel for offences ranging from negligence to improper examination of containers, among others The remaining six officers were also made to ap-

pear before the disciplinary panel for offences ranging from hacking of passwords, falsification of academic certificates, negligence and general indiscipline.

The Comptroller General, who reacted to the increasing cases of indiscipline, warned that the Service will stop at nothing in checkmating officers and men from operating illegal check points.

While admitting that his office has been awash with complaints over the setting of illegal checkpoints on some routes, particularly around Kogi, Ondo and Edo states, the Comptroller General however assured that

special unit would be set up to conduct surveillance operations to apprehend culprits.

He also warned that officers operating such illegal check points will be severely punished.

The Customs boss expressed regrets over the involvement of young officers recently recruited into the Service in various illegal acts, which he said is worrisome.

He further warned that the Service will not tolerate such officers, disclosing that the required machinery were being strengthened, designed to arrest and punish the erring officers and men.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

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Photo News

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

L-R: Director-General, National Institute for Legislative Studies, NILS, Abuja, Dr. Ladi Hamalai; Abuja Divisional Manager, Julius Berger Nigeria, Engr. Harmat Warnecke; Chairman of NILS Governing Council, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu and MD, Julius Berger Nigeria, Engr. Detlev Lubasch, assessing level of work during the inspection tour of the NILS permanent site project in Abuja, yesterday.

L-R: Director-General, Nigerian Meteorological Agency (Nimet), Dr. Anthony Anuforom; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation, Alhaji Mohammed Abbas and Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka, inspecting the Nimet ICT Centre at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Under-Secretary, Region and International Organisation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Hussein Abdullahi; Minister of State for Education, Prof. Viola Onwuliri and Acting Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Bello Umar, during the 2015 Commonwealth Day in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Administrative Secretary, INEC, Gombe State, Mr. Greg Tarkumbur (right) presenting voter education material to the National President, Blind Association of Nigeria, Malam Ishaku Adamu Tela, during a one day workshop for women and other advantaged groups in Gombe, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

National News FRANCIS SUBERU

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hairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Governors Forum, Owelle Rochas Okorocha yesterday said about seven Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governors are currently working and mobilising secretly for the success of the opposition party in the forthcoming elections.

The governor, who revealed this while addressing the party’s supporters at a rally held in Amuwo Odofin, Lagos State said the resolve of the governors to work with them nailed the coffin of PDP in the country.

He said: “Now let me tell you the victory of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari has been signed, sealed and delivered. About seven governors, who are not APC are coming to hold meeting with us privately to join us.

“There is fear in the country. The fear is that

7 PDP govs secretly mobilising for APC, says Okorocha they know Buhari is a good man, they know Buhari will win but there is fear.

“The fear is that once they announce Buhari on the 28th of March as president all the bad people stealing the nation’s money will take mid night flight and run away from the country.

“The fear of Buhari is the stoppage of corruption in Nigeria.”

Okorocha added that, PDP died when APC was formed.

“The day Fashola, Rochas Okorocha and other governors came together, PDP died in Nigeria. On the 14th of February last month we were suppose to bury PDP but they

changed the date of the burial to 28th of March.

“Now we are waiting patiently to bury PDP forever. Let me tell you, you can change the day of the burial but you can’t change the burial, it must take place.

May the soul of PDP rest in peace.

“The worst thing that can happen to any nation is to have a bad government and the worst thing that can happen to any family is to have a bad father.

“Today it is obvious that PDP is a bad government.

Thank God we came together for a change and the change we came together for has started.”

The governor urged

the Ndigbo community in Lagos to vote for Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, the APC governorship candidate in the state, saying he has the capacity to ensure mutual coexistence of all tribes.

Okorocha who was flanked by Governor Mr. Fashola and other APC leaders lamented the economic policies of the Federal Government.

“PDP has cheated you.

If you have N100,000 before, what you now have is N60,000. The Federal Government has removed N40,000 by de-valuing the Naira,” he added.

Also speaking the national leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu said the country was

united before the present administration polarised it along religious and ethnic delineation.

He said: “The language you speak and the tribe you were born to were decided by God. It is not your choice; it is the choice of God. When you get to the hospital do you see Christian or Muslim sections?

Do you see Ibo, Yoruba or Ijaw ward? We are one people.

“Does hunger, poverty has tribal mark? Can you go to an Igbo bread seller and say I am an Igbo man, I need bread? Can you go to a Yoruba woman selling roasted plantain and tell her to give you one because you are a Yoruba

person? The road is not labeled Muslim, Christian or Obatala road. Let not these people continue to deceive us.

“Those of you traveling with flights, for instance, say to Dubai. When you want to board the plane, do you ask about the name, tribe or religion of the pilot? All you simply do is to pray to God for a safe flight.”

Tinubu said the government has not been able to provide employment and insurance cover for soldiers and police who are working in danger.

“Their insurance has not been paid but they are busy bribing people for votes,” he alleged.

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Tuesday, March 10, 2015

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Chadian, Nigerien troops free Borno towns, kill 300 insurgents OBIORA IFOH AND INUSA NDAHI

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bout 300 Boko Haram insurgents were killed yesterday by Chadian and Nigerien troops during the battle to free the Borno towns of Damasak and Fatouri, a day after thousands of troops crossed the border to retake areas held by the Sunni Islamist group.

Ten Chadian and five Nigerien soldiers also died in fighting to free the two towns previously held

by Boko Haram. Freeing the towns were the first gains made against the Islamic sect in a joint offensive launched with Niger at the weekend, military sources said yesterday.

About 30 soldiers were also wounded in the clash-

es over the two towns A Chadian officer, who asked not to be named, confirmed that ten Chadian soldiers were killed and 20 others wounded in fighting to liberate the towns.

There was no official comment from Chad’s army.

“We have kicked the enemy out of these areas and they are now under our control,” one of the Niger military sources said.

Damasak, the town furthest into Nigeria, is 10 km (6 miles) south of the Niger border, where Niger and Chadian troops have been massing in recent weeks ahead of the offensive.

A medical source in Diffa, the capital of the Niger region, said 30 wounded soldiers had been

admitted to the town’s hospital.

The Niger military source said about 300 Boko Haram militants had been killed. There was no official confirmation of the toll and it was not possible to verify the figure.

“We had permission from Nigeria for this action,” the source said.

A Nigerien military commander, Col. Nedurum, who also spoke on the incident, said the operation was massive.

“Our two-day joint military operations with over 180 Chadian soldiers, were successful today (yesterday).

“Fleeing insurgents in Damasak and the ones along the Kumadugu-Yobe River Basin were killed, including the destruction of their operation

vehicles, some rifles and ammunitions used in terrorizing our people in the border areas of Bosso, Diffa and five other villages in the border areas with Nigeria,” he said.

He said the insurgents attempted to flee across the River into Niger, but Nigerien and Chadian soldiers, holed them up at Damasak and three other villages along the Nigerian borders.

“The success of today’s (yesterday) joint military operations was however challenging, as we had to strategise to block the terrorists’ escape routes at the borders, when Nigerien military lost five of its members, while Chad lost 10 of its soldiers on Sunday and yesterday,” said Col. Nedurum.

“Our people can now

Minister of works. Mr mike Onolememen (left),and Minister of State, Mr. Adedayo Adeyeye, during the ministry’s 2015 Budget Defence at the National Assembly in Abuja yesterday.

FG summons Indonesian Ambassador again over planned execution of more Nigerians

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he Federal Government yesterday again summoned the Indonesian Ambassador, Mr. Harry Purwato, over the country’s planned execution of more Nigerians by firing squad for drug-related offences.

Preparations are in top gear for the execution by firing squad of one Raheem Agbaje Salami and two other Nigerians convicted of drug smuggling.

Ambassador Danjuma Sheni, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a meeting with the envoy in Abuja that the death sentences should be converted to life

imprisonment.

He told the envoy to speak with his home government to tamper justice with mercy in order not to allow anything to jeopardise the “very robust and excellent relationship” between Indonesia and Nigeria.

“Your Excellency, I have been asked to summon you to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to appeal to you to talk to your government about the proposed execution of three Nigerians, who are currently on the death row in your country.

“As you know, your country and Nigeria have a very robust and excellent

relationship and we do not intend that anything should happen to our relationship.

“We, in this context, are very aware of the consequences of drug trafficking in your country, but we still want to put it on record and we still want to appeal to you and to your President to tamper justice with mercy.

“We understand that the three condemned Nigerians have gone through the judicial processes and their appeals to the President have been turned down.

“We also understand, particularly, that one of them, Mr. Salami, had been moved to an Island and that any moment from

now, he may be executed.

“We want to appeal to you and through you to your government that this death sentence that may be carried out on Mr. Salami any moment from now should be converted to life imprisonment,” he said.

The permanent secretary also appealed to the Indonesian envoy to fasttrack the completion of the ongoing exchange of prisoners’ negotiation between the two countries.

According to him, when completed, Nigerians serving various prison terms in Indonesia will have the opportunity to serve their sentences in Nigeria.

sleep with their two eyes closed, including the ones trapped in Damasak town,” he added.

Residents of Diffa also told our correspondent that they had been hearing sounds of artillery gunshots and explosions near Damasak and two other border villages since Sunday and early the hours of yesterday.

“The sporadic exchanges of gunshots and explosions at the border areas with Boko Haram gunmen forced us to be awake throughout Sunday and Monday, because many of us feared that the insurgents could cross the River to attack and kill us as they did last week at a mosque,” Mallam Bunu Muktar from Diffa town said on phone.

There was no immediate comment from the Defence Headquarters, DHQ, on the development.

Cameroun, Chad, Niger and Benin have this year mobilised forces to help Nigeria defeat the group after it seized swathes of territory and mounting cross-border attacks.

Nigeria and its neighbours have been working to pull together plans and rules of engagement for a regional force of 8,700 troops but cooperation between the region’s armies has been strained at times.

Meanwhile, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, has expressed outrage and grief at the latest terrorist suicide bomb attacks in Maiduguri, which left at least 100 people dead.

In a condolence message he issued in Abuja yesterday, through his

media campaign committee, Gen. Buhari said the frequency with which terrorists destroy lives and property embarrassed him beyond measure, and that tackling such indiscriminate violence would be on top of priorities once elected into office.

According to him, violence by the terrorists has achieved nothing good for anybody and that his administration would confront the current insecurity with determination and remarkable zeal.

The APC presidential candidate explained that nothing can justify the endless and brutal violence targeted at innocent people, which has also destroyed the economic and social life of the people in areas where terrorists are active. Buhari, however, called for increased vigilance among the people.

He said the ease with which suicide bombers blend with law-abiding citizens and reach their targets undetected is disturbing.

He explained that majority of the people have no idea about the features and characteristics of suicide bombers, and cannot, therefore, identify such killers in their midst.

The statement extended Buhari’s condolences to the families of the victims of the latest terrorist attacks on Maiduguri.

He also condoled the families of the recent violence in Rivers State, in which some unidentified gunmen attacked and killed APC supporter in the state.

He said violence benefits nobody and, instead, it sets back the progress of the country.

CBN, NDIC fight over statutory roles CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

The Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda, who was represented by the Director of Home Finance, Mr. Khali Zaji, noted that even though the NDIC had made giant strides since its establishment, there have been “some operational challenges that have threatened the ability of the Corporation to

discharge its mandate effectively which if left unchecked will undermine the safety, stability and soundness of the banking system.”

Other stakeholders who made presentations at the event stressed the need for observed differences to be settled amicably in order to enhance stability of the banking sector.

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Tuesday, March 10, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

We’ve not received court papers on new party –INEC OMEIZA AJAYI ABUJA

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ays after a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered that the Independent National Commission, INEC register a new political party, the electoral body yesterday said it was yet to receive the judgment papers.

The court had last week directed the commission to register the Young Democratic Party, YDP. Consequently, the YDP asked INEC to include its name, logo and candidates on the ballot paper for the general elections slated for March 28 and April 11.

The party was not listed among parties contesting the 2015 general

elections until the court ordered INEC to issue it a certificate of registration.

Following the judgement, the leadership of the party is insisting that INEC must print new ballot papers, to include its name and candidacy or shift the election dates.

However, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Kayode Idowu, said the commission is yet to take a decision on the matter as it was yet to receive the court papers.

He also described as ignorance insinuation in some quarters that INEC has created additional polling units through the back door.

“There are 119,973 polling units in the country; and just as we did in 2011, we broke down large

polling units into voting points. That is what we wanted to avoid in 2015 when we wanted to create additional polling units, because the problem with voting units is that when a polling unit is large and you break it down in to voting units, it will still be at the same location

where as if you created new polling units the location will differ.

“The voting units will ensure you do not find about 2,000 people queuing (at a unit) so we break them down to a maximum of 700 for the voting units.

But you will still have all the 2,000 people there be-

cause it is the same polling unit.

“But if we had created new polling units, many people who may have moved away to maybe new settlements that did not exist before the creation of the polling unit could be going to different location for voting,”

Idowu said.

He further explained that with the splitting of polling units, there are nearly 155,000 polling units and voting points, adding that the voting guideline stipulates that no polling unit should have more than 700 persons.

Jonathan, Mu’azu in cordial relationship –PDP OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

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eoples Democratic Party, PDP, has said the relationship between its National Chairman, Adamu Mu’azu, and President Goodluck Jonathan could not be any better.

The party also said it is satisfied with the leadership style of the National Chairman which it said has in the last one year enhanced its support base and public rating ahead of the 2015 general elections.

In a statement, National Publicity Secretary of the party, Olisa Metuh said, "as one of the founding fathers of the PDP, the National Chairman has continued to add immense value with his mature and decent approach to issues in keeping with the tradition and vision of our great party, a disposition that has continued to attract massive support across board for our presidential flag bearer, President Goodluck Jonathan.

Metuh said Mu’azu's exemplary style of politics played significant role in reducing the tension in the polity ahead of the elections and has also endeared the party to majority of Nigerians and key stakeholders in the electoral process.

"It is to the credit of the National Chairman that

his leadership stabilised our party at its critical moment and successfully achieved unity among our leaders and members while strengthening the confidence of Nigerians in the PDP as the only vehicle to deliver democracy dividends to them.

“National Working Committee engages in personal and group campaigns as well as strategic meetings with critical stakeholders in their respective states and zones to ensure the success of President Jonathan and other candidates of our party in the elections. This is in addition to effective coordination of party structures in all the zones, states, local governments and wards across the country.

"Indeed, we are aware that the aim of those behind the mischievous report is to sow seed of discord and cause confusion within our ranks, distract the leadership and undermine our presidential campaign, which is now coasting swiftly to victory to the chagrin of the opposition.

"Finally, we wish to state categorically that the PDP remains resolute as one united family and no amount of media fabrications and malicious insinuations will distract us from our focus ahead of the elections."

L-R: Senator Isa Galadu; Chairman, Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions, Senator Bassey Otu, and Senator Nkechi Nwoagu, during the public hearing on NDIC Act (reaped and re-enactment) bill 2015 and Insurance Acts Bill 2003 (reaped and re-enactment bill 2015) by the Senate Committee at the National Assembly in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Security agency after our financiers, says APC OBIORA IFOH AND JIDE OMOJOMOJU

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ll Progressives Congress, APC, has alleged plans by one of the security agencies to intimidate supposed sponsors of the party, as part of ongoing efforts to cripple its activities in the run up to the March 28 and April 11 general polls.

In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, the party however said the agency can only target phantom financiers, since the APC is in reality being financed by Nigerians, not some moneybags.

“We made it clear early on that our party, which has now become a peopledriven movement, is being bankrolled by ordinary Nigerians, who have contributed generously to the party through the plat-

forms that we published in the newspapers for all to see.

“Though the federal government has used some national institutions to stifle our party's fundraising efforts, Nigerians have utilised the available platforms to make their donations. It is therefore a futile exercise for anyone to harass some innocent people for supposedly financing the APC,'' it said.

The APC said security agencies should only serve national, rather than partisan, interests, because while governments will always come and go, Nigeria as a country will remain. ''The information at our disposal about the role of the security agencies in the forthcoming elections is very disturbing, despite the public opprobrium that has greeted the role played by the military in rigging the 2014 Ekiti governorship election. ''For example, there is

a plan for at least 500 security agents to apply to work as ad hoc INEC staff so they can rig for the PDP, while military and police uniforms are being sewn in a PDP-controlled state in the South-west, with a view to making them available for PDP thugs to wear on election day, so they can harass and intimidate the opposition ''There is also the disturbing case of four senior officers of the State Security Service, SSS who are being retained for some ignoble role during the general elections, though they are already due for retirement. It is interesting that these officers, including three at the states and one at the headquarters of the SSS, are all from the SouthEast and the South-South, which the Jonathan-led administration considers its stronghold. ''Equally disturbing is the fact that a section of

the security services has been making sensitive information available to certain PDP members, including a loose-lipped state governor, just to get at the opposition. This is sad because Nigeria is bigger than any political party,'' the party said.

It therefore appealed to the security agencies to be non-partisan, professional and patriotic in carrying out their duties before, during and after the general elections. ''Put Nigeria first, don't favour the PDP, don't favour the APC, don't favour any party,'' the APC told the security agencies.

Lai Mohammed

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Tuesday, March 10, 2015

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Non-release of N230bn responsible for bad roads –Minister

…says no provision for FERMA, others in 2015 TORDUE SALEM ABUJA

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inister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen, has attributed the litany of abandoned key road projects in the country to the non-release of N230bn allocation in the 2014 budget for various critical road projects.

Onolememen made the disclosure at the 2015 budget defence with the House Committee on Works. He explained that the situation was delaying the work of the ministry and its agencies like the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, FERMA. According to the minister, out of the money yet to be released, N219.5bn is for highway projects, N10bn is for engineering design, supervision and consul-

tants, while N1.2bn is for weigh bridge and materials and geo technical contracts.

He said the sum of N45.682billion (46.2 percent) was released out of N98.814billion appropriated for the capital expenditure for the main ministry and agencies, leaving the balance of N53,131,524,309 as at 30th December 2014.

He disclosed that the ministry accessed the sum of N93 billion out of the N98 billion appropriated through SURE-P in 2014 fiscal year.

Giving details of major road priority projects awarded in 2014, the minister said they include rehabilitation of LagosShagamu-Ibadan dual carriageway section I & II; rehabilitation of Enugu-Port Harcourt dual carriageway section I $

II; dualisation of AbujaAbaji-Lokoja sections I, III & IV; dualisation of Kano-Maiduguri sections I-V; dualisation of SulejaMinna phase I in Niger State; rehabilitation of Apapa-Oshodi expressway in Lagos, phase II; rehabilitation of EnuguPort Harcourt dual carriageway sections III & IV; dualisation of SulejaMinna phase II in Niger State; dualisation of Sapele-Ewu road section I & II and construction of Ikom bridge, Cross River State.

On the 2015 budget, the minister noted that emphasis is on minimum level of activity on the project sites where provi-

sions have been made in the proposed budget because of the lean capital provision in the proposed budget.

He also lamented that from the N39.579 billion proposed for year 2015 out of which N11.232 billion is for capital projects, no provision was made for all the parastatals and agencies including road maintenance.

According to him, the sum of N1,398,449,075.51 counterpart funding required by the Road Sector Development Team, RSDT, which manages the fund from multilateral agencies such as World Bank and African Development Bank, only N425

million was proposed in the 2015 budget, hence may stalled most of the RSDT projects scheduled for completion this year.

He disclosed that the sum of N25 billion has been paid through SUREP to contractors handling Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

For the 2nd Niger Bridge, he disclosed that Federal Government paid N10 billion counterpart funding, additional N15 billion through SURE-P and attracted N50 billion private funding from Julius Berger.

He explained that the ministry is at the final stage of negotiation for the $500 million concessionary loans from China for Lafia expressway project, adding that the

ministry is about to finalise the 8-lane dual carriageway from Murtala Muhamed International Airport through public private partnership, PPP. The minister who was also at the Senate Committee on Work said road maintenance in the country may deteriorate this year as the Federal Government has made zero allocation to the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, FERMA. Out of a mere N11.2 billion budgeted as capital allocation to the Ministry of Works; no amount was set aside for FERMA. Onolememen disclosed that there was zero capital allocation to agencies under the ministry notably ERMA this year.

FG spends N100bn yearly on education –Sambo ABDULGAFAR OLADIMEJI KANO

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ice President Namadi Sambo, has disclosed that the Federal Government expends over N100 billion annually on educational projects across the country.

While observing the foundation laying ceremony of Dame Patience Jonathan's 360 bed female hostel and an ultra modern International Conference Center both at Bayero University Kano yesterday, said that 1.5 trillion naira have been earmarked from the Presidential Support Funds on education to address the urgent needs of universities and other tertiary institutions of learning.

Sambo said that as part of the Jonathan led transformation agenda, similar projects will continue to spring up in institutions of higher learning across the country.

He said in a bid to attain set out Nigeria's vision 2020, the Federal Government devoted resources on the

construction of diverse projects in tertiary institutions, adding that the cost of these projects amounts to billions of naira.

He said the Federal Government is nursing the ambition to set Nigeria educational system on a track that would enable it competes anywhere in the world.

According to him, Jonathan's administration through TETFUND had disbursed over 11 billion naira on 34 completed projects and 40 ongoing schemes in Nigerian universities.

Sambo came to Kano in the company of Minister of Education, Ibrahim Shekarau, alongside top government functionaries.

National Mirror reports that, the city centre was under tight security as security personnel were strategically stationed on major streets in the city.

The closure of selected major roads led to traffic gridlock as motorist were compelled to divert to other routes to navigate their way in the metropolis.

Vice President Namadi Sambo (left) and Algerian Foreign Minister, Ramtana Lamamra, during a meeting at the Houari Boumediene Airport in Algiers yesterday

Murder: Court dismisses N4bn suit against police WALE IGBINTADE

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ustice Oyindamola Ogala of a Lagos High Court, Igbosere yesterday, struck out a N4 billion suit filed by Ekwulobia youths against the Inspector General of Police, former CP, Lagos State, Marvellous Akpoyibo and four others.

Four young Ladipo traders, Anthony Ezenwafor, Chukwuemika Ezeofor, Aloysius Osigwe and Izuchukwu Ezeama, who were members of the Ekwulobia Youths Association, were

allegedly killed by the police from the Aguda Police Station, Surulere, on July 1, 2001.

Members of association led by Akaraka Chinweke, Chris Opara, Remigus Ezenwane and Ifeanyi Okoye, in 2011, dragged the Inspector General of Police, the Attorney General of the Federation, Attorney General, Lagos State, Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Marvellous Akpoyibo, and Divisional Police Officer, Aguda Police Station, before the court for the violation of human rights of the deceased.

Delivering judgement, Justice Ogala held that the applicants ought to have commenced the suit by originating summons and not by fundamental human rights procedure.

The youths were seeking for an order for the payment of the sum of N4 billion as damages and compensations to the families of the four victims for their alleged unlawful killing They are also asked for an order directing the first and fourth defendants or any other persons or body of persons to conduct full and unbiased

investigation into the incident and punitive measures taken against those found to have hands in the act.

In a 21-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Chinweke, he averred that the deceased persons were killed in their apartment at 48, Olaitan Street, Surulere, Lagos on July 21, 2001.

He further claimed that they were apprentice traders under Jude Okoli, a businessman at Ladipo International Market, Lagos and were living in a twobedroom flat, in the boys’ quarters.

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South West

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

A’Court to decide 1,999 ex-WAPCO workers’ fate Wale igbintade

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ourt of Appeal, Lagos Division has reserved judgement in the appeal filed by 1,999 sacked workers of Lafarge Cement WAPCO Plc against the ruling of a Lagos High Court delivered by Justice Olatunde Oshodi.

The aggrieved workers had sued the company, formerly known as West Afri-

can Portland Cement Plc, for breach of contract.

But Oshodi in his judgment delivered on June 30, 2008, dismissed their case for lacking in merit.

Dissatisfied, the workers, through their lawyer, Akin Aladesua, approached the appellate court asking it to allow their appeal and set aside the judgment of the lower court.

At the resumed hearing of the appeal, the appel-

late court presided over by Justice Sidi Bage, reserved judgment after taking arguments from counsel to both parties.

The appellants had prayed the court to determine whether the acceptance of their entitlements (that is 12 months basic salary and allowances), bar them from contending that they have been short-paid or said to have waived their remaining entitlements.

They also prayed the court to hold that the oral and documentary evidence they tendered before the lower court had established that the company had breached their legal rights.

In their statement of claims, the aggrieved workers explained that sometime in 1998, a former Managing Director with Lafarge Cement Plc, Engr. Joseph Makoju, allegedly convened a meeting of the entire work-

force of the company where he briefed them on the company's plan to downsize.

According to them, Makoju had, in the meeting, explained that the company intended to lay off some of the workers in a bid to cut cost, especially in view of the company's move to build a new plant at Ewekoro, Ogun State, a project which was capital intensive.

Makoju, according to

the disengaged workers, told them the redundancy exercise would be in two phases.

In the first phase, the workers were enjoined to opt for voluntary disengagement, with a promise to get 36 months basic salary if they could take the step, while in the second phase, a worker could chose to continue to stay until he was compulsorily retired.

Police nab farmer over herdsman’s killing

• Valentine Day mishap: Woman denies setting husband ablaze

abiOdun nejO ADO EKITI

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L-R: Oyo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Rufus Akeju; Head, Voters' Education and Publicity, Ayo Fola and Administrative Secretary, Ebenezer Fakorede, during the launch of market outreach and road show on elections in Ibadan, yesterday.

Every vote will count, says INEC

PHOTO: NAN

• Lagos APC lauds commission over trial of card readers

Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

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yo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ambassador Rufus Akeju, has reiterated the determination of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to make every vote count during the forthcoming general elections.

He gave the assurance yesterday in Ibadan, the state capital, while speaking at the flag-off of market outreach/road show, presentation of voter education materials in braille form to people with disabilities and State Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Voter Education and Publicity, NICVEP, meeting held at the INEC office.

He said the commission is working towards making the elections free, fair and internationally acceptable with the recent introduction

of card readers by the commission.

Emphasizing that the introduction of the card reader would boost credibility of the elections in the country, Akeju stated that INEC is committed to carrying along all relevant stakeholders in the processes for the general elections through its Voter Education advocacy policy.

On the market outreach and road show embarked upon by the commission, the REC said the sensitisation became necessary so as to afford voters in the market places and streets the opportunity to make enquiries and collect voter education materials. He said the voter education programmes were designed to have positive impact on the electorate and is expected to propel them into making positive actions in the electoral process.

Noting that INEC is out to encourage mass partici-

pation of Nigerians in the elections, he said the presented materials are meant to assist the blind get necessary messages on electoral process including those concerning voting procedure.

On the Permanent Voter Card, PVC, Akeju said INEC has recorded 68.78 per cent distribution so far, with owners having collected 1,637,735 PVCs of the over 2.3 million registered voters in the state, while 743,367 PVCs were yet to be collected.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has lauded the commission for the successful test-run of card readers for the 2015 general elections.

The party said the successful test-run has vindicated INEC’s preparedness for a free and credible election, while exposing opposition to the card readers that it would not allow them manipulate the election as done

in previous elections.

In a statement in Lagos, signed by the party’s state publicity secretary, Joe Igbokwe, the APC said the success recorded across board in the trial of the card readers was enough to send those desperate to frustrate the use of card readers in the coming elections, back to the drawing board on how to steal yet another election.

The party said the use of card readers would frustrate those who have predicated their rouge political strength on manipulating elections, either by stealing voters’ cards or allotting themselves incredulous figures at every election to subvert the will of the Nigerian people.

“We are elated that the INEC card reader has proved successful in tests carried out randomly across states of the federation.

olice in Ekiti State have arrested a 30-year-old farmer and hunter, Moses Ofega, for allegedly shooting dead a Fulani herdsman, over destruction of his farm by cattle.

The law enforcement agents said the suspect in a bid to cover his tracks allegedly poured charcoal on the victim's dead body and set it ablaze.

But Ofega, who is being detained at the command headquarters in Ado-Ekiti, told journalists yesterday that he shot at the Fulani man by mistake after a duel between them over the destruction his cattle wreaked on his farm at Iyemero Ekiti, Ikole Council area last Wednesday.

He said: “I didn’t kill him intentionally. I went to the farm that day because I am a hunter as well. When I saw that my farm had been destroyed, I had to challenge him and in the course of wrestling with him, my gun fired and hit him.”

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, Alberto Adeyemi, said that following report by the Fulani community in the town, police detectives took all the necessary action to get the suspect arrested.

According to him, the suspect after allegedly committing the act in the bush, escaped but for the vigilance of the detectives who fished him out.

The police s pokesperson said the suspect would be charged to court on conclusion of ongoing investiga-

tion.

However, a 36-year-old woman, Mrs Bukola Ogidiolu, who allegedly set her husband ablaze on Valentine's Day for not taking her out to have fun, denied the allegations yesterday.

The woman, who spoke while paraded by the police, said it was the match struck by her husband to light a cigarette that caught fire having been attracted by the petrol being kept in their room.

She said her husband, who is receiving treatment at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, AdoEkiti having suffered major burns, had been less concerned over her inability to have a child since they got married three years ago, saying the misunderstanding that day was one in the series.

She said: “We had disagreement over his nonchalant attitude that day and we were fighting. Our neighbours tried to plead with him but he never listened to them.

“He later ran inside and destroyed all my property.

But he had forgotten that we have petrol inside and when he was about lighting his cigarette, the keg that contained the petrol exploded and my husband caught fire immediately.”

However, the police spokesman said information at his disposal showed that the suspect committed the offence over certain disagreement.

The police said investigations were being conducted into her claim, saying she would be charged to court after the conclusion of their findings

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Ado Poly lifts suspension on unionism Abiodun nejo ADO EKITI

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overning Council of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti has rescinded its decision to suspend unions’ activities in the institution.

Chairman of the Council, Sir Victor Ebomoyi, said the decision was in obedience to the intervention of the Minister of Education, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau.

A statement by the Deputy Registrar, Information, Mr Ade Adeyemi-Adejolu, in Ado Ekiti yesterday, said that consequently, the council had directed that

its earlier order freezing the unions’ accounts be retracted.

Ebomoyi said the council decision to reinstate unions’ activities was hinged on the minister’s directive in expectation that it would engender the return of peace and normalcy for full academic activities in the institution.

The council chairman advised the leadership of the unions, to in the spirit of give and take, heed the minister’s directive to keep the school in session before, during and after the coming general elections, while negotiation continues on

whatever grey areas that were yet to be addressed.

It would be recalled that following the refusal of the three labour unions in the institution which embarked on strike since January 4 to press home their demands for a number of welfare issues to heed calls to suspend the strike, the Polytechnic Council on February 6 ordered the suspension of the three labour bodies and the Students Union and as well mandated the striking workers to return to work or face the consequences.

Reacting on behalf of the students, the Students

Union Public Relations Officer, Temitope Yakubu, described the action as a welcome development.

Yakubu appealed to the management and the three trade unions in the institution to; "kindly look at the contending issues and resolve them amicably so that students can go back to the classrooms.

“The truth of the matter is that students are really unhappy about the prolonged industrial action in the school. Both parties to the dispute should put ego aside and settle amicably in the interest of Nigerian students,” he said.

Fire guts AIT Lagos studios dAre Akogun

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n early morning fire yesterday gutted the African Independent Television, AIT, studio in Alagbado area of Lagos State.

The fire incident which reportedly occurred around 9:00 am was however, put out by men of the Lagos State Fire Service from Agege, Ikeja and Alausa divisions.

Although no live was lost in the incident, some properties were damaged by the fire.

Confirming the incident, the Director of Fire

OSOGBO

O

Overload promo: Glo gives N28bn free airtime

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bout seven million subscribers have signed up to the ongoing Overload Reloaded promotion of Nigeria’s national telecommunications carrier, Globacom, and have benefitted from over N27.5billion worth of bonus airtime since the commencement of the promotion.

These are the subscribers who joined the promo platform by dialing its special code *200# and reloading their phones with airtime of N200 denomination or higher.

Globacom introduced the Overload promo late last year alongside some other promotions with the sole aim of exciting and delighting its customers.

In January, the promo was re-launched as Glo

Overload Reloaded with additional benefits, such as expanded bonus of 400 percent bonus airtime for every recharge of N200 and above up from the 200 percent bonus airtime initially given to customers for every recharge of N200 and above.

According to the information obtained from the company, a total of N27,523,577,800 bonus airtime has been given out to Globacom customers so far.

The Overload Reloaded promo rewards any subscriber who recharges his or her phones with airtime of N200 denomination and above with five times the value of their recharges. For instance, anyone who loads N200 receives a total val-

ue of N1000 automatically. Similarly, any airtime recharge of N500 gives the subscriber N2,500 airtime value; N1000 gives N5000; N2000 gives N10,000; while N5000 gives N25,000 value.

The bonus airtime can only be used for Glo to Glo calls and SMS between 10pm and 8am, depending on the validity period of the recharge denomination, ranging from two to fifteen days.

Service, Fasak Fadipe, said his men arrived at the scene 15 minutes after a call was received from the media house, adding that it took 15 minutes to put off the fire.

“The fire was caused by high voltage. We arrived at the scene at 9:30a.m. and we spent about 15 minutes for active firefighting operations.

“Only the air conditioner was badly damaged as we were able to curtail the spread of the fire,” he said.

He urged Lagosians to be conscious of electrical appliances in their homes and offices.

We’ll deal with perpetrators of motor park clash —Police bolAdAle bAmigbolA

L-R: ASUU Chairman, University of Lagos, Dr. Laja Odukoya; Deputy Chairman, Joint Action Front, Mr. Achike Chude; Chairman, Dr. OLadipo Fashina and Secretary, Comrade Abiodun Aremu, during a press conference on the state of the nation and the plan of action to defend democracy gains in Lagos, yesterday.

PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

sun State Police Command yesterday assured that perpetrators of violence at a motor park in Osogbo, the state capital, during the weekend would not escape wrath of the law.

According to residents of Kobongbogboe Area, the crisis pitched members of two rival transport groups against each other.

It was also alleged that members of Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, RTEAN, in a park located in Ota Efun, had stormed another park being controlled by Nigeria Association of Cooperative Transporters, NACT, located at Kobo Area of Osogbo and attacked those they met on ground.

During the clash, two people said to be member of NACT were seriously injured, while four out of the six buses that were met in the park were also damaged.

Commenting on the

development, the Police Public Relations Officer for Osun State Police Command, DSP, Folasade Odoro, said arrest have been made and assured that none of the perpetrators would go unpunished.

She added that those arrested are still being detained in police custody because of strike embarked upon by judiciary workers.

She however, called for calm with assurance that the police authorities would continue to ensure safety of lives and properties of the people living in the state.

Speaking under condition of anonymity, some transporters operating in the state attributed the clash to admission of six transporters expelled by RTEAN by NACT into their park.

They urged the police to beef up security around parks in Ota Efun and Kobo Area, warning that many of the perpetrators of the initial crises are still at large and may wreck more havoc in the park.

Ekiti seals MTN, Etisalat outlets over tax default Abiodun nejo ADO EKITI

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kiti State Government yesterday sealed off the outlets of two Global System for Mobile Communications, GSM, in Ado-Ekiti for allegedly defaulting in the payment of the signage and advertisement bills to the tune of N50 million.

The outlets of the affected telecommunication

companies are those of MTN Nigeria and Etisalat at Fajuyi Park, Okesa, lyin Road and Adebayo areas in the state capital.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, Mr Ropo Ogunbiyi, said that his agency had legal backing for its action.

Ogunbiyi said that the affected companies were formally notified about their indebtedness to the state

9

government since 2006, but could not get any positive response from them.

He lamented that it was unfortunate that telecommunication companies which had made so much fortune from the members of the public could find it difficult to pay their Signage fees, adding that after a long period of waiting and entreaties, the board had no option left than to seal off the companies.

Ogunbiyi said there was need for the state government to look inward and generate more money internally to have enough funds to execute people’s oriented projects in view of the dwindling revenue from federal allocation.

The revenue boss, however, urged the people, particularly the private sector, to assist the government through prompt payment of their taxes and rates.

10

South East

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Polls shift hits Enugu Trade Fair

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irector General, Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, ECCIMA, Mr Emeka Okereke, said on Monday that the shift in the date of the general elections was a set-back to the forthcoming Enugu International Trade Fair.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Enugu, that the adjustment in the initial date of the fair due to the shift in the date of the general elections had inconvenienced prospective participants.

“The trade fair was to hold between March 27 and April 6, but the shift in the date of the general elections, made us to bring it forward,” he said The DG said that the fair would now hold between March 13 and 23.

According to him, two foreign partners, one from Italy and the other from Germany who had earlier declared their interest to

participate, are now uncertain of attending the fair due to the shift.

“They had earlier booked their flights within the first date which the event was programmed to hold.

“This is a big problem for us, but we have to find a way, as a chamber, to facilitate their participation.

“If it pleases God that we sustain the participation of some of our foreign partners by getting them adjust to the new date, that will be fine,” he said.

Okereke said that local participants were also not finding the adjustment easy as they had all focused on the initial date.

“But this is not our first fair, so we will device means to get them key into the new date. We have done all we could do,” he said.

He said that apart from the challenges arising from the change in date, the chamber had made all necessary arrangements to ensure a successful outing.

Ebonyi workers begin indefinite strike AliunA Godwin ABAKALIKI

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ivil servants in Ebonyi State yesterday embark on indefinite strike, demanding immediate implementation of minimum wage and payment of September 2011 salary by the state government just as they berate the governor for failing to ensure good welfare of workers who voted him into power in 2007.

Although, Elechi has survive the impeachment moves against him, the organised labour, Ebonyi State chapter has tasked the governor to immediately respond to their demand or risk losing the confident of the workers.

In a release signed by

the Chairman, Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, Ikechukwu Nwafor, made available to journalists in Abakaliki, the organised labour accused the government of unwillingness to meet its demands before leaving office. ”Following Ebonyi State Government’s unwillingness to meet up with the demands of the organised labour with respect to implementation of the submitted report of the committee that revisited the Table of the Ebonyi State civil/public service salary Structure and September 2011 withheld salaries, the organised labour in Ebonyi State hereby declares an indefinite strike effect from Tuesday 10th March, 2015.

Imo students jubilating after receiving 750 laptops from the state government in Owerri, yesterday.

MASSOB wants Jega replaced with Igbo man Chris njoku OWERRI

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faction of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MOSSOB, yesterday rose from their meeting, demanding that the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, should as a matter of urgency proceed on his terminal leave.

Speaking shortly after the meeting at the MOSSOB’s headquarters, in Okwe, Okigwe, Imo State, the factional leader and former Director of Information in the Ralph Uwazuruike’s led faction, Chief Uchenna Madu, said that having studied the political development in the country including the verbal war, political gimmicks introduced by

major political parties against each other, the movement decided on this.

Madu recalled that the movement viewed with dismay the dangerous signals and biased mind of Professor Jega, pointing out that these were against the electoral guidelines.

The factional leader said that in view of all these, the movement therefore demanded that Jega must not conduct the forthcoming general elections to avoid throwing the country into another civil war.

According to him, Igbo man in INEC should be made to replace Jega to conduct the election since “no Igbo man is among the presidential candidates or running mates of the major political parties fielding candidates for the presidential election.

He said with emphasis,

Students demand free education for all

…as Imo gives 750 laptops to tertiary institutions Chris njoku OWERRI

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mo State Government has distributed 750 computer laptops to tertiary institutions in the state in fulfillment of Governor Rochas Okorocha’s promise to make every student ICT compliance.

Special Assistant to

Governor Okorocha on Students Affairs, Mr. Godstime Samuel, distributed the items to the students on Monday during a Student’s Summit organised by the Bureau of Students Affairs with a theme: “The Need For Free education In Nigeria”.

It was reported that beneficiaries of the computer

laptops were students from Imo State University, IMSU, Imo Polytechnic, Federal University of Technology, FUTO and the Federal Polytechnic Nekede.

According to him, Okorocha has met all his promises to students as contained in his manifesto during the 2011 general

election including 100 per cent implementation of free education at all level in Imo State.

He advised the students to see Okorocha’s programmes for Imo students as opportunity to upgrade their intellects especially in the area of ICT. “Every student must see this era as an era of

that “MASSOB in coalition with other Igbo sociopolitical groups shall support and vote for President Goodluck Jonathan.”

Madu however, said that MASSOB expects concrete assurance and evidence from the president on the rehabilitation, re-construction of OkigweArondizuogu-Nnewi single carriage way, UmuahiaOhafia-Arochukwu federal road and Enugu-AwkaOnitsha dual carriage way which the Federal Government had abandoned for a long time now.

The movement also observed that the Eastern District of Nigeria Railway is a huge joke and on the brink of collapse while the Western and Northern Districts with their railways and new coaches are enjoying tremendous new life and rehabilitation which has eased the transportation of

persons and goods within their regions.

“In as much as MASSOB appreciates President Jonathan for some development project in Igbo land which include the upgrading the Enugu Airport to international grade, the construction of the second River Niger bridge which is in slow pace, the establishment of a Federal University in Ikwo, Ebonyi State, among others, we view these as your responsibilities as a Nigeria president.”

He added that: “No Igbo man is among the seven national Security Chiefs.

Ndigbo in Nigeria does not feel secure without our son as a member of Security Chiefs and Security Advisers. MASSOB wants Jonathan to assure Ndigbo on agricultural development of our Igboland as it is done in Northern and Western Regions.

capacity building because Okorocha has provided all the enabling environment for any student to excel”, he said, adding that the bureau would soon establish a training centre for Imo students, where all kinds of skills will be taught.

“We are planning to help government tackle unemployment by establishing skills acquisition

centers for both graduates and undergraduates”, he said.

The Special Adviser urged the students to help in ensuring that Okorocha is re-elected in the fourth coming election, assuring the students that Okorocha would make their welfare a priority including creation of jobs to its graduates in his next administration if re-elected.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South South

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

N’Delta won't burn if Jonathan loses —Ex-militants

ObiOra ifOh ABUJA

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epentant militants from the Niger Delta on the platform of Niger Delta Coalition, NDC and Delta Coalition for Change, DCC, have declared their support for whoever wins the coming presidential election, adding that none of them will make any trouble if President Goodluck Jonathan loses his reelection bid.

The groups also disagreed with their Ijaw brothers who have threatened no peace if President Jonathan loses the election, saying, “Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable."

A statement signed in Abuja yesterday by Comrades Young Piero and Peters K. Asuluwa assured Nigerians that major steps to ensure peace have been put in place in the region, even as it also called on political parties, candidates and their supporters to accept the outcome of the elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. "We are assuring Nigerians that there will be no breach of peace in the Niger Delta on or before the general elections on March 28 and April 11, as we look forward to a free and fair election. The judiciary has clearly stated that the armed forces has no role in the general election, as such any attempt for military deploy-

ment to voting centres is a sabotage to our judiciary.

"We are standing on the path of justice for now and no one has the monopoly to carry out such threat against national security if the government of the day has the peace and sustainability of this great nation at heart. We are one Nigeria, let no one be troubled, pray for peace and free/fair election, whoever emerges the next president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should be given the necessary support from the North, South, West and East of this great nation.

"You will agree with me that Nigerians need a corrupt-free government; our experience these past years makes us to understand that

there is no easy walkout on corruption anywhere.

Many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadows of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires; we must be participants to make democracy work, not simply observers.

“One who does not vote has no right to complain, democracy is built through open societies that share information, when there is information there is enlightenment, when there is debate, there are solutions, when there is no sharing of power, no rule of law, no accountability, there is abuse of position, corrupt practices, subjugation and indignation, this is our government of the day."

A U.S.-based medical doctor, Lady Ada Biose (middle), with Asaba monarchs and chiefs after her presentation to the Asagba inCouncil for approval as Omu of Asaba in Asaba, Delta State, on Sunday.

PHOTO: NAN

Okrika shooting: APC demands apology from First Lady Dennis naku

PORT HARCOURT

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ll Progressives Congress, APC, has called on wife of the President, Dame Patience Jonathan to apologise for the disruption of the governorship rally of the party in Okrika, Okrika local government area of the state.

The party alleged that subsequent comments and utterances by the First Lady reveals that she was one of the unseen hands behind the attack in Okrika, her country home, which led to the death of a policeman.

It alleged that Mrs. Jonathan at a PDP women rally in Cross Rivers State on February 25 said, “If you see anybody mentioning

change, stone that person to death.”

It would be recalled that gunmen sacked an APC rally with gunshots and dynamite in Okrika on Tuesday, February 17, in which the party’s governorship candidate, Dakuku Peterside and his running mate, Asita Okorie, narrowly escaped death.

The State APC Chairman, Davies Ikanya, who made the call in a statement issued in Port Harcourt and signed by his media aide, Chukwuemeka Eze, urged Mrs. Jonathan to accept responsibility for having knowledge of the attack.

The statement said, “Subsequent comments and utterances by the First Lady have removed any iota of

doubt that she was one of the unseen hands behind the deadly attack and disruption of APC’s campaign and the attempt on the life of our gubernatorial candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside.

“Sadly, Corporal Ifeanyi Okorie, a police officer providing security at the rally, was killed by the bullets fired by thugs acting on behalf of the First Lady and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, while a Senior Correspondent of Channels Television, Charles Eruka, covering the rally was stabbed and many APC supporters equally wounded.

“Dame Jonathan should, for once, show maturity by apologising for her role in that orchestrated Okrika tragedy,” Rivers APC Chair-

man, Dr. Ikanya said in a statement.

The party expressed annoyance that the First Lady has refused to show remorse for the consequences of her utterances, citing her directive while addressing market women at the PDP women rally in Cross Rivers State.

The statement also chided President Jonathan, saying: “By refusing to condemn the unfortunate attack against APC supporters during the Okirika rally and these reckless statements by his wife, President Jonathan is, in other words, telling Nigerians that he supports his wife’s directive that APC faithful should be stoned to death for expressing their political beliefs.”

2015: Rivers is a battle ground —NHRC Dennis naku

PORT HARCOURT

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ational Human Rights Commission, NHRC, yesterday said Rivers State is a battle ground following the upsurge in politically-related violence, ahead of the March 28 and April 11 general elections.

Chairman of NHRC, Prof Chidi Odinkalu, made the declaration in Port Harcourt yesterday during a visit to the office of the Greater Together Campaign Organisation, GTCO, a political machinery of All Progressives Congress, APC in the state.

Odinkalu’s visit was part of the commencement of investigations into recent politicallyrelated violence in the state.

The NHRC boss said, “We wanted to start here because Rivers State is already a battle ground and we do not want to sit down in Abuja and look at Twitter, Facebook, and do a little phone call and claim we know what is happening.

“It is important to speak to people on the ground, and know what is happening. We want to see major campaign organisations in the state. We also want to hear from the campaign organizations their own evidence of what happened,” he stated.

Odinkalu condoled with the people of the state over the number of deaths that has occurred there since the electioneering process began, especially the killing of a policeman during the APC governorship rally in Okrika, headquarters of Okrika local government area of the state.

He said, “I should also offer condolences to the people of Rivers State because a lot of blood has been shed here in political violence. It doesn’t matter what side of the political divide, at the end of the day, these are brothers and sisters.

“Now, we have also had men and women in uniform killed in the latest incident in Okrika and I don’t think any country should frankly accept

11

that its men and women in uniform should be killed in those circumstances. That is unacceptable,” Odinkalu said.

Earlier in his speech, governorship candidate of APC in the state, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, said no fewer than 30 members of the party have lost their lives in Ogba/ Egbema/Ndoni local government area of the state in the last one year, as a result of politically-motivated violence.

According to Peterside, “Lives are being wasted daily and we are shocked to find out that in less than one year, in one local government area alone, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, we lost 30 persons to political violence; in one local government area alone.

“In Okrika local government area, you would have read through the papers, through electronic media, that we are not allowed to campaign.

Similar scenario is playing out in Ogu/Bolo local government area. I am told, though unconfirmed that some chiefs of Okrika issued an order banning us from coming to campaign in Okrika, and I wonder if Okrika is still part of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Again, because the world is becoming a global village, when we experience some level of violence in one part of this country, the ripples are felt in other parts of the country. So, it is in our enlightened interest to ensure that whenever it occurs, we put it under check for the good of all of us.

“I also believe that the NHRC is an appropriate agency to help us monitor, curtail this degree of human right abuses,” he added.

Odinkalu

12

North

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

9 killed in Plateau attack …LG boss petitions authorities over STF

JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

An attack that left no fewer than nine people dead in Barki Ladi local government area of Plateau State, including seven family members, yesterday sparked a row between the council boss and Fulani herdsmen.

According to Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, trouble started when a Fulani woman and her traveling companion were attacked and killed by Berom natives on Sunday about 11p.m.

The State Chairman of MACBAN, Haruna Hussaini, also alleged that some soldiers had attacked and burnt down seven Fulani

settlements in Luggere Shaw of Barkin Ladi council.

“We heard the Special Task Force, STF, arrested two Berom youths who were planning to attack a community with arms, then Berom women demonstrated for the release of the youths and we later heard that some soldiers were burning our settlements. We reported to the STF Commander, MajorGeneral David Enetie and he has assured us that the matter will be investigated,” he said.

But chairman of Barkin Ladi local government council, Emmanuel Loman, disagreed on what led to the death of the victims.

According to him, the council women demonstrated on Sunday to express

grievances over the attack in some villages where rather than allow the villagers defend themselves in their homes, men of the Special Task Force collected their weapons and allowed the Fulanis to go Scot-free.

“The women were angry when two of their children were apprehended and felt bad that instead of STF to arrest the attackers, they arrested the innocent youths who were defending themselves,” he said.

Loman said he has petitioned the authorities over the action of some of the STF members in Barkin Ladi. He claimed the attackers were well known to some STF members in the locality, who he said were bent on breaching the peace in the council area.

Loman accused a retired

police officer (name withheld) resident in the locality, for being involved, and wondered why so many people could be killed in a single day without the security men finding anyone culpable for the act.

Langun Jacobs, who lost seven members of his family in the attack, blamed the death of his parents and others on the Fulani.

Jacobs told National Mirror that armed gun men had attacked Sabon Layi community in Barkin Ladi council around 12:45pm, killing his brother and wife as well as their two children.

“We have reported the matter to the security men and they have come to see the corpses. The chairman of Barkin Ladi also came to see us,” he said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

66% Gombe males school dropout —Report DANJUMA WILLIAMS GOMBE

A

recent research carried out in Gombe State has shown there are more out-ofschool male children than their female counterpart.

The survey figure conducted in five local government areas of the state indicates that there are 18,455 out-of-school children, of which only 6,199 are females.

A resource person from Federal College of Education Gombe, Ibrahim Ahmed, disclosed this at a one-day workshop in Gombe organised by the State Universal Education Board, SUBEB, Gombe in collaboration with UNICEF D-Field, Bauchi.

He said the survey conducted in 179 communities involved 50 primary schools within the five local councils that included Balanga, Dukku, Kwami, Nafada and Yamaltu-Deba.

According to him, the figures constitute children that dropped out of school and those who never enrolled in school at all.

He cited poverty, preference for Qur’anic educa-

tion by parents, distance and lack of Early Child Care Development Education, ECCDE facilities as among factors responsible.

“The findings revealed that the major reason for their being out-of-school is that 31.4% of parents cannot afford the cost. Distance accounted for 11%, preference to Quranic education 11% and lack of Early Child Care Development Education is 9.2%,” he explained.

The UNICEF Focal Person, Mohammed Lawal also of SUBEB, Gombe State said the exercise was meant to identify the number of pre and primary school aged population in each of the catchment communities and provide relevant stakeholders with baseline data on out-ofschool children.

He said the exercise would also enable SUBEB, Local Government Education Authority, LGEAs and School Based Management Committees, SBCMs, use data generate strategic enrolment drive campaigns while providing evidencebased discussion with respective duty bearers on increased input to quality learning.

Boko Haram attack, face-saving —NSGF PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

L-R: Head of National Emergency Management Authority, NEMA, Operations, Bauchi, Taraba and Gombe states, Saidu Minin; Permanent Secretary, Bauchi State Emergency Management Agency, Hassan Mohammed and Deputy Director, Relief And Rehabilitation, Musa Ladan, during the sensitisation and stakeholders’ meeting on dangers of election violence in Bauchi, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

2015: Mbeki, Abdulsalami visit Buhari A ZA MSUE KADUNA

F

ormer South African leader, Thabo Mbeki and former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), yesterday visited All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate in the forthcoming election, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) in Kaduna, following a similar visit to President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja on Sunday.

The two former African leaders had a closed door meeting with Buhari and declined to speak with journalists at the end of their parley.

The crucial meeting started around 10am and ended around 11:30am, whereby Mbeki and Abdulsalami left Kaduna International Airport to fly back to Abuja after a photo session that marked the end of the meeting.

A source close to Buhari told journalists that the meeting was unconnected

with the Presidential election rescheduled for March 28. Another source said the meeting was to prevail on Buhari not to persecute President Jonathan should he win the presidential poll.

The source who spoke unofficially said: “They (Mbeki and Abdulsalam) were here to prevail on Gen. Buhari not to probe Jonathan after emerging President in the coming elections.

“You see, they have realised that, all efforts to

turn Nigerians against Gen. Buhari have failed and all manner of opinion polls have favoured the old man, even the ones the government organised.

“They have also made several attempts to make the APC national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu compromise and sell out, but he has refused. So, having realised that Buhari will win the election, they have been sending people to prevail on him not to probe Jonathan for his misdeed.

N

orthern State Governors Forum, NSGF, has said the recent bombing in Maiduguri, Borno State by the Boko Haram terror group was to create the impression that it is unperturbed by the ongoing military onslaught.

The governors’ forum also called on Nigerians to stop politicising terror, and see the war against it as a collective duty to mankind and to God by eschewing sentiments and giving the necessary support to the government of President Goodluck Jonathan to win the war.

A press statement by the forum chairman and Niger State governor, Mu’azu Aliyu, signed by his Chief Press Secretary,

Israel Ebije, urged Nigerians especially those living in flashpoint areas of the North to remain calm.

He said the military under the administration of President Jonathan is doing its best to end insurgency in the North as already its effort is yielding positive results.

“Let me condole with the families of those who lost their lives in the recent Maiduguri blasts. It is indeed sad they had to die that way. I am however confident they did not die in vain. The terror group is only picking soft targets to appear relevant.

“Our soldiers are working very hard to end terrorism in the North, I therefore urge Nigerians to eschew sentiments and support the government of President Jonathan to win the war against terror; terror activities will soon become history.”

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

SUPER TUESDAY

13

Politics

Niger 2015: Nasko’s social contract in perspective

NASS not interested in deficit budget –Hon Bamidele

43

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Last Saturday, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, embarked on a field test-run of its smart card readers in 12 selected states.

OMEIZA AJAYI, who was in Mutum Biyu area of Gassol Local Government Area in Taraba State to monitor the exercise, says the system may perhaps enhance the credibility of the elections.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

INECs card readers and credible elections

T

he Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as an electoral management body has a mandate to conduct elections for most of the nation’s elective political offices.

Overtime, the way it went about executing this sacred mandate had placed a question mark on its supposed credibility as an impartial umpire in the electoral space.

Amid this crisis of credibility, the commission especially under Prof. Attahiru Jega had always tried to bring some sanity to the electoral process by adopting measures it felt could curb electoral malfeasance.

Consequently, INEC decided to introduce a ‘Permanent Voter Card,’ PVC, with an electronic micro-chip.

In order to still ensure the fidelity of the process, the commission came up with an electronic device known as Smart Card Reader, SCR. Despite its explanations about the need to use the readers for the elections, there have been divergent opinions as to what value it will bring to the process.

From the 2011 and 2014 voters’ registration exercise, there were approximately 4.8 million cases of multiple registrations. These multiple registrants had the Temporary Voter Cards, TVCs, and not the newly-introduced PVCs! Indeed, like an analyst said, PVCs are like ATM cards, while the card reader is like a POS machine authenticated by one’s fingerprint as one’s password.

All political parties and all arms of government agreed to this policy and INEC got the budgetary allocation to implement. The controversy now been generated as to the propriety of using the devices for accreditation is not just suspect, but sad.

PDP, APC trade tackles The ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has never hidden its disdain for the card readers. The party has on numerous occasions faulted INEC for trying to “force” the reader down the throat of the electoral process.

Its argument had always been that the commission has not been able to test-run the card readers in any of the smaller elections in the country and so, there are doubts as to the capacity of the readers to do exactly what they are designed for.

The party has however been accused of been afraid of going into an election where all avenues for rigging are slim or even shut. Some of the “portfolio” political parties which aligned with the PDP to advocate the postponement of the elections are now also advocating, in cahoots with the PDP, the cancellation of plans to deploy the card readers for purposes of accreditation during the election day.

Some of these parties have even threatened legal action against the commission, saying the use of the device is illegal as the nation’s electoral laws do not support electronic voting.

However, the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, on the other hand is fully in support of the use of the card readers.

TOP STORY

Jonathan

19 DAYS TO GO

APC believes that the readers would greatly assist in eliminating cases of electoral manipulation, most of which begin at the accreditation stage of the elections.

The party alleges that the PDP wants the status quo maintained in order for it to be able to rig the polls.

For the APC, the use of the card readers does not amount to electronic voting. The party has always argued that electronic accreditation is different from the actual electronic voting which the law frowns at.

President Goodluck Jonathan’s commitment to free, fair, credible poll President Jonathan has on numerous occasions expressed his desire for free, fair and credible polls. That

THE RULING PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY, PDP, HAS NEVER HIDDEN ITS DISDAIN FOR THE CARD READERS

Buhari

his party, of which he is the overall leader, now kicks against a device that would supposedly contribute to concretising his above-stated desire is awkward.

Jonathan is one man who continues to advocate the need to use technology in fighting corruption. Rather than resort to jailing corrupt officials, the President said technological devices should be, instead, deployed to plug such systemic leakages and deter officials from stealing from the public coffers.

The SCR is exactly designed to do the same thing: stop electoral officials from receiving bribe and then manipulating the electoral process on that basis. This is one great way of preventing electoral fraud or corruption. Perhaps, the President may need to call his party to order, to allow INEC execute her mandate judiciously.

INEC and its SRCs The commission has continually maintained its preparedness to go ahead with the use of the device.

It had said that it would introduce card readers for voters’ accreditation in order to verify the rightful owners of the PVCs. INEC said the device would eliminate impersonation and voting by proxy during the elections.

Nigeria currently has about 120,000 polling units, Pus, and no fewer than 35,000 Voting Points. According to INEC, the card readers have been deployed in all the 155, 000 polling units and voting points, while the backup readers have also been sufficiently deployed.

As a demonstration of its readiness and apparently to shut up the opposition, INEC, at the weekend organised a test-run of the card readers in two states in each of the six geo-political zones.

The field-testing of the SCRs held in 225 polling units and 358 voting points across 12 Registration Areas or Wards in 12 states of the federation.

The affected registration areas were in the following local government areas: Port Harcourt City (Rivers), Abakaliki (Ebonyi), Ado Ekiti (Ekiti), Gassol (Taraba), CONTINUED ON PAGE 45

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Politics

Hon Bamidele Opeyemi is a member of the House of Representatives and House Committee on Budgeting chairman and a former gubernatorial candidate of Labour Party, LP, in the June 21, 2014 gubernatorial election in Ekiti State. He tells WOLE OLADIMEJI, in this interview, the effect of the late passage of the 2015 Appropriation Bill on the running of government. Excerpts:

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NASS not interested in deficit budget –Hon Bamidele WHAT WE HAVE IS A SITUATION WHERE THIS PARLIAMENT HAS TO WORK WITH THE EXECUTIVE ARM TO SEE HOW WE CAN

The constitution empowers the president to spend money even when the budget has not been passed. What is NABRO doing to keep this in check?

We have already amended Section 82 of the constitution that gives the President powers to spend money six months before passage of the budget. Now, it’s a maximum of 3 months. And there’s no option of whichever one is earlier, whether budget is passed or not, you can only spend money for three months in a year. So, it behooves on Mr. President and the executive arm to ensure they work with the parliament in seeing that the budget is passed.

And part of the responsibility it imposes on them too is early submission to parliament during the previous year.

Section 81 is being amended. And from Mr. President, having till December 31st to submit, that has been reduced now, he only has till September 30 to submit a budget proposal to parliament.

Another issue that people have expressed concern about is the capital provision in the budget. Are you comfortable with it?

We believe that any budget that wants to propel growth will take capital expenditure seriously, because there can’t be any real growth without capital expenditure.

I am convinced that what we have is a situation where this parliament has to work with the executive arm to see how we can increase the capital expenditure in this budget and lower what we have in the recurrent expenditure side. We’re also very much interested in the budget deficit.

We’re convinced more than ever before, that we must not pass a budget that will put the government in a situation where it will have to borrow to fund recurrent expenditure. It must not happen in this country. And this is another fundamental area that needs to be resolved. By and large, we believe that this is one budget that calls for the understanding of every stakeholder. It cannot be business as usual. There has to be a lot of cutbacks especially in the areas of recurrent expenditure and that is something that will affect everybody.

What about the projected daily oil production of about 2.278 million barrels of crude oil per day?

This is another assumption in the 2015 budget that is also faulty. It is assumed that some 2.278 million barrels of crude oil will be produced per day. For us also, this is wrong, this is unrealistic. This does not show planning on the part of those who are in charge of our economy. If you take into consideration the situation today: the political situation, the security situation; if you also go by the antecedent of what has happened in the last three years, this nation has not been able to meet any of the projections in the national budget proposal that was passed.

There has been a consistent decline in the last three years.

It was about 2.230 million three years ago, 2.335 two years ago and 2.230 last year. So, definitely if you go by all these, you will see there is no reason why we should deceive ourselves as a nation. Now, I served on an ad-hoc committee of the House that is investigating oil theft, that is another story altogether. But the question is: what has been done about that, to even stem it down? We’re not even talking about catching on with those who are doing it and prosecuting them. So, if all they are still going on, and today we’re still talking about issues of insurgency and many of the factors that made it impossible for us to reach our daily production target in the last three years are still there, and you’re asking of increasing the figure to say we can

INCREASE THE CAPITAL EXPENDITURE IN THIS BUDGET AND LOWER WHAT WE HAVE IN THE RECURRENT EXPENDITURE

Bamidele

19 DAYS TO GO

produce 2.278 barrels per day? Again that’s a highway to nowhere.

How would you react to the manner of presentation of the 2015 Budget by the Coordinating Minister for the Economy? Is the proposed oil benchmark of $65 ideal?

I want to say that the manner of presentation of the budget to parliament was in order. The budget was laid by the honorable Minister of Finance, definitely, it’s a position recognised by the constitution. So, to have been laid by the Minister of Finance definitely was in order. But beyond saying that it was properly laid, I need to say that the budget proposal for 2015 was based on certain policy thrusts, policy instruments and assumptions that we need to critically take a look at. Prominent amongst the policy thrusts was the fact that we need do diversify our economy. Especially in view of the dwindling fortunes in the international oil market, this to me was a perfect idea.

However, when you are part of the assumptions, you will get worried. One of such assumptions was that we benchmarked our oil at $65 per barrel. Definitely, this is a wrong assumption. It’s a problem. It is part of why the budget cannot fly and it’s not flying. Going by what is happening in the international crude oil market, it’s wrong.

It’s unrealistic for the executive arm of government to have proposed a $65 per barrel benchmark. I have tried to do some comparative analysis. Iraq pegged its benchmark at $60 per barrel; Saudi Arabia pegged its own at $60 and

Venezuela $60.

These are countries that don’t even have the kind of challenges that we have, and they are countries with better macro-economic fundamentals. But based on foresight, they chose $60 as their oil benchmark. Now, the budgets of these three countries had been passed, in 2014 before the price of oil declined. Their 2015 budget has been passed in 2014.

Here we are in Nigeria, we’re already in the middle of it and today, they (executive) are still talking about $65.

Where is the foresight in that? As a committee of Legislative Budget and Research of the House, as a research outfit of the National Assembly and as a parliament, the House of Representatives and of course the National Assembly will not work with the $65 benchmark price proposed by the executive. Unfortunately, it will be the other way round.

Two years ago, they proposed $70. Our committee recommended to the House that we could do $80. And the House adopted that. The Senate came up with $75, we insisted on $80.

Eventually a conference committee was set up and we found a meeting point of $78. This time, it is the other way round.

It cannot be $65, it cannot even be $60, it will have to be somewhere within the region of $50.

The Medium Term Expenditure Framework, MTEF, is passed before the budget presented by the executive. But this year we see that the House is considering both simultaneously. Why this sudden change?

Issues around budgeting, implementation and monitoring of performance are issues that I personally and professionally believe ought to be governed within the regime of clear cut legislation. And I want to blame most of the problems that we are having right now on the absence of a budget law in Nigeria.

We cannot continue to run a democracy without budget law, it’s unheard of, it’s uncivilized, and it does not comply with global best practice. A budget law goes beyond constitutional provisions, or some few provisions in the constitution. It goes beyond some provision in some acts of parliament.

A budget law is a body of legislations that stands on its own, that clearly spells out the manner of budgeting a nation has chosen to follow, that determines the period during which a budget session must commence and when it must end. And in determining a period, you take into consideration certain things including weather situations in a country. If we say for instance, we’re diversifying our economy, we want to go beyond running a monolithic, oildriven economy to amongst other things celebrating agriculture, when is the rainy season in Nigeria? When is planting and harvesting season? Can all of these go into consideration in determining our budget circle?

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

15

A PUBLICATION OF NATIONAL MIRROR NEWSPAPERS

NDDC to tackle gully erosion in army barracks DENNIS NAKU,

PORT HARCOURT

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Crude deposits afloat Ogboinbiri River in Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa due to leaks in the area.

Ocean surge: IYC raises issues on impending disaster in Bayelsa community OSAHON JULIUS YENAGOA

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o the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, has challenged President Goodluck Jonathan, who is their kinsman to urgently save Koluama 1 and 2 communities in southern Ijaw Local Government area of Bayelsa state from an impending environmental disaster.

The statement said the Koluama issue just like the other environmental crisis in the Niger Delta should be personal challenge to President Jonathan who is an environmentalist and very familiar with the problem, hence the call on him to act now and save the Koluama Communities

DENNIS NAKU

PORT HARCOURT

T

he National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, said yesterday that Rivers State was already a battle ground, following the upsurge in political related violence there, ahead of the March 28, and April 11, 2015 general elections . Chairman of

from extinction.

The statement issued in Yenagoa and signed

by Barrister Eric Omare, its spokesman, is coming months after the Koluama I and 2 communities in Southern Ijaw local government area of Bayelsa state raised alarm over a threatening ocean surge which has left a devastating effect on the communities. In the statement made available to Niger Delta Mirror, IYC urged the federal government through the federal Ministry of environment to take urgent steps to avert the impending humanitarian and environmental disaster at Koluama 1 and 2 Communities arising from a daily threatening ocean surge.

According to the state-

ment, “These communities especially Koluama 2 is at the risk of being overtaken by the ocean which has taken a substantial part of the land on which the community is situated and if urgent steps are not taken the entire Koluama 2 Community may not exist in the nearest future.”

The statement added that the impending humanitarian and environmental disaster can be averted if urgent proactive steps are taken by relevant agencies.

“The situation in Koluama 2 community is not helped by the abandonment suffered by the community as a result of the decades of oil exploration and exploitation in the community by American oil giant, Chevron Nigeria

Limited without commensurate corporate social responsibility to ameliorate the environmental hazards suffered by the community,”the statement noted.

It equally added that Chevron’s wilful refusal to pay compensation for damages arising from the 2012 gas explosion coupled with the abject poverty in the community speaks volume of the level of abandonment.

“The IYC is appalled by the insensitivity of the Federal Ministry of Environment to the situation being faced by the Koluama Communities despite the fact that the IYC had been calling the Ministry’s attention to the situation since June 2014.”

he Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, said it would assist the military in checking the gully erosion ravaging some parts of the Eburutu Military Cantonment in Calabar, Cross River State.

Chairman of the NDDC Board, Senator Bassey EwaHenshaw and the Managing Director, Sir Bassey Dan-Abia made the pledge after been conducted round the erosion sites by the Commanding Officer of the 146 battalion, Major David Mamuno.

At one of the sites, a two storey building, which used to serve as living quarters for soldiers, was on the verge of collapse, even as the road in front of the building was literally swallowed by a ravine that was now a big threat to the buildings around it.

In a statement issued in Port Harcourt and signed by the Deputy Head of Corporate Affairs, NDDC, Innocent Nwaigwe said the commission’s boss said urgent remedial work was needed to save the building.

The statement reads, “We (NDDC) came for a preliminary inspection to enable us assess the situation and determine how best to tackle the problem. We will surely intervene because the military is a very important institution that must be supported to discharge its duties to our country.”

In his remark, Senator Ewa-Henshaw said that the military would continue to enjoy the support of the NDDC because of its stra-

tegic role of defending the country territory, as well as protecting lives and property.

He further said for the commission to succeed as an interventionist agency, it would always rely on the military for adequate security, adding that the NDDC needed a secure atmosphere to carry out its task of developing the Niger Delta region.

The NDDC team also inspected the 200-bed Specialist Hospital in Ikom, which was at the roofing stage. Giving details of the project to the commission’s Chairman and the Managing Director, Mr. Akpatre Okon Ndaw, a Principal Manager in the Cross River State office of the NDDC, observed that the hospital would have the capacity to handle high profile cases that often took rich people outside the country.

According to him, the hospital had provision for various specialist components, including Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), dental, ophthalmology and pediatrics units. It would also provide services in obstetrics and gynecology, general surgery, internal medicine, radiology and community medicine.

Mr. Ndaw further said that the hospital would bring specialist and professional treatment closer to the people of the state who are very far away from the capital in Calabar. “The 4-hour long drive usually undertaken by residents to transport patients to Calabar for professional medical attention of which some die in transit, will be cut short,” the statement said.

NHRC investigates political violence in Rivers the NHRC, Professor Chidi Odinkalu , made the declaration in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Monday during a visit to the office of the Greater Together Campaign Organization (GTCO), the political machinery of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

Odinkalu visit was part

of the commencement of investigations into recent political related violence in Rivers State.

The NHRC boss said, “We wanted to start here because Rivers State is already a battle ground and we do not want to sit down in Abuja and look at twitter, look at facebook, and do a little

phone call and claim that we know what is happening. “It is important to speak to people on the ground, and know what is happening. We want to see major campaign organizations in the state.

We also want to hear from the campaign organizations; their own evidence of what happened,” he

stated.

Odinkalu condoled with the people of the state over the number of deaths that have occurred there at since the electioneering process began, especially the killing of a policeman during the APC governorship rally in Okrika, headquarters of Okrika local govern-

ment area of the state.

He said further, “I should also offer condolences to the people of Rivers State because a lot of blood has been shed here in political violence.

It doesn’t matter what side of the political divide, at the end of the day, these are brothers and sisters.

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Tuesday, March 10, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Uduaghan prepares Delta youths for a new era

The Hon. Commissioner for Youth Development, Comrade Omolubi Newuwumi (right), listens with rapt attention as the Centre administrator gives his welcome speech

The state of the art mechanic workshop at the centre

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erhaps one of the legacies that Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, the Governor of Delta state will be remembered for when he vacates office on May 29th, 2015, among his numerous achievements is the Multi Purpose Youth Training Center, Egbokodo, Warri, Delta state.

Founded in 2008 by the Delta state government under his administration in collaboration with the United Nation Development Program, UNDP, and the Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC and managed by the United Nations Office for Project Services, UNOPS, the multipurpose youth training center is a Job creation and conflict prevention initiative orchestrated by Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan.

For many who pass through the streets

STATE GOVERNMENT HOPES TO ESTABLISH TWO MORE OF SUCH AND EACH OF THE OTHERS ARE TAILORED TOWARDS DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE NATIONAL ECONOMY

one of the students of the ICT dept, explained some of the things he learnt at the centre

where the multi-billion edifice that serve as school, workshop, training grounds and state of the arts hostel accommodation facilities is located, they marvel at the imposing edifice and perhaps what goes on inside this well kept, sacred environment that can only be compared to one of the best school overseas but not any in Nigeria.

Taking the Delta state Commissioner for Youth Development, Comrade Omolubi Newuwumi, on a tour of the facilities on Thursday, which also afforded Journalist the opportunity to see for the first time the brilliance of the concept and perfection in the actualization, the center Administrative Manager, Mrs, Ngozi Mogbolu, said the vision behind the setting up of the place was to take Delta youths off violence by making them usefully engaged.

She said not only to be usefully engaged but make them employable not only in the oil and gas sector but other aspects of the economy as the courses offered at the center are tailored toward employment in all aspects of the economy.

She said, “On the long run, state government hopes to establish two more of such and each of the others are tailored towards different sectors of the national economy. I will also say that the center is very well positioned to contribute to two if not three development objectives of the Government Uduaghan led administration, which is human capital development, peace and security.

“Presently we have about 120 students though the full capacity of the center is about 150 but we have 120 for now. We conduct training for the student in seven

vocational areas. We have the Information and Communication Technology, ICT, Carpentry and joinery, Electrical and Electronics Installation, catering and hotel management, Welding and Fabrication and Motor Vehicle Mechanics and Diesel plant Fitting and Maintenance.

“The certificate we offer is City and Guide. It is also important to note that the center is funded by three development partners though funded by two for now because one of the funding there partners, the SPDC, has since withdrawn and presently we have the United Nation Development Projects, UNDP, as a funding partners and the Delta state government which is the major funding partners while the United Nations of Projects Services, UNOPS, is the managing partner of the project.

One of the most interesting about this vocational institution is the state of the art boarding facilities in a conducive and serene atmosphere situ able for learning while all the tuition, courses, food, accommodations are provided free for the students, including the pen, the papers, examinations fees, just as other examinations are registered free for them. All the student us to do is to make themselves available for studies.

Mrs Mogbolu, also disclosed that the school in December, 2014, presented their first set of students, who were privilege to write the level one City and Guide and recorded 90% pass.

She equally stated, “We must say we have been able to achieve all these largely CONTINUED ON PAGE 41

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Views

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

17

On public welfare and private gain OLUSOLA AKINYEMI

A

dam Smith, the father of modern economics, in the 17th century stated that we do not get our daily bread through the kindness of the baker, but rather because the baker needs to make money.

Our own interest in eating bread is satisfied through the greed or desire of another person. This is a clear paradox. The object of this piece is to analyse and create a balance between private gain and public interest. It is important to know that there is no sustainable private gain without public interest and vice versa, as the absence of one will continually threaten the survival of the other.

Bernard Mandeville in 1705 claimed that private vices could turn into public benefits. Years later, the editor of Denmark and Norway’s Economic Magazine expressed a common reaction to Mandille’s assertion that public welfare was caused by private vices. In our current reality, these private vices may be described as economic activities, entrepreneurship, leadership, knowledge search etc. I have always maintained that the spread of private good is what culminate into real national success. After all, no nation grows beyond the quality of the people’s lives and their activities.

In his book titled ‘How Rich Countries Got Rich’ and Why Poor Countries Stay Poor, Erik S. Reinert stated that the formula for solving this problem and consolidating the theory of market economy as expressed

by Milanese economist, Pietro Verri is that “the private interest of each individual, when it coincides with the public interests, is always the safest guarantor of public happiness”. Reinert stated further that the role of the legislator was seen as creating the policies that made sure that individual interests coincided with the public ones.

At this juncture, I will like to do an analysis of the roles of private citizens (individual and corporate persons on the one hand) and the public - the government, ministries, departments and agencies on the other hand - for mutual benefit and overall happiness.

Private vices have been described as economic activities, entrepreneurship, leadership, knowledge etc. We should know that the spirit of dealing in our ventures, which is a reflection of our values, has effect on the general public interest. An American economist, William Baumol, once distinguished among productive, unproductive and destructive entrepreneurship. To the extent that we will agree that entrepreneurship operates in an environment of competition and profit making, it should never be at the expense of public good.

In the Law of Contract, there is what we describe as ‘consideration’, which is an essential ingredient of every contract. Consideration here simply means value which could be money, goods or services. The principle is that there must be exchange of consideration i.e. exchange of value. This consideration ought to be exchanged with good faith/intention. Scheming to get more

A KNOWLEDGEABLE ENTREPRENEUR WILL UNDERSTAND THAT KILLING COMPETITION IS DESTRUCTIVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP than one is giving or at the expense of anyone concerned is a product of bad faith and against public interest.

On leadership, John C. Maxwell once said that leadership is more important than the leader. By this, he meant that the responsibilities and purpose of being a leader is more important than the leader’s personal gain. Leading in the right spirit of leadership will most assuredly put an end to corruption. We should also note that leadership is influence and it is not required that one occupies an office to be a leader. Apparently, there are people who also influence those occupying offices of leadership- they are also leaders as we can reasonably agree.

Ha Joon Chang, a South Korean development economist, described corruption as a violation of the trust vested by its stakeholders in the holder of offices in any organisation, be it a government, a corporation, a trade union or even an NGO (non-governmental organisation). From this, every leader must live up to the trust vested in him/ her by stakeholders. I love the description as it exposes corruption beyond government

offices.

Knowledge is essential in public and private good in national development. I have heard of a statement “What you don’t know can’t hurt you”, just as we know that ignorance of a law is no excuse from being caught up with it. Ashraf Ghani, a former Finance Minister in Afghanistan also said at a TED presentation in 2007 on mobilizing capital for state building that the greatest poverty is the poverty of knowledge. Take for instance, an entrepreneur may be doing all to kill competition in his line of business while ignorant of the fact that the future of the industry is in constructive competition.

A knowledgeable entrepreneur will understand that killing competition is destructive entrepreneurship, but working more at being the best in the industry in the midst of competition has overall public interest. Really, the interest of entrepreneurs should extend beyond self-enrichment to the creation of national wealth and pride.

A political leader in position with knowledge will know that it is bad leadership to misappropriate funds earmarked for healthcare in the state as this will increase death rate, maternal mortality and infant mortality among others. At the end of his public service, he might not have amassed wealth meant for public good to his or herself but he/she would have enhanced a better society, state or nation.

Akinyemi, President, Joseph Initiative, Lagos wrote via Olusola.akins@ gmail.com

Obasanjo’s unique farewell to PDP SUNDAY ONYEMAECHI E ZE

W

ith the dramatic public rending of his membership card, one needs not to be told that Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has finally parted ways with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In fact, with this unique farewell package, one can confidently conclude that Obasanjo’s unending wars with the PDP are also over. Obasanjo is the highest beneficiary of the PDP’s benevolence as he rose from the position of a condemned prisoner in 1998 to the exalted position of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The above gestures had been easily and quickly forgotten, torn and dumped like the party card into the dust bin of history. Addressing party followers in his ward, Obasanjo had said; “from today on in the presence of all of you and with your support, I am not going to be in any political party in Nigeria. I am no more a politician but a statesman both internally and externally.” This statement among others were reflective of Mohammed Haruna’s opinion, “never assume the Nigerian politician means what he says or says what he means. Always maintain a healthy skepticism and crosscheck the credibility of his words. Always do some homework to find out what his real objectives are.”

The former president, for quite some

time, has distanced himself from the activities of the PDP and government related functions. He did not show up at the party’s presidential campaign in Abeokuta. It was even a drama plotted around wisdom for President Goodluck Jonathan and his campaign team, who were on a courtesy visit to see Obasanjo. Obasanjo has taken advantage of every auspicious time at his disposal both at home and abroad to launch unprecedented verbal attacks on the PDPled government and policies, which he deems anti-people to the chagrin of party members.

Apart from that, he was conspicuously absent at the National Council of State meeting held on February 5, where national issues bordering on the prevailing security situation and the forthcoming general elections were discussed. Undoubtedly, Obasanjo’s body language has since left no one in doubt that although he was a card carrying member of the PDP, his heart was already set for somewhere or something else and only time will tell for his much guarded intention to manifest.

Beginning from his resignation as the PDP Board of Trustee Chairman in April 2012 with reasons best known to him alone, his famous letter to President Jonathan titled “Before It is Too Late” in 2014, myriads of tirades hauled on the PDP and President Jonathan in recent times and his recent endorsement of General Muhammadu Buhari of the opposition APC, his exit from

MEN CONSCIOUSLY

CHOOSE TO TOW THE PATH OF HONOUR AT THE SUN-SETTING-STAGES OF

THEIR JOURNEYS IN LIFE the party was a move long overdue.

It is in the person and character of former President Obasanjo to diligently pursue whatever ideals he cherishes and stands for with sublime passion and vigour. He equally remains resolute and unruffled in the face of reactions or criticisms emanating from his views on any national or international issues. It was Harold Laski who affirmed that “without freedom of mind and of association, a man has no means to self-protection in our social order.”As a matter of fact, the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly of every Nigerian is guaranteed under sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

In as much as speech is free and truth sacrosanct, the former needs to be uttered with decorum and guarded with utmost care while the latter devoid of personal interest should in all circumstances prevail.

The sage should understand that there are several decent ways of killing a rat. As a former civilian president and Board of Trustee Chairman (BOT) under the same party which he has

publicly humiliated, his behaviour and utterances at any given time should be reflective of patriotism, loyalty, uncommon respect, restraint and decorum expected of an elder statesman. However, the market place action failed the litmus test of self-control and cannot in any way be said to be statesmanlike. 1 Cor. 13: 11 says “when I was a child, I spoke like a child, I understand like a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” His conduct was a pointless promotion of triviality.

Men consciously choose to tow the path of honour at the sun-settingstages of their journeys in life. The appropriate time for former President Obasanjo to put away childish things is now. Only children are flogged with canes in the event of misdemeanour while the elderly are admonished with grave cynical looks through the eyes.

Obasanjo and the PDP were expected to show high level of maturity in managing their perceived differences for old time sake’s.

Eze, is a staff of Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, Kaduna and wrote via sunnyeze02@yahoo. com Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ nationalmirroronline.net mirrorlagos@ yahoo.com or 08164966858 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject views or photographs.

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

Editorial

18

Tuesday, March 10, 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 SEYI FASUGBA DAILY EDITOR GBEMI OLUJOBI SATURDAY EDITOR AYO OLESIN SUNDAY EDITOR BEN MEMULETIWON GENERAL EDITOR DOZIE OKEBALAMA COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD CALLISTUS OKE EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR ISE-OLUWA IGE ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF FIDELIS LEMCHI OWOAMANAM GM, ENERGY NEW PRESS AUGUSTUS IMEKAN ACTING HEAD, GRAPHICS

INEC’s experiment with Card Readers

T

he hiccups that attended Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) distribution of Per manent Voter Cards (PVCs), which partly contributed to the extension of this year’s general election from February 14 and 28 to March 28 and April 11, were a quick reminder of a similar experience Nigerians had about the middle of January 2011, when the voters’ registration kicked off that year. For ordinary Nigerians, especially, it was an uphill task determining the exact location of registration centres, because there was no prior information on the lists of such centres ward by ward. Vague but unconfir med clues that public schools would be used for the exercise did not help matters, particularly in areas with few or no public schools at all. When the initial confusion gave way and the exercise commenced, registration officials either tur ned up late or don’t show up at all, thus delaying the exercise; data capture machines were insufficient; while some of the machines were dysfunctional; and batteries to power them were inefficient. In the end, however, the exercise was successfully concluded and Temporary Voter Cards

(TVCs) were made available to those who registered.

The next acid test for INEC, in addition to conducting the 2011 general election, became the production of PVCs for future polls. This was obviously against the backdrop that no election may in truth be classified as free and fair that is conducted without an accurate or near accurate national voters’ register. This partly informed INEC’s craving for PVCs and Card Readers.

Unfortunately, INEC did not quite score a pass mark when Nigerians were in dire need of excellent performance by the electoral umpire. Many critics are still wondering about the perceivable lopsidedness in the distribution of PVCs between the North and South divides of the country; as well as how efficient Card Readers would be on Election Day, among other reservations.

In fairness to Professor Attahiru Jega, the Chairman of INEC, however, he has never failed to acknowledge the difficulties and shortcomings of the electoral body, or taking steps to remedying deserving situations. A good example is the contentious polling units’ saga; and ongoing desperate efforts by INEC to circulate PVCs as widely as possible

March 10, 1969 In Memphis, Tennessee, United States, James Earl Ray (March 10, 1928 – April 23, 1998) pleaded guilty to assassinating Martin Luther King Jr. He later unsuccessfully attempted to retract his plea. Had he been found guilty by jury trial, he would have been eligible for the death penalty. But he was sentenced to 99 years in prison. He was convicted of his first crime, a burglary in California, in 1949. He died in prison of hepatitis C.

INEC, UNDER JEGA, SHOULD PERSEVERE IN ITS EFFORT TO ERASE

THE NATION’S ROTTEN AND ODIOUS RECORD OF POLITICAL ROBBERY AND FRAUDS across the country. Perhaps more cheering, however, was the Card Reader test the Commission conducted lately, which reports acclaimed to be successful despite initial setbacks. In Ekiti State, for example, reports indicated that the exercise went on peacefully at the 46 polling units in Ado Ekiti, Ward 09. The card reading machines showed evidence of reliability, while it took just between two and five seconds to read one PVC and accredit its owner, except in some special cases. Besides, the Card Readers also rejected PVCs not meant for the selected polling units, an indication that it could detect fake ones. This is a plus for INEC, despite its numerous setbacks and the pessimism of critics.

Nigerians demand nothing but visible free and fair elections beginning from March 28. Anything short of this

ON THIS DAY March 10, 1990 In Haiti, Prosper Avril was ousted 18 months after seizing power in a coup. Matthieu Prosper Avril (born December 12, 1937) is a Haitian political figure who was President of Haiti from 1988 to 1990. A trusted member of François Duvalier’s Presidential Guard and adviser to Jean-Claude Duvalier, Lt. Gen. Avril led the September 1988 Haitian coup d’état against a transition military government.

is objectionable and Jega should be prepared to bear the brunt. It may be rightly assumed that the Federal Gover nment has extended to INEC all the support, financially and materially, which it needed to conduct a free and fair poll. Nigerians also gave Jega the moral support he sure needed when they rose with one voice to condemn and reject alleged plots by the Presidency to give him the boot before the official expiration of his tenure in office. Hopefully, too, Jega would remain in office until the elections are over.

Therefore, notwithstanding the distraction of some retrogressive individuals and groups who want PVCs and Card Readers jettisoned, and Nigeria dragged back to its inglorious electoral past, INEC, under Jega, should persevere in its effort to erase the nation’s rotten and odious record of political robbery and frauds.

We implore INEC to speedily tackle all hitches - security, logistics and equipment, personnel, training, et cetera - capable of hindering its delivery of transparent, free and fair poll during the 2015 general elections. For, March 28 is not eter nity.

March 10, 2005 Tung Chee Hwa resigned from his post as the first chief executive of Hong Kong after widespread public dissatisfaction with his tenure. Chee-hwa (born July 7, 1937 in Shanghai, China), was the first Chief Executive and President of the Executive Council of Hong Kong from the transfer of sovereignty on July 1, 1997 to March 12, 2005. He is the eldest son of Chinese shipping magnate, Tung Chao Yung.

Business Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Subsidy on petrol hits N1.4bn per day

21

Tenants lament cost of rents, blame govts for their plights 25

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

19

Boosting insurance penetration requires awareness 33 –Experts

Auto makers, others set agenda for auto policy implementation Several months after the Federal Government rolled out the new auto policy amid high expectations about its socio-economic benefits to the country, most auto companies appear to be reluctant still to commence vehicle production in Nigeria. This is even when most of them believe in the desirability of the policy measure for the economy. OLUSEGUN KOIKI, in this anaylsis, appraises the policy and its implementation prospects.

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

T

he introduction of the new automobile policy (Auto Policy) by the Federal Government in October 2013 was trailed with mixed feelings amongst stakeholders largely informed by their peculiar business engagements, the fiscal environment and other macroeconomic factors and how the new policy would affect their investments in the industry in the medium and long terms.

From the onset, a section of the industry players was skeptical about the success of the policy due to several inadequacies like the speed of its implementation by the government, inadequate power supply, job losses in the retail and after-sales market segments and unskilled labour force,

inability of the government to develop the economy before the implementation of the policy, escalation of vehicle prices, nonavailability of parts manufacturers and creation of oligopolies in the market among several other arguments.

Also, importers of fairly used vehicles and some franchise owners of newly built vehicles feared that their businesses may be grounded to a halt with the implementation of the policy. While about 500,000 used vehicles are imported into the country annually, new vehicles brought into the country stands at a paltry 50,000 yearly.

But, the Federal Government and some other investors, particularly the big auto manufacturers

with strong presence in the economy prior to the introduction of the new policy, maintained that if well-implemented, the policy would create more jobs opportunities for skilled Nigerians, ensures exportation of manufactured vehicles from the country, lead to acquisition of brand new vehicles among Nigerians and ultimately boost the Gross Domestic Product, GDP, of the nation.

Those who buy into the new policy regime also argued that it would lead to many big time car manufacturers all over the world coming to invest in such business in Nigeria. They further insisted that major importers of new cars for instance, would graduate from this level to that of pooling resources together to start manu-

facturing vehicles of different segments in the country.

The Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, had while announcing the policy hinted that as parts of incentives to interested vehicle manufacturers in the country, the government was offering tax holidays and 50 per cent duty rebate for five years while importers of new vehicles may have to pay 100 per cent duty on such consignments in the future.

However, nine months down the line, several automobile companies claimed vehicles were now being manufactured in the country, but investigations by National Mirror showed that most of them were still skeptical about the deCONTINUED 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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Tuesday, March 10, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Auto makers, others set agenda for auto policy implementation CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 sirability of commencing production in the country.

As at the last count, global automobile companies like Kia, Hyundai, and others claimed to have set up assembly plants in Nigeria leading to manufacturing of vehicles like Hyundai Grand, Nissan Pick-up MP300, Pilot, Kia Rio, Cerato and Optima among many others while other auto giants in the country like Toyota Nigeria Limited, TNL, still watch developments as they unfold The Group Managing Director, Stallion NMN Limited, Mr. Parvir Singh in an interview with our correspondent said the project if well-implemented would boost employment generation for the country and increases the economy among many others, but agreed that there were still some teething challenges yet to be solved by the government.

He insisted that the company was in support of the automobile policy and assured that it would grow gradually from assembly to CKD. Singh told auto journalists in Lagos that for the policy to receive popularity among Nigerians, the government needed to invest on education, technology, social infrastructure and ensured that its graduates are employable through quality technical education.

Though, he said that some expatriates are still being engaged at the moment in order to transfer technology to skilled Nigerians, but said such practice would be discontinued in no distance future.

He said, “Things are changing and a lot of skills are developed. People today have degrees, but they are not employable. There is no data on employment in Nigeria. The question is those skills, which people are coming out with from the universities are they relevant? That is the problem. People have degrees, but you can’t employ them, although, you have the requirements. It is a circle and self-propelling and we hope overtime, we will have the right people.

“Yes, expatriates are there, but they don’t stay here, they go back. About 20 Japanese came in at the initial stage to help us set up the plants, they did all the processes and returned. It is for the local people to do the job now. You can’t keep the Japanese on ground now, it would be too expensive. It is not affordable.”

The Stallion boss further informed that the company was at present training its technicians with the training department, which is dedicated to teaching of technicians in the Nissan method of servicing of vehicle and a great customer satisfaction.

On the high prices of some of the vehicles manufactured in the country, Singh said that the current rates were introductory, but emphasised that vehicles manufactured in the country would not be highly priced like the imported vehicles.

“Our philosophy is to make low margin on the vehicles. Our competitors have been selling them at high price as they have to in-build a lot of things into it, but definitely, our prices are going to be competitive in the market when compared to our competitors.

“Initially, when you start a process, the government has taken care of some aspects in terms of duties on imports. There

Aganga

Jalal

BEFORE THE END OF THIS

ADMINISTRATION, WE WOULD HAVE PUT THE LEGISLATION IN

PLACE.

THE BILL IS

ALREADY BEFORE THE

NATIONAL

ASSEMBLY

Boyi

are other economics, which I won’t get into at this point in time. Yes, we will be able to give vehicles to customers at very competitive prices when compared to what other competitors are giving. That is in line with the Stallion philosophy, we don’t believe in making fantastic profit, but a little profit margin on our products,” he said.

He declared that Nissan hopes to grow from insignificant 600 units sold annually to 6000 with the establishment of the plant in the country, just as he said that the current plant had capacity to produce 100,000 units annually.

Also speaking, the Managing Director, Pan Nigeria Limited, Mr. Ibrahim Boyi said that the new automotive policy came as a bold and ambitious attempt to correct most of the distortions within the industry.

Boyi in an interview in Lagos added that the policy also creates a platform for steady actualisation of the vast potentials of the industry if well monitored an implemented by the government.

He recalled that Nigeria and South Africa emerged in the 1970s with a similar approach to develop their automobile sectors, but regretted that while South Africa had since grown to become one of the major forces to be reckoned with not just in the continent, but in the world over, Nigeria had retrogressed through several policy summersaults.

He explained that in a bid to resuscitate the sector in the past, the federal government had taken various policy initiatives and actively participated in rollout projects in the industry, which included establishment of joint ventures with a number of multi-national automakers for the local assembly of a range of brands in the passenger cars and light commercial vehicles market segments, but said was only successful for a short period of time.

He added, For instance, Peugeot brand of cars witnessed rapid growth in the ‘80s and early ‘90s with the production and distribution of such immensely popular models like the Peugeot 404, 504 and the 505. These products he said evoked strong national sentiments and attachment that elicited hope for a major technological transfer.

“Manufacturing output exceeded 90,000 cars, local content touched at 40 per cent with the 504 model from as many as 70 different indigenous firms while employment far exceeded 4000 workers with potentials to reach 1000 at the growth trajectory at the time.

“But, since the late 1990s, the Nigerian automobile industry has suffered considerable decline, with participating firms either closed or operating at far less than breakeven capacity utility. With the loss of customers, local content suppliers quickly dismantled and disappeared, following the same route as most assemblers. It is estimated that the current level of excess capacity in the industry exceeds 85 per cent,”

he added.

Boyi estimated that with the sustenance of the current auto policy, in the next 10 years, the auto market in the country would have been sufficiently developed to realise many of the opportunities offered by a robust auto sector and compete favourably with other developed auto sectors like Turkey, Japan, France and United States among others.

Besides, the Director-General, National Automotive Council, NAC, Mr. Aminu Jalal confirmed to our correspondent that a total of 23 automakers had sealed the local assembly plants’ deals. The firms he said had signed Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with their technical partners.

Besides, a breakdown of those that have keyed into the local assembly plants arrangement shows some of the firms will be combining trucks with cars, sport utility vehicles, trucks and minibuses.

Also, there are auto firms that will be doing only one type of vehicle such as tractors, buses, trucks or cars.

A close look at the list indicates that so far, 14 of the auto companies would be involved in assembling trucks, 13 are to do buses; nine to produce cars and SUVs, three for tractors and one to assemble tricycles.

“We are expecting at least six more assembly firms to start operations this year, apart from the 23 companies,” Jalal said, adding that the six did not include the big players.

So far, only Nissan has joined the Nigeria’s project among the league of big automakers. Ford, Toyota, Mercedes, Honda, Mitsubishi have yet to give any commitment.

But, Jalal assured that the big players would be coming. Already, many of them have commenced feasibility studies in anticipation of the project.

In a recent interview with motoring journalists in Lagos, the NAC DG hinted that some of them were waiting for the outcome of the 2015 general elections.

“You know they are old companies. They want to be sure that everything would go on well. Wherever they are, they are there to stay. They are waiting for the 2015 elections to take place,” he said.

He further confirmed that some of the firms were already discussing with owners of abandoned assembly plants with the aim of taking them over to use the premises for new production lines.

The DG specifically said a frontline automaker requested the Federal Government to put a law in place to legitimate the policy to guarantee its sustainability, a situation he said government had initiated.

“Before the end of this administration, we would have put the legislation in place.

The bill is already before the National Assembly,” he stated.

Ford Motor Corporation corroborated this when it said it had not foreclosed the establishment of an assembly plant in Nigeria.

The President and Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Ford Southern Africa, Mr. Jeff Nemeth said although Ford already has vibrant assembly plants in South Africa, including Nigeria, the firm was still studying the auto policy of the Federal Government.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business News

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

21

Subsidy on petrol hits N1.4bn per day UDEME AKPAN

G

overnment’s subsidy on petrol has increased by over 65.2 per cent between February and March this year as a result of the rise in crude oil prices from $50 per barrel to over $60 per barrel during the period.

A breakdown showed that the government which incurred a subsidy bill of N487 million per day in February would need to pay N1.4 billion per day in March, 2015.

This is mainly because its subsidy per litre has risen from N12.18 per litre to N35.22 per litre

following the marginal surge in crude oil prices.

The increase in crude oil prices means that the Federal Government has to pay more for imported petrol since refiners who incur additional cost in the process of procuring and refining crude oil have to pass the high cost to buyers.

The Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA that confirms the situation in its latest template puts the landing cost, including cost and freight, traders margins, lightering expenses, Nigerian Port Authority, financing, jetty depot thru put charge and storage which was N83.69 in February at N106.73 per

litre.

The agency puts distributors’ margins, including retailers, transporters, dealers, bridging fund, marine transport average and admin charge unchanged at N15.49 per litre.

This amounted to a total cost of N122.22, showing an increase of N23.04 higher than the February, 2015 total cost.

The PPPRA puts the depot price and subsidy at N77.66 and N35.22 per litre respectively.

Investigations showed that the Federal Government burden had been worsened by the devaluation of the Naira, meaning that marketers of petroleum products need more local currency to im-

port fuel, as the Naira becomes cheaper than the US dollar.

Despite some challenges, the Executive Secretary of Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, MOMAN, Mr. Femi Olawore, said marketers would do their best to import adequate fuel into the country.

A survey over the weekend showed that there were commercial stocks of the product in Lagos and its environs, meaning that the delay in payment would not lead to immediate shortage.

“We have commercial stocks of petrol and other petroleum products at our depots in different locations. The shortage has been tackled,” said a source in Apapa,

Lagos.

However, some market watchers have called on the Federal Government to do away with subsidy and allow the market forces of demand and supply to determine prices.

For instance, the chairman of International Energy Services Limited, Dr. Diran Fawibe said in an interview that the subsidy regime should be ended in order to attract massive investment into the nation’s downstream sector.

“Investors want to invest their resources where they are guaranteed returns on their investments.

They are not encouraged to stake their resources where this cannot be guaranteed,” he said.

ANLCA seeks cut in aviation business costs OLUSEGUN KOIKI

T

L-R: Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Dr Sam Amadi; President Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Frank Udemba Jacob, and Vice President MAN, Mr Ali Madugu, during a stakeholders meeting between NERC and MAN in Abuja, PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA recently.

Expert decries corporate governance in Nigeria DAVID AUDU

A

corporate governance expert and consultant, Mr. Opeyemi Agbaje, has tasked Nigerian companies to adhere to corporate governance policies to increase their brand equity and instill public confidence the entities.

Agbaje, who is the Chief Executive Officer of RTC Consulting, spoke to National Mirror on the level of corporate governance records by Nigerian companies, faulted what he described as technical and principled compliance of the rules and policies but fundamentally lacked the spirit that drive confidence among the people.

According to him, there is lack of acceptance of the underlying philosophies of corporate governance among Nigerian firms but rather what obtains is just a technical compliance that makes mockery of the whole exercise.

He said corporate managers

have ticked the boxes that contain the rules such as: the law says companies should have independent directors, they have complied; they should have diversity on the board, yes that have.

“They have complied with those principles, but, what I worry about is not that technical compliance with the principle for the sake of being seen to be complying, but the spirits of those requirements are lacking in their operations, and the consequences are there for us to see, in term of organizational failures.

“The companies need to persuade themselves that these rules of corporate governance are for their own benefit; to enable them build sustainable businesses”, Agbaje said.

On institutions that will punish offenders, he said, there was need to raise the capacity of our public agencies and institutions charged with responsibility enforce compliance to be able to detect infractions earlier instead of waiting for infractions to be committed before wading in arrest and prosecute.

he President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA, Prince Olayiwola Shittu, has called on all players in the nation’s aviation industry to cut down on the cost of doing business in the sector in order to encourage exportation.

This is also as he charged the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company, NAHCO, Plc to carry out effective crowd control at its warehouse in a bid to improve safety in the area.

Speaking at a forum organised in Lagos, Shittu insisted that with a drop in cost of business activities in the sector, exportation of agricultural products and others would be enhanced He decried that the high cost of doing business in the sector had led to most business organisations to fold up abruptly, stressing that with reduced cost of business, it would create more room for diversification in the system.

While challenging NAHCO to embrace diversification in its business, maintaining that this would lead to more profit, the industry player lamented the high number of humans daily seen around the NAHCO shed, saying that this contradicts safety system in the industry.

Shittu said: “It is necessary for cost of doing business in the industry to come down in order to encourage more exportation and this will also enhance diversification in the industry. It is also necessary for NAHCO to embrace diversification in their business and reduce the mass of people always seen around its shed.

“The mass of people we have at the airports especially at the Lagos Airport does not make it to work to international best standards. We however assure NAHCO of our unalloyed cooperation.”

Meanwhile, the Director of Operations, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Capt.

Henry Omeogwu, has charged players in the cargo sub-sector tap into the array of opportunities created in the cargo section in recent time.

Omeogwu, who gave the charge at the forum, observed that most cargo planes that fly into the country with full load factor most of the times returned to their home countries almost empty.

He explained that the Nigerian Government had improved the agricultural sector in the past few years and assured that very soon with the enlightenment and exposure of farmers and exporters, the country would be exporting agric produce through the airports to other countries of the world.

FG empowers 6,600 youths on commercial farming ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

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he Minister of Agriculture, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, has said that training of over 6,618 youths across the country in mechanised farming by the present administration was part of efforts to diversify the economy from oil.

Adesina, who expressed government’s commitment to reposition agriculture as the mainstay of the nation’s economy, identified the youths as very crucial to the attainment of the goal.

Represented by a Higher Executive Officer in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Blaise Ogbozor, the Minister made the remarks at the Ekiti State Univer-

sity, Ado Ekiti during an investment enlightenment programme organised by a non-governmental organization, the United Mandate.

The minister, who charged the students and other young Nigerians to embrace farming by not leaving it to the old, charged them to harness their energy and drive to investments in agricul-

ture with a view to becoming food producers, self-reliant and wealth cum job-creators.

He said that the Agricultural Transformation Programmes of the Jonathan administration had made available many windows of opportunities which the youths could explore to get the needed assistance and support for profitable investments in agriculture.

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Business News

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

FG forecloses imposition of sub-standard vessels on IOCs FRANCIS EZEM

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he Federal Government has said it had no plan to compel International Oil Companies IOCs operating in the country to patronise Nigerian ship owners in the affreightment of cargo under the new regime of the implementation of offshore and Maritime Labour under the Coastal and Inland Shipping Act 2003.

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, had last week commenced the enforcement of regulations on the use of platforms offshore and registration of Maritime Labour

by IOCs. The agency warned that it would clampdown on IOCs operating in the country over the flagrant abuse of registration and manning of offshore platforms regulations under the Cabotage Act 2003 and the NIMASA Act

2007.

The Director General, Dr. Patrick Akpobolokemi, who gave the warning, observed that more than 10 years after the enactment of the Cabotage Act in 2003, most of the indigenous shipping firms still lack the capability to meet offshore demands and standards due to paucity of indigenous tonnage.

According to him, apart from the lack of the required tonnage, the indigenous ship owners also cannot boast of quality and standards in terms of competency and profiency of their workforce, vessels, crew and other members of staff.

“Many of these indigenous shipping companies cannot meet relevant standards and stringent requirements required in this highly sensitive segment of the oil and gas industry”, he said emphatically.

While foreclosing the issue of compelling the oil companies to engage ships owned by the Nige-

rian entrepreneurs in the guise of enforcing local content policy, he insisted that the IOCs might not likely entrust their assets (products) into the hands of people or vessels that they cannot guarantee their optimum performance.

The NIMASA boss assured that the government would continue to promote policies and programmes that would facilitate local capacity building in the ownership, manning and construction of ships and other maritime infrastructure.

“The Federal Government will also at all times make available incentives to encourage local ship owners and NIMASA will in enforcing the Cabotage Act continue to liaise with sister government agencies such as the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board NCDMB in trying to promote Nigerian content in shipping and oil and gas industry”, Akpobolkemi assured.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

MTN to assists 10 Nigerians achieve New Year Resolutions ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN

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TN Nigeria has partnered 10 lucky customers to enable them accomplish their New Year resolutions made using the My 2015 BetterMe app.

Primed as the go-to app for self improvement within the Nigerian mobile space, the MTN My2015 Application enables customers achieve more by providing access to information around healthy lifestyles, self improvement programmes, education, public holidays, prophesies for the year and security, amongst others.

Using the 2015 Resolution feature on the app, MTN subscribers were encouraged at the beginning of the year to upload their 2015 resolutions.

As a reward for their efforts at being better, this partnership will see MTN assist 10 customers

IMF releases guidelines on fiscal statistics

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L-R; Representative of the ICPC Chairman, Mr Akeem Lawal, with Representative of the Acting Director-General, SEC, Mrs Mary PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA Uduk during the inauguration of SEC Anti-Curruption Transparency Monitoring Unit in Abuja recently.

NCC restates commitment to industry growth ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN

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espite the surge in the number of active telephone lines to the current 140,822,483 million subscribers, the industry regulator has restated its commitment to ensure the sustainability of the telecom industry’s growth in the years ahead.

Head Policy and Research, the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Dr. Henry Nkemadu said at the presentation of educational materials to Bayero University Kano that the Commission would be doing all it required to increase the number of active lines in the country.

Nkemadu added the industry

needed specialised skills to sustain and drive more growth and development in the sector saying that the telecom revolution in the country was responsible for the unparalleled surge of growth in the industry.

He said further that the thought of this project is to develop local capacity that will contribute to the ICT sector and the Nigerian economy.

The items, which were presented by the NCC as part of its corporate social responsibility, were meant to spread digital dividends to tertiary institutions across the six geopolitical zones of the country.

The items are 87 information and communication technology that will put to use at the univer-

sity’s ICT Centre named after T.Y Danjuma. Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Abubakar Adamu Rasheed received the books from a Board Commissioner of the NCC, Alhaji Mohammed Bintube.

Commenting on the donation the NCC Director, Public Affairs, Tony Ojobo said “the ICT book donation is part of the project of the Commission to fill the dearth of educational materials within the ICT sector in the country”.

He applauded the Vice Chancellor and the university’s management for keeping up with the trends in ICT with the rest of the world saying that the Commission is honoured and privileged to be present at one of the citadels of learning in Nigeria.

to achieve their 2015 Resolutions uploaded on the My2015 App, ranging from weight loss, financial guidance, professional certification, entrepreneurial training, amongst other life enriching opportunities.

Speaking at the presentation of winners of the initiative, Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Nigeria, Bayo Adekanmbi, expressed the company’s willingness to demonstrate its values while keeping its promises to exceed customers’ expectations and set bench marks in helping them become better people.

Adekanmbi said: “We are celebrating people that we would call the better me generation. People who have left the ordinary and have used the power of the internet to redefine who they are.

People who have codified their aspirations through MTN and are willing to go the extra mile to become better.’’

nternational Monetary Fund, IMF, has released Government Finance Statistics Manual, GFSM 2014, while providing updated international guidelines for the compilation, reporting, and analytical use of government finance (fiscal) statistics, GFS. GFS guidelines are the basis for fiscal analysis, and play a vital role in the development and monitoring of sound fiscal strategies in conducting surveillance of economic policies.

The new GFSM represents a major step in clarifying the guidelines for compiling and presenting fiscal statistics, thus strengthening a worldwide effort to improve public sector reporting and transparency.

It incorporates methodological changes, arising from the System

of National Accounts 2008 (2008 SNA), deepening the methodological guidance as well as drawing lessons from capacity building activities carried out with many countries.

It also introduces new concepts, such as presentational tables on contributions to changes in net worth and on contingent liabilities. It is however being harmonized with the Public Sector Debt Statistics: A Guide for Compilers and Users.

The GFSM 2014 is aimed at informing compilers and users of other macroeconomic statistics in understanding the relations between various sets of macroeconomic statistics, in particular to national accounts compilers, who depend on GFS as an input to their work.

Apathy trails global property investments

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lobal property market has been marred by serious apathy as foreigners are not allowed to buy property in some foreign markets.

For instance, in Philippines, a non-Philippine is not allowed to own a land. This is banned by the country’s constitution.

Few indications on such laws have been alerted in this rolling year as some countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have united to form a single market.

The ASEAN has heightened foreign direct investments in Philippines as markets not recognized will get improved.

In 2015, the foreign ownership laws will get modified in other parts of Asia as well; there is also ongoing debate in Indonesia and Myanmar to open up the countries’ property sectors to investors across the world.

Records have shown that the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has beaten the record increase and this will continue in 2015 as well.

The share of global FDI projects in Africa has also been rising on a consistent basis.

The latest report shows that African Development Bank, ADB, the United Nations Development Programme and the Organization for Economic Cooperation.

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Jobs & Career

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

23

Job security: Experts raise alarm over expatriate workers’ influx

Aided by the lapses in the Nigerian labour law and immigration policy regime, foreign workers are entering the Nigerian labour market in their droves daily, worsening the nation’s employment situation. MESHACK IDEHEN appraises the issues.

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obs and career experts said in spite of the advantages inherent in allowing large numbers of foreign expatriates workers into the country, that the is now taking a heavy toll on local jobseekers.

According to the experts, foreigners now remain the preferred applicants in the country’s labour market, with many of them now successfully claiming jobs that skilled and unskilled Nigerians should be doing.

Unsurprisingly, expatriate quota abuse, the experts pointed out,are mostly noticeable in the manufacturing, oil and gas, telecommunications and commercial sectors, but may have also crept into other sectors of the nation’s economy, including the financial and public service sectors, thereby compounding Nigeria’s unemployment woes.

The Proprietor of a top end private secondary school in Lagos, Mrs. Ochua Danso, told National Mirror the efforts of the Federal and state Governments to tackle unemployment stand the risk of failing, unless a major step is taken to resolve the pending question of expatriate quota abuse in the nation’s economy in favour of Nigerian job seekers.

She said the issue until recently has never really bothered her, explaining however that the scourge has swiftly but silently crept into the country’s educational sector, as foreigners are now junior and senior school teachers, Montessori, pre-school and crèche experts and even principals and administrators in almost all the leading private schools in Lagos and across the country.

According to her, “Foreign expatriates workers from Europe, India, South Africa and Ghanahas taken over most of the available jobs, including those in private schools in various capacities. It is now a status symbol amongst private school owners to have expatriates as principal and teachers despite the abundance of highly qualified teaching professionals in the country”.

Speaking in the same vein, other analysts told our correspondent the same scenario of expatriate quota abuse is playing out in the

Supervising Minister of Labour and Productivity Taminu Turaki

Chinese workers

They are even compeTing wiTh markeT women and men in The open markeTs now aT

Balogun, euTe-oro, ogBa and oTher markers around lagos

maritime, automotive and other sectors. In the maritime sector in particular, they said the majority of those that are usually on board vessels working in Nigeria are all expatriates workers.

In the case of workers from the continent, some of the foreign workers, according to them, take undue advantage of the Nigeria’s porous borders to make their way into the country, while others, they said, use official entry points under the guise of being genuine expatriates coming in the with skills not available in Nigeria.The authorities looking the other way, they explained.

Job creation and Training Consultant, Mr. Sunday Adun,said these developments concerning expatriate quota abuse by employing organisations has increased unemployment level amongst employable Nigerians, while nations like the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand and even Benin Republic are the ones that are the better for it.

Making reference to the 1963 enabling Act of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) which made provision for the employment of foreigners in areas where Nigerians are lacking the required skills as obsolete and retrogressive, former President of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Mr. Anthony Nted, told our correspondent expatriate quota abuse is directly linked to unemployment, particularly amongst Nigeria’syouths.

He said since 1963 when the law that empowered the NIS to issue business permit and expatriate quota to foreigners in order to ensure effective transfer of technology to Nigerians and

eventually indigenise the position occupied by the expatriates, that there has been no monitoring and there has been no technology transferred to Nigerians in whatever form.

He lamented that the law has been abused as many foreigners can now be seen at construction sites, factories, auto sale outlets, telecommunications and maritime companies doing semi-skilled and even menial jobs that should have been reserved for Nigerians in order to reduce unemployment in the country. “They are even competing with market women and men in the open markets now at Balogun, EuteOro, Ogba and other markers around Lagos”, he added.

Decrying expatriate quota abuse and blaming it largely for the unemployment crisis ravaging the country, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on its part, said the chamber is concern over the influx of foreigners and the unemployment challenges it produces.

Its Director-General, Mr. Muda Yusuf, said the abuse is worse in Lagos state where foreign workers, according to him, have taken over jobs where Nigerians have adequate competencies.

He said the government needs to check the trend because many of the expatriates when compared to some unemployed Nigerians lacked qualifications to work in the country, adding it was even sadder the foreign workers get paid high wages. The LCCI boss said also that government efforts at creating jobs would be in vain if the trend was allowed to continue unchecked.

In the aviation sector, the story is similar as the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, NAAPE, the National Union of Air Transport Employees, NUATE, and the Air Transport Services Senior Staff of Nigeria, ATSSSAN said they are poised to challenge the trend as they have always done. The unions said they are ready to partner government to tackle some airline operators over abuse of expatriate quota.

President of NAAPE, Mr. Isaac Balami, decried the situation, saying the aviation sector like other sectors had been taken over by foreigners, while its Nigerian members remain jobless.

He said the unregulated use of expatriate workers has drained the resources of the sector while foreign maintenance organisations are gradually taking center stage in the industry even when the country has local capacity.

“Abuse in expatriate quota regime means that there are Nigerian pilots and engineers roaming the streets because foreigners have taken the jobs they are qualified to do.

“There are huge disparities between salaries paid to Nigerians and that paid to foreigners, which makes Nigerian pilots and engineers second class in their own country,” he said.

According to him, moves by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB to ensure expatriates working in the Nigerian oil and gas industry undertake biometric registration as part of conditions they must fulfill before their organisations can secure expatriate quota approvals should be hastened, and not limited to that sector of the economy alone..

It would recalled that the NCDMB has long said it will capture details of all foreigners working for operating and service companies in Nigeria on the electronic platform – Nigerian Content Joint Qualification System, NOJICJQS being operated by the Board in a bid to grapple with expatriates quota abuse and deal with unemployment.

NLC President, Umar

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Jobs & Career

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Top tips for excelling at job interviews

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elieve it or not, if you have done your preparation, it is possible even to enjoy interviews. These top tips will help you be prepared, relaxed and confident. Here are things to remember whilst preparing for your interview or job hunt.

It’s a reciprocal situation- An interview is as much about your interviewing them as your potential employers as it is about their interviewing you as a potential employee. You spend a good 20% of your week working - make sure you spend it in a place you want to be.

Be prepared- If your CV is shabby, you’re unlikely to get an interview. It’s the one document you’re likely to spend a lot of time on - and if you can’t get that right, then what does that tell your potential employer about the quality of any other work you might do? Similarly, if you don’t prepare for an interview, what that says about how you are likely to prepare for presentations, reports, whatever it is that the job entails. There are added advantages to preparing. It calms nerves.

Important details to remember: know where you’re going, how you’re getting there, how long it’ll take you, what time you will leave, what you need to bring with you. Find out what’ll be expected of you and what resources you will have at your disposal. And read a newspaper that week (if you don’t already do so), so you know what are the main issues in the outside world!

Do your research- Find out as much as you can about the company or organisation, the industry and the role you are applying for.

Other good things to research include competitors (and their strategies), any related industries that are likely to have an effect on this one, etc. This is all good background information to

have.

Know why you want this particular job in this particular organisation- Think about it, if a soap salesman doesn’t know what’s great about his soap and why a customer should buy it, he’s unlikely to sell it to anybody. With that in mind, know what’s great about you, why you want to work for the organisation in question and why they should hire you. If you know the answers to these questions, then the organisation doesn’t have to guess and you can help them be clearer as to why they should hire you!

Have questions prepared- Lack of questions can often be interpreted as laziness or lack of interest in the role in question - and you don’t want that. A good way to prepare is to have an idea of what you really want from your work, your working environment, etc. Compare this to what you know and have researched about the company/organisation and make questions out of the bits you still want clarified.

Know your strengths and be aware of your weaknesses- Although it’s being used less, it’s still a popular question: What are your strengths and weaknesses? Make sure you can articulate these and that you know how to see your weaknesses as potential strengths. Be aware of what your strengths and weaknesses are in an interview situation as well and use them to your advantage as much as possible.

Have a plan for re-entering- Some questions may throw you off guard - either because you are nervous or you get a question you weren’t expecting. Have a plan ready for what you do to regroup so that you give the best possible answer you canDon’t assume your interviewers have read your CV- Reiterate what you’ve already written in your application to ensure that all

Workers sharing views in an office

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leading mortgage and finance company is seeking to strengthen its business operations and Deloitte is in charge of the recruitment process.

A chief executive officer, a chief financial officer, a chief operating officer, executive director for business development, head of risk management, head of strategy and head of mortgage operation and debt recovery are some of the positions up for grabs.

A head of human resources, ahead of internal audit, a head of information technology, head of treasury, head of legal service and governance, business development manager, administrative manager, a financial analyst, a mortgage underwrite, a mortgage loan officer, a mortgage analyst and a mortgage broker are some of the other opening that are to be filled.

Interested and qualified candidates are to

Workers in office

your interviewers knows what you are referring to (they may have either not read your CV or gone through so many that they won’t necessarily remember the details in yours). This is an excellent place to add new information

CIPM to clamp down on unregistered practitioners he Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria, (CIPM) said it will soon begin massive clampdown on unregistered human resource practitioners in the country.

It also said organisations in the public and private sectors in the country must strive to embrace internationally accepted standards in the management and development of their human resource.

According to CIPM, which said it was reiterating the inviolability of human resource as the best assets that can be owned by corporate organisations, the continuous exposure of employees to global standard in training will improve such company’s productivity in the immediate and long term.

In that regard, the institute said it will focus on how to meet with and partner with stakeholders to fashion out ways and means through which the nation’s employees and by extension the country’s economy can benefit from those exposure.

Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Institute, Mr Sunday Adeyemi, told National Mirror that the Institute, more than ever before, be committed to its mission in the regulation of the practice of human resource management in Nigeria, and the promotion of excellence in the acquisition and application of knowledge and skills by practitioners.

He explained that the professional body will also move this year to apply appropriate sanctions on organisations that consistently failed to meet basic human resource management criteria within their organisations.

According to him, raising the standards of human resource management training from time to time as circumstances may permit, securing in accordance with the provisions of the decree the establishment and maintenance of a register of members and publication from time to time of the list of those person, and regulating and controlling the profession in all its aspects and ramifications are some of the areas that the institute will also focus on in the years ahead.

From the aviation sector come job opportunities from Air Peace, with positions for captains, first officers, inflight catering attendants and passenger/ ticketing service officers.

Other vacancies from the airline are for aviation security officers, flight dispatch officers, ramp officers/turn around coordinators, baggage handlers, aircraft attendants and ramp drivers.

The positions are to be based in Abuja, Calabar, Owerri, Benin, Warri, Jos Porthacourt, Markurdi, Uyo and Yola.Interested candidates are to send their resumes to visit www.flyairpeace.com for more details.

SOS Children Village is in need of a financial adviser to be based in Lagos, a finance coordinator, a project accountant, a youth counsellor, nurses and teachers. Applications are to be sent to the national coordinator, SOS Children Village, Lagos, or to recruit-

ment@sosvillages-nigeria.org From www.findjobafrica.com is the vacancy for a Chief Operations Officer that will be based in Lagos. He/she will have to be innovative, vibrant and energetic and will be one that can help start up and drive the business to fusion.

Main functions is to implement the strategic goals and objectives of the company in consultation with the chairman, give direction and leadership toward the achievement of the company’s philosophy, mission, strategy, and its annual goals and objectives and promote revenue and profitability growth of the company Others are to oversee company operations to guarantee efficiency, quality, service, and cost-effective management of resources and w plan and direct all phases of the supermarket operations efficiently to achieve maximum sales and profitability.

Meshack Idehen

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Job vacancies

visit www.wecadeloitte.com/recruitment/ mcr for more details.

Michael Opara University of Agriculture, Umudike said there are some management vacancies that are available for filling. Head of operations, head of internal audit and compliance, head of credit and marketing, head of human resources, head of risk management and head of information technology are the vacancies on offer.

Applicants are expected to possess minimum of first degree or its equivalent in any finance discipline, alongside a minimum of five years post qualification experience amongst other requirements.

All applications must be hand written and must be forwarded the Managing Director,Micheal Opara University of Agriculture,Umudike Micro Finance Bank Limited, PMB 7267,Umuahia,Abia state, or to mouaumfb@gmail.com

in as well. First impressions count a lot. Make sure you are presenting the best you: good quality and appropriate clothes, groomed appearance, enough sleep and sufficient energy.

Source: www.yahoojobs.com

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

25

Real Estate & Environment

Tenants lament cost of rents, blame govts for their plights With the multi-dimensional challenges they contend with in their efforts to contribute to national development remain unabated, tenants across the country are lamenting the escalating cost of rents they pay, blaming governments for failing to increase the nation’s housing stocks and leaving them at the mercies of ‘exploitative’ landlords. SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE and OLUFEMI ADEOSUN report.

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enants across the country have raised fresh alarm over the rising costs of accommodation in some major cities, urging states as well as federal government to provide low-cost housing for low-income earners.

Investigation by National Mirror reveals that such complaints cut across some cities like Lagos, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, and Enugu, among other areas.

For instance, some residents, who spoke

Fraudsters hijack Ogun C-of-O project 27

to our Correspondent in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, said they were finding it extremely difficult to pay their rents as landlords continue to adjust their house rents yearly with impunity.

According to them, the costs of accommodation in Abuja is hitting the rooftop, saying the city is not for the common people, but for the rich.

They stressed that the low cost housing units would go a long way in ameliorating

the sufferings of civil servants, who come from far and near to work in the city. ‘’Some of us come from Kubwa, Maraba and even beyond on daily basis to work in the city. We do this on weekly basis and it is affecting us greatly. We urge the federal government to come to our aid’’, one of the residents said.

One of the residents said, apart from Lagos state with its commercial viability, there is no city in the country that could

Estate developer urges LASG on e-building plans

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rival Abuja in terms of real estate development, yet the cost of accommodation continues to increase on daily basis.

Observing that the cost might be due to its uniqueness as the seat of power, he said, the urge to invest in property in the city has become irresistible, and not only to the business community, but also to the political class, who see investments in real estate as a way of securing their alleged illCONTINUED ON PAGE 26

Cleaning tips for your bathroom 29

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Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tenants lament cost of rents, blame govts for their plights CONTINUED FROM 25 gotten wealth.

He therefore wondered why the cost of accommodation could be so expensive so much so, that a 2-bed flat in Abuja is over N1 million per year.

In spite the several edifices and ongoing construction sits in the FCT, observers still wondered the level of homelessness and high cost of rents, blaming the situation on the failure of relevant government agencies to protect the interest of low-income earners in the city.

According to some experts, the rate of housing development in the city does not have any serious impact on the cost of accommodation because the sector has been hijacked by politicians and their cronies, whose major interest in real estate development is speculative rather than contributing to shortage of housing units in the country.

An Abuja-based legal practitioner and property development consultant, Barrister Yomi Ifedola, said, the housing cost would continue to soar in the city, except government is serious in implementing a deliberate policy to shore-up housing units in the country.

Explaining why a large number of residents are still homeless, despite the number of housing stocks in the city, Ifedayo argued that some of the estates were not built to help the masses, but as investments with expectation of huge returns, adding that some estates promoters are politicians, who found refuge in real estate developments to accommodate their illgotten money.

“I do not see either now or in a foreseeable future, a drop in the cost of rent in Abuja, given the rate of housing developments in the nation’s capital city, one would ordinarily expect that the law of demand and supply should set in’’, he stated.

In the same vein, some residents in Lagos state have decried the growing scenario, arguing that since inflation rate has remained a single digit in the last three years, the cost of accommodation ought to have remain the same, stressing that some landlords capitalise on the growing global recession, caused by dollar exchange as well as drop in oil price to increase their rents.

A resident, who gave his name as Jude Nwalue told National Mirror that his landlord called him last week to inform him that he has increased his 3 bedroom flat from N350, 000 to N400,000, saying the situation would get to a point that some people would leave Lagos state to other states with low-housing costs.

Nwalue said the Lagos State House of Assembly had passed a law that landlords should not collect more than one year house rents from tenants, explaining that despite the edict; the shylock landlords are collect two years, adding that some even collect two years and a half.

Another resident, Bolaji Akinola said, he would soon pack out from his current resident due to the fact that his land increased his rent by 35 percent, adding that with the biting economy, coupled with the present hardship in the country, many tenants are moving to rural areas like Mowe, Aiyetoro, Akute, Sango, Ikotun and even Sagamu.

Goodluck

Mallam

HOWEVER, UPON ENQUIRIES BY ALL THE TENANTS, AS I WAS NOT THE ONLY PERSON SERVED WITH THE NOTICED, WE FOUND OUT THAT THE LANDLORD ACTUALLY WANTED US OUT BECAUSE HE WANTED TO GET FRESH TENANTS FROM WHOM HE COULD BEGIN A NEW RENT Experts said, the situation is so because some houses in some major cities are owned by politicians and their cronies, who use them as conduit pipes to extort residents on the guise of rentage.

A resident in Port Harcourt, Mr Eric Dibie said the situation in the city is alarming as many landlords are using oil prospecting companies in the city as the yardstick to increase their rents.

Dibie, who spoke to National Mirror on phone, decried the greedy nature of Port Harcourt landlords, calling them shylocks.

The same complaints are noted in other cities of Ibadan, Enugu and parts of the northern states of the country.

A visit to some estates in some major cities confirms that some of them are empty, as it was gathered that some politicians built those edifices not to put them on rent, but as a decor to launder their wealth since they could no longer stash those funds abroad, following anti-graft laws.

Explaining the ongoing bill to control rent in the capital city, spearheaded by a Senator representing Kogi West, Sena-

A building at Maitama, Abuja.

tor Smart Adeyemi, the lawyer noted that such bill would not see the light of the day, due to vested interests, adding that the proponent of the bill was not sincere.

According to him, Senator Smart Adeyemi, who initiated the bill, was alleged to have been involved in a land grab issue along airport road Abuja.

Sponsored by Adeyemi more than two years ago, the proposed law is tagged “A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Recovery of Premises Act Cap 553 LFN, 1990 and to Reenact the Recovery of Premises Act (Abuja) 2013 to Regulate the Relationship Between Landlords and Tenants, Rent Control, Recovery of Premises and for other Matters Connected Therewith”.

The bill stipulates six months imprisonment or a fine of N50, 000 or both for landlords, who collect more than six months’ rent from a prospecting tenant.

It also seeks to regulate the relationship between landlords and tenants and rent control while also focussing on protecting tenants from double agency payments by placing the burden of agency fees on the

Fashola

landlord.

The bill proposes that any rent agent, who collects additional agency fee from the tenant, commits an offence punishable under the bill.

While Abuja residents await the passage of the bill into law, landlords across the city have continued not only to charge exorbitant rents, but have developed other crude measures to suffocate tenants.

A cross section of residents mainly from the satellite towns of Kubwa, Nyanya, Lugbe, Kuchigworo, Mpape, Karimu, Gwagwa and Dei-Dei recounted their ordeals in the hands of their landlords.

According to them, apart from hike in their rents, landlords have devised other means to rip them off. Recounting his ordeals to National Mirror, Mr. Timothy Ayoade a staff in one of the ministries in Abuja who lives in Dei-Dei deplored the Shylock predisposition of his landlord.

He tells his story,” I was one of the tenants in a 10-flat of one bedroom apartment.

I started with paying N200,000 per annum two years ago, until early this year when my landlord served me a quit notice with an excuse that he wanted to renovate the house.

“However, upon enquiries by all the tenants, as I was not the only person served with the noticed, we found out that the landlord actually wanted us out because he wanted to get fresh tenants from whom he could begin a new rent. We were told that he had made enquiries about the rents payable by tenants in the houses around his own and had found out that rent had gone up as high as N350, 000.

“And fearing that we might not be disposed to paying the proposed rent, he felt the best way to go was to come up with the “renovation” strategy. We have all resolved to fight the quit notices given to us even if government has refused to protect us from the Shylock landlords such as ours.”

Mr. Francis Andrew, a resident of Kubwa who also spoke on the rent situation in Abuja, said that his landlord had increased his rent from the initial N350, 000 for a twobedroom apartment to N700, 000 in the last three years. According to him, he has refused to park out because the enquiry he made around the Phase 4 side where he lives, revealed that a fresh tenant would have to pay between N850, 000 to N900, 000 to get a two-bedroom depending on the nature and class of the building.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Fraudsters hijack Ogun C-of-O project

MORTGAGE NOTES with Adenike Fasanya-Osilaja

SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE

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

Feedbacks

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am an ardent supporter in the principle of your organization. I truly believe that you are a critical part of Nigeria’s progress in the real estate finance industry. I also consider your ability to obtain IDB finance on the very generous terms you were offered, to be a sign of your ability to perform to internationally acceptable standards. Since you have only recently commenced operations, I am also willing to give you time to go through the growing pains associated with any young business, and hopefully mature into a permanent, world class secondary market for our industry.

I have also reviewed your document on underwriting standards required for MLs to benefit from your funding largess, and this is where I get a little concerned. I fully understand the necessity to have minimum standards for mortgage financing, and I understand the need for the said standards to conform to the world market in which you operate, but I am also cognizant of the realities of the market in which you exist. If the goal is to make homeownership more affordable to the “low income” earners in Nigeria, can one honestly say that the criteria developed in your standards are inclusive enough to accommodate them? With the sheer volume of capital adequacy requirement, credit rating components and approval factors, does a mid-size or small-scale housing finance agency stand any chance of obtaining your approval?

Is there any accommodation for mortgage brokers, who connect buyers to lenders for a fee, and never touch the funds involved? I fail to see why a mortgage broker would require 100 million in equity to take applications from borrowers and submit them to an end lender for approval and funding. The only way for the smaller agencies to survive in this environment would be for them to be purchased by the larger entity, and become a captive broker.

This would defeat the entrepreneurial spirit of the Nigerian

professional, which is one of the most admired characteristics we are known for internationally. Also, as I have found over the years, many lower incomes prospective homebuyers are intimidated by the process of sitting in an expensive building, in front of an expensively dressed business person, who speaks in a financial language they cannot fully understand. What happens to such people? Is there a program in place or in process to encourage such buyers to look beyond their fear and distrust of bank finance instruments and sign their name on those loan documents?

What is the plan for Islamic/ Non interest mortgage programs?

Since the cornerstone of this finance product is that interest (“Riba”) is banned from being charged on mortgage loans, how do the offering banks operate under underwriting standards that are fully dependent on a conventional interest rate regime? Or is the NMRC not for them too? With the current seeds of religious discord being sown in the country, would it not be a mandatory best business practice to find avenues to ensure the inclusion of our Muslim brothers and sisters in the “sharing” of the funds from this product? Please note that this is in no way an attempt to start another religious palaver, but simply to bring to light certain areas in which a review of some of your policies might be of benefit to the industry.

I noted with delight that the underwriting standards include strong criteria for regulatory compliance and this is. In my opinion, it is one of the most critical areas in which the industry requires close attention. It is sad but true, that our reputation as Nigerians seems to precede us wherever we go, and it is often forgotten that, in spite of our individual stellar achievements, we are still a developing country, and should not be expected to perform at the same level as the more established markets. The big issue I have with

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compliance is with training. It should be clear by now that we must move away from the symposium type training formats, and actually TRAIN our professionals, in practical, hands on, classroom style intensive workshops, where they not only receive lectures on the criteria being taught, but also learn how to apply them.

So please permit me to make a few suggestions.

The mortgage industry must present a clearer and more accessible picture to the Nigerian public. As long as mortgages continue to be viewed as an “elite” privilege, the program will have failed in its goal. The ability of every Nigerian to understand that home ownership is as much for them as it is for their landlord, should be a primary goal for the NMRC in conjunction with the mortgage industry to communicate effectively to the public. There should be a home ownership initiative with a formally established entity, that is funded with a portion of the interest profits received, tasked with the job of promoting programs to attract first time homebuyers. This entity should not be graded on its ability to make profit, but on itsxxxxx outreach goals and achievements. Every single Nigerian, from Epe to Borno should be aware that they are entitled to home ownership, and educated as to what they need to put in place to achieve such home ownership.

The industry should not only recognize, but also include the non- conforming mortgage finance programs unique to our Nigerian culture. Islamic (non interest) financing, Cooperative programs like the Esusu should be harnessed to encourage down payment assistance, and the government should be committed to offering grants to aid well qualified buyers who demonstrate a genuine financial need.

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.

he intention of Ogun State Government to assist property owners obtain Certificates of Occupancy as well as other title documents at a discounted rate may have suffered a setback, as fraudsters appeared to have hijacked the project, using it to extort money from land owners.

Investigation by National Mirror reveals that some fraudsters are masquerading themselves as officials of Homeowners Charter, a firm vested with the responsibility to midwife the project.

Those fraudsters, investigation further reveals, would call some identified land owners, who may have applied for the issuance of Certificate of Occupancy, urging them to pay certain sums of money for inspections of their plots as well as fast-tracking the issuance of the C of O. According to a source, who gave his name as Segun Babajide, ‘’the racketeers called me on phone and asked me to part with some amount of money to facilitate their movement for the inspection of my properties at Ibafo’’.

He said, the group is so sophisticated so much so, that it would be very hard not to believe them, disclosing that he almost fell into their prey, if not by quick intervention of one of his friends, who had been defrauded through such means.

The source, however, urged subscribers to the Homeowners Charter initiatives to investigate the true identity of possible callers for inspection of their land, issuing of assessment bills or issuing of C of O, saying it is only officials of state government that have the right to issue the Certificate.

He therefore warned fraudsters to desist from such acts, capable of derailing the good intentions of the state government, urging government to fast track the process and issue the C of O to those that have completed their payments.

Babajide however debunked the allegation that the state government was using the process to influence citizens to vote for him, saying such initiatives would not discontinue, after the incumbent government had won as being insinuated in different quarters.

Already, the state government had called on the residents to be wary of those fraudsters, trying to hijack the process.

The fraudsters, according to government, are targeting property owners in Abule-Ijoko, IjokoOta and Ibafo among other areas, claiming that they are working for the state government.

However, the Director-General, Bureau of Lands and Survey, Mr. Adewale Oshinowo, had warned property owners to be wary of anybody, who may ask them to pay outside the official rates before inspecting their houses.

Firms to train youths on roof maintenance SAIDAT ALAUSA

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n indigenous roofing solution company, Plusworld Roofing, has partnered two foreign firms to train young enterprising Nigerians on roofing engineering and maintenance.

The free-training programme, National Mirror gathered was aimed at encouraging Nigerian youths to specialise in proffering solutions to roofing challenges.

According the firms, the youths would be trained in some core areas like roof repairs, painting and roof washing.

Others include water proofing, roof design, construction, design, supply and roof installations.

The foreign partners include, Hydro Seal USA and NUTECH Paint Australia. Hydro Seal are producers of Hydro Seal, an allin-one product, which is used in filling cracks, water proofing, texturing and decoration

while NUTECH Australia are renowned producers of original roof paints.

Speaking with journalists while flagging-off the programme in Ajah, Lagos, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Plusworld Roofing, Mr. John Igbaifua said, the objectives of his company and its partners were among others, to empower interested youths to face the future challenges while reducing unemployment rate in the society.

This is in addition to create roofing experts to tackle the problems associated with roofing in the country.

He said about 30 participants would be accommodated in batches in each session, expected to last for four weeks at no cost to the participants, adding that the programme would last as long as the relationship with foreign partners, who would be providing technical aids to the programme lasted.

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Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Clea W

hether it’s a marbl suite or more aki ‘family wash’, the sanctuary of cleanliness and Given the demands place easier said than done. Howev thinking you can keep you fresh with minimal effort.

With the amount of soap s ing around an average family a minimum of a weekly cle the task

Source: itsdefense.com

Estate developer urges LASG on e-building plans SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE

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n estate developer, Mr Kayode Afolayan, has urged the Lagos State Government to commence the electronic building plans and e-building processes as a strategic option of eliminating all forms of bureaucracy in the allocation of titles on lands to deserving Nigerians in the state.

The estate developer told National Mirror, that the process would eliminate the complaints and challenges being faced by developers in the present system.

While commending such initiative, it would be helpful to estate developers to obtain building plans before construction to avoid waste of resources, after such constructions must have been done, adding that introduction of pre-submission approval scheme would also ensure that construction works conform to

the trend.

Afolayan, however urged the state government to consider making the approval fee less costly, if it comes on stream, noting that development permit was getting better.

He recalled that during the tenure of the former governor of the state, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, the same issue of e-building plans was identified as one of the reasons for shortage of housing units in the state.

The industry expert also noted that the idea of e-planning approval was muted in the past without effective implementations, adding that such idea has also being muted by this present administration in the state, noting that policy formulation is not the main issue, but implementations.

He therefore wondered how the state government under Governor Babatunde Fashola would implement the policy as prom-

ised before the expiration of his tenure.

It would be recalled that Lagos State Government had hinted of its plan to introduce e-building plans in the state to assist the state’s mass housing projects.

Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Olutoyin Ayinde, during a seminar, organised by the Nigeria’s chapter of the International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI) in Lagos state,

assured that the e-building plans would soon commence in the state.

He said that the move had become imperative as the procedure for obtaining approval for building plans is cumbersome as well as time-consuming.

According to the Commissioner, such development has not made any impact on the state’s mass housing projects; hence the need for e-building plans.

Construction of Anambra river bridge

Reps call for synergy in GGW programme’s OLUFEMI ADEOSUN ABUJA

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he House of Representatives’ Committee on Environment has called for synergy among all the stakeholders involved in the implementation of the Great Green Wall project to achieve its core target.

The House Committee Chairman on Environment, Hon. Uche Ekwunife who spoke during a parley between the committee and the Ministry of Environment led by the Minister, Mrs. Laurentia Mallam, also commended the Federal Government for initiating the programme and staying faithful to its implementation.

She noted that the full implementation of the project had enormous potentials for increasing the country’s Growth Domestic Product (GDP), poverty alleviation, biodiversity conservation as well as increasing the Nations forest cover in line with United Nations requirement of 25% forest cover for member nations.

the vol the at in Ka Jig Ba

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

29

aning tips for your bathroom

le palace, a simple enin to a drive-through bathroom should be a d hygiene. ed on it, this is often ver with a bit of smart ur bathroom sparkling

scum, dust and hair flyy bathroom, most need an to ensure

does not become overwhelming with an over-build up of muck. A light weekly clean should only take 20-30 minutes if you follow our guide.

Start with the walls & tiles.

You don’t need us to tell you that bathrooms can get kinda steamy, which causes damp and mould to build up on walls and tiled surfaces.

This can easily be removed using a dedimould cated

cleaner or bleach to tackle the job. These are generally very strong products though, so always test a small area before getting stuck in. Be kind to your hands and make sure you wear some strong gloves like the Ansell Super Gloves, which have a neoprene coating for extra resistance against chemicals and tears.

A combination of two sponges, one soaked in vinegar, vinegar the other dusted with bicarb of soda, soda is a gentler alternative. Use your sponges like the Karate Kid, and sp with a sponge in each hand simply wipe on o then wipe off.

Constant mould is generally Con caused by poor ventilation. Check the vent in i your exhaust fan because if it’s clogged with dust, its effectivecl ness will be greatly reduced.

To clean an exhaust fan, gently remove the vent cover and either remo vacuum it or brush it clean outvacu doors.

It’s also worth giving it a doo quick qui wash in soapy water before refitting it. refi

Attack the basin and vanity Att A mild cleaner and soft cloth is best be when tackling the basin and vanity . Bicarb and vinegar can va also al be used if you wish.

Any build up of soap scum or mould around the tap fittings m can c be easily removed using the same cleaning product and an s old toothbrush.

Book in the bath There’s nothing better than a hot bath to wash away the stress of the day, so it pays to keep your bath sparkling clean. Getting it to sparkle is easier than you think.

Whatever product you use, make sure it’s not too abrasive. Baths aren’t cheap and you don’t want to go and damage the surface. The bath magic system has been designed specifically for all bathroom surfaces and comes with a detachable scouring sponge which is perfect for the bath.

Spray, sprinkle or drizzle your household cleaner of choice (we find that Gumption is good for removing more stubborn rings and rust stains), then methodically wipe each and every inch of the bath.

And don’t forget to rinse well afterwards if bathing in cleaning residue is not what you had in mind.

Bicarb also makes for a highly effective cleaning alternative. Try mixing this with a gentle shampoo or detergent if the chemical mix in your bathroom is getting a bit too much.

Microfibre the mirrors For a streak-free mirror you can’t go past a good drop of methylated spirits or a glass cleaning spray.

Just remember to use a microfibre cloth for best results, as paper towel will leave lint behind. Microfibre is lint-free and achieves a truly streak-free result – the Vileda all purpose cloth is a great option.

Touch up the taps Don’t laugh, but the best thing for cleaning taps is an old pair of stockings. Simply give your taps a once over with a mild cleanser, then give them a polish using the stocking pulled taut.

Construction industry has growth potential –Expert SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE

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construction expert, Engr.

Matherw Adodo, has expressed optimism over the growth potential of the construction industry, describing it as having the potentials of a major driver of the nation’s economy.

Adodo, who noted that other sectors of the economy depended directly or indirectly on construction sector to carry out their operations, said that the sector played major roles in declaring Nigeria’s economy as largest African economy, after re-basing its Gross Development Product, GDP, from 1990 to 2010, resulting in 89 percent increase

implementation

A continental initiative of e African Union(EU) which inlves eleven African countries, e GGW programme is aimed reclaiming the degraded lands the frontline states of Kebbi, ano, Adamawa, Borno, Yobe, gawa, Zamfara, Sokoto, Gombe, auchi and Katsina.

Apart from addressing the chal-

lenge of massive deforestation in the affected state, GGW entails the provision of Shelter belts measuring 15km wide and 1,500km long, stretching from Kebbi to Borno.

Other components of the programme include setting up of orchards, garden and plantations of predominantly e onto mic trees.

While emphasising the impera-

tive of synergy cooperation within the ministry for the successful implementation of the programme during an interactive session last week, Ekwunife, assured the people of Nigeria that the National Assembly would diligently exercise its oversight responsibility to ensure the success of the programme.

in the estimated size of Nigeria’s economy, surpassing South Africa.

The effect of such declaration, he noted, showed the fact that the nation’s economy is being diversified as previously thought, saying there are more prospects for sustained growths, driven by improved performance of non-oil sectors.

According to him, the construction industry will benefit more from the performance of non-oil sectors in the country.

Noting that the contributions of the nation’s construction sector to the nation’s GDP can never be overemphasised, he however noted that its contribution to employment generation is on the low side, compared to other developed nations.

Disclosing that there is light at the end of the tunnel due to infrastructure developments, which is currently attracting foreign investors with attendant benefits of increased construction activities, he said, there were massive demands for building constructions across the country.

Adodo identified some of the factors bedevilling the construction industries as shortage of skilled manpower, difficulties in procure-

ment of plants and equipment, inadequate capital for execution of projects as well as lack of training and development institutes that could sharpen the skills of construction workers.

With the constraints in the sector, experts say the nation’s construction industry still has the capacity of becoming the largest markets in the world.

The recent forecast by Global Construction Perspective and Oxford Economics “from 2009 to 2020, shows that Nigeria and India will enjoy higher growth rates than China, which is regarded as World’s foremost in construction outputs.

It was also noted that foreign direct investment policy would spur foreign investors to demand for increase in construction activities, especially on infrastructure provisions, residential apartments as well as office spaces and industries.

Already, Lagos state has witnessed large scale of infrastructural investments as a result of its mega city project, which is likely to increase with planned construction of light rail system to facilitate transportation.

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Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

London property market set to bounce back

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rime property market in Central London is not doing badly as many analysts had forecasted.

Indeed, a new analysis from specialist residential investment advisors points out that the sector has shown high levels of price growth at 16.2%, compared to the previous year with the highest level of growth since its recovery in 2010.

The figures point to a growth of 16.5% in 2010, 12.2% in 2011, 14% in 2012 and 12.3% in 2013.

The data also shows that this was spearheaded by price growth in flats and maisonettes which increased by 33.2%.

But there can be no doubt that the prime central London market is slowing. Most analysis reports suggest that the mood of buyers

and vendors alike in the prime London residential market is likely to remain subdued up until after the general election in May. For example, the latest market forecast report from Chestertons says that uncertainty surrounding a potential mansion tax, interest rates and the introduction of capital gains tax liability for non-resident owners are also contributing to the general market angst.

It also points to a tightening mortgage regulatory environment with the European Mortgage Credit Directive due for implementation by 2016 and the Basel III requirements by 2019 on top of recent new UK rules that may affect the market.

However, the firm does concede that there will be pockets of

the market that will be active in 2015, most notably the new build market.

According to the latest analysis from Savills the prime central London market was slowing in 2014. It says that prices rose by 4.9% on average in the first half of the year and fell by a net figure of 2.2% in the second half.

The firm says the increased rates of stamp duty introduced by the Chancellor in his Autumn Statement resulted in an adjustment in values at the top end of the market, most notably in prime London and as a result, the average all prime London indexes where values average £2.6 million recorded a 2.6% fall in the final quarter of 2014.

However, London’s prime markets up to £1 million and in the £1

million to £2 million range were less adversely affected by the stamp duty changes and would also be less affected by proposals for a mansion tax. As a result, they saw annual price growth of 6% and 2.5% respectively.

Savills concludes that assuming no further tax increases in this election year, average prices across prime London are expected to stabilise with a fall of 0.5% in 2015 but grow by 22.7% in the next five years.

But sales are down and the LCP analysis concedes this, showing that transactions dropped by 20.96% in the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to the same quarter in 2013. It adds that this is in line with previous falls in activity before a general election.

New Delhi plans housing scheme for retirees

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ew Delhi’s Labour Ministry is collaborating with some banks, housing finance firms and stateowned construction companies to build houses for retirees at a cost to be determined by government.

“Labour Ministry is preparing a scheme under which affordable houses will be provided to Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) subscribers, particularly, those who are in low income bracket,” a source in the ministry said.

At present, there are over 70 percent EPFO subscribers, whose basic wages are less than Rs 15,000 per month.

Already, the Prime Minister’s Office had asked EPFO to promote affordable housing for its subscribers and use its funds for the purpose.

According to the note, deployment of 15 percent of EPFO funds as loan for low cost housing would generate a credit flow of Rs 70,000 crore and can create 3.5 lakh additional low-cost homes.

EPFO currently manages a huge corpus of Rs 6.5 lakh crore

and its annual incremental deposit is in excess of Rs 70,000 crore.

The Labour Ministry is keen on a scheme under which EPFO subscribers could withdraw their PF deposits to make partpayment of the total cost of the house.

At present, EPFO subscribers can withdraw money from their PF accounts for buying houses,

only after contributing for a period of five years in the schemes run by the body.

The Ministry also intends to provide subsidy to the EPFO subscribers in low-income bracket to help them avail benefits of various low-cost housing schemes of the government.

Financial institutions, sources said, would be roped in to provide housing loan at low interest rates

under the priority sector lending for construction of affordable houses under the scheme.

The scheme, however, will be optional for EPFO subscribers as there is no need to provide affordable houses to those who already own one. Under the housing scheme, there would three different income categories, low income, middle income and high income.

of annual house price growth was at its highest since October 2014 when it was 8.8%, but remains significantly below the peak of 10.2% in July 2014.

It points out that sales increased by 15% in 2014 but despite this annual rise, sales peaked in the first quarter before steadily declining during the course of the year with sales in the final quarter 5% lower than in the first quarter and 1% lower than in the third quarter.

‘This bounce-back in house price growth in January coincides with reports of the first rise in mortgage approvals for six months in December. These improvements may indicate that the recent declines in mortgage rates, the reform of stamp duty and the first increases in real earnings for several years are providing a modest boost to the market,’ said Martin Ellis, Halifax housing economist.

Dubai property

UK house prices up by 2%

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ouse prices in the UK has increased by 2% between December and January, the biggest rise for January since 2009, according to the latest property index figures.

The data from the Halifax also shows that in the three months from November to January prices were 1.9% higher than in the previous three months and the quarterly rate of change increased for the first time since July 2014.

But it remains below the rates recorded between June and September last year and overall the Halifax expects a moderation in house price growth during 2015. It predicts that house prices nationally will increase by 3% to 5% compared with 8% in 2014.

Prices in the three months to January were 8.5% higher than in the same three months a year earlier. This was an increase from 7.8% in December. This measure

Dubai property may slide by 10% –Research

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ubai’s residential property bubble is deflating and average prices may remain the same or fall by 10 percent during the year, a new study suggests.

According to international real estate firm, JLL, the prices and rental rates have grown to an unsustainable rate over the last two years.

The firm’s head of research for Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Craig Plumb, said a period of stability will be good for the market.

There have been serious concerns that lower oil prices could have an impact on emirate’s property markets, but JLL points out that Dubai is less vulnerable to lower oil revenue than other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) oil exporters a result of its diverse economy and growth in non-oil sectors.

Overall, the second half of 2014 saw Dubai’s residential market stabilise as average rents and sale prices remained relatively flat, with marginal declines over the last quarter.

On an annual basis, the REIDIN rental index shows growth levels dropping from 18 percent in 2013 to 15 percent in 2014.

Similarly, the sales market saw some cooling down as the REIDIN sales index points to a decline in growth levels from 23 percent in 2013 to 20 percent in 2014.

This comes as the number and value of transactions dropped 30 percent and 14 percent respectively in 2014, according to data from the Land Department.

JLL predicts that the residential sector is likely to remain subdued over the next 12 months as the market is expected to absorb 25,000 additional units in 2015. ‘In reality, we remain cautious of the delivery of some of these projects within the timeframe,’ the firm says.

It also points out that as Dubai’s economy continues to expand and job creation grows, demand for affordable housing is expected to increase over the next 12 months. This comes as a proposal to ensure the availability of affordable housing for the middle-income segment of the market is currently under review.

‘These efforts aim to create a balance between the supply of luxury and affordable housing units that cater to all residents in the Emirate, as many were previously priced out of the market during the 2013/2014 price rally,’ the JLL market overview report says.

Aviation

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

31

Airline operators rue high insurance premiums, seek FG’s intervention Nigerian airline operators may be forced to suspend operations if the cost of doing business in the industry is not reviewed, investigations have confirmed. One of such fiscal challenges most investors in the sector are currently lamenting over is what they claimed the skyrocketing insurance premiums charged on airplanes by insurance companies. OLUSEGUN KOIKI reports.

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o doubt, the Nigerian airline subsector is in murky waters for several reasons and are struggling to ensure safer operations, improve services and make marginal profits in their operations.

But, the insurance companies in the country in partnership with their foreign counterparts are shoving the airlines deeper into financial mess as high premium paid on aircraft deployed for operations further depletes the financial stability of the airlines.

For instance, airlines in Europe and America pay just 1 per cent as insurance premium on their airplanes while operators in the country pay as high as 8 per cent for the same aircraft to insurance companies in the country who in most cases act as a third party.

In Europe and America, if an airplane is valued at $100m for example, the airline companies pay just $1m as insurance premium on such an aircraft while their Nigerian counterparts pay a whopping $8m as premium per annum.

However, operators in the country are arguing that Nigeria as an American Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, Category One country, indicates that there is low risk level in the industry and the premiums they pay on acquired aircraft should reflect on this.

The operators further alleged that the country’s insurance companies do not have the financial capacity to underwrite any risk undertaken in the aviation industry, but rather, act as a middle men and re-insure with major underwriters abroad.

But, a source close to the National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, identified the poor state of Nigerian airports, poor state of space landing equipment,

NAICOM logo

NCAA logo

Our CategOry One has nOthing tO dO with Our insuranCe premium, but it is regulatiOn, nOt abOut the instrument landing system, ils, Of the airpOrt. faa audit relates with yOur Civil aviatiOn authOrity, Caa, and hOw they regulate age of aircraft flying in Nigeria and incessant air crashes in the country as some of the factors that determine the premium charged by indigenous insurers on aircraft insurance.

The source for instance, said the air safety condition of most aircraft in South Africa and their airspace equipment cannot be compared with those of Nigeria; a situation which he said places Nigerian aviation industry as a high-risk in aviation business.

The source also said reinsurance charges by the United Kingdom, UK, re-insurers on Nigerian aviation industry insurance is extremely high compared to those charged on other countries.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, regulation stipulates that local airlines should have at least 30 per cent of their insurance policy domiciled

in the country while the other 70 per cent can be based abroad with foreign insurance companies.

Some of the popular foreign insurance companies in Nigeria include Lloyds of London, Allianz Aviation Insurance, Aerospace Insurance and others.

An industry analyst, Engr. Sheri Kyari in an interview with our correspondent said that it is the responsibility of the airline operators to challenge the high premiums charged them by the insurance companies in the country.

Kyari however said that for this to take place, the operators needed to embark on massive research to verify the percentage paid as insurance premium on aircraft by their foreign counterparts, maintaining that Nigeria has a safe environment for aircraft operations.

He further wondered why the airlines would be charged high premiums when other service providers in the sector like the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, and ground handling companies among others are reducing their

charges for the airlines.

He said, “It’s now the responsibility of the airlines to come out and tell them why the industry is safer and why their insurance premiums should go down. If they are not going to do that, the insurance companies will continue to charge them what they used to charge them, but it is left for the airlines now to come forth show the figures paid by other foreign carriers.

“If you look at the department of air transport in NCAA, which economic regulation is involved, they are also supposed to work in that regard and help the airlines. So, I think NCAA in conjunction with the airlines can make changes, but the honour is on the airlines to initiate a research in a lot of areas of their operations so that they can reduce the amount of money they spend in so many areas and improve their profit margins.”

Also, the Director of Flight Operations, Dana Air, Capt. Segun Omole said that the risk in insurance was so high that the Nigerian insurance companies could not solely take the entire risk and have to partner with their foreign counterparts.

Omole insisted that the country’s Category One Status had nothing to do with insurance premium, rather infrastructure, age of the aircraft, political instability and maintenance of the equipment go a long way in determining the premium paid on aircraft.

He said, “When you are talking about Africa, you also have to look at the infrastructure. America is such an established environments, they have everything so easy for their aircraft to operate. Here, we are struggling.

So, that is going to play a part in the premiums we pay. The kind of aircraft and maintenance too. Also, we need to look at the political instabilities in the continent. All of a sudden, there can be war and which can affect the aircraft.

“Our Category One has nothing to do with our insurance premium, but it is regulation, not about the Instrument Landing System, ILS, of the airport. FAA audit relates with your Civil Aviation Authority, CAA, and how they regulate. Category one is not about infrastructure, but the ability of your CAA to police the industry to ensure that stakeholders and professionals do the right thing.”

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Aviation

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

FAAN to support air cargo devt

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he Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, has expressed its readiness to support any effort aimed at maximising the potentials in the country’s air cargo sector.

The agency stated that the quest to maximise these potentials had led to the remodelling of designated perishable cargo airports across the country.

The Managing Director, FAAN, Engr. Saleh Dunoma stated this in an online statement by the General Manager, Corporate Communications, Mr. Yakubu Dati.

Dunoma explained that a recent International Air Transport Association, IATA report suggested that cargo volumes are expected to grow by 4.5 per cent in 2015, as compared to the time when air cargo business faced weak markets and increasing competition since 2011.

He however called on all private investors and stakeholders in the country’s avia-

U

Airbus aircraft

Airside shegzzy4live2000@yahoo.co.uk 08186007273

What have the CEOs got to show?

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Maintenace hangar of Lufthansa Airways in Frankfurt, Germany

tion industry to reach out and showcase the rich potentials of Nigeria to the world by keying into the opportunities available in the nation’s air cargo industry.

He added, “Some strategic airports in Nigeria like Akure, Makurdi, Minna, Abuja, Owerri, Calabar, Ilorin, Jalingo, Jos, Uyo, Kano, Lagos and Port Harcourt have been designated as fresh and dry cargo

airports, for the direct exportation of fresh agricultural produce from surrounding local communities to markets in Europe, the United States of America and other countries across the world.”

He informed further that work had already started on some of these cargo terminals at some airports across the country, assuring that they would be completed very soon.

Lufthansa Group receives Eco-Airline of the Year award

S journal Air Transport World, ATW, has once again awarded the Lufthansa Group the title of EcoAirline of the Year.

In 2013, the magazine also recognised the Group’s diverse range of initiatives and innovations in the area of eco-conservation.

An online statement by the media consultant of the airline in Nigeria stated that this means that the renowned award has gone to the Lufthansa Group for the second time in three years. The award was presented to Lufthansa recently at the 41st Annual Airline Industry Achievement Awards in Washington, D.C. ATW Editor-In-Chief, Karen Walker said that, “Lufthansa has been an outstanding contributor to eco-aviation awareness and progress since long

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

before it became compulsory or ‘trendy.’ Not only does Lufthansa Group adhere to some of the world’s strongest ecoaviation practices, but this is a company that truly invests in and devotes time and effort to efficiency programmes and developments that benefit the planet and the entire aviation industry.”

The airline stated that in its application for the award, it impressed the magazine with the group’s strategic environmental programme.

It also aims to make mobility sustainable for the environment and the climate and is therefore a key element of group-wide efforts in this area.

Important priorities for the Group here include continuous investment in an efficient, low-noise fleet of aircraft and a diverse range of programs

for greater fuel efficiency and fewer CO2 emissions.

The Lufthansa Group said it would take delivery of 263 new, state-of-the-art aircraft at a list price of EUR 37bn by 2025.

The Company actively supports the use of alternative fuels and research into them.

In 2011, Lufthansa conducted ground-breaking work with its long-term testing of biofuel and demonstrated that it can be used without any problems.

From spring 2015, the Lufthansa Group will be filling its aircraft at Oslo airport with a biokerosene blend.

ast Tuesday, four of the Chief Executive Officers, CEOs, in different agencies in the Nigerian aviation industry clocked one year in office.

The agencies are the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, with Engr. Ibrahim Abdulsalam as its CEO; the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, that has Engr. Saleh Dunoma as its helmsman and Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, with Engr. Felix A. Abali and the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, NCAT, has Capt. Samuel Akinyele Caulcrick.

Airside and other stakeholders in the country’s aviation industry had expected most of the CEOs to use the opportunity to reel out their performances, achievements and future plans to the

public, but surprisingly, they all kept mute.

Airside is bothered about this loud silence from the CEOs. Does it mean that none of the CEOs has nothing to present to the public after 365 days in office or they are waiting for later date to dish out their achievements to the country’s aviation stakeholders?

Only time will tell.

In other climes, their CEOs would have used the opportunity of a year in office to tell the public their achievements and future programmes, but the reverse is the case in Nigeria.

However, Airside insists it is pertinent for the CEOs to let the public know how far they have gone and the challenges presently confronting them. Let them do the needful.

Who owns FirstNation Airways?

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ellview airlines was one of the dominating carriers in the Nigerian aviation industry with over eight aircraft in its fleet before the unfortunate air accident of October 22, 2005 at Lisa, a serene village in Ogun State, which claimed 117 souls on board.

The accident, dealt a big blow to the airline’s expansion programme and eventually forced it to close shop in December 2009, after other myriad of crises. However, on November 1, 2011, another airline with the same former Managing Director of Bellview, Mr. Kayode Odukoya and the same headquarters as Bellview came onboard, but with a different name – FirstNation Airways.

Since its entrance in the schedule operations in the industry, the present FirstNation can’t be compared with the former bellview. At present, it has only two aircraft on

its fleet.

However, since the airline birthed, there have been several insinuations to its real owners.

While Odukoya consistently claimed to be the major sponsor of the new carrier, some analysts in the country’s aviation industry alleged that Odukoya is fronting for a popular politician in the country who they claimed invested over $30m at commencement of operations in 2011.

The analysts specifically mentioned the logo on the tail of the aircraft, which they said is the same as that of other business being controlled by the frontline politician in question.

While Airside insists that there is nothing wrong for anyone to invest in the sector, including the airline sub-sector, it is however interested in the real owners of FirstNation. Who owns FirstNation Airways?

Etihad Airways flies A380 aircraft to New York

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tihad Airways has announced that its new Airbus A380 service takes flight beginning December 1, 2015 for passengers travelling between New York’s John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport and the airline’s Abu Dhabi home.

The A380 features The Residence

by Etihad, the airline’s ultra-luxurious and private three-room suite in the sky, a first in commercial aviation.

Etihad’s President, Mr. James Hogan said that United States was a strategically important part of the airline’s growing global network and as a result of increased demand from its guests traveling between New York and Abu Dhabi and other destinations; it has decided to upgrade one of its two daily flights to an A380.

He stated, “At Etihad Airways,

we are committed to offering unmatched luxury, comfort and convenience for our guests traveling with us across every class of service.

New York marks the first U.S. destination where we will introduce our industry-leading A380 aircraft products and experience.”

Etihad Airways the statement said would continue to offer double daily service between New York’s JFK Airport and Abu Dhabi. The addition of the A380 the airline insisted would allow Etihad Airways to match capacity with increased demand.

In 2014 alone, Etihad Airways’ Business and Economy Class load factors exceeded 80 per cent on the popular route.

The two daily flights offer guests traveling from New York access to 709 weekly connections to 34 mar-

kets across the Gulf, Middle East, Indian subcontinent, Africa and South East Asia. With equity partner Jet Airways, Etihad Airways serves 15 unique destinations in India from Abu Dhabi.

The Residence by Etihad has captured the imagination of the air travel industry since it was unveiled in May 2014. Measuring 125 square feet in area, The Residence by Etihad features a private living room, separate en-suite shower room, bedroom with a double bed, and a dedicated Savoy Academy trained Butler to look after the needs of its discerning guests.

The revolutionary cabin features a large 32” LCD monitor in the living room and a 24” version in the bedroom. Located on the forward upper deck of the A380, The Residence by Etihad is available for single or double occupancy.

Insurance

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

33

Boosting insurance penetration requires awareness – Experts After successfully repositioning the insurance industry by the National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, TAYO ELEBIJO takes a look at how the regulatory body could refocus its energy for the purposes of enhancing insurance penetration, and attracting investors and creating jobs.

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he Nigerian insurance industry has been battling for years on how to increase the population of the policy holders in the sector but the effort seemed to be taking a phlegmatic progression despite the many attractive products put out by the insurance companies in the country.

Today, the awareness being created by the insurance companies and the aftermath effect of the order created by the martinet regulatory body, the National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, more members of the public are beginning to see the reason why they should take insurance policies to protect their businesses and other parts of their existence in life. Before now, many people who had taken insurance policies had recoiled into a cyst when claims were not paid when they are due but it is a different thing altogether today as the martinet regulatory body has restored order in a way that trust has been reposed back to the industry culminating into foreign investment inflow into the sector.

But, the numbers of the policy holders are a far cry from the numbers foreign investors want to see going by the estimate of the Nigeria population which is presently put at between 175 to 180 million. Speaking in an interview with the National Mirror last week, the Director General of the Association of Enterprise Risks Management, AERM, Olayinka Odutola said the reason why investors are investing in the sector is because of the population of Nigeria, stressing that “it’s a game of numbers”.

However, how could the insurance companies take advantage of this number? How could they reach them and win them over to make them understand how really important taking insurance policy would enable them to sleep with their two eyes closed without having to bother about any mishap that could befall their businesses, their property and their lives or how it could help create jobs for the children they are presently sending to school.

The Festac Town branch manager with the Leadway Assurance Company Limited, Tolutope Awofeko told National Mirror in an interview that the sector would need to create more awareness for the policy holders to increase stressing that the government would have to enforce the existing insurance laws particularly the property law; making it mandatory for the owners of completed property to insure them just as those under construction. “They don’t seem to be aware of that they should insure their property”, Awofeko said.

Switzerland is a country of eight million people, with insurance premiums 38 times higher than Nigeria last year. Nigeria’s 59 insurers, led by Leadway Assurance Limited and AIICO Insurance Plc, had total assets of 564 billion naira, according to NAICOM.

Commissioner for Insurance, Fola Daniel

Presidet (CIIN) Fatai Lawal

We need to actually study the needs of the people in accordance to demography and introduce products that suit the different segments of the society Though, this figure may have increased as the sector has recorded more investment inflow over the past three years.

Sometime in 2010, Small and Medium Entrepreneurs, SME, operators in South Africa answered the country’s call to pay their taxes.

In the process, long queues were observed in most bank branches in South Africa as a result.

After days of the long queues, and disruption in other banking duties, the tax authority in the country had to issue a peg for the amount of money intending tax payers they wanted in order to reduce the number of those who wanted to pay their taxes. But some stood their grounds insisting that it was their duty to contribute to the development of their country that nobody could stop them from performing that duty. In Nigeria, if a government tries to enforce the payment of tax in any way, that government is regarded as unkind, wicked and corrupt and will be penciled down as unfit to return to power. Tax fiddle is the order of the day.

Insurance laws are there for Nigerians to abide by, but are ignored. The government seemingly decided to look the other way because they want to return to power. Akin Ogunbiyi, Group Managing Director Mutual Benefit Assurance Plc, said earlier that the sector would have to focus on micro insurance growth and not j the corporate business as it has been. Micro insurance policies he said would help to alleviate the sufferings of the low income earners and add value to their lives.

According to him, operators would have to pay more attention to the development of retail insurance. For him, the issue of accessibility was very relevant because most insurers are located in the cities or state capitals and could not be

easily reached by the people in the rural areas where the numbers are located .

Mac Okechukwu, the Regional Director of Hallmark Insurance plc, told National Mirror the insurance companies must embark on massive enlightenment campaign to get their products across to the people, stressing that many of the people are unaware of the benefits of insurance to them. According to him the payment of claims and quality service delivery are other areas that can grow the number of policy holders in the sector. Prompt payment of claims he said would repose confidence in the policy holder and would enable him or her to tell his or her friends if claims are paid or not. Okechuwku said government has to show more interest in insurance as the highest spender in the economy.

The President, Institute of loss Adjuster of Nigeria, Chief Lebi Omoboyowa, had said

NAICOM House

that there was a need for insurance operators to improve and spread their business across the country.

He, however, said NAICOM’s efforts on the development of micro insurance, and the Takaful were commendable.

Omoboyowa also noted that there were small scale industries in the society that are relatively doing well in their various trades.

According to him, the small scale industry plays an important role in the development of the economy.

The micro insurance products would be relevant to this group, he added.

The Managing Director, Sterling Assurance Limited, Mr. Fatai Lawal, said insurance is the mechanism of spreading losses and transferring risks from one person to another.

According to him, a person has an opportunity to pay a little amount and go about his business without being bothered about risks.

Lawal observed that most times when losses happened, a person might not have money to replace such items immediately if he had no insurance.

He said the insured was always secured if he had taken the appropriate insurance cover.

“Insurance companies of today are well regulated and you can be rest assured that there are avenues to seek redress if you feel you have not been rightly treated,” he said.

The Managing Director, Royal Exchange General Insurance Company Limited, Mr. Richard Borokini, also observed that the insurance market had been too traditional in its product offerings.

“We need to actually study the needs of the people in accordance to demography and introduce products that suit the different segments of the society,” he said.

According to him, there is a need to develop the retail market because presently, penetration in Nigeria is less than one per cent.

34

Insurance

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Royal Exchange Prudential Life strategises to win customers

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epositioned Royal Exchange Prudential Life Assurance, REPLA, has been urged to focus on customer service excellence, among other major initiatives, to drive its quest for market leadership and enhance the company’s status as a dominant player in the life insurance industry in the next three years.

Speaking at a national retreat for its management staff of the company, the Group Managing Director of Royal Exchange Plc, Mr. Chike Mokwunye, encouraged staff of Royal Exchange Prudential Life Assurance, especially those in customer-facing departments, to make service excellence their guiding principle and watchword in their interactions and dealings with clients of the company.

GMD, Royal Exchange Assurance Plc,

Mokwunye

According to Mr. Chike Mokwunye, “the customer is at the heart and soul of every organization’s growth and success and it is very important to keep them satisfied if one wants to remain in operation. If the customers are treated well, they would stay with you, but if they receive shabby and unsatisfactory treatment, they will take their business elsewhere”.

“The future of insurance in Nigeria is in the life business, which has not been fully tapped, and for Royal Exchange Prudential to seek market leadership, an effective and efficient policy of customer service, loyalty and retention must be in place in the organisation”, Mr. Mokwunye added.

In his remarks, Mr. Wale Banmore, Managing Director of the company said in addition to service excellence, his company’s focus is also on the deployment of a robust retail marketing strategy to take insurance to the grassroots, as well as training and upgrading of its marketing personnel, in line with current realities.

“The attainment of these goals, amongst others in the current financial year, will impact positively on the fortunes of the company profitably, improve ser-

vice delivery to our clientele and boost our premium income”, Mr Banmore added.

He further added, “Management believes strongly in the Royal Exchange brand and its people, it’s most important resource, are more than capable of delivering outstanding service to existing and potential clients, nationwide”.

Mr. Banmore further commended all staff of Royal Exchange Prudential, for their drive and resourcefulness, which has resulted in ‘winning ways’ for the company. He further challenged them to “work even harder in the years ahead, in order to achieve our objective of becoming a world class company by 2015”.

Facilitators invited to deliver papers at the strategy session include Mr. Gbenga Olawoyin, Managing Director, Wema Insurance Brokers, who spoke on communication strategies; Mr. Abdulrasheed Akolade, Senior Manager, Continental Reinsurance who delivered a paper titled “Profitability in Life Assurance Business” and Mr. Francis Okoli, AGM/Head, Finance, Royal Exchange Prudential whose paper was titled “Bank Alliance and Co-Marketing – A growth area in insurance”.

Mutual Benefits records N692m PBT

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nderwriting firm, Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, says it recorded N692m profit before tax in 2013 financial period.

The chairman of the company, Akin Opeodu, disclosed this during the firm’s 18th annual general meeting in Lagos.

“The Mutual Group has delivered profit before tax of N692m from a loss position of N2.5bn in 2012, which represents a 459 percent increase,” he said.

The chairman said its gross premium written grew marginally by 4.37 percent from N5bn in 2012 to N5.2bn in 2013, as there was a drop in net premium by 5.3 percent from N4.6bn in 2012 to N4.4bn in 2013.

He said the firm recorded an underwriting profit of N1.7bn in 2013 from N2.6bn in 2013.

The chairman revealed that its investment income increased by 129 percent from N37m in 2012 to N85m in 2013, while it recorded profit after tax of N575m in 2013 from a loss record of N2.7bn in 2012.

“Our asset base grew from

N13.5bn in 2012 to N14.4bn in 2013 representing 7 per cent growth. Shareholders’ fund grew by 21 per cent from N2.7bn in 2012 to N3.3bn in 2012,” he said.

He noted that by professionalism, integrity, innovation and entrepreneur spirit, Mutual Benefits businesses, alongside the core business of insurance, operate in a broad range of sectors including transportation logistics, real estate, equipment leases, microfinance banking, oil and gas.

“Our philosophy remains using insurance to create value, harness and drive growth opportunities within the formal sector,” he said.

According to him, the firm’s partnership and strategic alliance approaches allowed it to combine skills, knowledge and operational expertise to support the creation and growth of new and existing markets.

He said their goal was to provide quality products and services which will empower

and inspire its customers and it had remained true to this vision.

To actualise its strategic plans, the chairman said Mutual Benefits established and invested huge capital in setting up firms such as Mutual Model Transportation Limited-a franchise of LAGBUS; Charks Investment Limited – an asset and equipment leasing company; Mutual Homes and Properties Limited – property development for home ownership on mortgage plans; and Mutual Micro Finance Bank- for the sale and distribution of micro insurance and retail services.

GMD Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc Akin-Ogunbiyi

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oil prices could pose global economic risk, says Continental Re

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he oil price war now ravaging many economies could lead to another global meltdown in 2015, Lawrence Nazare, executive director at Continental Re said in an interview with RISKAFRICA, Nazare said that if Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, maintains production, prices will continue to fall below the economic production price for US oil fracking and may lead to another US recession with a consequent ripple effect on the rest of the world economies.

“Slowdown in China and drastic change in OPEC, particularly Saudi, views on crude oil prices will negatively impact established oil exporting countries in Africa and all the new and expectant countries looking forward to hydro-carbon inspired boom,” added Nazare.

According to Nazare, additional risks that Continental Re foresees for 2015 include overcapacity within the African insurance market due to an influx of foreign capacity; regulatory ‘activism’ could result in unpredictable regulatory terrain; social unrest in restive disadvantaged populations, particularly the urban youth, due to depressed commodity prices, with particular reference to oil, leading to capital flight, fiscal pressures on government, negatively impacting on all sectors particularly insurance.

With regards to economic risks, Nazare warns of lower commodity prices leading to

GDP growth stagnation, currency pressures, high inflation and balance of payment constraints as well as the lack of fiscal space for governments and reduced budgetary commitments to social services and infrastructure spend.

Nazare suggests that key global geopolitical risks worldwide will continue to present grave medium- to long-term consequences, which will persist into 2015: “The escalating extremist spawned terror crises threaten security across the Middle East, part of Asia, Africa, East Africa, the Sahel and, increasingly, in major cities around the globe.”

Nazare highlights the ‘New Cold War’ between Russia and the West, precipitated by events in the Ukraine, has resulted in a new bipolar schism with no fundamental ideological base. Furthermore, territorial claims motivated by resource prospects, such as the dispute in the South China Sea, continue to threaten future global peace.

For 2015, Nazare considers that infrastructure, power and transportation sectors are at risk of facing stagnation due to slowing investments, as well as sectors requiring intensive capital, such as mining and hydro-carbons, which are facing severe capital constraints.

Conversely, Continental Re sees opportunities in consumer driven sectors such as fastmoving consumer goods, real estate, telecoms, and health due to sustain expansion.

Consider this: Buying life insurance in 5 easy steps

1. Get a quote We’ll give you a side-by-side comparison of your best prices from highly-rated life insurance companies based on your age, health, family health history, and lifestyle.

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Final prices are determined by the life insurance company after they review your mini medical exam and other information. The more accurate the information you provide upfront, the more accurate your quote will be.

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3. Get a mini checkup We’ll send a licensed paramedic to examine you. You’ll receive a free copy of your lab results, which are completely confidential.

4. Get your underwriting results Your life insurance company will make a decision regarding your insurability – and final price – based on your medical results and other information.

5. Start your coverage Depending on your state of residence, you have up to 30 days to return your policy and be fully reimbursed for any premiums paid. It brings peace of mind to know that your family will be financially secure in the event of a tragedy.

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Money

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

35

Experts hinge financial inclusion success on collaboration

As the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, NDIC and other financial sector regulators harp on financial inclusion, experts say collaboration among stakeholders is key reports UDO ONYEKA.

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he operations of financial system are crucial to people’s savings, credit, payment and risk management needs. More importantly, the inclusiveness of this system promises to be of immense benefits to the poor and other disadvantaged groups in the society.

For instance, many studies have shown that financial development tends to increase economic growth and reduce inequality and poverty. This is because improvement in the financial sector is expected to aid savings, capital formation and ease the external financing constraints that companies and entrepreneurs face which then lead to higher growth. Increased savings can be engendered by including the poor and disadvantaged groups in the formal financial system, considering their large numbers.

Experts believed stakeholders’ partnership has and will continue to expand financial services.

According to them, the ability of banks to introduce innovative and wide range of products has increased the number of persons patronising the banks and the number would continue to increase.

Dr. Afolabi Olowookere of African Centre for Shared Development Capacity, University of Ibadan, said that ability of banks to look towards small business owners has actually expanded financial inclusion.

He said this small saving group represents a means of financial diversification which can enhance financial stability and economic growth of a country.

According to him, it has been shown that in countries with low levels of financial inclusion, households and small firms resort to informal financial services and these can be counter-productive.

Olowookere said considering the benefit of financial inclusion, many economies including Nigeria have come to recognise the potential of inclusive financial systems which is now becoming an important political issue to financial markets regulators and operators.

According many experts’ Nigerian financial sector has witnessed significant developments in recent years as both regulators and private operators in the sector have instituted policies and strategies for its expansion.

Although many of these efforts have always been targeted at financial inclusion, experts believe that what remains however is for the impact of the country’s financial sector development to reflect in the growth of the real sector.

For instance, former President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, Mr Goodie Ibru, said over 80 per cent Nigerian enterprises still describe poor access to finance as the most diffi-

NDIC MD, Umaru Ibrahim CBN Gov, Emefiele

LCCI DG, Muda Yusuf

NDIC Is also a supervIsor that eNhaNCes fINaNCIal INClusIoN by provIDINg CoNsumer proteCtIoN through supervIsIoN of baNks,

CoNtINuous eDuCatIoN aND trust aND polICy formulatIoN aND oversIght cult problem they face.

National Mirror gathered Nigeria ranks low in indicators of financial inclusion, even among its peers.

For instance, the World Bank Global Findex data shows that less than per cent of Nigerian adults have accounts with formal financial institutions. This value is below those of Kenya and South Africa which have values of 50per cent and 54 per cent respectively.

Therefore as parts of its efforts to address the problem of low level of financial inclusion, Nigeria has put together a National Financial Inclusion Strategy which is designed to increase the number of Nigerians that are included in the formal financial sector to 70 per cent by the year 2020.

However experts say Nigeria has made some progress in financial inclusion, a feat they attributed to collaboration among stakeholders.

Olowookere, advised that Nigeria should not ignore an important s part in this Strategy considers the issues of monitoring and evaluation, “adding that this is to measure and ensure that the Strategy has the desired impact by collecting a comprehensive data from financial industry stakeholders twice a year.

Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Governor, Godwin Emefiele said financial consumer protection efforts and financial literacy initiatives of the CBN are designed to bring people on board the formal financial system, especially when the financial system is sound.

He said the key mandate of the CBN is the promotion of a sound financial system,

which would instil confidence in users of financial services.

Emefiele said “as regulators, we have a responsibility to maintain public confidence in the financial sector by addressing all factors that would undermine the sector’s long-term stability, without which it would lose its relevance as a medium of economic interaction and payments. Maintaining public confidence demands ensuring that the sector keeps up with all pertinent global developments to make sure it remains relevant to the needs of the public from which it derives its mandate.

“A stable financial system is also a precondition for economic growth and development, hence financial inclusion especially when promoted in the broader context of economic inclusion, can raise financial conditions and improve the standards of lives of the poor and the disadvantaged. Access to affordable financial services would lead to increasing economic activities and employment opportunities for rural households with a possible multiplier effect on the economy”, Emefiele said.

He said the apex bank’s collaboration with other stakeholders has reduced adult exclusion, adding that the target of covering 70 per cent adult in 2020 would be achieved.

Managing Director, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, said financial exclusion retards economic growth as SMEs are denied credit, as only large corporate and guaranteed wage earners in the public and private sector have access to credit.

Ibrahim said appropriate regulations

are being put in place to support financial inclusion, adding that “the ability of the market to respond to this demands depends not only on providers developing sustainable and low-cost ways to providing such services, but also on having an enabling regulatory and supervisory environment backed by an effective deposit insurance system”.

He said that the NDIC supports financial inclusion through guaranteeing deposits, especially small savers. “This is the direct link between deposit insurance and financial inclusion.

Deposit insurance is vital to financial inclusion because the poor need assurance that the services of the depository institutions are safe and available at all time.

“NDIC is also a supervisor that enhances financial inclusion by providing consumer protection through supervision of banks, continuous education and trust and policy formulation and oversight.

“The corporation also provides incentive for rural banking and prosecutes erring and reckless directors and management of banks,” he said.

He said financial inclusion, consumer protection and financial literacy are complimentary to each other and that in order to attract the unbanked poor to the formal financial systems, there is a need to educate this segment of the society with regards to various financial products and services available from formal financial sector.

According the NDIC, boss, financial literacy is key for the attainment of National Financial Inclusion Strategy’s objectives, adding that to safeguard of the interest of consumers and sustain confidence in the formal financial sector, adequate consumer protection is necessary.

According to Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access, EFInA, a financial development organisation that tries to promote financial inclusion in Nigeria, in its survey of adults of 18 years and above in 2008, 2010 and 2012 shows that the level of financial inclusion in the country is low.

36

Taxation

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Penalties for late filers, ABC of tax returns (2) A

s a follow up to last week’s publication, below is a continuation of the article that highlights the requirements for filing returns, due dates and penalties for late filing of returns as it pertains to various tax types.

Last week’s edition focused on Company Income Tax (CIT), Education Tax (EDT), National Information and Technology Development Levy (NITDL), Estimated Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), Final PPT, Personal Income Tax (PIT).

This week’s edition wraps up the article as it centres on Annual Pay as You Earn (PAYE), Monthly Pay as You Earn (PAYE), Withholding Tax (WHT) and Transfer Pricing (TP).

7. Requirements for filing annual returns of Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) (by employers) Section 81 (2) of PITA (as amended) and Regulation 10 of the Operation of PAYE Regulations provide that an employer shall render to the relevant tax authority a return on each employee showing total emoluments of each employee during the year, the tax relief, if any, and the total tax deducted from the employee. This is to be done on a Form H1 or such other form as may be approved or prescribed by the relevant tax authority.

Due Date Annual PAYE returns should be filed not later than 31st of January in respect of all employees of the employer in the preceding year.

Penalties for late filing of annual returns of PAYE (by employers) Section 81 (3) of PITA stipulates a penalty of N500,000.00 for corporate bodies and N50,000.00 for individuals upon conviction.

8.

Requirements for filing monthly PAYE returns (by employers) The schedule to be attached to the

payment and evidence of remittance should contain the following information: a) Taxpayer information (employer): I. Taxpayer/agent name and address II. Taxpayer/agent TIN III. Transaction amount IV. Transaction date b) Employees’ information: i.

Staff TIN ii.

Staff name iii. Basic salary iv.

Allowances v.

Transaction date (DD/MM/YY) vi.

Tax amount vii. Period covered Due Date • Evidence of remittance

should be filed not later than 10th of every month Penalties for late filing of monthly PAYE returns (by employers) • Penalty for non-deduction and failure/late remittance under Section 40 of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (Establishment) Act 2007 applies.

• Upon conviction, the penalty is at 10% per annum of the tax not remitted and interest at the prevailing Central Bank of Nigeria re-discount rate and imprisonment for period of not more than three (3) years.

9. Requirements for filing Withholding Tax (WHT) returns Regulation 4 of the Companies Income Tax (rates, etc. of tax deducted at source (WHT)) regulations as well as Regulation 3 of PIT (rates, etc. of tax deducted at source (WHT)) regulations provide that a person who deducts tax from a payment shall, when the payment is credited or paid, whichever is earlier, submit, to the relevant office of FIRS, the evidence of remittance made to the designated bank of the tax deducted. The submission shall be accompanied with a statement containing the following information: • The name and address as well as the TIN of the person from whom the tax was deducted.

• The nature of activity or service in respect of which the payment was made.

• The gross amount paid or payable.

• The amount of tax deducted.

• The period to which the payment relates.

Similar provisions can be found in Sections 78, 79 & 80 of CITA as well as Sections 69, 70, 71 & 73 of PITA. Due Date Evidence of remittance should be

filed not later than thirty (30) days from the date the tax was deducted or the time the duty to deduct the tax arose.

Penalty for late filing of Withholding Tax (WHT) returns WHT only has penalties for non-deduction and failure/late remittance of deduction.

Upon conviction, the penalty is 10% per annum of the tax not remitted and interest at the prevailing Central Bank of Nigeria re-discount rate and imprisonment for period of not more than three (3) years (Section 40 of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (Establishment) Act 2007).

10. Requirements for filing Value Added Tax (VAT) returns Section 15 of the VAT Act (VATA) Cap. V1 LFN 2004 (as amended) requires taxable persons to render returns of all taxable goods and services purchased or supplied by him during the preceding month to FIRS. The Service has prescribed the use of VAT Form 002 for filing the monthly VAT returns.

Due Date Returns should be filed not later than 21st day of the month following that in which the purchase or supply was made.

Penalty for late filing of Value Added Tax (VAT) returns Section 35 of VATA stipulates a penalty of N5,000.00 for every month in which the failure to make returns continues.

11. Requirements for filing Transfer Pricing returns Regulation 6 of the Income Tax (Transfer Pricing) Regulations No.1, 2012 provide for the filing of Transfer Pricing returns and the documents

required to be filed. The provisions under the regulations refer to companies which have relationship with any other company (i.e.) through control, management or ownership.

The following are the content of Transfer Pricing returns: • TP Declaration Form (required only in the first year but must be updated should there be material changes in the information provided) • TP Disclosure Form (annually whether or not there are controlled transactions) • Copy of audited financial statement • Copy of Self-Assessment Form • Copy of income tax computations (including all relevant schedules) The taxpayer should write a covering letter for the Transfer Pricing returns; package all the documents into a separate envelope and mark the envelope “TP RETURNS”.

The package containing the TP returns should be delivered to the tax office (where the taxpayer’s file is resident) along with the annual income tax returns and obtain acknowledgement of submission at the tax office.

Due Date Same due date with CIT/PPT returns and must be filed when filing CIT/PPT returns.

Penalty for late filing of Transfer Pricing returns Regulation 13 of the Income Tax (Transfer Pricing) Regulations specify same penalty as specified for failure to file CIT/PPT returns.

Please note that apart from penalty for late filing of returns, many of these tax types also have separate penalties for late remittance.

From L-R Mr. Femi Edga, secondy of FIRS to ATAF, Mr. John Kinyuy, Cameroon , Alh. Kabir Mashi, Ag. Executive Chairman, FIRS , Mr. Logan wort, Executive secretary ATAF, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Coordinating Minister for Economy and Minister of Finance, Gershen Takavada, Commissioner General Zimbabwe Revenue Authority & Chairman ATAF, Mr. Mamadou Abbes, Senegal and Mr Andrew Onyeanakwe, Adviser to the Minister during a visit to minister by ATAF Finance and Audit Committee in Abuja.

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Capital Market

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

37

SEC extends Access Bank’s rights issue StorieS: JohnSon okanlawon

T

he Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, has extended Access Bank Rights Issue for next ten working days, from the closing date of March 4, 2015.

The bank is offering 7,627,639,636 Ordinary shares at 50 kobo each at N6.90kobo per share on the basis of one new ordinary share for every three ordinary shares held.

The Managing Director of the bank, Mr. Herbert Wigwe has urged investors to take position in the ongoing Rights Issue.

He said, “We don’t manage share price, but the fundamentals of the bank. We are going to give good returns on investment as our target is to be among top three banks in 2017.”

He said that the bank is talking to institutional investors, high networth investors and individuals, particularly the investors who understand the value of long term investments.

According to him, shareholders have started taking their Rights because they know that the crisis is going to be over.

Igwe, who said that the bank has highest foreign investors, added that it has a moderate risk appetite and that was why its expoture in the power sector is low.

Analysts at Meristem Securities Limited, an investment frim, noted that incorporating the expected dilution of earnings from the bank’s rights issue, “we arrived at a target price of N8.74 for 2015, which also reflects the tighter operating environment

Lafarge Africa completes 15% stake in Unicem

L

afarge Africa has said that the Nigerian Cement Holdings, a 50 per cent affiliate of Large Africa, has completed the acquisition of the first 15 per cent tranche stake in Unicem.

The Nigerian Cement Holdings, NCH, has 70 per cent share interest in Unicem and upon this acquisition, NCH has now increased its stake to 85 per cent.

Lafarge Africa had in November 18, 2014 notified the Nigerian Stock Exchange that NCH has entered into an agreement with Flour Mills of Nigeria Cement Industries Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, to acquire its 30 per cent investment in Unicem.

The notice explained that pursuant to the agreement, the first tranche of 15 per cent wouldl be acquired in 2015, while the second tranche of 15 per cent will be acquired on or before February 2016.

Unicem, the only cement plant in the South-

South and South-East Region of the country is strategically located in Mfamosing, Calabar, in Cross Rivers State.

The plant has a cement capacity of 2.5mm tonnes and has recently performed a breaking ceremony for its second line for an additional 2.5mm tonnes which is expected to be completed in 2016.

Lafarge Group had combined its Nigeria’s and South Africa’s businesses to create a new name, Lafarge Africa Plc. The Chairman, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye, said the new entity would have a nationwide coverage in both countries, with cement capacity of about 12 million tonnes.

The strong operational track record and management skills within the combined businesses as well as continued support and expertise from Lafarge Group, Osunkeye stressed, would position Lafarge Africa to offer a full range of value added solutions to meet the customers’ needs.

L – R: Executive Director, Business Development, the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Haruna Jalo- Waziri, presenting a gift to Country Programme Director Nigeria, United Nations Women, Dr. Grace Ongile, at the Closing Gong Ceremony in commemoration of International Women’s Day celebration at the Exchange on Friday.

expected.

“Access bank however remains a good company, from which we expect an impressive performance in 2015 in spite of the restrictive operating environment, in furtherance to the bank’s achievement in 201,” they said.

The Chairman of Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Mr. Boniface Okezie, said that he is subscribing to the issue despite the fact that it is coming at a critical time when prices of stocks are dropping.

According to him, it is

better to take the issue at N6.90 per share than to buy it at the current market price where you will be paying transaction charges and some other levies.

He added that the additional capital will enable it to leverage en-

larged balance sheet and optimise returns in a sustainable, riskcontrolled manner and enhance shareholders value.

The Access Bank nine months results, which was presented to local and international investors at the Nigerian bourse, showed 17.3 per cent increase in gross earnings to N181.8bn, from N155bn recorded in the corresponding period of 2013.

Also, its total assets rose to N2.07trn, an increase of 13 per cent from N1.84trn recorded in the same period of 2013, while the tier-one bank’s profit for the period rose 28 per cent to N35.4bn, from N27.6bn recorded in the corresponding period of 2013. Its basic earnings per share increased 28 per cent to 154 kobo, from 121 kobo.

The bank also reported net interest income growth of 27 per cent to N75.9bn, from N59.6bn in the corresponding period of 2013.

ConocoPhillips: Oando pays out N47.5bn to banks

O

ando Energy Resources, OER, the indigenous oil and gas producer in the country and the upstream subsidiary of Oando has made a substantive pre-payment of $238m to local and foreign lenders who financed its landmark $1.5bn acquisition of ConocoPhillips Nigeria, COPN, hydrocarbon assets last year.

A statement from the bank yesterday said the company realised a cash windfall in the sum of $234m due to the proactive fiscal measures put in place prior to the slump in oil prices.

It explained that while most upstream exploration and production players are forced to battle with the new reality of lower oil prices translating to lower revenue and operating cash flows, the decline in prices led to a

substantial gain for the company, The statement said OER successfully realised $234m by resetting its crude oil hedge floor price from an average of $95.35 per barrel to $65.00 per barrel on 10,615 bbls/day for the next 18 months and another 1,553 bbls/day for a further 18 months until January 2019.

According to the statement, an additional $4m from OER’s cash reserves will be applied to the loan facilities.

Commenting on the payment, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Pade Durotoye, said the decline in global crude oil prices led to a substantial gain for our company and we have 10,832 bbls/day average productions hedged for the balance of 2015 and 8,000 bbls/day for 2016.

He added that cash-

ing out some value from this hedge will enable the company reduce outstanding loans and leverage by $238m, saving the company $65m in interest payments over the remaining term of the loan facilities, whilst preserving a floor of $65 per barrel.

“With 50 per cent of our Oil Production hedged and 65 per cent of our production being gas committed to stable long term priced contracts, we are well positioned with strong cashflow to meet our obligations and aspirations through this current oil price down cycle,” he added.

He stressed that the proceeds from the hedge unwind/reset (in addition to $4m from cash in hand) were applied to prepay $188m applied to the $415m in the reserves base lending facility, resulting in a balance of

$227m.

Durotoye added that $51m applied to the $338m in the corporate facility, resulting in a balance of $287m.

“With 50 per cent of our oil production hedged and 65 per cent of our production being gas committed to stable long term priced contracts, we are well positioned with strong cashflow to meet our obligations and aspirations through this current oil price down cycle.”

As at the ConocoPhillips acquisition date of July 30, 2014, OER had a total debt of approximately $900m (inclusive of a $100m structured facility provided by Afrexim).

After taking account of previous amortizations and the hedge-related prepayment, the total debt of OER currently stands at $615m,” he said.

38

Features

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

American University of Nigeria gives

Picture shows AUN campus

S

ince 2004, the American University of Nigeria, AUN has been making impact in Adamawa State in particular and in Nigeria as a whole. Located in Yola and established with the mission of becoming Africa’s premier Development University in teaching, research and community service, AUN has been addressing its immediate community’s needs. The University has been assisting the North East region where it is located to eradicate poverty, remove economic barriers to growth and combat various challenges like environmental degradation, violence and youths unemployment. Recently, AUN has been actively involved in various efforts aimed at providing relief for internally displaced people in Yola and Adamawa State. On Thursday March 5, Dr. Margee Ensign, the president, AUN, and Dan Okereke, Executive Director Communications and Public Relations came to Lagos and addressed the press. Dr. Margee Ensign spoke about the University’s efforts to assist internally displaced persons. During a power point presentation that lasted for almost two hours, she demonstrated the various ways in which the University has been helping internally displaced persons reconstruct their lives. She disclosed that the University has delivered food to about 20,000 internally displaced persons since 2013 when large numbers of victims of Boko Haram attacks were rendered homeless. AUN also provided supplies and built latrines at the camp for Internally Displaced Persons in Yola.

On October 3 last year, 5,000 women received food at the catholic cathedral. In ad-

dition, AUN has begun an individualized, intense academic program for 21 students who escaped from Boko Haram’s attack.

They were among the 276 girls kidnapped from Chibok Secondary School by Boko Haram on April 16, 2014. The University is preparing the girls for national and regional examination. Specifically the university is training the girls to be able to pass the West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination WASSCE and the University and Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME. Dr. Ensign disclosed that funding for the University’s support for IDPS have come from the voluntary donations from the American government, the founder of the University former Vicepresident Atiku Abubakar and many nongovernmental organizations and private individuals in Nigeria and America. For example she said that $100,000 was donated by the United States Government. Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar donated $ 200,000. Almost $ 200,000 also came from various non-governmental organizations and individuals.

Adamawa peace initiatives streamlines assistance for IDPs One major modality of carrying out the University’s intervention programs is the Adamawa Peace Initiative established during the 2012 fuel subsidy strikes, the AUN – Adamawa Peace Initiative first held its meeting on January 10, 2012. On that day, Dr. Ensign, Alhaji Ahmed Joda and many religious community leaders met for three hours and came up with the Adamawa Peace Initiative. Two years after the birth of the initiative Adamawa state has suf-

fered more vicious attacks by Boko Haram.

By May 203, Adamawa came under state of emergency. Internally displaced people including thousands of youths have moved to Adamawa from Borno and Yobe to escape the violence from Boko Haram’s wicked and unrelenting bombardments. Numerous peace and development projects have been developed through this initiative to respond to this crisis. They include peace through sports, peace through entrepreneurship and ICT training. In the last year, people have been coming from the nooks and corners of the state to identify with the various programmes of API. Recently, as Dr. Ensign disclosed, six additional traditional rulers from Yola-Jimeta area joined the API International conference on peace and development held in July last year which brought together 120 academics, journalists and peace activists from around the country to determine which programs and policies can best contribute to peace and stability in Nigeria.

Moreover, new AUN-API programmes were established in March last year to deal with internally displaced persons who have moved to Adamawa State. These programmes include delivery and distribution of food, seeds, clothing and mosquito nets and paying school fees for displaced children in order that they can attend local schools.

Recently AUN Staff have travelled to Borno twice to try to locate additional Chibok girls. AUN-API is unique because of its involvement of leaders with the deepest knowledge of community. They have the best knowledge of which youth are the most vulnerable to violence by groups like

President_Margee Ensign, AUN

Boko Haram and thus need special assistance. Through AUN-API over 4,200 youths were trained in various skills acquisition since last year till date.

Peace through literacy: stellar The 2010 Nigeria National Education Data Survey found that 77% of children age 5-16 in Adamawa State were not able to read at all. The goal of the AUN STELLAR project is to help primary school students in Nigeria , to empower them to stay enrolled and succeed in school, to realize their full potential.AUN Students enrolled in a credit-bearing, service-learning course (CDV 101) carry out most of the project activities under the close supervision of faculty. Currently the AUN students run an afterschool programme in primary schools in Yola tutoring math, reading, and English;they also writee and/or translate and publish age-appropriate children’s books in English and

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Features

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

39

succour to internally displaced persons

AUN's Graduating Class of 2014

local languages; and harness technology to enhance learning outcomes. To date, over 400 AUN students have been trained as tutors and have held over 300 tutoring sessions in five public primary schools in Yola. Over 1000 pupils have received tutorals in small groups of five or fewer. AUN students have written over 40 titles of children’s books in seven languages, including many with peace related themes, and many more in the pipeline.

The Aun President added that students in STELLAR gave the Early Grade Math Assessment (EGMA) to 136 pupils in the tutoring program in the Spring 2013. After 10 weeks of their participation in the program (approximately 2.5 hour per week), the pupils’ mean scores rose across all sub-tasks by a range of 0.38-0.88 standard deviations, representing 10.34%26.51% increases in raw scores averages.

In the Spring 2014, STELLAR gave the Early Grade Reading Assessment (EGMA) to 76 pupils who had participated in the program for approximately 13 weeks. Their scores also rose across all sub-tasks by a range of 0.73-1.99 standard deviations; representing 10.6%-49.9% increases in raw score averages. This is because studies have found that a solid academic foundation in the mother tongue increases overall academic achievement in the long-term, even in the second language (English), and the National Policy on Education calls for the use of the mother tongue at the primary level. To address the scarcity of teaching materials, STELLAR has translated many children’s books into local languages. Furthermore, in December 2013 STELLAR formed a committee of local linguists and education experts to develop a pedagogically sound, phonics-based early literacy cur-

Photo shows recently trained IDPs

TO DATE, OVER 400 AUN STUDENTS HAVE BEEN TRAINED AS TUTORS AND HAVE HELD OVER 300 TUTORING SESSIONS IN FIVE PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN YOLA. OVER 1000 PUPILS HAVE RECEIVED TUTORALS IN SMALL GROUPS OF FIVE OR FEWER riculum for Hausa.

There is a strong relationship between children’s health and their ability to attend and succeed in school. Studies have shown that administering deworming medication to school children is one of the most cost-effective ways to increase attendance, with long-lasting health benefits that extend to the whole community.

In Spring 2014, STELLAR, in conjunction with the AUN Office of Community Service and the local government health department, distribution deworming medicine to 1500 primary school students in Yola. STELLAR plans to increase this number in the upcoming year. In addition to using tablets to administer the above assessment much more efficiently, STELLAR supplements its tutoring programme by providing opportunities for children to use free educational apps on tablets. This activity has been expanded through the AUN Office of Community Service.

In the 2013-2014 school year, STELLAR evaluated for the Adamawa State Ministry of Education and ADSUBEB a pilot project using the Jolly Phonics reading curriculum in six Primary 1 classrooms in Yola. AUN students in STELLAR will continue to administer reading or math assessment to track the pupils’ progress and continually improve its activities.

Lastly, STELLAR hopes to better sensitize and involve parents in addressing their children’s literacy needs.

Peace through sports Dr Ensign said sports have a very important, documented role to play in building peace in conflict- prone societies. Evidence shows that involvement in sports bring individuals and communities together, bridges cultural, religious and ethnic divides, improve health and reduce the likehood of disease, and empower girls. Her words ‘’ Our Peace Through Sports Program teaches fair play, cooperation, increased self-esteem, and resiliency. It helps to build cooperation with others and contributes to peace through building interactions based on harmony and trust. Currently 44 sport teams are active in the AUN-API Peace Through Sports program: 30 football teams (for vulnerable boys) and 14 volleyball teams (for vulnerable girls). This programme now has 850 youth participating year round.’’ The following are the Positive outcomes she mentioned.

1.

Employment: 10 participants have gained employment. 6 with AUN and 4 with the Lutheran Seminary in Mbamba.

2.

Education: 26 Participants are back in school (14 are back in high school & 12 got into the college of education) 3.

Football: 2 now play for the Adamawa state team and 1 made it into the Gombe state team. We invited both coaches as special guests during the tournament.

4.

ICT: 42 of the coaches and Team Captain have been trained at the ICT cen-

Norwegian Ambassador speaks at AUN March 17

T

he Norwegian Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Rolf Ree, will be in Yola and the American University of Nigeria on a three-day working visit from March 17. On the 19th he will deliver a talk to the university community, in continuation of The American University of Nigeria Diplomatic Lecture Series. The lecture series was started in 2011 as a forum for interaction between the diplomatic community in Nigeria and the American University of Nigeria community.

A master’s degree holder in Political Science from the University of Oslo, Ambassador Ree has had a long career in the

Norwegian Foreign Service. Most recently, prior to his posting to Abuja, he served as Deputy Head of Mission at the Norwegian Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 2007 to 2012. The Norwegian envoy will meet members of the Adamawa Peace Initiative (API) and interact with students and faculty of the university.

AUN’S Diplomatic Lecture Series has in the past included presentations by the Ambassadors from Switzerland, Ireland, Canada, Israel, the European Union, and the United States.

All American Ambassadors in Nigeria since 2004 have delivered speeches on

AUN’s Yola campus. Dr. John Campbell (2004), Robin Sanders (2008), Terrence McCulley (2011), James Entwistle (2014).

Other envoys who came from 2011 to date include the ambassadors of Israel (Moshe Ram), Canada (Christopher Cooter), European Union (David Macrae), Ireland (Paddy Fay), Cameroun (Ibrahim Salahuddeen), British Head of Chancery (Mark Edwards), Rwanda (Joseph Habineza), and the most recent, Switzerland’s Ambassador Hans-Rudolf Hodel. So far, the highest diplomatic visit was by His Excellency, President Jacob Zuma of South Africa in December 2010.

ter and two of the captains are currently working on starting their own business centre.

Future plans With additional funding in the 2014-15 academic year we could expand the Peace Through Sports programme to reach over 1500 youth as well as add additional sports such as football for girls and running track and basketball. This program now has 850 youth participating year round. The current one-day peace curriculum offered to all in this program will be expanded to one week. Overtime, and with additional funding, these youth could also participate in the Peace Through Literacy program, and once they are literate, in the entrepreneurship and training programs.

Stem and Wizkids Clubs Currently, teaching of STEM subjects (including Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) in rural and semi-urban schools in Nigeria is severely compromised due to dearth of competent teaching and learning resources.

Because of this, few students are completing secondary school and proceeding to tertiary institutions. Even fewer students pursue degrees in STEM-related subjects or degrees requiring strong foundations in Maths and Physical or Biological sciences.

To help solve these problems, AUN students are used to augment teaching of STEM subjects, provide access to new knowledge, and serve as mentors and role models. The goal of the STEM project is to inspire secondary school students in rural and semi-urban schools to aspire to higher education, especially in STEM subjects.

The strategy uses AUN students as mentors to supplement the efforts of classroom students. The program has created 22 academic clubs in local secondary schools to engender a sense of team spirit among the students with attendant competition and peer pressure to improve achievement. The clubs are divided into Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics teams. Students are chosen to participate based on prior academic achievements, similar to induction into an honors society.

In addition, workshops are organized for principals to explain the goals and generate support. Schoolteachers are trained to coordinate club activities. Finally, once a year at Yola Peace Day, an annual competition is organized between school clubs with prizes for the best performers in the different STEM categories.

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Global Business

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

to buy Israeli cyber security firm Chinese cooldown and Greek PayPal CyActive – media funding in focus O C hina’s cooling growth prospects and an interest rate decision in Russia will shift the economic agenda away from the euro zone next week, although Greece remains firmly in the spotlight because of its precarious funding outlook.

China should provide further hints of the challenges it faces after the world’s No. 2 economy depicted its “new normal” last week -- a growth target of 7 per cent for this year, the lowest for quarter of a century.

Chinese retail sales growth is expected by some analysts to have slowed slightly in February, with industrial production and investment growth data due out next week seen weaker too.

As Chinese leaders try to mould a more balanced long-term growth model, keeping the breakneck economic expansion of recent decades in check, all eyes will be on the reforms they are expected to outline further in the coming days.

“Asia will be firmly in focus,” Standard Chartered analyst Madhur Jha said. “The (Chinese) government is likely to emphasize the need for deeper structural reforms to ensure more sustainable growth,

China President Xi Jinping

even if it is likely to be softer in the near term.”

As markets digest China’s warning shots, the euro zone’s ups and downs will not be far from investors’ minds.

A four-month respite for Athens after it extended a bailout program has done little to ease concerns that Greece may face a cash crunch before then.

Its funding options will take center-stage at a Monday meeting of euro zone finance ministers, who will discuss the economic reforms Athens hopes will help it unlock some financial aid from international lenders.

The government sent an updated list of reforms to Brussels on Friday and said it wanted to start talks with lenders immediately on concluding its bailout and a possible follow-up deal. It also repaid part of an International Monetary Fund loan that falls due this month.

With Greece insisting it has breathing space, the Eurogroup session is unlikely to prompt any key decisions on Athens’ next steps. Worries about the country’s prospects beyond June are adding to tensions, however, as European officials wrangle over the chances of a third rescue package.

Greece’s travails come against a rosier backdrop for the euro zone, after the European Central Bank, which kicks off its $1 trillion government bond-buying plan on Monday, raised growth forecasts.

Industrial production figures for the single currency area, due on Thursday, are expected to support this encouraging picture, rising slightly after a year-on-year fall in December, and echoing a strong start to the year for German output.

Data brings more focus on timing of U.S. rate hike

U

.S. stock investors may be bracing for further signs next week that the Federal Reserve could increase interest rates sooner rather than later, with retail sales expected to rebound after two straight months of declines.

A pickup in retail sales could show consumers are benefiting from sharply lower oil prices, but analysts say spending in February was likely curbed by unusually harsh weather in parts of the United States.

Friday’s stronger-than-expected jobs report boosted expectations of a U.S. rate increase as soon as June, causing the market to sell off.

The S&P 500 ended the week

Apple self driving car

more than 2 per cent off its March 2 closing record high, while the Nasdaq was more than 70 points off the 5,000 mark, which it hit this week for the first time since March 2000.

Comments from some Fed officials underscored expectations of a June rate hike. Among them, Richmond Federal Reserve President Jeffrey Lacker repeated his view that the Fed should raise rates in June.

“The Fed is back at the top of the circle” in terms of the investor focus, said Kim Forrest, senior equity research analyst at Fort Pitt Capital Group in Pittsburgh.

“I think they’re feeling some pressure to show that they really are data

driven. The economy has been getting better, and what I think they’re trying to do is overstay the party to make sure the economy really is better.”

In the jobs data released Friday, unemployment dropped to a sixyear low of 5.5 per cent last month, within the range the Fed considers to be full employment. A Reuters poll conducted following the report showed many of Wall Street’s biggest banks are more convinced the Fed will raise rates in June.

While a stronger U.S. economy is better for the U.S. stock market in the long run, investors have worried that if the Fed raises rates too soon, it could dampen growth in an economy that has been slow to recover.

Besides U.S. retail sales, next week brings the preliminary March reading on consumer sentiment from the University of Michigan.

Sentiment unexpectedly fell in February from an 11-year high, adding to recent worries about spending.

Apple (AAPL.O), which rose 0.2 per cent on Friday after S&P Dow Jones Indices announced the stock would be added to the blue-chip index this month, will remain in focus next week when it is expected to unveil the long-awaited Apple Watch in San Francisco on Monday.

nline payments company PayPal, a unit of eBay (EBAY.O), will buy Israeli cyber security company CyActive for $60 million, Israeli media reported.

The Globes financial newspaper said the deal is expected to close shortly.

A spokeswoman for CyActive, which was founded in 2013, declined to comment on the reports.

CyActive, which says it can forecast future cyber attacks and offer companies such as utilities detection and prevention, received a strategic invest-

ment from the venture capital unit of Siemens SIGEn.DE in September. Financial details were not disclosed.

Siemens joined Jerusalem Venture Partners (JVP), an Israeli venture capital firm, in investing in CyActive. JVP was the main shareholder in another cyber security company, CyberArk Software (CYBR.O), which went public on Nasdaq in September.

This would be PayPal’s second acquisition in Israel, after it bought FraudSciences, which monitors financial fraud, in 2008 for $169 million.

Chicken growers set to pay price for no-antibiotic McNugget

M

cDonald’s Corp’s decision last week to phase out human antibiotics from its U.S. chicken supply will add to costs of production in a tight-margin business that are likely to be borne mostly by poultry companies.

McDonald’s, whose top chicken suppliers include giant Tyson Foods Inc, has given its producers two years to eradicate all antibiotics used on humans from barns and hatcheries. It’s going to be expensive and may take longer than planned: switching to antibioticfree chickens could increase onfarm costs by up to 3 percent. Perdue Farms, a supplier with about a third the volume of Tyson, told Reuters it’s taken more than a decade and millions of dollars to make such a change.

McDonald’s will use its purchasing muscle as the world’s largest restaurant chain to avoid passing extra costs on to customers, increasingly lower income as more affluent diners prefer competitors like Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc, said analysts including Morningstar’s R.J. Hottovy.

Marion Gross, McDonald’s senior vice president of North America supply chain management, declined to say how much the company’s costs for chicken could rise.

Rather, she told Reuters, the project

Poultry farm

is “an investment” to meet customer demand.

While veterinary use of antibiotics is legal, controversy has grown over routine feeding of antibiotics that are important to humans to otherwise healthy chicken, cattle and pigs in a bid to stave off disease and help the animals grow more quickly.

The risk is that overuse could spur the creation of so-called superbugs that develop cross-resistance to antibiotics used to treat humans. Reuters found last year that major U.S. poultry firms were administering antibiotics to their flocks on the farm far more pervasively than regulators realized.

The poultry industry maintains there is little evidence that bacteria which do become resistant also infect people. However, more restaurants and retailers are heeding the concerns of consumers, straining meat supplies.

Sandwich chain Chick-fil-A in 2014 gave its producers five years to meet its commitment to go antibiotic-free for chicken. Perdue is a major supplier to Chick-fil-A. Costco Wholesale Corp., the nation’s third-largest retailer that annually sells 80 million rotisserie chickens, told Reuters Thursday it has a “large” appetite for chicken free of these medically-important antibiotics.

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Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Uduaghan prepares Delta youths for a new era CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16 due to the support we receive from different arms of the state government, Ministry of Youth development is part of them, both in the time of your predecessor and in your time. We have enjoyed very warm support from you and that why we have been able to get this far but we still have a long way to go and that we we will use this opportunity to solicit for more support.

She noted that though the school is doing so well so far but there were challenges which he urge the present Commissioner for Youth Development to help surmount, these includes, the issue of accreditation from National Board of Technical Education, NBTE, and the need for the center to be gazetted among others.

“It is not the thinking of partners that if the gazette is facilitated and concluded upon before the exit of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, who is the initiator of the program, that it will go a long way to facilitate our activities and ensure the sustainability of the center.” She added.

There are still a number of activities of the center that we need to roll out in the course of this year like modular courses, modular trainings which will increase the multiplier effect of the center because the students we have now are students who have a particular requirement which is four credits at O’levels, go through admission process and come file the quota of their local government because all 25 local government areas are represented in this center.

“However for the modular courses, those one are supposed to be tailor made, commercial in nature, demand driven however, the idea is that we should graduate this set of our first set an then we can roll out our other programs in order to generate some funds for the sustainability of the center.

“Sir, before I forget, apart from the courses which I have earlier mentioned, I also want you to know that there are some core courses that anybody that graduate from here in any of the departments would have gone home with some basic knowledge apart from their main courses.

“For example, entrepreneurship, mindset change and reorientation, where they Leann to change their attitude and their view point towards the world. Then we also have a resident counselor, who take them through individual counseling, it could be occupational, it could be life and any type of counseling at all. So are the things that make the center different form other centers or training instruction in the country.”

On the admission Criteria she explained that the intake are suppose between the ages of 18!years to 30, indigene of Delta, have four credits at o ‘Levels with their applications endorsed by their various communities.

“Then also supposed to be ready to be fully residential and understand that no stipend is to be paid to them during the course of their training. We have a qualifying exams which we conduct, usually we take it base on merit form each local government, each local government has his own quota but the vulnerable local government who are more prone to vio-

The commissioner inspects facilities at the ICT department

The centre administrative manager, Mrs. Ngozi Mogbolu, explains some point to the Hon. Commissioner at the ICT department

WE ARE USING THIS OPPORTUNITY TO TELL ALL

DELTANS THAT WE HAVE EVERYTHING IN THE CENTRE

WE ARE MORE

A tutor in the motor mechanic dept. explain the workings of the dept to the Hon. Commissioner

lence has a higher quota than others.

“So once someone score within the range of his local government then that personal with state governor qualifies.

This is one of the most laudable project project by the state government and it is the best in the country. We have people from the civil societies, people form the presidency and other walks of life coming here and see for themselves and they all marvel.” She emphatically stated.

In his remark the Delta State Commissioner for Youth Development, Comrade Omolubi Newuwumi, said that Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan was totally committed to the overall development of youths in the state and that was the reason the center was set up Speaking during the working visit to the Multipurpose Youth Training Centre, the Commissioner stated that Governor Uduaghan has invested heavily on the development of youths in the state in order to make them better people.

According to the commissioner, no effort would be spared by the administration of Governor Uduaghan to tame youth restiveness, saying that: “Our dynamic Governor is committed to the development of our youths and other sectors.

While saying he was impressed with the achievements of the centre, the commissioner revealed that adequate publicity would be given to the centre in the interest of Deltans and others, urging youths in the state to take full advantage of the centre rather than roaming the streets.

“It is my appeal to our youths to take full advantage of this place; they should key into the activities of the centre as this

administration is determined to develop our youths mentally and physically. We are out to change the mindset of our youths.

We must sell what we have so that we can reach out to so many of our youths and as a Ministry, we are ready to join the management of the centre to give the place the needed publicity,” the commissioner said.

He added that: “We are using this opportunity to tell all Deltans that we have everything in the centre. We are more than capable in transforming every youth to be a better person in Delta state.”

One of the students from the ICT department, Mishel Osogbue, who spoke noted that one of the major reason of the program is to resolve conflict in the society, prepare the youth for their future and imbibe in them the spirit of self reliance and creating jobs for others.

According young Osogbue, who hails from Obiaruku, Ukwani local government area of Delta state, “I am sure that in the course of this program that we are already pregnant, and that when we leave here and go to the outside world and put in the labour room to deliver; we are going to deliver to the extent that all the youths in the state should be able to have that passion; to crave an want to be at this center.”

An not only that it will go a long way to resolve conflict and usher in peace in this state, we will join the the state an the government in building this state and the nation at large because I think we have been giving what we needed to create impact in this state and the country at large.

He noted that one thing that has brought them to their present level is their level of commitment as they did not just came to complete the numbers or get carried away

THAN CAPABLE IN TRANSFORMING EVERY YOUTH TO BE A BETTER PERSON IN

DELTA

STATE by the “’enjoyment that we met here and still enjoying here, that we are here because we have passion for it,” We are working towards it, with all our might and all our mind, we are making sure that everything we work out for us very well. if we are leaving and we have the opportunity to met any incoming student the first thing that I will tell him or her is to be determined, be passionate and be dedicated and I know that with three words in their mind, working as we did they will even do better than us.”

The commissioner also visited the Delta State Youth Resources center at Sapele which presently admits over 120 students in various vocational training to include ICT, Electrical/electronic installation and repairs, fashion design, catering and hotel management, welding and hairdressing.

The commissioner who interacted with both the tutors and the students assured them of state government commitment to their future, saying the youth was the primary concern of the governor when he launch the “Delta beyond oil” initiative.

He promised to look into some of the major challenges been faced by both the students and their administrators, saying government will make sure some of the challenges will be resolved before the end of the present administration of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan.

42

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

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Unical Alumnus donates books worth N5m to English Dept.

RICHARD NDOMA CALABAR

A

Chairman, House Committee on Works, Hon. Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi; Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen; Enugu State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Goddy Madueke and others, during the inauguration of the rehabilitated Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway section three from Enugu to Lokpanta in Enugu, recently. PHOTO: NAN

n alumunus of the University of Calabar,Ekom Itauma on Monday in Calabar donated textbooks worth over N5 million to the Department of English and Literary Studies as part of his contribution to the department.

Itauma, who is the Managing Director of Alrange Limited (Books and Library Consultants), stated that, the idea behind the donation was to give back to the department after many of years of graduation. ``I feel obliged to come and give these books to the department for the upcoming ones. And we will be doing it from time to time. ``Hoping that this will bring a more robust relationship with the department and my company and the university community in general.

C’River recruits 500 teachers for N1Om

RICHARD NDOMA, CALABAR

T

he Government of Cross River State is to spend N10m for the recruitment of 500 teachers within the Month of March 2015. The recruitment of teachers which began in 2013 with the sale of forms to applicants will engage teachers to tutor secondary school students in science oriented subjects like Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Computer Science. The state Commissioner for Education Prof. Offiong E. Offiong disclosed this in an interview with journalists on Monday in Calabar, and stressed that the recruitment exercise which will gulp N10 million will be completed within the month. Offiong stated that the state government decided to use EDUCOMP Solutions, an Indian firm “which has been our partner in the reconstruction of education”. “...we took this pain to use a foreign agency because some of our teachers can not read, talk less of teaching. Not that local consultants are not credible but we needed to avoid external influences in the recruitment exercise”.

On insinuations from certain quarters that the Imoke led administration is unable to resolve the three months old strike for the Cross River State University of Technology (CRUTECH) to re-open or pay civil servants’ salaries since January 2015 “and wants to recruit 500 teachers and dump for the incoming adminis-

tration”, Offiong said, “This is not correct.

He said that, in 2008, the ministry recruited about 1000 teachers.

In 2011, about 600 to 700 volunteer teachers were converted to permanent staff while many have also been recruited to technical schools accross the state”.adding that the ministry is also collaborating with the Federal Government to recruit teachers.

On why the recruitment exercise which started since 2013 should wait till 2015, Prof Offiong

said the consultants had arrived Nigeria in 2014 but the ebola disease caused them to go back till the World Health Organisation (WHO) satified Nigeria ebola free.

It would be recalled that because the purchase of forms took place since 2013, some applicants seem to have lost fait in the whole exercise. The commissioner assured applicants that “the exercise will be transparent and there will be no god fatharism”.

To corroborate these facts, the

consultant, Mrs Vijayalakshmi Rio, Director of Academics, EDUCOMP Solutions incharge of the recruitment exercise told Daily Times that the serice of examinations which started last saturday will include written exams, class room demonstration, aptitute test and the use of English, which will be completed within the week.

Rio told journalists that any amount invested in the recruitment exercise will not be a waste as the firm will select the best, devoid of any external influences.

``Most of the books here are for references and it costs about N5.3 million, ‘’ he said.

The former Malabite enjoined Students of the department to take advantage of the books to improve on their academics especially on English and Literary studies.

Earlier, Prof. Francis Mogu, who spoke on behalf of the department, described the gesture as a worthy exercise.

Mogu said the best thing that would happen to a child is to give him/her books, adding that, one of the greatest problems facing education in Nigeria was lack of reading culture. ``Our children today have taken to internet and reading culture has been relegated to nothing, so, it is interesting to see somebody trying to revive the situation. ``If students cultivate the habit of reading, their future will be brighter. We appreciate this innovation and on behalf of the department I thank you so much, ‘’ he stated.

Speaking, Dr Nkoyo Edem, Deputy Chief Librarian of the University, advised other alumni of the Institution to emulate such gesture for the development of the school. ``We are encouraging other alumni of this university to come in from time to time and do things like this for the development of their Alma Mata, ‘’ Edem maintained.

The academic don charged students and researchers to make good use of the books to serve the purpose it was meant.

The Ministry God has given me is to support my husband —Rev. (Mrs.) Comfort Okah THEOPHILUS ONOJEGHEN

F

or a stranger who is meeting Rev. (Mrs) Comfort Okah, wife of the founder and Presiding Bishop of Flock of Christ Mission, Bishop (Dr.) Simeon Okah, for the very first time could wrongly identify as a mere church member because of awesome humility and gentility.

This amazon, trailblazer clocks 60 years today. She relayed in this interview how the journey has been in the last sixty years and how she met Bishop Okah at 11.

Let’s meet you ma?

I’m Rev. Mrs Comfort Okah.

I’m married to Bishop Simoen Okah. We got married in August 1974. We are blessed with six children (five girls and one boy).

Every birthday celebration comes with its own experience, over the years, what has life really thought you with every birth-

day that passes?

As one’s birthday passes we see that we are getting older and I also see that life without Jesus Christ is not fair so I am grateful to Jesus because he is the one that made me who I am today. I am grateful to God for what He has done for me and my family and, the husband he has blessed me with.

Being a married woman comes with a lot of responsibilities and now you have a added responsibility of being married to a minister, how has it been being a helper to your husband and the ministry?

Today, we will say that it is fine but when we started, it was not like this. It was really difficult when we started particularly the early years when we started to those days of my bearing children and with ministering work, it was not easy. It became worst when God blessed me with twins.

Okah

My husband has to take me from the hospital and drop me at home, no helper. After dropping me, he went off because we were having a crusade in Cross River. Dropping me with our twin children alone was really difficult. It was God’s grace that saw me through.

What kind of person is your husband? There is the impression by

some people that he talks too much. What is your own impression as the wife?

From the beginning my husband has being a bold man. It is one of those things that attracted me. He is bold, loving, kind, he says things that other of his colleagues will not like to say and, I see him as somebody that is ready to die for Christ no matter what happens that is the kind of person I have known him to be.

The issue of him talking too much, to me, when you see something happening and you decide to close your mouth that is not the best way. I personally feel that is not how one should live. When things are wrong, say what you can say and do what you can do to correct the wrong issue instead of murmuring while things are going bad. To me I prefer him speaking out and doing what he can to correct the issue.

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Politics

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

43

Niger 2015: Nasko’s social contract in perspective 19 DAYS TO GO

O

n December 8, 2014, Hon. Umar Muhammad Nasko, Niger State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, gubernatorial candidate crossed the first hurdle in the rigorous journey towards actualising his ambition of emerging the next governor of Niger State in the April 14, gubernatorial election.

Nasko scored 908 votes out of 1,023 to beat five other aspirants that include the state deputy governor, Hon. Ahmed Musa Ibeto, to pick the party’s sole ticket in the primaries. And shortly after, his co-contestants in the journey that lost out kicked.

Barely 48 hours after the primaries, one of the losers, Alhaji Hannafi Sudan, who came second with 37 votes decided to challenge the election of Nasko at a Federal High Court in Abuja.

He sought the order of the court restraining the submission of the name of Nasko to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as PDP’s candidate in the 2015 gubernatorial election for Niger State.

However, a week later, his suit was struck out by the court, which also turned down Sudan’s request for a restraining order against submission of Nasko’s name to INEC. Some of the other losers, who said they would not leave the party, but would remain to explore ways of settling their grievances regarding the conduct of the primaries, shortly after dumped the PDP for the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, among whom is the deputy governor, Ibeto.

At 39 years of age, if elected, Nasko will be the youngest civilian governor to govern the state, since its creation in 1976, but his emergence as winner of the gubernatorial primaries has been a subject of controversy and discussion among political circles both within and outside the ruling party’s fold in the state, especially on whether he has the ability to shoulder the challenges of ruling a state like Niger with two former Heads of State and elder statesmen in the persons of Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Alhaji Abubakar at such young age.

Nasko was former Commissioner for Tourism, Transports, Works and Infrastructural Development, Environment, Parks and Gardens and immediate past Chief of Staff to Niger State governor, Muazu Babangida Aliyu, before he quit to pursue his gubernatorial aspiration.

Allaying the fears as to whether he has the requisite capacity to lead the state as alleged, he said: “I will be 40 years old in March and in a country where life expectancy is put at less than 50 years, a 40-year-old couldn’t be too young to serve in the highest office of a state governor.”

He argued that what should be paramount in the journey towards occupying ‘Government House’ as Niger’s seat of power is known has nothing to do with the age of a contestan,t but the quality of the age, especially, since how an individual feels about his age is largely the state of the mind of the individual.

He said: “How an individual feels about his age is largely the state of the mind of the individual, which is why a 30-year-old, with the right exposure and experience, can achieve more than a 70-year-old, and vice versa.”

He was, however, quick to note that his position does not diminish the value of old age, but only to underscore the need to give the young ones a chance.

He added: “If, by God’s grace, I emerge the governor of Niger State in 2015, I will not be the youngest governor either in Nigeria neither will I be the first in Niger

PRISCILLA DENNIS examines the emergence of Niger State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, gubernatorial candidate and his social contract with the people.

AT 39 YEARS OF AGE, IF ELECTED, NASKO WILL BE THE YOUNGEST CIVILIAN GOVERNOR TO GOVERN THE STATE, SINCE ITS

CREATION IN

1976, BUT HIS

EMERGENCE AS WINNER OF THE GUBERNATORIAL PRIMARIES HAS BEEN A SUBJECT OF CONTROVERSY AND DISCUSSION AMONG POLITICAL CIRCLES BOTH WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE RULING PARTY’S FOLD IN THE STATE

State. General Yakubu Gowon became the third Head of State of our great nation at age 32 and it was during his regime that he successfully prevented the Biafra succession, which led the Civil War. “He was succeeded by Murtala Muhammed, who took over through a coup d’état. Muhammed was 38 years old when he became Head of State and he was described as one of the most decisive and disciplined Head of State Nigeria ever had. This endeared him to many Nigerians.

“Murtala Nyako was military administrator of Niger in 1976 at the age of 34 and he did well. So was Senator David Mark, as military administrator of Niger in 1984 at age 36 and he performed well.”

And, it was on this note, recently, that Nasko voluntarily entered into a treaty with people of Niger Statetate in a written document, he tagged: ‘A Pact With Nigerlites, the Manifesto of Umar Muhammad Nasko,’ which embodies specified programmes with which the people of the state can track the activities or programmes of his administration, should he be elected in the April 14 gubernatorial election in the state.

The document, divided into four parts, produced and given freely to the people, was an offshoot of the Vision 3:2020 of the Governor Aliyu-led administration and also derived from the PDP manifesto.

Signing the document, Nasko said: “I enter this pact on my own volition with Nigerlites as guiding light towards consolidating on the vision 3:2020, which I call 3:2020 plus, and with your support and the will of Allah, we will win and deliver.”

Pundits said while other candidates only made verbal promises to the electorate that may not be used to pin them down, Nasko has not only made verbal promises, but went a step further by entering the pact with which his administration can be judged, if elected.

N Nasko

Political analysts noted that at least, Nigerlites have something to hold him accountable on the dividends of democracy.

Aside, Barr David Umar, the gubernatorial candidate of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, in 2007 and defunct Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, in 2011, no other candidate had boldly entered into a social contract with the people on how to track governance in the state.

The youthful candidate told Nigerlites that a vote for him is a vote for progress, youth empowerment, agriculture and economic regeneration, infrastructural development, health and educational advancement, ethno-religious tolerance and integration, accountability, respect for rule of law, equity and justice for all.

He said: “I have good knowledge and understanding of the needs of my people. I have the zeal to provide positive change in human development, economic emancipation and infrastructural development in Niger State.

I seek your mandate because I believe you should be in charge of your resources. I make this solemn pact with you as partners in progress and with your support, we shall together steer the ship of developing our state.”

Nasko added: “I promised to live up to the expectations and aspirations of the young while upholding the trust and confidence of our elders and the founding fathers. I will not let you, down.”

And that was his slogan at the various campaign rallies held by the party, when he crisscrossed the nooks and crannies of the state canvassing for votes and soliciting support in the elections.

Nasko believes that the mandate he is seeking is aimed at consolidating on the gains recorded by the present administration, whose achievements will serve as the springboard for higher performance.

He noted that what defines a good democratic system is the access and equal opportunities available to all stakeholders.

He therefore assured that “if given the ticket, we shall carry everyone and every part of the state along, ensuring even development across the state. We shall uphold the trust and confidence reposed in us, by living up to expectations and even beyond the call of duty.”

It is in the hands of Niger electorate whether to entrust Nasko with the mandate to fulfill his pledge or otherwise.

44

Politics

AYO ESAN

F

ormer Deputy National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olabode George, has said that the reason why the PDP cautioned the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on the usage of card readers in the forthcoming elections is because Nigeria cannot afford to experiment with devices that have not been tested and was imported from China.

He said those who accused the party of opposing

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Why we opposed card readers –George usage of card readers for coming elections must have come from different planet, contending that the PDP was only alerting the nation of the risks involved in experimenting with devises that had not been properly tested.

According to George, using the card readers would be the best thing to happen to the country’s electoral

process, especially now that Nigeria would be having its first major set of elections after celebration of its 100 years of amalgamation, but insisted that “we cannot afford to experiment with the card readers manufactured in China.”

George said this yesterday in Lagos when he played host to about 23 Nigerians who just finished

their entrepreneurship training at Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi, FIIRO, declaring that it was brilliant idea to use card readers as it would stop anybody from rigging.

He said: “It is brilliant idea to use card readers, it will stop rigging, but the card readers have not been tested. If we had had elections in

Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Muhammed Katsina (3rd right) with politicians at the signing of peace accord by party candidates in Ibadan, PHOTO: NAN yesterday.

Group endorses Jonathan for second term DARE AKOGUN

A

non-political pressure group, Advance Progressive Forum, APF, has thrown its weight behind President Goodluck Jonathan, who is seeking re-election into office in the forth coming March 28 presidential election.

APF chairman, Otunba Joseph Onasanya, claimed that the group has a numerical strength of over one million members in twenty-six states of the federation.

Listing 60 projects which he claimed that the Jonathan administration has embarked upon since assuming office, Onasanya noted that these projects have either been completed or in their final stages of completion.

Among the listed projects of the Jonathan administration according to APF, are the resuscitating of the railway transportation system that has been in a state of inertia

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for the past 40 years, the National Conference that saw the people of Nigeria from every ethnic groups, religious organisation, traditional institutions, including the civil society coming together to proffer the way forward for the Nigerian nation, an attempt it noted, by previous administrations failed.

He further listed the privatisation of the power sector and the attempt to shore up the megawatts to about 5000 megawatts at the end of this year, the 1.5 billion cubic feet per day of gas, the 150 completed model grammar school for almajiris, revamping the nation’s economy to the extent that the nation has become the largest economy in Africa, the sudden increase in the nations GDP to $510 billion making her the 26th largest economy in the world.

On the submission by most Nigerians that the President has failed to deliver on his electioneering promises in spite of all he

had reeled, Onasanya said he seems to have some reservation for those who tow that line of thoughts, drawing their attention to the myriads of problems that the President inherited, which he has not failed to tackle frontally in spite of the challenges posed by insurgents, stressing that in the spirit of continuity, the President, if re-elected will in the next four years not only consolidate on his present achievements, but will change the face of Nigeria for good.

On the issue of hydra-

headed monster called corruption that the Jonathan administration seems not to have an answer for, Otunba Onasanya advocated for the removal of the immunity clause from the constitution, stressing that once there is an atmosphere where a sitting governor, members of the National Assembly or the President himself could be taken to court by the common man on the street for corrupt acts, then the war against corruption would have started in earnest.

February, what would have happened? The machines are just coming in, how brilliant is that?”

He also took exception to the fact that the Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, meant for the elections were haphazardly distributed and were still being distributed across the country.

Wondering what contingency plans INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, had in store in case the machines failed to function in some polling units, George noted that it might be wrong to suggest that those in the affected centres should return the next day to vote as being contemplated Jega.

He said the directives may be an avenue for some affected voters to suspect foul play and, therefore, resort to violence, saying that it was due to this and some other reasons that the PDP was insisting that the machines must be tested and assurance

19 DAYS TO GO

secured of their functionality.

He added: “Unless these people who say the PDP is opposed to the use of card readers are coming from different planet, what I have just explained is logical.

They are saying that if the equipment does not work, we should come back next day.

“What is his contingency plan, do you think people would go home if the thing did not work? Something is not clear; he who goes to equity must come with clean hands.

“I will suggest that in the first set of elections that would be held after the country celebrated its 100 years of amalgamation, there must be equity and fairness. Can he guarantee all that?

“I will tell Jega, he cannot do experimentation with these elections. This election is so strategic, it will define the future of this country.”

APC condemns Maiduguri bombings OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU

A

ll Progressives Congress, APC, has condemned the dastardly bombings that left many dead and injured in Maiduguri over the weekend, warning that those behind the continued killing and maiming of innocent people will not go unpunished.

In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, APC condoled with the families of those killed as well as the government and people of Borno State.

It prayed that God will

grant repose to the souls of the innocent citizens who were sent to their early graves, while wishing those who were injured speedy recovery.

Mohammed said: “As we have said many times, nothing in the world justifies the killing of innocent men, women and children, and the cowards who have continued to kill and maim must realise that they will not escape justice, no matter how long it takes.”

The party called for vigilance among the people of the state and indeed the entire North-East, against the background of the stepped-up fight against the terrorists.

APA presidential candidate promises agricultural revolution OJO OYEWAMIDE AKURE

P

residential candidate of the African People Alliance, APA, Adebayo Musa Ayeni, has promised to use agriculture to develop Nigeria’s economy if elected in this month’s general election.

He also pledged to create one million jobs in his first

year in office and make the country’s budget less-dependent on oil.

Ayeni, who spoke yesterday in Akure while addressing members of the state’s Correspondents’ Chapel, said he would revamp the education system.

Apart from establishing a technical college in every local government area, Ayeni said his government

would address the power problem with a view to developing the country’s technological base.

The presidential candidate promised to complete all on-going projects across the country and initiate new one that would fundamentally transform the country.

Lamenting the security situation in the country, the former deputy governor of

the old Ondo State, said the agenda of the Boko Haram sect was to turn Nigeria to an Islamic state.

He said: “Boko Haram wants to islamise Nigeria.

This cannot work because Nigeria is a secular nation.

We will use employment to address the issue of insurgency in the country. Half of jobless people in the world are in Nigeria.”

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Politics

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

45

INECs card readers and credible elections CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 Kumbotso (Kano), Bunza (Kebbi), Kokona (Nasarawa), Shiroro (Niger), Ikeja (Lagos), Aguata (Anambra), Oshimili South (Delta) and Jama’are (Bauchi).

For the exercise, INEC said it deployed 1,602 personnel in the 12 states of the federation where it held.

The commission also added that 171,857 voters were involved in the exercise.

The test-run in Taraba With a total of 1,327,568 PVCs delivered to Taraba State, over 1,228,655 representing 93 per cent have as at two weeks ago been collected while all 2,762 card readers required for the same number of polling units and voting points during the conduct of the forthcoming general elections have been deployed.

INEC has also supplied additional 70 card readers to the state to be used as backups in case of any failure emanating from the machines during the elections.

Taraba State Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Alhaji Ahmad Makama, said a total of 504 card readers are expected to be used as back-up during the elections, explaining that each of the 168 Registration Areas, RAs, in the state is expected to have three back-up card readers to address any unforeseen situation.

Makama expressed confidence in the effectiveness of the card readers and assured INEC adhoc staff have been well trained on how to use the machines without hitches.

The exercise took place in Mutum Biyu II Ward in Gassol Local Government Area of the state. In the ward, there are 9, 696 registered voters and 13 polling units with 16 voting points. The number of INEC personnel for the exercise was 69 while security men were 45.

Voters want SCRs used in elections There is unanimity of opinion among the voting public in Taraba State as to the desirability of deploying SCRs in the forthcoming general elections.

Specifically, a cross-section of the electorate in Gassol Local Government Area of the state said the use of the card readers would greatly reduce cases of multiple voting and of course shut the leeway to any form of electoral malfeasance.

They bared their minds to National Mirror, shortly after participating in the mock accreditation exercise to test-run the efficacy of the card readers. The exercise which lasted from 8am to 1pm saw many voters thronging the 13 polling units in the area for the authentication and verification process.

Chief of Tiv Community in Ward A, Chief Gabriel T. Temekye, who participated in the accreditation in one of the polling units in Kachalla Primary School, said he and his subjects would not vote without the card readers.

According to him, the readers have brought some level of confidence to the electoral process and any attempt to halt its usage during the elections could lead to higher voter apathy.

He added that his details were confirmed by the card reader within a period of 10 seconds.

He said: “When I came here, I had some element of doubts, but they were cleared as soon as the machine read my card. I also had no problem with my fingerprints. I join my people to call on INEC to go ahead with its plan to use the card readers for the elections.”

Another voter, Malam Adamu Shamaki said the process is voter-friendly. He wondered why some people were opposed to the use of the readers.

He said the card readers should be used because the devices are good, adding: “I least expected that this would turn out smoothly but now, I am impressed even with the conduct of the INEC officials. It did not take them more than 10 minutes to be through with me. For me, I will advise the commission to go ahead with the process.”

At the Cottage Hospital polling units, two of the women whose finger-prints could not be verified due to the local paintings on their thumbs, also expressed

Jega

Okechukwu

satisfaction with the process.

INEC national commissioner in charge of operations, Dr Nuru Yakubu, who monitored the exercise alongside the Taraba State REC, Alhaji Makama said what was important was the fact that the readers did not reject any PVC. Describing the test-run as successful, Dr Yakubu said those whose finger prints could not be verified are not disenfranchised as they remained eligible voters.

While he scored the authentication process 100 per cent, Yakubu said the verification process was 70 per cent successful, but was quick to add that the authentication process is more important.

On the non-recognition of some people’s finger print, some of the stakeholders advised INEC to upgrade the software of the card readers to a level that they can easily detect thumb prints.

An officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the scanner/sensor of the reader needs to be improved on so that it can quickly detect or recognise fingerprints of some people who are artisans and whose thumb print might be rougher than they were, when their biometrics were first captured.

The non-recognition of some finger prints caused some delay.

It is important to note that the batteries of the readers last for eight hours while the normal accreditation process is usually between 8am and 1pm. With the Taraba experience, the readers are not likely to run out of battery power even where the accreditation process is extended for two extra hours.

Other stakeholders react In Nasarawa State, where the exercise also took place in Kokona, the Emir of Lafia, Isah Agwai, called

ON THE NON-RECOGNITION OF SOME PEOPLE’S FINGER PRINT, SOME OF THE STAKEHOLDERS ADVISED

INEC TO UPGRADE THE SOFTWARE OF THE CARD READERS TO A LEVEL THAT THEY CAN EASILY DETECT THUMB PRINTS

19 DAYS TO GO

on INEC to re-train its staff on the use of the card readers for the general elections.

The traditional ruler said the call became necessary due to the inefficiency of some of the staff during the fingerprint verification, he was, however, quick to add that the demonstration by INEC had dispelled rumours and fears of the public around the card readers.

The traditional ruler scored INEC 70 per cent in the exercise and urged the public to support the electoral agency to ensure the success of the March 28 and April 11 general elections.

His words: “So far the exercise has shown that INEC is fully prepared only for the fingerprint verification which the body needs to sensitise its staff on for efficiency.”

On its part, the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, has expressed its support for the use of the SCRs for accreditation of voters in the 2015 general elections.

CNPP National Publicity Secretary, Mr Osita Okechukwu, noted that the mock test of the SCRs conducted by the INEC had further emboldened and reinforced its resolve to adopt the device.

CNPP however urged INEC to take note of the ‘few lapses’ observed during the test and improve on the device to engender free, fair and transparent elections.

Okechukwu said: “We are making this declaration because in the absence of genuine reason, we adopt a device which has been used to conduct free, fair and transparent elections in many countries.”

The statement said that CNPP concurred with valid evidence that the use of the Card Reader for accreditation of voters would minimize, if not eradicate, snatching of ballot box.

It added that the device would also minimise thumb printing of ballot papers and snatching of result sheets.

CNPP said: “Accordingly, we take exception to political parties that are wittingly or unwittingly against the deployment of Magnetic Card Reader.”

46

Politics

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Intra-party reforms set APC for victory in Ekiti ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

A

Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ekiti State, Mr Segun Osinkolu, has said that the various reforms in the party including the APC Action Group, APCAG, have repositioned the party in the state for victory in the general elections.

Osinkolu said the reforms, coupled with bad governance of Governor Ayodele Fayose-led Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, administration had made victory for APC candidates unstoppable.

He said in a statement in Ado Ekiti yesterday that APC in Ekiti state had become sturdier, adding: “What we are doing now is total reformation and structural adjustment of our party to confront the PDP. No stone will be left unturned to build the party in order to win elections in Ekiti and Nigeria in general.

Osinkolu said APC presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari and his running mate, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, would sweep the polls in Ekiti State owing to their track records, plans for the country and level of preparedness of the party in the state.

He said: “The level of impunity of the present PDP administration towards the electorate has no doubt set the people against it and the resultant effect is a blessing to the APC.” The former APC senatorial aspirant took a swipe at Governor Fayose for allegedly having “abandoned the real job of governance he was elected for and turned himself to President Goodluck Jonathan’s

EBERE NDUKWU

A

j e ro m i / I f e l o d u n youths have adopted Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, House of Representatives candidate for Ajeromi/Ifelodun federal constituency Lagos, Barr Rita Orji, after a satisfactory interactive session with her at the weekend.

Orji had promised youths of the area better representation if voted in, saying she

19 DAYS TO GO

spokesperson which is very unfortunate.”

He said: “The governor’s recent vituperations towards General Buhari had portrayed the state in bad light within Nigeria and the global community as a whole.”

Urging traditional and religious leaders in the state to call the governor to order on some of his actions, he said: “What should be paramount to Ekiti people now is real development and governance in all the sectors of our economy as being witnessed in some other states of the federation. Ekiti state must not be an exception.

“Therefore, the governor must, at this moment, redirect his energy towards the development of the state and stop playing upon the intelligence of our people.

“The reason Nigerians are asking for change is very clear and issue based, President Jonathan’s government after six years of governance has failed Nigerians on all the issues, security, economy, infrastructure, employment and corruption.

“This election is about our future and that of our children, Ekiti people have never voted for a PDP government realistically and we will prove it once again even in this election.”

Osinkolu assured that the APC would bring the needed change into Nigeria through its robust economic policies and determination to salvage the country from its current doldrums orchestrated by the PDP.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ekiti APC to workers: Don’t let PDP’s antics deceive you EBERE NDUKWU

E

kiti State All Progressives Congress, APC, has warned workers in the state not to be deceived by Governor Ayodele Fayose’s antics, saying his frequent radio and television live broadcasts to paint gloomy financial position of the state is devised to deceive and deny workers of their entitlements.

Ekiti APC Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatubosun, in a statement said the advice became imperative in the face of mindless rhetoric being deployed by the

governor to deceive workers over the over-bloated debt figures as alibi for the government’s handicaps in meeting its salary obligation to workers.

Noting that hundreds of Ekiti workers had been sacked and bond debts payment suspended for six months while several promotions were reversed, he said money saved from the losses to workers and cancellation of empowerment schemes should have been enough to pay workers’ entitlements, particularly as allocations payment was regular while there were no new capital projects being executed by the governor.

He said: “What is the governor doing with full monthly federal allocation to the state when the bond debt repayment has been suspended for six months?

300 members of Traffic Management Agency, TMA, have been sent packing.

800 members of Volunteer Peace Corps, VPC, have been relieved of their jobs.

“Social Security scheme for 20,000 old people receiving N5000 every month each has been cancelled. This is apart from the over 20,000 youth volunteers earning N10, 000 monthly who have also been disengaged by Fayose. Many of the youth who were trained in vari-

ous skills under the Kayode Fayemi administration by Odua Skills Acquisition Centre have been abandoned by Fayose, while the programme has been replaced with a pedestrian concept of stomach infrastructure.”

Olatubosun among others noted lost of job by many permanent secretaries, cut in allowances to traditional rulers, abolishment of teachers’ special allowances for rural postings and core subjects and low funding of security agencies, which he claimed is the cause of current armed robbery cases across the state.

Cross section of party faithful during the All Progressives Congress, APC, gubernatorial campaign rally at Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area, Lagos, yesterday.

2015: Don’t oppress voters, AIG warns policemen BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

M

en and officers of Osun State command of Nigerian Police, have been warned against using their positions to oppress voters before and during the forthcoming general elections.

Speaking to officers and men of the command during a visit to Osun State Police Command, the Assistant Inspector General, AIG, of Police Zone 11, Ikemefuna Okoye, said the primary duty of the police is to ensure peace where ever they are posted during the exercise.

According to him, the

primary function of the police is to ensure the security of electoral officers, the electorates and electoral materials to achieve a violent free election.

Advising his officers and men to be civil in their dealing with people and avoid oppressing them with their uniforms, Okoye warned that the po-

lice leadership would not hesitate to deal decisively with any erring policeman or officer.

While restating the resolve of the police leadership to give priority to issues relating to the welfare of the police, Okoye demanded for total commitment to duties and respect for people’s right.

Ajeromi/Ifelodun youths adopt PDP Rep candidate will change nomenclatures as thugs, hooligans, touts and other demeaning names which youths of the area are addressed and identified with.

She made the promise in an interactive session with House of Assembly, House of Representatives candidates for Ajeromi/Ifelodun federal constituency, Senators for Lagos West and Lagos State governorship candidates, organised by Youths of All Nations

Empowerment Association, YOANEA. Disclosing the reason for the interaction, YOANEA National Leader, Comrade Jeff Echezona, said over the years, youths of Ajeromi/ Ifelodun federal constituency has always been used as thugs by politicians in the area to achieve their political goals without anything to show for it, “but these youths are wise now, they do not

want to be used as political thugs anymore. They want to decide who rules them and that is why we are having this interaction.”

He said the forum is aimed at presenting the youths with all the candidates seeking for their votes and provide an avenue where the youths will engage them on what they have for Ajeromi/Ifelodun people especially the youths, which will warrant the peo-

ple’s vote for them.

The event which was programmed to hold in three sections: interaction with House of Assembly candidates, interaction with House of Representatives candidates and governorship candidates, started late behind scheduled with only the PDP House of Representative candidate, Barr Orji present during the Reps session after other candidates were unavoidably

absent.

Satisfied with her answers to all the questions thrown at her by Diplomatic OBJ, DJ Switch, YOANEA president, Echezona and others at the event, the youths unanimously adopted her as their candidate, saying that not only has she assured them she is the best to represent them at the lower chamber, she was the only one also who honoured them by accepting their invitation.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Cadbury, Zenith Bank drive equities by 0.5% JOHNSON OKANLAWON

T

he equity market commenced trading yesterday on a promising note by closing on a positively, extending the gains of the previous week.

This development was due to a major rally in the banking and consumer goods sectors amidst positive investor’s sentiment.

Analysts noted that the moderate earnings growth in the Zenith Bank and the Guaranty Trust Bank thus far suggests positive earnings outlook for the sector.

“This, coupled with investors’ insight to benefit from attractive dividend yields, may sustain the current mo-

mentum of the market in the weeks ahead, “ DLM Securities Limited said.

On the sectorial indices, the NSE 30-Index gained 0.63 per cent to close at 1,434.71 points, while the Banking Index appreciated 1.46 per cent to close at 365.06 points.

The Insurance Index added 0.60 per cent to close at 142.43 points, while the Consumer Goods Index rose 0.38 per cent to close at 786.93 points.

The Oil and Gas Index lost 0.75 per cent to close at 375.45 points, while the Lotus Islamic Index added 0.07 per cent to close at 2,059.58 points.

The Industrial Index was up 0.006 per cent to close at 1,961.95 points. The Alternative Securities Market closed

flat at 1,212.94 points.

Cadbury Nigeria Plc led the gainers’ table with N3.38 or 8.92 per cent to close at N41.28 per share, followed

by African Prudence Insurance Plc with 21 kobo or 7.14 per cent to close at N3.15 per share.

Continental Insurance Plc gained four kobo or 4.88 per cent to close at 86 kobo per share, while Skye Bank Plc appreciated 11 kobo or 4.85 per cent to close at N2.38 per share.

Zenith Bank Plc added 46kobo or 2.20 per cent to close at N21.40 per share.

Conversely, Ikeja Hotel Plc shed 35 kobo or 8.05 per cent to close at N4.00 per share, while Livestocks Plc fell 11 kobo or

five per cent to close at N2.09 per share.

Mobil Oil Plc dropped N8.00 or 4.97 per cent to close at N153.00 per share, while Presco Plc was dwon N1.53 or 4.97 per cent to close at N29.24 per share.

On the whole, the All Share Index appreciated 0.49 per cent to close at 31,195.93 points, compared to the increase of 2.25 per cent recorded on Friday to close at 31,049.37 points.

Market capitalisation appreciated N50bn to close at N10.4trn, compared to the increase of N229bn recorded on Friday to close at N10.3trn.

A total of 466.2 million shares valued at N5.04bn were traded in 5,601 deals.

Keystone Bank divests from Ugandan subsidiary

K

eystone Bank Limited, one of the three nationalised banks, has sold its Ugandan subsidiary.

A statement by the bank said the Ugandan unit, Orient Bank Limited, had been acquired by the erstwhile minority shareholders as part of a consortium led by 8Miles LLP, an Africa-focused private equity fund.

According to the statement signed by the Head, Brand and Communications, Keystone Bank, Mr. Omobolanle Osotule, the lender owned 80 per cent stake in the Ugandan unit before the sale of its shares.

Osotule said Keystone Bank had obtained the Central Bank of Nigeria’s approval to conclude the divestment in order to focus on its growing share in the domestic market.

The spokesperson said Vetiva Capital Okagbue and Ikoli law firm were the transactions advisors and solicitors respectively.

The Managing Director of Keystone Bank, Mr. Philip Ikeazor, had hinted last year on the planned divestment from African subsidiaries last year while fielding questions from journalists at a press briefing.

He said the lender was

planning to divest its businesses in Uganda, Sierra Leone and Liberia because of issues bordering on capitalization, among others.

Ikeazor said, “The core bank itself has currently returned back to profit, but as known, we have African subsidiaries which we had not had capital to run prior to when we took over the institution.

“Those subsidiaries on their own have had several challenges, including capitalisation issues. And while the parent company itself is required to recapitalise, we didn’t have capital to put in our subsidiaries, so clearly,

the subsidiaries were not performing well; but the strategy is to divest.”

He said the bank could only strive in other countries if it had the capital and financial muscle to do so.

“We are still operating in Uganda, Sierra-Leone Liberia and we are in the process of divesting in those locations, which we are at advanced stages for most of them,” he said.

“Basically the poor performances in those countries cannot be supported in our head office so there is no need holding onto them,” he added.

Global gains on deal activity, energy shares rally

S

tocks were mostly higher yesterday, boosted by a couple of billion-dollar deals, while an increase in the price of crude oil supported energy names.

The gain comes one session after the S&P 500’s biggest drop in almost two months, as well as two straight weeks of declines for major indexes.

The S&P 500 is about two per cent below its record closing high, as is the Dow. The Nasdaq is 2.4 per cent below its record close hit in March 2000.

“We’re positive on the stock market here, and the recent setback last week just provides better opportunity to buy,” said Tom Mangan, senior vice president at James Investment Research Inc in Xenia, Ohio.

Alcoa Incorporation said it would buy RTI International Metals Incorporation

for $1.5bn. Separately, Simon Property Group offered to buy Macerich Company for $22.4bn including debt.

Alcoa lost 6.4 per cent to $13.55 while RTI jumped 38 per cent to $37.62. Macerich rose 6.1 per cent to $92 and Simon Property was up 0.1 per cent at $180.78.

“You’ll see these kinds of deals continue to be announced since money is so cheap right now that you can borrow all you need to make them happen,” said Mangan, who helps oversee $6.4bn.

“This will be very good for small-cap stocks, and it also suggests that the market isn’t overly expensive overall.”

Whiting Petroleum Corporation rose 12.9 per cent to $38.42. Late Friday, the Wall Street Journal reported that the company was seeking a possible buyer, though a per-

son familiar with the board’s thinking told Reuters he was not aware of such a plan.

US crude futures CLc1 rose 1.7 per cent to $50.43 per barrel after market data firm Genscape reported a modest stock build last week at the Cushing, Oklahoma delivery point for oil.

The S&P energy sector rose 0.4 per cent and was one of the strongest S&P sectors.

Chevron Corporation rose 1.7 per cent to $105.29, supporting the Dow. General Motors said it plans a new, $5bn share buyback in an agreement with dissident investors, and put forward more details on capital allocation that promises investors the potential for further cash returns. Shares rose 2.8 per cent to $37.57.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 107.73 points, or

Source: NSE

Inter-Bank Rate Naira

Rate (%) Inflation

8.2

MPR

13

Crude oil price

$58.96

US Dollar

$1

N197.00 Market indicators All-Share Index 31,195.93 points Market capitalisation 10.41trn

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

CADBURY

37.90

41.28

3.38

8.92

AFRIPRUD

2.94

3.15

0.21

7.14

CONTINSURE

0.82

0.86

0.04

4.88

SKYEBANK

2.27

2.38

0.11

4.85

AIICO

0.85

0.89

0.04

4.71

MAYBAKER

1.52

1.59

0.07

4.61

NPFMCRFBK

0.90

0.94

0.04

4.44

FCMB

2.40

2.50

0.10

4.17

NAHCO

5.00

5.20

0.20

4.00

UBCAP

1.51

1.57

0.06

3.97

CHANGE

% CHANGE

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

IKEJAHOTEL

4.35

4.00

-0.35

-8.05

LIVESTOCK

2.20

2.09

-0.11

-5.00

MOBIL

161.00

153.00

-8.00

-4.97

PRESCO

30.77

29.24

-1.53

-4.97

REDSTAREX

4.07

3.87

-0.20

-4.91

WAPIC

0.53

0.51

-0.02

-3.77

ASHAKACEM

18.50

17.90

-0.60

-3.24

CUSTODYINS

3.90

3.80

-0.10

-2.56

TRANSCORP

2.80

2.73

-0.07

-2.50

OANDO

15.31

15.00

-0.31

-2.02

FGN Bonds

0.6 per cent, to 17,964.51, the S&P 500 gained 4.79 points, or 0.23 per cent, to 2,076.05 and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 1.56 points, or 0.03 per cent, to 4,925.81.

47

Bid

Description

Offer

Price

Yield

Price

Yield

13.05 16-AUG-2016

1.45

96.17

16.10

96.32

15.98

15.10 27-APR-2017

2.14

97.91

16.26

98.06

16.18

16.00 29-JUN-2019

4.32

99.94

16.00

100.24

15.90

16.39 27-JAN-2022

6.90

101.30

16.06

101.60

15.99

14.20 14-MAR-2024

9.02

90.79

16.17

91.09

16.10

10.00 23-JUL-2030

15.38 65.05

16.23

65.35

16.16

Closing Market Prices of March 6, 2015

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

Exchange

Rates (N)

04-Jun-15

14.70

15.25

WAUA

273.9

03-Sep-15

15.44

16.72

USD

197

18-Feb-16

14.72

17.13

EURO

213

CFA

0.312

YEN

1.62

SWISS FRANC

NIBOR Tenor

Rate (%)

207.6

O/N

11.7933

1M

15.4378

POUNDS STERLING

296.1

3M

16.8289

SDR

271.8

6M

17.7090 The Fixings of March 6, 2015

48

Capital Market

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stock exchange daily equities summary Equities as at March 9, 2015 1st Tier Securities

1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

49

World News

South Korean president visits injured US ambassador

We agreed today that there is no further time to lose (on Greece).

–DUTCH FINANCE MINISTER, JEROEN DIJSSELBLOEM

50

PAUL ARHEWE

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

T

he United States has withdrawn a $3 million bounty linked to the capture of a high-level member of Somalia’s al Shabaab Islamist group who had since defected, a U.S. official said yesterday.

The Somali government welcomed the move and thanked Washington for supporting its efforts to persuade senior figures to quit the al Qaedalinked organization, which has launched attacks across east Africa.

The U.S. State Department offered a total of $33 million in 2012 for information leading to the capture of Zakariya Ismail Ahmed Hersi and six other al Shabaab leaders.

Hersi -- described on local media as the general secretary of al Shabaab’s finance department -- surrendered to Somali government forces in December, Somali and U.S. officials said.

Breeann McCusker, a spokeswoman for the Somalia Unit of the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, said on Monday that Hersi had now been removed from the “Rewards for Justice” list, without going into the reasons for the decision.

Al Shabaab wants to topple the Western-backed Mogadishu government and impose its own strict version of Islamic law but it has been losing territory in Somalia to a military offensive

by African Union troops and So-

US withdraws $3m bounty for Somali Islamist who defected

Hersi

mali forces.

The Somali government, which has offered al Shabaab leaders amnesties if they leave, said Hersi had now embraced the peace process.

“The Federal Government confirms it will support defecting leaders or militants in the transition back into Somali society and, where necessary, will advocate upon their behalf,” Somali presidential spokesman

Daud Aweis said in a statement.

He added that the U.S withdrawal of the bounty followed “negotiations between the Somali and the US governments to establish clearly and beyond doubt that Zaki has renounced violence”.

A senior member of al Shabaab’s media team said in December that Hersi left the Islamist group two years earlier.

‘Nine foreign oil workers kidnapped in Libya’

N

ine foreign oil workers have gone missing after an attack on a Libyan oil field, the Austrian foreign ministry said.

The oil workers were from Austria, the Czech Republic and seven non-EU countries, a spokesman

Libyan rebel fighters

said.

The attack on the al-Ghani field about 700km (440 miles) south-east of Tripoli happened on Friday, a Libyan army spokesman has told the BBC. He said eight guards had been

beheaded in the attack.

The army spokesman was not in a position to confirm the kidnapping, but said one oil worker had died of a heart attack after witnessing the beheadings.

The foreign oil workers who were seized are from Austria, the Czech Republic, Bangladesh, the Philippines and at least one African country, a spokesman for the Austrian foreign ministry said.

“We know that they were not injured when they were transported away from the al-Ghani oil field,” he said.

The foreigners worked for the oilfield management company Value Added Oilfield Services (VAOS).

Foreigners have increasingly become targets in the continuing political turmoil in Libya.

‘Nine foreign oil workers kidnapped in Libya’

A

Cairo schoolboy has died after being severely beaten by his teacher, Egypt’s education ministry has said.

The 12-year-old died on Sunday “after being beaten by a teacher the previous day”, a ministry statement said.

It said an “urgent inquiry” had been launched into the circumstances of the boy’s death and the teacher had been suspended by the school.

Local reports, which named the boy as Islam Sharif, said he was beaten for not doing his homework.

He had head injuries and suffered a brain haemorrhage, forensics department chief Hisham Abdel Hamid told a news agency.

The teacher said he had “no intention to kill him but the beating was part of discipline”, state-run newspaper Al-Ahram Al-Masa’i reported.

In December last year, Egypt’s National Council for Childhood and Motherhood said attacks on children had increased by 55% between January and October compared with the average over the previous three years.

AFRICA BULLETIN

Solar plane completes first phase of roundthe-world bid

Solar Impulse 2 landed yesterday in Oman, completing the initial leg of its epic bid to become the first solar-powered plane to fly around the world, testing its pilots to the limit.

The aircraft touched down in Muscat after nightfall, 13 hours and two minutes after taking off from Abu Dhabi.

Pilot Andre Borschberg, who was at the controls on the 400-kilometre (215 nautical mile) trip, smiled and waved to his team after landing.

“The adventure has started,” Solar Impulse chairman Bertrand Piccard had said just after Borschberg took off in the early morning from Abu Dhabi’s Al-Bateen airport on the historic circumnavigation aimed at promoting green energy.

The takeoff by Solar Impulse 2, which had originally been scheduled for Saturday but was delayed because of high winds, capped 13 years of research and testing

by Swiss pilots Borschberg and Piccard.

Live video streaming on the website monitoring the unique aircraft’s progress showed the pilot, wearing an orange jumpsuit, breathing using an oxygen mask.

“From Mission Control Center in #Monaco the engineers are helping me to perform Oxygen Mask tests from #SolarImpulse,” he tweeted.

Republicans warn over US-Iran nuclear negotiations Forty-seven Republican senators warned Monday that any agreement the Obama administration strikes with Iran to limit Tehran’s nuclear program may be short-lived unless Congress approves the deal.

In an open letter to Iranian leaders, Sen. Tom Cotton and 46 other Republicans said that without congressional approval, any deal between Iran and the U.S. would be merely an agreement between President Barack Obama and Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

“The next president could revoke such an executive agreement with the stroke of a pen,” they wrote, “and future Congresses could modify the terms of the agreement at any time.”

The U.S. and other nations are seeking a pact that would let Western powers verify that Iran will not obtain a nuclear weapon.

Though the five-paragraph letter is addressed to leaders in Tehran, it seems as much aimed at delivering a message to Obama.

Republicans and some Democrats want Congress to vote on any agreement. The pact the bargainers are working on does not require congressional approval because it is not a treaty, which would require a two-thirds majority Senate vote to be ratified.

World News

50

S

outh Korea’s president visited injured U.S. Ambassador Mark Lippert yesterday amid an outpouring of public sympathy and support for the envoy, who is recovering from an attack by a knife-wielding man.

Lippert has been hospitalized since Thursday at Seoul’s Severance Hospital, where President Park Geun-hye also received treatment in 2006 when she was knifed by a man with a box cutter during an election rally. Park was then an opposition party leader.

Park’s office said the president went to the hospital shortly after she returned to South Korea yesterday from a Middle East tour.

Park was quoted as saying “my heart ached more” because Lippert is hospitalized at the same hospital due to a similar attack. Lippert told Park that he and his wife have been moved by the support the South Korean government and people have showed to him, according to a statement from the presidential Blue House.

Conservative activists and Christians have wished Lippert a quick recovery, held pro-U.S. rallies and conducted dance performances near the U.S. Embas-

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South Korean president visits injured US ambassador

South Korean President Park Geun-hye, right, shaking hands with U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Mark Lippert at Severance Hospital where he is hospitalized, in Seoul, South Korea, yesterday

sy in Seoul. High-level government officials and politicians have visited him, and one wellwishing man even tried to offer dog meat to him.

Hospital officials said they expect to release Lippert on Tuesday.

The alleged attacker, known as an anti-U.S. activist who was previously convicted of hurling a piece of concrete at the Japanese ambassador in Seoul in 2010, was arrested Friday. Kim Ki-jong could face charges including attempted murder.

Police said the exact motive for Kim’s action was not known, but that he shouted after the attack that he opposes the ongoing U.S.-South Korea military drills that North Korea condemns as a preparation for a northward invasion.

Putin reveals secrets plot to takeover Crimea

V

ladimir Putin has admitted for the first time that the plan to annex Crimea was ordered weeks before the referendum on self-determination.

Crimea was formally absorbed into Russia on 18 March, to international condemnation, after unidentified gunmen took over the peninsula.

Putin said on TV he had ordered work on “returning Crimea” to begin at an all-night meeting on 22 February.

The meeting was called after Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych was ousted.

Speaking last year, Mr Putin had said only that he took

Putin celebrating Victory Day with a military parade in Sevastopol, last year

his final decision about Crimea after secret, undated opinion polls showed 80% of Crimeans favoured joining Russia.

The findings of these polls were borne out by the outcome of the referendum on 16 March, he told Russian state TV last

PUBLIC NOTICE

SECOND COMING OF CHRIST MINISTRY The general public is hereby notified that the above named church has applied for registration at the Corporate Affairs Commission for a CHANGE OF TRUSTEE and APPOINTMENT OF ADDITIONAL TRUSTEES under part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

The Old Trustees are: (1) Rev. James Adesola Akindele (2) Brother Lawrence Ogunyemi (3) Brother Idowu Olufowobi (4) Sister Adunola Osisami (5) Sister Tola Adelaja

COMMENT – President – Vice President -- Gen. Sec – Treasurer – PRO

The new Trustees are: (1) Rev. James Adeshola Akindele (2) Olanrewaju Jonathan Ogunsan (3) Olumide Bukola Adewunmi

COMMENT - Retained - New - New

- Retained - Removed - Removed - Removed - Removed

Objectives: 1. To preach the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ all over the world as revealed to us in the bible, (Matt.24) and through the spirit of God. 2. To enlighten the whole world on how and when his second coming will be.

3. To teach and admonish the word of God in tenderness of the Holy Spirit so that people might be saved and return to God. Any objections to the changes should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Maintama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Folorunso Ilori & Co. (Solicitors) 11, Bashir Oweh Street, Ikeja, Lagos. 08023026529

April.

Speaking in a forthcoming Russian TV documentary, Mr Putin said a meeting with officials had been held on 22-23 February to plan the rescue of Ukraine’s deposed president.

“I invited the leaders of our

special services and the defence ministry to the Kremlin and set them the task of saving the life of the president of Ukraine, who would simply have been liquidated,” he said.

“We finished about seven in the morning. When we were parting, I told all my colleagues, ‘We are forced to begin the work to bring Crimea back into Russia’.”

The trailer for The Path To The Motherland was broadcast on Sunday night with no release date announced.

On 27 February, unidentified armed men seized the local parliament and local government buildings in Crimea, raising the Russian flag.

CHANGE OF NAMES I formerly known as Miss Jimoh Rasheedat Oluwafunmilayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Osuolale Rasheedat Oluwafunmilayo.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAMES I formerly known as Sofowora Enitan, now wish to be known and addressed as Nwagbara John Michael. All former documents remain valid. The general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAMES ONUORAH: formerly known as Miss Onuorah Patience Ndidi, now wish to be known as Mrs. Chukwu Patience Obinwa Ndidi. All former documents remain valid. The general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAMES ORJI: formerly known as Orji Grace Ahudiya, now wish to be known as John Grace Ahudiya.

All former documents remain valid. The general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAMES NKWOCHA: formerly known as Miss Nkwocha Jane Nmaku., now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Opara Jane Nmaku. All former documents remain valid. The general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAMES UGWUOKE: I formerly known as Ugwuoke Chidiebere Emmanuel, now wish to be known as Ezechukwu Chidiebere Emmanuel.

All former documents remain valid. The general public take note.

WORLD BULLETIN

Obama places sanctions on seven Venezuelan officials President Barack Obama slapped sanctions on seven Venezuelan officials yesterday, accusing them of perpetrating human rights violations and public corruption in the South American nation.

The individuals all come from the top echelon of the state security apparatus that was responsible for cracking down on anti-government protests that rocked Venezuela last year and for pursuing charges against leading opponents.

“Corrupt actions by Venezuelan government officials deprive Venezuela of needed economic resources that could be invested in the Venezuelan people and used to spur economic growth,” Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew said in a statement. “These actions also undermine the public trust in democratic institutions and the human rights to which Venezuelan citizens are entitled.”

Netanyahu denies reneging on Palestinian state speech Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denies reneging on a 2009 speech in which he acknowledged the need for the creation of a Palestinian state, a spokesman said yesterday.

Over the weekend a pamphlet distributed in Israeli synagogues including a Q&A with the main parties running in next week’s general election featured a response by Netanyahu’s rightwing Likud party to a question on the formation of a Palestinian state.

“The prime minister has announced to the public that the Bar Ilan speech is void,” the Likud response read, in reference to a key address in which Netanyahu for the first time agreed to the need for a Palestinian state as part of a peace accord.

CHANGE OF NAMES ANAEDU: formerly known as Anaedu Uju Miriam, now wish to be known as Okoye Uju Miriam. All former documents remain valid. The general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAMES OSEFOR: formerly known as Miss Osefor Perpetua Oluebube Chizaekpere, now wish to be known as Miss Okafor Perpetua Oluebube Chizaekpere. All former documents remain valid. The general p public take note. g

CHANGE OF NAMES OGIDI: I formerly known as Ogidi Samuel O., now wish to be known and addressed as Chukwuweonu Samuel Shedrack. All former documents remain valid. The general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAMES I formerly known as Miss Ruth Oluwaseun Ajakaye, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ruth Oluwaseun Olaomo.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAMES OGORCHUKWU:I formerly known as Ukonwa Ogorchukwu, now wish to be known as Umeri Joel Ogorchukwu.

All former documents remain valid. The general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAMES ONI: formerly known as Miss Oni Damilola O., now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Agboola Damilola O. All former documents remain valid. The general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAMES OLAYIWOLA: formerly known as Miss Olayiwola Funmilayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Miss .Alabi Funmilayo. All former documents remain valid.

LAUTECH general public take note.

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

51

Community Mirror We are in a competition not war; a competition we will use to rebuild a new Kaduna where peace, development and unity will dwell if God gives us this leadership.

APC Governorship Candidate in Kaduna State –Mallam Nasir el-Rufal

NAFDAC intercepts fake packaging materials for drugs

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Chairman, Musawa Local Government Area of Katsina State, Alhaji Taninu Isma’ila-Kira (left) presenting motorcycles and bicycles to 24 traditional village heads and 361 traditional ward heads to ease transportation in Musawa LGA, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

intent to fake the original brand.

He pointed the market authorization holder of the original brand; Fidson Healthcare Plc has denied any knowledge of such import.

He said, “The consignment is estimated to have over 5,000 pieces of the secondary packaging and over 1000 pieces of the MAS code labels.

“I will however want to reassure the general public on the

reliability of Mobile Authentication System and encourage the public to always text the codes to the specified numbers, no fake code will be authenticated by the system,” he declared.

He noted the people involved in this kind of business have declared war against the country, which do not have the pity of innocent and unsuspecting Nigerians at heart resulting into loss of lives.

“By confiscating these products we will cost the counterfeiters huge losses and make sure we prosecute any individuals caught involved in these crimes.

He disclosed that the agency is working with the Department of State Security Service, who are training its officers on surveillance saying that the training is already yielding results as they discovering the different tactics used by these criminals.

2015 Eledumare festival kicks off in Lagos AYO ESAN

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his year’s edition of the annual Eledumare festival organized by the Olokun Festival Foundation kicked off in Lagos last weekend with a prayer session.

Speaking with journalists on this year’s edition of the festival in Lagos, the Chief Promoter of Olokun Festival Foundation, Otunba Gani Adams said the festival has continued to attract more and more attention, from within and outside the organization.

“Eledumare Festival is for every living soul to be celebrated. We have received criticism in the past for celebrating our deities but our critics now owe us a duty to join hands with us and give honour to the Almighty God”, Adams said.

He said the festival will be used

A BDULGAFAR O LADIMEJI KANO

DARE AKOGUN ational Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has intercepted a large package containing fake printed packaging materials of injection at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

Director General of the Agency Dr. Paul Orhi, made the disclosure while briefing newsmen on the efforts of the agency in the war waged against drugs counterfeiting in the country.

Orhi said that the packaging materials E-MAL a-b Arteether injection 150mg/2ml, a brand of registered by Fidson Healthcare Ltd was imported into the country by crime ring who specilaises in the illicit business.

He disclosed that the labeled packaging materials have fake Mobile Authentication System, MAS, code, date markings, batch numbers and NRN already inscribed on them.

He noted that preliminary investigation revealed that the materials were imported from India and may have been imported with

Man arraigned over threat to kill neighbour

to appraise the society and contribute to the growth of our nation both on the spiritual, political and economic consideration.

He further said that the festival is for everybody who want to reap from the benefit of honouring God saying one of the easiest way to

get anything from God is to worship him, Adams said the traditional rulers and the government also have roles to play in the festival saying it is filled with activities that are well designed to appreciate God in our lives.

“ We can take Nigeria to the world map of tourism with this festival saying this will automatically contribute to Nigeria economy like Saudi Arabia and Israel which make huge amount of money every year from pilgrimage”, he said.

he police have arrested a 43 year-old man over threat to kill a female neighbour who queried him on why he brought unknown visitors into her compound.

Hauwa Saleh a female resident of Hotoron Fulani in Kano metropolis reported to the police alleging that her neighbor, Tijjano Labaran swore that he would sniff life out of her.

She told the police that, the suspect gained entrance into her compound in the company of unknown faces without her permission.

According to her, she challenged the suspect and those who accompanied him into her premises; there the suspect vowed that he would kill her.

Arraigned before a Kano magistrate court No 22, on a one count charge of criminal intimidation, the accused denied the allegations levied against him by the woman.

Sergeant Haziel Ledapwa informed the court that police investigation into the case was still in progress.

Senior magistrate Tijjani Hassan Fagge released the accused on bail in the sum of N500.000 with two reliable sureties. The case is adjourned to March 11, 2015 for mention

Man hacks neighbour to death with cutlass

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29-year-old bricklayer, Ibrahim Tijani, who allegedly killed his neighbour one Bashorun Okanla in Ajah area of Lagos, was on Monday remanded at the Ikoyi Prisons.

The presiding Magistrate, Mrs. M.O. Tanimola, of an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates' Court gave the order at the arraignment of the accused.

She said that the accused should be remanded pending legal advice from the State Directorate of Public Prosecutions, DPP. The accused, who resides at Okun in Ajah area of Lagos, is facing a charge of murder.

The prosecutor, ASP Elizabeth Ekuma, had earlier told the court that the deceased had complained

about the fumes coming out of the accused' generator which was filtering into his apartment.

"An argument ensued between the duo which led Tijani to enter his room, got a cutlass which he used to attack the deceased on one of his legs and the left hand", she said.

She further told the court that Okanla died at an un-

disclosed hospital as a result of the injuries he sustained from the attack.

Ekuma said the offence was committed on February 8, at Okun Ajah, Lagos.

The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Section 221 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The magistrate adjour ned the case till April 15, pending advice from DPP.

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North

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Plateau workers task INEC on credible polls JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

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Women seeking medical attention during the launch of free medical outreach by SURE-P to Jaba local government in Kwoi, Kaduna State, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Analgesics is a silent killer, pharmacist warns A

n Abuja-based pharmacist, Mr Osaretin Asowata, had cautioned Nigerians to desist from long-term use of painkillers (analgesics) to avoid increased risk of depression and more complicated diseases.

He said this in Abuja on Monday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN. According to him, analgesics are a class of drugs that relieves pain, which have different types, and are effective and safe at prescribed doses.

According to him, intake of analgesics increases brain functions and elevates the ability to experience pleasure of food and sex naturally.

Asowata said that when taken in high doses, analgesics could lead to several complications that are detrimental to the body.

“Analgesics taken in excess can cause intestinal bleeding and liver damage. It can lead to stomach ulcer, dry mouth, urinary retention and addiction.

“It increases the risk

of testosterone, estrogen and vitamin d deficiencies. It also leads to constipation, nausea, vomiting and loss of concentration “It causes abdominal discomfort, haemorrhage and esophageal ulcerations,’’ he explained.

The pharmacist stressed that the use of painkillers everyday was harmful due to the risk involved.

“Long-term use of analgesics can cause pancreatic cancer, fluid retention and heart failure.

It can result to bloating, dizziness, heartburn, ner-

vousness and coloured urine.

“It increases tightness of the chest, shortness of breath, as well as a rash that spreads quickly.

“It causes dehydration, wrinkling of the palms and could lead to hepatitis.

“It aids fatigue, kidney failure, heart failure and stroke,” he said.

Asowata, however, added that it was important to increase the intake of water in administering of analgesics to help flush out toxins that could be introduced.

Nasarawa opts for overdraft to pay LG workers IGBAWASE UKUMBA LAFIA

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asarawa State Government yesterday said it will obtain a temporary overdraft to ensure that all categories of local government workers are fully paid before the end of this week.

This is sequel to an approval by the state governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, of the decision of an enlarge Joint Account Committee which had earlier given approval to source overdraft to augment the shortfall in the federal allocation.

The position of the state in this regards, was made known to newsmen by the state

Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mohammed Dan’Azumi, at a press conference in Lafia, the state capital.

Consequently, he said: “The ministry would strive to fulfill the conditions for obtaining the overdraft so as to ensure that all categories of workers in the local government are fully paid before the end of the week.”

The commissioner therefore appealed to the people to persevere in the face of the present economic turbulence in the country and the state, even as he reiterated that government will live up to

its responsibility and would not yield to mischief and distraction of rumour peddlers and political jobbers.

He said: “To this end, government would continue to ensure the wel-

fare of workers as it is in record that this administration is one of the pioneers in the implementation of minimum wage. The care of our loyal workers will be sustained.”

s the general elections draw near, workers in Plateau State have said they are ready to work with critical stakeholders to contribute to peaceful and credible elections and urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, not to disenfranchise them through non-availability of the PVCs. The workers made their position known yesterday at a sensitisation workshop organised for federal and Plateau State Government workers on the need to ensure a peaceful conduct in the coming general elections.

The one-day workshop was organised by the Centre for Labour Studies and Advocacy, CLASA, in collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees, AUPCTRE.

Buhari’s wife donates to Borno blasts victims INUSA NDAHI MAIDUGURI

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ll Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari’s wife, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, yesterday, donated assorted drugs and other relief items to more than hundred victims of the multiple suicide bomb attacks which occurred last weekend in Maiduguri the Borno State capital.

Mrs. Buhari, who was represented by the Borno

Soldiers kill cattle rustlers in Katsina JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

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joint operation by military and vigilante personnel has reportedly led to the killing of several cattle rustlers in Katsina State.

It was learnt that the operation took place on Saturday evening in Faskari Council Area at the Kogo forest, a place notorious for being rustlers’ hideout.

Although actual figures

of rustlers killed was not made available, some members of the community however, put the number at dozens.

They also said they heard several gun shots during the operation and counted more than 100 military and vigilante personnel in the area.

The operation, according to eyewitnesses also led to the recovery of several animals, including 308 cows, 82 sheep, and 16 donkeys.

Addressing the participants drawn from the federal and Plateau State Government Ministries, Department and Agencies, the Executive Director of CLASA, Comrade John Odah, said the 2015 general elections have generated unprecedented passion, hence the need for every stakeholder to exercise caution.

According to Odah who was represented by Comrade Ona Iduh, “The general elections have generated unprecedented passion, interest and tension among political actors and citizens alike. The necessity for an equally vigorous civic and voters education among the populace cannot be over emphasised.

“As workers that have been at the receiving end of bad leadership and bad governance, it is in our interest that we have clean, transparent elections in our country. When we are able to ensure that our votes count in election, we will begin to end impunity and disdain which elected politicians treat the electorates.

Many of the animals were yesterday returned to their owners after a rigorous screening exercise by Committee for Prevention of Farmers and Fulani Clash, to verify ownership at the headquarters of the council.

The incident is coming a year after suspected cattle rustlers invaded and killed over 117 people in communities close to the forest in Faskari and other neighbouring councils.

State First Lady, Hajiya Nana Kashim Shettima, while presenting the donation in Maiduguri yesterday, condoled with the people of Borno State over the multiple bomb attacks across the Maiduguri metropolis, urging particularly women to continue to pray for lasting peace not only in the state, but in the country in general.

She also commended efforts of the security agencies and the civilian JTF in their fight against insurgency in the state.

Receiving the donation, the Chief Medical Director, CMD, of Borno State Hospitals Management Board, Dr. Salisu Kwaya Bura, said the gesture will go a long way in meeting the health needs of the patients within the state owned hospitals, describing the suicide bomb attacks as senseless.

He expressed gratitude to Hajiya Aisha Buhari for the kind efforts, describing the gesture as timely, saying the items received include 150 cartons of assorted drugs, 1000 cartons of multi-vitamins, polythene mats and blankets.

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

There is no alternative to building capacity for stakeholders to guarantee a solid future for our football –Former Nigeria international, Austin Okocha

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

53

Sport

Quadri ready as ITTF Tour serves off

54

Keshi

under pressur accept NFF of e to fer, end saga

Stephen Keshi

JOEL AJAYI

ABUJA

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he contract renewal negotiations between Stephen Keshi and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are expected to be finalised before the end of this week, setting the stage for Keshi to resume as Super Eagles coach or walk away from the job.

National Mirror learnt yesterday that some top establishment officials backing Keshi have impressed it on the former national team captain to play ball with the NFF speedily as they are fast losing face with their support of his reappointment that has become a saga.

Their decision to rein in Keshi was reached last weekend after President of the NFF, Mr. Amaju Pinnick, had finished his submission at the Senate.

Pinnick had told the Senate Committee on Sports while defending the NFF 2015 Budget last Friday that Keshi would be announced as the coach of the Super Eagles within 10 days if the contract was tidied up.

The NFF boss had explained that the Glass House was taking its time to avoid contractual problems usually associated with the appointment of national team coaches.

“When I got elected, I went through a lot of documentations in the federation and I came to the understanding that in the past, coaches were employed and some issues were not sorted.

“I ensured all the committees that have to do with the employment of the coaches met to chart the right course. This is so because we do not want any controversial issues after the appointment is made.”

Speaking further, Pinnick said, “The issues have been looked into and the contract has now been forwarded to Keshi about a week ago. I have directed that a reminder be sent to him because we cannot keep waiting for his response.

“So, I can assure you that within the next 10 days at most, we should be able to make a pronouncement on this matter.”

He confirmed that the former Togo and Mali coach has been offered N5million monthly salary excluding other allowances, taking into account the country’s economic reality against the backdrop of falling international crude oil price.

Ujah scores, apologises to goat

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ologne striker, Anthony Ujah, has apologised for grabbing the club mascot – a goat – by the c horns during celebrations in h their 4-2 Bundesliga victory t over Eintracht Frankfurt last o Sunday .

S After scoring to secure a 4-1 lead in the 81st minute, the Nigel rian ran to the side of the pitch r where the goat is positioned w during home games, grabbed d the t animal named Hennes VIII by b the horns and attempted to drag it onto the pitch. d The animal’s handler was initially taken by surprise, i but managed to quickly reb cover and pull the goat back c before the forward returned b to t the pitch as Cologne celebrated their first home win e

since October.

“Perfect Sunday. Sorry Hennes. I was a bit too rough on him,” Ujah wrote on Twitter and Facebook while also posting a photo of him pulling the goat.

The club also saw the humorous side of the celebrations.

“Hennes is used to such stuff.

He may have a bit of a sore neck,” sports director, Joerg Schmadtke, told reporters.

Ujah (right) grabbing Hennes Vill the goat by its horns in celebration

54

Sports

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

UEFA Champions League…

‘Off-form’

Madrid at Schalke’s mercy

Di Maria

‘Di Maria ‘ll come good’

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anchester United Assistant Coach, Ryan Giggs, insists Angel di Maria is not suffering from a crisis of confidence and believes it is only a matter of time before he shines again in a Manchester United shirt.

Di Maria became British football’s most expensive signing when he joined United from Real Madrid for £59.7m last August.

But after scoring three times in his first five appearances, the Argentinian’s form has dipped considerably.

The 27-year-old winger has netted only once in 19 games and has been substituted in United’s last three Premier League matches.

But Giggs still believes in Di Maria’s quality, saying: “I think his confidence is fine. He’s a quality player and we’ll be looking for him to produce because it is big game after big game now.

“He had a really good start to the season but with “It’s always difficult for players who take risks and who can win games to be consistent because they will try things that other players won’t do.”

Today’s Toda d y’s ’ fixtures fixtures t es

Porto vs Basel R. Madrid vs Schalke

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espite suffering a 2-0 loss at home in the first leg of the Round of 16 against Real Madrid two weeks ago, Schalke 04 is far from being overawed.

The Roberto Di Matteo-coached German Bundesliga side is banking on the consistent off-form endured by its host to record a second leg upset at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid tonight.

Interestingly, the star-studded Madrid has dropped 11 La Liga points in 2015, in addition to losing the pinnacle to Barcelona last weekend.

“We are aware of Madrid’s form which obviously has become a sort of worry for them,” Di Matteo said yesterday as his side rounded off training for this encounter.

“But the truth is that they have an advantage over us at the moment and they should not surrender it before their fans,” the former Champions League-winning Chelsea manager added, amidst concerns for his team’s shaky defence in the last two weeks in the domestic league.

Real Madrid Coach, Carlo Ancelotti, is however unfazed, despite losing 1-0 to Atletic Bilbao in La Liga on Saturday.

“I have total confidence in Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo,” Ancelotti said yesterday, adding, “Starting them for the game is a non-negotiable.”

Welshman Bale hasn’t scored in 2015, Benzema has only two goals since the end of January and Ronaldo has seven goals in 12 appearances, a low tally for the FIFA World Player of the Year. But Madrid remains unbeaten in 21 Champions League games at home, dating back to April 2011.

Schalke will be without striker Kevin Prince-Boateng due to suspension while Madrid is also without Sergio Ramos (hamstring), Luka Modric (thigh) and James Rodriguez (toe).

Ronaldo

Heineken kicks off ‘90 prizes in 90 minutes’ AFOLABI GAMBARI

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he Heineken’s “90 prizes in 90 minutes” promotion in Nigeria kicks off today as the return leg of the Round of 16 begins.

Sponsors said yesterday that from March 17, fans would stand a chance to win prizes during every minute of the UEFA Champions League matches, only needing to send their unique code found under the crown cork to 20822.

According to Corporate Affairs Adviser of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Kufre Ekanem, the promotion is part of the package from Heineken’s “Champion the Match” campaign that marked nine consecutive years of UEFA Champions League sponsorship.

“We strive to constantly strengthen and broaden our activation through innovative marketing and our global footprint,” Ekanem said.

The partnership between Heineken and the Champions League has delivered world class experiences to Nigerian fans at the Heineken House, Lagos which has hosted celebrities across business, sports and entertainment circuits. They include Ruggedman, 9ice, Victor Ikpeba and Tuface Idibia.

Meanwhile, there will be more live entertainment and surprise special guests at the House as the Champions League matches get underway today and tomorrow.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Quadri

ITF Juniors: MP winner, others head to Tunis

ready as ITTF Tour serves off

PAUL EREWUBA

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AFOLABI GAMBARI

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eigning ITTF Star Player, Aruna Quadri, had his first training yesterday ahead of the International Table Tennis Federation World Tour which serves off today in Lagos.

Quadri, who spoke to National Mirror, said he was aware of the expectation of fans and would make them happy.

“There will be some kind of pressure at home no doubt, but my resolve is such that I am determined to excel in this tournament,” the Portugal-based player said.

On his recent drop in ITTF world ranking from 30 to 31, the Oyo State-born player said: “It is a normal occurrence, although it is nothing to be happy about. But it suggests that I have to keep working hard to rise again in the ranking.

“I must say that I am not putting myself under any pressure at the moment because I know that I am confident and ready for the rigours that it will take to excel in the Lagos Tour.”

Quadri, who called on the fans to cheer the Nigerian representatives to victory in the four-day event, also said: “I think we just need encouragement and we will make Nigeria proud.”

About 82 players drawn from eleven countries will compete in the $46, 000 prize money tournament listed on the ITTF World Tour calendar as a challenge series.

Quadri

Pillars attack latest: Fans demand ‘full investigation’ ABDULGAFAR OLADIMEJI KANO

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embers of the Kano Pillars Fans Club have called for what they call thorough investigation into last Thursday’s robbery incident in which five players were severely wounded as the team travelled to Owerri to honour a Globacom Premier League game.

Chairman of the fans club, Alhaji Bashir Muazu Jide, described the attack as disturbing, saying security agencies should investigate the incident.

“We want to know exactly those who attacked our play-

ers and we believe the security agencies should protect our players,” Jide told National Mirror.

“Organisers of the league should also prioritise players’ security,” he added.

Meanwhile, the management of Pillars FC has appealed that the team’s CAF Champions League match next weekend against Moghreb Tetouan of Morocco be moved due to the attack which left at least five players seriously wounded.

Vice Chairman of the Pillars FC Continental Committee, Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima,expressed hope that the Nigeria will excel.

Striker Gambo Mohammed is among the injured players

N NSC DG, Elegbeleye

igeria Paralympics Powerlifting Federation (NPPF) is on the verge of missing out at the Powerlifting World Cup billed to begin in Dubai tomorrow if the National Sports Commission (NSC) fails to release needed fund.

hampion of the 1st MP Tennis Championship held at the Lagos Country Club, Oyinlomo Quadri, departed Lagos yesterday with six others to Tunisia for the ITF Africa Junior Championship.

Other members of the team are Angel McCleod, Blessing Patrick, Timipre Godsgift, Micheal Oshewa, Michael Ayoola and Martins Abamu.

National Junior Tennis Coach, Mohammed Ubale, who accompanied the team, said Adetayo Adetunji would travel to Tunisia from her base in South Africa via France.

Nigeria emerged overall champions at the qualifiers in Togo, which featured nine countries.

Quadri, who is the Western and Central African U-14 Girls’ champion edged McCleod, in a thrilling final at the MP Championship, winning 4-2, 3-5, 10-5 to set off for the clay court tournament in Tunisia.

“I will do my best to get a medal for Nigeria in the AJC,” the 13-year-old said after her triumph over McCleod, who is also 13 but will feature in the U-16 category as a strategy aimed at fasttracking her development.

Another member of the AJCbound team, Abamu lost to Christopher Bulus 4-1, 2-4, 5-10 in the boys’ U-16, while Oshewa and Ayoola reached the semi-finals.

Yellow House wins Fitjoy Meet

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Powerlifters face Dubai no-show MERCY JACOB

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According to Secretary of the federation, Dapo Akinyele, the World Cup is a qualifying series for the Paralympics Games scheduled for next year in Brazil and missing out at the competition will limit the athletes’ opportunity at the Games.

“The NSC has told us there is no money and I will have to meet the Director General

Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye before we will ask the athletes to go home,” Akinyele said.

“It will be very sad after they have trained very hard for the competition,” he added.

“The bad side is that we would have been deprived of opportunity win medals at the next Olympics than we won at the London 2012 Games.”

ellow House has won the 2015 Inter House Sports Competition of Fitjoy Schools.

The House emerged winner of the 9th Inter House Sports of the schools after garnering 9 gold, 11 silver and 7 bronze medals to dethrone the 2013 winner, Blue House, which won 8 gold, 5 silver and 3 bronze medals.

Orange House maintained the third position won in the 2013 edition as it garnered 6 gold, 6 silver and 11 bronze medals this time while Lemon House came fourth with 5 gold, 6 silver and 6 bronze medals.

Yellow House had come last at the 2013 edition but resolved to work harder to achieve the latest feat.

Proprietress of the Fitjoy Schools, Chief (Mrs.) O.A. Oyeyinka, described the event as momentous while enjoining the students to excel in their studies.

WORLD RECORD

Longest metal coil passed through the nose and out of the mouth

N150

Vol. 05 No. 1065 Tuesday, March 10, 2015

The longest metal coil passed through the nose and out of the mouth measured 3.63 m (11 ft 10.91 in) in length and was achieved by Andrew Stanton (USA)

Nigeria’s corruption heading steeply down Continued from last Thursday

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he preventive interventions are varied, many and include: the assent to the Freedom of Information Bill in 2011 for greater transparency in governance; the Petroleum Industry Bill for a more beneficial and transparent distribution of our oil and gas wealth among Nigerians, the nation and the international oil companies. Others are the power sector privatization to shift the financing burden to the private sector and reduce drastically the corruption that goes with huge government expenditure.

Of particular interest, the Federal Government has adopted information and communication technology in preventive interventions.

These include, among others the adoption of

Guest

Nathaniel Abara

Columnist electronic payments in the financial system; the new fertilizer subsidy regime which has eliminated all the middle men, making Nigeria the first country in the world to use mobile telephony to distribute fertilizer and seedlings to its farmers; the national identity management project to eliminate ghost citizens; the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System(IPPIS) to deal with ghost workers, and the Government Integrated Financial and Management Information System(GIFMIS) and the Single Treasury Account (STA) to track government finances on 24/7 basis. All these initiatives have one thing in common. They serve to close or limit public spaces, systems and processes where corruption thrives and nip the incidence in the bud.

While adopting the more popular, offensive approach of chasing, arresting, investigating, prosecuting and jailing graft culprits, may be media attractive, exciting and entertaining for the general public, and preferred among our lawyers, for obvious reason, prevention is always better than cure. As soon as the basic preventive and defensive anti-graft institutions, systems and processes are firmly in place, a more manageable number of corruption incidents that would continue can be dealt with more effectively within the capacities of the relevant agencies and institutions.

This same strategy saved Nigeria from the Ebola virus disease (EVD) attack. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, a surveillance and defensive health institution put in place in advance by the Jonathan administration, provided a preventive platform to ward off the

THE PREDICTION OF NIGERIA’S BREAKUP IN 2015 MAY HAVE PLAYED A CENTRAL ROLE…FOR MASSIVE FLIGHT FROM THE COUNTRY EVD import. As in military warfare, it is absurd to leave your flanks and defenses weak and unguarded, only to engage in offensive forays and adventures into enemy’s domain. This is exactly what Nigeria was doing in the past. Complementary defensive and preventive anti-graft institutions need to be in place so that our offensive and curative legal agencies are not overwhelmed.

Now to the contribution external actors have made in heightening corrupt practices in Nigeria. As earlier stated, Nigeria recorded a whopping US$26.4 billion of illicit funds siphoned off the system in 2009 – the highest outflow since 2003 going by the 2014 GFI report.

But the main cause of the marked deterioration in the nation’s anti-corruption war and the fight against all illicit financial outflows up to the year 2009 could be traceable to actions taken in the United States of America. This has to do with the prediction in 2005 by pundits that Nigeria would break up by 2015. The prediction, the effect of which may be unintended, has been most destabilizing for Nigeria. It compelled many to move their financial assets to safer havens offshore in anticipation of the predicted breakup. Also, ele-

ments within government and their private sector collaborators hastened the siphoning of our national wealth to beat the 2015 D-Day Armageddon. Our reasons for this conclusion are twofold.

First, soon after the predicted breakup in 2005, information available showed that friends and well wishers exchanged phone calls or met to ascertain that they were aware of the dire prediction. The prevailing view was that people of means should consider seriously moving their valuable assets out of the country.

Secondly, facts began to filter out subsequently from the global financial systems that Nigerians were indeed frantically moving their financial assets offshore to hedge against the uncertain future.

Empirical data from GFI shows that in 2004, a year before the prediction of break up was made, illicit financial flows out of Nigeria stood at US$1.7 billion. However, the very next year when the prediction was released, illicit financial outflows from Nigeria skyrocketed to US$17.9 billion - more than a tenfold. In comparison, the increase in illicit financial outflows for “all developing countries” within the same period was less than 30 percent, meaning that in 2005 the rate of increase of illicit outflows for Nigeria was close to 40 times the rate of increase for “all developing countries” put together.

What this shows is that the prediction of Nigeria’s breakup in 2015 may have played a central role, and indeed, set the stage for massive flight from the country. Also, it may still be fueling the tempo of corruption in Nigeria and the increasing momentum of capital outflows as people hedge for the future. So, this uncertainty needs to be moderated.

In view of the external dimension of the Nigerian corruption and illicit capital outflows highlighted above, the global community should assist in tangible ways to stem the tide. Especially, the G20 needs to full support the FG’s efforts to sustain the steady and significant decline since 2009 of illicit financial outflows from Nigeria. This is the real challenge of our anti-corruption war.

Concluded Abara, a public interest advocate and former investmentbanker,wroteviaetdcls@gmail.com.

Sport Extra

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he Mali Football Federation (FMF) yesterday announced the sacking of Coach Henryk Kasperczak after the West African nation’s recent failure to get past the first round at the Africa Nations Cup

AFCON 2015 fallout: Mali sacks Kasperczak (AFCON) finals in February, ending a second spell in the team for the 68-year-old former Poland World Cup star Kasperczak took Mali to fourth place at the

2002 Nations Cup finals, which the nation hosted, but in his second coming saw Mali eliminated after the first round at the 2015 finals in Equatorial Guinea after the drawing

of lots.

Mali finished tied with Guinea after each country had drawn their three group games with a 1-1 score-line and had to be separated by turning to a

rare form of tie-breaking.

A statement said that Kasperczak’s contract was terminated after a meeting with the football federation at the weekend.

Kasperczak

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