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Reps order NRC to produce rail contractors from 2010 Ubong Ukpong, Abuja

H Dogara

ouse of tatives, ordered aging Director

Represenyesterday, the Manof Nige-

rian Railway Corporation, NRC, Seyi Sijuwade, to produce the contractors that handled rail construction and rehabilitation projects between 2010 and 2014.

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Traders lament high cost of goods, poor sales

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Lagos Islan d inward, PHOTO:

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Sijuwade was directed to produce the contractors as the Agbonany Ima-led ad-hoc Committee of the House investigating NRC projects complained that

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11 escape death as helicopter plunges into Atlantic Ocean Vol. 5 N0. 1299

National Mirror Online @NationalMirror Thursday, February 4, 2016

N150

...crash forces Reps to adjourn proceedings

Olusegun Koiki and Francis Suberu

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leven persons escaped death yesterday after a Bristow 5N BJQ Helicopter en route Lagos from an off-shore location in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, ditched inside the Atlantic Ocean.

Yesterday’s accident occurred almost six months after another Bristow Helicopters crashed into the lagoon near the Third Mainland Bridge in Oworonshoki area of Lagos.

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Power transmission hits 5,074mw as FG targets additional 2000mw in 2016

People rescued by the Nigerian Army from suspected Boko Haram terrorists’ enclave after an operation in Borno, yesterday.

Immigration tragedy: Victims storm Interior Ministry ...demand sack of Comptroller General Rebuilding north east to cost over N2trn –Danjuma

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Supreme Court returns Udom, Ikpeazu P.5

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The chopper was carrying nine passengers and two crew members A source close to the airline confided in our correspondent that the pilot intentionally ditched the aircraft into the ocean when he discovered that it had developed fault mid-air.

The source said the pilot before the controlditch deployed all the safety and emergency apparatus onboard, which prevented fatalities.

Control-ditch is an action a pilot takes to safeguard lives of people onboard when he discovered a problem with an airborne aircraft.

Another source hinted that the chopper, before the crash, was flying at 1,500 feet, which was relatively low for a helicopter.

A terse statement issued in Lagos by the Head, Public Affairs, Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, Mr. Tunji Oketunbi, said all the 11 souls on board, including two crew members were rescued from the crash.

Oketunbi declared that AIB had commenced investigation into the occurrence, adding that details of the crash would be communicated later.

AIB statement said: “A S76 C++ helicopter marked 5N-BQJ belonging to Bristow Helicopters, which departed ERHA Platform enroute Lagos was ditched into the Atlantic Ocean 95 nautical miles into destination at about 10:20am local time.

“All the eleven souls on board, including two crew members were rescued alive.

“Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, has commenced investigation into the occurrence.

Details will be communicated to you later.”

Also, the helicopter company in a statement confirmed the accident, but described it as a “water landing.”

The statement hinted that the aircraft, a Sikorsky S-76C++, had departed on a routine crew transfer flight offshore with nine passengers and a crew of two.

It added: “All persons onboard are accounted for and in the process of being transferred to a nearby installation. The

Thursday, February 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

11 escape death as helicopter plunges into Atlantic Ocean company is in the process of collecting pertinent information and will release more details as soon as it is available.”

General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Mr. Michael Akindele, in a statement, said emergency responders, including three RRS search and rescue Helicopters, Nigeria Navy, Air Force and others were deployed for the operation.

He said the use of life jacket by the passengers on board also assisted in the rescue operation.

He said: “All emergency responders were immediately activated, these includes 3 RRS Search and rescue Helicopters, Nigeria Navy, Airforce and others were deployed for the operation. The helicopter ditched inside the ocean, however 11 souls on board are alive, no casualty.

“The support of Agip, Mobile and Shell Oil Company in the provision of speed boats, while Bristol Helicopter Company also provided landing boat for the evacuation of the survivals must be commended.

The survivals also adhered to the use of life jacket, making rescue efforts easier.

“The success of this is attributed to the will

of God and the recently conducted emergency preparedness simulation of air crash by NEMA, LASEMA and other stakeholders, further investigation on the crash will be looked into by the relevant authorities.”

News of the crash forced House of Representatives’ Committee on Aviation to adjourn its activities indefinitely.

The committee was conducting the defence of the 2016 budget by agencies and departments in the aviation sector when it ended the session abruptly.

Chairman of the Committee, Nkiruka Onyejeocha (PDP-Abia), announced that the budget defence could not continue as a result of the crash.

According to her, there was no way the budget defence would continue when the aviation industry was currently hit by a helicopter crash.

“We are humans and it will be inhuman if we go ahead with the defence when we are yet to know the conditions of the passengers on board.

“We don’t know if the passengers are battling

for survival or there are some casualties.

“For this reason, this session is adjourned sine die,” Onyejeocha said.

The crash would be Bristow Helicopter’s third in eight years.

The August 13, 2015 crash was the second.

The first crash occurred on August 3, 2007, when the company’s line training captain boarded and crashed a Bell -412 EP helicopter with registration number 5N-BIQ and manufacturer’s serial number 35385.

A report on the accident recently published

by AIB and made available to our correspondent by a source in the Ministry of Aviation revealed that the captain, 47, from Australia had willfully crashed the engine due to psychological stress.

The report indicated that the deceased had boarded the helicopter by 7:30am without the co-pilot, a procedure, which negated aviation safety.

He then started the engine rapidly, made radio call at 7:32.16 for a “local flight”, and lifted rapidly at 7:35am.

President Muhammadu Buhari (fifth right), President of the European Commission, H.E. Mr. Jean-Claude Junker (fourth left) and others, during the bilateral meeting with the President of the European Commission in Strasbourg, France, yesterday.

Reps order NRC to produce rail contractors from 2010 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

it could not get letters of invitation to the companies, even with the addresses provided by the MD. However, the committee’s attempt to prove a connection between NRC and a request for return of over N2 billion pension fund by the management of the corporation failed as the MD and his team defended the allegation.

Trouble began when the Committee, acting on documents before it, asked the managing director to explain all he knew and the reason behind his request to the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation for a return of over N2 billion or 20 per cent of the corporation’s pension fund to the corporation sometime in December, 2014.

In his response, Sijuwade, who was reminded of being on oath, denied making such request to either the AGF or Minister of Finance.

“I never at any time make any request to the AGF to return N2 billion pension fund to the corporation,” he said.

Insisting on getting to the root of the matter, the Committee asked the Direc-

tor of Finance, Felix Njoku, to take an oath in order to take questions regarding the issue.

Njoku did and replied affirmatively that there was never any correspondence from his office to the AGF on return of the said pension money.

Not satisfied, the Committee veered into what the organisation did with N2 billion that was in the cor-

poration’s coffers around the period under review.

The Finance Director explained that the money was not related to pension and was used to fund on-going contracts at the time.

He was asked to list the contracts, which he said was impossible at that point but that all transactions were duly documented, promising to make available the records.

On the award of rail contract to Costain, which the committee said was incompetent, the managing director replied that Costain went through due process and was found competent by the Federal Executive Council, FEC, which was the approving authority.

He added that being a reliable company, it has successfully completed its project.

Islamic movement protests el-Zakzaky’s detention Igbawase Ukumba, Lafia

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outh wing of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria in Nasarawa State, yesterday in Lafia, the state capital, protested continued detention of their leader, Sheikh Ibraheem

el-Zakzaky.

The youth group, who trooped out in their hundreds, carried placards with various inscriptions, calling for the release of their leader.

Speaking with journalists, leader of the group, Ahmed Tsoho, called on relevant au-

thorities to immediately and unconditionally release Zakzaky.

He said a similar thing should also be extended to el-Zakzky’s wife and other members in detention while corpses of those allegedly killed by the army should be released to them for burial.

Also speaking, a female member of the group, Mardiya Yahaya, claimed that the movement has compiled a list of 730 missing persons that are either killed or in detention among them, students of universities and other higher institutions.

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L-R: Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode; a cancer survivor, Miss Enang Mandu; Board member, Sebeccly Cancer Care, Mrs. Omojole Adetoro and Senior Programme Officer, Sebeccly Cancer Care, Mrs. Ometu Tina, during Sebeccly Cancer Care’s courtesy visit to Mrs. Ambode, as part of activities to mark the World Cancer Day, at Lagos House, Ikeja, yesterday.

L-R: Head, Money Transfer Services, Diamond Bank Plc, Chekwube Ohaeri; winner, Omoniyi Damilola; Assistant Marketing Manager, Western Union, ECOWAS, Ebere Nwaolikpe; winner, Mrs. Kofoworola Balogun and Money Transfer Services Executive, Onyebuichi Irogbarachi, at the Western Union “Talk For Free Promotion” ceremony in Lagos, recently.

L-R: Dean of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, Rev. Christian Efeobi; Bishop of Bendel Province and Diocese of Esan, Most Rev. Friday Imaekhai and Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of all Nigeria, the Most Rev’d Nicholas Okoh, at the presentation of opening address to the Standing Committee of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion by the Primate of all Nigeria, in Abuja, yesterday.

L-R: Global Head of Policy and Public, Diageo, Richard Burn; Global Corporate Relations Director, Diageo, Charlotte Lambkin; Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, LUTH, Prof. Ben Fasanmade; Acting Head, Guinness Eye Clinic, LUTH, Prof. Adeola Onakoya and Corporate Relations Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Sesan Sobowale, during Diageo’s courtesy visit to Guinness Eye Centre in LUTH, yesterday.

National News

Rebuilding North East to cost over N2trn –Danjuma

•Deployment of policemen at advanced stage – Arase

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hairman, Presidential Committee on North East Initiative, Retired Lieutnant-General Theophilus Danjuma, has said that over two trillion naira will be required in the short-term to rebuild areas devastated by the Boko Haram insurgency.

Danjuma made the statement at the opening of a two-day security seminar organised by the Alumni Association of the National Defence College, in Abuja on Wednesday.

“Conservative estimates put the cost of the short-term intervention of the reconstruction of the region at over two trillion naira.

He said the rebuilding of the region would require the cooperation of all, considering that the magnitude of destruction was beyond the means of the federal or state governments.

Danjuma said rebuilding the North East would demand maximum cooperation and resources, especially in the most

affected states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe.

“Rebuilding the North East is one of the biggest and most complex challenges Nigeria is facing today.

“To hold government or any one agency alone responsible for this task is to underestimate the enormity of the problem.

“The task would involve massive reconstruction of physical infrastructure, much of which have been totally destroyed and, of course, the more challenging one, which is the rebuilding of peace and social cohesion,’’ he said.

Danjuma called on Nigerians and friends of Nigeria to support the initiative of the Federal Government to rebuild the region.

He gave an assurance that the various platforms established by government for the reconstruction of the region would be carefully managed to check embezzlement of

resources.

Danjuma said the various initiatives under his chairmanship would deploy the best strategies in ensuring that the expectations of the victims of the insurgency and donors were met.

Danjuma, however, warned that the war against Boko Haram was not yet to be over, stressing that a lot was still required to prevent the spates of suicide bombings in the country.

Earlier, the Minister of Defence, Retired BrigadierGeneral Mansur Dan-Ali, described the destruction caused by the insurgency as monumental and one that required the attention and intervention of all Nigerians.

He said the ministry was concerned about the plight of displaced persons as well as the conduct and welfare of troops in the area.

Dan-Ali blamed the present state of the war against insurgency and the resulting

effect on displaced persons to the endemic corruption that plagued the procurement of the necessary equipment to prosecute the war.

He expressed hope that the present initiative by President Muhammadu Buhari, aimed at reconstructing the region, would yield the needed results.

In his opening address, the President of the alumni association, Retired BrigadierGeneral Jonathan Temlong, said the seminar was an attempt by the association to put into perspective the issue of rebuilding the North East.

He described the rebuilding of the North East as a complex process and the living condition of displaced persons as chaotic and dehumanising.

He said Borno had the highest number of internally displaced persons totalling over 1.6 million as at October 2015, with over one million others taking refuge in Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic.

Participants at the seminar were drawn from civil society organisation, traditional institution, development partners and security agencies.

Meanwhile, the InspectorGeneral of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, has said that the deployment of policemen to liberated communities to reestablish civil authority in the North East had reached an advanced stage.

Arase disclosed this in Abuja yesterday, at a meeting with commissioners of police and other senior officers of the force.

It would be recalled that a Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of operations, Mr Sotonye Wakama, was recently deployed to the North East for need assessment.

Arase said that procurement and massive mobilisation of logistics was currently ongoing. ``Procurement and massive mobilisation of logistics and personnel for this purpose is currently ongoing. ``By our projection, this

exercise will commence before the end of this month (February),``he said.

Arase said that the force would consider a three-month timeline for policemen serving in the North East because of the trauma they go through.

He stressed that the force had always ensured that allowances of the officers were paid as at when due, adding that the states were not redeeming their promises.

Arase called on policemen to be dedicated to their duties by providing adequate security to the citizens.

“The task of assuring the safety of citizens of this great nation is not only sacred; it is one that we must consistently dedicate ourselves to,``he said.

He noted that the negative public perception about the police would change if policemen would deliver quality professional service to the people.

Arase added that the force had put in place mechanism to check misconduct of all officers on duty on the nation’s highways.

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Thursday, February 4, 2016

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Immigration tragedy: Victims storm Interior Ministry Marcus Fatunmole, Abuja

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ictims of the illfated recruitment test conducted by Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS, nationwide in 2014, yesterday stormed the Federal Ministry of Interior and demanded appointment letters promised them by the Federal Government.

The protest followed nearly 23 months of unfulfilled promise by the Federal Government and allegation of secret replacement of the victims by the leadership of NIS with 300 persons within few weeks, late last year.

It would be recalled that the Federal Executive Council, FEC, led by former President Goodluck Jonathan, had approved automatic job for all victims of the stampede that greeted the conduct of the test, nationwide.

The Council also approved that each family of the deceased from the exercise get three slots, two men and a woman.

Memory of the tragedy, which was widely described as national embarrassment, has since lingered.

National Coordinator of the victims, Edmund Osumah, yesterday, said 15 persons died during the stampedes, and 131 severely injured in Edo, Kaduna, Niger and Abuja.

He also claimed government reportedly abandoned the victims, offered job for 300 other Nigerians, absorbed them into the service late last year, and had paid them salary.

Osumah argued that the action of NIS was against the directive of the National Assembly, which, he claimed, had directed that the victims be absorbed, failure of which the legislators threatened they would not approve this year’s budget of the Service.

According to him, there are 176 victims already screened by NIS for the job.

The placard-carrying protesters, who were about 50, stormed the ministry at 11:32am. They were stopped by officials of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, from gaining entrance into

the building.

The victims also called for the sack of Comptroller-General of NIS, Mr. Martins Abeshi, following alleged unwholesome practices he is alleged to be committing in office.

Effort by the group to carry out the protest last Tuesday failed, following the lateness of some of the victims to Abuja.

An official of the ministry, described as an Assistant to the Permanent Secretary in the ministry came to address the victims as they chanted “give us our job”.

He later led three of the protesters to the Permanent Secretary, but barred journalist from accompanying them.

Osumah led the three.

About an hour later, the three returned and briefed their colleagues.

He said the Permanent Secretary appealed to them that “serious attention is being given to the matter. That at the end of the day, they want to assure us that they want to put themselves in our shoes, that it is actually painful.

“We were able to tell them what happened. We told him how people have been suffering in the various villages, wherever they are, and how lives have been as a result of this saga. He promised he was going to take it to the minister, and other appropriate authority.

“He said action has already started, that what is resulting to all this is information gap. He said if we had been informed of what has been done or what is taking place, we would not have been this apprehensive.”

The Permanent Secretary, he stressed, promised to call coordinator in two weeks’ time to feed the group on what government has been doing.

Meanwhile, the victims threatened to return “massively” to Abuja, if nothing is done by government within two weeks.

The victims also proceeded to the State House to deliver a copy of their letter to the Presidency.

Only the Coordinator was allowed to meet the President’s representative.

Scene of explosion that rocked six residential buildings on Zomi-Zomi Street, Upper Sakponba axis of Benin City, Edo State, on Tuesday.

Supreme Court returns Udom, Ikpeazu

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upreme Court of Nigeria, yesterday returned Emmanuel Udom as the governor of Akwa Ibom State and also set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri, the Imo State capital, which had nullified the election of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

By this decision, the apex court held that the judgment of the Court of Appeal “is hereby set aside” and the declaration by INEC of Udom as governor having won majority of votes is hereby affirmed.

Justice C. Nweze who gave the charge. lead judgement said reasons for this judgement will be delivered on February 15.

In a unanimous decision, the 7-man panel of Supreme Court Justices led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed said there was “considerable merit in the appellant’s appeal. Appeal is allowed”.

Similarly, the appeals of PDP and INEC were also allowed.

Earlier, the first appeal heard was SC/1/2016, filed

by Governor Emmanuel Udom against Obong Umana Umana, his party the APC, and the Independent National Electoral Commission, wherein he challenged the decision of the appellate court in ordering fresh governorship elec-

tion in Akwa Ibom state.

Udom’s appeal principally centred on disenfranchisement of electorate which the court lower had based its decision in voiding the election of Udom.

Counsel to the appellant, Damian Dodo SAN told the apex court that the principal issue decided by the tribunal was that a large percentage of the electorate was disenfranchised, adding that “having regards with evidence before the tribunal, that finding cannot be supported.

He cited Supreme Court decisions that allegation of disenfranchisement will be proven polling units by polling units, adding that the respondents were not able to prove the allegation.

Dodo said the sum total of the decision of the court below was that one witness (pw 48) can give evidence for all polling units in Akwa Ibom state.

“My Lord, the decision of the lower court is perverse and therefore I urge court to allow the appeal.

In a lead judgment delivered by Justice Suleiman Galadima, the 7-man panel presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria stated that there was merit in Ikpeazu’s appeal.

Consequently, the apex panel set aside the appellate court’s decision.

In a unanimous judgment, the court said reasons for its verdict will be

advanced on February 26.

Yesterday’s judgment emanated from an appeal filed by Ikpeazu, challenging the decision of the Court of Appeal Court sitting in Owerri, the Imo state capital which had on December 31, 2015, nullified his election and subsequently declared Dr. Alex Otti of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) as the winner of the April 11, 2015 governorship election in the state.

Respondents in the appeal are Oti (1st), APGA (2nd), PDP (3rd) and INEC (4th).

Counsel to the appellant, Wale Olanipekun SAN in urging the apex court to allow the appeal, insisted that, “viewed from any angle, the judgement of the Court of Appeal cannot be sustained.

Olanipekun said the lower court granted the petitioner (Oti and his party APGA) what they did not plead, stressing that “they never asked for cancellation of election in three local governments areas.

On his part, Akin Olujimi SAN counsel to Oti and his party, APGA asked the Supreme Court to dismiss the appeal as lacking in merit.

He insisted that they proved allegation of disenfranchisement by calling witnesses who testified before the tribunal.

The PDP and INEC did not file any brief in opposition to the appeal.

In appeal marked SC/19/2016 filed by the PDP, the party’s counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu SAN urged the court to allow it and set aside aside the decision of the court below.

Reacting for the 1st and 2nd respondents, Chris Uche SAN prayed the panel to dismiss the appeal.

He adopted submissions of Olujimi in SC/18, even as he urged the court to follow the path of substantial justice delivered by the Appeal Court than technicalities relied upon by the PDP. The third appeal was instituted by INEC against Oti and APGA designated SC/22/2016.

In his submissions, the INEC counsel in asking the apex court to allow the appeal, said the appeal court’s judgment was not consistent with law, as it erroneously found out that there was over voting at LGA level of the poll.

“It is trite law that over voting relates to polling units level and not at LGA level.

He stated that nowhere did the 1st and 2nd respondents identify or isolate any polling unit where there was over voting.

“In respect of the court below, it did not identify any polling unit where there was over voting in the three LGAs, the INEC counsel said, adding that the appellate court said “it was clear that there was over voting.

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Power transmission attains new peak of 5,074.7mw

…FG targets additional 2000mw in 2016 Chidi Ugwu Abuja

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ystem Operator, Transmission Company of Nigeria yesterday announced the attainment of a new re-

cord peak generation of 5,074.7MW, and highest maximum daily energy wheeled nationwide of 109,372MWH on Tuesday, February 2, 2016.

In a statement signed

by Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs, Clement Ezeolisah, the new peak generation of 5,074.7MW was attained at 9:30pm on Tuesday, February 2, 2016.

While the previous peak generation was 4,883.9MW achieved on Monday, November 23, 2015, the previous highest maximum daily energy wheeled nationwide was 107,142.32MWH recorded on Tuesday, January 26, 2016.

L-R: Commandant, National Defence College, Rear Admiral Samuel Alade; Special Guest of Honour, Gen. T. Y. Danjuma; President, Alumni Association of the National Defence College, Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Temlong and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Amb. Danjuma Sheni, at the 6th edition of the National Security Seminar, in Abuja, yesterday.

Buhari assures EU of commitment to human rights Rotimi Fadeyi Abuja

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resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Strasbourg, France, assured the European Union that his administration was doing its utmost best to protect the fundamental human rights of persons in the theatre of operations against Boko Haram.

A statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Buhari spoke while addressing a special session of the parliament.

The president said his government shared the European Union’s commitment to peace and security, respect for human rights, democracy and good governance, equality and tolerance, as ways of developing prosperous and strong societies.

“For our part, we have updated our rules of engagement in fighting terrorism and pay very close attention during operations to the treatment of captured terrorists, civilians caught up in the conflict

and in general, safeguarding property.

“Our aim is to use minimum force necessary in our fight against terrorists”, Buhari assured members of the parliament and the European Union Commission.

The president also spoke of Nigeria’s concerns about the Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union, African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP), collectively endorsed by the Economic Community of West African States.

He said Nigeria was yet to sign the agreement because pertinent technical issues raised by the Federal Government have not been satisfactorily addressed.

“Giving due consideration to the mismatch of the two regions (Europe-ECOWAS) in terms of technology and manufacturing experience, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and Associated Trade Unions raised concerns over the negative impact of the agreement on Nigeria’s industrialisation programme.

“Nigeria is working towards addressing her own

side of the issues and I therefore urge our European Union partners to also address our own concerns to allow for an Economic Partnership Agreement that is mutually beneficial and can contribute to the prosperity of our people, in the context of our shared values and interest at promoting cordial bilateral trade relations,” the President said.

Buhari also sought greater support from the European Union for Nigeria’s efforts to curb the theft of its crude oil and corruption in its oil and gas sector.

“Nigeria is facing the challenges of oil-theft and illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta as well as recovery of illicit funds. In this regard, Nigeria solicits the cooperation of the European Parliament to support the efforts aimed at stemming these vices. ”Our attempt to restore security, curb corruption and fight crime will result not only in improving social stability in Nigeria, but will re-open the doors for full economic relations with Europe and the rest of the world.

“Those who wish to in-

vest in our country have immense opportunities and we intend to guarantee the security of people and investments brought to Nigeria,” the president said.

He assured the parliament that Nigeria would collaborate with the European Union to address illegal migration to Europe.

“Our government is making concerted efforts to address the push-factor that propel migration, especially from Nigeria, as both destination and transit country.

“In this year’s budget, the government has provided for over 500,000 graduate employments in the teaching profession alone. We are equally collaborating with the states and local governments, to strengthen Skills Acquisition Centres, in order to train the teeming youth in various vocational skills, so that they can be self-employed, and eventually, become employers of labour.

“We are also making efforts to diversify the economy, giving impetus to agriculture and solid minerals exploitation, to create wealth and employments.

Managing Director, System Operation/ Market Operation, TCN, Dipak Sarma, attributed the twin peak achievements to the enhanced cooperation among all power sector stakeholders and concerted efforts by system operators at the National Control Centre and other stations to ensure that all generated power is wheeled to the distribution companies and that there is no stranded power.

Meanwhile, Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, has said power generation would increase with additional 2000MW by the last quarter of 2016.

According to a statement by Assistant Director of Press, Etore E. Thomas,‎ the minister expressed optimism that the feat would be achieved given the various plans undertaken by the present administration in the sector.

He stated this at the ministry’s budget defence before the Senate Committee on Power and

Mines, adding that a lot have changed in the management of power in the country, in recent times.

Distribution of power is no longer government business, but has been taken over by private companies.

Also government has privatised power generation which has steered towards the full privatisation of the sector with transmission aspect being managed by Manitoba International of Canada.

According to the minister, the 2016 budget focuses more on the transmission, completion of on-going projects, refurbishing power plants and tackling gas supply issues. If all these, are well addressed, the expected projection would boost electricity generation in the country.

The minister further stated that the ministry plans to take its role as a policy maker more seriously while the agencies will be tasked more on implementation and execution of government’s agenda for the sector.

Group lauds Buhari over corruption Obiora Ifoh Abuja

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uhari Media Support Group, BMSG, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari on the ongoing anti-corruption campaign embarked on by his administration.

The group in a press statement in Abuja stated that the campaign is bearing fruit and gradually changing the image of the country as one where corrupt acts are no longer welcome.

According to a statement by BMSG’s chairman, Muhammad Labbo, and Secretary, Cassidy Madueke, “the anti-corruption war of the president, despite cynicism of partakers in the ruinous looting of the country, is having the desired impact, nationally and internationally and has unmasked the true colour of many prominent

persons and wealthy individuals, who have been in and outside of government.”

The group notes that in the latest ranking of corrupt countries the world over by Transparency International, the anti-corruption watchdog, the name of Nigeria is conspicuously missing because of the impact the crusade against corruption by President Buhari is having locally and outside Nigeria.

The group declares that the changing perception about Nigeria is due to the “Buhari phenomenon”, his body language and the unmasking of the corrupt in our midst.

The group draws attention to the fact that other reputable international organisations and personalities have positively taken note of the anti-corruption war and have pledged their support.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Insecurity: Senate meets with service chiefs

S

enate yesterday held a closed-door meeting with service chiefs in view of the prevailing security issues in the country, especially in the North East.

The two-hour meeting chaired by President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, was attended by other principal officers and chairmen of securityrelated committees.

Although newsmen were shut out of the meeting, Leader of the Senate, Ali Ndume, later told newsmen that the issues discussed could not be revealed to the public.

He said they bordered on national security and as such was for the sole consumption of those who were in attendance.

Ndume, however, expressed satisfaction of the Senate as this was the first time the upper legislative chamber was being fully briefed on matters of security.

“We have been briefed

properly but these are security issues we cannot really disclose any of it.

“Unlike before, the Senate was not abreast or updated on the efforts they are making; now we have very full, honest, open and transparent discussion on the activities.

“This is a security meeting that we just had; it will be wrong for me to disclose the details.

“We are satisfied because we have never had this kind of briefing before; we are part of it now; we know what is the problem; we know what are the challenges,” he said.

Service Chiefs present were Chief of Defence Staff, Maj.-Gen. Abayomi Olonishakin; Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Tukur Buratai; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas and Chief of Air Staff, AVM Sadique Abubakar.

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Army, Shi’ite clash: CSOs want Iranian Ambassador expelled Adeola Tukuru Abuja

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coalition of Human Rights and P ro - D e m o c r a cy Based Civil Society Organisations has urged the Federal Government to report the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations (UN) for trying to undermine Nigeria’s internal security.

The group alleged that Iran was backing the Islamic Movement in Nigeria to cause chaos in the country.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Convener/National President of the Coalition, Ibrahim Abubakar, urged President Muhammadu

Buhari to expel the Iranian Ambassador, Saeed Koozechi.

Abubakar explained that the comments credited to the ambassador, following the clash between the Army and members of the Shiite, were undiplomatic and could amount to a threat to Nigeria’s internal security.

He also said the president should take further step of severe all diplomatic ties with Iran until that country commits to staying out of the internal affairs of Nigeria.

He said: “That Iran can continue to undermine Nigeria after Mr. President’s recent visit to that country makes the message obviously clear that

cordial relations with Iran will not add value to us.

“We also appeal to the media to consider national interest in the course of reporting.

“It will be counterproductive to help a belligerent country further its propaganda that is aimed at destabilising our country as it is obvious that the Iranian Ambassador is counting on Nigeria’s liberal media environment to help spread fear and encourage insurgency.

“In his home country, no media organisation would have dared to publish a story that is critical of the government how much more of stories that are meant to undermine

Iran.”

He said for the fact that the Iran has not recalled its ambassador after such unguarded statement, shows he enjoys the support of his government.

Abubakar, however, warned that Nigerians cannot allow external interference with their country’s internal security matters.

He said: “Nigeria, being a member of the United Nations bound by all the relevant conventions on Human Rights and other protocols, does not require a lecture from Iran on how to manage its internal affairs, particularly when the issue under consideration borders on security and survival of the nation.

We’ll implement promises after 2016 budget passage –Buhari

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resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said his administration would begin to implement its campaign promises immediately the 2016 budget is passed into law by the National Assembly.

Buhari gave the indication while inaugurating the new Ota township road in Ado-Odo/ Ota Council Area of Ogun State.

The inauguration of the road, among other projects, was part of activities lined up in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the state.

Represented by VicePresident, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Buhari said the Federal Government had mapped out plan to support artisans in the country with funds to help improve their businesses.

He also said the cornerstone of the present government was to provide employment for youths across the country, insisting that all government’s promises, particularly to the youth, would be fulfilled.

The president reiterated the administration’s commitment to train over 500,000 volunteer teachers and would be paid for the job.

While commending Governor Ibikunle Amosun for the massive infrastructure development across the state, he called for the continued support of the people to both the federal and the state governments.

In his address, Amosun expressed appreciation to the vice president for the visit which, he said, would go a long way in boosting the morale of his government.

He called for the continued understanding by the citizens of the state, adding that government could not finish everything at once.

The governor said his administration would not relent in its mission at rebuilding the state by ensuring an all-round development.

The president also inaugurated the Aiyetoro township road in the Yewa North Local Government Area.

A cross-section of Commissioners of Police during their meeting with I-G Solomon Arase, in Abuja, yesterday.

N5.2bn Aviation Scam: AGF’s request for brief stalls trial of Borishade, others Marcus Fatunmole Abuja

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equest by AttorneyGeneral of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, to obtain brief on a suit filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, against former Minister of Aviation, Babalola Borishade, and four others yesterday stalled the hearing.

The accused are standing trial before Justice Abubakar Sadiq Umar of the FCT High Court in Maitama, Abuja A statement by Head, Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, yesterday

said though both parties were present in court, Justice Umar informed them that the matter could not go on as planned as the AGF requested for a brief on the case, since the matter had been in court for about seven years.

“He presented a letter dated February 2, 2016, from the AGF requesting for an adjournment of the case and records of court proceedings so far.

“Counsel to EFCC, Chile Okoroma told the court that, his hands were tied with regards to continuing the proceeding as the AGF being the Chief Law Officer, has power over him.

“According to Okoroma, ‘under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, and Section 174 of the Constitution, the AGF has the power to take over, continue or discontinue a case.’

“Counsel to the first defendant, Kehinde Ogunwumiju and Regina Okotie- Eboh representing the 4th and 5th defendants, who had initially sought for a dismissal of the case which was earlier slated for ruling today, could not have their applications taken as a result of the letter from the AGF. “Justice Umar adjourned the case to February 17, 2016 for ruling and continuation of

hearing pending the decision of the AGF,” the statement said.

Borishade, his former personal assistant, Tunde Dairo, and two others allegedly mismanaged a N5.2bn Aviation Safe Tower contract.

Others on trial for the alleged offence are former Managing Director of Nigeria Airspace Management Agency, Rowland Iyayi; an Australian, George Eider and Avsatel Communications Ltd. The suspects were arraigned on November 19, 2009

by EFCC on a 15-count charge of taking bribe and forging aviation contract documents.

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Thursday, February 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Protest: Aero sues aviation unions Olusegun Koiki

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anagement of troubled Aero Contractors has dragged aviation unions in the country before the National Industrial Court for their role in the recent protest that crippled activities in the airline.

This is as the unions commended leadership of the Senate and Committee of Aviation and Anti-Corruption for their intervention in the rift between it and the airline’s management.

This was contained in a letter with reference number NUATE.GS/CH.SCA/ ENP/002-16, dated 2nd February, 2016, and made available to our correspondent and jointly signed by Generals Secretary of the National Union of Air Transport Employees, NUATE, and Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, ATSSSAN, Olayinka Abioye and Omotaje Olawale.

The letter expressed worry that the issue in which the airline took the union to court had already been addressed by the Senate Committee on Aviation and wondered why the airline still went to court on the same matter.

The unions, however, will seek audience with the leadership of the Aviation Committee within the week to discuss issues raised at the committee level.

The letter added: “We appreciate also the directive to Aero management for the immediate recall of the suspended Chairman of ATSSSAN in Aero Contractors, an action that goes to show that the National Assembly continues to be the hope of the poor, common and ordinary man.

“However, we make swift to bring to your notice that we have received a notice from the National Industrial Court taking the leadership of the union on same matter that the Joint Committee of Aviation and Anticorruption has directed on.

We also look forward to discussing the issues raised at the committee sitting within the week.”

It would be recalled that the unions had collapsed activities in the airline for over two weeks following the alleged corruption and mismanagement in the airline.

In the wake of the crisis, the airline’s management had suspended the two union leaders in its establishment over their roles in the protest against the management.

Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Serika

L-R: Managing Director, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr.Chris Olakpe; Special Adviser to Lagos Governor on Transportation, Prince Olanrewaju Elegushi and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseyi Whenu, at a news conference on the planned Saturday Lagos Access Mararathon, yesterday.

Confusion at Lagos secretariat as new security protocol begins Francis Suberu

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here was confusion at the Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, yesterday, following a decision by the state government to begin full implementation of the review of security protocols and procedures.

The state had introduced tight security measures, which caused serious traffic build-up in and around the secretariat as part of effort to further secure the complex.

The security check, which many refer to as “Operation Show Your Staff ID Card” was not only confusing to workers and visitors

at the secretariat, it also caused heavy traffic gridlock, extending deep into Awolowo Way. Many, who became stranded on the road and at the entrance of the secretariat turned back in disappointment without having access to the state’s head office.

The operation was carried out by combined efforts of members of the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, officials of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, Vehicle Inspection Service, VIS, and selected staff of Lagos State government.

Everyone coming into the complex, including pedestrians and vehicles with government stickers, was made

to show staff ID before they were allowed into the secretariat, through two gates, the one directly opposite the Lagos Central Command office for officers with Governor’s Office stickers and the main gate for officials working in the various ministries.

Many visitors to the secretariat were prevented from entering since they could not present invitation cards that will give them the opportunity of getting the visitors’ tags which will give them access to the secretariat complex.

The operation also shut out categories of staff without ID card, majorly new staff and those on industrial attachment among others.

State Head of Service, HOS, Mrs. Olabowale Ade-

mola, had on January 8, 2016 issued circular, notifying workers that security measures in and around the secretariat has been reviewed and that the state would commence full implementation of the new measures by Monday February 1, 2016.

The circular read in part: “All public servants must display their identity cards conspicuously on their person, in order to be allowed entry into the secretariat.

All visitors entering office buildings would be screened by the security personnel attached to the buildings and thereafter issued with numbered visitors’ tags. Any observed breach of these new security procedures should be reported.

ICC acknowledges receipt of petition against Alaafin Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

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nternational Criminal Court, ICC, at The Hague, has acknowledged receipt of a petition alleging criminal activities against the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, by some concerned indigenes of Oyo town.

The acknowledgement was sequel to a petition filed by Messrs Jacob Oluokun and Suleiman Ishola, on behalf of some concerned indigenes of Oyo town, to ICC, asking it to investigate all alleged human rights violations of the monarch.

The court in a response to the petition on Tuesday through a letter with reference number OTPCR-317/15, a copy of which was made available to journalists in Ibadan yesterday, confirmed receipt of the petition.

The ICC letter, which was signed by Head of Information and Evidence Unit, Office of the Prosecutor, M.P. Dillon, read, “On behalf of the prosecutor, I thank you for your communication received on 09/09/2015, as well as any subsequent related information.

“The office is analysing the situation identified in your communication, with

the assistance of other related communications and other available information.

“Under Article 53 of the Rome Statute, the Prosecutor must consider whether there is a reasonable basis to believe that crimes within the jurisdiction of the court have been committed, the gravity of the crimes, whether national systems are investigating and prosecuting the relevant crimes, and the interests of justice.

“Analysis will be carried out as expeditiously as possible, but please be aware that meaningful analysis of these factors can take some time.

“As soon as a decision is taken on whether there is a reasonable basis to proceed with an investigation, we will advise you promptly and we will provide reasons for the decision.

“We thank you for your interest in the ICC. If you would like to learn more about the ICC, please consult our website at www. icc-cpi.int.

“If you would like to learn more about how the office carries out analysis of information, please see our policy paper and the annex to that paper, on the office webpage at the website above’’.

The petition entitled, “Unprecedented criminal-

ity, flagrant human rights violations, bomb planting, gun running and unresolved assassinations in Oyo town, Oyo State’’ was sent by the petitioners to the ICC on September 9, 2015.

It will be recalled that a Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan had on December 15, 2014, issued an order of mandamus compelling the Inspector General of Police to investigate Oba Adeyemi for alleged criminalities, including murder, bomb planting, unlawful possession of arms and so on.

The application for mandamus with the suit No: FHC/IB/CS/54/2014 was filed at the Federal High

Court, Ibadan, by the applicants’ counsel, Mr. Biodun Abdur-Raheem on July 16, 2014, two months after the police declined actions on the petition.

The petitioners noted with concern that 13 months after the court gave its order, the Nigerian Police are yet to comply, thus raising suspicion that Oba Adeyemi is being helped to escape investigation.

The petitioners equally on Friday petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari asking him to compel the police authorities to execute a court judgment ordering the investigation of the Alaafin of Oyo.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Lagos Island inward, Ebute Metta PHOTO: ADEMOLA AKINLABI

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Broad Street Diary

Thursday, February 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Traders lament high cost of goods, poor sales

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s the first quarter of the year runs into the midstream, traders on the Lagos Business District, BSD, have been taking stock of their activities, a month after the New Year festivities.

Broad Street Diary,BSD, went round the different markets on Lagos Island, like Balogun, Ebute-Ero, Bread Fruit, Apongbon among others to seek their views about trading activities in the past one month and these are their reactions; A textile dealer at Nnamdi Azikiwe Street, who simply identifies herself as Miss Florence in her assessment of market trends since December, told BSD that sales have been very poor and discouraging.

According to Florence, sales very are boring as customers rather than buying, always complain of lack of money. ‘’I don’t know what are exactly the reasons, but I think it has to do with the high cost of goods consequent upon high exchange rate. ‘’The exchange rate of Dollar to Naira is just on the high side and this has push prices of goods which are mostly imported beyond the reach of the ordinary people,’’ Florence said.

Most of the items I sell are imported from abroad and are bought with dollars, so you can see that with weak naira exchanging for strong dollar and other foreign currencies, prices of goods will definitely be high.

Another trader who identifies himself as Ndubuisi, a wine dealer on Broad Street, had a different view point.

To Ndubuisi, sales has been very good, this he attributed to the facts

he buy his wine and other assorted drinks from the Nigeria market which does not require exchange of naira for foreign currency .

On why prices of goods are on the high side, Ndubuisi said; ‘’Well, we all know that the weak naira is responsible for this, but there are other factors like cost of shipping, import tariff, multiple taxation and cost of doing business in the country generally.

Another trader, a cosmetics seller on Bread Fruit Street, Madam

Temitope, said sales are declining and many people are getting out of business daily, due to lack of resources to restock their shops.

She added that before the New Year, she used to make an average of N10, 000 sales per day, but that this time around, she hardly sell goods worth N2, 000 with little or no profit after so much talking and stress. ‘’Some times, you may not have a single customer to patronise you in a whole day, and this was as a result

of poor state of the economy. ‘’The price of products have gone up and most time beyond what the ordinary people can afford,’’ Temitope said.

Miss Faidat, who deals in wrist watches, has this to say; Sales this year has been very poor, you hardly make profit on the goods you sell.

Faidat attributed to cause of the dull sales to the weak purchasing powers of the average Nigerians –Damilola Olaseni and Basirat Mohammed

A street trader sleeping with her baby on her lap

Shoppers, traders laud BRT scheme

...want more buses allocated to Lagos Island route

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raders in Lagos Island markets and its environs have called on the authority of the Lagos State Bus Rapid Transport, BRT, to put more vehicles on the Lagos Island route.

The traders made the request while commending the state Bus Rapid Transport, BRT, initiative which they said had in no small measures alleviates the problems confronting traders and shoppers to the different markets within the business district.

Some of the traders, who spoke to Broad Street Diary, BSD, during the week, were unanimous in their views that the bus service has made going in and out of the Lagos Island

more convenient.

A trader, Mr. Emmanuel Egbon, said before the introduction of the BRT scheme, traders and shoppers pay huge amount of money to and from the markets even when they only need handful items.

Egbon, who deals in men wares and accessories, stated that it is not every day that they, traders, made huge sales, but still have to pay huge amount to and from the market as transport fee.

He, however, said with the BRT initiative, this has changed.

“Lagos State Government has made it easier for us. Transportation from Oshodi which commercial buses usually charged between

N200 to N250 is now N100 with BRT buses, which is why you see most of us coming to queue here for the bus immediately we close for the day.”

Commending other private companies which partners the government on the initiative, Egbon revealed that it has indeed assisted in reducing the monopoly of commercial bus drivers particularly the Danfo drivers.

Giving credence to the position of Egbon, another trader, Alhaja Rukayat Ahmed, told BSD that the initiative has helped in boosting the number of shoppers that comes to the markets.

“Many shoppers are now always eager to come to markets in the Is-

land regardless of the quantity of items they wanted to buy because they won’t have to pay much on transportation before they could shop.’’ ‘’Apart from this, shoppers don’t have to bother about how to transport what they bought from the market as the BRT buses are readily available to render such services at affordable price.

“It is just for you to obtain tickets for the goods.”

Another trader who simply identifies herself as Ngozi, call on the government to increase the fleet of buses on the Lagos Island route so that it will continue to serve the people better.

–Moses Acha and Ajoku Mercy

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Man nabbed over impersonation in Rivers

…suspect fakes lawmaker, doctor Dennis Naku

PORT HARCOURT

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igerian Navy in Port Harcourt said one Kenneth Mamawa, 36, has been arrested for parading himself as a captain in the navy.

Executive Officer, Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Pathfinder, Port Harcourt, Navy Captain Olusegun Soyemi, disclosed this while parading the suspect before newsmen in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

Soyemi said the suspect had also paraded himself as a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly and a medical doctor with intent to defraud unsuspecting individuals and companies.

“Following intelligence report on January 29, we detailed our naval intelligence team who tracked, trailed and monitored Kenneth Mamawa’s movement until eventually he was arrested.

“Mamawa, who claims to hail from Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State, was arrested while pretending to be an officer of the Nigerian Navy.

“Mamawa was arrested impersonating the rank of Navy Captain (equivalent to army colonel) with intent to deceive and dupe members of the public.

“The suspect is a fraudster, who specialises in duping and swindling unsuspecting citizens of their money,” he said.

Soyemi alleged that the suspect had also presented himself to his victims as a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly and a medical doctor, among other trades and identities.

He claimed the suspect was known to some security agencies with several criminal cases pending with the Nigerian Police Anti-Robbery and Homicide division.

He advised anyone with intent to impersonate or currently impersonating the Nigerian Navy for criminal activities should desist from such illegal act.

“This is because our intelligence team is working covertly round the clock to bring these criminals to justice,” Soyemi stated.

The Executive Officer called on members of the public to assist the navy and other security agencies with information of criminals and their hideouts in the state.

The suspect was later handed over to operatives of the Department of State Security, DSS, for further investigation and possible arraignment in court.

Work begins on rehabilitation of Ajasa-Command, Abesan roads

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ork has commenced on the rehabilitation of Ajasa-Command and Abesan roads barely two weeks after Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State inspected the area.

A visit to the area yesterday confirmed the commencement of work on the roads by the state government.

During the inspection tour, Governor Ambode had expressed displeasure on the state of the roads, and assured residents that their rehabilitation would commence within two weeks.

Already, contractors have already moved to Church Road, leading to Abesan through Giwa Street, while many shop owners on the road from Agbelekale Junction are already removing them.

South West

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Besides, it was also observed that the street lights from Abule-Egba through Ekoro Road to Agbelekale Junction are now working at night, while serious work is being done to connect the streetlight on the other stretch of the road to Command from Agbelekale Junction.

A resident of the area and chieftain of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ojokoro Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Alhaja Fatimo Balogun, commended Governor Ambode for keeping his promise to mobilise contractors to site within two weeks.

Another resident, Mr. Adetunji Adewale, also commended the governor, noting that with the pace of work going on across the state, he would soon be adjudged as the best in Nigeria.

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Court orders arrest of ex-Ekiti PDP scribe over alleged perjury Abiodun Nejo ADO EKITI

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n Ado Ekiti Chief Magistrate’s Court has ordered Commissioner of Police in Ekiti State, Mr. Etop James, to arrest former state Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Temitope Aluko, over alleged perjury.

Chief Magistrate Adesoji Adegboye gave the order yesterday based on a motion ex-parte number MAD/10cm/2016, filed by Ekiti State Government against Aluko and the Commissioner of Police.

In the motion, the state’s Director of Public Pros-

ecution, DPP, Mr. Gbemiga Adaramola, urged the court to issue warrant of arrest against Aluko, to be executed by the police commissioner for the purpose of trying Aluko for the offence of perjury.

The matter was premised upon an application to the state’s Attorney General by a lawyer, Mr. Sunday Olowolafe, calling for the arrest and prosecution of Mr. Aluko for alleged perjury in view of the interview he granted on Sunday on how the 2014 governorship election in Ekiti State was allegedly rigged.

Olowolafe, who attached evidences to the applica-

tion, stated: “The said Dr Temitope Kolawole Aluko now recanted the evidence he gave in the cause of the hearing of the Ekiti State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal as a star witness even up to the Supreme Court.

“It is to be noted that if this act (perjury) is not looked into, it will definitely defile the cause of justice and consequently rubbish the judicial proceedings.”

In an affidavit filed in support of the motion exparte by Special Assistant to the governor on Public Communications, Lere Olayinka, he said Aluko, who was a witness before

the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sworn to a statement on oath on August 4, 2014, wherein he stated that the election was not only free and fair, stating that all the former PDP scribe said in the Sunday interview were contrary to and opposite in direction to his evidence before the Tribunal.

Issuing the warrant of arrest, Chief Magistrate Adegboye said since the court had the power to grant the order and it will serve the interest of justice, the commissioner of police should arrest Aluko for the purpose of investigating and prosecuting him.

L-R: Mr Adeniran Animowo of Brazilian Consulate, Lagos; Chief Representative officer for Africa, Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) Mr Gustavo O Nonato; Managing Director\CEO Bank of Industry, Mr Rasheed Olaoluwa; Head of Department, Export Credit Division, BNDES, Mr Henique de Azeredo Arive; Executive Director, Small and Medium Enterprises, BOI, Mr Waheed Olagunju and Mr Ariel Marulo Doctorravich, during a courtesy visit of the delegate of Brazilian Development Bank to BOI in Lagos, yesterday.

IBEDC workers protest wrongful disengagement Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

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ormer employees of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC, yesterday took to the streets in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, to protest alleged wrongful disengagement from service.

More than 1,000 workers were said to have been affected in the wrongful dismissal, in violation of an agreement reached between Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE, and National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, in October 2013.

The protesting former staff from Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Kwara and Kogi states, also called on the Senate Committee on Power, currently

probing the sale of former Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, by BPE to consider their plight.

According to them, sequel to the privatisation and subsequent handover of PHCN to the investors on October 30, 2013, many workers, particularly those newly regularised were wrongly disengaged from service.

The disengaged workers, protesting under the aegis of “Disengaged Newly Regularised Staff of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company”, while speaking with journalists, described the attitude of IBEDC management to their members as inhuman and wicked .

Their spokesman, Mr.

Saka Fatai said many of them served the company for over 15 years as casual workers and were later given full appointment, which did not last for 15 months before they were disengaged.

He said: “This is sad. It had caused untold hardship to our well-being socially, economically and even spiritually.

“Our children have been sent out of schools for nonpayment of fees.

Some of us have even answered the call of God as a result of inability to cater for medical bills.”

Fatai also accused the investors of non-payment of severance allowance, and flagrant abuse of trade union rights of workers

and called on President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently revisit what he termed the ‘unguarded experiment of privatisation’ forced down on Nigerians.

According to him, in spite of several letters of appeals , IBEDC management failed to respond to their demands, which included payment of all benefits and entitlement, and recall of sacked workers to service in line with the October, 2013 agreement , adding that what they were paid was nothing but peanut .

He further explained that contrary to the claims of the investors, their members were shortchanged in the payment of severance benefit.

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South East

Thursday, February 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Saraki directs NLNG to end gas flaring George Oji ABUJA

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enate President, Bukola Saraki, has asked management of Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas, NLNG, to put an end to gas flaring in the country.

Saraki gave the directive yesterday when Management of NLNG, led by its Managing Director, Babs Omotowa, visited him at the National Assembly Complex.

The Senate president said it was high time the flared gas was converted to something more productive as well as ensure the use of cleaner energy in the country.

He also called on NLNG to invest in gas infrastructure to facilitate the distribution of cooking gas across the country and to eliminate the use of kerosene as cooking energy.

Saraki said, “Up till today, the area of concern is still the issue of gas flaring. What can we do by way of laws to try and see how we can completely eliminate gas flaring and provide more opportunities for investors in that sector so that they can convert gas into something more productive?

“That also talks about the issue of cooking gas and I believe you can still do more there. I believe you are doing your best within the confines of your responsibilities. I think you all know that this is an important area for all of us as a country the infrastructure, which I know is not your direct responsibility, “I believe that you can think out of the box and come up with some ideas where you can use your deeper pockets to come up with some infrastructure solutions where so as to take the lead. Govern-

ment would find ways of providing the incentives because without the infrastructure we will not be able to push more of the cooking gas.

“And nobody is in a better position than yourself to really drive that area of cleaner energy for us and help us reduce the use of kerosene. So I am going to challenge you on that area that you come up with something and the National Assembly will be ready to support whatever you come up with.”

The Senate President also noted that NLNG represents a success story of the collaboration between the private sector and government and how it can work, given the right law to provide the enabling environment and also given the right management and structure.

Omotowa, said the uncertainties in the nation’s business environment has made it difficult to attract and sustain investments in the gas sector.

He said he was positive that the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, when passed would encourage more investments in the sector.

Omotowa said: “I am pleased that you mentioned that the PIB is receiving attention because for many years this was a problem in the industry.

“You also mentioned that a lot more value can be derived from gas. In fact, Nigeria is described more as a gas province than an oil province but unfortunately, because we have not had the right environment, there have been very little investments into it.

“I think the kind of incentives that was granted to the NLNG are the kind of things I think the National Assembly can always look at to incentivize investments.”

L-R: An Awardee, Chief Anayo Onwuegbu; representative of A-Z Petroleum Products, Chief Ikechukwu Ekwo; Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu and President, Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Rev. Ugochukwu Chime, during ECCIMA’S Keyman Award in Enugu, recently.

Play down divisive tendencies, stakeholders task Imo PDP Obiora Ifoh ABUJA

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takeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Imo State have been called upon to play down divisive tendencies and jettison whatever faction they may belong and form a common front so that the party can retake power in the next election in the state.

Caretaker Committee Chairman of the party in the state, Vitalis Okafor, said

this yesterday while interacting with journalists at the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja.

Okafor said his mission in Imo State as mandated by the National Working Committee, NWC, is to unite the various factions of the party.

According to him, South East is the home of PDP and Imo will not be an exception.

He said he has respect for the various stakeholders of the party in the state, but stressed that the interest of the party must be allowed to override other personal or

ABUJA

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igerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has pledged to collaborate with the National Assembly to ensure efficiency and transformation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry.

Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of NNPC, Ohi Alegbe, in a statement noted that Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and Group Managing Director of the Corporation, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, gave the hint when he received House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Downstream at

in aspiring to certain positions, one is entitled to aspire to any position in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, if there are millions of people aspiring to be president of this country, do not prevent them.

“But they must follow laid down procedure, rules and norms of the game. That is what we are talking about,” he said.

He dismissed insinuation that members of the party have decamped enmass to All Progressives Congress, APC.

NLC to declare stand on labour crisis in Imo …denies allegation of compromising

Chris Njoku OWERRI

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hairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Imo State chapter, Comrade Austen Chilakpu, has disclosed that organised labour would take its stand on the face-off

between it and the state government soon.

Labour gave the state government seven-day ultimatum over the sack of 3,000 workers from 19 parastatals, including all general hospitals in the state.

Though the government denied ever sack-

NNPC, NASS pledge speedy reforms in petroleum sector Chidi Ugwu

group interests.

He said the rules that govern the game of politics must be adhered to by all contenders, even as he noted that all eligible members are free to aspire for any office in the party at state and even national level, provided they abide by laid down rules.

Okafor, who is from Anambra State, said political power is never ceded on a platter of gold but contested for and taken by willing party only where it has swelled its ranks.

“There is nothing wrong

the NNPC Towers in Abuja during their oversight visit to the corporation.

Kachikwu noted that the petroleum industry was currently undergoing fundamental changes in the face of dwindling global crude oil prices and sued for support of members of the National Assembly to allow NNPC solicit for funds from

local and international investors to execute its capital projects.

The minister said NNPC has complied with Federal Government’s directive on the Treasury Single Account, TSA, which according to him, promotes probity and accountability in the day-to-day operations of the corporation.

ing the workers, it however, agreed it only suspended them on technical ground to give room for concessioners to decide their fate.

But, NLC insisted it would shut down the state after the seven-day ultimatum, which expired on Tuesday, February 2.

Speaking with our correspondent in Owerri yesterday, Chilakpu disclosed that labour would declare its next line of action soon.

“We will make our stand known at the appropriate time; you will know our plan at the appropriate time,” he said.

He disclosed further that the matter has been taken over by the nation-

al congress after the national executive council of NLC met on the issue on Thursday and Friday last week.

Chilakpu, however, denied the allegation that labour has compromised on the issue, saying labour was not bothered about the accusation.

“That’s what they always say that labour has compromised, but they will know if we have compromised or not soon.

“This is a strategic period not all our plans will be made known to press, Nigeria Labour Congress has taken over the matter of Imo, that is what you should know,” he added.

Thursday, February 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

13

Politics

Fayose’s stomach infrastructure is complete rubbish —Adebayo Stomach

Otunba Richard Adeniyi Adebayo is the former governor of Ekiti State and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC. In this interview with FRANCIS SUBERU, Adebayo speaks on the last governorship election in Ekiti State and the controversy surrounding the election. He also speaks on the effort of President Muhammadu Buhari to rid the nation of corruption among other issues of national importance. Excerpts.

infrastructure is a matter of propaganda to cover up the fact that they were able to use the military to rig the

You have been off public space, keeping low profile politically. Why did you maintain low political profile?

Basically, I will not say I have been off the public space. To a large extent, I have been concentrating on my local political base which is Ekiti State. It may seem I have been quiet, but then I have been working underneath. You know we have a new government in the country. I believe one should give the government the opportunity to settle down and sort itself out without putting pressure on them.

The Nigerian Army set up a panel of inquiry to probe Ekiti and Osun governorship elections. The panel came up with a report indicting some army officers. Can the report change anything?

I believe the process is still on. The panel that was set up has submitted the report to the authority of the Nigerian Army. But we must understand that the military has their own process. Until that process is exhausted, there is nothing we can do. The process has not been exhausted. We have to wait until the military exhaust their process before we can think of the next action we can take.

Does that suggest that the APC can still approach the court after the military exhaust their own process?

Legally, we can still approach the court. I think there are legal ways that permit that. I do not want to go into the details now. I will not go into that legal way we can exploit until we get to that stage.

But during the election, the Ekiti people chose to vote based on what they can get. Everything has been reduced to stomach infrastructure. What actually explains this scenario?

If you are talking about Ekiti State, the report of the panel that the Nigerian Army set up has shown that the result of what we got

election.

found later to have been involved in the act of corruption. I think it is a strategy.

Adebayo is not the result of what people did. Stomach infrastructure is a matter of propaganda to cover up the fact that they were able to use the military to rig the election. They needed to explain how they were able to win the election and they came up with this propaganda that it was stomach infrastructure. That is complete rubbish.

Governor Ayodele Fayose is confrontational in his approach to politics. What do you have to say about this approach?

We have noticed since the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari came to power that in fighting corruption, those who made the most noise were later found com-

plicit in the act of corruption. Their strategy is to make noise. And if they were picked up later, people would think they were picked up because of the noise they were making and not because of the illegalities they committed. That is the same strategy that Fayose is using. If anything happens to him in the future or if the federal government moves against him in the future, he will be able to say it is because he is confrontational and because he has been attacking the federal government. Look at the case of Olisa Metuh.

He was making a lot of noise. Eventually, it was discovered that he was complicit in the act of corruption. Many people, who have been talking the most, are people who were

We have a lot of people that were arrested. Some have been charged to court.

This government has little time. Don’t you think anti-graft should be fought differently to avoid distraction?

Are we saying that people who stole should be left alone? Do you want the federal government to forgive those who have stolen and let them go scot-free so that we can move the country forward? If any person is found to have committed a criminal offence, he must face the law. That does not stop the federal government from operating on its own.

It is not the president that is directing them.

There are organs of government that are directing them. The organs of government directing them have nothing to do with the running of Nigeria. The federal government has different functions for different offices.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC operatives are from the Nigeria Police. It is not under the Central Bank or the Ministry of Finance. The fact that some people are being prosecuted takes nothing away from the federal government. But the only thing that it shows is that the government may not be run properly because of the damage that they have done before the Buhari government came into the office. We are talking about $2.1 billion of government funds. Calculate that amount to our currency.

It will be about N500 billion or thereabouts.

What is the percent of $2.1 billion to our 2016 budget? That is just one small aspect of the probe. There are other aspects that are being brought to light everyday. So, we are looking at the total money. It will be CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

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Thursday, February 4, 2016

Lawmaker pays NECO fees for 250 students J ustin Tyopuusu

JALINGO

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member representing Jalingo/ Yorro/Zing Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Aminu Malle has paid the National Examination Council, NECO registration fee of 250 students in his constituency.

Malle, while presenting the cheques to the students and their schools yesterday in Jalingo said the idea was

born out of the desire to assist the less privileged parents to guarantee the future of the children.

The lawmaker, urged well meaning citizens of the state to support the less privileged students so that issues of school dropout will be reduced across the state.

This is the second phase of the exercise of the lawmaker’s educational intervention for students of secondary schools in his constituency. The first was the payment of Joint Ad-

missions and Matriculations Examinations Board’s, JAMB registration for 200 students in the three local councils that make up the constituency.

“We have put in place strategies to sustain the programme as our way of giving back to the society. But this is the responsibility of state government, our schools are in a very deplorable condition and it’s a miracle that our children do pass external examinations. Government must

rise up to this nagging challenge staring us in the face,” he said.

Earlier, the Coordinator of the Foundation, Malam Mamsur Adamu said the foundation would continue to support the selected students to make sure their future was guarantee.

“We are making arrangements to commence extramoral classes to ensure that they get distinctions and we will pursue admissions for all of them,” he said.

Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State (m), signing into law the 2016 budget of the state, in Sokoto on Wednesday. With him are: Speaker of Sokoto State House of Assembly, Alhaji Salihu Maidaji; Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Bashir Garba (extreme left) and Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu.

Benue SSG justifies N80m spent on militia Henry Iyorkase MAKURDI

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ecretary to the Benue State Government, SSG, Barrister Targema Takema has insisted that the N80million funds which was deplored to execute the amnesty programme with the view to decriminalize the state and achieve peace and tranquility were not exorbitant .

Takema who spoke yesterday in Makurdi with selected Journalists was of the view that the funds used for the execution of peace initiative was not on the high side as being articulated in some quarters in the

state .

He further argued that before the advent of Ortom- led administration, the insecurity were heightened in each nook and crannies of the state saying “ but alas today all the acrimonies were put behind us and normalcy has been restored everywhere courtesy of the present change mantra in the state .

He observed with satisfaction that the militia and thugs voluntarily submitted their weapons towards embracing peace initiative granted at the instance of the state Government whereby a token was presented after submission of the firearms.

He however noted that plans are on the way to rehabilitate the militia, including thugs by way of engaging them with meaningful source of livelihood stressing that others indicated the desire to further their education and that their case is being considered alongside other measures to achieve enduring peace in the state . “ Frankly speaking, peace initiative is what any constituted authority worth its salt must provide for her citizens and cannot afford to gamble with lives and comfort of the people. It is in recognition of this fact that the state government has provided the enablement

towards ending any acts of terrorism in the state “ , he said.

According to him, the critics of the administration should discountenance the erroneous belief that huge funds were wasted in prosecuting amnesty programmes arguing that money spent is justifiable for the peace so far attained in the state .

He noted that the whopping amount spent in executing the current peace pervading the state is justifiable and dismissed the insinuation by some critics of the Ortom’s administration saying it is the best thing that could happen in recent times.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

A’Ibom Assembly seeks assistance from Denmark Julius Onwuma UYO

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he Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, AKHA has solicited the assistance of Denmark on the management and recycling of waste even as it urged the European country to key into the industrialization drive of the current administration in the state.

The Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke made the plea when he received the Danish Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Gettermann Torhen, who paid him a courtesy visit in his office.

According to Luke, the state is ready to partner Denmark in the area of industrialization as well as key into Denmark’s technological knowledge in Waste management and recycling.

He disclosed that Akwa Ibom 6th assembly remains unequivocally committed to strengthening the lofty vision of the Udom Emmanuel administration in the state by enacting laws that would guarantee the sustenance of development programmes for the benefit of all His words, “Our responsibility is to strengthen those visions of government with bye-laws to protect

the industrialisation of the state. We will like to tap from your wealth of knowledge”, he stated.

While restating the resolve of the sixth assembly to always be on the side of the people, the Speaker explained that the present assembly is poised to leave behind enduring legacies of effective and purposeful representation.

In his remarks, Ambassador Gettermann, accompanied by his wife, thanked the Speaker for the warm reception given him and the spouse and commended the leadership and members of the sixth assembly for their commitment to the betterment of Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria.

He pledged the readiness of his country to offer assistance to the state, describing Nigeria as a country abound with great possibilities.

The Danish Ambassador stated the preparedness of his country to partner the state in the areas of energy, clean environment and waste management.

Present during the courtesy call were the Deputy Speaker, Mrs. Felicia Bassey, the member for Abak, Rt Hon. Friday Iwok, Member for Nsit Atai, Hon. Mark Esset and Ukanafun representative, Hon. Otobong Jonathan.

Group admonishes Bello not to hurriedly pick deputy Wale Ibrahim LOKOJA

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group, National Coalition of Ebira/ Okun/Lokoja-Koto Youth for Change has called on Governor of Kogi State , Alhaji Yahaya Bello not to hurriedly pick his deputy .

The Coordinator of the Group, Mr. Dare Zaccheuas who made the call yesterday in Lokoja said that Bello should exercise patience with the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC to further explore the possibility of reconciling him with Mr. James Faleke. “ All the party internal dispute resolution mechanism has not been fully explored . Petition filed by Faleke at the tribunal can still be abandoned or withdrawn for peaceful and amicable resolution ,” Zach-

eaus, a human rights activist told newsmen at the briefing.

He explained that the move to replace Faleke in a hurry by Bello was capable of engender enmity between Ebiras and Okuns , urging him to thread softly in the interest of peace and future of the state.

The group which has been in the forefront of agitation for power shift in the state enjoined the people of Kogi West senatorial district , particularly Okun Yoruba people to avoid needless confrontation with the administration of Bello. “ The emergence of Bello as the governor of Kogi State is a divine intervention to wipe away the tears of the people and a liberation from political oblivion that Ebiras and Okuns have been plunged into over the years,” he said.

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Politics

Thursday, February 4, 2016

15

PDP chieftain dismisses alleged defection of members to APC

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L-R: Chairman Senate Committee on Gas, Senator Akpan Bassey; Managing Director Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), Mr. Babs Omotowa; Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, during a courtesy visit by the management of the NLNG to the Senate President in Abuja, yesterday.

Rivers APC leaders seek Buhari’s support Obiora Ifoh ABUJA

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ew days after Supreme Court ruled against All Progressives Congress, APC in Rivers state governorship election, the state party leaders on Wednesday requested a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari to address the political misfortunes in the state.

A high-level delegation led by the APC governorship candidate for Rivers state, Dr. Dakuku Peterside made the request during a meeting with the APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja.

At the meeting, OdigieOyegun expressed shock over the Supreme Court’s decision on the Rivers State governorship election.

He assured that the party national leadership will give necessary support to ensure successes in subsequent elections in the state.

“The APC National leadership has not neglected party leaders and supporters in Rivers State. The state has always been in the front burner of discussion and decision in the party. There is obviously something fundamentally wrong in Rivers state which needs to be investigated and addressed.

“Your visit have had a sober effect on me. This meeting will kick-start urgent ac-

tions to address what went wrong.

“As of today, there are attempts being made by INEC to bar us from elections in Anambra and other states.

We must address these issues. I still find the judgement on the Rivers State governorship election totally astonishing. There is something fundamentally wrong in the Judiciary.

“We have lost very important resource-rich state to the PDP. No matter how crude oil prices have fallen, it is still the most important revenue earner for the country.

“I will take up your request to facilitate a meeting with the President. We will do that as soon as possible and also make it clear that there are problems which as a party, we must address, Odigie-Oyegun said.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Dr. Dakuku Peterside said: “It will interest you to know that many of our members, supporters and sympathisers are still at a loss to see us work as orphans. We have a herculean task explaining to them that we actually form government at the centre.

It is like, we lost the elections. To an overwhelming majority of them, the only indication that we might be part of government at the federal level is because our leader and Director General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Cam-

paign which led to a people’s revolution that defeated the former ruling party, and former Governor of the State, Rt. Hon. Chubuike Rotimi Amaechi is a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The concerns of our members are re-enforced by the fact that more than eight months after APC has formed government at the Federal Level, notable PDP chieftains and members who spent State resources to work assiduously against us (APC) are still occupying strategic federal government positions, dispensing patronages to PDP members to the disadvantage and chagrin of APC members.

Peterside reported that as a result of the unflinching support party leaders and members gave President Buhari and the APC, they have been exposed to undue attacks and hatred and internal discriminations.

He said: “We are called all sorts of names including being branded as traitors and almost live like outcast in our communities and environments...Even today, we are not out of danger as we are killed, molested, maimed and insulted”.

Peterside also reported that security infrastructures that were skewed against the APC before and during the 2015 elections are still working against

and frustrating APC activities in the state. “The partisanship against us was and is still enormous.” he said.

He said the Independent National Electoral Commission is structured to ‘disfavour’ the APC. “It (INEC) was put in place by the leadership of the last administration to perpetually protect its interest. We are all witnesses to how some of these actors found it convenient to annul results which were favourable to APC but upheld all those favourable to PDP under the same circumstances in the recently concluded governorship election in Bayelsa State “Meanwhile, politically speaking Rivers and Bayelsa States are in the same sub-zone of the South South geo-political zone.

What has been put in place is to marginalise us and our members feel nothing is being done to change these structures to at least, give us a fighting chance in neutrality,” Peterside said.

The delegation comprised: APC governorship candidate for Rivers state, Dr. Dakuku Peterside and running mate, Hon. Asita Honourable; Rivers state APC Chairman, Chief (Dr.) Davies Ibiamu Ikanya; member of the APC Board of Trustees (BoT), Dr. Sam Sam Jaja; Senator Magnus Abe and several Rivers state aspirants and Rivers state APC stalwarts

chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and chairman of Imo caretaker committee, Vitalis Okafor has described reports that members of the PDP have decamped enmass to the All Progressives Congress, APC as mere political propaganda.

He said people have the liberty to make ambiguous claims saying in spite of such bogus claims of gale of defection into APC, there is no measuring standards to ascertain such claims, until election period.

Vitalis said “One of the instrument in practicing politics is propaganda, APC can claim anything, they can claim anything but when the chips are down, we will know.”

He however expressed optimism that the PDP has a chance to re-take the APC in 2019 especially with alleged poor outing of the incumbent governor in Imo state.

Vitalis, who spoke yesterday while fielding questions from newsmen at the

party’s secretariat in Abuja also enjoined stakeholders of the party to play down on divisive tendencies that could factionalize the PDP to enhance its chances in next election in Imo state.

Vitalis said his mission to Imo state as mandated by the National Working Committee ,NWC is to unite the various factions in the state and ensure PDP remains one He stressed that the southeast is the home of the PDP and that Imo will not be an exception.

He said he has respect for the various stakeholders of the party in the state but stressed that the interest of the party must be allowed to override other personal or group’s interests so that the ultimate goal of retaking power is guaranteed.

He said the rules that govern the game of politics must be adhered to by all contenders as he emphasized that all eligible members of the party are free to aspire for any office in the party at state and even at the national

Ex-legislative aides accuse NASS of withholding their entitlement

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egislative aides in the 7th National Assembly have cried out over alleged refusal of the management of the National Assembly to pay them their severance entitlements amounting to N9billion and duty tour allowance which also amounts to N250M since the end of the duty in June last year.

The ex-legislative aides under the aegis of Aggrieved 7th Assembly Legislative Aides of the National Assembly, Abuja accused the leadership of NASS under the Chairman of the National Assembly; Dr. Bukola Saraki of deliberately subjecting them to undue hardship by withholding what is duly theirs.

The aggrieved aides in a release signed by their Coordinator, Rotimi Kassim Shitta-bey, noted that they worked alongside their principals (Senators & Representative members) from June 2011 to June 2015 and that despite that their principals have all been paid their dues since leaving office in June, the NASS management has refused to pay them their

due.

According to him, “We the 7th National Assembly legislative aides have not been paid any of our entitlements since the end of our tenure in office as at June 2015 till date. We voted for change but the NASS management have turned the change mission of President Muhammadu Buhari into suffering.

“The 3,500 7th National Assembly legislative aides are really suffering over the non -payment of all our entitlements, after serving this great country Nigeria. Our children are at home since the beginning of last term of last year, because of lack of school fees.

“Our landlords are after us because of lack of house rent and we cannot properly cater for our various families. As at 17th of November, 2015, I received a text message from Senator Sola Adeyeye, the Chief Whip of the Senate chamber saying our wait over all entitlements will soon be over; because supplementary budget has been brought to NASS by Mr President, but up till now our wait is not over in 2016.

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Politics

Thursday, February 4, 2016

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Fayose’s stomach infrastructure is complete rubbish —Adebayo

progress, we will improve in that direction.

I believe in true federalism. I believe in just and fair society. I will like us to attain the status of a just and fair society. I believe the more people fight for their rights; the more people who feel they have been unfairly and unjustly treated go to court to fight for their rights, the better this society will be.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

up to an annual budget. With this, how can a government run effectively?

But the approach to the anti-graft war has stoked concerns from different quarters. Why is the APC government not considering other means of fighting graft?

We have the structures in place. We have the courts. If the government says it wants to do something special now, everybody will start shouting again. They will say Mr. President is a dictator. Mr. President is hamstrung. He has to use the existing structures, and that is what he is using.

People have accused him of not obeying court orders. Why is the President not committing to the rule of law as contained in the manifesto and programme of the APC? Really, I look into all these allegations. I discover that people are not getting it right.

I committed an offence. I was arrested and charged to court. I applied for bail and the court granted me bail for the offence. As a result of my bail application for the first offence, I was released. Then they picked me again because they found that I committed another offence. In this kind of situation, how has the federal government violated the court order? No, the federal government has not violated the law. The government said the offence for which he was granted bail is different from the offence he is currently being held for. So, the federal government is right. It has not violated any law. They just arrested him for another offence he has committed. They have one hundred charges against him and he got bail for one. That does not mean he is free from other charges.

So, let them go back to the court and apply for bail for the current charge.

In the North, we have Boko Haram. In the Middle Belt, the farmers and herdsmen are at war. In the Niger Delta, peace is endangered. How do we survive these challenges?

I believe the federal government is aware of all these developments. Since the Buhari government came into power, a lot of efforts have gone into defeating Boko Haram. Lately, the incidents of Boko Haram has reduced, largely in terms of overrunning Nigeria’s territory. They have now resulted to guerrilla warfare, with suicide bombing and all those things. Even with their resort to guerrilla warfare, they have been decimated because the armed forces are working hard to defeat the insurgents and arrest the suicide bombers. The federal government is facing that squarely. With the incidents in the Nigeria, it is obvious what is going on. Many people are commenting on it. We found a situation where people had committed tremendous atrocities and looking for the way of escaping justice. So, they have turned themselves to freedom fighters all of a sudden. That is rubbish. I believe this government will deal with such people strongly. I do not believe this government will negotiate with people who challenge the territorial integrity of this country. The federal government will face it. I never doubt it.

The price of crude oil is crashing fast.

The value of our currency is sliding by the day. Each of these indices portrays

But the APC did not subscribe to the process from the inception. Has anything changed now?

Well, I do not think APC made a categorical statement on the conference. Perhaps, at the time the national conference was holding, we even supported the process because some of our members were part of it. I do not think there was an expressed party policy on it. There was no expressed party policy on it at the time. Really, individuals expressed their opinions, but the party never for once came out to say categorically that this is the position of APC on the national conference.

I know for a fact that APC believes in true federalism.

Adebayo a portrait of sordid future. How can we survive these challenges?

Former President Goodluck Jonathan is a lucky man that he did not win the election.

If Jonathan had won the presidential election, by now, Nigerians will be agitating to oust him. Nobody will want to listen to any excuse. President Buhari only has one thing working for him. Many realise that the damage that was done to the economy was not done by him. He inherited it and people are ready to endure with him. In all sincerity, the man is doing his best. He is going all over the world, seeking support and trying to fight solution to our problems. We have to change our personal orientation. We have to look inward. We have to look into how we can revive our own industries that utilise local raw materials. I was talking with the Governor of the Central Bank sometimes ago. He said: “When people criticise me, I laughed and try to explain to them. I cannot in good conscience allow the meagre resources of Nigeria to be spent on importation just because we want to sustain the economies of foreign countries.” So, why can’t we use our money to sustain our economy? That is the focus of the Buhari government. The government is looking inward to see what we can do to sustain our economy. A lot of people are looking inward already. Recently, a friend told me that he wanted to start a tooth pick factory rather than importing it. For example, we do not manufacture tyres in Nigeria. Everything that has to do with tyres is imported.

Meanwhile, there are rubber plantations here and that is the basic material for production of tyres. As at today, every single tyre in this country is imported. Michelin closed down. Dunlop closed down because of bad government policies. Dunlop was doing very well before the federal government suddenly changed its policy on tyre importation.

Before then, import duty on tyres was 40 per cent on imported tyres while the equipment to manufacture tyres was just 5 per cent.

So, they were increasing their factories and was expanding but all of a sudden, the federal government just changed the policy and made import duties on tyres 10 per cent and that killed the industry. Now, we have to look at how we can revive our industries.

Ondo election will hold in October.

With the rift among party leaders in the state, can the APC win in Ondo State?

Like we all know, the truth about Ekiti election has now come out. The Ekiti election was manipulated by the use of the military and other federal agencies. Now, that cannot happen again. Ekiti was used as a learning curve for everybody. Because of what happened in Ekiti State, we were all on guard and able to prevent it from happening in Osun. They tried it in Osun. But because of the information we had gathered from what happened to us in Ekiti, we were able to prevent them from succeeding in Osun. Now that the federal government has changed that, you will notice that there is no attempt by the federal government to use military or security agents to manipulate elections.

We just lost an election in Bayelsa. You will notice that this government is not one that is trying to impose its will on the people. In Ondo State, I have no doubt. Honestly, if you do your research very well and listen to what people are saying, you will notice that the party that has the best chance of winning election in Ondo State is APC. What we have done in every single state where we have had elections is to ensure that we hold proper, free and fair primaries. It is out of free and fair primaries that a candidate will emerge.

Any candidate who emerges through free and fair process will largely enjoy the support of everybody. We have made free and fair primaries the hallmark of our party.

Many people are still seeking the implementation of the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference. Even though the APC did not support the process from the beginning, how do you see the report?

I have always advocated and fought for true federalism. I believe there are some merits in the report of the 2014 national Constitutional Conference. I honestly wish the National Assembly will look at the report and take part of it for implementation.

Likewise, I believe the process of attaining true federalism cannot be attained through one day event. It is a process that continues over the years. Even in the United States, the Supreme Court rulings also alters some parts of the country’s constitution. As we

Can true federalism actually resolve all agitations from different ethnic nationalities in Nigeria?

I think most of these agitations are economical. A lot of the problems in this country are economical. When you talk about the people who are looking for Biafra, I can assure you that it is not something that is as widely spread among the people of the South-East as they are making it to look like. The people of the South-East are most cosmopolitan among all the tribes in Nigeria. There is no state where you do not have large concentration of Igbo people. So, what are we saying? That those people should now come home? In Ekiti, for instance, we have thriving Igbo community there. They have built their homes there, they have even inter-married. When I look at all these, I discover that to a large extent, there is an economic angle to it and it is borne out of selfish interest. It is borne out of self-interest because you have people who are going around the world, using the agitation to raise money. Is that not an element of selfish interest? When the money is raised, they are not used for whatever it is they claim they want to use the money for. If you go to the Niger-Delta, you see a lot of people who claim that they are freedom fighters. Is it not all about money? That is why I said, to a large extent, it is all about economy. How did kidnapping start in Nigeria? It started firstly with the Niger-Delta agitation. Before we knew it, some people realised that they can make big money out of it and started kidnapping people.

Are you confident that judiciary would give maximum support to the fight against corruption considering the headache President Buhari claimed the arm is causing him?

It has no choice. You will notice that the anti-corruption battle is also in the judiciary itself. The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) everyday makes statements and pronouncements. The National Judicial Council (NJC) too does the same every time. You will notice that every time, whatever allegations that are made against judges and justices, they investigate them. Those that are found culpable, they sanction them. So, every judge has to be careful.

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Thursday, February 4, 2016

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World Cancer Day: Matters arising CRITICAL STROKES

KAYODE

KETEFE

kketefe@nationalmirroronline.net 08032147720 (SMS only)

K AYODE KETEFE

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oday is World Cancer Day! Conceived by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) in 2008, the day which is to be marked February 4 of each year, it is aimed at raising global awareness of cancer; its prevention, detection, and treatment with a view to working towards significantly reducing illness and death caused by it by 2020.

According to Nigeria’s National Cancer Prevention Programme (NCPP), as many as 80,000 Nigerians die annually from various forms of cancer. It was further estimated that 10 people die from cancer every hour. To appreciate the enormity of cancer’s fatality in our society, we may do a brief roll call of popular Nigerians, who have died of the noncommunicable disease. The roll call included the civil rights lawyer-activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN). Gani was a barbed thorn

in the flesh of successive Nigerian governments, especially the military. He was a firebrand that spat venom against the broadside of governmental highhandedness and man’s inhumanity to man.

Gani was arrested, incarcerated and even imprisoned countless number of times, all on accounts of his outspokenness and vitriolic criticisms of governments’ aberrations of the rule of law. The following simple statistics tells the story. He was locked in security cells 32 times and imprisoned eight times by different military governments! But his spirit remained irrepressible throughout, but at last Gani succumbed to the cold hands of death through cancer of the lung! May his soul rest in peace.

Another prominent casualty was the former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who battled with the killer disease for many years and eventually succumbed to the onslaught. Ozidi kingturned gospel musician, Sonny Okosun, was carried away by the whirlwind of cancer at a youthful age of 61 on May 24, 2008.

The charismatic wife on the former Nigerian military president, Mrs. Maryam Babangida, who was popular for her novelty, Better Life Programme for Rural Women, breathed her last on December 27, 2009 as cancer fiercely bared its fang. The talented broadcaster with the Nigerian Television Authority, Yinka Craig, eventually lost his battle with cancer on September 23, 2008. But Cancer was lurking in the same vicinity and struck only two years later when it claimed another NTA worker, Yusuf Jibo, in December, 2010.

On December 8, 2010, the wife of Edo State

AS MANY AS 80,000 NIGERIANS DIE

ANNUALLY FROM VARIOUS FORMS OF CANCER Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Clara, became the next casualty. The founder and publisher of The Guardian newspaperand former Internal Affairs Minister, Mr. Alexander Ibru, was similarly felled by cancer on November 20, 2011 at the age of 66. But the ravaging cancer was not done yet as it beckoned ominously to the Second Republic Senate Leader and a renowned powerbroker in the politics of Ilorin, Dr. Olusola Saraki. The old man lost the battle on November 14, 2012.

In 2013, the first female Deputy-Governor of Ekiti State, Mrs. Funmilayo Aduni Olayinka, an accomplished banker and astute politician, succumbed to the fangs of cancer on April 6, 2013. What about the indefatigable former Director General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Dora Akunyili, who was Nigerian Minister of Information and Communications from 2008 to 2010? Her efforts in the bid to eradicate counterfeit and unsafe drugs will never be forgotten.

Cancer was, however, unimpressed by this patriotism as it claimed her life on June 7, 2014.

Much more recently, Cancer stretched out its ruthless tentacles and clasped them firmly on another celebrated Ni-

gerian in the person of Mrs. Olabisi Olateru-Olagbegi, who bade this world bye on December 17, 2015. Auntie Bisi, as she was fondly known, was a respected human rights activist and Executive Director of Women’s Consortium of Nigeria (WOCON).

As we commemorate the World Cancer Day today, let us use this occasion to sensitise ourselves and others on how to imbibe a kind of lifestyle that prevents cancer.

This would certainly incorporate internalizing all the preventive measures hitherto empirically validated. This should go hand in hand with the practice of enlightened management of the affliction, which begins from early detection, ranging to religious adherence to regimen of prescribed diet, exercise and appropriate medication.

The National Cancer Prevention Programme (NCPP) also has a huge role to play in this through propagation of adequate awareness of the evil of cancer and how to prevent it, as well as how to manage the condition in the event of its occurrence.

Privileged Nigerians with adequate resources are hereby enjoined to contribute their quota towards salvaging the society by establishing or donating to foundations committed to the fight against the scourge of cancer. Although there may not be a known cure for this mortal affliction today, however, collectively we can win the war.

Cancer must fall!

Ketefe may be followed on twitter @ Ketesco

Anambra PDP Exco: Interpreting the S’ Court ruling ALOY EJIMAKOR

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n January 29, 2016, the Supreme Court made a landmark ruling, howbeit a highly controversial one, recognizing the Oguebego faction of the Anambra PDP Executive Committee as the authentic one in that state.

Since that ruling, there has been a rash of divergent interpretations, the most notable being the postulation that all the federal and state legislators issuing from the felled Ken Emeakayi faction have, been nullified. What this means is that the rejected candidates from the Oguebego faction shall now be sworn-in. Of all the interpretations of the true reach of the judgment, this particular one is the most over-broad, and therefore, wrong for the following reasons: First, at page 37 of the judgment, the apex court stated that the case “was not about the conduct of a primary election nor a dispute over which organ of the political party that has the authority and competence to conduct a primary election”. For avoidance of doubt, this very statement was gleaned and adopted by the Court from the pleadings filed by the counsel to Oguebego – the lead appellant and beneficiary-in-chief of the judgment. Under the doctrine of stare decisis, this very part of the ruling constitutes the ratio of the judgment, and should therefore, form the kernel upon which the true reach or limits of the judgment can be determined.

SINCE THAT RULING, THERE HAS BEEN A RASH OF DIVERGENT INTERPRETATIONS Second, the ‘candidates’ now seeking to cash-in on the judgment, most notably Annie Okonkwo, Chris Ubah, and Prince Emeka were not parties to the suit. It’s only Oguebego and his EXC that were parties to the suit. Thus, the judgment bears benefits only to Oguebego and his EXCO – thus cannot relate back to, willy-nilly, award the legislative seats won by PDP to the extant candidates produced by the Oguebego faction.

Third, Chris Ubah et al (non-parties in the suit), and even Oguebego (the party-in-chief), never requested the Supreme Court to declare them the duly elected legislators. So, given that a court never gives a relief not prayed for, the judgment stayed true to its limits by tellingly stopping short of declaring the Oguebego candidates the new occupiers of the legislative seats at issue. The sole departure, in recent times, from this universal rule was the case of Rotimi Amaechi, but which later was repealed by Section 141 of the Electoral Act, and thus is no longer the lex loci (the law of the land).

Fourth, Section 141 of the Electoral Act prevents the courts from declaring a candidate a winner if he didn’t participate in ALL the stages of the election.

None of the candidates springing from the Oguebego faction participated in the general election, either factually or legally, even though they have argued that they continued with their ‘campaigns’ as non-candidates.

This argument is a fallacy because the ‘participation’ contemplated under Section 141 is one in which the candidate is the ‘statutory’ and contemporaneous candidate on the ballot.

Fifth, it’s not the state EXCO, standing alone, that finally, ultimately determines who gets the PDP federal legislative nominations. It is, instead, the PDP National EXC; or at least in conjunction with the state EXCO. That much has been upheld by the courts in all cases in pari materia, including, most recently, the Court of Appeal in its judgment nullifying the election of Mrs. Uche Ekwunife.

On the basis of the foregoing, it is my considered opinion that INEC should immediately seek the legal opinion of the Attorney-General of the Federation on whether it can overreach the judgment and proceed with a whole-scale administrative nullification of all the legislative seats affected. If the AGF’s gavel falls in favor of such nullification, INEC shall then proceed with a re-run poll in Anambra South and North only, but not in Anambra Central, which is still subject to another primary as ordered by the Court of Appeal.

Conversely, it is quite plausible that

the AGF might instead wax conservative (and legally more sound) and thereby bear on the side of new primaries, instead of a straight re-run sans primary.

Failing AGF’s timely intervention, parties may be emboldened to re-approach the courts with a flurry of new suits seeking interpretations that are advantageous to their divergent positions.

If this happens, the easiest injunctions that will ensue will be the ones seeking to stop a free-run swearing-in of all the candidates from the Oguebego line-up, and a return of Annie Okonkwo as the candidate, without a new primary, for Anambra Central.

Surely, this later one is still a subject of a subsisting and potentially meritorious suit by Dr Obiora Okonkwo, one of the combatants for the Anambra Central PDP senatorial nomination. Plus, Victor Umeh of APGA will most likely proceed to Court and will, in all likelihood, quickly succeed in stopping PDP from submitting Annie Okonkwo’s name if it turns out that he is not a product of a new primary participated in by all or any of the still-interested aspirants from the ill-fated PDP primaries of late 2014.

Ejimakor, a lawyer wrote via alloylaw@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.

18

Editorial

Thursday February 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

SUNDAY OLAJIDE MANAGING DIRECTOR/CEO BEN MEMULETIWON ACTING DAILY EDITOR GBEMI OLUJOBI SATURDAY EDITOR AYO OLESIN SUNDAY EDITOR DOZIE OKEBALAMA COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD CALLISTUS OKE EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR OBIORA IFOH ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF

Nigeria’s N20.2trn five years’ fuel import bill

T

he report, early in the week, credited to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), that the country spent N20.2 trillion to import refined petroleum products, namely: petrol, diesel and kerosene - between January 2010 and September 2015, attests to the urgent need to fast-track local refining capacity. Imagining how far N20.2 trillion could go in boosting local refining strength and arresting the convenient pastime of almost total reliance on imported refined petroleum products should excite even skeptics.

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries’ (OPEC) World Oil Outlook for the year 2013 (WOO 2013) indicates that the group expects global refining capacity to increase by up to 20 million barrels per day (Mb/d) between 2012 and 2035. The organisation forecasts declines in refined petroleum products’ demand in industrialized regions of the world, but growth in demand in developing regions. Penetrating new export is also seen by OPEC as an important factor in the continued viability of many North Ameri¬can refineries. In China, more than 30 planned projects representing a potential five Mb/d of new refinery capacity are said to be currently in place. Large and efficient facilities with complex conversion capacity capable of process-

ing heavy crudes, either through ‘greenfield’ sites or expansions and upgrades of existing facilities, is the main focus.

Globally, OPEC says there is a strong trend to higher complexity with more upgrading capacity per barrel of crude distil¬lation in new refining projects. Virtually all new major refinery projects comprise complex facilities with high levels of upgrading, desulphurization and related secondary processing able to produce high yields of light, clean products, meeting the most advanced specifications.

WOO 2013 forecasts global investments of $650-billion in refinery projects over the period 2012-2035 to catch up with future market conditions. Nigeria of today, saddled with the primitive obsession for a non-transparent regime of fuel importation and purported subsidy, is obviously not a factor to reckon with in this rather blissful, larger picture of petroleum products’ refining projections. But Venezuela, which belongs to the league of world’s leading crude oil producing nations, like Nigeria, as at 2013, was sitting pretty on 2.8 Mb/d of total global refining capacity in assets.

Some countries with little or no crude endowment boast of state-ofthe-art refineries, whether publicly or privately owned, as well. Singapore is one good example.

In the aftermath of the January 2012 massive protests

WE BELIEVE

unviable the old refineries were.

Clearly, therefore, the government SUFFICIENT LOCAL had been reluctant and indeterREFINING CAPACITY IS minate for decades to explore Nigeria’s huge relative advantage THE INEVITABLE WAY as a frontline crude oil-producing TO GO, AND ACHIEVING nation.

Nonetheless, with former IT REQUIRES NO ROCKET President Goodluck Jonathan’s SCIENCE era gone; and with President Muhammadu Buhari in the sparked by fuel subsidy removal saddle since May 29 last year, that hiked the pump price of petrol there unfortunately appears to be by 120 percent, from N65 per litre to no tangible paradigm shift from N141, before it was forced down to the shackles holding down local N87 per litre, the Federal Governrefining capacity. What appears ment said in October that year that the most striking suggestion in it planned to spend N250 billion on that direction was the revelation the Turn-Around Maintenance by the Director, Department of (TAM) of the nation’s three rePetroleum Resources (DPR), Mr. fineries in Port Harcourt, Warri Mordecai Danteni Ladanin, last and Kaduna at a total cost of $146 October, that as part of President million, out of which it said $32 Buhari’s commitment to restoring million or 75 percent had already the petroleum industry to its past been paid for the materials needed. glorious days of uninterrupted Earlier in June 2012, The FG signed petroleum products’ availability, a Memorandum of Understanding the FG had concluded plans to (MoU) with some private American issue 23 licences for the establishinvestors in respect of a $4.5 bilment of modular, mini refineries lion (N698 billion) deal to build six to increase local refining capacity, modular refineries in collaboration sustainable supplies and put an with the NNPC. But none of these end to the importation of petroefforts yielded impressive results. leum products into the country.

Thereafter have been subsequent We believe sufficient local refining moonlight tales about how governcapacity is the inevitable way to ment’s regulated petroleum prodgo, and achieving it requires no ucts’ pricing policy was discouragrocket science. The Buhari-led FG ing private refiners from investing should hasten up and unleash all in new refineries in the country for the incentives that will make this fear of non-profitability; and how dream a reality.

ON THIS DAY February 4, 1999

February 4, 2004

Unarmed West African immigrant, Amadou Diallo, was shot dead by four plainclothes New York City police officers on an unrelated stake-out, inflaming race-relations in the city. Diallo (September 2, 1975 – February 4, 1999) was a 23-year-old immigrant from Guinea. He was killed by four New York City police officers who fired a combined total of 41 shots, 19 of which struck Diallo. All four officers were later acquitted at trial in New York.

Facebook, a mainstream online social networking site, was founded by Mark Zuckerberg. As of September 2012, Facebook had over one billion active users, more than half of them using Facebook on a mobile device.

Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as friends, and exchange messages, including automatic notifications when they update their profiles.

February 4, 2006 A stampede occurred in the ULTRA Stadium near Manila, Philippines, killing 71 people. The Philippine Institute of Sports Arena or PhilSports Arena is an indoor sporting facility located inside the PhilSports Complex in Pasig, Philippines. It was formerly known as the University of Life Training and Recreational Arena or the ULTRA. The arena and its surrounding sports complex are maintained by the Philippine Sports Commission.

Thursday, February 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

19

Education Today

IN CONJUNCTION WITH

AFE BABALOLA UNIVERSITY, ADO-EKITI (ABUAD) In ABUAD, You Get It All —Dr Ayodele Fayose, Ekiti State Governor.

WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

I

t is now four weeks since students in primary and secondary schools in 35 states of the federation resumed for the second term academic activities after Christmas and New Year holidays.

But this is not so in Kogi State as students in the state are still at home and do not know when they can go back to school due to their teachers’ strike since early last December.

It will be recalled that the teachers, under the aegis of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT,Kogi State chapter, joined other state government workers to embark on indefinite strike because they were being owed four (now five) months salaries.

The workers took the decision, according to them, to compel government to pay their salaries, having exhausted other avenues, including roundtable talks without result.

Now, two months into the strike without a solution in sight, students and parents as well as other members of the public are apprehensive over the development, more so that thousands of the affected students are supposed to sit for the West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) which is just two months away.

They believe this is not the best of time for students to be away from school, especially in a new year.

Some of them who find it difficult to stay indoors, according to findings, are now roaming the streets, playing games or hawking goods.

Aisha Mohammed, who is in SS3 at Government Day Secondary School, Lokoja told National Mirror she was not doing anything meaningful presently. She and her mates are still wondering how they will cope without their teachers in the WASSC exams conducted by both the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and the National Examination Council (NECO).

While she is not blaming the striking teachers for their action as all the entire government workforce in the state are on strike as a result of non-payment of salaries, she however appealed to the state government to pay the teachers so they can return to class most especially in the interest of final year students, who will be sitting for their terminal exams soon.

Another student, Busayo Olajuwon who is studying at Crowther Memorial College, Lokoja, also expressed her displeasure with

Deserted:

Crowther Memorial College, Lokoja on Monday. (Inset) PHOTO BY WALE IBRAHIM Governor Yahaya Bello.

Kogi students lament prolonged teachers’ strike

...say action will affect WASSC exams the development, saying she was not happy seeing herself staying idle when she is supposed to be productively engaged.

The 16-year–old girl explained that, while her parents had already arranged a coaching class for her, some of her teachers still have much to cover in their subjects, going by the syllabus.

“But everyone knows that evening lesson cannot cover such a huge gap as such arrangement is ideally for revision of what students have been taught in class,” she stressed.

“So there is a limit to the knowledge one can acquire through evening lessons. That is why I am also using this medium to plead with the government to pay what it owes workers including the teachers so that normalcy will return to schools. After all, they are asking for the money they had already worked for. They too have families to cater

IT IS WE THE STUDENTS THAT ARE REALLY SUFFERING FOR THE

INDUSTRIAL ACTION.

I HAVE MISSED A LOT LIKE EVERY OTHER STUDENT IN PUBLIC

SCHOOLS IN THE STATE. for.”

Similarly, Luke Kadir, an SS2 student of Government Science Secondary, Anyigba in Dekina Local Government area of the state told National Mirror that it was surprising that government could be keeping its work-

force idle at the beginning of the year.

He said he had no inkling that the strike could be this long when he was coming to Lokoja to spend his Christmas and New Year holidays last year.

“But here we are. We have spent almost a month at home doing nothing. It is we the students that are really suffering for the industrial action. I have missed a lot like every other student in public schools in the state.

It is a pathetic development, especially seeing our mates and friends in private schools going to school. It is very painful because JAMB’s UTME is also around the corner like WEAC and NECO and they will not, because of strike, conduct a separate exam for Kogi State students. This is why government should, as a matter of urgency and priority do something for productive activities to resume in schools and other government esCONTINUED ON PAGE 22

‘‘

C’River set to sack ailing teachers 20

Sales of handouts remains illegal in LASU —VC 22

WAEC de-lists 25 Lagos schools over malpractice 22

20

Education Today

Thursday, February 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ASCON conducts exam for 3,500 Ogun workers

C’River set to sack ailing teachers

Tunbosun Ogundare

Richard Ndoma

N

o fewer than 3,500 candidates sat for the first phase of the 2016 Public Service entry examination conducted by the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) and other professional cadre examination in Ogun State Civil Service.

Speaking during the exercise held at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, the Chairman of the State Civil Service Commission, Dr. Susan Aderonke Folarin said it was an entrance examination for those joining the service and those who want to change their cadre in order to enhance their progression in the civil service.

She maintained that the exercise was also meant to screen the candidates so as to

get the best out of them, adding that series of interviews would be held in due course.

Folarin noted that candidates who sat for the exam cut across many cadres which include Information, Administrative, Engineering, Education and Agriculture Officers among others.

The team leader of ASCON, Mrs. Cecilia Gaya commended the state government for providing enabling environment for the conduct of the exam, saying the examination would give room for the government to get the best by allowing the candidates to defend their qualification and certificate.

Some of the candidates including Miss Babatunde Enitan and Mr. Sunday Obasade said the quality of questions set was up to standard as the exam helped them to know they are on track.

Microsoft educates NIJ students, lecturers on digitilisation

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icrosoft Nigeria has recently featured in the monthly Professional forum of Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Ogba, Lagos demonstrating how digital media has turned information dissemination around in the world.

Speaking on the topic “Digital media as a tool for communication,” the Head of Marketing and Brand Communications of the company, Edmond Idokoko noted that the demand for multifaceted technology was on the increase, giving rise to more advanced technology to meet the insatiable needs of consumers.

He noted that the fact that traffic on a portal can be two or more million people doing different things at the same time and the portal does not crash is the real deal.

According to him, the web has become so complex to the extent that it has forms part of people daily life and that required that we as a country will also need to adapt to the development to make ourselves more relevant globally.

Reviewing the media landscape, Idokoko declared that as almost everyone has turned to publishers online, Journalism will need to transform from being a product to a service.

In his remark, NIJ Provost, Mr. Gbemiga Ogunleye expressed happiness that Microsoft featured at the forum saying, the partnership will definitely yield significant results for the two organisations.

He explained that to be successful as an individual or orgainsation required that one does things differently from the rest.

OAU alumni meet in Osogbo

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he graduates of Political Science from Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife (1993 set) would this Saturday converge on Osogbo, Osun State capital for their second general meeting since the inauguration of the alumni association about two years ago.

Named ‘N-mates,’ the group which has the current Osun State House of Assembly’s Speaker, Rt. Hon Najeem Salaam as a member will deliberate on issues as

affecting members’ welfare, their alma mater and the society at large with a view to solving them.

The coordinator of the group, who is also the Coordinator of Planning, Programmes and Linkages at Awolowio Centre for Philosophy, Ideology and Good Governance, Mr. Temitope Mustapha in a press release, said some members of the association from the Diaspora were already flown into the country for the meeting.

CALABAR

T

he Chairman of Cross River State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr Stephen Odey has warned that SUBEB would not hesitate to sack any teachers who are no longer fit into the modern system in the state, especially those unqualified and those reportedly on sickbeds for long time.

He gave the warning when SUBEB embarked on person-

nel audit for teachers and non-teachers in the Okpoma zone of Yala Local Government area of the state to rid the state of ghost and quack teachers.

The SUBEB boss maintained that the staff auditing was not to witch-hunt any worker, rather to authenticate the genuineness of credentials of teachers in the public schools and whether they are qualified for the job they are doing.

Speaking about cheating

in exams, Odey fumed at the development, warning that henceforth any of the headteacher or principal found colluding with any student or teacher to cheat would be shown the way out.

“Cross River has a zero tolerance for malpractice of any sort in our schools. So, any teacher find encouraging it will be sacked or at best recommended for compulsory retirement.

We will also sack teachers who are discovered to be sick

for long time and no longer contribute actively to the system but hanging around just because it is a government job.

“I will implore teachers in such category instead of using their relatives to stand in for them not to wait for us before filling their retirement papers to enable them get their full entitlement. What the state needs now are vibrant teachers who can contribute meaningfully to the system,” he explained.

L-R: Director-General, Office of Education Quality Assurance, Lagos State, Mrs. Ronke Soyombo; Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Adebule and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mrs. Olabisi Ariyo at a stakeholders’ meeting with the proprietors of private primary and secondary schools in the state, last week.

WAEC de-lists 25 Lagos schools over malpractice Tunbosun Ogundare

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o fewer than 25 private secondary schools in Lagos State have been delisted by the West African Examination Council, WAEC and the National Examination Council, NECO, for engaging in malpractice during their 2015 May\June Senior Secondary School exams held nationwide.

By this development, all the affected schools will not present candidates for the two exams for a certain number of undisclosed years.

This information was revealed by the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Idiat Adebule while addressing proprietors of private primary and secondary schools in the state at a stakeholders’ meeting at Alausa, saying the state government was not only sad about the situation, but also has a zero tolerance for all forms of sharp practices in all schools in the state.

Adebule, who doubles as the Commissioner for Education in the state however threatened that government would not hesitate to close

down those schools permanently if they fail to repent and desist from the unlawful practice after completing their punishment.

According to her, there is no room for any school to cut corner in Lagos State. It is either you are in or out of business. So, if you choose to be in, you must have to obey the rules and regulations guiding your operations.

“It is disheartening to hear that some of you have turned your schools to miracle centres doing all sorts of sharp practices to get undue marks so as get more patronage and huge money at the detriment of your students.

This attitude must have to stop as Lagos is for excellence,” the deputy governor further warned.

Adebule pointed out that teachers ought to be good (and not bad) role models to their students by being disciplined in all ramifications.

While acknowledging the fact that there might be officers from the ministry asking for bribe when come for inspection, she said proprietors would compromise only when they have skeleton in their cupboards.

“So, you do not need to pay any money outside the official levies to anybody,” she

restated.

She disclosed that state government was about conducting census on private schools to know their actual number, noting that some proprietors only come for name search and thereafter start operating without approval.

“That is why we have only about 4,000 schools that are approved out of over 11,000 operating in the state, which is totally wrong,” she said.

Adebule however promised that the government would look into the issue of multiple taxation and high levies the school owners often complain to be charged by government at various levels.

Earlier in her address of welcome, the DirectorGeneral of Quality Assurance in the state, Mrs. Ronke Soyombo while acknowledging the strong contribution of private schools in the education development of the state restated that his office would be committed to ensure standard is adhered to by both the public and private schools in the state.

In his own remarks, the President of National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Lagos chapter, Alhaji Kamal Akande asked government not only to soft pedal in its education policies but also to create enabling environment that would aid their effective operations.

A

Experts educate students on stock broking

team of experts from the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), recently, enlightened students of College of Business and Social Sciences, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State on the benefits of being a professional stockbroker.

The Registrar and Chief Executive officer of the institute, Mr. Adedeji Adadi, while giving an overview of the institute’s vision, mission and core values, highlighted the benefits that

would be derived by being a professional member of the institute.

He said their programmes have indeed opened the doors of opportunity to millions of aspiring and promising Nigerians looking for global opportunities and right career progression in securities and investments profession.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Education Today

Thursday, February 4, 2016

21

Lead City parades standard sport facilities —Owoeye

Saidat Alausa

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he management, Lead City High School has explained the significance of having good and standard sports facilities in learning environment for school pupils.

While speaking with newsmen during the commissioning of the states-ofarts sports facilities recently at the school in Jericho, Ibadan, the Chief Executive Officer of Lead City High School, Mrs. Taiwo Owoeye said the school don’t want to cut corners, that was why it took its time in ensuring that the facilities meets the international standard.

She described sports as a vital process of complete development of pupils which aided them to grow fast both physically and academically, and this can only be achieved with good and standard facilities.

“There can only be total development when all infrastructural are well in place, it aided children grow fast both physically and academically,

sports improves students in minds and in spirit.

“And we did not want to cut corners, want something good, something international and that can stand the test of times and we can be proud of,” Owoeye noted.

Also speaking at the commissioning of the ultramodern Sport Complex that comprising of a soccer pitch made of astro-turf, 500-seater spectators stand, swimming pool, athletic track, basketball, volleyball and badminton court, the Chancellor Lead City University, Ibadan, Prof.

Gabriel Ogunmola urged the students to make good use of the facilities in order to build a secured future in a sound mind and a healthy body.

Urging private schools to continue to support the government in area of education, the chancellor said there are many that are not in school due to social and cultural factors and this can be redress through enabling contribution of private schools.

“Prof. and Mrs. Owoeye have contributed most excellently in the education landscape of Ibadan and Nigerian as a whole and I’m proud of them,” Prof Ogunmola opined.

Other dignitaries at the epoch making event included Chairman Governing Council Lead City University, Prof Jide Owoeye, the Registrar of the institution Dr. Mrs. Bola Ayeni and parents.

Students representing their various schools listening to the moderator, Rep. Desmond Elliot (left) during the National Institute for Lagislative Studies (NILS) quiz competition in Abuja, on Tuesday.

Adhere to professional ethics —CPN members told Saidat Alausa

P

rofessionals in the Information Technology industry in the country have been advised to adhere strictly to the code of ethics guiding their practice as obtainable in the developed countries around the world.

Representative, Computer Professionals’ Registration Council of Nigeria, Prof. Oludele Awodele said this at the 3rd induction ceremony of Computer Science graduates of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State into the council.

Awodele who is the guest speaker at the ceremony said the code of ethics and professional conduct was enforceable in that continued membership of the pro-

fession depends on strict adherence.

The guest speaker, a lecturer at Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, stated that the development of Information Technology was part of the country’s Vision 20:2020 plan, hence practitioners should work in conjunction with the government to ensure its achievement.

The alumnus of the university highlighted numerous benefits the inductees would enjoy after joining the council, such as learning professional efficiency, access to learning hub, increased job opportunities, updated trainings on IT, as well as getting recognised locally and internationally, among other benefits.

Speaking at the occasion, the ViceChancellor of FUNAAB, Prof. Olusola Oyewole, charged the fresh graduates

to be good ambassadors of the university as they take a positive step into the world of Information Technology.

Represented by the Acting Dean, College of Physical Sciences (COLPHYS), Prof. Olalekan Mustapha, the vice-chancellor stated that the induction marked a milestone in their lives, urging them to use the opportunity for the enhancement of their careers and the growth of the IT industry.

The Vice-President of CPN, Dr. Simeon Sodiya, reminded the graduates that the enabling law establishing the council forbids them from practicing in the country without being first admitted.

He advised them to showcase their talents and skills on the job for them to be qualified as professionals.

Technology-driven education empowers students —Expert Isaiah Erhiawarien

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he application of technology in teaching and learning in the nation’s higher institution will position Nigerian students to fit into new globalised market where there are no boundaries.

Chairman of a Consortium, Mr. Tim Akano working on the intensive training on Total Classroom and Campus Digital Revolution, TCCDR, in the country disclosed that the 21st Century requires different approach to education, different skills and only those institutions that are adaptable to change will thrive and prosper.

Akano who made this known at the end of oneweek training for 500 lecturers of Babcock University on TCCDR noted that TCCDR is the best way to go in Nigeria

to prepare our students for a technology driven world without boundaries.

According to him, the project is an end-to-end firstof-its-kind- robust collaborative e-learning designed to enable the students, lecturers and parents and the school administrators collaborate

in a new integrated way that will further enhance academic excellence.

He noted that the university is the first in Nigeria to achieve a comprehensive training and certification of all its lecturers saying that as a result of the deployment of

TCCDR, the university now makes use of the same quality and quantum of technologies which the topmost one hundred universities in the World are using.

He explained that there are eleven components of the TCCDR that seamlessly con-

nect the classrooms , students and their lecturers , hostels and cafeteria on campus noting that with this, the hostels and Cafeteria and chapel will be powered by the Israeli latest technology- the In-MotionIdentification Biometrics which helps guarantee better

Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology Akure, FUTA, Prof. Adebiyi Daramola(left) with the lecturer, Prof. Leo Agbetoye shortly after delivering the 74th inaugural lecture of the university on ‘Mechanized Agriculture: A Route to Enhanced Food Security,’ recently.

safety on campus by filtering away all unwanted persons from having access to every important locations on campus where students congregate most, like their hostels and chapels and cafeteria and classrooms.

He added that the TCCDR would see the Babcock University deploying a campus-wide WiFi that enables students to access archived lectures from anywhere on campus using their Customised Education-Purpose-Built Tablets, Babcock Learning Tablets – BLTs. As for the parents, he said they will be able to access information about their children and wards, via a mobile app adding that this comes with free Internet bundle available throughout the students’ campus life and a host of educational applications for the enhancement of learning.

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Education Today

Make varsities self-sustaining, EKSU Council Chair tells govt Abiodun Nejo ADO EKITI

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he federal and state governments have been urged to create enabling environment for universities to be selfsustaining financially.

The Chairman of Council and Pro-Chancellor of Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado Ekiti, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, also tasked public universities to be creative “to get themselves out of the grip of governments.”

Adeyeye, a former Minister of State for Works, spoke at a press conference at EKSU to complement the just-concluded threeday summit organised by the institution to shore up its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

The council chair lamented that under-funding, reliance on oil and political interference were factors that affected the quality of tertiary institutions in the country.

He noted that the new EKSU revenue drive, which would involve introduction of new innovations to make money, would complement the financial drives of the present government in the state.

He expressed confidence that EKSU would be financially self-sustaining when its bakery, block, water and ICT industries and other business ventures were well positioned.

According to him, “EKSU is on the path of very rapid development.

Our vision is to make the university one of the best.

This is achievable with our passion for development.

“We want to be of great benefit to the state, the country and the globe. We CONTINUE FROM PAGE 19

tablishments. We are tired of staying idle at home.

“Suppose we have resumed since four weeks ago just like our mates in other states, we would have covered so much in our syllabus,” he argued further.

The parents and guardians’ opinions are no different from their children and wards on the matter.

One of them, who is also a civil servant, Mr. Mahmood Nda Abubarka berated the government for the development, saying the

want to be of practical relevance. There will be a lot of interaction between the university and the society,” Adeyeye said.

The EKSU Pro-chancellor said universities should not be removed from the society or failed to contribute meaningfully to its development, saying the university would be positioned to serve as the engine room of economic liberation for Ekiti, in no distant time.

“We are also planning to regularize the academic calendars of this university to the extent that the date of graduation will be stated on admission letters of students. Quality assurance must be guaranteed, because there must be certainty in the academic environment.

“We are also planning to build the VC Lodge and principal officers’ residential quarters on campus and ensure that students are fully resident on campus. We are determined to break all barriers to ensure that our certificates are respected.”

Adeyeye regretted that Nigerian universities’ ranking began to nosedive globally, the moment there was administrative laxity.

“University of Ibadan was ranked sixth among the commonwealth universities in the 70’s. This shows that it was better than many of the universities in Britain, Australia and other advanced countries within that fold.

“The trend changed dramatically, because those who topped the class were being retained, but today, anybody can get his way into the academics as a lecturer due to political interference and this is killing the system,” he lamented.

Thursday, February 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sale of handouts remains illegal in LASU —VC disclosed that the university was now ready to hold a two-day quality assurance retreat for its members of staff starting from Wednesday, next week.

He noted that the retreat aiming at improving the service delivery of participants would be held in conjunction with the National Universities Commission (NUC), the nation’s university regulatory agency.

he Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University, LASU, Ojo, Prof. Olarewaju Fagbohun has warned lecturers in the university who sell unauthorised lecture publications and materials popularly known as handouts to students to desist from the practice otherwise they should prepare to face the consequences.

students either through the sales of self-prepared lecture materials or other means,” he stressed.

He noted that as a way of stemming the menace, the university would put in place a Quality Assurance Committee that would access the materials submitted by the lecturers for publication against the set benchmarks before publishing. “And any lecturer who tries to circumvent

He gave the warning while addressing participants at the 2nd Faculty of Arts lecture series held on campus on Wednesday, last week.

Prof. Fagbohun, who assumed office last month as the 12th vicechancellor of the 33-yearold university declared that sales of handouts was not only illegal in the university but was also an offence punishable by law of the university.

“That is why I am using this opportunity to warn those of you in this act that the university will no longer tolerate exploitation of our

Redeemed Christian Church of God University of Abuja Fellowship Group, cutting a welcome cake with the 2015/2016 batch of students during their Matriculation, in Abuja recently.

Tunbosun Ogundare

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Livinus Menedi YOLA

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n educational literacy programme using radio and information technology to reach an estimated 10 million vulnerable and educationally less advantaged children in the North East has been launched by the American University of Nigeria, AUN, Yola on Tuesday.

The programme is to be implemented with support of the United States donor agency, USAID with $801,000 earmarked for the pilot phase, targeting 20,000 vulnerable children to be em-

this process will be sanctioned accordingly,” he re-emphasised.

Fagbohun, a Professor of Environmental Law in a press release by the Press and Public Relations Unit of the university however commended the Faculty of Arts for organising the lecture, saying it was in tandem with his administration’s blueprint.

In a related development, the vice chancellor

American University targets 10m children for literacy programme powered with literacy skills over the six months period the programme is expected to last.

The initiative under AUN’s Technology Enhanced Learning for All (TELA) project, funded by the USAID as part of its North East Regional Initiative plans to empower 22,000 vulnerable children with literacy skills through an extensive utilization of radio and information technology to provide opportunities for

continuous learning to Almajiri, orphans and IDP children between ages six and 17 years.

While launching the project, the founder of AUN and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar noted that the North East still posed dismally poor literacy levels and expressed confidence that if the target of providing literacy skills for 22,000 vulnerable kids, under one year can be kept, as the TELA programme of the American University of Nigeria is set

to do, reiterated that it will help to uplift the North East region out of its current unenviable position where it ranks last.

Atiku who noted that there was nothing novel in what the institution was doing by using radio to extend opportunities for continues learning, however blamed poor leadership, for putting the country in a situation where access to quality education has been greatly limited.

Kogi students lament prolonged teachers’ strike action is compounding the problems of parents who send their children to public schools.

He argued that no public office holder,including the governor and his deputy, would have allowed their children to be at home when they should be in school if such children were in public schools.

“It is like a taboo for them to send their children to public schools. But they

should know that it is not a privilege for somebody to go to public schools. After all, they don’t spend their personal money but taxes to run those schools. So, it a fundamental right for every child to go up to secondary school and not all parents can afford the exorbitant fees being charged by private school owners,” the father of three stressed.

Just like Abubarka, Hajia Rabiat Ahmed, a petty

trader at the Old Market, Lokoja is also not a happy parent at the moment. She said she struggled to raise WAEC and NECO fees for her two daughters in SS3 class at Bishop Delis Secondary School in the state capital and expect them to do well in the two exams.

“But as things have turned out in the state, especially when nobody is sure of when the students will go back to school, I doubt if

the state will not record mass failure again in this year’s edition of the two exams.

But in as much as I cannot blame the teachers for staying away from their duty posts since they cannot teach effectively with empty stomach, all I can say for now is to appeal to both the government and the striking workers to sheathe their swords to enable workers and teachers in particular to go back to work without further delay,”

she lamented.

Meanwhile, while the workers including the teachers insist on continuing the strike until their salaries are paid, it appears that the new administration which feels bad for inheriting the problem is financially incapacitated to meet their demand.

Hoever, the question on everyone’s lips in Kogi State remains: how long will students in the state continue to wait to get back to school?

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Education Today

Thursday, February 4, 2016

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Burden of funding university staff schools

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n a move to rein in the ever escalating financial burden of running tertiary institutions in the country, the federal government issued a circular through the Federal Ministry of Education directing that the names of all personnel of primary schools run by the Federal Universities be excluded from the nominal roll of the respective institutions as from January 2016. This is sequel to a memorandum and report respectively from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission early in 2014 recommending that Agencies which hitherto have been funding personnel cost of staff primary schools in the federal budget be advised to stop the practice immediately!

Though the directive had been in operation long before the elections that brought the present administration to power, the burden of implementation has once again fallen on the Buhari administration.

But the directive has not gone down well with the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) to which the teachers and other senior staff members of the staff primary schools belong. SSANU had condemned the move and threatened to shut down the universities if the directive of the ministry of education which they fear would result in the eventual privatization of the university staff primary schools, are carried out. But that was about seven months ago.

The implementation of the directive by some university administrations namely, the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), and the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) has caused palpable fear and anxiety i in other universities and triggered a nationwide industrial action by SSANU since December 24, 2015.

Nearly six weeks after, the impact of the nationwide strike has remained mixed. The Federal Universities have not closed their doors and academic work has been largely unaffected.

However, all the university staff primary schools have been

shut down and the kids have remained at home three to four weeks after the expected resumption date in early January 2016. This is not acceptable for a system we are purportedly trying to protect.

In my opinion, there are only two possible outcomes to the implementation of the directive. The first and most plausible is to fully privatize the primary schools such that the salary of teachers and all other workers could be paid for by proceed from the fees paid yearly by parents of the pupils. This would involve the setting up of the university staff primary school management board as already being implemented by the administration of FUTA. This would allow for a more prudent management of resources, accountability and transparency and ultimately an improvement in the standard of the schools.

Currently, many university demonstration primary schools are just a shadow of what they once were as a result of gross mismanagement by incompetent university administrators. The result has been a continuous outflow of pupils to more efficiently managed private schools in the suburbs of the universities. At the moment majority of pupils attending the staff schools are children of junior academic staff, low cadre administrative staff and junior staff. The senior academic and administrative staffs have since enrolled their kids in more reputable private institutions. Total privatization of the staff primary schools could replicate the same conditions

that attract children of senior university staff without the burden of the excruciating fees.

Though privatization would lead to increase in the fees in order to meet up with teachers’ salary and infrastructural expansion, it would only be marginal compared to those charged by purely commercial establishments. Since there has been a significant investment in infrastructure by the school administration before now, the total cost of running such establishments will be far less than other institutions of comparable quality in the university environment. Hence, they could still be very competitive compared to commercial private schools in the same environment, more especially since it will be a “not-for-profit” establishment. With improved supervision and teachers’ output the institutions could easily attract many more pupils and become true centres of excellence.

On the alternative, the university may choose to fund the staff primary schools using internally generated revenues from other sources and continue to charge ridiculously low fees of N5000 per term from university workers that cannot be reckoned as poor under any classification scheme. On the long run, plagued by maladministration, corruption and gross ineptitude fostered on the establishment by nepotism, the condition of staff primary schools of Nigerian universities would remain disconsolate.

Meanwhile, the pupils and teachers of university staff schools remain in limbo and their parents distraught. Their common future would remain uncertain and unpredictable for the unforeseeable future, unless the right decisions are taken now. In my humble opinion, the university primary schools cannot escape the fate that befell their secondary school counterpart long ago; the earlier, the better for the entire system. Let the university trade unions sheath their swords and strive to achieve the best in this environment of change, for change is indeed the only constant in life!

Govt urged to close down substandard schools

federal government for the allocation to the education sector in the budget but rathrincipal Consultant, er said there is need to use Edumark, Lagos, Mrs. the funds appropriately in Yinka Ogunde has other to raise the standard of urged stakeholders in the education at all levels.

On how students can imeducation sector especially prove in public examination, state ministries of education Ogunde said the curriculum to stop substandard schools need to be well taught by the springing up in the country. teachers likewise the stuShe said this during an indents needs to concentrate teraction with National Mirmore on their studies. ror in her office.

According to her, as long as ‘mushroom’ schools continue to thrive in the country, standard of education in the country will continue to low.

“We cannot continue to school has been allow them thrive in our soplaced in special ciety because at the end they measures after inhave nothing to offer the chilspectors found “critical” dren and the children would health and safety advice gain nothing from them, it is was not being followed. just a waste of time for the An Ofsted report into children who are our future.

Oxford’s Rose Hill PrimaCommending the Lagos ry School also raised conState Government for their cerns about lack of trainefforts in making schools in ing to combat “extremism the state conducive for learning, the educationist urged and radicalization”.

It said during its inspecother states to imitate them. tion in November a visitor She urged parents to gained access to the school send their children to public without being challenged. schools which according to Head teacher Sue Verher are better than the submes said the school had standard schools which has already made improvenothing to offer the children. ments.

She also commended the

L-R: Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; Gov. Muhammadu Jibrilla of Adamawa; Dr Grace Malgwi of American University of Nigeria (AUN) ‘s School of Arts and Science, and President of the University, Dr Margee Ensign, with some pupils of a public primary school, at the launch of Technology Enhanced Learning for All (TELA) sponsored

by USAID in collaboration with AUN, in Yola on Tuesday.

Saidat Alausa

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Health, safety fear rise at Oxford school

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Federal University Gashua appoints DVCs Williams Attah GOMBE

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he Senate of the newly established Federal University Gashua, Yobe State, has approved the appointment of two Deputy Vice-Chancellors for the university.

They are Professors Johnson Sunday Alao and Maimuna Waziri who would take charge of Academics and administration, respectively.

In a statement issued and made available to National Mirror in Gombe by the university’s Head of Information and Protocol, Adamu

Saleh, said the appointments were announced after the university’s fifth Senate meeting.

Until his appointment, Professor Alao was the Dean, Faculty of Agricultural Science of the university. He started his academic career as a part-time lecturer at Federal College of Forestry, Ibadan, Oyo State in 1999.

He also worked with the Kogi State University Anyigba as lecturer II in 2002 and later moved to Nasarawa State University Keffi as a senior lecturer in 2006.

While in Nassarawa, he

became an Associate Professor in 2009 after which he moved to the Federal University Dutsin-ma in Katsina State where he became a professor of Forest Policy and Economics in 2012. He was also at the Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi in Benue State.

He hails from Ogori townin Ogori /Magongo Local Government area of Kogi State. Alao joined the services of Federal University, Gashua last March.

For Professor Waziri , she is until her new appointment the Dean Faculty of Science of the instituion.

Born in 1966 at Gashua in Bade Local Government Area of Yobe State, Professor Maimuna started her career at the University of Maiduguri as a Graduate Assistant in 1987 shortly after her graduation from Bayero University Kano, where she bagged a B.sc degree in chemistry in 1986.

She then proceeded to University of Ibadan for her M.sc degree in physical chemistry in 1990. Professor Maimuna obtained her PhD in Analytical Chemistry from University of Maiduguri in 2006 and rose to the rank of Senior Lecturer.

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Thursday, February 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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D

AILY Sun of

Thursday, February 4, 2016

November 23 circulated a few faults right from its front page: “Gov. Wada declares 7-day mourning”—“INEC declares poll inconclusive” Voice of The Nation: there should be another word to replace the second ‘declares’ in the sub-headlines.

“Suspected (there was no suspicion in a clear case of banditry!) armed robbers numbering about 20 and dressed in military camouflage last week Thursday (last Thursday or Thursday, last week) held the town under seige (siege)….” “…the execution of DSS operatives who were abducted in Ikorodu few (a few) months ago.”

“Final funeral rites: Itsekiri celebrate late (the late) Olu of Warri” THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER, of November 21 comes next with blunders from the front to inside and back pages: “The police looks (look) well prepared for any untoward action….”

“I predicted that Nigeria was going to play in the Nations (Nations’) Cup finals in spite of the fact that we are (were) made to believe that the team was in a rebuilding process.”

“He released series (a series) of hit songs and graced stages with top performers.”

“We commissioned (inaugurated) their pavilion….”

Finally, from THISDAY Back Page Pendulum headline: “Why journalists must love themselves (one another)” “The challenge that this poses is for the states to strive to become stronger, develop their economic potentials (potential or potentialities) and generate sufficient internal revenue to meet their obligations.”

“These states and the ones to be created will, therefore, need to get their acts (act) together and build their economies to justify and sustain their existence.”

“We Note (unnecessary capitalization) with appreciation the various reforms you initiated upon coming to the throne,

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Nigerian and 2012 Law graduate from Madonna University, Okija, Anambra State, Ms Emmanuella Ejime was among the 2,790 students who graduated from Kingston University in United Kingdom Wednesday, penultimate week.

Ejime, who was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2014 graduated with commendation, LLM International Commercial Law from the UK university.

Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Ejime, brothers, Christopher, Raphael and James, other family members, friends, and well-wishers were among guests that attended the colourful graduation ceremony held at the Rose Theatre,

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Fixed entry: Godsend, not ‘sent’’ some of which include, (needless comma) the creation of more districts and higher classes of traditional rulers and the institution of chieftaincy titles among others.” In the spirit of felicitation, delete ‘some of’ and ‘among others’, which are implied.

“Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Inter Party (Inter-Party) Affairs….”

“Office of the Governor: Appeal to my colleagues (colleagues of mine)” Wrong: “On the employ”; Right: In the employ (Acknowledgement: Kola Danisa, 07068074257/08028233277, who also wrote: The dailies on July 16 bore headlines stating that Gov. Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State had been ‘impeached’ instead of ‘removed’. Former President Bill Clinton of the U.S. was impeached (guilty) in 1998 but not removed over the Monica Lewinsky sex affair. ‘Removal’ is the proper word or action resulting from impeachment.

Wrong: “Good in a subject”; Right: Good at a subject (Thanks to Tayo Aluko, Governor’s Office, Ado-Ekiti, 08148803562, and others, for this reminder).

“APC alerts supporters in Osun over (to) ‘Omo Ilu’ form” Yet another full-page advertorial by Oyo State Government endorsed by Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, Executive Governor: “You have also not wavered in ensuring good governance and a society that is free for everybody to attain their potentials (sic)….” Correction already harvested!

Still on full-page advertorials: “With Joy (otiose capital letter) in our hearts, I am (we are) grateful to God for sparing the lives of Amiable Royal Father (what is this obsession with capitalization?)” (This was signed by Hon. John Tondo and family) Get it right: the life of our (take note of this missing

word) amiable royal father Last but not least on full-page advertorials. This one is from Ogun State and certified by Senator Ibikunle Amosun, FCA, Governor, Ogun State: “Every facet of our national life has an unmistakable Kongi imprints (imprint).”

“These two incidents which occurred within a week, (sic) mirrors the society.” Needless delaying the trip, you can readily see the discord. I have not finished with my friends from Uyo.

“FEEDBACK

Please note that in both American and British English, “debut”, like “author, critique, host, impact, hemorrhage, loan, party, pressure and gum (down),” has been promoted/ made a verb-–verbalized!

The most amusing oddity of the English language is the word, Money, it is classified as uncountable! But in Constitution, Accountancy, Banking and Finance, “money” has the plural “moneys” (not “monies”, which is the plural of “money”).

“Date back to” and “date from” are now inflected in the past and in the past participle.

“Common sense” should always be written two separate words when used as a noun (NOT one Word), e.g. use your common sense; and as a hyphenated compound rather than as one word when used adjectivally, e.g. common–sense precautions; common–sense English.

Note also that, as a grammatical rule, “whole” is used with a singular noun while “all” is used with plural nouns, e.g. the whole country; all the people.

Bayo Oguntunase, Adorobaba1952@yahoo.com

Nigerian shines at UK varsity convocation

Kingston upon Thames, London.

Addressing the fresh graduates, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Operations) and University Secretary, Mr. Matthew Hilton, urged them to always uphold the Kingston tradition of tolerance, excellence and respect for cultural diversity and that they should also maintain effective relationship with the university and other alumni in their future life.

Hilton further advised them to always bear in mind that their backgrounds was not totally determined what they would become in life.

Similarly, the Dean of the Faculty of Business and Law, Prof.

Ron Tuninga, in his own remarks before handing the awards to the graduates, enjoined them to work with industry and commitment, and to make a difference as they seek out new opportunities in the globalising world. He also admonished them to remain in close touch with the school, and strive to advance its legacy by networking with other alumni spread across the world.

Kingston University, which boasts of more than 23,000 student enrolment from across 120 countries (2013/2014), is a popular, diverse and modern institution

Graduand, Emmanuela Ejime (3rd left) with her parents and brothers during the graduation ceremony in London.

that consistently ranks in the UK’s top universities for research (and UK’s top 10 for fashion).

The former Colleges of Tech-

nology and Art merged in 1970 to form the Kingston Polytechnic, which became Kingston University in 1992.

King’s College PTA constructs water, solar energy projects Tunbosun Ogundare

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he King’s College Parent-Teacher Association (KCPTA) Lagos has embarked on a multi million Naira water and solar energy projects at the Victoria Island annex of the institution.

This was disclosed on Tuesday by the Chairman of the association, Chief Emman Oriakhi in a chat, saying the two projects would cater for the safe water and electricity needs of both the students and members of staff of the premier unity college He noted that the EWP Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment equipment when completed for instance would be producing 48,000 litres per day with pre-treatment plant and ozonator.

“The water project in particular will not only ensure steady supply of safe water to the campus and

prevent water borne diseases, but it will also help eliminating sachet water nylons and bottles and keep the school premises tidy,” Oriacki stressed.

He listed one of the major challenges confronting the annex to be inadequate and overstretched infrastructure due to substantial increase in students’ population, noting that the annex alone has about 1,500 students.

“That is why the current PTA excos since inauguration has been working tirelessly to give both the main and annex campuses of the college a new look. We have constructed a chain of 19 toilets, procure a big generator and engage professional cleaners to make the college more conducive for learning and teaching. We also employed some teachers and support staff we are paying directly from PTA purse just to ensure King’s College remain the number one unity college in the country,.” the chairman said.

Business Thursday, February 4, 2016

Polish firm sets up $200m agro-processing factory in Nigeria 28

Bloggers, other mobile advertisers battle over market dominance 31

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Firm earmarks $50m to support Nigerian startups 32

Nigeria records $11.1bn drop in capital importation in 2015

….Lagos accounts for over 95% of total value Tola Akinmutimi

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ndications that foreign and local investors invested less in the nation’s economy last year have reflected with the total capital importation year-on-year dropping substantially from $20.751 billion in 2014 to $9.643 billion. The figure showed a whopping 53.5 per cent drop in value.

The latest Report on the imported capital published by the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, for the 3rd and 4th quarter last year indicated that the total value of capital imported into Nigeria in Q3, 2015 was about $2.253 billion, up 3.07 per cent from the preceding quarter. In the Q4, total capital imports stood at about $1.557 billion, representing a decline of 43.34 per cent from levels recorded in the previous quarter.

According to the NBS, when classified based on the three main investment types, namely Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Portfolio Investment and Other Investments, Portfolio Investment, in Q3, 2015, the largest component of Capital Importation was Other Investment, which accounted for about $1.021 billion or 37.16 per cent of the total Capital imported while the largest subcomponent was Loans, which recorded an increase of 354.45 per cent between Q2 and Q3.

Other Claims and Currency also recorded large increases, of 169.64 per cent and 618.46 per cent respectively compared to the previous quarter. However the increase in Currency imported was from a low base, of $0.99 million while for the third consecutive quarter, no Capital was imported in form of trade credits.

The NBS noted that while Q3 was the first quarter since 2009 in which Portfolio Investment was not the largest component of Capital Imported as each of its components declined relative to the second quarter.

Foreign Direct investment, comprising mostly of Equity, remained the smallest component of Capital importation, and accounted for $717.71 million, or

26.12% of the total value of Capital imported in Q3 compared to Q4 when it reverted to being the largest component of imported Capital, accounting for 61.18 per cent.

Other Investment, which had only two components recorded in Q4 -Loans and Other Claims- ac-

counted for 30.91 per cent of Capital importation, the second largest share.

The statistical agency reported that when analysed on Business Type basis, Share Capital, which used to record the highest value, however declined by 58.53 per cent

27

in 2015. The sector with the most Capital in Q3 was Telecommunications, recording an increase of 166.98 per cent, from $138.40 million Q2 to $369.49 million, which represented the largest increase in absolute terms out of all of the sectors. Banking was the sector to import the second greatest amount.

AIRLINES’ FLIGHT SCHEDULES 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

Dana Air

Accountant General of the Federation, Alhaji Ahmed Idris (left) discussing with the FCT Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Bello, at the 2016 Federal Inland Revenue Service Coporate Strategy Retreat in Abuja yesterday.

Customs probes N.3m duty payment on N52m luxury car

FRANCIS EZEM

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he Nigeria Customs Service has launched thorough investigations into the payment of N300,000 import duty on a 2007 model of McLaren luxury car estimated to cost N51.7 million ($169, 542) by one Abdullahi Bala.

The Federal Government had last year imposed a 35 per import duty on all Fully Built Units of vehicles under its National Automotive policy and another 35 per cent levy, has yet to take effect before the expiration of the tenure of the last administration, which brings the duty on the car to N18.2 million at the rate of 35 per cent duty.

Authoritative source at the service disclosed that operatives of the Federal Operations Unit Zone A, Lagos, who discovered the disparity in the duty payment had arrested and detained the car and its owner.

It was further gathered that Bala had since been granted bail since under-payment of duty of duty is a bailable offence while the car is still detained at the FOU facility in Ikeja.

Public Relations of the FOU command, Ikeja of the service, Mr. Uche Ejesieme, who confirmed the development, however said the Service erroneously believed that the duty payable on the car was N124 million, insisting that hardly would any car driven in the country attract that amount of duty, especially at the prevailing rate of 35 per cent.

Ejesieme, who also refuted speculations that the owner of the car might be son of the former FCT Minister, argued that there was nothing linking the two persons in the matter.

“Our concern is the importer of the car and the car itself not his mother or his father”, he said emphatically.

On which port Tin Can Island or. Apapa the car was cleared from and the officer that ordered the release of the car, the PRO said that those details were still sketchy as full investigations into the matter are still ongoing .

He said: “As you and I talk, the officer in charge of the legal department of the FOU is in Abuja with all the files related to the matter, so as soon as he is back and investigations concluded; we brief the stakeholders on the outcome of the matter”.

While also declining comment on likely punishment for the owner of the car for under-payment of duty such as imposing six times the value of the duty or outright seizure and forfeiture of the car to the government as prescribed by the Customs and Excise Management Act CEMA, the image maker insisted that everything would depend on the final outcome of the investigations.

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 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

28

Business News

Thursday, February 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Polish firm sets up $200m agro-processing factory in Nigeria Olufemi Adeosun

A

Poland-based company, Agro Machine, and its Nigerian partners, Sleek Group Limited and Shebag Holdings Limited, have concluded plans to set up an Agricultural Manufacturing factory in Nigeria.

According to the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission which disclosed the investment plan, the business will complement the Federal Government’ quest to diversify the nation’s economic base from the monolithic, oil-dependent one, to a fully diversified alternative.

The initial take-off value of the factory to be sited in Kaduna is $3 million with the growth expected to rise up to $200 million at the production stage.

The Commission confirmed that Kaduna Stage Government, had already provided land where the factory would commence production of mechanized agricultural im-

plements when completed.

The NIPC is facilitating the investment into the country and is providing all the necessary support and services including hand-holding for the early and successful take-off of the factory in Kaduna.

While receiving the delegation in Abuja, the Executive Secretary, Mrs. Uju Aisha Hassan Baba who was represented by the Director of Real Sector Department, Mr. Reuben Kifasi, noted that the diversification policy of government was gaining momentum with the smooth take-off of the factory.

She maintained that the agricultural sector is considered a priority in the diversification programme of the present administration as it is the highest employer of labour and its value chain is enormous and therefore commended the team for investing in the “Critical Sector which has direct impact on the economy”.

Baba promised the Commission’s readiness to support and

provide them with all the necessary support and assistance including the facilitation of all permits, certificate and registrations to enable the early production in the factory.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation and the Nigerian counterpart, Mr. Sheriff Balo-

gun, described his partners as very reliable and committed to setting up the factory as all necessary arrangements have been put in place to facilitate its takeoff before the end of this year.

While acknowledging the role of NIPC towards the takeoff of the factory, Balogun so-

licited continued support of the Commission and other relevant agencies in order to make the factory come on stream as planned.

He hinted that a “Training Centre” will be set up within the factory to aid the transfer of technology to Nigerians”.

R-L: Mr. Wumi Adeniyi, a General Manager, Mr. Obioma Emenike, Mr. Oladiti Ogundipe and Mr. Chukwuma Onwuka all of Heritage Bank Limited at the selection ceremony of the 10 people that called the phone number the Heritage Man gave out during the bank’s ‘Have a Nice Day Campaign’ in Lagos and were empowered with a cash gift of N100, 000 each.

Power generation to increase Indomie makers to sample 8 million consumers nationwide by 2000mw by year end Saidat Alausa

Chidi Ugwu, Abuja

M

inister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, has said power generation would increase with additional 2000 megawatts (mw) by the last quarter of 2016.

According to a statement by the ministry’s Assistant Director of Press, Etore E. Thomas,‎ the minister expressed optimism that feat would be achieved given the various plans under taken by the present administration in the sector.

He disclosed this when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Power and Mines to defend the ministry’s budget, adding that a lot have changed in the management of power in the country, in recent times.

“Distribution of Power is no longer government business, but has been taken over by private Companies.

Also government has privatized power generation which has steered towards the full privatization of the sector with transmission aspect being managed by Manitoba International of Canada”, the minister said.

According to him, the 2016 budget focuses more on the transmission, completion of on-going projects, refurbishing power plants and tackling gas supply issues. If all these, are well addressed, the expected projection would boost electricity generation in the coun-

try.

Fashola further stated that the Ministry plans to take its role as a Policy maker more seriously while the Agencies will be tasked more on implementation and execution of government’s agenda for the sector.

Speaking earlier, Chairman of the Committee, Senator James Manager, charged the Ministry to think out of the box, if it is to achieve its goals of taking Nigeria’s Power Sector to the next level.

The lawmaker said that Nigerians should reap from the sacrifices incurred in increase in tariff by enjoying uninterrupted power supply.

D

ufil Prima Foods Plc, makers of Indomie noodles, has disclosed its intention to sample over eight million consumers nationwide this year, as part of its efforts to continually ensure objective consumer feedback and satisfaction.

Speaking on the planned exercise, the Brand Manager, Indomie, Mr. Amber Yadav, said that the major reason behind the projected sampling exercise is to create excitement and increase emotional connection between the brand and its consumers.

Amber disclosed that the

sampling exercise would cover all variants of Indomie and this will be carried-out in all geo-political zones in the country namely, North-Central, North-East, North-West, South-East, South-South and South-West, with special focus on key cities across the regions.

“Sampling our consumers is important to us because it affords us the opportunity to have an idea of their preference, which no other medium can provide. The feedback generated from the sampling exercise will assist in improving our product development process.”, Yadav said.

In his remarks, the company’s Public Relations and

Taiwan explains simplified APA procedure

I

n response to a recent question from the local subsidiary of a multinational company, Taiwan’s Ministry of Finance (MOF) has provided further details of the conditions laid down for businesses applying for an Advance Pricing Agreement (APA).

As amended in March last year, the minimum value of related parties’ transactions before an APA application can be made in Taiwan has been reduced from TWD1bn (USD29.9m) to TWD500m. It is hoped that decreasing the threshold will encourage more

corporate taxpayers to apply for APAs. In addition, so as to give taxpayers more time, the maximum period for filing completed transfer pricing documentation (TPD), if the APA case has been accepted by the MOF, has been extended from one month to three months.

Finally, enterprises can now request a preparation meeting with the MOF before finalizing an APA application by providing simplified TPD. The simplified TPD should include information on the group’s global organization

structure, the main objectives of its business, the types of controlled transactions it undertakes, an analysis of functions and risks, and the reason for applying for an APA. If the MOF accepts the application after the preparation meeting, enterprises can file the formal application by providing completed TPD in the usual way.

It is proposed that preparation meetings can encourage businesses to apply for APAs and provide more flexibility in processing APA applications.

(Source – tax-news.com)

Event Manager, Mr. Tope Ashiwaju, said “sampling is a sure way of converting prospective consumers into brand loyalists”, adding that the exercise will also give them the opportunity to experience the brand firsthand while also giving undecided consumers a trial experience which would gear them towards becoming our consumers.

According to him, the exercise will be strategically executed not only to serve as a feedback mechanism, but to further strengthen the bond between the brand and its consumers as well as assist the brand in aligning its offerings more accurately in meeting consumers’ expectation.

He also revealed that several CSR and consumer engagement activities are billed for this year in order to ensure maximum consumers’ satisfaction and engagement.

“Dufil Prima Foods Plc prides itself, in embarking on initiatives that enable us to give back to society. This is because we cherish our loyal consumers, as our existence is based on their continuous patronage. These various activities are conducted every year with new additions this year as a way of saying ‘thank you’ to consumers for their unflinching support,” Ashiwaju said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Global News

Thursday, February 4, 2016

29

Eurozone unemployment lowest

China airlines join forces to U blacklist rowdy passengers F ive Chinese airlines are to blacklist unruly passengers amid increasing rowdy behaviour as the country’s air travel market grows.

Air China, China Eastern, China Southern, Hainan Airlines and Spring Air said they would share details of unruly passengers and ban them.

China is forecast to become the world’s biggest passenger market by 2034.

But long delays have accompanied growth, prompting some passengers to take matters into their own hands.

“We have come up with our own list already. It includes those who beat up our staff, refuse to get on the plane or block the exit,” said Zhang Wuan, Spring Air’s marketing chief.

Such incidents have long made headlines in China and the region.

Last year, authorities in Thailand detained about 30 Chinese tourists who vented their frustration after their flight was delayed for more than 10 hours by singing the Chinese national anthem and refusing to board the aircraft.

In July, operations were suspend-

Air China

ed at an airport in eastern China after a man set fire to curtains and newspapers in the first class cabin of a plane.

And in 2014, an Air Asia flight to Nanjing was forced to return to Bangkok when a passenger hurled scalding noodles over a flight attendant after being told she could not sit next to the people she was travelling with.

The China National Tourism Administration said the incident had “badly damaged the overall image of the Chinese people”.

Last March, China’s civil aviation authorities announced a crackdown, listing prohibited behaviour including occupying check-in counters and

assaulting airline staff.

In the first five months of last year, they dealt with 12 incidents in which Chinese passengers had tried to open emergency exit doors while their aircraft was on the tarmac. The reasons included wanting fresh air or to smoke a cigarette, the South China Morning Post reported.

International airlines have been grappling with the problem of unruly passengers for years.

Members of the airline group IATA have called on governments to adopt the Montreal Protocol 2014, which would allow companies to seek compensation for costs incurred as a result of rowdy behaviour.

nemployment in the eurozone dropped in December to its lowest rate in over four years despite worries about the global economy.

Eurostat, the EU’s statistical agency, said the jobless rate in the 19 country eurozone had fallen to 10.4 per cent from 10.5 per cent in November.

This means 16.75 million people are jobless, down 49,000 from November.

In the full 28 member European Union the unemployment rate was unchanged at nine per cent in December.

Among the member states Greece and Spain continue to have the highest jobless total at over 20 per cent.

Draghi

The Czech Republic and Germany had the lowest rate, both at 4.5 per cent.

Although the German authorities, using a different calculation method, released a domestic unemployment rate of 6.3 per cent for December earlier on Tuesday.

Youth unemployment in the eurozone was 22 per cent, compared with 23 per cent in December 2014.

The eurozone’s total jobless figure is better than analysts expected because of fears surrounding the slowdown in China and volatility in financial markets.

Jennifer McKeown, Capital Economics analyst, welcomed the improvement, but said a slowing global economy could reverse any progress.

“We still think that the European Central Bank has a lot more work to do,” she added.

Howard Archer, economist at IHS Global Insight, said he expected continued modest growth, with unemployment falling to below 10% by the end of the year if current trends continued.

ECB President Mario Draghi has already indicated another stimulus package could be unveiled as soon as next month.

ChemChina close to striking deal Cameron to campaign against `Brexit’ as welfare deal offered for Syngenta

B

ritish Prime Minister David Cameron said he’s ready to campaign to keep the U.K. in the European Union after its president, Donald Tusk, issued a draft proposal that includes a way to restrict the payment of benefits to foreign workers.

As well as offering a four-year “emergency brake” on welfare for new migrants from the EU, Tusk’s plan sets out safeguards to shield the U.K. financial system from interference by euro-area regulators and more powers for national parliaments.

Cameron needs to persuade a skeptical British public he’s fought hard and won significant concessions as he prepares for a referendum on whether the U.K. should remain in the EU or leave -- a so-called Brexit.

At the same time, he has to keep the bloc’s other 27 leaders on side,

Cameron

because they still have to approve Tusk’s plan at a summit in Brussels this month. That would pave the way for a popular vote as early as June.

“If I could get these terms for British membership, I sure would opt in to membership of the EU,” Cameron said in a speech at a plant in Chippenham, western England, run by German engineering giant Siemens AG, symbolizing the degree to which the U.K.’s economy is bound up with the rest of the bloc. “Strong, determined, patient negotiation has achieved a good outcome for Britain.”

Still, Cameron had to give ground on some key demands. Having pledged to stop people claiming welfare payments for children living abroad, the British premier has conceded that such claims will continue, and instead of a complete ban on non-U.K. workers getting in-work welfare payments for four years, he has secured an emergency mechanism that tapers those payments.

Liam Fox, a former Conservative defence secretary who’s campaigning to quit the bloc, denounced the proposal, saying in an e-mailed statement that “none of these changes even come close to the fundamental changes promised to the public.”

The pound erased some some of its losses against the dollar after the draft was published. The currency was 0.3 per cent lower at $1.4394 as of 4:48 p.m. in London, having weakened as much as 0.7 per cent earlier.

“This is an important com-

promise and therefore is sterlingpositive,” said Valentin Marinov, the London-based head of Group of 10 currency strategy at Credit Agricole SA’s corporate and investment bank.

“It will increase the chances of a deal ahead of the summit.”

Tusk’s proposal will limit the application of an ever-closer union in EU law; child benefits will be indexed to the standard of living where the child is; restrictions on in-work benefits may last for as long as four years; and EU legislation can be blocked if 55 percent of national parliaments oppose it, according to the text posted on the European Council’s website.

“The only part of this that will matter will be the narrative on immigration,” said Matthew Goodwin, a professor of politics at the University of Kent. “If the euro-skeptics can successfully frame this as a busted flush, if they can get those points across in a moderate and articulate way then it could be close. But most voters won’t be aware that the negotiation is even going on, let alone the detailed points in the Tusk letter.”

Opinion polls have given conflicting indications of voting intentions.

The latest telephone surveys by ComRes and Ipsos MORI showed leads of 18 and 19 percentage points for staying in. Online surveys have indicated a much closer race, with a YouGov Plc poll published Monday showing 42 percent of respondents in favor of leaving compared with 38 percent for staying in the bloc.

C

hina’s state-owned ChemChina is nearing a deal to buy Swiss seeds and pesticides group Syngenta (SYNN.VX) for around 43 billion Swiss francs ($42.2 billion), two people familiar with the matter said on Tuesday.

The deal, for roughly 470 Swiss francs per share, would be the biggest cross-border deal involving a Chinese buyer and mark an acceleration of a shakeup in the global agrochemicals industry.

It will likely be announced on Wednesday, when Syngenta is scheduled to release its 2015 results, the people said.

One source said minor adjustments to the price were still being discussed.

Syngenta’s shares jumped as much 8.4 per cent and were 5.7 per cent higher at 400 francs at 1352 GMT in Zurich.

ChemChina’s offer would be at a premium of about 24 per cent to Syngenta’s Monday close of

Demare

378.40 francs.

Syngenta declined to comment.

ChemChina was not immediately available for comment outside regular business hours.

Bloomberg had reported earlier on Tuesday that the deal worth 43.7 billion Swiss francs was near.

Syngenta last year spurned takeover approaches from U.S. seeds giant Monsanto (MON.N), arguing it can create value on its own.

But as agricultural markets deteriorated and major rivals DuPont (DD.N) and Dow Chemical Co (DOW.N) agreed to combine their seeds and pesticides businesses, Syngenta Chairman Michel Demare recently conceded that “going it alone is hardly possible”, given what shareholders were expecting.

The likely takeover price would nominally match Monsanto’s revised cash-and-stock bid made last August but the value of that offer would have fallen along with Monsanto’s share price.

ChemChina’s move marks another instance of the country’s quest for Western technology and distribution networks.

Similar transactions include last year’s buyout of Italian tyre maker Pirelli by ChemChina. In January, ChemChina announced the acquisition of German industrial machinery maker KraussMaffei Group for about $1 billion.

Capital Market

30

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Stock exchange daily equities summary Daily Summary as of 03/02/2016 Printed 03/02/2016 14:37:50.050 Daily Summary as of 03/02/2016 Printed 03/02/2016 14:37:50.050

Daily Summary (Equities)

Daily Summary as of 03/02/2016

Equities as at February 3, 2016

Printed 03/02/2016 14:37:50.050

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Daily Summary (Bonds) No Debt Trading Activity

1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

1st Tier Securities

Daily Summary (Equities)

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Crop Production OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals

Symbol OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 27 4 31

Current Price 30.50 33.25

Quantity Traded 272,067 10,834 282,901

Value Traded 8,154,995.44 361,244.15 8,516,239.59

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 12 12

Current Price 1.25

Quantity Traded 575,600 575,600

Value Traded 731,026.00 731,026.00

858,501

9,247,265.59

Current Price 0.78 0.92 1.15 19.30

Quantity Traded 247,522 3,842 12,578,295 597,144 13,426,803

Value Traded 193,067.16 3,380.96 14,533,854.40 11,528,166.38 26,258,468.90

13,426,803

26,258,468.90

AGRICULTURE Totals

43

Daily Summary as of 03/02/2016

CONGLOMERATES Printed 03/02/2016 14:37:50.050 Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. JOHN HOLT PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals

Symbol AGLEVENT JOHNHOLT TRANSCORP Daily Summary UACN

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

CONGLOMERATES Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Infrastructure/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Totals Infrastructure/Heavy Construction

No. of Deals 5 3 119 (Equities) 38 165 165

Symbol JBERGER

No. of Deals 6 6

Current Price 43.50

Quantity Traded 15,049 Page 15,049

Value Traded 659,317.40 11 1 659,317.40 of

Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Real Estate Development Totals

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 8 8

Current Price 5.50

Quantity Traded 53,150 53,150

Value Traded 303,919.76 303,919.76

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) UPDC REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Totals

Symbol UPDCREIT

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 10.00

Quantity Traded 4,900 4,900

Value Traded 49,000.00 49,000.00

73,099

1,012,237.16

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals CONSUMER GOODS Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION PLC. Daily Summary as ofBREW. 03/02/2016 GOLDEN GUINEA BREW. PLC. Printed 03/02/2016 14:37:50.050 GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Activity Summary on Board EQTY 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals CONSUMER GOODS Food Products DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. TIGER BRANDED CONSUMER GOODS PLC Food Products Totals Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals Household Daily Summary as Durables of 03/02/2016 VITAFOAM NIG PLC. Printed 03/02/2016 14:37:50.050 Household Durables Totals Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Personal/Household Products Totals

15

Symbol CHAMPION GOLDBREW GUINNESS INTBREW NB

No. of Deals 4 1 64 24 156 (Equities) 249

Current Price 3.15 0.97 116.76 17.82 95.25

Quantity Traded 22,300 500 221,147 608,887 774,687 1,627,521

Value Traded 66,900.00 465.00 25,777,635.56 9,941,913.50 75,987,981.92 111,774,895.98

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 35 35

Current Price 186.95

Quantity Traded 84,005 84,005

Value Traded 14,850,359.40 14,850,359.40

Symbol DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR NASCON NNFM TIGERBRANDS

No. of Deals 37 205 19 18 1 21 301

Current Price 6.22 19.88 1.53 7.00 7.35 1.24

Quantity Traded 1,322,377 Page 3,551,565 403,000 578,217 447 190,760 6,046,366

11 2 8,225,559.14 of 68,491,855.58 616,870.00 4,047,983.98 3,133.47 234,947.90 81,620,350.07

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

No. of Deals 16 82 98

Current Price 19.00 740.00

Quantity Traded 18,662 117,936 136,598

Value Traded 354,227.40 85,969,260.55 86,323,487.95

Symbol VITAFOAM

No. of Deals 8 8

Current Price 4.56

Quantity Traded 54,550 54,550

Value Traded 247,887.00 247,887.00

No. of Deals 29 (Equities) 15 44

Current Price 21.00 31.81

Quantity Traded 182,940 248,244 431,184

Value Traded 3,855,045.77 7,917,451.37 11,772,497.14

8,380,224

306,589,477.54

Daily Summary

Symbol PZ Summary Daily UNILEVER

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

CONSUMER GOODS Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. DIAMOND BANK PLC Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC. Daily Summary as of 03/02/2016 UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC Printed 03/02/2016 14:37:50.050 UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UNITY BANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC. Banking Totals Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services

Activity Summary on Board AIICO INSURANCE PLC. EQTY

CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC FINANCIAL SERVICES Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC. AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Daily Summary as of Carriers, 03/02/2016 Insurance Brokers and Services Totals Printed 03/02/2016 14:37:50.050 Micro-Finance Banks Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Micro-Finance Banks Totals

Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services UNION HOMES SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC. Activity Summary on Brokers Board EQTY Mortgage Carriers, and Services Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Other Financial Institutions Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC LAW UNION AND INS. PLC. CUSTODIAN AND ROCK ALLIED PLC AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC PLC. N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. UNITED CAPITAL PLC UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals WAPIC INSURANCE PLC FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals and Services Totals Insurance Carriers, Brokers

735 Symbol ACCESS DIAMONDBNK ETI FIDELITYBK GUARANTY SKYEBANK STERLNBANK UBA UBN UNITYBNK WEMABANK

No. of Deals 129 41 26 70 548 50 101 205 22 15 25 (Equities) 1,232

Current Price 4.18 1.77 15.00 1.30 15.54 1.08 1.78 2.84 5.49 0.66 0.96

Symbol AIICO CONTINSURE

No. of Deals 14 9

Current Price 0.90 0.93

Quantity Traded 374,290 800,070

Symbol LAWUNION MANSARD MBENEFIT NEM UNIVINSURE WAPIC

No. of Deals 1 24 4 14 2 3 71

Current Price 0.67 2.20 0.50 0.71 0.50 0.50

Quantity Traded 2,000 1,828,391 502,000 1,030,324 738 1,086 4,538,899

Symbol NPFMCRFBK

No. of Deals 10 10

Current Price 0.99

Page Quantity Traded 130,357 130,357

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 4.50

Quantity Traded 738 738

Daily Summary

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol UNHOMES

Quantity Traded 5,910,354 6,430,113 Page 1,631,502 4,166,805 27,089,806 4,240,375 3,551,034 8,811,074 256,669 3,544,500 1,136,850,693 1,202,482,925

Value Traded

Value Traded 24,842,758.95 11,375,113.88 11 3 of 24,470,461.80 5,435,435.55 422,142,707.22 4,653,441.42 5,822,265.02 25,386,569.32 1,407,789.81 2,339,370.00 1,091,377,460.08 1,619,253,373.05 Value Traded 335,369.40 748,859.30

Value Traded 1,280.00 3,751,406.52 251,000.00 714,318.31 369.00 543.00 5,803,145.53 4 Value of Traded11

124,819.50 124,819.50 Value Traded 3,158.64 3,158.64

Symbol Symbol AFRIPRUD LAWUNION CUSTODYINS MANSARD FCMB MBENEFIT STANBIC NEM UCAP UNIVINSURE WAPIC

No. of Deals No. of Deals 21 1 24 24 152 4 12 14 27 2 236 3 1,551 71

Current Price Current Price 2.36 0.67 3.88 2.20 0.93 0.50 14.00 0.71 1.32 0.50 0.50

Quantity Traded Quantity Traded 80,661 2,000 668,510 1,828,391 12,308,367 502,000 1,180,901 1,030,324 3,037,299 738 17,275,738 1,086 1,224,428,657 4,538,899

Micro-Finance Banks Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Micro-Finance Banks Totals

Symbol NPFMCRFBK

No. of Deals 10 10

Current Price 0.99

Quantity Traded Page 130,357 130,357

Value Traded 11 5 of 124,819.50 124,819.50

Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services UNION HOMES SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC. Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals Daily Summary as of 03/02/2016 Other Financial Institutions Printed 03/02/2016 14:37:50.050 AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UNITED CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals

Symbol UNHOMES

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 4.50

Quantity Traded 738 738

Value Traded 3,158.64 3,158.64

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FCMB STANBIC Daily Summary UCAP

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals Published by The Nigerian Stock PLC. Exchange © EVANS MEDICAL FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Pharmaceuticals Totals HEALTHCARE Totals ICT Computers and Peripherals OMATEK VENTURES PLC Computers and Peripherals Totals Processing Systems E-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC Processing Systems Totals

No. of Deals 21 24 152 12 (Equities) 27 236

No. of Deals 1 3 33 5 3 45

Value Traded Value Traded 193,830.25 1,280.00 2,600,739.28 3,751,406.52 11,530,333.18 251,000.00 16,506,935.41 714,318.31 4,033,009.88 369.00 34,864,848.00 543.00 1,660,049,344.72 5,803,145.53

Current Price 2.36 3.88 0.93 14.00 1.32

Quantity Traded 80,661 668,510 12,308,367 1,180,901 3,037,299 17,275,738

Value Traded 193,830.25 2,600,739.28 11,530,333.18 16,506,935.41 4,033,009.88 34,864,848.00

1,224,428,657

1,660,049,344.72

Current Price 0.50 2.70 24.37 1.00 0.86

Quantity Traded Page 2,000 2,300 176,583 471,605 14,000 666,488

1,551 Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH

HEALTHCARE Activity Summary on Board EQTY Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. HEALTHCARE FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC Pharmaceuticals GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. EVANS MEDICAL PLC. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA FIDSON PLC PHARMACEUTICALS PLC NEIMETHHEALTHCARE INTERNATIONAL GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. Pharmaceuticals Company name

Totals MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETHTotals INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals Totals ICT HEALTHCARE Computers Totals and Peripherals OMATEK VENTURES PLC ICT Computers and Peripherals Totals Computers and Peripherals OMATEK VENTURES Processing Systems PLC Computers and Peripherals TotalsPLC E-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL

45

666,488

Value Traded 11 5 of 1,000.00 6,256.00 4,107,284.68 471,905.00 11,480.00 4,597,925.68 4,597,925.68

Sector

Processing Systems Totals Processing Systems Daily Summary as of 03/02/2016 E-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC Totals Printed ICT 03/02/2016 14:37:50.050 Processing Systems Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS ICT Building Totals Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC INDUSTRIAL BERGERGOODS PAINTS PLC Building Materials CAP PLC Activity Summary Board EQTY ASHAKA CEMon PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC INDUSTRIAL GOODS Published

by The Stock Exchange © CAPNigerian PLC Building Materials CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC Published by The Nigerian PAINTS Stock Exchange © PORTLAND & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. Electronic and Electrical Products Totals

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 17,000 17,000

Value Traded 8,500.00 8,500.00

Symbol ETRANZACT

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 3.10

Quantity Traded 75,000 75,000

Value Traded 232,500.00 232,500.00

Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON Symbol GLAXOSMITH EVANSMED MAYBAKER FIDSON NEIMETH GLAXOSMITH No Of Deals MAYBAKER NEIMETH

No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded 1 0.50 2,000 3 2.70 2,300 No. of Deals Price Quantity176,583 Traded 33 Current 24.37 1 0.50 2,000 5 1.00 471,605 3 2.70 2,300 3 0.86 14,000 33 24.37 176,583 Quotation(N) Quantity Traded 45 666,488 5 1.00 471,605 3 0.86 14,000 45 666,488 45 666,488

Symbol OMATEK

45 No. of Deals 1 1 No. of Deals 1 No. of Deals 1 2

Symbol OMATEK Symbol ETRANZACT Symbol ETRANZACT

Symbol

2 No. of Deals 2 3 2

BERGER Symbol CAP ASHAKACEM BERGER CAP Symbol CCNN PORTPAINT WAPCO

Symbol CUTIX

OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Energy Equipment and Services Totals Daily Summary as of 03/02/2016 Integrated Oil and Gas Services Printed 03/02/2016 14:37:50.050 OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. Activity Summary on Board EQTY FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. OIL AND GAS Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors TOTAL NIGERIA Published by The Nigerian StockPLC. Exchange © Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals Exploration and Production Daily Summary as of 03/02/2016 SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Printed 03/02/2016 14:37:50.050 Exploration and Production Totals

OILCourier/Freight/Delivery AND GAS Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors RED STAR EXPRESS PLC TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. EXPRESS PLC. TRANS-NATIONWIDE Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals Exploration and Production Printing/Publishing SEPLATAFRICA PETROLEUM LEARN PLC DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Exploration and Production Printing/Publishing Totals Totals OILTransport-Related AND GAS Totals Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC SERVICES Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T Nigerian BRISCOE PLC.Exchange © Published by The Stock Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals Courier/Freight/Delivery Daily Summary as of 03/02/2016 RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Printed 03/02/2016 14:37:50.050 TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals Daily Summary as of 03/02/2016 Printing/Publishing Printed 03/02/2016 14:37:50.050 LEARN AFRICA PLC

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING Activity Summary on Board EQTY COMPANY PLC Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Transport-Related Services Totals

SERVICES Support and Logistics Transport-Related Services CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLCPLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY C Summary & I LEASING Transport-Related Services Totals Activity onPLC. Board EQTY Support and Logistics Totals Support and Logistics SERVICES SERVICES Totals OFFSHORE CAVERTON Transport-Related ServicesSUPPORT GRP PLC C & I LEASING PLC. HANDLING COMPANY PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION Support and Logistics Totals Transport-Related Services Totals EQTY Board Totals SERVICES Support Totals and Logistics CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC &Summary I LEASING PLC. Activity on Board PREMIUM EQTYCBoard Totals

Support and Logistics Totals Daily Summary as of 03/02/2016 FINANCIAL SERVICES PrintedSERVICES 03/02/2016 14:37:50.050 BankingTotals

ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Activity Summary on Board PREMIUM Banking Totals Daily Summary as of 03/02/2016 EQTY Board Totals

FINANCIAL SERVICES Printed 03/02/2016 14:37:50.050 Other Financial Institutions Banking FBN HOLDINGS PLC ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals Activity Summary on Board PREMIUM PREMIUM Banking Totals on Activity Summary Board FINANCIAL SERVICES Other Financial Institutions FINANCIAL SERVICES FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals FBNNigerian HOLDINGS Banking Published by The StockPLC Exchange © Activity Summary on Board PREMIUM Other Financial Institutions TotalsPLC ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK INDUSTRIAL GOODS Banking Totals FINANCIAL Building SERVICES Materials FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals DANGOTE CEMENT PLC Other Financial Institutions Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Building Materials PLC Totals FBN HOLDINGS INDUSTRIAL GOODS Other Financial Institutions Totals Building Materials INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals DANGOTE CEMENT PLC Building Materials Totals PREMIUM BoardStock Totals Published

by The Nigerian Exchange ©

241,000.00 Value Traded 1,676,003.25 136,753.56 Value Traded 1,977,546.88 1,676,003.25 136,753.56 11 6 1,977,546.88 of Value Traded 4,758,960.80 11 6 1,805,000.00 of 15,555,082.78 25,909,347.27

No. of Deals 6 6

Current Price 1.38

Quantity Traded 42,566 42,566

Value Traded 57,895.12 57,895.12

1,371,359

25,967,242.39

Symbol JAPAULOIL

No. of Deals 4 4

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 26,000 26,000

Value Traded 13,000.00 13,000.00

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 115 115

Current Price 3.99

Quantity Traded 3,235,924 3,235,924

Value Traded 12,960,793.82 12,960,793.82

Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Daily Summary (Equities)

Quantity Traded 104,651 20,500 903,475 28,499

Value Traded 2,112,990.67 36,585.00 251,922,181.33 4,027,401.35 11 7 1,171,197.50 of 259,270,355.85

CONOIL ETERNA FO MOBIL

28 2 206 13

22.34 1.85 283.50 140.60

Symbol TOTAL

No. of Deals 11 260

Current Price 142.50

Quantity Traded 8,268 Page 1,065,393

Symbol SEPLAT

No. of Deals 49 49

Current Price 236.09

Quantity Traded 136,676 136,676

Value Traded 32,246,601.46 32,246,601.46

4,463,993

304,490,751.13

428

Daily Summary (Equities)

Value Traded

Symbol RTBRISCOE

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 2,000 2,000

Value Traded 1,000.00 1,000.00

Symbol Symbol REDSTAREX TOTAL TRANSEXPR

No. of Deals No. of Deals 2 11 1 260 3

Current Price Current Price 3.80 142.50 1.21

Quantity Traded Quantity Traded 30,000 8,268 200,000 1,065,393 230,000

Value Traded Value Traded 119,700.00 1,171,197.50 242,000.00 259,270,355.85 361,700.00

Symbol Symbol SEPLAT LEARNAFRCA

No. of of Deals Deals No. 49 2 49 2

Current Price Price Current 236.09 0.86

Quantity Traded Traded Quantity 136,676 3,000 136,676 3,000

Value Traded Traded Value 32,246,601.46 2,460.00 32,246,601.46 2,460.00

Symbol AIRSERVICE

428 No. of Deals 2

Current Price 2.09

4,463,993 Quantity Traded 14,500

304,490,751.13 Value Traded 30,490.00

Symbol RTBRISCOE

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 2,000 Page 2,000

8

Symbol REDSTAREX TRANSEXPR

No. of Deals 2 1 3

Current Price 3.80 1.21

Quantity Traded 30,000 200,000 230,000

Value Traded 119,700.00 242,000.00 361,700.00

Symbol

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.86

Quantity Traded 3,000 3,000

Value Traded 2,460.00 2,460.00

Symbol

No. of Deals 2 No. of Deals 30 32

Current Price 2.09 Current Price 3.83

Quantity Traded 14,500 Quantity Traded 390,000 Page 404,500

Value Traded 30,490.00 Value Traded 1,495,170.00 8 of 11 1,525,660.00

Daily Summary (Equities) LEARNAFRCA

Daily Summary (Equities) AIRSERVICE Symbol NAHCO

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol No. Symbol No. of of Deals Deals Current Current Price Price CAVERTON NAHCO CILEASING

Symbol CAVERTON Symbol CILEASING NAHCO

3 1.77 30 3.83 2 0.50 32 5 No. of Deals Current Price 433 Current Price 1.77 No. of Deals 0.50 302 3.83 5 32 3,121

Daily Summary (Equities) 43 Current Price Symbol No. of Deals CAVERTON CILEASING

3 2 3,121 5

1.77 0.50

43 No. of Deals 494 494

Current Price 12.90

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol ZENITHBANK

3,121

Daily Summary (Equities) (Equities) Daily Summary Symbol No. Symbol No. of of Deals Deals Current Current Price Price FBNH ZENITHBANK

276 494 276 494

3.96 12.90

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol FBNH Symbol ZENITHBANK Symbol DANGCEM Symbol FBNH Symbol DANGCEM

Quantity Quantity Traded Traded 76,380 390,000 5,000 404,500 81,380 Quantity Traded 76,380 Quantity 720,880 Traded 5,000 390,000 81,380 404,500 1,254,482,004

Value Value Traded Traded 135,192.60 1,495,170.00 2,500.00 1,525,660.00 137,692.60 Value Traded 2,028,512.60 135,192.60 Value Traded 2,500.00 1,495,170.00 137,692.60 1,525,660.00 2,340,482,225.71

720,880 Quantity Traded 76,380 5,000 1,254,482,004 81,380

2,028,512.60 Value Traded 135,192.60 2,500.00 2,340,482,225.71 137,692.60

Quantity720,880 Traded 24,238,422 24,238,422 1,254,482,004

2,340,482,225.71

Quantity Quantity Traded Traded 35,586,404 24,238,422 35,586,404 24,238,422

Value Value Traded Traded 141,015,316.98 320,185,405.70 141,015,316.98 320,185,405.70

2,028,512.60 Value Traded 320,185,405.70 320,185,405.70

Quantity Traded 59,824,826 35,586,404 Quantity Traded Page 35,586,404 24,238,422 24,238,422 Quantity Traded 59,824,826 875,347 Quantity TradedPage 875,347 35,586,404

461,200,722.68 141,015,316.98 Value Traded 11 9 of 141,015,316.98 320,185,405.70 320,185,405.70 Value Traded 461,200,722.68 111,455,972.39 Value Traded 9 of 11 111,455,972.39 141,015,316.98

276 No. of Deals 121 121 121

35,586,404 Quantity875,347 Traded 875,347 875,347 60,700,173 Page

141,015,316.98 Value Traded 111,455,972.39 111,455,972.39 111,455,972.39 9 of 11 572,656,695.07

Current Price 127.00

891

121

875,347

4,012

Daily Summary (ETP)

Exchange Traded Fund Symbol LOTUSHAL15 Daily Summary (ETP)

NEWGOLD VETBANK Symbol VETGOODS LOTUSHAL15 VETGRIF30 NEWGOLD VETINDETF VETBANK Daily Summary VETGOODS VETGRIF30 VETINDETF

Value Traded 1,000.00 of 11 1,000.00

No. of Deals Current Price 770 276 Current Price 3.96 No. of Deals 276 494 12.90 494 No. of Deals Current Price 770 Current127.00 121 No. of Deals Price 121 276 3.96

PREMIUM Board Totals

ETP Activity Totals

232,500.00 Value Traded 232,500.00 241,000.00 232,500.00

194,889 1,328,793

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals

Name LOTUS HALAL EQUITY ETF NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) Daily Summary as of Traded 03/02/2016 Exchange Fund VETIVA BANKING ETF Printed 03/02/2016 Name 14:37:50.050 VETIVA CONSUMER GOODS ETF LOTUS HALAL EQUITY ETF VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) VETIVA INDUSTRIAL ETF VETIVA BANKING ETF Exchange Traded Fund Totals VETIVA CONSUMER GOODS ETF VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF ETFVETIVA Board Totals INDUSTRIAL ETF Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Exchange Traded Fund Totals

75,000 Quantity Traded 75,000 92,000 75,000 92,000 Quantity Traded 67,353 15,132 Quantity Traded 54,659 67,353 15,132 Page 54,659 Quantity Traded 496,760 Page 500,000

Equity Activity Totals

Equity Activity Totals

3.10 Current Price 3.10

4,597,925.68 Value Traded 8,500.00 8,500.00 Value Traded Value8,500.00 Traded 8,500.00 232,500.00

93

Printing/Publishing Totals

Transport-Related Services Daily Summary as of 03/02/2016 SERVICES AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC Printed 03/02/2016 14:37:50.050Services Transport-Related

Current Price 0.50 Current Price

Quantity666,488 Traded 17,000 17,000 Quantity Traded 17,000 Quantity Traded 17,000 75,000

Current Price 25.00 9.01 Current 37.20 Price 25.00 9.01 37.20 Current Price 9.58 3.61 80.00

OIL AND GAS Totals SERVICES Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. Activity Summary on Board EQTY Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals

Current Price 0.50

Value Traded 1,000.00 6,256.00 Value Traded 4,107,284.68 1,000.00 471,905.00 6,256.00 11,480.00 4,107,284.68 Value 4,597,925.68 of Shares(N) 471,905.00 11,480.00 4,597,925.68 4,597,925.68

3 No. of Deals 9 6 No. of Deals 14 9 6 14 No. of Deals 15 1 42 87

ASHAKACEM Daily Summary (Equities)

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Symbol OMATEK

Daily Summary (Equities)

(ETP)

1,315,182,177

Value Traded

111,455,972.39

2,913,138,920.78

891

60,700,173

572,656,695.07

4,012

1,315,182,177

2,913,138,920.78

No. of Deals 1 1 2 No. of Deals 2 1 2 1 2 2 10 2 2 102 10

10

Current Price 7.97 2,167.00 2.33 Current Price 6.08 7.97 10.75 2,167.00 17.26 2.33 6.08 10.75 17.26

Quantity Traded 5 50 19,050 Quantity Traded 7,600 5 4,200 50 2,700 19,050 33,605 7,600 4,200 33,605 2,700 Page 33,605

Value Traded 39.85 108,350.00 44,386.50 Value Traded 46,244.00 39.85 45,230.00 108,350.00 46,602.00 44,386.50 290,852.35 46,244.00 45,230.00 290,852.35 10 46,602.00 of 11 290,852.35

33,605 Page

290,852.35 10

of

11

Thursday, February 4 2016

Info Tech

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

31

Bloggers, other mobile advertisers battle over market dominance In the wake of ICT revolution in the country, little was known of blogging and mobile advert, but with the increasing boom in new technologies and I solutions market in Nigeria, new frontiers are opening up thereby creating opportunities for mobile marketing in the country.

Isaiah Erhiawarien reports.

T

he announcement by Facebook that its earnings for last quarter surpassed all expectations, with a 52 percent rise in quarterly revenue has confirmed that mobile advert sector is a goldmine that Nigerian bloggers are currently scrambling for to up their shares in the increasingly dynamic and technology-powered e-business.

Statistics revealed that more than 1.59 billion people now use Facebook each month, 1.04 billion do so each day and that 90 per cent of the people who use Facebook access the network via mobile devices.

Commenting on its other applications, Facebook stated that picture-sharing social network Instagram hit 400 million monthly users, Messenger now has over 800 million users, and WhatsApp ended 2015 with nearly one billion monthly active users.

The company also indicated that as at June 30 last year, Nigeria had 15 million monthly active users, and all of them using mobile devices to like, share and upload contents on the social network.

Our investigations revealed that that is the goldmine that bloggers in the country are hustling for thus resulting to the surging figures of bloggers in the country, with most of the increase recorded during the 2015 elections which turned some to billionaires.

The scramble for the fortunes in the mobile advert has already pitched practitioners in the trade against each other as there are now two factions of bloggers in the country, so much that there was a media war between them recently.

The factions are the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers, GOCOP, led by Musikiliu Mojeed and Online Publishers Association of Nigeria, OPAN said to be under the control of former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Reuben Abati.

The latest crisis between the two factions bothered on the accusations and counter ac-

Shittu cusation of using blog to blackmail and extortion of money.

An ICT expert, Emmanuel Okitiakpe noted that blogging remained a money spinner anywhere and anytime due to the growing trend across the world whereby life has moved to the cyber space while mobility has become a fashion in technology.

He said that bloggers who know how to use their cyber space will certainly make a lot of from money blogging just like as the likes of Linda Ikeji, Bella Naija and others have done, saying that since access to the web has shifted from desk top to mobile, it has created a huge market for mobile devices.

Okitiakpe noted that explained the reasons for the huge profit that most the bloggers made during the political campaigns period, pointing out that when factions spring up like in a relatively new business area, the reasons are obviously pecuniary.

Making reference to an Alcatel report, he said that access to Internet through mobile device had taken a technological surge with Long Term Evolution technology, LTE, changing the way mobile services are consumed.

The industry analyst said that there is a massive increase in data usage and signaling activity for mobile devices operating on LTE networks with average mobile devices use almost four times more data when on LTE networks compared with 3G. He said that although the LTE devices

have not taken firm root in Nigeria, yet the volume of 3G and 4 G devices in the hands of Nigerians is a great opportunity that advertisers have leached on to take their message online, thereby creating mobile apps that are to the advantage of bloggers and turning blogging into a money spinner.

He also said that the flexibility of linking a blog to social media is playing to the advantage of the bloggers.

Mobile statistics from Smart Insights, a mobile marketing consulting revealed that desk top and mobile met at point but that mobile has overtaken desk top according to its 2015 report.

According to Smart Insights, mobile digital media time in the US is now significantly higher at 51 per cent compared to desktop 42 per cent adding that “we’re now past the mobile Tipping Point.

“So it’s no longer a case of asking whether mobile marketing important, we know it is! It’s now a question of using the statistics to understand how consumers behave when using different types of mobile devices and what their preferences are.”

Latest report by eMarketer showed more revenue is expected to come to blogger through mobile advert because of the increase in mobile device penetration.

The report stated that the number of smartphone users worldwide, expected to surpass two billion in 2016, after nearly getting there in 2015 saying that next year, there will be over 1.91 billion smartphone

inexpensive smartphones are opening new opportunities for marketing and commerce in emerging markets, like Nigeria where many

consumers previously had no access to the internet thereby putting more business opportunity in the hands of bloggers

users across the globe, a figure that will increase another 12.6 per cent to near 2.16 billion in 2016.

For the first time, said the report, more than one-quarter of the global population will use smartphones by 2018, estimating that over one-third of consumers worldwide, or more than 2.56 billion people, will do so.

That 2018 figure also represents over half of 51.7 per cent of all mobile phone users, meaning that feature phones will have finally become a minority in the telecommunications world.

A new media strategist with Access Solutions, Chris Dumuje, said that inexpensive smartphones are opening new opportunities for marketing and commerce in emerging markets, like Nigeria where many consumers previously had no access to the internet thereby putting more business opportunity in the hands of bloggers.

He said that that is an opportunity for bloggers to creatively step-up their game to benefit from the huge market of mobile since mobile advert is expected to increase in the year.

He noted that in mature, established markets, smartphones are quickly shifting the paradigm for consumer media usage and impressing the need for marketers to become more mobile-centric saying that even newspapers now have apps for their hardcopy thereby creating a new advert platform for their business.

Ahead of how to benefit from the huge opportunity inherent in mobile advert, bloggers in the country, under the auspices of the West African Bloggers heard a two day conference on how to attract traffic to their sites’ Team Leader of Google’s Analytical lead, Mr. Abdullateef Abdulsalam said that “the ability to measure your Audience, Acquisition, Behaviour, and Conversion brings success in blogging.”

32

Info Tech

Thursday, February 4 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Firm earmarks $50m to support Nigerian startups Stories by Isaiah Erhiawarien

E

choVC Partners, a Lagosbased venture capital firm has earmarked the sum of $50 million for startups in Nigeria.

The firm plans investments of $1.5 million per startup with a goal of making between 40 to 50 investments throughout the life of the fund which has already made investments of focused on financing and cross-pollinating leading technologies, teams and business models in Nigeria and some markets in subSaharan Africa.

At a media chat in Lagos, Managing Partner of EchoVC, Mr. Eghosa Omoigui, said that the focus of the firm will be on technologies that support the “99 per cent bulge” of underserved populations noting that the investments will target high-growth services and scalable products in select markets, with distinct and sustainable competitive

advantages, all of which affect daily life and provide essential services in large growing markets.

According to him, specific technology sectors of interest will include: consumer internet and services, data, mobile, social, digital media, content and advertising, E/M-commerce, software, linguistics, gaming, business intelligence, last-mile services, tech enabled services and enterprise infrastructure.

Eghosa told journalists that the company had a very experienced team, consisting of expertise in seed and early-stage investing, product development, finance, marketing, operations saying that his team has played leading role as board membership and mergers and acquisitions, and have invested or managed nearly 200 investments and deploying approximately $80 million.

He disclosed that EchoVC will target equity and equity

Viber partners Jumia in Nigeria to deepen live public chats

Saidat Alausa

V

iber, a messaging and calling apps with more than 664 million users worldwide, has opened its latest social channel ‘Public Chats’ to partners in Africa and the Middle East.

The company’s Chief Marketing Officer, Mark Hardy, while announcing the launch recently said the Middle East and Africa were important markets for Viber, stressing that he is pleased to welcome local influencers and brands to the Public Chats platform.

According to him, Viber is sure users will enjoy chatting; commenting and debating live on the active social channel whilst sharing tips, news, and local content constantly to connected mobile audience across the region.

Hardy observed that selected partners in Africa, at Pan-African level and in key markets such as Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Ivory Coast, South Africa, Kenya, and Egypt, have joined Public Chats for this regional launch in a bid to be the first players to offer local conversations on Viber.

“Brands, organisations, celebrities, public figures and social influencers from these countries can now join Viber’s global platform to reach a local and regional audience,” he said.

He said that Jumia recently

opened Public Chats in Egypt and Nigeria were one of the first partners to join this new social channel in the Middle East and Africa, noting that users can expect more Jumia Public Chats to open in the African continent in the coming months.

“We are really excited with this partnership,” stated Jeremy Doutte, CEO of Jumia.

“As new African customers discover the Internet first through their mobile, we want to address them wherever they are.

Viber is a mobile first company with an outstanding reach in Africa. Jumia is also a mobile first company and the first online shopping destination in Africa.

Joining forces will enable both Viber and Jumia to deliver quality content and good vibes to our users.”

related seed and early stage technology investments in Nigeria as well as the Pan African region noting that Nigeria, as one of the main growth drivers for Africa, is also one of the primary growth drivers for the firm.

“We seek to capitalise on Nigeria’s burgeoning period of growth in technology innovation and identify and invest in next generation companies

that will lead this technology renaissance across the continent” he said, saying that the fund will also evaluate investment opportunities in Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Ethiopia.

Eghosasaid further that EchoVC existing investors include a mix of domestic and foreign institutional investors and asset managers adding that it is the sole manager of

L-R: Commissioner at the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC Engr. Ubale Maska, Executive Vice chairman of the NCC, Professor Umar Danbatta and Director Public Affairs, Tony Ojobo at a World Press Conference addressed by Danbatta in Lagos.

MTN, others may close shop in seven states

T

he Association Licensed Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria, ALTON has said that if harassment by some states government in the country of their members did not stop, they may be forced to shut their bases stations in those states.

ALTON, which is the umbrella body of telecommunications company operating in the country, said that the GSM operators may close shops in Ogun, Ondo, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Osun and Kaduna states.

The group observed that although tax payment is a matter of patriotic duty being one of the elements of good corporate governance however, the group said

that taxes and levies should be broad-based and fairly distributed across all sectors of the economy.

The chairman of ALTON, Engr.

Gbenga Adebayo, told journalists that it appreciated the fiscal pressure on Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, at all tiers of government in the face of dwindling federal allocation.

He pointed out that there was no justification for targeting and sometime very high taxes on Telecom operation, saying that ALTON wants the Federal Government adopt a cross-sector/ multi-stakeholder approach to reduce growing burden of taxation on the industry.

According to him, members of ALTON are very responsible Cor-

tablished high level relationships required for the company’s continued success in the enterprise segment.

He has an LLB degree from the London GuildHall University and an accelerated Development degree from London business School.

Chiekezi leverages both his natural authenticity and strong diverse experience across a set of functional areas (strategy, sales, finance, legal, consulting) to create impetus in organizations and

teams.

He has been particularly successful in creating highly engaged teams and organisations.

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of IS Internet Solutions Nigeria Olusola Teniola the is excited at the opportunity to have Chiekezi lead a truly iconic business like IS Internet Solutions Nigeria at this time and looks forward to working with him and the rest of the management team to deliver on its performance ambition.

Internet Solutions appoints sales director Isaiah Erhiawarien

I

nternet Solutions, a division of Dimension Data has appointed a new Sales Director.

He is Mr. Chiekezi Dozie, a lawyer by training but with extensive experience in information technology.

Chiekezi brings to the role over 15 years work experience in West Africa and the United Kingdom with renowned IT and telecoms organizations and has well es-

the Federal Government of Nigeria’s pioneering ICT Innovation Fund, valued at $10 million.

He disclosed that commitment from the government is to make seed and early-stage investments in high-growth technology startup saying, “We made four investments in Nigeria in 2015 and anticipate making up to 10 seedstage investments in 2016.”

porate Citizens saying that the services offered by the members cut across the entire operating structure of the industry, including network operations network infrastructure as well as other critical value added and support services.

Adebayo expressed the association’s concern about the recurring cases of telecom sites closure by government agents.

He lamented: “We continue to record cases of arbitrary site closure in many states of the federation in an attempt to force service providers to pay local taxes and levies some of which are multiple in nature and most of which are only aimed toward telecom operators.”

“What has telecom service got to do with Sewage, Sanitation and public convenience levy, when we are not hotel and bar operators.

What has telecom services got to do with Sanitation and refuse effluent tax: when we don’t operate fast food centers.”

He explained that the reasons for most interference with telecoms site has not link with telecoms operations stressing that what is the connection of telecos operations “with ‘Eco Tax for gaseous emission and gaseous emission” when we do not have moving machinery and production lines.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Brands & Marketing

33

Nigeria ‘ll compete in global market with enabling policy for firms – Sonia Foods’ boss Sonia Tomato Paste brand entered the Nigerian market about five years ago and has continued to create a niche for itself in FCMG’s market sub-segment. In this interview with DAVID AUDU, the Managing Director of Sonia Food Industries, Mr. Nnamdi Nnodebe, discusses the challenges facing indigenous tomato paste manufacturers in the country and what needed to be done to mitigate local manufacturers’ burdens.

What type of business is Sonia industries doing?

We are into tomato paste making, and the brand name is Sonia Tomato paste. Currently we employ about 224 direct workers.

However, if government fulfills its promise of helping indigenous companies break even, sure, the industry will expand further and employ more Nigerians to work, because the market is there. We are only looking for support. We have been imploring government to help ban the import of unbridled retail pack of tomatoes flooding the country. We know the capacity of our manufacturing plant today can supply a minimum of about 50 per cent of the local demands of tomato pastes for Nigeria, and there are other operators who can meet the local demands.

Despite the challenges in this industry, what makes the Sonia brand unique in the market today?

For Sonia Tomato pastes, we are working within the global food factory best practices, and prioritise conforming to the Nigerian NAFDAC requirements. Besides, we also import our concentrate from the United States of America, which we believe has one of the highest qualities in the world. We know that the American food regulatory authority does not compromise premium standard.

We are particular about quality, so most of our concentrates are imported from USA and that tells you the kind of tomato paste we produce. Those who have tasted our products know the difference and are aware of the obvious fact which is that Sonia Tomato Paste is of first-rate quality and manufactured under strict factory hygiene. That is why we are clamouring for the ban of paste concentrates.

Are you saying there is total ban on concentrates?

Yes, there is total ban. I will give you a typical example, take a look at the brewery sector, they do not have the challenge that we have in our sector.. Rather government still supports and argument the raw material for breweries. Everybody eats tomato, but it is not everybody that drinks beer. The demand for tomatoes is higher than that of beer. We all eat every day but all of us don’t drink every day.

We have been meeting with representatives of government concerning this issue, yet nothing seems to be working. With government knowing fully well that we do not have any machine that manufactures concentrate here in Nigeria, they still ban the importation of concentrates, how then do you want the local tomato processing factory to survive? They means they want to kill the industry. If by tomorrow somebody decides to start processing concentrate and already the factories are dead who will then begin to manufacture them. Or they then start afresh. We want government to seriously look into the matter before workers are laid off and the economy becomes worse off.

With the large population and land mass in Nigeria, why is it difficult to produce raw material like concentrates?

It is not that it is difficult but the type of climate we have does not yield the kind of tomatoes that can compete with those grown in temperate regions. Our own climate and soil composition is different compared to the kind of soil in Netherlands or Asia. That is why their tomato species is different from ours. A hectare in Netherland can give you a minimum of 80 tons per yield, but here, it cannot give you more than 25 tones; but we use the same workload, so you cannot compete. The water content in our species of tomatoes is so high such that for you to get the yield you want, you need more land, and when you need more land you need more workers, and when you need more workers you are also going to spend

is a welcome idea, that is, if government through policies lends genuine support to those who are already working on the idea to implement and make it achievable in Nigeria.

But every other day government keeps telling us we are banning this and that, and for those of us into tomato manufacturing banning raw materials like concentrates is a disincentive. You cannot ban concentrate and at the same time tell us to produce tomato pastes locally. There is so much influx of this particular product from Asia, where their governments give the manufacturers’ incentives, rebates, support and constant power supply and other infrastructure that make manufacturing efficient.

Nnamdi

EVERY OTHER DAY GOVERNMENT KEEPS TELLING US WE ARE BANNING THIS AND THAT, AND FOR THOSE OF US INTO TOMATO MANUFACTURING BANNING RAW MATERIALS LIKE CONCENTRATES IS A DISINCENTIVE. YOU CANNOT BAN CONCENTRATE AND AT THE SAME TIME TELL US TO PRODUCE TOMATO PASTES LOCALLY double. The soil and temperature here does not support the high yielding tomato species, so we need to import those concentrates in order for us to manufacture locally and that is the area government incentives in removing duties is necessary to encourage local production.

How much have you invested so far in the Sonia Tomato Processing Factory?

In valuing the cost of the machinery and all other costs I can tell you that we have invested nothing less than about seven billion naira so far. To be honest with you, some banks have supported us, especially Diamond Bank. They have stood solidly behind us.

Without their belief and faith in us we might not have been where we are today. They have listened to us and have taken the pain to make sure we stand despite the very stiff operating environment.

As a Nigerian manufacturer who believes in developing local content, what is your position on backward integration policy?

Backward integration is a welcome and healthy idea to grow the economy if government is sincere in supporting local manufacturers. Honestly, the whole concept of backward integration

Are you also saying there should be special protection for Nigerian manufacturers in this sector?

Yes. In fairness that is what they are supposed to do. Before now, we were just into importation of finished goods, that is buying and selling, but today we are investing millions of dollars in buying machineries to make sure that we employ local people to work so that they also feed their families. In fact, without government support hardly can we compete with the foreign products coming into the country from Asia. This is because we pay 10 per cent VAT, import duties and all sorts of charges at the ports on some raw materials we are bringing today and by the time you add up everything it is similar to those who are bringing finished products.

Does it mean you cannot manufacture those raw materials like concentrates for the manufacture of tomato pastes?

We can, but we are faced with numerous challenges such that if you have to produce those raw materials here the competitive edge will be eroded. Here, we do not have constant light, and if you do not have constant light how can you preserve your products for 18 months, how can you pasteurize?

The major problem is power. Over 25 to 30 per cent of our profit goes into power generation for production. Generators, gas, maintenance of these equipment are some of the major problems we are having. We also need government to give us some rebates on duties that we are paying on the raw materials pending when we are fully into backward integration.

I also think that those of us that have already invested so much on factory and machinery and employing hundreds of workers should get support from government. For now there is nothing like that. For me and Sonia Foods Industries Limited, where we employ about 224 workers, we are doing everything on personal efforts and the banks that believed in us and have been supporting us.

As a businessman who invests money to make profits, what form of support do you expect from government?

Sincerely speaking, if we love this country from our heart, not by mere rhetorics, you must do something extraordinary to help the economy and Nigerians. I am not into manufacturing tomato paste just for myself alone. I have offices in Ghana, and other countries. I can make a living without going through the stress I am going through now, but the love to help grow the economy; to help generate employment is what motivates me. But every day we keep hearing promises from government which does not translate to anything at the end of the day. Infrastructure is another area, they need to look into. The roads especially the one that leads to factories including my own is in a sorry state. On several occasions you see containers that carry raw materials summersault as a result of bad roads. How do we grow under such circumstances?

Power is a general problem. We generate our power 100 per cent.

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Brands & Marketing

Thursday, February 4, 2016

GSK’s Lucozade Sport sponsor Lagos Marathon DAVID AUDU

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laxoSmithKline, maker of Lucozade Sport, has announced the brand as the official sponsor of the Lagos marathon. The 42-kilometre run is scheduled to hold, this Saturday, in Lagos after a 30year wait, The company’s Group Product Manager, Drinks, Lucozade & Ribena, Ms. Aigbeme Momoh made the announcement in a press statement. She said the decision of the company to support the Marathon with one of its leading brands, Lucozade Sport, is to encourage a healthy lifestyle among its consumers in Nigeria as well as energise the numerous athletes and participants who will be coming from nationwide and various parts of the world for the race.

“Lucozade Sport is recognised globally as the ideal drink for participants of the road races as it has the unique formulation that replaces electrolytes

lost in sweat. It is this reason that makes the partnership with the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon a perfect fit.

‘The Marathon race is a unique asset and we are proud to be associated with it. It shows our continuous determination to reach our valued consumers wherever they are and provide them with an unforgettable experience as they would witness during the marathon come February 6th.

“Our support is to further drive home the brand proposition as the no.1 sport and fitness drink for those who are physically active and for those who aspire to be physically active.

Whenever the consumer is going to sweat out some calories, they must get refreshed with Lucozade Sport,” she said.

A member of the project consultant team for the marathon, Debowale Sangosanya while explaining the rationale for adopting Lucozade Sport as the official sport drink for the

marathon, said the objective of the marathon parallels with the brand purpose of Lucozade Sport as an enabler for people from all works of life who desire a healthy and active lifestyle.

The much awaited full marathon is committed to promoting sports, tourism, fitness, competitiveness and healthy living. On the other hand, Lucozade Sport is also known for refreshing and invigorating athletes and those who take active interest in healthy lifestyle,” she said.

Just like the Dubai Marathon, the Lagos City Marathon has been put together to boost the country’s economy as well as showcase our City of Excellence, Lagos State to the world.

It is expected to attract thousands of spectators and have up to 40,000 participants. The event starts at the entrance of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, while the finishing line will be at the Sales Office of Eko Atlantic, Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos.

PRCAN relocates to new Secretariat

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he Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria, PRCAN, has opened its national secretariat office in Lagos to cater for the needs of the association and its members. The office is located on Moshood Abiola Crescent, Ikeja The development brought to an end the incessant movement of the association’s secretariat to a sitting president’s office since its inception in 1982. The event was witnessed by top echelon of the Nigeria’s Integrated Marketing Communications sector, including egg-heads of secto-

LG Electronics introduces Gas Cooker into Nigerian market DAVID AUDU

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ome appliances and consumer electronics maker, LG, has introduced new range of Gas Cooker into Nigerian market. A release by the company noted that the introduction of the modern range of gas cookers stem from the challenges of curbing the use of poor cooking appliances in many Nigerian homes The two models of the gas cookers, the company said come with avantgarde features aimed at enhancing cooking experience in households, enabling them enjoy tasty, easy and safe cooking.

General Manager, Home Appliances division, LG Electronics West Africa, Mr. Hyunwoo Jung said the gas cooker is an indispensable appliance in contemporary kitchens, adding that their popularity stems from the fact that they provide users ease of use and a better controlled environment for cooking meals.

Regarding safety, Jung said the cooker comes with flame failure de-

rial regulatory bodies.

The PRCAN President, Mr John Ehiguese at the event explained that the occasion underscored the association’s resolve to strengthen the PR profession in the country and also portray serious-mindedness to national and international communities.

Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, whose president, Dr Rotimi Oladele, was the Chief Host, commended the leadership and members of PRCAN for the groundbreaking development and sought for more collaboration between the association and NIPR, as well as collaboration among the groups in the marketing communications sector.

President of Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria, AAAN, Mr Kelechi Nwosu, President of Experiential Marketers Association of Nigeria, EXMAN, Dr Rotimi Olaniyan; President of Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN, Mr Babatunde Adedoyin; Executive Secretary of Media Independent Association of Nigeria, MIPAN, Mr Ehi Azufeh among others delivered goodwill messages on behalf of their associations and pledged their support Badejo-Okusanya, General Secretary, FAPRA promised more facilities at the office in honour of the pioneer PRCAN President, the Late Chief Toye Ogunnorin.

vice, FFD, designed to stop flammable gas going to the burner of the gas if the flame is extinguished due to overflow of food on the burner, temporary interruption of gas supply, gas underpressure or wind, it also prevent dangerous buildup of gas within the appliance, its chimney or the room.

“This unique feature addresses worries stemming from the concern that gas leakage might cause a fire in the house. It guarantees the safety of user’s house from the fire. Other key features of the cooker are auto ignition, whereby users can easily ignite burner by pushing the knob slightly and turning it to the left’.

LG said the cooker enable householders become professional chefs for their families with the Rotisserie Grilling accessory as they are able to easily cook even large chunk of meat with it. “With the introduction of the LG Cooker, LG Electronics has indicated that it is committed to providing consumers with leading-edge products that will address their peculiar needs”.

Creative industries worth £84.1bn to UK economy

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(L-R) President, Coca-Cola Central East & West Africa, Mr. Kelvin Balogun; Chairman, TGI Group, Mr. Cornelis Vink; Managing Director, Coca-Cola Nigeria Mr. Adeola Adetunji; Group President, Coca-Cola Eurasia & Africa Group. Mr. Nathan Kalumbu and CEO, TGI Group, Mr. Rahul Savara, at the announcement of Coca-Cola’s investment in Chi Limited held in Lagos over the weekend.

DAVID AUDU

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

icola Mendelsohn, the vice president for EMEA at Facebook, has welcomed figures from the government showing that the UK creative industries are worth £84.1 billion to the UK economy.

According to the latest figures from the Department for Culture Media and Sport, the UK’s creative industries grew by 8.9 per cent in 2014, nearly double that of the UK economy as a whole.

The industries generate almost £9.6 million an hour and were worth £84.1 billion to the UK economy in 2014.

In a Facebook post, Mendelsohn, who is also co-chair of the Creative Industries Council, wrote: “Thrilled to see new figures today from @DCMS – the UK Creative Industries are growing twice as fast as the UK economy as a whole.

“As a community, we contributed a record £84.1 billion a year to the UK economy last year – that’s £9.6 million every hour. Our creative industries are thriving, and I can’t wait to see what the next year brings.”

Despite geopolitical instability, potentially higher interest rates and uncertainty over the UK exiting the European Union, the IPA ‘s latest Bellwater Report has seen UK adspend growth projections increase from 3.7 per cent in the third quarter of 2015, to 3.9 per cent for Q4.

However, th report also found that as budget growth is at a three year low. The report highlighted that marketers’ confidence in their industry’s financial prospects remains low at seven per cent, up from 6.8 per cent in the previous survey.

Amazon UK’s annual sales hit £6.3bn

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mazon’s UK sales smashed past the £6 billion mark last year despite tough times in British retailing, accounts show.

The online retail and media giant made $9.03 billion (£6.31 billion) from Britain, up $700 million or 8 per cent on a year earlier.

The rate of growth was slower than in 2014 when it added $1 billion in UK sales to hit $8.34 billion.

However, currency weakness means Amazon’s UK recent growth has been stronger than it looked as the pound-dollar exchange rate fell from $1.65 in 2014 to $1.53 in 2015.

Britain is Amazon’s third biggest market after America and Germany.

UK sales from e-books, electronics and other goods have more than doubled from $4 billion in 2010 and now generate about 8 per cent of the company’s

global sales.

The accounts show Amazon paid only $417 million in corporation tax outside America, despite making $36 billion in sales, and has, until last year, routed most of its UK sales via Luxembourg.

However, in contrast to other tech giants including Google, Facebook and Apple that process their sales offshore, Amazon makes little profit by running at close to break-even. Corporation tax is paid on profits, not sales.

Amazon spent $3.8 billion on advertising and promotional costs, up $500 million from $3.3 billion in 2014.

Although that was at a slower rate than the $900 million increase seen the year before, separate Nielsen figures have shown that Amazon increased its UK ad spend significantly by about 40 per cent during 2015.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Media

Thursday, February 4, 2016

35

Why we launched Nigeria PR Report – Ayeni Leonard Okachie

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ounder and CEO of global communications and public relations organization, BlackHouse Media (BHM), Mr. Ayeni Adekunle has disclosed that the annual Nigerian PR Report was launched to shed more light on the workings of the PR industry in Nigeria.

He added that the aim is to also chronicle the public – and practitioners’ - perception of the industry, with a view to ensuring its development moves apace with global standards of practice and the changing consumer demographics and preferences Nigeria is experiencing.

The group launched its pioneering report on the Nigerian PR Industry recently in Lagos where otable dignitaries from the PR, advertising and academic sectors met, to discuss and review its findings.

The 106-page book is a compendium of quantitative and qualitative research augmented by industry-wide perspective and knowledgeable commentary concerning PR practice in Africa’s largest economy.

Nigeria PR Report is done in collaboration with the group’s research arm – BHM Research & Intelligence (BRI), digital agency ID Africa, and Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN).

Notable dignitaries from the PR, advertising and academic sectors converged on the Protea Hotel, Ikeja, on January 29, 2016 where the report was officially made public, to discuss and review its findings.

“The inaugural Nigeria PR Report is an unbiased endeavour to depict the history, current state, existing challenges and prospects of the PR industry in Nigeria. Despite increasing intervention by PR to help communities, organizations and governments resolve problems they considered insurmountable, there is little data, if any, on the role of in-house PR teams and external consultancies in aiding local and international brands make sense of Nigeria’s chaotic business environment. This is the latest focus of BHM Research and Intelligence,” Ayeni said.

Ayeni disclosed that BHM Research & Intelligence (BRI) is the group’s independent intelligence team working from Nigeria, Germany and England, to gather and analyze data for brands and organizations in public relations, advertising, ICT and Media.

“In particular, achieving the maiden edition of the Nigeria PR Report took almost a year of research, data collation, and analysis.

We aim to make this an annual publication and shore up available information about Nigeria’s formal PR industry,” he added.

The report joins a host of groundbreaking initiatives executed by the BHM Group. In 2014, the company launched Nigeria’s first PR app, simultaneously recording over one billion social media impressions for its portfolio of client campaigns. Recently, BHM Group launched its own digital agency, ID Africa, and has since its inception in 2006 been at the forefront of efforts to develop the media and public relations sector in Nigeria and the rest

Paneli at the launch of Nigeria PR Report, in Lagos, recently. of Africa. Leveraging on its savvy knowledge of African audiences, the group continues to maintain its staying power, as evidenced by a retinue of local and multi-national clients.

BRI’s report covers an overview of public relations in Nigeria, its evolution, and an analysis of BHM’s #PrisDead campaign. For the campaign, about 200 Nigerians from three major cities (Lagos, Port-Harcourt and Abuja) were interviewed for the offline section of the research, with findings already presented in a series of videos, infographics, memes, blurbs and articles.

Also contained is a detailed overview on the perception and reception of PR in Nigeria.

Here, case studies include the defunct Virgin Nigeria, Indomie Noodles and even musicians Don Jazzy, Dr. Sid and Sound Sultan. Readers can also expect inside analysis on challenges such as the “brown envelope” syndrome bedevilling the media industry, and the future of PR with a focus on how social media is disrupting the industry and how practitioners can adapt.

The report concludes powerfully, with the data-rich results of BRI’s survey of PR firms, analysing various indices of the industry, including: revenue; average PR budget; clients & contracts; services offered, as well as age and staff strength of the reviewed firms.

It proffers recommendations, alongside extensive quotes from eminent experts in Nigeria’s PR Industry, including Yomi BadejoOkusanya, MD CMC Connect Burson Marstellar, Biodun Shobanjo, Chairman Troyka Holdings; Chido Nwakanma, MD,Blueflower Communications Limited and John Ehiguese, President, Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN) and CEO of Mediacraft Associates.

The primary audience for the maiden and subsequent issues of the Nigeria PR Report are chief executives, brand managers, students, institutions, journalists, consultants, regulatory bodies and researchers.

Churches urged to disseminate gospel using social media Leonard Okachie

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hurches in the country have been urged to embark on the use of social media in the dissemination of the gospel.

Rev. Henry Adesiji, a cleric with the Anglican Communion, who disclosed this said: :”The social media is fast becoming the norm in communication in all facets of life. ``Every industry and organisation in the country today has found one way or another to integrate the social media into their daily activities. ``They do this especially in branding, customer relations, product promotion and marketing in providing fast-paced solutions in our jet age.The use of the social media in promoting images and activities cannot be overemphasised,’’ Adesiji said that in all the groups and organisations, churches seemed to be the least user of the various social media.

He said that the purpose of the seminar was to enlighten the participants on the ways by which the church could make the best of social media in disseminating the gospel.

Adesiji said that the church could not afford to ignore or downplay the role of the social media.

Meanwhile, a communication specialist, Mr. Yinka Olaito,advised media organisations

Social media icons

to encourage the use of social media, to boost news dissemination.

Olaito, the Chief Executive Officer of the Michael Sage Consulting, Lagos, however, emphasised the need to regulate the use of social media, to avoid pitfalls.

The specialist said that digital media could be used to gather information, break news and check facts, towards disseminating quality news, at all times.

He said: “Media organisations must also formulate social media policies to regulate how their journalists access and use them in their reportage.

“They must have regulation, which should be used as a tool to assist the profession, by promoting, creating and evaluating the individuals on the job. It will, however, be out of place to bar journalists from having social media platforms.’’

Olaito encouraged the use of platforms such as Google, Google Plus, Facebook, Twitter, Skype, Flicker and LinkedIn, for positive interactions and news data collection.

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Media

Thursday, February 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Turkey seeks life Nigeria lags behind in terms for journalists affordable internet –Carmudi T Leonard Okachie

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ith 54-nations and a population of 1.1 billion people experts predict that by the end of 2017 more than 900 million people - about 64% of the population - are likely to own a mobile phone, with some researchers estimating penetration could reach 80% by 2020.

Owning a mobile phone is one step away to connecting to the internet. When you consider that just 1% owned a mobile in 2000, the rate of growth seems all the more astonishing.

Carmudi Nigeria carried out a research on the price of internet broadband across Africa. Nigeria came first in level of internet penetration but scored 7th in affordability as the country has one of the most expensive broadband service.

In Nigeria, 42% of Nigerian citizens have some form of internet access, according to the country’s Federal Ministry of Communication Technology (FMCT).

This was attributed to broadband costing about 30% of a household’s income and half the country’s 167 million people living in unconnected rural areas making

CEO Carmudi Nigeria, Amy Muoneke

take-up of high-speed services is slow.

Carmudi Nigeria’s research showed an increase in 2013 when Nigeria’s internet penetration grew by 200% overtaking South Africa’s 60% to become the country with the largest number of internet users in Africa. South Africa’s internet penetrations became the second highest for all African countries and in third and fourth place is for Morocco (55%) and Egypt (44%) It is well above the figure of 16% for Africa as a whole, and is compa-

rable with the figure of 31% for developing countries worldwide.

A survey on price range of internet service distributed by Carmudi across African countries showed that unlimited fast and reliable internet in Togo cost as low as 5000 naira for a month while the same quality of internet in Ghana cost less than 100 naira daily. In February 2015 a Rwanda 4G internet provider slashed it tariff by 70% automatically becoming the cheapest internet service in Africa.

Carmudi survey showed that Nigeria’s internet tariff on a scale of 1 to 10 ranks 7 in the affordability as it is more expensive than most African countries. The internet has been termed as the fourth pillar of the Nigerian economy, contributing about 7.8% to the country’s GDP. In 2013 Nigeria ranked 142 out of 169 on affordability for fixed internet broad band and it seems not much has changed.

Managing director Carmudi Nigeria Amy Muoneke said : “There are now more than 35 mobile network operators in Africa busily extending their base station networks to improve coverage and it is our hope that in the near future broadband in Nigeria will become more affordable so as to contribute more revenue to the country’s GDP the ever growing e commerce industry.”

Media Abroad

Britain’s Guardian newspaper to cut costs by 20% T

he Guardian newspaper is to cut running costs by 20 percent over three years and may begin charging for some online content following a 25-percent plunge in print advertising, British media reported .

Britain’s Guardian newspaper to cut costs by 20%The Times daily said Guardian staff were expecting 100 jobs to be cut, although The Daily Telegraph said any layoffs would be announced in March.

Executives from Guardian News and Media, the newspaper’s publishers, told staff at a meeting on last Monday that the group would be cutting around £54m (71m euros, $77m) in costs.

Operating losses in the year to March 2015 were expected to be £53m, the executives said, adding that the aim was to break even in three years.

Reserves in the investment fund which supports The Guardian dropped to £735m from £838.3m over the same 12-month period, they said.

“Growing the cost base more than revenue is simply not sustainable,” chief executive David Pemsel was quoted as saying at the meeting.

Pemsel said that the newspaper could even consider moving out of its offices

near King’s Cross station in London although nothing had been decided.

“Are we moving from King’s Cross?

Nope. Are we looking at everything?

Yes,” he said.

The executives declined to comment on potential cuts to The Guardian’s 1,960 staff. The Telegraph said that job losses were due to be revealed in March.

Pemsel ruled out introducing a paywall for The Guardian’s hugely popular website and mobile apps but indicated that one option would be to make some content available for paying members only.

Source: AFP

People demonstrate against the jailing of Can Dundar and Edem Gul, in Ankara, in Novemeber 2015

he International Press Institute (IPI) has condemned Turkish authorities’ presentation of an indictment seeking to imprison journalists Can Dündar and Erdem Gül for life over reports claiming that Turkey’s intelligence agency secretly armed Islamist rebel groups in Syria.

Prosecutors last Wednesday unveiled the indictment, which Turkish newspaper Hürriyet reported charges both journalists with “gathering secret state documents for the purposes of political and military espionage”, “attempting to topple the government of the Republic of Turkey or attempting to stop either partially or totally the government from fulfilling its duties” and “deliberate support for a terrorist organization without being a member”.

If convicted, Dündar and Gül reportedly each face two life terms in prison, plus another 30 years behind bars. The charges are believed to stem from a May 29, 2015 report published in Cumhuriyet that included a video purportedly showing Turkish security forces searching intelligence agency trucks en route to Syria containing crates of ammunition and weapons.

Turkish officials claim the weapons were planted by adherents of a movement led by Islamic cleric Fethullah Gülen, a former allyturned-nemesis of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). Officials have labelled the movement a “terrorist organisation”, claiming it sought to develop a “parallel state” in order to force the AKP government and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan from power.

The president, who brought the criminal case along with Turkey’s intelligence agency, has vowed publicly that the author of the reports would “pay a heavy price”.

IPI has sharply criticised the case, particularly since Dündar and Gül were detained in November following the AKP’s success in repeat parliamentary elections, and IPI Director of Advocacy and Communications Steven M. Ellis renewed that criticism today.

“The case against Can Dündar and Erdem Gül is a travesty, as illustrated by the preposterous nature of the charges set out in the indictment, the outrageous sentences being sought and the fact that they are already behind bars despite having been convicted of no crime. It could not be more clear-cut: these journalists are being punished for doing their jobs and for revealing information about the actions of government officials that those officials would prefer not to be known.”

Ellis was in Turkey as part of a delegation that travelled to the Silivri Prison, where Dündar and Gül are being held, to protest against the government’s refusal to allow anyone but close family, lawyers or MPs to visit the pair.

The delegates represented members of a broad coalition of leading press freedom and free expression groups that have sharply criticised the case against Dündar and Gül.

In addition to IPI, the coalition includes the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), ARTICLE 19, Index on Censorship, the Ethical Journalism Network (EJN), PEN International, the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) and the South East Europe Media Organisation.

Source: ifex.org

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Young & Next Generation

37

Pneumonia kills half a million children in Africa yearly – UNICEF ... Nigeria, highest in Africa Stories By Leonard Okachie

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nited Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF has raised concern about the state of children, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, following its recent report that the region accounts for half of nearly one million children under-five that die from pneumonia every year.

UNICEF stated this when it launched a campaign with its global partners in Ethiopia on Sunday, urging African leaders to increase funding for pneumonia interventions and adopt policy changes to strengthen its treatment at the community level.

Nigeria has the highest number of pneumonia child deaths in Africa, and the second highest in the world after India.

The campaign, Every Breath Counts, was initiated in order to raise awareness around the burden of pneumonia and to galvanize the world to eliminate this preventable and treatable disease of the poor and marginalized children of the world.

The report notes that pneumonia kills nearly one million children under the age of five around the world, causing more deaths than HIV/AIDS, diarrhoea and malaria combined. Progress in the fight against the disease has been slow compared to progress in other leading diseases.

According to the report, childhood pneumonia deaths have fallen by just 50 per cent compared to an 85 per cent decline in measles deaths, and 60 per cent in deaths from malaria, AIDS and tetanus in the last 15 years. Funding has also remained low: For every global health dollar spent in 2011, only 2 cents went to pneumonia.

“Although sub-Saharan Africa accounts for half of pneumonia deaths among children under five worldwide, funding for pneumonia prevention, management and treatment in the region remains low,” said Dr. Mark Young, UNICEF Senior Health Specialist. “More resources and more commitment at the highest level will bring us closer to stopping this disease from being a major child killer.”

Every Breath Counts was launched during the African Union Summit at the General Assembly of the Organisation of African First Ladies against HIV/ AIDS (OAFLA).

The two-year Every Breath Counts campaign will bring pneumonia to the attention of world leaders, policy makers and donors. The campaign will highlight the need to mobilize resources to reduce pneumonia mortality.

It will also call for specific policies

Nigerian children

such as prevention through immunization and reduction of household air pollution, protection through exclusive breastfeeding and by facilitating community access to effective, timely diagnosis and treatment with amoxicillin and oxygen.

By mobilizing public health professionals, environmental groups and government officials through the Every Breath Counts campaign, the Campaign will build cross sectoral momentum against the disease.

Wife of the President of Nigeria, Her Excellency, Aisha Muhammadu Buhari features in a public service announcement that premiered at the launch.

UNICEF underscored the importance of tackling pneumonia through a comprehensive approach that includes universal vaccination, exclusive breastfeeding, clean water, reduction of household air pollution, and early diagnosis and treatment with amoxicillin and oxygen.

In a related development, for the first time since the start of the refugee and migrant crisis in Europe, there are more children and women on the move than adult males, says UNICEF. Children and women now make up nearly 60 percent of refugees and migrants crossing the border from Greece to Gevgelijia in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

It says that children currently account for 36 percent of those risking the treacherous sea crossing between Greece and Turkey. This figure could be higher however as many children do not declare their age until they have reached their destination.

“The implications of this surge in the proportion of children and women on the move are enormous – it means more are at risk at sea, especially now in the winter, and more need protection on land,” said Marie Pierre Poirier, UNICEF’s Special Coordinator for the Refugee and Migrant Crisis in Europe. “Welfare, protection and health systems need to be strengthened at every step of the way so children and women are not exploited or fall between cracks.

Since June of 2015, when men made up 73 percent of the migration flow,

there has been a major spike in the numbers of children and women on the move – accompanied children accounted for one in ten in June 2015 and now account for more than a third of all refugees and migrants.

Although the exact number of unaccompanied and separated children on the move is not known, 35,400 sought asylum in Sweden, mostly young Afghans, while Germany has more than 60,000* unaccompanied adolescents primarily from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq.

UNICEF has emphasized that all children should be prioritized at every step of the way – they need to be fully informed of their rights to claim asylum and to family reunification in Europe.

The best interests of each individual unaccompanied child should be examined before any actions are taken.

38

Young & Next Generation

Thursday, February 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Intel to empower girls with online learning platform Leonard Okachie

I

ntel Corporation has launched an online learning platform, “My Digital Journey”, aimed at providing an opportunity for women to learn, connect and share online.

My Digital Journey is a web-based application with gaming mechanics where women are empowered to learn individually or in a facilitated environment, and with the support of a peer network. My Digital Journey uses case scenarios relevant to women in the form of challenges, which gives them the opportunity to practice solutions before moving on to the next level.

The platform is a new addition to the Intel® She Will Connect program, which aims to bridge the technologygender gap, to teach young women how to leverage the internet and technology to pursue their goals.

Intel® She Will Connect was introduced as a direct response to findings of the Women and the Web Report, which examined women’s access to and use of the Internet in low and middle income countries.

The Report found that, on average, there are nearly 25% fewer women than

Girls in an ICT training class

men are online in developing countries.

This represents 200 million fewer women than men online today. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the size of the gap is 43%— the largest across all the regions in the study.

Launching the programme in Nairobi, Intel Corporation’s Vice President, Director of Corporate Affairs, and President Intel Foundation Ms. Rosalind Hudnell said: “My Digital Jour-

ney provides an opportunity for women and girls in Kenya, Nigeria & South Africa to learn about the internet and benefit from the wealth of information available that will contribute towards achieving their goals and provide access to opportunities.”

Learners on My Digital Journey will receive a digital completion certificate after successfully completing three quests. Each quest comprises 3-6

BellaNaija founder nominated for Kids’ Choice Awards

N

ickelodeon (DStv channel 305) has revealed the nominations for the 2016 Kids’ Choice Awards, the ultimate fan celebration of the best of everything kids love in pop culture.

The nominees reflect the entertainment that audiences see, play, listen to and read in droves, from movies like Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Jurassic World and Pitch Perfect 2, to a host of television shows, music, gaming, books and more.

With the introduction of a new African voting category for best African bloggers, Bellanaija founder, Uche Pedro has been nominated alongside Sylvia Kamau (Kenya), Aisha Baker (South Africa), and Theodora Lee (South Africa).

Other nominees include Adele, Justin Bieber, Jennifer Lawrence, Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez, Chris Pratt, The Weeknd, John Boyega, One Direction, Sofia Vergara, Daisy Ridley, Chris Hemsworth, Nickelodeon’s very own Kira Kosarin, Jack Griffo, Jace Norman and many more.

Multiple new categories have been added to this year’s show, including “Best Blogger” (Africa), “Favourite Collaboration” and “Favourite Cooking Show”.

Stiff competition ignites the television categories as last year’s Favourite Modern Family finds itself neck-and-neck with The Big Bang Theory, garnering four nominations each. Modern Family grabbed its nods for “Favourite Family TV Show”, Rico Rodriguez for “Favourite Male TV Star – Family Show”, while Sofia Vergara and Sarah Hyland battle it out for “Favourite Female TV Star – Family Show.”

The Big Bang Theory is in contention with nominations for “Favourite Family TV Show,” Kaley Cuoco for “Favourite Female TV Star – Family Show” and Jim Parsons and Johnny Galecki rivaling

Uche Pedro - BellaNaija

in the “Favourite Male TV Star – Family Show” title. Meanwhile, the new “Favourite Cooking Show” category heats up, pitting the popular MasterChef Junior and Chopped Junior against Hell’s Kitchen, Cake Boss, Cake Wars and Diners, DriveIns and Dives.

The music categories, which span an eclectic mix of genres, finds vocal power-

Science for Kids Why do dogs cry?

D

ogs cry for several reasons that include anxiety and hunger. Dogs do not shed tears like humans when they are upset or agitated. They express their emotions through high-pitched whining and moaning that is often accompanied by trembling.

Dogs also whine and cry when they interact with new people or unfamiliar animals, as their anxiety leads them to take on a submissive stance. In stressful situations, a dog’s whine is considered an involuntary response.

house Adele against Justin Bieber and Ed Sheeran for “Favourite Song of the Year”, and new kids on the block, Shawn Mendes and Alessia Cara competing for “Favourite New Artist”. Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez are all tied with three nominations each, while artists Drake, The Weeknd and Kendrick Lamar follow closely behind with two.

In the movie categories, Jennifer Lawrence will face off against Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson and Scarlett Johansson for “Favourite Movie Actress”, while Jurassic World, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 and Star Wars: The Force Awakens compete for the title of “Favourite Movie”.

The Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards premieres across Africa on Nickelodeon (DStv channel 305) and Nicktoons (DStv channel 308) at 5:30PM on Wednesday 16 March 2016. The presenting sponsor for the 2016 Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards is the brand new comedy blockbuster “KUNG FU PANDA 3”.

Dogs also whine and cry when they are in pain or have become ill, so it is important for dog owners to take their pets to the veterinarian if the whining starts suddenly and occurs for an extended period of time.

A common behavior for dogs is to whine when they are trying to appease their owners, typically following a scolding or punishment. Appeasing behaviors include tail tucking, rolling over on the back and an avoidance of eye contact.

Since dogs do not shed watery tears when they are expressing emotion, a watery discharge emitting from a dog’s eyes typically points to clogged tear ducts. This condition is referred to as epiphora and can lead to irritation of the skin as well as reddish-brown patches around the eyes.

missions. The first mission may take a learner 15-45 minutes depending on reading speed and the thought put into responding to challenges.

“This learning platform provides women and girls with a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and access additional resources that support learning in a safe environment. Gaining access to the Internet enables women and girls to improve their self-esteem and expression, expand their social and political participation, gain new skills that enable them to obtain formal education, become entrepreneurs, or secure employment, and in addition get access to information and new connections within their communities and beyond,” explained Ms. Hudnell.

Intel believes that educating girls and closing the Internet gender gap has an important multiplier effect—expanding opportunities for families, communities, and nations.

“Through the Intel Global Girls and Women Initiative, we are working to empower millions of girls and women around the world by closing the gender gap in access to education, inspiring more girls and women to become creators of technology and connecting them to opportunity,” noted Ms. Hudnell.

Speaking also at the launch event, UN Women Deputy Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, Simone ellis Oluoch-Olunya, noted that Unlocking gender equality will unlock the growth potential of the continent.

“Grounded in the vision of equality, UN Women believes that technology can be a game-changer for women and girls.

Enhancing women’s economic empowerment is one of the five priority areas of UN Women’s work, therefore this initiative is one of many UN Women is undertaking to advance women’s economic empowerment and support women, particularly from a technology perspective,’’ added Ms. Oluoch-Olunya The Intel® She Will Connect programme aims to reduce the Internet gender gap around the world, through an innovative combination of digital literacy training, an online peer network, and gender-relevant content.

The programme has been rolled out in sub-Saharan Africa, where the gap is the greatest, with initial pilots in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa.

Dog crying

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Thursday, February 4, 2016

39

Akoko communities pray for peace, development Ojo Oyewamide, Akure

C

ommunities across the four local government areas of Akokoland in Ondo State at the weekend organised a prayer session, seeking God’s face for peace and development.

The special prayer was organised by local government chairmen from the area.

They lamented the level of infrastructural decay in Akokoland, agreeing to work towards bringing unprecedented development to the communities.

Olukare of Ikare, Oba Akadiri Momoh, called for peaceful co-existence, particularly during the forthcoming council and governorship elections in the state.

Oba Akadiri, who said the area could only witness unprecedented development in a peaceful atmosphere, urged the people of Akoko to speak with one voice by presenting one credible candidate for the governorship election expected to hold later this year.

Olisua of Isua Akoko, Oba Akinyele Adesunloye, lamented the neglect suffered by Akokoland, saying most politicians representing the area had failed to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.

He said: “We only see these politicians during election campaign, but we will not tolerate this again. Anybody that needs our votes will have to tell us his agenda for the land and what the people of the land will benefit from being our representative.”

Chairman of Akoko North East Local Government, Wale Ozogoro, said the prayer meeting was put together to pray for the development of Akokoland irrespective of political leaning.

Ozogoro said the prayer became imperative for the development of Akoko and stoppage of incessant kidnapping in the area.

“We, the four chairmen in Akokoland, decided to seek the face of God for development of Akoko. We are also here to seek favour from God as election is around the corner.

“We are seeking God’s favour so that we can have a governor from Akoko extraction. Our political leaders and traditional rulers are all yearning for Akoko person to be next governor.

“We did this without looking at the political leaning of anybody. But we look at it from the point of view that Akokoland needs peace and development.

We also look at the issue of kidnapping, seeking the face of God so that this heinous crime will not continue in this area.”

Traders with their wares on Lagos Island

Chris Njoku, Owerri

A

traditional ruler, Eze O.O. Anyanwu of Nguru Nwafor Mbaise in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State has been kidnapped by armed gunmen.

According to police source, Eze Anyanwu, who was kidnapped in front of Crown Plaza Hotel, Owerri on Tuesday last week was driven to unknown destination.

National Mirror gathered that no contact has been made with his abductors since the royal father was kidnapped.

Meanwhile, some traditional rulers yesterday in Owerri, the state capital carried out ritual sacrifice around the city for quick arrest of the perpetrators.

One of the traditional rulers who did not want his name mentioned, said their mission was to evoke the wrath of the gods on the abductors of the

Police hunt for kidnappers of Imo traditional ruler

...Royal fathers carry out rituals to fish out perpetrators royal father.

Speaking to our correspondent in Owerri, the Police spokesman, DSP Andrew Enwerem, described the abduction as unfortunate, saying that officers of the command

are making effort to arrest the kidnappers.

“We are surprised to receive the news of kidnap of one Eze O.O Anyanwu. He was kidnapped in front the Crown Palace Hotel in Owerri here.

Man, 34, docked for raping teenager Wale Igbintade

A

34–year-old man Idoreyin Christopher has been arraigned before an Igbosere Chief Magistrate’s Court Lagos, for allegedly raping a 14year-old girl (name withheld).

The defendant whose address was not given is facing a one count charge bordering on unlawful sexual intercourse preferred against him by the police.

The prosecutor, Inspector FeddyAsu, told the court that the defendant committed the alleged offence sometime in Sep-

NGO trains youth on survival strategies in C`River Richard Ndoma, Calabar

A

Non Governmental Organisation, NGO, Better Life Options and Opportunities Model, BLOOM , has began the training of 1,200 adolescent boys and girls to enable them become self reliant, instead of relying on other people for survival.

According to Mr. Kenneth Oboh, who spoke on behalf of BLOOM said the focus of the programme is to support adolescents (boys and girls) ‘realise their full potentials.’

Oboh pointed out that the

We are making frantic effort to smoke out the kidnappers and rescue the Eze. He explained that the traditional rulers were not protesting, but they were carrying out ritual sacrifice.

training programme is specifically designed for youths who fall within the age limit of 14 –18 years of age to get training on how to become self reliant through various life enhancement skills.

He said;‘the goal of BLOOM is to help these set of youths envision and attain productive future by improving their life skills and capacity to make health choices.’

‘The Better Life and Opportunities Model programme is designed as a non-formal education programme for gendertransformative delivery of life skills and empowerment

of adolescent, particularly girls,’ Oboh maintained that the training programme organised by the NGO is aimed at ‘building youth’s capacities in transferable as well as fostering community and government support for personal and carrier development opportunities for adolescents.’

According to him, the organisation in collaboration with other stakeholders was working relentlessly ‘preparing the next generation of Nigerian youths to acquire the necessary life enhancement skills.’

tember 2015.

He said the incident took place at Ilasan community in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State.

Asu said the defendant unlawfully had carnal knowledge of the victim without her consent.

According to the prosecutor the offence committed is punishable under section 137 of the criminal law of Lagos state 2011.

During the arraigned of the defendant, he pleaded not guilty to the charge against him.

However, Magistrate O.A Ogunbowale, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1million with two sureties in like sum.

She directed that one of the sureties must be a blood relation to the accused person and show evidence of three years tax payment to Lagos State.

The magistrate also stated that the sureties must own property in Lagos State and their addresses verified.

The case was later adjourned till March 29, for mention.

40

Capital Market

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Equities dip N8bn on profit taking Johnson Okanlawon

I

nvestors in equities recommenced profit taking activities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday on the back of recent gains recorded in the previous week.

This led to bearish sentiment in the market, marking the third consecutive day of bearish trading.

Investment analysts at United Capital noted that profittaking activities will continue as the week progresses leading to continual negative closes however the low prices and corporate action may attract bargain hunters.

The All-Share Index lost

228.98 points or 0.9 per cent to close lower at 23,605.89, compared to 0.37 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 23,834.87 points.

Market capitalisation shed N8 billion or 0.9 per cent to close at N8.11 trillion, compared to N8.19 trillion recorded on Tuesday.

An analysis of the price movement table showed that Nigerian Breweries Plc led the losers’ pack with a loss of N4.25 or 4.27 per cent to close at N95.25 per share.

Unilever Plc followed with N1.67 or 4.99 per cent to close at N31.81 per share, while Guaranty Trust Bank Plc trailed with a loss of 84 kobo or 5.13

per cent to close at N15.54 per share.

Zenith Bank Plc declined by 71 kobo or 5.22 per cent to close at N12.90, while UACN Plc dipped by 70 kobo or 3.50 per cent to close at N19.30 per share.

On the other hand, Seplat Plc led the gainers’ table, increasing by N21.94 or 10.25 per cent to close at N236.09 per share.

Seven Up Plc was up N9.95 or 5.62 per cent to close at N186.95 per share, while Guinness Nigeria Plc added N5.56 or five per cent to close at N116.76 per share.

Flourmills Plc increased by N1.83 or 10.14 per cent to close at N19.88 per share, International Breweries Plc added N1.02 or

6.07 per cent to close at N17.82 per share.

Further analysis showed that Wema Bank Plc recorded the highest volume, exchanging 1.13 million shares worth N1.91 million.

FBN Holdings Plc followed with 35.58 million shares valued at N141.15million, while Guaranty Trust Bank Plc sold 27.89 million shares worth N422.14 million.

Zenith Bank Plc exchanged 24.23 million shares valued at N320.18 million, while Transcorp Plc sold 12.57 million shares at N14.53 million.

In all, investors spent N2.91 billion on 1.31 units of shares in 4,012 deals.

Flour Mills records highest gains in 14 months Johnson Okanlawon

F

lour Mills rose the most in 14 months as a stake sale to Lafarge Africa Plc last year buoyed profit.

The shares jumped 10 per cent to N19.88 on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, the biggest advance since December 3, 2014.

Net income for the nine months through December rose to N19 billion, compared with N3.3 billion a year earlier.

A consumer analyst at Vetiva Capital Management Limited Efemena Esalomi, said profit arose from exceptional income of about N24 billion from the stake sale, which is

a big leap in a period of economic downturn.

Lafarge Africa in November agreed to purchase Flour Mills’ 30 per cent holding in United Cement Company of Nigeria.

Flour Mills’ shares have declined 4.4 per cent this year compared to a 17 per cent retreat by the 179-member Nigerian Stock Exchange All Share Index.

A statement from the company explained that despite the pressure on top line sales, coupled with operational and logistics issues in Apapa, the group and company succeeded in growing revenues by eight per cent year-on-year.

“The improved top line growth was impacted by devaluation of the Naira which led to rising input costs. In addittion, the decline in Profit Before tax was partly driven by higher financing cost.

“It is pleasing to note that a gain of N23.7 billion realized on sale of the remaining 15 per cent of the Group investment in United Cement Company of Nigeria Limited was a big boost to the Group’s bottom line,” the company said.

It noted that in the light of the current difficult economic environment and tremendous pressure on margins, the management will continue to optimize production levels, costs

and sales matrix in order to deliver stronger growth and earnings during the second half of the financial year.

The financial statements of the company for nine months ended December 31, 2015 incorporate those of Golden Transport Company Limited, Golden Noodles Company Limited, New Horizon Limited, FMN Cement Industries Nigeria Limited and Quilvest Properties Limited, which has been merged with Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc in line with an order of the Federal High Court, Lagos dated October 19, 2015 duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission.

Stocks’ apathy trails higher oil prices

A

rise in oil prices yesterday failed to lift European stocks, which instead sagged on weak earnings, prompting investors to seek safety in the Japanese yen, gold and low-risk government debt.

US crude moved back above $30 a barrel and global benchmark Brent rose 52 cents to $33.24 after Russia reiterated its openness to talking with OPEC about output cuts - but only after a third consecutive day of oil price losses in Asia had weighed on regional stock markets.

Wall Street, however, looked set to open about 0.2 per cent higher, according to index futures.

Oil prices, down 70 per cent in the last 18 months as investors have fretted about global growth and an economic slowdown in China, have been a major factor behind a torrid start to the year for stocks.

The pan-European FTSEu-

rofirst 300 index is down nearly 10 percent this year while the US S&P 500 has lost 6.9 per cent.

Market turmoil has in turn boosted expectations of further central bank stimulus measures. The Bank of Japan last week became the latest major central bank to introduce negative interest rates. Many in markets expect the European Central Bank will ease policy further next month.

“There is still a lot of vulnerability in stock markets and the euro remains quite strong, which is adding pressure on the ECB to take action,” BNP Paribas European rate strategist, Patrick Jacq said.

The FTSEurofirst 300 stocks index fell 0.3 per cent on Wednesday, hit by weak earnings reports, although Swiss seeds and pesticides group Syngenta rose six per cent after ChemChina agreed to buy the company for $43 billion.

Germany’s DAX index slid one per cent and Britain’s FTSE 100 was off 0.5 per cent.

Data on Wednesday showed euro zone businesses had a disappointing start to 2016, with growth in January matching the worst seen last year.

On Wednesday, MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell 1.7 per cent.

Japan’s Nikkei closed down 3.2 per cent, hit by weak oil and a strong yen, wiping out almost all the gains it made after the BOJ became the latest major central bank to introduce negative interest rates.

Chinese shares dipped 0.4 per cent.

Stock market weakness has driven investors into the shelter of low-risk government debt. Two-year yields on bonds from euro zone benchmark issuer Germany and Japanese five- and 10year yields hit record lows on

Wednesday.

Yields on 10-year U.S. Treasury bonds hit 10-month lows on Tuesday.

Germany sold nearly 4 billion euros of five-year binds at a record low yield at auction of -0.24 per cent.

Rate (%) Inflation

8.2

MPR

13

Crude oil price

$58.96

Source: NSE

Inter-Bank Rate Naira

US Dollar

$1

N196.98 Market indicators All-Share Index 23,605.89 points Market capitalisation 8.12trn

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

SEPLAT

214.15

236.09

21.94

10.25

FLOURMILL

18.05

19.88

1.83

10.14

INTBREW

16.80

17.82

1.02

6.07

7UP

177.00

186.95

9.95

5.62

GUINNESS

111.20

116.76

5.56

5.00

STERLNBANK

1.70

1.78

0.08

4.71

AGLEVENT

0.75

0.78

0.03

4.00

MANSARD

2.13

2.20

0.07

3.29

NEM

0.69

0.71

0.02

2.90

FO

282.94

283.50

0.56

0.20

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

13.61

12.90

-0.71

-5.22

GUARANTY

16.38

15.54

-0.84

-5.13

PORTPAINT

3.80

3.61

-0.19

-5.00

UNILEVER

33.48

31.81

-1.67

-4.99

CCNN

10.08

9.58

-0.50

-4.96

TRANSEXPR

1.27

1.21

-0.06

-4.72

CUSTODYINS

4.07

3.88

-0.19

-4.67

LIVESTOCK

1.31

1.25

-0.06

-4.58

SKYEBANK

1.13

1.08

-0.05

-4.42

UNITYBNK

0.69

0.66

-0.03

-4.35

ZENITHBANK

CLOSING

FGN Bonds

Offer

Bid

Description

Price

Yield

Price

Yield

15.10 27-APR-2017

1.23

105.38

10.29

106.38

9.45

16.00 29-JUN-2019

3.40

113.61

11.08

114.61

10.75

15.54 13-FEB-2020

4.03

110.29

12.22

111.29

11.92

16.39 27-JAN-2022

5.98

117.57

12.17

118.57

11.95

14.20 14-MAR-2024

8.11

110.08

12.20

111.08

12.02

10.00 23-JUL-2030

14.47 84.86

12.26

85.86

12.09

Closing Market Prices of February 3, 2016

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

Exchange

Rates (N)

05-May-16

4.54

4.59

WAUA

270

USD

196.98

04-Aug-16

7.57

7.87

EURO

214

19-Jan-17

8.45

8.45

CFA

0.32

YEN

1.64

Tenor

Rate (%)

SWISS FRANC

202

O/N

5.1250

POUNDS STERLING

293

1M

8.7306

3M

10.2206

SDR

273

NIBOR

6M

11.5914 CBN Clearing Rates of January 7, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South South

Thursday, February 4, 2015

41

Itsekiri leaders raise alarm over alleged fraud in DESOPADEC Elo Ogwara WARRI

I

tsekiri Leaders of Thought, ILOT, has raised the alarm over incessant fraud and corruption in Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, since inception in 2007.

In a press release signed by its National Secretary, Mr. Edward Ekpokpo, the group also called on other stakeholders of the inter-

vention agency to take their destiny in their hands and rise against such corrupt practices, which it described as “a political brigandage to our commonwealth.”

It would be recalled that late last year, several allegations were made by some Itsekiri groups on the siphoning of funds and incompletion of projects meant to develop oil bearing communities by the commission.

Expressing concern over the billions of naira paid for projects across Itsekiri com-

C’River retirees protest non-payment of gratuity Richard Ndoma CALABAR

A

bout 120 retirees in Cross River State yesterday protested at the Governor`s Office, Calabar, to register their grievances before Governor Ben Ayade, over non-payment of five months gratuity.

The protesters carried placards with different inscriptions on the cardboards, which read: ‘Retirees are dying of hunger and neglect’, ‘Why have we been reduced to and forced to become beggars and borrowers?’ No gratuity for five years, why?’

‘Pay us our gratuity so that we can access medical attention,’ among others.

Spokesman for the protesters, Pastor Joshua Idang, claimed that government had refused to pay them their entitlements right from 2011 till date, stressing that the situation had made them to continue to live like paupers.

The protesters` spokesman accused the government of being insensitive to the plight of the retirees without taking into consideration that they once served the state meritoriously for 35

Marcus Fatunmole ABUJA

A

Delta State High Court sitting in Effurun has ordered that two suspected fraudsters be remanded in prison custody pending when they will meet bail conditions.

The suspects, Festus Ozemoya and Isaac Ozemoya, are standing trial on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, issuance of dud cheque and obtain-

years.

“After serving the state actively for 35 years, we have been neglected to die of hunger and starvation. We have been suffering. Our children have dropped out of school because we can no longer pay their fees.

“Since 2011 till now we have not been paid our gratuity and it has never happened like this before. After 35 years of active service to the state we deserve our gratuity.

“We are part and parcel of this government and we want them to act fast to ensure that our five months gratuity is paid without further delay” He said.

Reacting, the Cross River State Head Service, Ekpenyong Henshaw, while addressing the protesters at the main gate of the governor’s Office, lauded the retirees for not embarking on violence, adding that it was fine that their demonstration was peaceful, stressing that the state government was quite aware of their predicament assuring them that government is currently working out modalities to ensure that backlog of arrears of gratuity are being cleared within the shortest possible time.

munities in Warri South, Warri South-West and Warri North Council areas in the state over the years, ILOT disclosed that on investigation of the said allegations, most of the DESOPADEC projects were found to have been abandoned, poorly done or does not even exist.

Describing the commission as a “cesspool of fraud, corruption, maladministration and a favour dishing government agency,” the release said the need to cry out became urgent having gotten wind of

pressure on both the governor and the DESOPADEC boss to pay for some of these “phony projects”.

According to the release, some of the projects include the fully-paid for development of Ugborodo New Town at N1billion, the construction of Recreation Beach in Koko at over N1.2billion, drainage, sand-filling and landscaping at Ogidigben Grammar School Hostel & Dining Hall at the contract sum of N150million, acquisition/construction of Model Secondary Schools in

Koko at the sum of over N3.8billion, an unexecuted supply and installation of 250KVA Generator at the Koko General Hospital awarded at 30 million naira, to mention a few.

“This exercise which was randomly carried out covered only about 15% of the about 400 projects awarded by DESOPADEC in Itsekiri communities in the three (3) Warri local government areas of Delta State. The revelation here is just a tip of the ice berg as more damning revelations will be made subsequently

L-R : Denmark Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Torben Gotiermann; Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel; wife of the Ambassador, and State Deputy Governor Moses Ekpo, during a courtesy visit of the Ambassador to the governor at Government House, Uyo, yesterday.

A’Ibom seeks bilateral trade relation with Denmark

A

kwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, says his administration has opened its doors for bilateral economic cooperation in the area of agriculture, logistics and maritime to the Republic of Denmark.

Governor Udom Emmanuel stated this during a courtesy call on him by Denmark Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Torben Gotiermann, at Government House, Uyo. Mr Emmanuel said his administration, which is committed to industriali-

sation, would develop the maritime sector with requisite manpower to sustain the sector.

He pointed out that the state has a large coastal region with a natural drought of about 17.73 metres and its nearness to the high sea supports the establishment of a Deep Seaport and called on Denmark to take advantage of the investment opportunities in the trans shipment and other aspects of the Maritime sector to boost trade in the Gulf of Guinea.

On agriculture, the gov-

ernor said the evergreen vegetation, which the state is endowed with, supports all round cultivation of food and cash crops and expressed the need to partner the Republic of Denmark in the education of it citizens in various fields to enhance technological advancement.

He said Denmark with a high Gross Domestic Product is noted for its stable economy and thanked the ambassador for the visit, assuring him of a conducive business environment.

Earlier, the visiting Den-

Court remands 2 suspects over N17m fraud ing by false pretence to the tune of N17 million.

A statement made available to National Mirror by spokesperson of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, yesterday, said the commission has arraigned the accused.

Festus Ozemoya was accused of fraudulently collecting two million naira

as our Assessment Team turn in its report.

“We have to cry out now as we are aware that there are strong pressures on both the governor and the new Board of DESOPADEC by contractors for payment of outstanding projects works for all these phony projects.

DESOPADEC fund is meant to develop oil producing areas and not to be used as a personal fund to be dispensed at will for the benefits of political cronies instead of oil bearing communities,” the statement read.

from the petitioner, Jane Alabi, with an agreement that the money would be refunded within seven months. He was also accused of introducing Isaac Ozemoya to the petitioner as his business partner.

According to the release, one of the four-count charge read that first accused approached the petitioner sometime in April, 2014 to solicit funds

to finance a project he allegedly secured with Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, for installation of pumps at Oziegbe Flow Station in Koko, Delta State.

“Using the same modus operandi, the accused person again swindled the complainant to the tune

N12 million naira” after allegedly introducing his accomplice. The petitioners approached the EFCC, after efforts to get her monies back failed, the release said. The release said the accused pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them. “In view of their plea, counsel to EFCC, Sadiq Hussaini, urged the court to fix a date to commence trial.

mark Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Torben Gotiermann, lauded the infrastructural development in Akwa Ibom.

He said the state has viable economic potentials that could be exploited to boost the economy and that it shares a lot of similarities with his home country, Denmark.

Mr Gotiermann commended the industrialisation drive of the state noting that AkwaIbom is the first state he has visited outside Abuja and Lagos and assured of his country’s readiness to partner the state in its development effort.

Mr Gotiermann was accompanied on the visit by his wife while the Secretary to the State Government, Sir Ettekamba Umoren, Commissioner, Youth and Sports, Mr Monday Uko, his counterpart in the Housing and Urban Renewal Ministry, Mr Eno-obongUwa, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Victor Antai and Chairman Foreign Direct Investment, Mr Victor Ukpe , were on hand to receive the Danish Envoy.

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Thursday, February 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Army won’t give up on missing Chibok girls, says GOC JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

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Bauchi State Governor Muhammed Abubakar (L) welcoming World Bank team leader, Alhaji Wakil Adamu to his office, during the visit of the EU/UN and World Bank Assessment Team on insurgency In Bauchi, yesterday.

N11.5bn fraud: Bank MD remanded in prison ...as EFCC slams 24-count charge on Bishop, three others

JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

F

ederal High Court sitting in Jos, Plateau State capital, yesterday ordered Managing Director, Dadin Kowa Micro Finance Bank Limited in Jos, Mr Irmiya Maman Jatau, to be remanded in prison custody.

This is as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, also filed a 24-count charge of corruption against the Bishop of Maranatha Churches, Jonas Katung, at the same court presided over by Justice M. H. Kurya.

The bank MD, Bishop Jonas Katung, Okewole Dayo, as well as Dadin Kowa Micro-Finance Bank Limited were four accused persons standing trial before the court for the roles they played in defrauding over 64,000 customers of the defunct Covenant Fadama Cooperative Society of fund said to run into N11.5 billion.

Some of the 24-count charge preferred against

the accused by the EFCC, which were read before them in court yesterday included: “that you Okewole Dayo, Bishop Jonas Katung, Dadin Kowa Micro Finance Bank Limited and Maman Irmiya Jatau, sometime in 2012 under the jurisdiction of this court did conspire with yourselves to commit money laundering contrary to section 18a of the Money Laundering and Prohibition Act 2011 as Amended by the Money Laundering and Prohibition Act 2012 and punishable under section15, subsection 3 of the same act.

That you Okewole Dayo and Bishop Jonas Katung being Secretary and Chairman of Fadama Covenant Fadama Cooperative Society sometime in 2012 within the jurisdiction of this court did transfer the sum of N50 million from Covenant Fadama Cooperative Society account to First Bank account number 2003050001625 into the Dadin Kowa Micro Finance, First Bank account Num-

ber-2016452671 which sum represents proceeds of unlawful acts and therefore committed an offence contrary to section 15, sub section 25 of the Money Laundering and Prohibition Act 2011 as Amended by Money Laundering Amendment, Prohibition Act 2012 and punishable under section 54 of the same act, among others When the charges were read, the accused persons pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

However, this was after the Bishop had earlier pleaded guilty in one of the 24 count charges before he suddenly changed his mind.

Bishop Katung had earlier been granted bail in the same case on December 9, 2015 before the case was mentioned yesterday.

Prosecution counsel from the EFCC led by L .P Asor said the bail application earlier granted to the accused persons did not include the Managing Director of Dadin Kowa Micro Finance Bank since

no charge was preferred against him as at the time the bail application was granted to the Bishop who is the first accused person.

According to the EFCC, the charges against the bank MD were only filed two days ago.

However, while arguing the bail application, counsel to the Bank MD, Mr G G Achi argued that the bail granted to the first accused person should also apply to the bank MD since he is one of the co-accused persons in the entire case.

After hearing the argument from both the defence and prosecution counsel, the presiding judge, ruled in favour of the prosecution counsel and ordered that the bank MD be remanded in prison custody pending when his bail application would be properly brought before the court and considered while the bail earlier granted the Bishop continued.

He then adjourned the case till March,7th for further hearing.

Katsina LGAs squandered N600bn in 8 years –Masari JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

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hirty-four local government areas in Katsina State squandered N600 billion in the last eight years.

Governor Aminu Bello Masari stated this yesterday when he received Senior Staff Association of the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University in his office.

Masari said the amount was from the federal allocation and internally generated revenue, but the council areas had nothing to show for the money received.

He said the funds were not properly utilised within the period it was received, especially for the benefit of people living in rural areas.

The governor said it was discovered that funds that were meant for pub-

lic schools were diverted for other purposes during the past eight years of the last administration, adding that it was due to such diversion that the sector had been performing below expectations, with the sector now in dire need of overhauling.

Masari said out of 2,200 primary schools in the state, only 147 were in good condition for teaching and

learning.

He, however, said a committee had been set up under his administration to look into the challenges facing the sector, with a view to restoring its lost glory.

Earlier, chairman of the association, Comrade Salihu Hassan, called on the state government to assist the association in its proposed housing estate.

eneral Officer Commanding 3 Division, Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Mohammed Sani Aliyu, has said the Nigerian Army will not give up on the search for the abducted Chibok school girls until they were found.

The missing girls have been in captivity of the Boko Haram sect since April 14, 2014, when they were abducted from their hostels by the sect members.

Since the abduction, the military have been combing the North East region, including the Sambisa Forest where the girls were believed to have been kept. But so far, not a single girl from the over 200 students has been found.

The GOC, who spoke during a media parley at the division’s headquarters in Jos, said the military would spare nothing at bringing back the girls.

He said: “President Muhammadu Buhari has directed that we do everything possible to find the missing girls. We take the directive seriously and we are doing all we can to locate them. So, the issue of giving up on search for the girls does not arise because we are very much committed to the mandate.”

The GOC, who assumed duty last December also gave an appraisal of the ongoing war against terrorism in the North East region where the 3 Armoured Division under his command is currently engaged in counter insurgency operations According to him, the military had succeeded in weakening the attack capabilities of the sect members unlike the situation in the past where such attacks were common.

He however, noted that the terrorists have recently only resorted to attacking soft targets warning members of the public to be security conscious always especially regarding strange people and objects as the sect members might hide under such to carry on their devilish activities.

The GOC maintained that no territory under his areas of operation in the North East was still under the control of the Boko Haram.

He attributed the normalcy that has returned to the area to what he called “increased collaboration with our Cameroun, Chad and Nigerien neighbours against the insurgents” The GOC disclosed that the Chief of Army Staff had taken delivery of new equipment to fight the insurgents to the end.

Tambuwal signs N174bn 2016 budget into law

S

okoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, on Wednesday signed the 2016 appropriation bill into law with a pledge to fully implement the budget for the benefit of citizens of the state.

Speaking at an event to commemorate the signing in Sokoto, Tambuwal said considering the precarious financial situation confronting the country at present, all avenues of revenue leakages will be blocked.

“Let me say it here that any attempt to embezzle the little resources we have will not be tolerated. We are giving the issue of internal revenue generation all the seriousness it deserves. Any government official found dipping his or

her hands in the till will be dismissed and prosecuted,” the governor said.

While commending the state’s legislature for the expeditious manner it handled the budget proceedings, Tambuwal called for the support of the people in achieving the laudable objectives set in the budget.

Earlier in his remarks, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Salihu Maidaji, said the total figure of N174 billion as presented by the governor in December was not altered, but changes were made to sectoral allocations to emphasise areas of priorities.

He said this year’s budgeting process was more all-inclusive, participatory and transparent as it had active input of development partners and civil society organisations.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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This is to notify the general public that the original letter of Grant of plot No. 1980 with file No. RES/2008/2775, Grant No. 013326, situated at Dangoro in Kumbotso Local Government of Kano State, in favour of ALHAJI HALADU MUSA got missing. All efforts made to trace the missing letter of grant proved abortive. General public and authorities concerned please take note.

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PUBLIC NOTICE

NANKA YOUTH ASSOCIATION

The general public is hereby notified that the above Association has Applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for Registration Under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Acts, 1990 THE TRUSTEES ARE: OFOJEBE CHUKWUEBUKA MOSES OKAFOR ENGE.TOCHUKWU ATUILI ENGR. UZOCHUKWU ANIMALU

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Thursday, February 4, 2016

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CHAIRMAN

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To promote socio- cultural awareness among Nanka youths.

To provide a regular forum for Nanka to associate freely with one another.

To pursue development ventures and social welfare programmes for the benefit and welfare of all Nanka Youths and Nanka people in general.

To encourage political participation and socio- economic involvement among Nanka Youths.

To provide adequate security to the inhabitant of Nanka by ridding the community of hoodlums and other undesirable elements.

To protect, preserve and where necessary improve on the cultural values and heritage of the people pf Nanka.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama , Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Uchechukwu Onyekachi Esq.

I formerly MISS OLAPITE BUKOLA now MRS BANKOLE BUKOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public to please note.

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This is to inform the general public of the loss of Survey plan, Land receipt, pension paper issued by Lagos State Judiciary and valuable documents of property belonging to Alhaji Olabanjo Tijani Olajubu, to fire incident that occurred 10th day July, 2014, No.9, Oluwoga Street, Ikorodu, Lagos. All efforts to trace them prove abortive.

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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Police nab 9 Fulani militia suspects in Taraba Justin Tyopuusu Jalingo

T

araba State Police Command said it has arrested nine suspected Fulani militia while attempting to attack a village in Takum Local Government Area.

Police Commissioner, Mr. Shaba Alkali, who disclosed this in Jalingo, yesterday, while parading the suspects, said the police, acting on a tip-off, arrested the Fulani militia with guns, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons.

Shaba explained that on receipt of information from one Danaldi Samari that some armed Fulani militia was attempting to attack Simta village, policemen were drafted to the area and the suspects were arrested.

“On interrogation, the suspects claimed to be members of a vigilante group from Bali sent by their chairman to recover stolen cows from one Alhaji Bello.

“Our experience over

the years has shown that some members of the vigilante group are usually criminals hiding in vigilante uniform.

“Vigilante members don’t have powers on their own to work inde-

pendent of the police.

I want to warn them to desist from working without police supervision and carrying prohibited firearms without licenve,” he said.

The commissioner

also paraded a 22 year old Yahaya Musa with AK47 riffle, Suleiman Musa with 37 rounds of ammunition and 19 years old Hassan Umaru, who was also arrested with AK47 riffle and 37 round

of life ammunition, one native charm vest and knife.

The police said the cases were still undergoing investigation and the suspects would be charged to court soon.

Joint security operation recovers 135 cows in Katsina James Danjuma Katsina

A

joint security operation has recovered 135 cows and three donkeys from cattle rustlers in Batsari Local Gover nment Area in Katsina State.

The recovery followed request by Gover nor Aminu Bello Masari some two weeks ago for military presence in Batsari and its surrounding

council areas.

Several parts of the state, especially the south, which is close to Rugu Forest, have witnessed cases of rustling in recent months.

The forest, which extends to neighbouring Zamfara and Kaduna states, as well as Niger Re public, has been a hideout for suspected rustlers.

Leader of the joint security operation, 2nd Lt. Olaniyi Olade-

po, handed over the animals to the state’s Committee on Peaceful Coexi s t e n c e b e t we e n H e rd s m e n a n d F a r m e r s ye s t e rd ay.

Oladepo said the operation was made p o s s i b l e by t h e e f forts of vigilante g ro u p s, wh o a re f a m i l i a r w i t h t h e f o re s t a n d t h e e nv i ro n m e n t i n wh i c h t h e r u s t l e r s o p e r a t e.

H e, h oweve r, c a l l e d o n t h e s t a t e g ove r n ment and committee

members to assist the joint security operat i o n t o e n abl e t h e m carry out their operat i o n e f f e c t ive ly.

Chair man of the c o m m i t t e e, N u h u A b dulkadir Rimi called o n p e o p l e i n t h e a re a a lw ay s c o m e fo r w a rd w i t h u s e f u l i n fo r m a tion on rustlers and their sponsors.

R i m i , wh o i s a l s o t h e K a u r a n K at s i n a and Hakimin Rimi, both traditional tit l e s, h oweve r w a r n e d

t h ose whose animals had been stolen not to inflate the number.

He said herdsmen, who lie about the number of their stolen animals should be ready to bear the consequences should their actions be discovered.

Our

correspondent

reports that four herdsmen came forward to identify their animals and move same to grazing grounds.

Assembly directs Niger govt to pay Jan salary Priscilla Dennis Minna

N

iger State House of Assembly has directed the state government to commence immediate payment of January salaries of workers.

The directive was CHANGE OF NAME

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sequel to an earlier order from organised labour to the state government on Tuesday, demanding the pay of salaries within three days, failure of which there would be industrial action.

Speaking on the delayed salaries under matters of urgent CHANGE OF NAME

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PUBLIC NOTICE

GOD’S JEWEL ORPHANAGE HOME THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

NAMES OF TRUSTEES 1.

2.

3.

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ENIOLA GIDEON SHOLA ENIS TITILAYO DEBORAH FAGBIRE TAIWO JACCOB OLOYEDE AKANNI OLAYIWOLA OLOYEDE RAPHAEL KEHINDE

-CHAIRMAN -VICE CHAIRMAN -SECRETARY -TREASURER

AIMS/OBJECTIVES (1) TO MEET THE NEEDS OF ORPHANS, MOTHERLESS, NEEDY, ABANDONED AND DUMPED BABIES POPULATION, IN THE CARE OF OUR LORD WHILE DEVELOPING AN ORPHANAGE COMPLEX, INCLUDING SHELTERS, A SCHOOL AND A MEDICAL CLINIC, RECREATIONAL CENTER ON LAND OWNED BY THE ORGANIZATION. (2) TO CONTRBUTE TO DEVELOPMENT OFOUR SOCIETY ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FOWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY.

public importance, the lawmaker representing Paikoro Constituency, Abdulmalik Kabir, noted that in the past, workers in the state received their salaries before the 25th of every month.

Kabir said no explanation or apoloCHANGE OF NAME

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gies have been given to the state workers, pointing out that the reason offered by the Head of Service was not acceptable.

After the deliberation, Deputy Speaker, Husseni Ibrahim, who presided, directed the state government to effect the payment of emolument of civil servants, while urging the Clerk of the House to relay their decision to the ExecCHANGE OF NAME

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utive.

Subsequently, the Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Mohammed Bashir Lokogoma was then directed to ensure the directive was fully implemented.

Head of Service, HOS, Alhaji Mohammed Maude Lapai, had stated that the delay in the payment of salaries was due to the ongoing verifiCHANGE OF NAME

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cation exercise However, this position was contradicted by the leader of the consultancy firm handling the verification exercise, Sa’adatu Bakrin-Ottun Sally, who said the exercise would not affect payment of salaries.

According to her, there was no basis for not paying civil servants their salaries because of the verification exercise.

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This is to certified that UHUEGWU LOUIS NNAEMEKA UMEZURUIKE declares his full names as UHUEGWU LOUIS NNAEMEKA UMEZURUIKE, that henceforth wish to be called and addressed as UHUEGWU LOUIS NNAEMEKA UMEZURUIKE. All former documents remain valid.

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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Photo

Thursday, February 4, 2016

NEWS

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Chrisland High School, Victoria Garden City (VGC) Lagos, Career Day 2016

Opening remarks by Vice Principal, Academics, Mr. Olaleye Francis.

Keynote Speaker, Dr. Fakorede Olajide

Cross Section of participants from Dowen College

Career talk by former Student of the School. Mr. Damilola Bolarin.

Musical presentation by Chrisland High School, VGC.

Cross Section of participants from Chrisland High School, VGC, Lagos.

(High Table) Consisting of Guest Speaker and School Administrators, L-R: Dr. Fakorede Olajide, Mr. Ogunyakin Omoniyi, VP Academics Mr. Olaleye Francis, Barrister Nosiri Promise, Engr.

Sikuade and Dr. Mrs. Ezeoma Ifeoma.

Cross Section of participants from Chrisland Pre – Degree College Lekki, Lagos.

Career Day 2016 Planning Committee with the School Vice Principal Academics, Mr. Olaleye Francis and Vice Principal Amin, Mrs Olam Blessing.

Thursday September 4, 2014

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Thursday, February 4, 2016

Int’l Marathon: Lagos to restrict movement on route

Wolves can’t stop Etebo’s Euro move –LMC

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Sport

God listens to me everywhere – except on the golf course –Billy Graham

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he League Management Company (LMC) has declared that Europe-bound Nigeria U-23 star, Oghenekaro Etebo, does not have a contract with Warri Wolves and he is therefore a free player.

“Etebo’s contract with Wolves ended on January 10 and so he is a free player,” disclosed a top official of the LMC. This is a sharp departure by the Wolves officialdom, which has maintained the player still has a contract with them and any transfer negotiations have to be routed through them.

It was based on this position that they slammed a $2 million price on the player.

Attacking midfielder Etebo joined hometown club Wolves in the 2013 season from Lord Honour FC. The 20-year-old star, whose idol is Manchester United striker, Wayne Rooney, inspired Nigeria to win the U-23 AFCON in Senegal last December, when he scored twice in the final against Algeria.

He exploits at this tournament will go on to fetch him the CAF Most Promising Player for the past year.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Etebo

CHAN: DR Congo beat Guinea, in final

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emocratic Republic of Congo yesterday, beat Guinea 5-4 on penalties to book their place in the final of the 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN) - the game was deadlocked at 1-1 after extra-time.

The Leopards will face either the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire or Mali’s Eagles in the final this Sunday.

Both goals came in extra-time with Jonathan Bolingi opening the scoring in the 102nd minute before Ibrahima Sory Sankhon netted the equaliser in extratime stoppage time at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali..

Sankhon had the best chance of the first-half, his rasping free-kick from 35 yards forcing DR Congo goalkeeper Ley Matampi into a smart save.

The Horoya midfielder was Guinea’s main protagonist and should’ve opened the scoring on 57th minutes, his header at-

tempt straight at Matampi who parried the ball onto the post before diving on the rebound.

DR Congo’s best chance of regulation time came on 87 minutes. Doxa Gikanji unlucky to see a trademark drive from distance canon of the crossbar.

Bolingi latched onto a Guy Lusadisu DR Congo players celebrating their final berth yesterday

cross to open the scoring in the 102nd minute of extra-time, his diving header from close range leaving Abdoul Aziz Keita with little chance.

Florent Ibenge’s troops looked home and dry, but up popped Sankhon who leveled matters in the 121st minute of the game.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Sports

Thursday, February 4, 2016

ven with 500 days still to go before the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 kicks off, the host country is already relishing the arrival of some real champions. A mood of huge celebration is in the air, right across Russia.

From June 17 to July 2, 2017, the six continental champions will join the Russian hosts and the 2014 FIFA World Cup winners, Germany, for this star-studded tournament And for the first time, the Official Emblem has been inspired by the tournament’s coveted trophy, representing the dream of the eight competing teams to hold it aloft in Russia next year.

Just as the official emblem of the ”Festival of Champions” was being unveiled in Moscow yesterday, other cities all over the country took turns to celebrate the landmark date of 500 days to go until the start of the tournament.

Around 1,000 people gathered for celebratory events in the seaside city of Sochi on South Pier Square, not far from the city’s famous port. What could be better than playing sport in the fresh Black Sea air in unusually warm Russian winter temperatures of 10°C? The festivities didn’t end there either, as the day began in one of Russia’s warmest cities with a lesson on football being given in 66 schools throughout Sochi.

More than 6,000 pupils learned about the history of the Confederations Cup and the tournament participants, as well as studying what the trophy looks like and the meaning of its design.

“I didn’t know a lot about the Confederations Cup before, but now I’m really looking forward to this tournament and I will do everything to get to the stands”, 11-year-old Ivan from one of the schools couldn’t hide his excitement.

Confederations Cup

Moscow marks 500 days to go

Karembu

Int’l Marathon: Lagos to restrict movement on route Francis Suberu

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he Lagos State Government yesterday announced restriction of movement in some of the major highways to be used for Saturday’s International Marathon scheduled to start by 7am at National Stadium Surulere.

Restriction of traffic will start from 6:30am and end at 1pm.

The Lagos International Marathon, which was last held in 1983, is billed to be attended by over 20,000 athletes, including over 20 world class marathoners.

Speaking during a press conference, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Transportation, Prince Olanrewaju Elegushi, disclosed that the marathon will start from the National Stadium and move to Anthony, and thereafter to Gbagada Road, Third Mainland Bride through Alfred Rewane to Lekki Ikoyi Bridge and terminate at Eko Atlantic City.

According to Elegushi, all traffic flow and access from Alaka and Alhaji Masha to

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National Stadium towards Ojuelegba and along Western Avenue terminating at Anthony Bus stop would be blocked, while the whole stretch of the Anthony Oke to Gbagada unto Third mainland Bride along with accesses at New Garage, Adeniji Adele interchange; Sura/Simpson and Obalende would equally be blocked.

He added that all access from Dolphin Estate towards Osborne terminating at Falomo Road About would be blocked for the event, while access to Falomo Roundabout from Alfred Rewane (Kingsway Road), Awolowo Road and traffic from Victoria Island would also be affected.

Other areas to be affected include all access/link roads along Bourdillon up to LekkiIkoyi Bridge Roundabout and the Link Bridge, while there would also be blockade of traffic on Admiralty Way from the bridge outlet inward Lekki-Epe Expressway inward Ozumba Mbadiwe to Akin Adesola, Bishop Oluwole and Bar Beach (Atlantic City).

Elegushi called on all Lagosians to see the event not only as a sporting event but for its tourism content.

“As a people who are naturally friendly, we should put on display, our positive attitude to visitors,” he counseled.

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rsenal boss, Arsene Wenger, has acknowledged that his side are playing catch-up in the Premier League title race after their goalless home draw with Southampton.

The Gunners are without a win in four league games and have failed to score in the past three.

They are fourth in table, five points behind leaders, Leicester.

“We have to catch that back and we have a difficult programme, especially away from home,” Wenger told the club’s official website.

“We need to respond quickly away from home now.”

Arsenal have only won once in the league this year, drawing 3-3 at Liverpool and 0-0 at Stoke, and losing 1-0 at home to Chelsea prior to Tuesday’s match.

Asked if he was worried his team’s season would tail off, Wenger said, “It’s too early to say that. It’s true that we’ve had a stuttering start in 2016.

“Our January was bad, starting from the last min-

EPL title: Wenger says Arsenal playing catch-up ute at Liverpool, and then at Stoke.

“Where we especially have a big deficit is in our two home games. We played with 10 men for the whole game against Chelsea and today we created 10 chances and didn’t score.”

Leicester’s 2-0 win over Liverpool means they retain top spot, while Arsenal have dropped below Manchester City and Tottenham, who won at Sunderland and Norwich respectively on Tuesday.

Wenger

WORLD RECORD

Most people to pass an egg The most people to pass an egg is 259 and was achieved by °C-ute and their fans (all Japan) at Akasaka Blitz in Minato, Tokyo, Japan, on 22 August 2014.

N150

Vol. 05 No. 12100 Thursday, February 4, 2016

Oba Abolarin and dividends of enlightened monarchy

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y friends all, things are really looking up for the traditional institutions in the Yoruba Nation. Not only are we pleasantly impressed by the forward-looking shuttle diplomacy being currently spear-headed by the increasingly popular Ooni of Ife, everyday, delightful news of renewed rapport and unifying initiatives have become the order of the day in a once polarized ethnic nation. Cheering news indeed and Oduduwa must now be smiling somewhere.

This renaissance is attributed to many factors. But one popular cause is the current ascension of modernized, enlightened, youthfully energized monarchs, who are not only gurus of successful professional or business undertakings, but are also well versed in the art, politics and strategies of forward-looking leadership. Recently, I paid tribute to the

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rystal Palace’s new signing, Emmanuel Adebayor, said he has nothing to prove and does not deserve a reputation of being a disruptive influence in the dressing room.

The Togo striker, who joined his fourth Premier League club last week, made his debut in Tuesday’s 2-1 Pre-

Guest Columnist

Sola S l

Ojewusi

ascension of Ooni Ogunwusi. I will advance this series by acknowledging and honoring another monarch of this ilk. He is His Majesty, Oba Adedokun Abolarin, the Orangun of Oke-Ila, Osun State.

Oba Abolarin deserves this tribute for somewhat setting the pace for enlightened potentates nearly 10 years ago, when he ascended to the throne of his forebears. Since 2006, he has transformed a once-sleepy but highly resourceful and historical tourist attraction town of OkeIla into a bustling, emerging cultural force in south western Nigeria. Indeed, his ascension and achievements so far are a testimony to the relevance of the school of thought advocating the transformation of Yoruba monarchical systems to ones being led by youthful, energetic, highly educated kings. Oba Abolarin in this sense can be categorized among such young monarchs. Others are the recently installed Ooni, the Elegushi of Ikate, the Oluwo of Iwo, etc.

Like his contemporaries, Oba Abolarin, who has an impeccable pedigree, has brought his wide exposure and quality education to bear on the advancement of Oke-Ila and indeed Osun State at large.

Prior to his ascension, he was a lecturer, a lawyer and politician. Well grounded in law and political consultancy, being a monarch, according to him, was the last thing in the mind. Indeed, he initially tried to dodge Fate given his then-erroneous opinion about the relevance of the monarchy in a democratized world. Coming from a Prince, that was strange. But in time, Abolarin embraced his destiny and

THROUGH HIM, THE WORLD IS BEGINNING TO APPRECIATE THE NATURAL WONDERS OF THESE PARTS with the benefit of a front seat presence in the highest monarchical echelons, he is better educated about the great relevance of the institution into which he was born. His Majesty has since taken up the gauntlet, using his position to transform his people’s lives positively.

One of Oba Abolarin’s weapons is education. Determined to turn his town into a bastion of enlightened citizenry in the near future, he has since set up Abolarin College, a highly modernized academy with quality facilities, curricula and staff.

What is, perhaps, unique about this school is its open doors for the indigent and less privileged. Indeed, in a recent newspaper report on this initiative, poverty is advanced as the sole criterion for admission into the school! Ever imagined a first class school attended free by indigent kids? Go to Oke-Ila and you’d be shocked!

Indeed, Oba Abolarin sees himself as a monarchical missionary, whose calling is to galvanize his people to positive, useful educational pursuits. He foresees a future where every citizen of his town would be positively and functionally literate. To achieve this he has invested much of his hard earned resources to making quality education available to

all, regardless of social status or financial position. According to him in a recent interview, this educational initiative was aimed at raising “the consciousness of the children of this generation to the high quality standard of education that we enjoyed in our time.” This impressive legacy has thus provided poor youngsters with the opportunity to attend a school whose standards by far transcend those of many private schools nationwide!

Also, through Abolarin’s tireless promotions and initiatives, the great tourism potentials of his kingdom are getting worldwide attention. Oke-Ila Oragun’s website is viewed worldwide and tourists are coming in droves to the town’s now-famous waterfall, among other attractions.

Through him, the world is beginning to appreciate the natural wonders of these parts; the heaving, undulating hills, the majestic rock formations and the lush greenness of a tropical rain-forest setting.

Kabiyesi Abolarin’s contributions to cultural advancement were recognized by the Osun State government, when he was appointed the chairman of the State Art Council. His contributions have raised the cultural cum enlightenment and renaissance ante of the state’s artistic, economic and socio-ideological infrastructure. His erudition is, indeed, a huge plus to Osun intelligentsia. And, really, his monarchy is a great pride for the people of Oke Ila, the land of the connoisseurs of the richest palm wine. Before he came, how many people really knew there were two Ilas?

Now we can talk of Oke-Ila Orangun, sister city of Ila-Orangun. The world is intrigued by this town and that is the way to international fame, courtesy of Oba Abolarin.

Lest I forget, Oba Abolarin would soon be marking his 10th anniversary on the throne. I am sure his people are gearing up for a rousing celebration of this renaissance king. Kabiyesi o, Oba Abolarin, Odundun Asodedero!

Ojewusi wrote via solaojewusi@yahoo.com

Sport Extra

I have nothing to prove - Adebayor mier League defeat by relegationthreatened Bournemouth.

Prior to his move to Palace, the 31-year-old was a free agent after being released by Tottenham Hotspur last season and had played just 17 minutes of top-flight football in a little over a year.

“There is a bad reputation about Adebayor. But if you ask every single manager that I have worked under, maybe just one or two would say I am a bad apple in the dressing room,” Adebayor told the Evening Standard newspaper.

“I just want to play football and have

happy moments again. I do not have anything to prove. I just want to enjoy my football. I have been there and done it and I am pleased to be back.”

Adebayor said he had held talks with manager Alan Pardew over taking a leadership role in the Palace camp.

Adebayor

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