Wednesday 16 April 2014

Inflation rate rises by 7.8% in March TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

Okonjo-Iweala

Vol. 4 N0. 831

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he nation’s Composite Price Index, CPI, which measures the

average change in price level or inflation rate rose by 7.8 per cent year-onyear in March.

This is up marginally from the 7.7 per cent re-

corded in the previous month. Largely, higher prices of food items accounted for the slight rise in the rate.

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Female delegates wear black to mourn killings P.43

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Wednesday, April 16, 2014

N150

Boko Haram kidnaps 100 school girls in Borno Bomb scare at National Assembly Banks shut, staff evacuated Panic in Port Harcourt over another discovery GEORGE OJI, INUSA NDAHI AND DENNIS NAKU

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unmen suspected to be members of Boko Haram terrorists yesterday laid ambush to Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State, killing one security personnel suspected to be a soldier and abducted over 100 female students of Government Girls’ Secondary School, (GGSS) in the council headquarters.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

L-R: Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, Adamu Muazu; Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi; President Goodluck Jonathan; Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Samuel Odulana and his wife, Moriyike, and Senate President David Mark at the oba’s centenary birthday in Ibadan yesterday.

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FAAC approves total removal of fuel subsidy ...EFCC recovers N4.3bn illegal payment

Fire guts Yinka Ayefele’s house

P.2 P.4

APC tackles Jonathan, PDP on Obanikoro, others P.54 No mass burial for Abuja bomb victims

...as death toll hits 75

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News

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Wednesday, April 16, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FAAC approves total removal of fuel subsidy TOLA AKINMUTIMI AND OLUFEMI ADEOSUN

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he Federation Account Allocation Committee, FAAC, yesterday adopted the recommendations of its ad hoc committee which recommended the outright stoppage of provisions for fuel subsidy in the Federation Account with immediate effect.

Confirming the decision of the FAAC, the Chairman of the States Finance Commissioners’ Forum, Mr. Timothy Odaah, said that with the adoption of the recommendations, it now implied that fuel subsidy deductions would not be provided for in the Federation Account.

He spoke during a media chat on decisions taken at its meeting.

Odaah explained that the states would now be paid directly whatever was due them from the account and that they could now be using the accruals to subsidise the needs of their people.

He said the decision was informed by the fact that experiences about the fuel subsidy regime over the years showed that rather than benefitting the masses, the payments had largely been enjoyed by individuals who were involved in the management of the funds.

Meanwhile, the three tiers of government shared a total sum of N641.380bn in March being statutory and other al-

locations from the Federation Account.

A communiqué issued at the end of the Federa-

tion Account Allocation Committee’s, FAAC’s, meeting which ended at about 8.30pm indicated

that the gross revenue that accrued to the government in the month stood at N614.358bn. The

amount was lower than the N666.745bn received in the preceding month.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, donating blood to the victims of Nyanya blast at the National Blood Transfusion Centre, Abuja yesterday.

Boko Haram kidnaps 100 school girls in Borno CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

The students were writing the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations, SSCE. Our correspondent gathered that the gunmen, numbering over 100 stormed the council’s headquarters about 9pm on motorcycles and Hilux vehicles and left about 3am on Tuesday morning.

Sources said, “Apart from the abduction of the female students, the gunmen invaded the council headquarters and carted away foodstuffs before setting many residential houses and shops ablaze.”

A resident of Chibok, who escaped the attack, Mr. Nuhu Amos, in a telephone interview with our correspondent said: “The gunmen, armed with AK47 rifles, Improvised Explosive Devices (IED’s) and petrol bombs stormed Chibok on Monday evening and attacked one of the security posts.

“They shot one security personnel, before abducting over 100 female students, as well as razing some houses and shops.

“Although the attackers, based on my knowledge did not kill any resident, they only shot one security operative before carting away foodstuffs and fled into the Sambisa Forest.

“I also learnt that out of

about 250 female students writing their SSCE, some were able to escape into the bush, while over 100 were abducted and whisked away by the attackers using a 911 lorry that was abandoned by its driver, who was heading for Maiduguri, the state capital.

“Prior to this incident, gunmen have attacked Chibok almost three times without success, but this time around, they were able to accomplish their mission. They were in the town from 9pm and had a field day before fleeing at about 3am on Tuesday.”

Another resident, who did not want his name mentioned, said: “Seven of my children, including those of my elder brother and sister, who are writing the SSCE in the affected school are still missing. And I don’t know whether they were abducted or amongst those who escaped into the bush.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Gideon Jubrin, confirmed the attack.

He, however, said, he was yet to get details on the number of casualties, promising to get in touch with our correspondent as soon as he got details on the attack.

“Yes, there was an attack in Chibok yesterday evening suspected to have been carried out by members of

Boko Haram terrorists, but we are yet to get details, as soon as details of the attack reach my table I will get back to you.”

Meanwhile, there was panic and confusion yesterday as activities at the National Assembly were brought to abrupt end following a bomb scare at the complex.

Even though it was not clear how the rumour began, banks closed shop even as staff hurriedly deserted the complex for fear of being caught in the possible explosion.

The internal National Assembly security personnel and the other sister national security agencies at the complex appeared confused as to how to respond to the situation.

Despite assurances from the security agencies that there was no cause for alarm, staff and visitors hurriedly left the complex in droves.

As at 2pm, the entire complex had been emptied as only uniformed security personnel could be seen still at the premises.

A State Security Service, SSS, personnel, who did not want his name mentioned, described the rumoured bomb scare as serious.

According to him: “The rumour is very strong and as a security agency, we cannot dismiss the rumour

like that. We have mobilised our security equipment to sweep the place and ensure that we do not take any chances.”

He also disclosed that the rumour started making the rounds in the morning yesterday and that was why according to him, “we had to even bring some sniffer dogs in the morning to survey the entire compound.”

The SSS official added that the management of the National Assembly did not want to take any chance about the security threat, particularly after Monday’s deadly bombing incident at Nyanya.

He noted that from the Nyanya incident, it had become apparent that the attackers had been frustrated by the military operations in the North and their new strategy was to be going for soft targets and highly populated venues.

“A special security committee has been put in place and since yesterday the committee has been meeting and has already come up with a number of new security measures which may be implemented from next week”, he said.

He said that henceforth, the current entry permit for many staff, who drive right inside the complex would be reviewed, so that only the top management cadre of the assembly would be

allowed in.

Secondly, the licences of the food vendors operating inside the complex would be withdrawn and their food shops relocated outside the complex.

This is also as some of the other businesses that currently operate inside the complex like the business centres, travel and tours agencies, snack shops, etc. will be shut down.

The official added that visitors to the National Assembly would be subjected to thorough scrutiny.

The staff will also be subjected to fresh examination before the issuance of the new identity cards.

By about 2.30 pm, National Mirror sighted some security operatives using their hand-held equipment to sweep the rear of the National Assembly, searching for possible clues to the rumoured bomb locations.

Also, one of the antibomb trucks was seen stationed at the entrance of the White House of the National Assembly, searching for evidence of any security breach.

Efforts to speak with the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the National Assembly were unsuccessful as he was said to have gone to the entrance gate to monitor the security situation.

However, one of the police officers in front of his

office also confirmed the bomb scare.

He said: “We have also heard the rumour and that is why we have put our men on red alert.

“The DPO has gone to the main gate to verify a few facts. But I can assure you that it is all rumours. You know these civil servants don’t want to work, so, they will always cash on such rumour to rush home.”

The National Assembly Acting Sergeant-at-Arms, Ibrahim Nadako, dismissed the story as untrue.

He said: “There is nothing like that. It was just a rumour and we have been telling people to go about their businesses.

“Those banks that closed chose to do so. We have told them that there is nothing like that. It is all a rumour.”

The lawmakers are currently on Easter break, which began on Thursday last week, but the workers at the National Assembly are still reporting for work.

This is the second time in the last two years that a bomb scare has been reported in the National Assembly.

The first time was in 2012 after the bombing of the Nigerian office of the United Nations Building in Abuja.

There was panic in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, yesterday following the discovery of suspected CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

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Photo News

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Former President of Association of Advertising Agency of Nigeria, Mr. Rufai Ladipo (left) presenting Outstanding Public Relations Company of the Decade Award to Managing Director of TPT International, Mr. Charles Igbinidu, at the MarketingEdge Magazine 10th anniversary celebration, in Lagos recently.

L-R: Registrar, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Dr. Abdulmumini ibrahim; Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Ambassador Nuhu Bajoga and Chairman, MDCN, during the inauguration of the council’s North West office building in Kaduna, yesterday.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Consultant, Campaign to Reform Constituency Projects in Nigeria, Mr. Tunde Akanni; Chairperson, Board of Trustees, Media Support Centre, Ms. Ojobo Atuluku and Executive Director, MSC, Mr. Wale Fatade at a press briefing on‘They Work For You’ in Lagos, yesterday.

L-R: Human Resources Director, Mr. Tominiyi Oni; Director Of Operations, Mr. Vedavyas Vemuri; Coach of Super Eagles, Mr. Stephen Keshi and Managing Director, Frieslandcampina Wamco Nigeria Plc, Mr. Peter Eshikena, at the unveiling of Peak’s campaign in support of the Super Eagles ahead of 2014 World Cup in Lagos yesterday.

National News

Jonathan in Ibadan, lauds Olubadan on centenary celebration K EMI O LAITAN IBADAN

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resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday visited Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, amidst tight security to rejoice with the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odugade Odulana on his Centenary Birthday anniversary, describing the royal father as a man of impeccable character, whose tenure has been peaceful.

He said: “Oba Odulana is a man of impeccable character, whose tenure has witnessed peace and tranquility. To reach 100 years in life is a blessing.” While recalling the monarch’s role during a conference held before the country’s independence in 1960, President Jonathan apologised for his inability to be at the Church service held on Monday due to the bomb blast in Abuja, stating that he had been willing to see Nigerians who share the same birthday

with the country.

According to him, the attainment of 100 years by the Olubadan is unique as it was not easy to reach the age.

He said he was unable to visit the monarch last year when he celebrated his 99 years birthday, but had promised to be with him during the centenary celebration, which he noted had been made possible.

He prayed to be with the monarch next year for another celebration.

Earlier, the monarch, who spoke through the Otun Olubadan, High Chief Omowale Kuye, said Oba Odulana was the first to attain 100 years of age, not only in Nigeria, but Africa.

He lauded President Jonathan for the way he had been handling the country’s affairs, stating that he had done well by conveying the ongoing National Conference The President who arrived Ibadan at exactly 3.15 p.m. in a Presidential aircraft marked

NAF 5N FGT was accompanied by the Senate President, Senator David Mark and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha who were conveyed in another jet marked NAF 5N-FGV, which landed a few minutes earlier at 2.55pm.

Also on the President’s entourage was the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mua’zu, and Presidential spokesman, Dr Reuben Abati.

Others who were at the Ibadan Airport to receive the President included the Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, members of the State Executive Council; former Governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Alao-Akala, former Senate Leader, Senator Teslim Folarin, the state chairman of the PDP, Mr. Yinka Taiwo and a host of other prominent politicians.

Governor Abiola Aji-

mobi led the dignitaries in welcoming the President to Ibadan.

Thereafter a long convoy of motorcades drove to the Olubadan’s private residence in Monatan, where only dignitaries in the entourage were allowed to accompany him inside to pay the centenary birthday homage to the royal father.

Journalists were not allowed inside the palace, except those in the presidential media crew.

All entreaties from the journalists to allow

them in were shunned by security operatives who said they were acting on instruction from above.

In addition, residents of Monatan- Iwo road area of the ancient city resorted to trekking as security men cordoned off traffic on the road leading to the monarch’s palace.

Even though the loud speaker mounted inside the palace was not loud enough to enable those outside hear all that transpired inside, the

journalists, at a stage overheard the visitors inside jointly singing a Happy Birthday song in honour of the Olubadan.

President Jonathan later emerged from the palace after about one hour, from where he was escorted to the Airport

by Governor Ajimobi.

President Jonathan had earlier been accorded a colourful reception at the Airport where women politicians were on ground to exhibit their singing and dancing prowess.

Fire guts Yinka Ayefele’s house KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

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he residence of ace musician, Yinka Ayefele in Ibadan, yesterday went up in flames, although his publicist, Mr. David Ajiboye, said only part of the building was affected.

Eyewitnesses said the incident occurred in the morning due to electrical

fault from one of the air conditioners in the house.

Our correspondent learnt that quick intervention by men of the state fire service and sympathisers prevented the fire from spreading from the pent house where it was first noticed.

However Ayefele, while speaking on the incident, was philosophical in his reaction.

He said: “It could have been worse than this but special thanks to God almighty for his grace over my life, children and other members of the family.

“I particularly thank my staff, friends, neighbours and well wishers who have shown concern. I see this as a test of my faith and I know that I serve a living God who will not leave me at any point in my life.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Wednesday, April 16, 2014

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Inflation rate rises by 7.8% in March CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

The month’s CPI trend changed the relative stability that had been recorded over the previous six month reporting period, as prices moved in a 0.3 percentage points band ranging between eight per cent and 7.7 per cent. During the six month period ended March 2014, food prices had been relatively stable, moving in a 0.1 percentage band between 9.3 per cent and 9.2 per cent.

According to data published yesterday by the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, in Abuja, the marginal rise in the price level on year-on-year rates

in March was as a result of higher prices in the bread and cereals, fish, dairy, oils and fats, and fruits classes.

While noting that prices edged higher to 9.3 per cent in March, the bureau reported that prices in the food sub-index were however weighted down by relatively slower increases in the meats, vegetables, potatoes, and yams and other tubers classes.

The agency reported further that in March, prices measured by the core sub-index increased at a slower rate, after picking up in the preceding month, adding that in March prices rose by 6.8

per cent year-on-year, 0.4 percentage points lower from the year-on-year rate recorded in the preceding month.

According to the agency, prices increased at a faster rate by 0.78 per cent in March on a monthly basis, compared to February’s 0.3 percentage points, the highest month-on-month increase recorded in the previous year.

The NBS reported that urban prices also increased in March marginally by 7.9 per cent year-onyear, representing a faster rate relative to February, which rose by 7.8 per cent.

Similarly, rural prices also

increased in March recording a 7.6 per cent yearon-year change, albeit at a marginally lower rate compared to February’s 7.7 per cent rate Expatiating further on the Food Index, which particularly spurred the marginal increase in the CPI, the Bureau stated: “As observed by the Food sub-index, food prices strengthened in March relative to February. Food prices increased at a rate of 9.3 per cent in March 2014, marginally higher by 0.1 percentage points from rates recorded in February.

“On a month-on-month

basis, food prices increased by 1.0 per cent in March, 0.4 percentage points higher from the 0.6 per cent increase recorded in February. This was also the highest month-onmonth increase recorded over the previous 12 month period.

“On a month-on-month basis, the highest price increases were recorded in the Fish, Fruit and Potatoes, Yams and Other tubers classes. The average annual rate of change of the Food sub-index for the 12 month period ending in March 2014 was 9.5 per cent, relatively unchanged from the average annual rate of change of the 12 month period ending in February 2014”, the NBS added.

Reflecting on the “All Items Less Farm Produce” or Core Index, which excludes the prices of volatile agricultural products, the Bureau reported that

the index increased at slower year-on-year rate in the month under review when compared with February 2014, pointing out that prices increased by 6.8 per cent, lower by 0.4 percentage points from the 7.2 percent rate recorded in February.

It also reported further that on month-on-month basis, prices also eased in March, increasing by a mere 0.4 percent, a rate that was marginally lower from the 0.5 per cent rate recorded in the preceding month.

The NBS attributed the increase in the Core subindex, with average 12 month annual rate of rise at seven per cent, to price increases across various class items in particular; wine, carpets and other floor coverings; repair of household appliances, and fuels and lubricants for personal transport equipment.

Boko Haram kidnaps 100 school girls in Borno CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

L-R: President Goodluck Jonathan; former Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekarau and National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, at a rally to welcome the former governor to PDP in Kano yesterday.

FAAC approves total removal of fuel subsidy CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

A breakdown of the shared amount showed that the Federal Government got N249.084bn from Statutory Distributions compared with the States and Local Governments’ N126.339bn and N97.402bn respectively.

The oil producing states got additional N57.270bn being the 13 per cent derivation earned from minerals revenue from the Oil and Gas sector operations.

In addition, the tiers of government also shared N60.775bn earned from Value Added Tax (VAT) collections. The Federal Government received N9.116bn being the 15 per cent of the distributions while the States got N30.388bn or 50 per cent compared with Local Governments’ N21.271bn.

Other components of

the shared amounts reflected that the N7.617bn refunded by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, was shared by the State and Local Governments. The SURE-P Programme fund totalling N35.549 billion was also distributed.

Speaking shortly after the meeting, the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Jonah Otunla, attributed the decline in revenue earnings to primarily production shut-in “At Qua Iboe Terminal and shut down of Forcados, also oil theft and some repair works on pipeline leaks at Bonny and Brass Terminals.”

Meanwhile, the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Lamorde, yesterday stated that the commission had recovered about N4.3bn

from suspects involved in the fuel subsidy scam.

According to a statement from the commission’s spokesman, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, Lamorde disclosed this in Abuja at a meeting with the management of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency led by its Executive Secretary, Mr. Farouk Ahmed.

The EFCC boss said the collaboration between the two agencies was pivotal to the commission’s instituting court cases against 13 oil marketers indicted in the investigations in the subsidy regime.

He called for a sustained partnership between the agencies in order to sanitise the petroleum industry, adding that such collaboration was imperative as the Commission will regularly seek for information

and documents from the PPPRA. According to him, pressure may also come from the EFCC on staff of PPPRA as they will be required to testify in court or provide evidence for the prosecution of those involved in subsidy scam.

“I know pressure will be put on your staff. Please bear with us. It is because of the need to sanitise the country,” Lamorde was quoted to have said.

Earlier, the PPPRA chief executive, Farouk said the visit was to further consolidate the relationship between the EFCC and PPPRA. Ahmed, who commended the EFCC for its effort to rid the country of economic and financial crimes, said he was looking forward to a more effective cooperation between both organisations.

explosive hidden in a bag at the densely populated Education Bus Stop axis of Mile 1, Diobu, the state capital.

Residents narrowly escaped death from the bomb that would have gone off in the afternoon beside a twostorey building housing a fast food joint on Ikwerre Road.

It was learnt that the unidentified bomber hid the explosive in a laptop bag and reportedly left it near the fast food joint, even as he told the person, with whom the bag was kept, that he would return soon.

But several minutes after, the man with whom the bomber left the bag became worried and moved to open the bag, only to discover a bomb in it.

Immediately, raising the alarm, the area was enveloped in panic with resident ran for their lives, while operatives of the Rivers Police Command were immediately contacted.

A few minutes later, policemen from the AntiBomb Unit of the Rivers State Police Command quickly moved to the scene, defused the bomb and took it with the bag to the police headquarters, along Mos-

cow Road in Port Harcourt.

An eyewitness, who did not want her name mentioned, said he saw a man walked quickly across the road shortly.

Residents of the city are expressing fears that members of the Islamic sect, Boko Haram may move into the South and called on security agencies to be more vigilant.

A resident, who gave his name as Actor said: “Of late there has been an influx of some northerners into Port Harcourt. Most of them now do all kinds of petty jobs. I think the police and other security agencies should be on the lookout.

Another resident said that the Boko Haram suicide bombers might have decided to move from the North to the Southern part of Nigeria, to wreck further havoc, in their bid to Islamise the nation.

It was difficult to confirm the contents of the bag, as the mobile of the Rivers Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Muhammad Ahmad, was not available, while the two lines of the State Police Commissioner, Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin, were not reachable.

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Wednesday April 16, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Don’t politicise insecurity, Tambuwal warns WOLE OLADIMEJI ABUJA

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peaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal yesterday pledges to donate blood for the victims of Nyanya, Abuja bomb blast.

Tambuwal who made the pledge when he visited the victims of the blast at the National Hospital appealed to Nigerians with capacity to donate blood to come forward to do so.

He warned the political class against playing politics with issue of insecurity, adding that “from what I have seen among the victims, I doubt if they are members of any political party. We should stop playing politics, we should address the issue and it is not about any religion.

As leaders in this country, we must all come together and support the government in addressing this challenge. “He said.

NGF says no justification for killings PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

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he Northern Governors Forum (NGF) has condemned the bomb blast that killed many people and injured several others at a bus station in Nyanya, Abuja on Monday, saying the loss of innocent lives due to the explosion was regrettable.

It stated that there was no basis for what the perpetrators did as no grievance can justify such an act against defenseless citizens.

Expressing condolences to families of victims, Chairman of the forum and Governor of Niger State, Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu in a press statement, signed by his Chief

Press Secretary, Danladi Ndayebo called for vigilance, emphasising that the issue of security should not be left to security agents alone.

According to the northern governors, “The issue of security should not be left to government alone.

All hands must be on deck to stop the activities of terrorists which have left hundreds of innocent Nigerians either dead or wounded.”

They urged security agencies not to be discouraged by the activities of terrorists, emphasizing that the nation would forever remain grateful to the military and other security agencies for the successes recorded so far in the war against terror.

Nigeria now theatre of bloodshed -JNI A ZA MSUE KADUNA

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ama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) under its chairman, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar yesterday expressed shock over Nyanya bomb blast saying Nigeria is being turned into a theatre of bloodshed.

JNI said that the current state of insecurity requires putting heads together to bring an end to the menace of senseless killings.

JNI Secretary General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu in a communiqué issued after its Annual General Meeting urged government at all levels to take all necessary measures to provide se-

curity to all the citizens.

The communiqué added that government should join hands with traditional and religious leaders to confront the challenge of insecurity through concerted efforts.

Meanwhile, Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, has described the blast as a national calamity adding that government steps to end insurgency has not yielded any results.

In a statement signed

by ACF spokesman, Muhammad Ibrahim appealed to insurgents to lay down arms and embrace peace and dialogue as the killings of innocent people will not solve perceived grievance.

Victims of the Nyanyan bomb blast at the National Hospital Abuja, yesterday

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

No mass burial for Abuja bomb victims, as death toll hits 75 MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

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he Federal Government Tuesday ruled out mass burial for victims of Monday’s bomb explosion that rocked the nation’s capital, Abuja.

Minister of Health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, told journalists after inspecting major hospitals where persons injured from the blast were receiving treatment said that the victims would

be identified, using every available scientific methods.

“Government will not do mass burial; we are already talking to their relatives; we are going to do normal things that pathologists normally do including DNA. Everybody must be identified, except where no relative comes; then we will bury them decently.

But, there will be no mass burial,” he said The minister said death toll from the explosion

had risen to 75.

National Mirror observed that the figure may be more because at some of the hospitals visited such as the Wuse General Hospital, six more people had died after they were brought to the hospital, while it was also gathered that one person, too, “may not make it” at the Maitama General Hospital, also located in the city.

But, Prof Chukwu said the figures had been reviewed for accuracy.

Other hospitals vis-

ited by the Minister were Asokoro District Hospital, National Hospital and Federal Staff Hospital, all in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. The minister said that over 200 people, including officials of foreign mission, had donated blood for the treatment of the victims at the National Blood Transfusion Service, NBTS, stressing that there was no shortage of blood in any of the hospitals where they victims are being treated.

FCTA to install metals, explosives detectors OMEIZA AJAYI

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he Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA has said it would install special machines to detect metal or explosive devices on its high capacity buses to forestall future incidents of bombing.

FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed announced the measure yesterday after visiting the scene of the blast and the Asokoro District Hospital where some of the survivors are receiving treatment.

The Minister who cut short his trip to Saudi Arabia for the Lesser Hajj, commiserated with people that lost their loved ones and those who survived, but sustained injuries.

According to him, “the FCT administration would

meet with security agencies to explore ways of providing additional security for motor parks, markets and other public places in the Federal Capital Territory”.

He said the FCT administration would pick the medical bills of those injured in the Nyanya bomb blast on Monday.

While promising to provide full medical treatment to those injured including feeding, Senator Mohammed condemned the attack, describing it as wicked and heartless.

He consequently directed the FCT Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretariat, Dr. Ademola Onakomaiya to immediately refer those with serious injuries to specialist hospitals either government or private and that the bills will be paid from the coffers of the FCT administration.

In a related development, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Abubakar has urged Nigerians to rise against terrorism.

Referring to Monday’s blast in Abuja, the IGP said that such occasion calls for a united fight against the common enemies of the land.

He charged the citizens to shed all political, ethnic, religious or sectional leanings and rally round the national flag at this trying moment of our nationhood, by remaining vigilant and cooperating with security agencies in their bid to stamp out terrorism.

Abubakar warned against all forms of divisive, inflammatory and provocative statements capable of heating up the polity and distracting investigators.

He urged Nigerians to supply relevant informa-

tion to the Police and other security agencies as they are not only bent on tracking down the perpetrators of this heinous crime, but are also taking stronger measures to review current security strategies and strengthen the safety of all parts of the country.

The IGP said the Police is taking adequate measure to expedite all administrative processes and investigative procedures to enable it release the bodies of victims to their relatives without delay.

While assuring Nigerians that the Police and other security agencies will continue to intensify efforts at ensuring the safety and security of all parts of the country, the IGP added that the present challenge has further strengthened the commitment of the Police to an improved internal security.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

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South West

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

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N25.7bn theft: Absence of witness stalls Atuche’s trial MATTHEW IRINOYE

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he absence of a handwriting expert yesterday stalled the ongoing-trial of a former Managing Director of Bank PHB, Francis Atuche, accused of stealing N25.7 billion belonging to the bank.

Atuche and his wife, Elizabeth, alongside former Chief Financial Officer of the bank, Ugo Anyanwu, were charged to court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) During yesterday proceeding, the presiding judge, Justice Lateefa Okunnu, notified the parties that the handwriting expert had sent a letter to the court that he would not be available to provide evidence.

The expert witness, who is being called by the defence to analyse some documents relating to the transactions contained in the charge, apologised for his absence.

He told the court that he was testifying in another matter in Onitsha, Anambra State, and would be available on May 22 and 23.

Following the development, Mr. Atuche’s counsel, Anthony Idigbe (SAN), asked the court for an adjournment and also to vacate the May 21 date fixed for the trial.

“My Lord the witness is a busy witness. He gives evidence around the country and he has given assurance that he will be here on May 22,” Idigbe said.

But counsel to EFCC, Kemi Pinheiro, opposed the call for an adjournment.

Sanitation: Court asked to declare restriction of movement illegal WALE IGBINTADE

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student, Faith Okafor, has instituted a suit against the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice asking the court to declare the restriction of movement during last Saturday of the month as illegal and unconstitutional.

In the suit, filed before Justice Raliatu Adebiyi of a Lagos High Court, the claimant is asking for an order restraining the state government from further restricting people’s movement within the state during the

monthly sanitation exercise.

Okafor, who is also a volunteer staff of Human Rights and Empowerment Project, is also seeking for a declaration that Lagos State’s directive for people to stay at home and not to move about between 7am and 10am of every last Saturday of the month is unlawful, illegal and unconstitutional.

Besides, the applicant, through her lawyer, Mr. Ikenna Okoli, is claiming N5 million as exemplary damages and additional N2,000 allegedly collected from her as fine during her trial for sanitation offence by a special offences court.

Two Nigerians develop new hiring platform for employers

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wo Nigerians based in the United States, Adeyinka Adegoke and Oluseye Fadiran, have developed a system that will make it easier for graduates to advertise their skills and for employers to effectively locate needed manpower.

The duo said their goal is to create the world’s largest global recruiting platform and become a central platform for college students’ social networking.

Known as FresHires, the company hopes to own the national graduating stu-

dents database for individual countries as a resource for hiring and recruiting firms.

“Students and business executives who take the time to explore the various segments of www.freshires.com will find a broad range of resources to help with job and hiring searches”, they said.

The FresHires co-founders have spent years examining the high level of unemployment or underemployment of college students, especially those just coming out of college trying to join the workforce.

L-R: Member, Senate Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation, Senator Adamu Gumba; Chairman, Senator Gbenga Obadara; Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun and a another committee member, Senator Abubakar Tutare, during the senators’ oversight visit to Ogun State, yesterday.

Ondo by-election: Stakeholders’ meeting ends in deadlock HAKEEM G BADAMOSI AKURE

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stakeholders’ meeting conveyed yesterday by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ondo State ended in stalemate, as political parties traded words over the declaration of the IlajeEse/Odo by-election inconclusive by the electoral body.

This is coming on the heel of a legal action instituted by the Labour Party (LP) against the conduct of supplementary poll for the by-election The meeting was

conveyed by INEC to brainstor m on the byelection held on April 5, 2014 in order to arrive at a date for the supplementary poll, but the stakeholders failed to agree on a date for the exercise.

Addressing the stakeholders, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Akin Orebiyi, expressed regret over the outcome of the byelection, despite the preparations and determination of the electoral body to conduct a free and fair poll.

Orebiyi said INEC declared the exercise inconclusive because election could not hold in about 59 polling units,

while 28,952 voters were disenfranchised He said effort by INEC to organise a credible election was thwarted by politicians, saying: “All the ingredients necessary for smooth conduct of the election was provided. Materials were sufficient, but it was to our amazement that politicians threw the code of conduct to the wind, political parties prevented us from conducting the poll.”

Orebiyi faulted the involvement of the Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, in the election, saying it was not right for the minister to get himself involved.

But the state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Ebenezer Alabi, expressed displeasure over Orebiyi’s comment.

Alabi also flayed the involvement of Governor Olusegun Mimiko in the election when he is not from the Ilaje-Ese/ Odo Federal Constituency.

Orebiyi, however, noted that the parties were not ready for the supplementary election.

The REC said he would report to the INEC National Headquarters on what transpired at the meeting while the security officers would also file their reports.

Armed robbers kill two, injure others in Ogun FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

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ome suspected armed robbers yesterday struck on the Abeokuta/Igbo-Ora/Ayetoro Road in Ogun State, killing a commercial driver and a motorcyclist.

Several other traders were also shot in the attack which occurred along the Ogun /Oyo states’ border route.

While the driver of the commercial vehicle with registration number (LAGOS) FKJ 348 AU was killed along the Abeokuta Igbo Ora Road, the commercial motorcyclist was gunned down at the Orile-Aje axis of the Abeokuta-Ayetoro Road.

The two separate incidents, which occurred almost simultaneously, forced other road users to scamper for safety.

Motorists told journalists that many road users

had been robbed at gunpoint in broad daylight by bandits who terrorised drivers and passengers passing through the area.

A detachment of police and other security operatives later visited the scenes to evacuate the bodies of the victims.

Vice-Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Ogun State, Alhaji Yusuph Bamgbola, who confirmed the inci-

dents, decried the high rate of robbery attacks on the road.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Muyiwa Adejobi, gave name of the slain commercial driver as David Olaseyinde.

Adejobi said the commercial driver and another passenger were on their way from Abeokuta to supply Yoghurt in Igbo-Ora market before they were attacked at Ijale Orile in Imala area of the state.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

SON to recruit 5 million volunteers in fake products’ war KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

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s part of its efforts to boost the ongoing war against fake and substandard products in the country, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, is set to recruit five million people across the federation into its newly inaugurated National Coalition.

Its Director-General, Dr. Joseph Nkem Odumodu disclosed this in Ibadan yesterday at a ‘Walk to Live’ enlightenment programme tagged ‘Zero Tolerance Against Substandard Products’.

The programme was or-

ganised by the organisation for selected stakeholders in Oyo State.

Odumodu disclosed that SON had already appointed the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, as its ambassador in Nigeria.

He said: “We have already formed a National Coalition. Indeed, our plan is to recruit up to five million Nigerians who are going to be part of this crusade.

“We believe that five million is a critical mark that we will use to sustain this campaign to a level that it would be impossible for people to bring substandard products into Nigeria.”

He further disclosed that a bill to review the enabling

Act of SON is currently before the National Assembly, adding that by the time it is passed into law, “an offender may be made to go to jail without an option of fine.”

Odumodu explained that the SON’s awareness campaign focused mainly on life-endangering items like tyres, cement and electrical products because it believed that any fake or substandard product among those items “can directly lead to a loss of life.”

His words: “We are collaborating with all government agencies and we believe that by working together, we will be able to achieve the set mandate.”

He also called for the sup-

port of the public in this regard.

While assuring that the campaign would be taken to all the geo-polical zones of the country, he said his team had earlier visited the South-South and NorthWest zones.

The DG reeled out the gains accruable from wiping out fake and substandard products in Nigeria, saying that it would lead to greater employment opportunities for the teeming youths, improved capacity utilisation; economic empowerment, access to quality goods and protection from poor quality products, as well as better life for all.

Court dismisses Alao-Akala, others’ suit against EFCC KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

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he Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan has dismissed a suit filed by a former governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Alao-Akala and two others, to quash the N11.5bn case filed against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Alao-Akala, Senate Deputy-Whip, Hosea Agboola and a businessman, Mr. Olufemi Babalola, had ap-

pealed a December 12, 2012 ruling by Justice Akintunde Boade of the Oyo State High Court, which held that they had a case to answer.

It would be recalled that the EFCC had arraigned the appellants before the court on an 11-count charge bordering on conspiracy, contract awards without budgetary provisions, and obtaining by false pretence.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges, with an appeal to the lower court to dismiss

the charges against them on the ground that they had no case to answer.

While delivering judgement, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem held that the preliminary objection by Alao-Akala and the other two appellants was premature.

She held that they should have waited for the trial to go mid-way at the high court before appealing.

The judge maintained that the appellants did not provide enough evidence

Lawyer alleges threat to his life over toll collection K AYODE K ETEFE

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Lagos-based lawyer, Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, who won the case instituted to invalidate collection of Lekki-Ikoyi bridge against the Lagos State Government, has alleged that his home was invaded on Monday by gunmen who made an attempt to kill him.

The allegation was contained in a press statement issued yesterday, a copy of which was made available to National Mirror.

It would be recalled that on March 27, 2014, a Federal High Court in Lagos nullified the col-

lection of any toll or tariff on the Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge, stating that the collection of such fees was illegal.

Justice Saliu Saidu based its judgement on the grounds that there was no existing law in Lagos State permitting the collection of toll on the said newly constructed Lekki-Ikoyi suspension bridge.

The court further held that the power of control of all navigable waterways in Nigeria, resides in the Federal Government.

The suit had been filed

by Adegboruwa against the Lagos State Government to contest imposition of toll on the bridge.

The Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, Attorney-General of Lagos State, and the Lagos State Government had been joined in the suit as co-respondents.

In his statement circulated yesterday, Adegboruwa stated that he believed the attack on his home was connected with “LekkiIkoyi bridge case I won against the Lagos State Government.”

He pointed suspicious fingers at forces he said had vested interests in the collection of the toll for masterminding the attack.

to warrant the court to quash the ruling of the lower court.

Justice Dongban-Mensem then ordered the appellants to return to the high court for their trial.

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Rainstorm destroys customs’ masts FRANCIS EZEM

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conomic activities, especially cargo processing and release at Nigeria’s major seaports in Lagos, have for the second day running been paralysed following a rainstorm that destroyed the masts that brings signals to the Customs Processing Centres, CPC. Most hit by the disaster are Apapa Area 1, which accounts for processing and release of over 45 per cent of the entire cargo traffic into the country, and the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS. It was further gathered that the Tin Can Island Command of the service, which is the second biggest command after Apapa both in terms of revenue collection and volume of cargo handled and released, was also affected by the disaster, though the magnitude was not as much as that

of Apapa and KLT commands.

Customs Area Comptroller in charge of Apapa Command, Charles Edike, who confirmed the development, also disclosed that the storm which destroyed the mast also destroyed part of the roof of the Customs House, where the area command is situated.

According to him, the direct implication of the destruction of the mast is that the Automated System for Customs Data ASYCUDA, an Information Communication Technology ICT platform for processing imported goods into the country, hads been shut down completely.

“It also means that the various Data Trader Input, DTI cafes through which the clearing agents make their declarations through to the ASYCUDA, are not working, and so since yesterday (Monday), we have not collected any revenue, and that is quite serious,” he stated.

10

South East

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ebola: Anambra advises traders on eating habit

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he Anambra State Government yesterday warned traders against care-free eating habits and unhygienic practices to check the possible outbreak of Ebola virus in the state.

The Director of Primary Health Care and Disease Control, Dr Chukwudi Okoye, gave the warning while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Onitsha.

He said the Ministry of Health had distributed leaflets and fliers as well as sensitised chairmen of most markets across the state on the dreaded disease.

Okoye noted that it had placed jingles on broadcast stations across the state to enhance the reach of the campaign.

He said: “We are placing our priorities on Onitsha since it has a lot of markets patronised by traders from all over the West African sub-region, while some of our traders go to some West African countries to supply their goods or buy new wares.

“There is need to begin to prepare people’s mind against the dreaded disease which has no known cure or vaccine.

“And for them to be careful on what they eat, especially bush meat, the cleanliness of their environment and personal hygiene.’’

The director said that the ministry would continue to sustain the campaign against the virus until the episode would be over.

“The symptoms of the disease are fever, intense weakness, sore throat, rashes and headache.

“Others include muscle pain, bleeding gums, blood in urine, vomiting, muscle and joint pains, conjunctivitis, internal and external bleeding,” he added Okoye said the viral disease was transmitted from bats, monkeys and gorillas; while it could be contracted through body fluids.

NAN reports that the Federal Ministry of Health has confirmed that the country was safe from the disease, but needed to be alert.

NBA expresses fear over nation’s insecurity FRANCIS EKPONE ONITSHA

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ollowing the bomb blast that rocked Abuja on Monday in which many people were killed and several others injured, the Ihiala branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Anambra State has expressed fear over the nation’s unity.

The association called on the Federal Government to adopt effective method to tackle the security challenges confronting the country.

The chairman of the branch, Mr. Emmanuel Egbunonu, while reacting to the Abuja bomb blast yesterday, urged the Federal Government to beef up security in the nation’s capital and other major cities of the country.

Egbunonu said: “The way it is going now, very soon Nigeria will be like Syria. President Goodluck Jonathan should find an effective way of dialoguing with leaders of the Boko Haram sect suspected to have perpetrated Monday’s bomb attack. He should intensify efforts to curtail ter-

rorism in the country.”

He said that members of the sect should also be rehabilitated to enable become responsible citizens instead of taking up arms as a result of ignorance.

The NBA chairman recalled that the Niger Delta militants were granted amnesty stating, “Today, they have felt belonged in the society”.

He reiterated the need for the Boko Haram and other ethnic militants to engage in a dialogue with the Federal Government so as to resolve whatever problem that could lead to killing and destruction.

On the National Conference, he said that it was a step in the right direction as it would create a forum for interactions thereby helping all ethnic nationalities and groups to air their view.

Describing Nigeria as a great country endowed with human and natural resources, Egbunonu, however, identified the problem militating against the country’s development as how to effectively harmonise the resources for the betterment of the people.

L-R: Representative of the Institute of Management Technology, Enugu, Prof. Joseph Ngwu; Anglican Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, Rt. Rev. Alphonsus Agbo; a university administrator, Prof. Polycarp Chigbo; Chairman, Peace Mass Transit Limited, Mr. Sam Onyishi and Catholic Bishop of Nsukka, Rt. Rev. Godfrey Onah, cutting the 25th anniversary cake at the Samuel Maduka Onyishi African Entrepreneuship Foundation Scholarship in Enugu, yesterday.

Tension in Onitsha as police invade arms dealer’s shop •Arrest suspect, recover ammunition

FRANCIS EKPONE ONITSHA

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ension rose yesterday in Onitsha, the commercial centre of Anambra State, when a police team invaded one of the shops in Onitsha main market suspected to be supplying arms to communities for communal conflicts and armed robberies.

The police team recovered over 8,000 arms and ammunition worth several millions of naira.

The arms were recovered from an armed dealer, Alphonsus Ngwu, who hails from Ugwuoba in Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State.

The Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), Mr. Emeka Chukwuemeka, later paraded the suspected arm dealer at SARS headquarters in Awkuzu.

He said the suspect accepted upon interrogation that he is an arms smuggler and sells ammunition to communities But the suspect, while

confirming his involvement in the crime, said he had been in the illicit business for over 15 years.

The suspect told journalists that he gets his arms from an undisclosed foreign country through one Alhaji who he said supplies arms to Boko Haram terrorists.

The suspect denied supplying arms to armed robbers as alleged.

He was accused of supplying arms and ammunition to armed robbers, kidnapers and some

warring communities, including Isulor in Ebonyi State.

The arms recovered from the suspect include six pump action guns, one revolver pistol, 6,390 life cartridges, 62 rounds of 5.65mm life ammunition, 74 rounds of 9mm life ammunition, 100 rounds of air rifle ammunition, 12 magazine for AK 47 rifle, 2 maga for k-2 rifle, some dismantled parts of AK47, one GPMG ammunition and one smoke cartridge.

Elechi warns against concealment of security information

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overnor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State yesterday warned security officers against concealment of information from the government.

Elechi gave the warning when he inaugurated the new Coordinator of Okposi Development Centre of Ohaozara Local Government Area, Mr Magnus Eze, and three members of the State Civil Service Commission.

He charged the new coordinator to relay security and other vital information directly to him.

Elechi said: “It is disheartening that I do not know about the crisis that engulfed the Ohaozora Local Government Area for several weeks and later

knew of it in Abuja and not even in Ebonyi.

“It is also embarrassing that the former coordinator went as far as rebuilding the police station burnt during the crisis without informing me.

“The question is whether he did that with public funds or his private money

as such issue will no longer be tolerated.

“You should be aware that you are my personnel staff and you should be answerable to me at all times.”

The governor also warned the coordinator and other government officials against insubordi-

nation to their respective council chairmen, saying that such act would attract immediate sack.

He urged the new members of the state civil service commission to also cooperate with the chairman to ensure that the government’s efforts to reposition the service were achieved.

Okorocha condemns Abuja bomb blast

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overnor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has condemned Monday’s bomb blast that occurred at a busy motor part at Nyaya, a suburb of Abuja.

The bomb blast killed scores of people and injured hundreds of others.

Okorocha said the senseless killing of innocent Nigerians must stop now.

In a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Sam Onwuemeodo, the governor said: “With the rate innocent Nigerians are being slaughtered in recent time, if the situation is not brought under control,

more Nigerians could be killed at a period the country is believed to be at peace than people were killed during the civil war.

“The time has come for a national summit on the security of the nation as a way of finding a lasting solution to these rampant killings of innocent Nigerians.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South South

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

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Lawmakers accuse Amaechi of illegal funding of APC DENNIS NAKU

PORT HARCOURT

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eader of the five lawmakers opposed to the Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, Hon. Evans Bipi, has flayed the rate at which some of his colleagues ‘illegally’ grant approval for bank loans.

This is coming barely 24 hours after 15 lawmakers present during Monday’s sitting led by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Otelemaba Dan-

Amachree, gave approval to a N50bn bond requested by the governor.

Bipi, who is the member representing Ogu/ Bolo Constituency in the Assembly, was reacting to Monday’s approval of N50bn loan for Amaechi by the lawmakers loyal to him during a sitting at Government House, Port Harcourt.

He faulted claims by the governor that the loans and bonds were to complete major projects, saying they were actually being used to

fund the activities of the All Progressives Congress, APC. In a statement issued in Port Harcourt yesterday, Bipi alleged that the lawmakers were conniving with the governor to mortgage the future of the state, describing the development as unfortunate.

The statement read: “It is unfortunate and disturbing that Governor Amaechi and his friends who are incidentally lawmakers of the Rivers State House of

Assembly are gradually succeeding in their bid to mortgage the future of Rivers State on huge debts running into hundreds of billions of naira.

“We (speaking on behalf of five anti-Amaechi lawmakers) strongly believe that the recent purported approval of N50bn loan for the governor was to fund the activities of the All Progressive Congress, APC in Rivers State and not to complete ongoing projects in the state as claimed by

Amaechi and his friends.

“Rivers people have almost lost count of the various loans the Amaechi administration has obtained since inception. It is pertinent to note that the Amaechi administration has borrowed more money than previous administrations put together.

“We therefore call on all commercial banks, particularly Zenith Bank, Access Bank and Guaranty Trust Bank not to yield to Governor Amaechi’s request

for N50bn loan to fund the 2014 budget purportedly being operated by the Rivers State Government.

The statement added: “Any bank that grants such request stands the risk of losing its money, because the budget is not recognised by law.

“We also call on the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, not to honour request from any commercial bank regarding the issuance of N50bn loan to the Rivers State Government.”

Groups call for Ogoni governor in Rivers DENNIS NAKU

PORT HARCOURT

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head of the 2015 elections, 12 groups in Rivers State have declared support for the quest by Ogoni ethnic nationality to produce the next governor to succeed Governor Chibuike Amaechi.

This as the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People, MOSOP, said the Ogoni have neither endorsed any candidate or political party in the state for the elections.

Recently, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Rev. Mathew Hassan Kukah and leader of the defunct Niger Delta Peoples’ Volunteer Force, NDPVF, Alhaji Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, stated that an Ogoni governor would assist in addressing the years of neglet, injustice and oppression being experienced by the Ogoni people.

The 12 groups are the Ikwerre-Etche Peoples Forum, IEPU, the Rivers Voice, RV, Niger Delta Renaissance, NDR, Council of Orashi Ethnic Nationality, COEN, and Kalabari Stakeholders Forum, KSF. Others are Ijaw Justice Forum, IJF, Hausa Community Welfare Association, HCWA, Opobo Democratic Movement, ODM, Rivers Youth Mandate, RYM, Obolo Consultative Forum, OCM, Kalabari Peoples Assembly, KPA and Rivers Democratic Congress, RDC. The groups, in their separate statements issued in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital yesterday,

said that it would be unjust to deprive the people of the Rivers South-East senatorial district, particularly the Ogoni, the opportunity to produce the next governor of the state.

They attributed their contribution to the Niger Delta struggle “for which the people of Ijaw ethnic nationality had immensely benefitted from.”

Meanwhile, the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People, MOSOP, has said the people of Ogoni ethnic nationality, comprising of Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme local government areas, have not produced not any governorship candidate or endorsed any political party in the state, ahead of the 2015 general poll.

President of MOSOP, Mr. Legborsi Psaro Pyagbara, stated while speaking to newsmen in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

L-R: Director, Department of State Security (DSS), Rivers State, Mr. Abok Nyam; representative of the Nigerian Air Force Commander in Rivers State, Air Commodore Mammud Madi; Commissioner, Rivers State Police Command, Mr Tunde Ogunshakin; Commander, 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Brig.-Gen. Osasogie Uzamere and Commander, Nigerian Navy ship, Pathfinder, Port Harcourt, Commodore Godwin Ochai, during the inauguration of special joint patrol team, ‘Operation Spark’, yesterday.

PHOTO:NAN

Assessment: Court serves Edo govt contempt charge SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN, BENIN

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he National Industrial Court of Nigeria, NICN, has, on behalf of teachers in Edo State, served the state government a notice of contempt charge, otherwise called ‘Form 48’ in law, as the legal

tussle on the organisation of an assessment test last month gathered steam.

National Mirror obtained the court documents in Benin City yesterday, that detailed names and offices of high state government officials that have been accused of contemptuously organising the test on

Controversy trails Akpabio’s succession plan ANIEFIOK MACAULEY UYO

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ajor stakeholders and political bigwigs of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Akwa Ibom State yesterday took a critical look at the recently concluded town hall meeting.

They rejected the planned zoning of the next governorship position to Eket Senatorial District.

But in a swift reaction, another group of PDP faithfuls under the aegis of Uyo Senatorial District Leaders Forum, led by Chief Ekpe Atakpo, said the people of

the senatorial district unequivocally reaffirmed that in the interest of peace, equity, fairness and justice, Eket should produce the next governor in 2015.

Speakers who spoke at the meeting said in line with the new policy thrust of the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Ahmed Mua’zu to reposition the party through a fair and free contest, they would support all inclusive party primaries for the election of the governorship candidate of the party.

The chairman on the occasion, Dr. Ime Okopido, a former Minister for En-

vironment, in his opening remarks, said the meeting was to fashion out ways to correct the anomalies that had been observed with the state government.

According to him, “things have gone wrong and that is why we are meeting in this summit. It is important because vital decisions are going to be taken.”

He added: “The timing of the event was suspicious, being the same time period that the Son of God came to die and the whole world is also waiting for the answers from the meeting.”

Saturday, March 22, 2014, in spite of a subsisting competent court order obtained against the test.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole had last week declared the order of restraining injunction issued on March 20 by the NICN in Abuja as a ‘black market injunction’.

Those served the injunction, apart from the state government are the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Henry Idahagbon, the Commissioner for Higher Education, Technical and Tertiary Education, Mr. Washington Osifo and the Commissioner for Basic Education, Mr. Patrick Agwinede.

Others are the Permanent Secretary of Post Primary Education Board, Hajia Nana Audu, the Head of Service, Prince Jerry Obazele, the Head of Information and Communication Technology, Miss Yemi Keri and Head of the Teachers Assessment Committee, Prof. Dennis Agbon-

lahor.

A statement by the teachers said, “Following the refusal of Edo State Government to abide by the order of the Honourable President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Hon. Justice B. A. Adejumo, the counsel to the Secondary School Teachers in Edo State, Barrister Olayiwola Afolabi, Solicitor and Notary Public for Nigeria, has commenced contempt proceedings against the officers of Edo State Government.”

It added: “The National Industrial Court of Nigeria has issued and served Form 48 on the said officers. Form 48 is the first step in contempt proceeding, which must be filed and served before the contemnor will be committed to prison if he or she refuses to purge himself or herself of the contempt.

“The Certified True Copy of the order of the court was also attached to the Form 48,” the statement concluded.

12

North

Wednesday April 16, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Violence claims 1,000 lives in North-Central in four months –Group Francis Suberu

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he Human Rights Watch yesterday said the escalating violence in the North-Central had claimed over 1,000 people since December 2013.

The Human Rights Watch said that the seeming failure of the Federal Government to investigate the crisis or bring those responsible to book would likely exacerbate the cycle of violence in the conflictprone Northern-Central region.

According to the Human Rights Watch, communal violence, stoked by competition between local farming communities and nomadic herdsmen, had plagued the region for many years and is spreading to other states in the North.

The rights group, however, condemned Monday’s bomb blast at Nyanya, a suburb of Abuja, in which scores were killed and hundreds injured.

The bomb blast, which occurred during an early morning peak period and at a usually crowded commuter motor park, appeared aimed at achieving a high casualty rate.

In a statement issued yesterday by the Human Rights Watch, the group spoke with scores of displaced residents of the affected communities camped at six locations in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, as well as Kaduna, Plateau, Nasarawa, Taraba, Zam-

fara and Katsina.

The rights group report shows that since mid-December, accusations of attacks by herdsmen against farmers in rural parts of Kaduna and Plateau states have intensified.

The rights group said: “On January 6, 2014, armed men described by residents as herdsmen attacked Bachit and Shonong communities in Riyom in Plateau State and killed an estimated 36 people. Attacks on Wase and Barkin Ladi communities in Plateau State killed 22 and 13 people respectively. In Kaura, part of Kaduna State, early morning raids by unidentified gunmen on February 3 and March 15 left 30 and 100 people dead respectively.

“On April 2, Nigerian media reported that soldiers in the southern Kaduna town of Kafanchan killed two young men who were part of a group of youths protesting perceived unfairness in the justice system. The demonstrators had been protesting based on fears of the release of a group of men who had allegedly been arrested at a military checkpoint with a truckload of weapons. The killings of the two youths set off widespread violence in the town.

“Benue State, with a majority agrarian population, has had some of the worst attacks in Logo, Guma, Gwer West, Gwer East, and Agatu local government areas, where more than 321 people have been killed since early March.

L-R: Commissioner of Police, Mr. Okeke Godfrey; Commandant, Police Staff College, Jos, Mr. Bala Hassan and Coordinator of Courses, Police Staff College, Jos, Mr. Jibrin Yakubu, during the graduation of the Police Advanced Detective Course 60/2014 in Jos, yesterday.

Jonathan accuses Kwankwaso of embezzling N225bn council fund • President insensitive, has no value for human lives –Gov Othman Salihu KANO

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resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday challenged Governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso of Kano State to account for the N225 billion Local Government funds he received from the Federation Account within two years.

Jonathan was in Kano to formally welcome the former governor of the state, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, who defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, recently.

He visited the state,

Gunmen kidnap Kogi Speaker’s children Wale Ibrahim LOKOJA

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unmen yesterday kidnapped two sons of the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon. Momoh Jimoh Lawal.

The incedent occurred barely four months after the wife and a child of the Chairman of Adavi Local Government Area, Hon. Salihu Adaviruku, were abducted.

It was learnt that the 10 suspected kidnappers stormed the Okengwe country home of the Speaker at about 4.00am and forced the main entrance open after several

shots at the door.

Sources said that when the kidnappers finally gained entrance into the residence, they asked the wife, Hajiya Safiya Lawal, to bring out all the children.

The kidnappers, however, picked two sons, Ogirima (seven) and Azeez (three) to unknown destination.

Shortly after they demanded for the Speaker’s telephone number, the kidnappers also went away with his wife’s Toyota car, a generator, some substantial amount of money and jewelries.

One of the sources, who did not want his

name mentioned, said the incident was immediately reported to the police.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Emeh Emeka, confirmed the incident, claiming that the hoodlums attacked the Speaker’s country home, demanded for money and and the wife gave the little amount of money she had.

Emeka added that the gunmen picked the car, DVD and a generator and also went away with two sons of the Speaker.

He assured that the police would secure the release of the Speaker’s sons and other items.

amidst threat from Kwankwaso that he was not welcomed to Kano.

Kwankwaso and his cabinet boycotted the presidential visit.

But the president used the opportunity to inform the people of the state that the governor had received over N225 billion as local government allocations, which did not get to the Interim Management Officers, IMOs, as the head of councils are known in the state.

The President, addressing a PDP unity rally at Kano Polo Ground said the governor should be made to account for the money.

He also denied that the governor voted for him in 2011.

Kwankwaso had on the eve of the visit said he regretted voting for the President in 2011.

Jonathan said: “We read in some of the newspapers that the Governor of Kano State, Kwankwaso, said he regretted voting for me.

Let me tell my good people of Kano that Kwankwaso did not vote for me or Vice President Namadi Sambo whether in the primaries or the main election.

“We have accommodated a lot, but we talk less.

Those of you from Kano in PDP knew what happened that when we entered that Eagle Square; by the time

the counting got up to halfway-when it was clear that I was to emerge as the candidate, Kwankwaso left the venue.

“Even the little money my campaign office provided for refreshment and transportation for Kano delegates, Kwankwaso refused to give them that money. He did that so that the Kano delegates will be angry, so that they would not vote for me.

“Even in the main election, the little money my campaign office sent to Kano State, Kwankwaso refused to release that money to anybody; now, how can Kwankwaso tell me that he voted for me?”

He vowed that the PDP will recapture the state in 2015 as the mandate the governor was currently enjoying belongs to the ruling party.

Governor Kwankwaso has however replied the president, describing him as insensitive.

Kwankwaso, in his reply to President Jonathan’s attack, regretted that at a time Nigerians were mourning the death of 75 victims of the Nyanya bomb blast, the president decided to embark on what he described as “merrymaking trips.”

In a press statement issued by Mallam Halilu Ibrahim Dantiye, Director

of Press and Public Relations to the Kano State governor, Kwankwaso also accused the president of promoting corruption in the country.

“At a time when several innocent lives have been lost, when many of the victims are in hospital seeking blood donations to survive, the president is gallivanting round the country in the name of PDP unity rally,” he said.

He also wondered why President Jonathan would be travelling aimlessly with taxpayers’ money, while the common man is being killed daily because of the failure of the Federal Government to adequately protect lives and property.

The governor also accused the President for justifying, promoting, and sustaining sleaze, noting that despite the corruption allegation against the former minister of aviation and the missing $20 billion petroleum funds, the president has remained silent.

“The man came to Kano to smear our image but thank God, the man gave me free publicity by mentioning my name over 50 times in a 15 minute address.

“The President, his Vice and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation are vultures. They want the PDP to die and feast on its carcass.

Wednesday April 16, 2014

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13

Politics

2015: Kaduna and mother-of-all battles for Government House

Ramalan Yero

K

aduna State, popular known as ‘No Man’s Land’, unlike other states of the federation is warming up either to re-elect the incumbent governor, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, or elect a new governor from among the aspirants in the All Progressives Congress, APC, to steer the ship of the state for another four years.

Observers believe that the ruling PDP, which has been in power for 16 uninterrupted years in the state, would want to maintain the status quo, while the merger opposition, the APC, on the other hand, is positioning itself to give the PDP a run for its money in the battle for the coveted seat at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House.

Yero’s supporters have since declared through posters and billboards in Kaduna and environs that there is no vacancy for other intending aspirants for the governorship job as their principal is even yet to start his full eight years tenure.

Analysts believe that not many aspirants will come out under the platform of the PDP, except the sitting governor, Yero decides not to run, which many argued may not be possible for a young and energetic man of his calibre to chicken out of the race for others. If Yero decides, he may emerge as PDP consensus candidate.

But, the APC will definitely witness an array of governorship aspirants under its banner, just as political pundits observed that this may cause problem to the party, considering disagreement among contestants whom may cry foul at the end of day.

El-Rufai

Ahead of 2015 general elections, the scheming for the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House in Kaduna has begun in full throttle. Interestingly, the incumbent governor, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero’s loyalists have declared that there is no vacancy despite Yero’s silence on whether he is contesting or not. AZA MSUE writes on the bumpy road to victory in a state analysts have dubbed the hottest and most appealing to watch in 2015.

ANALYSTS BELIEVE THAT NOT MANY ASPIRANTS WILL COME OUT UNDER THE PLATFORM OF THE

PDP, EXCEPT THE SITTING GOVERNOR, YERO DECIDES NOT TO RUN

However, some contestants will be serious about their aspirations, while others may just make up the number, to position themselves for bargains for political appointment at the end of the day, if and when the party wins the poll.

The deciding gladiators in Kaduna State politics are Vice President Namadi Sambo on the one hand and former governor of the state, Senator Ahmed Makarfi on the other hand, although, both are under the PDP umbrella.

Ramalan Yero, PDP Yero was born in 1968 in Zaria. In 1997, he was appointed in a private firm, Nalado Nigerian Limited, owned

by Vice President Sambo as Chief Accountant and rose through the ranks to become Director Finance and Administration in 2007.

His political carrer started in 2007 when Sambo, then Kaduna State governor, appointed him Commissioner CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

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Politics

Wednesday April 16, 2014

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2015: Kaduna and mother-of-all battles for Government House

Mohammed

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 of Finance, a position he held from 2007 to May 2010. The late Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa named him as his deputy in May 2010.

Yero divinely became governor on December 16, 2012 following the death of his late boss, Yakowa in a naval helicopter crash in Bayelsa State.

As is the practice, he would like to continue and Yero has many advantages going for him, if he decides to contest. He is pursuing various programmes and projects aimed at wooing the various groups in the state, such as SURE-P and continuity of late governor’s projects.

Further to his advantage, the incumbency factor and being from the powerful Zazzau emirate as well as being the first from Zaria to be an executive governor.

Although, opposition in the state had alleged that works on some of Yakowa’s projects has stopped, but Yero said the 2014 budget of unity and continuity will complete all the projects initiated by the late governor.

However, Yero has a lot to contend with even if he emerges as PDP flag bearer. These include among others, how he can genuinely reconcile Vice President Sambo and Senator Makarfi’s camps.

Secondly, he will need to employ strategies to bring the insecure Southern part of the state to his side through early completion of Yakowa’s projects in the area and securing the zone from the hands of gunmen.

Yero is yet to award major projects in the state but his supporters opined that he would do better, if voted in in 2015, arguing that the governor was only implementing the policies and projects he inherited from his late boss for now.

His political adviser, Hon. Bashir Ibrahim Sakadadi, said his boss would stand for the Kaduna State gubernatorial election come 2015. Sakadadi said having steered the state to its most peaceful tenure since the 1970s, in the past one year, alongside inspiring developmental programmes across the state and plans to even do more in 2014, Kaduna would be better if Yero continues with his programmes, as he has studied the state and knew where to improve.

His words: “As his political adviser, I don’t wait for him to say he want to contest. We want him to continue from where he is now because you don’t have any reason to say Yero is not qualified because he is a complete gentleman.

“We really experienced lot of challenges, particularly with insecurity and now encountering some political issues in the state. So far so good, we must thank the Almighty God for making the state among the best in terms of peace. We are now going back to those years in the 70s, when there was total peace in the land.

“Yero doesn’t discriminate on religion or ethnic

Saeed

HE HAS NEVER CONTESTED FOR AN ELECTION, SO YOU CANNOT SAY HE FAILED TO DELIVER THE PROMISE HE MADE

grounds. He took an oath as the governor of all people of the state. He is a leader and that was why during the Christmas, we joined our people in Southern Kaduna to celebrate with them personally. The governor also visited all the first class and second-class chiefs and religious clerics in Southern Kaduna.

“He has never contested for an election, so you cannot say he failed to deliver the promise he made. This is the first time he is going to contest election and we are saying in the next election we are going to enjoy most peaceful and easy election in the state.”

Explaining why he believed Governor Yero should continue come 2015, the former chairman of Sabongari Local Government, said: “Today, everybody is doing his normal businesses; people have free movement in and out of the state at any given time. I can tell you that among the 19 Northern states, Kaduna is one of the few states where people go about their businesses freely.

“Most of the Northern states have banned commercial motorcyclists in their states, Kaduna State has accommodated almost all of them, particularly those nearest to us and they are enjoying their stay in the state. This is why I can tell you that today; Kaduna has turned to a mini Nigeria because presently almost all prominent people live in the state.

“In terms of projects, when Dr Yero came to power, he promised the people of the state that he will continue from where the late Yakowa stopped and that is exactly what he is doing right now. We want to believe that the people of Kaduna are really enjoying the dividends of democracy.”

Nasir el-Rufai, APC Born on February, 16 February 1960, he was a former Director General of the Bureau Public Enterprises, and also a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.

His spell with the government began under the transi-

tion government of General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), where he served as an adviser in the transition government.

In the last days of the Olusegun Obasanjo administration, the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Nuhu Ribadu, described elRufai as the “de facto number two official,” tagging him the unofficial Vice-President, especially after the fall-out between the former President and his Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar.

Many viewed el-Rufai as an incorruptible public servant, who can get difficult jobs done, especially after he ordered the demolition of the house of the chairman of the ruling PDP then. However, since the end of the Obasanjo administration, he has kept a very low profile, but still remains an Obasanjo loyalist, having frequently defended the former President’s policies.

Senate Committee on the FCT accused him of allocating plots of land to his friends, brother and cronies, but he justified his action.

His gubernatorial posters, printed by his supporters were pasted in Kaduna and environs announcing his intention to vie for the seat come 2015 under the APC. He hails from Kaduna central and his experience and zone will count for him, but he has many enemies. Electorates may be afraid of bringing in the Abuja demolition saga to Kaduna if voted as governor.

Hon. Mohammed Hon. Mohammed, an accountant, was born in 1961. He recently defected from PDP to the APC, as member representing Makarfi/Kudan in the House of Representatives, Abuja. Hon. Mohammed was a member of the Kaduna State House of Assembly. He retired as Principal Accountant in the civil service before venturing into politics.

Mohammed, a strong loyalist of Senator Makarfi, hailed from Kaduna Northern zone, where the incumbent governor also hails from; his supporters believed that with his recent defection, he would fly APC flag in the state

Haruna Saeed, APC Mallam Saeed was born on February 2, 1960 in Kajuru Local Government Area. A professional accountant, who rose to become Kaduna State Accountant General, he was also a one-time Executive Secretary of Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI. In 2011, he fought and won the defunct Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, ticket for the gubernatorial election in Kaduna State.

Saeed was defeated by late Yakowa of the PDP in one of the most keenly contested elections in the history of the state.

Saeed’s supporters believed he will still pick the APC ticket as his political structures in all the council areas are still intact to actualise his ambition in 2015 gubernatorial race under merger APC. Other aspirants on the APC platform may include: Suleiman Hunkuyi, former finance commissioner and a bosom friend of Senator Makarfi who defected to the party.

Idris Mikati, PDP Another aspirant is an Executive Director in the Dangote Group, Alhaji Mikati, who, year in year out seeks to contest the governorship of the state. He hails from Kaduna Central zone, a zone claiming it is its turn to produce the next governor of the state.

Sani Sha’aban, APC Alhaji Sha’aban is a Zaria-born businessman and a one-term member of the House of Representatives, who after his tenure in the House, contested for the governorship under the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, in 2007, where he was adjudged to have won the election.

Sha’aban pursued his case up to the Supreme Court. He may contest under APC.

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From The Civil Service Enugu govt agency operative kill 16 yr old boy16

SON mobilises against fake products KEMI OLAITAN

A

s part of efforts to boost the on-going war against the production of fake and substandard products in the country, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) is set to recruit five million people across the Federation into its newly inaugurated National Coalition.

The Director-General

of SON, Dr. Joseph Nkem Odumodu, who disclosed this in Ibadan, yesterday at a Walk to Live Enlightenment programme aptly tagged ‘Zero Tolerance against Substandard Products’ organized by the organization for selected stakeholders in Oyo State, said the organization has already appointed the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar as the SON Ambassador in Nigeria.

He said, “We have al-

ready formed a National Coalition.

Indeed, our plan is to recruit up to five million Nigerians who are going to be part of this crusade. We believe that five million is a critical mark that we will use to sustain this campaign to a level that it would be impossible for people to bring substandard products into Nigeria.”

He further disclosed that a bill to review the enabling Act of the Stan-

dards Organisation of Nigeria is currently before the National Assembly adding that by the time it is passed into law, “an offender may be made to go to jail without an option of fine.”

Odumodu explained that the SON awareness campaign is focusing mainly on life-endangering items like tyres, cement, electrical products because it believed that any fake or substandard

product in among these items “can directly lead to a loss of life.”

“We are collaborating with all government agencies and we believe that by working together, we will be able to achieve the set mandate,” he said, while also calling for the support all members of the public in this regard.

While assuring that the campaign would be taken to all the geo-polical zones of the country, said his

team had earlier visited the South South and the North West zones.

The DG then reeled out the gains accruable from wiping out fake and substandard products in Nigeria, saying that it will lead to greater employment opportunities for the teeming youths; improved capacity utilization; economic empowerment; access to quality goods and protection from poor quality products;

L-R: New lagos State Permanent Secretaries: Dr Omodele Osunkiyesi, Mr Ariyibi Ajibola and Mr Oluseyi Whenu, taking oath of office in Lagos recently.

A DEOLA TUKURU ABUJA

N

igerian women under the auspices of National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) has decried the incessant bombings in the country, follow-

Women society condemns Abuja bombing ing the bomb blast that rocked Nyanya motor park on monday in the FCT. The President of the NCWS, Mr Nkechi Mba during an interview in

Immigration arrest 107 illegal immigrants in Borno P.41

Abuja condemned the attack, calling on the Federal Government and all the security agencies to look into the matter.

According to her, more women are now

widows and children have become orphans.

“Women are always on the receiving end of any conflicts”.

The blast was reported around Nyanya axis

Akpabuyo council boss proposes N2bn for 2014 budget P.16

of Abuja, beside El-rufai bus stop, near Nyanya bridge, Abuja.

Some eye witness recounted that the bomb blast occurred at Nyanya motor park, killing

about 200 persons.

Casualties have been reported, with injured persons being rushed to the nearby Nyanya General hospital as well as the 50 confirmed dead.

Benue teachers abandon negotiation P.41

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Civil Service

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

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Dikwa council denies killing of JAMB candidates ...offer automatic appointment to children of slain teachers INUSA NDAHI MAIDUGURI

T

he Caretaker Chairman of Dikwa Local Government Area, Alhaji Ali Modu Gana and member House of Assembly, representing Dikwa, Honourable Mohammed Zakariya have denied some media reports that many of her indegent students were ambushed and killed by suspected Boko Haram terrorists on their way to write the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination ( UTME) held last Saturday nationwide. This even as authorities of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in Yobe and Borno States have also denied that none of its candidate were killed as widely insinuated.

It would be recalled that a serving senator representing Borno Central, Senator Ahmed Zannah was quoted by some Journalists in Abuja that, between Thursday and Friday last week, about 210 people including students/candidates who were on their way to write the just concluded JAMB were killed by Boko Haram terrorists, but the Caretaker Chairman, Alhaji Modu Gana and the member representing Dikwa state constituency jointly said, the report which had been published in some national

dailies and some online media is not only unfounded, false, but also misleading.

In a joint interview with newsmen in Maiduguri on Sunday, Alhaji Modu Gana and Honourable Zakariya said, contrary to the misleading reports that some students of Dikwa were killed while on their way to participate in the just concluded JAMB, the truth of the matter is that, “some suspected terrorists invaded Government Secondary School Dikwa on Thursday, and when they discovered that the council and the school authorities have already relocated all the students to Maiduguri following insecurity, they asked for the whereabouts of the Principal, Mallam Modu Mai Abdullahi who was not even in the school, as he was already in Maiduguri to see his students who are currently writing the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations ( SSCE ), unfortunately, when the security guards on duty informed the attackers that the principal was not around, they slaughtered three of the security guards, two teachers including the Duty Master, one SSII student and a store Master, before touching the Principal’s official residence, some classroom blocks and the science laboratory complex”.

Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhaji Muhammad Sidi (right), briefing newsmen on the update on Nyanya bomb explosion in Abuja, with him is the Secretary General, Nigerian Red Cross Society, Mr. Bello Diram, yesterday.

Akpabuyo council boss proposes N2bn for 2014 budget RICHARD NDOMA CALABAR

F

ormer House of Reps member representing Akpabuyo/Bakassi Federal Constituency at the National Assembly and current Chairman of Akpabuyo Local Government Council in Cross River State, Dr. Patrick Ene Okon has presented the Council’s 2014 budget estimate of (N2, 883, 476, 452) to Coucil legislature for consideration.

While making the presentation at the Council’s legislative Chamber Ikot Nakanda, the Chairman said the budget was aimed at rekindlingthe “Can do” spirit of

the people of Akpabuyo.

“The 2014 budget is aimed at rekindling the Can do spirit in our people; and geared towards restoring hope and transformation of Akpabuyo through exploration of new grounds to ensure speedy development”He said.

The former Reps member pointed out that the proposed budget is embellished with a marginal increase of 2.67% over that of 2013,stressing that the budget is fashioned after the State’s economic blueprint, and millennium development goal in order to realize the vision of his administration adding that this year

Enugu govt agency operatives kills 16 yr old boy DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

H

ell was let loose in Enugu State following the gruesome murder of a 16 year old boy by the operatives of state Waste Management Authority, ENSWMA. Tension mounted in Enugu metropolis yesterday as news filtered in that Master Callistus Chidebere Ede a secondary school student was killed by agents of ESWMA for alleged using unauthorized ESWMA bag to dispose refuse.

When contacted for confirmation, the Managing Director of ENSWMA, Mr. Dom Okonkwo did not pick the call as he refused to react to subsequent text messages sent to him but the

State Police Public Relations Officers Mr. Ebere Amaraizu confirmed the killing of the 16yrs old boy by ESWMA officials.

The police PPRO said: “We have received information on the alleged murder of a 16 year old boy by yet to be identified persons and investigations into the incident have commenced to ascertain their motives”.

Mother of the deceased 16 boy, Mrs. Chidinma Ede narrated that her son, Chidebere, met his untimely death when she asked him to go and dispose refuse already bagged with grains on Monday morning and never returned home.

According to her, “I was preparing to go to market to sell my food that morning, so as he left with the waste

in our wheel-barrow to the dump stand for disposal, I quickly prepared for market.

While I was going out with a tricycle operator (KEKE), I heard noise towards the area my son went to dispose refuse, I asked my sister to carry my food to market with the KEKE man and I proceeded to the dump stand to know why my son had not returned.

“When I got to the dump stand five hefty boys were beating him. I approached them and asked why they were beating him but none of them uttered a word to me. I asked them to stop beating him and asked my son what the matter was.”

The bereaved mother said her son told her that the ESWMA officials asked him to enter their vehicle and he re-

fused because insisting that he committed no wrong.

“One of the officials told me that they were beating him because he refused arrest for disposing refuse with another bag other than ESWMA bag which is meant for the disposal of refuse in the state.

“I pleaded with them to allow him to go because he was writing his Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination, SSCE, but they said that they would arrest me since he is under age and that I was that one that sent him on the errand.”

Mrs Edeh, further narrated that after all effort to dissuade them from arresting him failed she asked her son to go with them while she promised to come for him and he enter their vehicle.

budget is geared towards making positive impact upon the lives of the people stressing that capital appropriation gulped the sum of N1, 663,181,086 which represents 57.72% while recurrent expenditure got N1, 219, 015, 366 which is 42.28% of the entire budget.

Breakdown of the budget christened “budget of exceeding possibilities”, indicates that economic sector was given priority, with an allocation of N375, 369, 125 representing 40.14% of the capital expenditure.

The chairman said due to the critical role the Agriculture sub-sector plays in the local economy, the sum of N163, 214,000 was allocated to it adding that the amount is intended for the provision of extension services, payment of counterpart fund among others.

The council boss who is also former Member of the Cross River State House of Assembly reiterated his administration’s commitment towards a private sector driven economy, stressing that allocating the sum of N65, 600, 000 to Commence & Finance sub-sector would boost market development, motor parks as well as reinforce revenue collection.

He noted that with the provision of N11, 500,000 to tourism development, the Council will not only explore new revenue points, but as well consolidate on the State’s tourism initiative.

Determined to create more jobs for Akpabuyo Youths, the chairman stated that the council is collabo-

rating with a Turkish investor to establish a paint factory in the area, hence N50,000,000 was earmarked for the manufacturing & craft sub-sector.

He maintained that when completed, the company would not only create massive employment opportunities but also generate revenue for the council.

Top on the social services sector list is education, offered the sum of N54, 600,000 out of N289, 610,370 or 30.97% of the capital budget.

This, according to him would take care of schools renovation, construction of new classrooms, award of scholarship and more.

To achieve the 2014 fiscal year projection however, the chairman said aggressive internally generated revenue strategy must be pursued.

The N60, 000,000 IGR which is one source of the first budget estimate of Patrick’s administration, it was revealed would not only be met but also exceed its target.

To realize this, Patrick hinted that Akpabuyo is partnering GEMS 3, Smart Gov and a commercial bank to introduce an electronic platform to curtail the excesses of her revenue workforce as well as to ease tax administration in the area.

“We have already worked with GEMS 3, we are deploying very soon a point of sale (POS) system in Akpabuyo, with this development, you do not need to pay money to anybody rather you pay to the bank”, the chairman submitted.

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Wednesday, April 16, 2014

17

David Mark: An exemplary leader at 66 MICHAEL JEGEDE

O

n April 8, 2014, the Senate stood still to honour its President, Senator David Mark, who clocked 66 that day . The Senators took turns at the plenary to eulogize him, after the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu set the stage through a motion.

For Deputy Senate President, his boss is “one of the few Nigerians who have played very active roles in the nation’s political life, both under the military and under democracy. I have often likened him to the biblical Paul. You recall that Paul was on the other side of the (New) Faith and once he got converted on his way to Damascus he became not just one of the greatest defenders of the Faith, but the most fervent, prolific and travel preacher of the gospel. The distinguished Senate President has made his mark as a soldier of democracy even suffering persecution and going into exile at a time in defence of democracy. Today he is a preacher and ardent promoter of democratic values. He is a practising democracy per excellence.”

Ekweremadu continued: “Far from the rambunctiousness and swagger that would ordinarily be associated with an accomplished general who has seen it all, Senator Mark turns out to be highly unassuming, quiet, but very sociable and outspoken. He is like the proverbial ‘Amanlize’, that Igbo folklore hero who has mastered the art of riding the storm and achieving great things

quietly. Unlike Chinua Achebe’s ‘Amanlize the cat’ in Things Fall Apart who was eventually floored by Okonkwo after seven years’ winning streak. This fabled ‘Amanlize’ wrestled both malevolent spirit and men and always emerged victorious. I want to thank the distinguished Senate President for his team spirit, conviviality, legislative due process and independence and the decorum he has cultivated in the Senate.”

In a goodwill message to the Senate President, Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Nurudeen Abatemi-Usman, described Mark as a great democrat, whose contribution to the sustenance and advancement of democracy in the country has been significantly wonderful.

The Senator, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District averred that the leadership style of the soldier-turned politician since his emergence as the Senate President in 2007 has greatly helped in ensuring stability in the Senate, beating the “ghost of Senate’s banana peels” that hitherto characterized the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly. He added that the maturity, bravery and sagacity usually displayed by Mark in handling every challenge and burning issue of national importance before the Senate were quite commendable and laudable.

Abatemi-Usman further noted that the Senate President has been a great source of inspiration to him as the youngest Senator in the seventh Senate. This, according

History as a teacher EMMANUEL FAKOREDE

H

is Excellency, the governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, last week drew the attention of Lagosians in particular and Nigerians in general to a stumbling block to reaping the trickling dividends of democracy that are theirs as a right. The stumbling block came in form of a supposedly over-zealous minister. This is a minister who is on the Federal Executive Council, courtesy of Lagos State –he represents the state. This representative is constitutionally mandated to pursue and promote the interest of Lagosians at the federal level. But alas, the gentleman has gotten it all wrong, or has un-doubtedly chosen to set off on a wrong footing. Or why else should a representative of the good people of Lagos choose to embarrass the Federal Government he’s serving by attempting to disrupt a project as laudable as the Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme (Lagos HOMS). This is a project that allows residents of Lagos to own houses built by the state government via a mortgage payment plan as obtained in most parts of the civilized world.

This noble project, however, seems to have stirred up so much anger, or better still jealousy in the infantile mind of our honourable representative minister. Oga minister, the war you have chosen to wage is against the good people of Lagos State and not against the

HONOURABLE

JUNIOR MINISTER, THE ROAD YOU HAVE CHOSEN TO TRAVEL LEADS ONLY TO

PERDITION. IF YOU FAIL TO RETRACE

YOUR STEPS, HISTORY IS BOUND TO REPEAT ITSELF government of the day.

If Oga minister thinks his appointment is solely by courteous of the political party he professes to belong to, he needn’t be reminded of the wrong timing of his anti-people deeds. If his actions are based on party sentiments, in less than a year from now, the same party that he expects to profit from this ill-wind will still come and seek the mandate of the same Lagosians he’s waging war against.

This minister was said to have used his good office to deploy soldiers to some construction sites to stop work on some building projects that would have turned many Lagosians into house owners. It is about time that the military high command awaken to its responsibilities of not allow-

HE IS LIKE THE PROVERBIAL

‘AMANLIZE’, THAT

IGBO FOLKLORE HERO WHO HAS MASTERED THE ART OF RIDING THE STORM AND ACHIEVING GREAT THINGS QUIETLY to him, was demonstrated in Mark’s presence at his empowerment programme for over 1,200 citizens from Kogi Central in Okene, which took place a day before the 66th birthday.

The goodwill message reads in part: “Happy 66th birthday to an officer, a gentleman, a leader, a true patriot, the author of ‘Doctrine of Necessity’, a stabilizing voice in our democracy, my mentor, my boss, the longest-serving Senate President. I rejoice with you on the occasion of your 66th birthday. Your sterling leadership qualities have provided an essential stabilizing force in the Red Chamber. We, your colleagues, and the nation at large admire and respect your wisdom, fairness and dedication to duty. On behalf of my family and the good people of Kogi Central Senatorial District, I wish you many more years of fruitful service, good health and the blessings of the Almighty.”

A media practitioner and publisher, Sufuyan Ojeifo, in a special tribute to Mark on his 66 birthday said: “The extra-caution that

ing its men to be cheaply used in the hands of power drunken politicians.

The Army is constitutionally mandated to protect the citizenry against all forms of aggression, and definitely not to be used as a means of intimidation by ‘bloody civilians’, many of would not mind turning the military into an agency of the ruling party. Such demeaning acts further demoralise the soldiers and diminish their self esteem in the eyes of the taxpaying public.

It is amazing how some human beings choose not to learn from history.

In so recent as the administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a minister that was supposed to bring succour to Lagosians chose to wage war against the citizenry (in the form of the outlawed FERMA Brigade). He did not only woefully fail, he ended up in the political mortuary.

It is a known fact that you cannot possibly win a contest against the people in a democracy, more-so when you are fighting an un-just war.

On a very serious note, the actions of our latest ‘warring minister’ seem to have been stemmed out of arrogance more than anything else. But what is there to be arrogant about?

Is it the position he is occupying? Of course, many before him have occupied that position. What ought is troubling about his conduct is that he is occupying a post that was until recently held by a woman. This woman held on to the

he (Mark) exercises in the management of Senate funds is largely contributory to the peace that has defined the ambience of the Upper House. By not acting avaricious, he has been able to stand on firm ground, far away from the proverbial ‘banana peel.’

“His leadership has also ensured that standing committees are alive to their oversight checks on Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the executive branch of government. The objective of this is to instill discipline and accountability in the financial system. How else can he underscore his belief in leadership as a sacred trust? So far, he has not betrayed the trust. His synergy with the executive arm of government is salutary to national governance. Recall how he guided the Senate during the late Musa Yar’Adua’s sickness to empower Goodluck Jonathan as acting president through the adoption of the Doctrine of Necessity. His quiet but strategic intervention, using the platform of the Senate, helped to resolve labour’s nationwide strike in January 2012 over the fuel subsidy removal.”

While I join other Nigerians to wish this great man of history and former military governor of Niger State more rewarding and fruitful years of service to his fatherland, I urge him to continue to live up to the expectations of the people. He must endeavour not to deviate from the path of progress and all that will bring about transformation to the country in the legislative process.

Jegede, media aide to Senator Nurudeen Abatemi-Usman, wrote from Abuja.

post honourably for so long, and only got eased out in a cabinet re-shuffle. He was appointed by a man just like himself (GEJ). Supposing this minister is the president of the country, what would he have done? May be he would have ordered all the ongoing projects of Lagos State to be bulldozed.

Honourable junior minister, the road you have chosen to travel leads only to perdition. If you fail to retrace your steps, history is bound to repeat itself.

His Excellency, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola promised Lagosians a “brighter rewarding future” (BRF), which he’ i delivering. He has proven himself to be a mega-star, building a mega-city, with the interest of the people at heart. No ministar (no matter how well god-fathered) can stall such cause. The voice of the people is the voice of God, and one with God is a majority. The people are with BRF. Junior “mini-star”, history is a teacher, learn from it.

Fakorede, Meadekorede2020@yahoo.com, wrote from Ikorodu, Lagos State.

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

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

Editorial

18

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

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HEAD, GRAPHICS

Banks’ alleged connivance with money launderers

T

he level of criminal exploit dogging the entire Nigerian politico-economic system is simply frightening.

This is in spite of all the official efforts made to bring crime and criminalities under control.

Just recently, the banking sector, one of the strategic sectors of the economy and which has always been in the news for the wrong reasons, was accused by the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, of abetting economic crimes, especially money laundering. At a recent meeting of the Committee of Chief Compliance Officers of Banks in Nigeria (CCCOBIN) in Lagos, Lamorde revealed that some banks, apparently driven by sheer greed and the pressure to post huge profits, allow criminals to use their facilities to perpetrate frauds and illicit businesses.

Such banks, according to him, sabotage the anti-crime efforts of law enforcement agencies and most often impede their investigation of suspected bank customers. “We have had instances where banks sheltered criminal elements and allowed them to use their services to perpetrate their activities….

It may seem profitable in the short term, but in the long

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

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

This involves some levels of privacy. A bank that gives out information about its customers without restraint is viewed as not being customers-friendly; and such a bank may not be

able to survive the stiff competition in the modern-day banking sector. This probably explains why Swiss banks serve as havens for the loot of many corrupt leaders worldwide, Nigeria inclusive. Nonetheless, it is imperative that banks demonstrate sufficient sense of responsibility by not making their facilities available to fraudsters. Banks ought not to be promoting the interest of customers, particularly common criminals, at the expense of the interest of the country and the populace. Such high brow collusion with criminals amounts to economic sabotage that the government should seriously tackle, not just with the word of mouth, like Lamorde has done. We insist on the visitation of the full weight of the law on the erring banks.

Proven cases should be punished and the operations of such banks possibly suspended for a while.

A progressive banking culture must centre on how to build the entire economy, not just concentrating on bloated profits and narrow interests.

Fraudsters and money launderers have been known not only to ruin the banking sector, but the entire economy of nations. That is why security measures are

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

Perhaps, the EFCC boss did not disclose the names of the banks involved for security reasons. But the dubious financial institutions involved know themselves. They should turn a new leaf. Indeed, no financial crime would record remarkable success without the co-operation and complicity of the banking sector. Banks should begin to play their roles in the economy with a sense of responsibility and patriotism. It does not make any economic sense for them to post enormous profits even when the nation’s economy and image are being ruined. Situations where banks consciously choose to play the ostrich when customers suspected of sharp practices are being investigated affront the law. Doing such is a disservice to the nation.

ON THIS DAY

April 16, 1980

April 16, 1992

Arthur Ashe, the African-American professional lawn tennis player, broadcaster, author, and activist, stuns the tennis world when he announces his retirement from competitive playing, leaving with a career record of 818 wins to 260 losses and 51 titles. He was the first black men’s tennis champion at the U.S. Open and Wimbledon, the first African-American to play for and captain the U.S. Davis Cup team, and the first black man inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Mohammad Najibullah Ahmadzai, the last President of the Soviet-backed Afghanistan steps down to make way for a neutral interim government. The administration collapsed, as Kabul was short of fuel and food at the end of winter in 1992 and the Jamiat-e Islami guerrilla group captured the strategically important Bagram air base and the nearby town of Charikar. He was elected in November 1986, and his first major political act was the adoption of a new constitution.

April 16, 2013 A US military Marine Super Stallion helicopter made a hard landing near the North Korea border during joint U.S.South Korea military exercises. The helicopter caught fire after the military personnel escaped and most of the aircraft was destroyed. Initial reports indicate the personnel, including five crew members, were on board the CH-53E when it executed a hard landing. All on board were transported to a hospital in Yongsan, South Korea.

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

19

Health & Wellbeing Nigeria, dumping ground for substandard medical equipment –Supplier 22

Cholera outbreak claims 54 lives in Bauchi, says 21 Commissioner

FRANKA OSAKWE

F

or the indigenes of Nzam community, the headquarters of Anambra west local government, potable water is a luxury they can only get in their dream. In one of the villages Ndiokpoliba, for instance, the closest to potable water is a borehole erected at the local government secretariat and the water from it is some colourful liquid largely unfit for drinking, leaving the villagers no choice but to depend on the streams and ponds for their drinking water.

And this is telling on the health of the villagers.

For instance, Ngozi Ezife, a mother of four from the village has just lost her last child Nkeiru to diarrhoea. In a chat with National Mirror, Ngozi explained that the child started stooling and vomiting one morning and did not respond to the medication from the local patent medicine store. She did not bother to take the young girl to the often deserted health centre at nearby Iyiora Anam.

“I went to the chemist and bought drugs for her, but, her fever still persisted. The following morning, we took her to Boromi hospital in Onitsha where she died few minutes after we got there,” she lamented.

Ngozi blamed the death of her child on her enemies who she says had poisoned her daughter through metaphysical means. But the doctors at Boromi Hospital confirmed that the child died of diarrhoea, now a frequent occurrence at Anam and its vicinity where access to safe drinking water, good road and electricity is still a problem.

Ngozi confirmed that everyone in the community rely on water from Oshimili River or oshowor stream.

The stream’s none flowing water is anything but safe but Ngozi and other villagers in Nzam community have no other choice.

They are not alone. Most rural areas in Nigeria largely depend on untreated water from rain, river or well for their drinking water. Even

...Nigeria’ll not meet MDG target, says WHO/UNICEF report

in urban places such as Lagos, a large number of the populace depends on satchet water from questionable sources.

A 2012 report by World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) on drinking water and sanitation in Nigeria says that about 66 million Nigerians lack access to improved drinking water. The report which covered between 1990 and 2012, ranked Nigeria third after China and India on the list of countries with the largest population without access to improved drinking water.

Other countries with large pop-

NO SOLUTION: Potable water still elusive in most parts of Nigeria

ulations lacking access to potable water include: China - 119 million, India - 97 million, Ethiopia - 46 million, and Sudan-18 million.

Globally, the report shows that, in 2010, 89 per cent of the world’s population, or 6.1 billion people used improved drinking water sources, exceeding the MDG target (88 per cent), however, eleven per cent of the global population or 783 million people are still without access to improved drinking water.

Noting the disparity between rural and urban areas in access to improved drinking water, the report states that an estimated 96 per cent of the urban population globally used an improved water source in 2010, compared to 81 per cent of the rural population.

Nigeria was one of the eight countries in the world having between 50 and 75 per cent of their urban population accessing improved drinking water; for the country’s rural area, the figure is less.

Also sub-Saharan Africa accounts for more than 40 per cent of the global population without access to improved drinking water.

The report concludes that Ni-

geria and other subSaharan African countries are not on track for meeting medithe MDG drinking water c a l target although countries B i o such as Malawi, Burkina Faso, chemistry Ghana, Namibia, Gambia and LiCollege of beria are likely to meet the target. medicine, Closely linked with the pauU n ive rcity of good drinking water is the sity of Laproblem of poor hygiene and sanigos, in an tation. The WHO/UNICEF report exclusive estimates that no fewer than 34 interview million Nigerians population still with Nationpractice open defecation. Indeed al Mirthe country is ranked fifth in this r o r regard behind India (626 most million), Indonesia (63 sachet million), Pakistan (40 water in million) and Ethiopia Pure water hawker the market (38 million). Experts are contamibelieve the problem will remain with the country for a long nated, some with industrial eftime to come until she’s able to re- fluent that can cause cancer. And solve her water problem – and the with such heavy consumptionas is solution certainly does not lie in the case in the country, he warned the use of sachet water popularly that many people may develop canreferred to as “pure water” all over cer in future as some of the satchet water contain heavy metal toxicity the country, According to Professor Osare- from lead, cobalt, chromium, zinc and copper. tin Ebuehi head of department of

20

Health & Wellbeing

Nutrition for Health

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Nutrients that boost immunity

anorexia, or in profound disease states such as cancer and AIDS, robs the body of its defensive capabilities, depleting the white blood cells as well as crucial immune system proteins. In addition, excessive energy intake may also compromise the immune system’s ability to fight infection. Obesity is linked to an increased rate of infectious disease and obese people are more likely to develop coronary heart disease, which has been linked to alterations in the immune function.

There are some areas where it is most likely that pathogens do enter into the body. These areas are: the skin which covers the entire body is a first line of defense; the stomach acid is also another effective barrier against many pathogens due to its high level of acidity. Our small intestine has special areas that detect foreign antigens and stop pathogens from entering through its walls and getting into the inner environment of our body.

Maintaining healthy cells within the tissues including the gastrointestinal tract is vital for optimal health.

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

G

ood nutrition plays a critical role in enhancing the health of our immune system. In terms of diet, keeping our immune system healthy is just as much about what foods act as suppressors to our immune system as it is about what foods enhance its health.

Our immune system protects us against bacteria, viruses and other disease-causing organisms like bacteria, yeasts, fungi or parasites which may be present in the food we eat and air we breathe in. It is an efficient, complex defense system that shields us against diseases examining the internal environment and ensuring that any harmful organisms are eliminated and destroyed quickly.

Some research results however, have identified some dietary factors that affect the human immune response. Under nourished people are at greater risk from infections.

Protein-calorie malnutrition such as occurs with prolonged starvation, stringent self-imposed dieting as in

Certain vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, phytonutrients and proteins (amino acids) are all key elements to a healthy immune system.

The fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin A, vitamin E and vitamin K are also important to our overall health.

Good sources of vitamin A and E whole grains, leafy vegetables, vegetable oils, margarine, nuts, seeds, brown rice, olives, asparagus, etc.

Excellent sources of pro-vitamin A carotenoids include vegetables such as leafy greens, carrots, sweet potatoes, winter squash, asparagus, and bok choy. Concentrated sources of vitamin K include cauliflower, as well as most green vegetables such as spinach, peas, soybeans, broccoli and asparagus. Vitamin C appears to support a decrease in the length of time and severity of symptoms associated with upper respiratory viral infections and a support to healing at sites of inflammation and even patients with cancer. Sources are citrus fruit, strawberries and cantaloupe; vegetables such as broccoli, turnip greens, collard greens, cabbage, asparagus, etc. Many of the B-vitamins are also very important in supporting a healthy im-

The tongue

T

he tongue is a structure that occupies a sizeable portion of the oral cavity. It has some roles carried out solely and in conjunction with other structures in the oral cavity.

Chiefly amongst its roles are speech, taste, using structures called taste buds, and production of saliva. There are also salivary glands below and on the surface of the tongue. The tongue is mobile and attached to the floor of the mouth and the sides by a fibrous structure known as the frenulum.

There are muscles attached within the tongue and to the sides and other location of

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

mune system. Examples of foods with B vitamins are: whole grains, vegetables and fruits can serve as excellent sources of at least some of these vitamins.

There are also minerals that support the immune system. They are: zinc, sources include spinach, asparagus, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, lentils and cashews; selenium and manganese can be obtained from fish and shellfish as well as tofu and whole grains; sources of iron include: asparagus, mustard greens, turnip greens, leeks, and romaine lettuce.

Essential fatty acids, such as those found in cold-water fish, and

a healthy range of monounsaturated fatty acids, such as those in olive oil, can also support healthy gastrointestinal cells by promoting healthy membranes.

Phytonutrients that help maintain healthy tissue around the sites of infection and support healing.

Fruits and vegetables, especially colored foods like strawberries, cherries, carrots, and tomatoes contain many beneficial phytonutrients with antioxidant potential.

Drinking about 8 to 10 glasses of water a day, at the very least can also help ensure that your body and immunity runs smoothly.

ORAL HEALTH CARE the tongue.

The tongue’s colour and pathology may be a sign of more localised or generalised conditions in the body.

A few conditions of the tongue will be discussed below.

Ankyloglossia.

This is also known as tongue tie mainly because it affects the mobility of the main body of the tongue. It is a developmental problem, that is, a defect in the process of development of the tongue whereby the frenulum or the cord attaching the tongue to the floor of the mouth is attached too close to the tip of the tongue. It could also lead to speech problems. A nursmother ing may first notice this in the when child tongue the tied seems a by

t h i c k code or to tissue the floor of the mouth, hence the d e s c r i p t ive name tongue

tie.

The dentist may offer relief using scissors or dental to release the tie – called frenectomy.

be able to a pair of incisions a process

Macroglossia The prefix macro is a descriptive term to represent something large in this case; larger than normal, glossia is another term for tongue. Macroglossia will therefore describe a large tongue than the average sized tongue found in the population group. There are a lot of causes of macroglossia; it may be developmental, congenital meaning an individual could be born with the condition or due to a disease state and condition or some conditions like tio Down’s syndrome, also called Do trisomy 21 which affects chiltri dren. dre There are conditions of T excessive production of the exc human growth hormone by hu the body (acromegaly) or tumours producing the hortum mones. mo IIn most cases, it is compatible with life and not treated ibl except where there are funcexc tional, aesthetic problems. In tio which case, a maxillofacial wh surgeon can carry out resecsur tion/reduction of the tongue. tio The tongue may likewise T be smaller than usual (microglossia). glo The physical surface of the T

Dr. Samuel Awosolu Samawosolu@yahoo.co.

08108155239 tongue may present with an appearance of fissures and furrows. These fissures can harbour bacteria and lead to bad breath, Halitosis. It could also become infected and swollen.

Hairy tongue is an appearance, a descriptive appearance, the cause is unknown.

The tongue may also be hyper- pigmented. The dentist, once consulted, will offer treatment which may involve scraping the surface of the tongue.

De-papilation of the tongue is another condition of the tongue. The tongue is full of papillae and in this situation the papillae are lost. They are seen in some nutritional deficiencies of vitamins and micro nutrients.

Sore tongue (Glossodyna) The tongue may become sore sometimes and gives a semblance of like burning . Some of the causes of this condition include iron deficiency anaemia, pernicious anaemia, candidasis and vitamin B group deficiencies.

The treatment of the deficiencies causes the tongue to

go back to its normal condition.

Ulcers and other swellings of the tongue.

Like every structure in the body the tongue is covered by epithelium , the loss of continuity in the surface of any structure or organ gives rise to an ulcer. Ulcers of the tongue are seen in some conditions like tuberculosis, syphilis, gonorrhoea infections, viral conditions, trauma from biting the tongue.

Generalised lack of oxygen in the tissues of the body can manifest in the tongue , cyanosis or blueness seen in circulatory insufficiency.

Loss of taste sensation in the tongue can also occur.

Nerve damage can occur and part of the tongue supplied by the damaged nerve becomes paralysed.

The practice of putting studs , rings , bars or any ornaments, piercings and tattoos on the tongue should be avoided due to the danger of infections , bleeding etc.

The tongue needs to be cleaned regularly like other parts of the mouth.

See you next week.

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Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

21

Katsina to imprison, fine against stigmatising PLWAs JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

Katsina state is considering a law that could lead to imprisonment and fining of anyone found to stigmatise and discriminate against persons living with HIV/ AIDS. To this end, the state Min-

istry of Justice in collaboration with state HIV/AIDS Control Agency, has proposed a bill that would make it unlawful to stigmatise and discriminate against people living with HIV/AIDS. When the bill passes into law, it would be an “offence punishable by not less than one year or fine of N50,000 for person, organisations or

institutions that stigmatise against persons” living with the disease.

The proposed bill was contained in a press statement signed by secretary, critical mass committee, Ministry of Justice, Barr. SY Wurma/ The bill also states that it would be an offence for any person in custody of a “person living with the disease to

fail or refuse to take such person in his custody to a health clinic for medical attention.”

Also, a husband that refuses or prevents his wife from “receiving medical treatment commits an offence punishable under this law.”

People not living with the disease would be protected by the law because if a per-

son “living with HIV/AIDS with or without marriage infects another person willingly he/she will be punished with not less than 10 years imprisonment.”

The statement said divulging or publicising the “status of a person living with the disease without justification is an offence punishable with two years imprisonment or a

Ekiti remembers late deputy Gov with breast cancer exam kits distribution ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

E

kiti State Government has distributed breast self-examination kits for cancer screening as part of activities for the one-year remembrance of the late Deputy Governor of the state, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka.

At the event which took place across the three senatorial districts on recently, the Project Manager of the Funmi Olayinka Diagnostic and Wellness Centre, Dr. Bola Solanke, took the gathering through practical steps in breast self examination using the distributed kits.

The events took place at the headquarters of the three senatorial districts of the state: Ido-Ekiti (Ekiti North); Ikere-Ekiti (Ekiti South); and Ado-Ekiti (Ekiti Central), on Monday and Tuesday.

At each stop, Dr. Solanke, took the gathering through practical steps in breast self examination using the distributed kits.

The event which witnessed health screening for cancer, HIV/AIDS, malaria, sugar level, blood pressure, body weight and other essential health screening, was rounded off with cancer awareness walk led by the governor’s wife.

Addressing the participants before the commencement of the walk, Governor Kayode Fayemi, appealed to women to make regular check-up and screening for cancer and gender-specific ailments a habit to stem the tide of cancer and other diseases ravaging the population.

“One of the pledges we made after her demise was never again should we lose women to any form of cancer particularly, cervical and breast cancer.

“I want to urge all the women to voluntarily use

the facility at the diagnostic centre and make use of the advice they receive from the specialists who are handling the various equipment that we put there for use.

“We know that cancer is still a major scourge in our country and we know that we lose so many people to the scourge. We want to do everything within our own ability to stop this from happening and one of the basic ways of stopping it is through regular checkups that can be detected early if anything has gone amiss,” Governor Fayemi said..

In her address at the rally, wife of the governor, Bisi, expressed the resolve of government to establish cancer screening centres in the three senatorial zones of the state for early detection of the scourge.

She advised women to be mindful of their diet and to desist from consuming too much of carbohydrates and oil, but to consume more of vegetables and foods rich in proteins.

Kebbi Govt. spends N500m on free drugs for pregnant women, infants

T

Kick-Polio-Out Volunteers immunizing a child at Onipanu Bus-Stop in Lagos yesterday.

A

PHOTO:NAN

Cholera outbreak claims 54 lives in Bauchi, says Commissioner

N

o fewer than 54 persons have died from the outbreak of cholera in Bacuchi state within the last two months, the state Commissioner for Health Dr. Sani Malami, has reported.

Malami told journalists in Bauchi that the victims died at home because they were not taken to the hospital for medical attention.

He however said that the situation had been

brought under control through the quick intervention of the state government. ``The number of deaths recorded in our facilities was five, but there were lot of deaths in the homes because people refused to take their relations to the hospitals. ``From our record, about 54 people have died in their homes. This was because people do not heed to medical advice

Veterinary doctor counsel Nigerians on dog bite

veterinary doctor, Dr George Akpan, on has called for preventive measures to avoid serious health complications from dog bite.

Akpan, who works with the Anchor Animal Hospital, Lagos, made the call in an interview with the New Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos. ``Dog bites are common injuries in houses and communities. So, it is important to have a solid understanding of first aid treatment. ``The first step in applying first aid to dog bite is to get the victim away from the dog or to isolate the dog and ensure it cannot attack again. ``Once the victim is at a safe distance and the dog is securely contained, put on any available safety equip-

fine of N50,000 or both.

“Also revealing the status of a person living with HIV/ AIDS by a health worker without justification is an offence which attracts dismissal among other penalties.”

The statement urged those living with the disease in the state to take note and take action accordingly when the law is passed.

ment such as rubber gloves and glasses. ``If none is available, do not touch the wound or the victim. ``Diseases can be transmitted through blood and one should take appropriate precautions to avoid direct contact with another person’s blood,” he said.

Akpan also said that the next step was to clean out the wound with warm water and antiseptic soap. ``Flushing the wound out with warm water and antiseptic soap will help to kill bacteria that can cause infection and remember to put on the safety equipment. ``If the wound is bleeding profusely use a clean rag or other garment to apply pressure directly to the

wound. ``Applying direct pressure to the wound is much safer option. Though, it may be painful for the victim.

“And, if the bleeding persists, it is important to take the victim immediately to a nearby hospital,” he said.

Akpan said that every dog was at risk of having rabies.

“Rabies is a deadly viral infection that attacks the central nervous system.

This condition can only be treated before the infection actually takes hold.

“Even, if the dog shows no other outward signs of rabies, one should be sure to take the victim to a doctor.

“Proper care and medical attention can help to ensure that a dog bite infection does not spread and cause other medical issues.”

to take their sick ones to the hospital, “ he said.

The commissioner however said that proactive measures had been put in place to prevent future occurrence, especially in the aspect of awareness campaign.

He said that the ministry had so far visited over 20,000 homes to advocate for timely report of any suspicion of the disease to the nearest health facility for quick diagnosis.

Malami said that the state had also chlorinated over 60,000 wells within Bauchi town against the cholera virus.

he Kebbi Government said last Thursday that it had spent N500 million on the procurement of drugs for distribution free to pregnant women and infants in the state.

The Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Shehu Sambawa, said this at a sensitisation workshop organised by a non - governmental organisation, ‘Advocacy Nigeria’ in Birnin -Kebbi.

Sambawa, who was represented by Alhaji Hassan Maigandi, said that the gesture was part of measures put in place by the government to reduce infant and maternal mortality in the state.

He said that the drugs would be distributed promptly to the target beneficiaries.

On access to healthcare delivery, the commissioner said that the mini stry, in collaboration with SURE-P had deployed nurses to rural areas to boost health care delivery at the grassroots.

In her remarks, Hajia Safiya Abdullahi, the NorthWest Coordinator of the advocacy programme, said the project in partnership with the SURE-P was aimed at working out measures on issues of maternal mortality and child health services.

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Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

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Nigeria, dumping ground for substandard medical equipment –Supplier A medical doctor and renowned medical equipment supplier, Dr. Forster Ihejiofor, Managing Director of Grafil Medical Limited, a subsidiary of Grace Fountains International Limited, says many government hospitals lack standardized and essential medical equipment. In this interview with FRANKA OSAKWE, Dr. Ihejiofor speaks on the health implication of the development. Excerpts You left medical practice for medical equipment business. Why? I think medical equipment business is very integral to medical practice because you need appropriate technology to deliver accurate therapeutic procedure and as a medical student and afterward a graduate, I was troubled by the abject lack of proper technical aid for medical practice in public institution. For me, there was a yawning need to bridge that gap and I wanted to be part of it.

Delving into sourcing medical equipment, I realized it was something that required a significant part of my time so I decided to give that a bigger proportion of my attention. In any case, as a medical student in my last one year in school, I got a divine guidance from God that I should delve into business alongside medical practice. Specifically the spirit of God told me to build him a fountain of oil to oil the machinery of the gospel, and that is how the name Grace Fountains came about.

That was what prompted me into focusing on business, otherwise I was so keen on surgery and I had efficiency in dissecting. It would interest you to know that I was one of the few students selected by the school to do what they call ‘Prosection’, for the junior students.

That is the procedure in which you dissect the cadaver exposing various tissues and organs for teaching purpose. I was selected to do that as a holiday work and the school paid me for that. The money I earned from the two months of that internship I used to buy my first refrigerator and a big music box and then I still had some money left.

Any regret so far?

Regret? Certainly not, though there have been issues and challenges but I have had the joy of being in what God will have me be. I have experienced the helping hand of God and I can testify that it is what God will have me do. While in medical practice, I had met the supposedly big shots in medical equipment, but a few years after I got there, they began to feel like, ‘oh! Where did this giant come from’, because shortly after I got into medical equipment business, God gave me opportunity to service some contracts that came from multinational bodies like W.H.O, UNESCO, and it wasn’t long after, about ten years later that I got my own properties, erected my own building and things just kept happening.

How will you rate the medical facilities and equipment in government hospitals?

Well, prior to the civilian rule, it was a terrible state of affair, the military left everything in disarray, but after the civilian came into power, there has been a trend among the government at state and fed-

eral level, to focus on providing appropriate technology for medical practice. However, there is no standard. You cannot say this is the kind of equipment I will see when I get to general hospital, or teaching hospital. I think we need to standardize, we need to have what we can say is the minimum for every general, cottage, or teaching hospital.

At the moment, people are doing what they want, what they feel and nobody is checking.

In terms of equipment, there are no equipment yardsticks for judging which hospital is truly equipped.

Is there a way that government can partner with medical equipment companies?

Oh yes. Government can seek for private dealers and embark on deliberate partnership to upgrade and standardize medical equipment. As a medical equipment dealer, there should be opportunity for public private partnership (PPP) which is what is working in India, America, UK, and most places where health service is working. If Government is willing to partner with private dealers, we can take up refurbishing and re-equipping of government hospitals and share the income over an agreed period, that will ensure that these equipment work because if I have an x-ray machine, for instance, I will put someone there and will ensure that the equipment work, if it doesn’t work then I don’t get paid. Government can put in place deliberate policy for people to use the facilities; and also arrange with private companies to bring in and manage theses equipment.

What are the challenges so far?

There are too many interests coming between health care decision makers and procurement of medical equipment.

Instead of giving the equipping of hospital contract to those that have the experience, they will give it to those in their political camp or their family.

The worst experience in this business is when you supply equipment at various level and they owe you for a

long time. This makes the cost of the whole business too high for the supplier and at the end of the day, the business man might go and bring in something substandard or inflate the cost in order to meet up with the cost of procurement. They lure you into bringing in equipment, and then all of a sudden the money they are supposed to pay you which is yours by right, is diverted into something else. I think this is wrong and government should make it a criminal offence for people to buy something and refuse to pay.

What is the health implication of this?

Every hospital called a hospital should have an accident and emergency equipment profile, otherwise people will come in there and simply die. Accident and emergency unit should be properly equipped with essentials such as defibrillator, suction machine and something as basic as patient trolley.

Most times people go and buy inferior stuff, against this I will advocate they get preowned equipment. For patient trolley, for instance, the right type is the one with x-ray translucent where you can tilt the head of the patient wherever you want. If someone is bleeding profusely, you would want the head down to prevent blood from going to the brain, if the person is in cardiac arrest, you will want the head up so hat water gravitates. Such features in patient trolley are no luxury and should not be compromised. But from what I have seen in my experience, hospitals buy trolleys without considering these things.

Equipment in accident and emergency should not be compromised because that is the first point of call in emergency situation and lives c a n be lost if not taken care of.

There

should be a standard en-

forcement unit set up by the ministry of health, they should go round and check the kind of equipment used by hospitals at state and federal level, and they should down grade some hospitals not compliant.

What makes equipment substandard?

It depends on the kind of equipment; if it is furniture or hollowware, when it is made with low grade, Stainless steel if it is low grade will easily rust when exposed to salty humidity and dust. Because rust is water soluble, whatever you put on it will be contaminated. If you are talking about proper life-saving machines such as anaesthetic machine for instance, there are so many china companies experimenting with this equipment that has not been certified by any world standard body. They might produce the equipment alright, but the anesthetic vaporizers may not be properly calibrated and if a patient receives a higher dose of halogen he might sleep to death.

A wrong calibrated anaesthetic machine might be reading 5ml whereas the patient is receiving 25ml of halogen thereby getting exposed to overdose. The same thing could happen with diathermy machine (used to control bleeding in surgery), now if it is not properly calibrated, it could be reading 100 watts whereas it is actually delivering 200 watts. When you apply this on a patient, you could cause so much injury. In fact, I noticed so many companies are now making defibrillator (designed to restart the heart by delivering electric current to jerk back the heart). It is absolutely important that the right energy is delivered to the heart; otherwise you will kill the person with over current. Presently, Nigeria is a dumping ground for these substandard equipments. You find them more in furniture and hollowware. If you ask some doctors about some of these equipment such as ultrasound and suction machine, they will tell you that some of them after 6 months get packed up. My advice to doctors is if you buy too cheap, you buy again.

THERE ARE NO EQUIPMENT YARDSTICKS FOR JUDGING WHICH HOSPITAL IS TRULY EQUIPPED Ihejiofor

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Arts Lounge

Festival of creativity at The Muse

Yes, theatre doesn’t bring instant fame - Shola Adenugba

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Protecting Nigeria’s indigenous music In the face of the allure of hip hop, what becomes of Africa’s indigenous music forms in a few years from now leaves little to be desired.

Ngozi Emedolibe

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visit to nite clubs in Nigeria will obviously reveal the place of Nigeria’s indigenous music amongst music lovers. Although Nigerian- made songs (fondly called Naija beats) are now ruling the music scene, most of the flavours being played are dilutions of the highlife style which made waves some decades ago. For obvious reasons, Nigerians seem in tune with these dilutions. While highlife may not be everyone’s choice of music, it is clear that only a few people ‘actually hate’ it. But what has become of this genre of music, which West Africans should hold dear, is only an aftermath of Western influences.

Larry Koldsweat, an actor and musician says that highlife is still the popular choice amongst Nigerians who know what good music entails. For him, highlife is unique in that it takes a lot of hard work for an album of highlife to be made quite unlike the contemporary beats imported from the Western world. “Highlife music is one genre of music that comes from the soul. It is a brand of music that comes with lots of messages, as can be testified from the masters of the music in West Africa.

It is a brand of music where your skills as a musician will come to test, because you

must know how to play the necessary instruments. I believe that the dilution that has trailed highlife over the years is as a result of the fact that a lot of musicians do not know how to play instruments.

They depend on synthesisers, which carry a lot of foreign beats. It is difficult for anyone who cannot play an instrument to rely on that and do highlife.”

For veteran highlife musician, Victor Olaiya, highlife is unique in the sense that the instruments are peculiar to the final output: “I think the uniqueness of highlife music lies so much in the musical instruments that we employ in producing highlife. Predominant in Nigerian highlife music are the guitar, talking drum and the bass. The uniqueness is also in the musical arrangement. My arrangement is different and distinct from the late King E.T Mensah’s arrangement. In the first place, the Nigerian highlife has five beats while the Ghanaian highlife has three beats in a bar. Just like you are playing

the chords, the arrangement by the artiste concerned is another major factor that makes the highlife different from any other type of music”.

Why has highlife lost grounds to the contemporary imports in spite of these peculiarities which do not come cheap? Chizzy Ani, proprietor of Kpakpando TV, a 24 hour Igbo language cable TV station, blames it on the lack of promotion amongst musicians. He told Arts Lounge that highlife is very much loved by people but that the weak promotional efforts towards that genre of music make it a second choice for people.

“Highlife is just having a bad time, but may not be about to die. If you listen to some of the beats making waves on air, they are all dilutions of highlife. Their messages are however different from those of the tradition highlife we know which teaches morals, proverbs, folktales and certain aspects of our culture; but these dilutions have found better ways of promotion in the contemporary hip-hop cul-

I think much depends on the media; the media seems to be tilting and paying more

attention to hip-hop, reggae and other foreign music.

The media should lift the tempo and project Nigerian indigenous music

ture. Only a few highlife musicians bother to promote their songs. In this age, a good video is important for any music to make the desired impact, but highlife hardly has that. On TV, we would like to play highlife tunes, but there’re hardly enough content to back that up. If you watch carefully, the young man who bought the rights of Oriental’s songs launched a promotion by doing a video”.

It seems TV is not only the broadcast medium that has relegated highlife to the background.

In Nigeria today, radio stations have only devoted a negligible portion of their time belt to highlife. Where it exists especially on the conventional FM stations, they come as thirty minute shows as exemplified on Metro FM and Classic FM in Lagos. But this is not as bad as the near conspiratorial neglect by Nigeria’s corporate world. For instance, many musical talent hunt shows like MTN Project Fame, Nigerian Idol and the Maltina Dance All have all mentioned highlife as a passing segment on their shows.

Aside this, some of the stars being made in those shows have never considered a career in highlife.

Victor Uwaifo

Odebatu is behind O’Jez’s Elders’ Forum

Olaiya

KSA

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Arts Lounge

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

VOICES

Asia in My Life 2

NGUGI WA THIONG’O

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he lead role of an African woman in my drama, The Black Hermit, the first major play ever in English by an East African black native, was an Indian. No makeup, just a headscarf and a kanga shawl on her long dress but Suzie Wooman played the African mother to perfection, her act generating a standing ovation lasting into minutes. I dedicated my first novel, Weep Not Child, to my Indian classmate, Jasbir Kalsi, probably as homage to our friendly but fierce intellectual rivalry in our English studies. Ghulsa Nensi led a multi-ethnic team that made the costumes for the play while Bahadur Tejani led the team that raised money for the production.

It was not simply at the personal realm. Commerce, arts, crafts, medical and legal professions in Kenya have the marks of the Indian genius all over them.

Politics too, and it should never be forgotten that Mahatma Gandhi started and honed his political and organizing skills in South Africa where he spent twenty one years of his life from 1893 leaving for India in 1914. The South African scholar, Masilela Ntongela, places Gandhi squarely as one of the founding intellectuals of what Masilela calls the New African Movement. The honorific Mahatma, the great soul, was first applied to him in South Africa for by the time he left for India, he had already developed his Satyagraha and Ahimsa ready for use in his anti-colonial struggles that eventually led to Indian independence in 1947, an event that had a big impact on anti-colonial struggles in Africa. What India achieved could be realized in Afri-

ca! Gandhi kept in touch with politics in Africa, Kenya in particular, and wrote a letter of protest when the British imprisoned one of the early Kenyan nationalists, Harry Thuku, in the 1920s. Gandhi created the tradition of South African Asians at the front line of struggle in South Africa. Ahmed Kathrada was one of the ten defendants in the famous Rivonia trial that would lead him to Robben Island where he spent eighteen years alongside Mandela and others. What Gandhi started Mandela completed.

When I met Mandela in Johannesburg soon after his release and becoming President of the ANC party, I came out from the hour-long one on one conversation, struck by the charisma of his simplicity, reminiscent of what people say about Gandhi.

The birth of Trade Union Movement in Kenya was largely the work of Gamal Pinto and Makhan Singh. Imprisoned by the Kenya colonial authorities repeatedly, Makhan Singh would never give up the task of bringing Indian and African workers together. He was the first prominent political leader to stand in a court of law and tell the British colonial state that Africans were ready to govern themselves, a heresy that earned him imprisonment and internal exile. Kapenguria is usually associated with the trial and imprisonment of Jomo Kenyatta but Makhan Singh preceded him. There have been some Indian political martyrs, the first being the Indian workers executed for treason, by the authorities in the very early days of colonial occupation.

Gamal Pinto, a hero of the anti-colonial resistance,

I DEDICATED MY FIRST NOVEL, WEEP NOT CHILD, TO MY INDIAN CLASSMATE, JASBIR KALSI, PROBABLY AS HOMAGE TO OUR FRIENDLY BUT FIERCE INTELLECTUAL RIVALRY IN OUR

ENGLISH STUDIES

Ngugi wa Thiong’o

would be a prominent victim of the post-colonial negative turn in Kenyan politics. Though under a fictional name, Gamal Pinto, has been immortalized in Peter Nazareth’s novel, In a Brown Mantle one of the best literary articulations of the political drama of the transformation of African politics from the colonial to the neo-colonial.

The recent explosion of Chinese interest in African might obscure the fact that there has always been a small but significant migrant Chinese presence, South Africa mostly, but also in Zimbabwe.

Fay Chung whose grandparents migrated to Rhodesia in the 1920s became an active participant in the anti-colonial struggle, at one time running for her life into exile in Tanzania, was a big player in the founding of Zimbabwe. She founded Zimfep which invited Kamirithu theater to Zimbabwe, a visit was scuttled by the Moi regime by simply banning the theater group and forcing one of its leaders, the late Ngugi wa Mirii, to flee to

Zimbabwe, and under Zimfep, launched the Zimbambwe Community Theater Movement , ensuring that the continuity and expansion of the Kamirithu spirit.

Mao Tse Tung never visited Africa but his thought has been part of the intellectual debate in the post-colonial era. His class analysis of Chinese society was seen as providing a more relevant model for analyzing African post-colonial social realities than the European Marxist model, and Kwame Nkrumah book, Class struggle in Africa, has the Mao’s marks all over it.

The notion of the Comprador bourgeoisie dependent and serving foreign capital and hence contrastable from the national bourgeoisie with its primary reliance on national capital has become an analytic model in Political theory and development studies.

Ngugi wa Thiong’o is a renowned African author who teaches at the University of California, USA.

MEMORABLE READS What book is your favourite?

‘Da Vinci Code’ is Who is your favourite author?

Dan Brown, the author of ‘Da Vinci Code’ What are the book’s highpoints?

Everything about ‘The Da Vinci Code’ is intriguing for me. You know religion is a very touchy issue but in this book, the author tried to make things that are supposedly hidden open, which created a lot of curiosity in me. He is good in this craft but if you have a discerning mind, at the end of the day, you will realise that Dan Brown was just trying to sell a novel What books prepared you as a child?

That was a long time ago. I would say the first major novel I read and finished was by James Hardly Chase. Then I was in primary six. The title of that particular James Hardly Chase’s novel is ‘Coffin from Hong Kong’.

That was the book that influenced my deci-

Bob Manuel Udokwu Actor

sion to love reading. From then on I discovered I could not do without novels. It’s been a journey from one novel to another, from one experience to another.

What influences the books you buy?

I buy books a lot, especially when I am travelling out of the country. Over there, I take advantage of their bookshops; I scan through the shelves and pick what interests me. The novels I like to read are usually the ones with horrifying themes. I like horror. I like suspense. I do not know if it has to do with the fact that I am an actor, and I am always looking for how I can re-create such in my movies. I also like titles that dwell on intelligence, because they make me security conscious. James Hardly Chase’s book which I read as a youngster must have sharpened my instincts in this regard.

Can you compare movie scripts with books?

Books are more exhaustive. After watching the James Bond movies, I actually bought all the books and read them, and you will realise that several things were missed

out. You cannot achieve ieve as much in movies like ike you would in books. Books ks are more detailed.

What’s your annual expenditure on books?

Honestly, I do not keep tabs. This his is because I do not place any financial premium on books. They cannot be valued. What one takes away from one particular book cannot be estimated in terms of cash, because the knowledge is handy everyday of one’s life.

Books are timeless investments.

Passing on the reading culture: I am doing my best to get the interest of my children in books. They are reading children’s books already, and I am glad about it.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

25

ARTISTE UNCENSORED

Yes, theatre doesn’t bring instant fame - Shola Adenugba OLAYIWOLA AWAKAN

Discourse on live theatre productions will not be complete without considering the role of the producers. Oluwanishola Adenugba, an actor, writer and the producer of Live Theatre on Sunday (LTS), is never tired of producing stage plays as he prepares for Easter with Belong.

M

any professionals are segmented into the artistic and administrative areas of stage productions. The fact remains that only those on stage are being appreciated more by the spectators because they are the ones with direct contact with the audience.

However, without the producer and other crew members, a production is just but a mirage. Producing a standard stage production is a very tasking aspect of the business most especially at this reviving point. One of those who have been passionate and consistent in producing stage plays on the Lagos Mainland is Oluwanishola Adenugba, the producer of Live Theatre on Sunday (LTS).

Shola, a theatre producer, actor and writer who hails from Epe in Lagos State attended the University of Ibadan where he studied Theatre Arts. He is about to bag his doctorate. This highly creative and industrious man thought of how to bring back the tradition of Live Theatre most especially on the Lagos Mainland to measure up with what holds on the Island, and that ingenious cogitation culminated in the creation of Live Theatre

on Sunday (LTS) in 2008.

According to him, passion and the need to make extra income was one of the reasons for establishing the LTS Project. “I have always been fascinated by the stage and at the time we started Live Theatre on Sunday in 2008, there were very few theatre productions around so we decided to start and provide a panacea to the dearth of theatre. We started with a sponsorship from UBA at the Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture and our first productions were plays by J.P.ClarkBekederemo’s The Song of a Goat, directed by Leke Gbolade for Black Soul Repertory Theatre and “The Wive’s Revolt” as directed by Ayo Atoki. We have featured actors like Paul Alumona, Omonor Somolu, Debbie, Emmanuel Nlemadim, Dave Akabuez, Thomas Odia, Gabriel Afolayan and Nosa. Alas, we haven’t made the money yet though” he said.

He talks on the reason most people run away from producing stage plays. “It is expensive and rigorous and requires a lot of time. Also Theatre is not the most prominent sibling in popular culture family. Theatre doesn’t give instant fame. You build your fame slowly and that discourages people”. Regardless of the fact that this passionate theatre producer does his Live Theatre on Sunday free (might review it) for all every last Sunday of the month and it is not yet as lucrative as it should, he is optimistic about the business. “I love the theatre arts, I studied it and I won’t do anything else,” he added.

To keep up the frenzy, he has therefore created more special productions for Easter and Christmas with the first edition slated to commemorate this year’s Easter celebration for theatre lovers. He has therefore packaged a play titled: Belong for the season. When asked the idea be-

PRODUCING A STANDARD STAGE PRODUCTION IS A VERY TASKING ASPECT OF THE BUSINESS, MOST ESPECIALLY AT THIS REVIVING POINT

Adenugba

hind the selection of the play for Easter, he responded thus, “Easter is the season for rediscovery and Belong is about identity. I believe that there is no better time to present such a great story. It is a play on love, identity and politics. It is a story of people who in the struggle to be, have lost all they have and who they are”.

Belong according to Adenugba is handled by a good selection of crew and cast ranging from Tosan Ugbeye as Artistic Director and Award winning Bola Agbaje, a UK-based Nigerian playwright as writer, while the performers include some of Nigeria’s finest thespians and celebrities like Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, Bimbo Akintola, Tunji Sotimirin, Toyin Oshinnaike, OC

The Hero media unveil holds in Lagos

MIDWEEK JUMP

Nigerian Entertainment Conference holds tomorrow

T

he second edition of the Nigerian Entertainment Conference will hold today, Wednesday April 23 at the Grand Ball Room, Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos. The event which kicks off at 9 am prompt has become an annual discourse initiated by the Nigerian Entertainment Today, NET newspaper to improve the lot of the entertainment industry in Nigeria.

This year’s theme is: Creating Pathway to the Future, will have speakers like 2Face Idibia, Omotola Jolade-

Ekeinde, Pat Utomi and Emeka Mba, the director general of the National Broadcasting Commission.

2Face Idibia will speak on Music: Slaying The Collective Rights Monster; Pat Utomi will speak on Business: Solving The Distribution Problem Once And For All; Omotola Jolade-Ekeinde will speak on Social Responsibility: Why We Should Care, while Emeka Mba will speak on Nollywood: The Desired Future.

There will also be many panelists at the conference.

Ukeje, Dolapo Oni, Opeyemi Dada and Emeka Nwachukwu. On the selection of high class actors, he added that Belong is a top class production and only the best are good enough.

In his words, “The play is for everyone.

The theatre does not discriminate. Theatre should be didactic and we hope that people will take a step back to appraise themselves and see if they are who they are or if what they have become is what they really want. Belong will be showcased for three days; April 18, 19 and 20 at the Federal Palace Hotel, Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island by 2pm, 5pm and 7pm each day ”.

A

Ogbukagu, Producer of The Hero

s activities in the camp of ‘The Hero: Back to the Roots’ continue, the cast and crew members of the reality TV show will, Thursday, April 17 meet with members of the Nigerian media. The event which kicks off at 9 am prompt will take the form of an interactive session between the press and members of the TV show which starts showing on TV stations after the exercise. The session will also have the ambassadors of the show meeting with a select group of Nollywood stars. The venue is O’Jez Restaurant Surulere, Lagos.

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Arts Lounge

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FAR AND NEAR

Ovuoroh wins NFC’s script competition NGOZI EMEDOLIBE

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winner has emerged in the Nigerian Film Corporation’s Animated Film Project. He is Okeremute Jonathan Ovuoroh. Okeremute goes home with the sum of N50,000 which is the cash prize for coming tops.

According to Brian Etuk, Nigerian Film Corporation’s Head of Public Affairs, Okeremute’s script emerged from a group of seven other entries received, having met the requirements for the project. His script One Hundred Feathers is to undergo treatment preparatory for production. Already a 10-Day script conference has been scheduled to take place from Saturday April 12th, 2014 at the National Film Institute in Jos. Selected script writers from the film industry, the National Film Institute and the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria will be participating in the script conference and training workshop.

The Nigerian Film Corporation initiated the Film and Nigerian Project, with

Okeremute Jonathan and MDNFC, Dr. Dadu

the objective of providing the lead in the production of animated films that will feed the Nigerian children. The content of such films is to also portray Nigeria as truly a great nation with good people.

The film project is conceived as a Public

Private Partnership initiative.

Speaking at the formal announcement of the winning script and the signing of an agreement between Okeremute Ovuorah and the Nigerian Film Corporation in Jos, Danjuma Dadu,

NFC’s managing director, said that the project is in response to the yearnings of Nigerians on the need to strengthen the ethical values in the Nigerian Child, who at present is under intense foreign cultural and ethical influence.

Dadu assured that the project will pave the way for a robust platform for a paradigm shift in Nigeria’s film industry.

The Ahmadu Bello University, through the Department of Fine Arts is partnering with the Nigerian Film Corporation on the project.

An elated Okeremute, a graduate of Geology, at the brief ceremony, commended the Nigerian Film Corporation for initiating the project, saying that, he was proud to be part of the history unfolding, of providing the Nigerian child the needed film content that will shape his dream for a better Nigeria.

The script, One Hundred Feathers, is not only apt; it also has the positive attributes of Nigeria as a great nation founded one hundred years ago.

Festival of creativity at The Muse OLAYIWOLA AWAKAN

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overs of theatre in Oregun (Lagos) and its environs are in for good times as a festival of creativity tagged: The Muse, which is meant to celebrate originality in all areas of arts ranging from poetry, dance, drama and music has commenced.

The first season of the event held recently at SBLS Event Centre, Kudirat Abiola Road, Oregun Ikeja, Lagos as organised by G7 Global Services.

G7 Global Services had assembled thespians of repute to entertain Lagos mainland inhabitants with live theatre. It was an event that will last longer than expected in the minds of those who witnessed it as the likes of Tomi Odunsi, Zaizy Vocals, Crown Troupe of Africa, Lord of Poetry brought their various forms of art to bear on stage.

Zaizy Vocals, a group of young minds who focus on theatre songs and other music performed live in a theatrical form with great vocal renditions and drumming, started by arousing the curiosity of the audience. Tosin Otudeko read a poem titled Hallowed Tree after which Tomi Odunsi took over by giving a mind-blowing musical performance titled: I wan blow to the

delight of the audience. Away from music, poetry took over the stage again, but this time around from the desk of the master, Olusola Emmanuel a.k.a Lord of Poetry.

He performed one of his best poems titled: The Lost African, which addresses the fact that Africans have been carried away by the features of the western world that almost everything in African now has a foreign version. The poem points out that our rich and homely culture is being swept away by the western lifestyle.

Lord of Poetry’s poetry performance with loud ovation ushered the audience into the presentation by the internationally-acclaimed Crown Troupe of Africa as managed by Nigeria’s prolific thespian, Segun Adefila. Open Letter being the title of the performance addresses the various issues confronting our nation. Crown Troupe of Africa thrilled the audience with the performance.

The peak of the show being produced

by Oluseyi Emmanuel was the command performance of ‘Whose House Is It Anyway?’ creatively written by Olusola Emmanuel, Lord of Poetry and directed by Biodun Kasim. The play featured Toyin Oshinaike (Caretaker), Jude Orhorha (Professor), Seun Smith (a bachelor) and

The Muse Season 1

Zara Udofia-Ejoh (Professor’s wife). The director and professional actors gave life to Olusola Emmanuel’s play. Whose House Is It Anyway, the four-man play is an account of our societal issues from the focal point of tenancy maltreatment, temperamental nature of women, impecuniousness state

of a professor, promiscuity and other matters. The dramatist explores the technique of dramatic comedy through the creative use of poetic lines.

According to the producer, Oluseyi Emmanuel, the second edition is slated for September 2014.

On N20bn film village in Yenagoa

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ar from oil, the major resource of Bayelsa State, the government is looking the side of creative arts, as it plans a film village.

The governor of the state, Seriake Dickson has however disclosed that the proposed film village would gulp N20 billion and called for private in the promotion of local talents in the creative industry. Dickson made the appeal at a Sponsors Night and dinner recently.

According him, “government hopes to realise its vision of nurturing local talents through the establishment of the

film village by working with the private sector and create a suitable environment where actors and actresses from all over the world assemble in the great state of Bayelsa to act their films.”

Governor Dickson, who noted that government has been funding AMAA for the past decade, stressed the inability of government to continue with the funding in view of ongoing reforms in government in the light of present economic realities.

In his words: “AMAA is only going to be sustainable if the private sector buys into it; drives the process and guarantees

its continuity. Government will not be in the business of directly taking responsibility of funding AMAA that is not sustainable particularly in the light of present economic challenges.”

Urging corporate organisations and well meaning Nigerians to donate generously to the sponsorship of the academy, the Governor assured donors of the effective management of their funds under a special account and the Bayelsa State Accountant General, the Chief Executive Officer of AMAA and the Director of the Tourism Bureau would be signa-

tories to it.

Director General of the Bayelsa Tourism Development Agency, Ebizi Brown, highlighted the benefits of the academy, which include training of 500 youths annually in various aspects of the entertainment industry.

Business Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Cabotage Act can’t work under current provisions –Capt. Olopoenia

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‘Zero allocation to SEC will affect capital market development’

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

How US oil supplies, vandalism’ll affect budget execution

T

he Nigeria Customs Service has said it has not been intimated of any plan by the Federal Government to transfer the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report PAAR, a risk level document generated by the service in the new Destination Inspection scheme, which replaced the Risk Assessment Report RAR, issued by the service providers under the former DI dispensation.

This is against the background of recent speculations that the Federal Ministry of Finance has transferred the administration of PAAR to Webb Fontaine.

The Federal Government had last year following the expiration of the old DI contract, extended contract between the Federal Ministry of Finance and Webb Fontaine, which is in charge of the Automated System for Customs Data ASYCUDA, by another 18 months to enable it provide Information and Communication Technology ICT infrastructure support, which was designed to enable the service fully take over and sustain the new DI regime.

National Public Relations Officer of the service, Mr. Wale Adeniyi, who spoke in a telephone interview, noted that the service prepares and issues the PAAR document, without which no consignment will be cleared out of the

ports.

“As you are aware, Customs developed the PAAR regime, which is a replacement for the RAR issued by the former service providers and so we prepare and issue it to the importers or their agents, the customs brokers for the clearance of the consignments in question”, he said.

He however said that the in as much as the service prepares and issues the PAAR document, it uses the platform of Webb Fontaine to transmit it to the relevant importers or their accredited customs brokers for use in the process of clearing of the consignments.

He also insisted that having de-

veloped the PAAR administration, prepared and issued it, Customs has always used the platform of Webb Fontaine to transmit it to the importers or agents, which is part of contractual responsibility, contrary to earlier speculations that the administration of the entire scheme has been transferred to it.

“I am not aware that the Federal Ministry of Finance has transferred the PAAR regime to Webb Fontaine, I also do not know how this can be possible because it was developed and issued by the service, I suspect there might be some misinformation somewhere”, he further stated.

But some freight forwarders, who spoke on the condition of anonymity observed that more than one month after the official expiration of the DI contracts and subsequent disengagement of other service providers, officials of the company are still seen around the ASYCUDA both in Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports both in Lagos.

Meanwhile, some stakeholders have expressed misgivings over the extension of Webb Fontaine’s contract allegedly on the request of the service, especially considering that the contracts of the other service providers were not extended.

D

FLIGHT

SCHEDULE Arik Air Lag-Abj:07.15, 09.15, 10.20, 13.05, 15.20, 16.20, 16.50,18.45 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun).

Abj-Lag: 07:15, 09.40, 10.20, 12.15, 15.15, 16.15, 17:10, (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun); 12.15, 15.15, 16.15 (Sun) Lag-PH: 07:15, 11.40, 14.00, 16.10, 17.15 (Mon-Fri); 07.30, 11.40, 15.50 (Sat) 11.50, 3.50, 17.05 Sun) Abj-PH: 07.15, 11.20, 15.30 (Mon-Fri) 07.15, 16.00 (Sat) 13.10, 16.00 Sun) PH-Abj: 08.45, 12.50, 17.00 (MonFri) 08.45, 17.30 (Sat) 14.40, 17.30 (Sun) Abv-Beni:08.00, 12.10 (MonFri/Sat)08.56, 12.10 (Sun) BeninAbj:09.55,13.30

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

Med-View Airline

L-R: President/Chairman of Council, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, Mr Muritala Ariyo Olushekun; Managing Director Nigeria Stock Exchange, Mr. Oscar Onyema, and Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer First City Monument Bank Limited, Mr Ladi Balogun at the 2014 Annual Dinner and Awards of Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers in Lagos recently.

FG requires N79bn to complete Ajaokuta Steel

irector of Steel and Nonferrous Metals Department, Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Mr Also Abdullahi, said Nigeria needed 513 million dollars ,about N79 bn to complete Ajaokuta Steel project.

Speaking with News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Monday in Abuja, Abdullahi said that the figure was determined by a Federal Government committee which carried out a technical audit of the plant.

He said that the Federal Government had spent about six bil-

33

31

No plans to transfer PAAR regime to Webb Fontaine –Customs FRANCIS EZEM

27

lion dollars ,about N924 bn on the plant, adding that the 513 million dollars needed excluded the cost of external infrastructure which included roads, mining sites and railway siding.

He said the money would be used to complete the 10,000 housing units for workers of the company,out of which only 3,500 houses had been completed.

He said that lack of funds frustrated the planned inauguration of the company in 1983, adding that as at 1994, the plant was 94 per cent completed.

He explained that the plant

could not be completed because the Federal Government terminated the contract of the Russian company handling the project.

Abdullahi said at the time the contract was terminated, the power plant, the rolling mills, the lime plants, and the engineering workshop had been completed and were functional.

He added that the major challenge of the company was lack of infrastructure as it required logistics to transport a lot of raw materials.

“Iron ore, coking coal, limestone, dolomite and bauxite

needed for production of steel are scattered across the country and transportation is required to bring these materials to the plant,” he explained.

He said the Federal Government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding to partner some investors to run the completed units of the plant.

He added that the ministry was still discussing with some investors to run the power plant, lime plant, oxygen plant as well as to operate the middle section and structural mills.

Lagos- Abuja (Mon-Fri): 07.00, 08.50, 12.00, 16.30. Abuja- Lagos (Mon-Fri): 09.00, 14.00, 15.00, 18.30. Lagos-Yola (Mon-Fri): 8.50am. Yola-Lagos (Mon-Fri): 13.00. Lagos- PHC (Mon-Fri): 17.00. PHC-Lagos: 19.00. AbujaYola: 11.00. Yola-Abuja: 13.00.

Lagos-Abuja (Sat): 08.00, 08.50.

Abuja-Lagos (Sat): 10.00, 15.00.

Lagos-PHC (Sat): 17.00. PHC-Lagos (Sat): 19.00. Lagos-Yola (Sat): 08.50. Yola-Lagos (Sat): 13.00

28

Executive Discourse

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Cabotage Act can’t work under About two months after the Federal Governments issued fresh guidelines on waiver administration under the Coastal and Inland Cabotage, Act to make it work, the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners, umbrella body for retired indigenous ship captains, chief engineers and engineers, says the act cannot work in its current form.

President of the association, Captain Ade Olopoenia, who assumed office last year, insists in this interview with FRANCIS EZEM that the provisions of the act are mere projections not based on realities on ground and therefore need a review and total overhaul. Excerpts: There is the general belief that that the youngest Nigerian Master Mariner is 50 years, which is not good for the industry. What is your take?

It is not entirely true that the youngest Master Mariner or Chief Engineer is above 50 years, there are young Master Mariners and Chief Engineers, the only problem is unlike before now, there used to be a stream of Mariners being churned out unlike the way they are being turned out now, they are not as many as before because the training is not as structured as it was during our time or the time before us.

During our time, some of us were employed by the Federal Ministry of Transport, some by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation NNPC or the Nigerian Ports Authority NPA. Majority of the seafarers were employed by the defunct the Nigerian National Shipping Line NNSL, and so because the training of seafarers must be done on board ships, the NNSL had ships and so during our time we had no problem because as soon as we finish from the college, we were immediately sent on board the NNSL ships for the practical training after which you go back to the college for your cadetship to obtain your first professional certificate.

The most crucial period for a trainee or cadet is that time when you do your initial sea service. If you get it right then you will become good officers but if the cadets do not get sea time on board ships, they will not gain the required practical training because the job entails you working on board ships.

So if a cadet is not trained on a ship and you just struggle to spend two or three months on a ship, then you go back to the college and you want to pass your exams as officer, it is almost impossible. Even those who manage to do that one way or the other, when they get on board of ships as officers, they will not be able to perform because they did not train on a ship and so will not have the practical experience.

In our own time, we had cadets’ record book and it is to show you all the things that you have to do when you are on board the ship and as you do each task, your officer will be signing that you have done them, like you know how to steer ship, you know how to keep watch etc, they will be there on your record book so by the time you do all these, you have completed your training and ready for line as an officer of a ship.

Now that you mentioned the NNSL, how do you think government should have avoided the things that led to its demise if we are rewind the hand of the clock?

There are several factors that led to the demise o the NNSL. But you also have to realise that there were other national Carriers in Africa and all of them went under so it is not Nigeria alone. We had in Nigeria, Ghana, Congo and

Olopoenia

several other African countries. Apart from Ethiopia that still has a national shipping line, all the others are no more.

There could be several factors for it, some of them could be poor management, the type of vessels they were using some of them could be economic reasons but most usually, if you look at the world now, there are very few shipping lines that are still moving around in the world and they are very big shipping lines. So the national shipping lines of the world could not catch up with the changes in the global shipping industry whereas the shipping lines in Europe merged to become bigger liners and you know that shipping is just about competition so if you cannot compete with your peers, you are going to fold up, that is the problem. In the case of Nigeria’s national carrier, by the time the company went down,

IF WE ARE GOING TO SET UP A SHIPPING LINE, I WOULD PROBABLY NOT SUBSCRIBE TO HAVING A NATIONAL COMPANY BUT RATHER TO EMPOWER THE PRIVATE PEOPLE SO THAT GOVERNMENT WILL HAVE

SOMETHING LIKE A PRIVATE-

PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP PPP BY IDENTIFYING THOSE WITH TRACK RECORDS AND HAVE MANAGE THEIR SMALL COMPANIES

all the ships on its fleet were not in good shape and were detained all over the world because at certain stages, the ships were not well maintained and so the management took a decision and unfortunately for Nigerians, the company was liquidated. But Nigeria is a big maritime player in the subregion, so cargo come to Nigeria, we should have something that has a semblance of a national carrier because we are not going to leave everything for the foreign fleet.

If Nigeria is going to re-float a semblance of a national carrier, what do you think should be done given the factors that led to the demise of the NNSL? If you take the case of the Ethiopian Shipping Line that is still a going concern now, if you go to their headquarters in Addis Ababa, even though that country is a land locked country, the managing director of the company is a Chief Engineer who used to be on board its vessels, the technical directors are former Captains and Engineers on board its vessels, so the company is being run as a going concern not as something to create jobs for the boys, it is being run as a technical company with less government interference.

If we are going to set up a Shipping Line, I would probably not subscribe to having a national company but rather to empower the private people so that government will have something like a Private-Public Partnership PPP by identifying those with track records and have manage their small companies. It is not good to say that because I am a ship owner, I will be able to manage a shipping line, you have to have the technical know how too and these days, most ships are not manned by their owners. These days you have ship management companies where you have dedicated people that manage ships on behalf of their owners, so it does not mean than Nigerian ship owners must manage their vessels. They can buy vessels and give to ship management companies to manage for them because most of the Nigerian vessel own-

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Executive Discourse

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

29

current provisions –Capt. Olopoenia we trained, those who took us on the degree programmes were Master Mariners and Chief Engineers, what they did was to add teaching qualifications because what they were trying to do was to do was to produce cadets that will go on board ships.

Even when you have the degree, you are expected to have the sea time experience. That is the main issue in Nigeria.

When they have their degrees they must be given opportunity to go for sea time on board ships. If you have a degree or even a PhD and you do not have the 12-month mandatory sea experience, it makes no difference because you will not be able to sail onboard of a ship as an officer, that is crucial.

Though to have a degree is desirable, the practical experience is also needed. The emphasis should be on how these cadets will do their sea time training after the degree programme.

ers do not have the capacity to manage their ships, if you ask them whether they have technical people to manage their vessels, they do not have most of the time.

Could that also be responsible for why many of them are not doing well?

Yes of course. It is not just an office but a shipping company must have technical and competent people to manage the vessels. It is like any other transport company, if you have buses and you do not have technical people to maintain them, with time they will all run aground, same thing for ships, if you have ship owners that are only interested in having the ships operate, maintenance is the last thing on their programme, they get money and use it for other things, they do not care about maintaining the ships, with time the vessels will un aground. Another thing is that most of these Nigerian ship owners do not buy the correct type of vessels, when they want to buy vessels instead of seeking the advice of mariners to do proper surveys of the ships to know whether the ships can train Nigerians, most of the time they do it by themselves or give to foreign surveyors and by the time they bring it to Nigeria, they discover that the vessel has few years of lifespan. The vessel will be abandoned and that is why you see so many vessels abandoned outside the shores of Nigeria because the Nigerian ship owners will go abroad and buy ships and after two or three years they will not be able to get jobs with them, they are not well maintained and most of them do not even have certificates.

That brings us to the issue of double haul vessels. What does it do for the man on the street? Do you think that the hues and cries about it by Nigerian ship owners is worth it?

You have to go back to the origin of double haul in the first. The issue of double or single haul was not decided by one country alone. It was decided at the meetings of the International Maritime Organisation IMO, and that is why when people make a not about they fail to realise that it was not taken just like that, rather it was in response to accidents involving tankers. You see that most tankers have single haul, especially those of them that carry crude oil as soon as there is accident, the crude leaks out and the whole water is polluted and you know the issue of the Exxon Valdes and other similar accidents, the environmental impact of crude being pumped into the sea is unimaginable, the type of destruction it does to the environment is unbelievable and so it was decided after several meetings of the IMO to redesign tanker vessels so that they will have double haul so that if there is any impact on the internal haul, the external haul will prevent the crude from leaking out so that the waters are not polluted, which is reasonable. But for vessels that carry Premium Motor Spirit PMS and Dual Purpose Kerosene DPK, those ones can be single haul, in fact there is even a limit. It is for the protection of the environment so that the water is not polluted.

Do you think it is possible for Nigerian ship owners to be given waiver on the double haul requirement?

The double haul policy is now an international requirement and so it is not for a country to seek to be given a waiver and if that is the case, such country must operate on its own water. The policy is over 10 years, so why are Nigerian ship owners still talking about it? By this time they should have moved forward. The problem is that those who want to use the vessels will not want to hire single haul tankers. So is it not better for you to have two double haul vessels than have 10 single haul tankers that are not working? They are merely giving foreigners opportunity to operate in Nigeria and afterwards they will be complaining.

There are over 40 indigenous shipping companies in Nigeria and most of them are not doing well. Don’t you think there is need for mergers and acquisitions?

The problem in Nigeria is that everybody here wants to be chairman and chief executive officers of their companies. What I said earlier is that you don’t necessarily have

WHAT IS STOPPING THE MONEY FROM BEING

DISBURSED, WHAT HAS STOPPED THE LAW FROM BEING REVIEWED? IT IS

HIGH TIME THE

FEDERAL

GOVERNMENT REVIEWED THE ACT to manage your own vessel. If you do not have the technical capacity to manage your vessels, you can give them to vessel management companies to do so for you. Companies can also come together, pull resources and buy vessels, sign a contract and hand them over to ship management companies to run for them. So if a company is able to get a sponsorship or guarantee to buy a vessel from Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA for instance, and they buy a vessel, there will be companies that would be willing to manage the vessels for them, if they have been doing that, I am sure they would have been better off. I believe there are competent Nigerians that can manage their vessels profitably for them.

Federal Government is about to upgrade the Maritime Academy of Nigeria MAN, Oron to a degree awarding institution. Do you this will enhance international acceptability of the products?

Traditionally, mariners’ trainings are not academic qualification -based, rather they are practical experience oriented. It is just like when you train an accountant, after your BSc, you will not be taken as an accountant until you have your ACCA. Turning it into a degree awarding institution is good but after the degree they also need the professional trainings in order to be seamen. But the big question is whether there will be good teachers to train them to be able to meet the requirement of the Standards of Training, Certificate and Watchkeeping for Seafarers STCW because whatever they do must be tailored towards meeting the STCW convention of the International Maritime Organisation IMO,. This means that they must have good lecturers that are Master Mariners, Marine Engineers and Chief Engineers and not necessarily PhD holders that are not relevant to field of studies. Even in the United Kingdom where

More than 10 years after the introduction of the Cabotage Act, no one has been able to access the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund CVFF. What do you think?

Even if I am not a lawyer, I was told that after a law has been in existence for five years and there complaints, such law should be reviewed. I believe it should be reviewed, everybody is complaining about it because it is not working. Government should listen to the voice of the people by reviewing it, even though it is doing its best to make it work, the fact remains that it is not working and so should be reviewed and upgraded to make it work. The industry is not feeling the effect of the Cabotage regime. What we hear everyday is that there are some money sitting somewhere and that it will be disbursed. What is stopping the money from being disbursed, what has stopped the law from being reviewed? It is high time the Federal Government reviewed the Act. The next step should be to review the Act because nothing will work without a review of the legislation. There have been guidelines here and there, the law is over 10 years they should review and make it workable.

In reviewing it, do you subscribe to the calls for the removal of the waiver clause?

When we get to the review, we look at all the parametres and see which one should be taken out and which one should come in.

The Minister of Transport, Mallam Idris Umar recently issued fresh guidelines, which he said will lead to eventual review of the law. What is your take?

There have been several guidelines on the Act itself, guidelines on the CVFF, on the waiver etc. So why can’t they review the law? 10 years down the line, how many ships have been built under the regime? That is why we need to review the law in line with current realities on ground so that we will also be pragmatic about it not theory.

A lot of people believe Nigeria’s inland water transport potential is far from being fully tapped. What do you think?

It is a fact that Nigeria has a large network of inland water ways and water transportation is very cheap. In the colonial days, there used to be movement of barges from Baro, up to the North. All those one have collapsed. By now we should have a large network of inland transportation in Nigeria. We were told that the lower Niger River has been dredged but we are yet to see the impact in terms of increased inland transportation. In fact Nigeria’s inland transport potential is grossly under-utilised, other it would have reduced the pressure on the roads because many of the trailers on the roads will not have been on the roads because we would have transported the goods through the inland waters since the rails are not working, that would have lessened the burden on the roads. So the National Inland Waterways Authority NIWA, based still has a lot of works to do, especially in terms of opening up the water ways because there are supposed to be jetties and dredging of the waterways. They are also supposed to produce charts so that when you are traveling on the waters you know where you are going but if there is no navigational charts that will not be good enough.

30

Business News

FRANCIS EZEM

A

s part of measures to reduce rent and demurrage charges borne by importers under the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report PAAR regime, the Apapa command of the Nigeria Customs Service has introduced new concession designed to enable importers clear all backlog of containers.

Most importers and clearing agents have been lamenting the untold hardships and other adverse effects with the new PAAR regime, which was introduced by the service late last year following the takeover of the Destination Inspection scheme from the three service

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Apapa Customs gives importers concession on backlog consignments providers.

Those to benefit from this new gesture are importers of consignments whose, PAARs have not been processed, which is also in line with the command’s efforts at reducing all forms of delays, which also contributed to these backlog of imported goods at the ports.

Customs Area Controller in charge of the command, Mr. Charles Edike, who made the disclosure, told freight forwarders and clearing agents during a meeting in Lagos that the Comp-

troller General of the service, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko has approved the new concession.

In attendance at the meeting were representatives of the various freight forwarding associations including the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders NAGAFF and Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents ANLCA, among several others.

According to him, the concession will cover importers whose PAAR documents have not been

uploaded and consignments lying in the port between January and March 15, 2014, which he said was a special arrangement to clear their goods from the port.

“Any of the importers whose consignments fall into this category should send a letter to the CAC’s office immediately and we will immediately perform physical examination on such consignments and release them” Edike stated.

Automated System for Customs Data ASYCUDA, Project Manager of the command, AlhajiYusuf Malanta, who also confirmed the development while speaking with some clearing agents shortly after the meeting, said the provision by the customs management is strictly for importers who have difficulties generating their PAAR documents.

While insisting that the new arrangement should not be mistaken for provisional release,

Malanta said that the affected agents are required to apply to the area controller with evidence of all import documents from the banks after which examination will be conducted on the affected consignments.

“This arrangement is for those PAAR that have errors, probably on transmission, or errors on classification due to some teething problems, all these kinds of issues are what we discussed and we have designed a way to solve the problem domestically here within the Apapa command”, he also said.

He however insisted that this has nothing to do with provisional release window offered by the service by importers at the wake of the discovery of the 99,000 consignments, which could not be captured in the course of migration from Risk Assessment Report RAR to the PAAR regime.

New NITDA boss targets local IT growth KUNLE AZEEZ L-R: National Chairman, Block Makers Association of Nigeria , Alhaji Rasidi Adebowale; Group Managing Director of Dangote Cement, Mr. D.V.G. Edwin and Chairman, Lagos State Block Makers Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Okunola Abegunde, at Cement Stakeholders’Forum, in Lagos yesterday.

World Bank, UN laud Nigeria’s agric framework on climate change TOLA AKINMUTIMI, ABUJA

T

he World Bank and the United Nations Systems in Nigeria have commended the Federal Government for developing the agricultural resilience framework for addressing challenges associated with climate change in the agricultural sector, describing the initiative as desirable for ongoing efforts to mitigate its negative impact on development programmes in the country.

Giving the commendations at the formal launch of Nigeria’s National Climate Change Agricultural Resilience Framework at the weekend in Abuja, the Resident Coordinator of United Nations Systems in Nigeria, Mr. Dauda Toure, specifically lauded the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, for setting up the Advisory Committee on Agricultural Resilience in Nigeria, ACARN, in December 2013, to design the framework.

According to him, whereas a wide range of risks and impacts of climate change on food security, national security, biodiversity, habitat, public health and a host of

others have long been recognised to governments, policy makers and experts all over the world, it is doubtful if any country anywhere in the world has risen to the occasion by designing a framework for anticipating these risks and tackling them.

While launching the agriculture resilience framework document, Adesina, said that challenges of climate change were already real not only in Nigeria but all over the world with the attendant implications for agriculture, food security, personal and national incomes and even national security.

Recalling the 2012 flooding incident which affected 21 States and thousands of homes, hectares of

OLUEGUN KOIKI

T

he Federal Government has said that the ongoing construction of six fresh cargo terminals in the ix geo-political zones of the country will be ready in 16 months.

The spokesman for the aviation parastatals, Mr. Yakubu Dati in statement stated that on completion, Nigerians would

farmlands and crops, lives and property were lost to the disaster, the minister noted that but for the proactive intervention plans by the Federal Government the impact would have been more devastating.

He explained that the 2012 flooding opened a new vista to planned and organized dry season farming in Nigeria, as it marked the beginning of the Ministry’s dry season farming programme, which now allows smallholder farmers to access Growth Enhancement Support scheme ,GES, including 100 per cent government-subsidized seeds and 50 per cent subsidized fertilizer to cultivate certain crops in both the main and dry seasons.

T

he newly appointed Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, Mr. Peter Jack, said he would focus on the growth of local IT entrepreneurship, according to ITEdge, an online media.

Jack said he would be retooling NITDA’s future on software development, bolstering of local IT entrepreneurship and providing global exposure on the country’s IT potential as a hub to prospective investors.

Until Jack’s appointment as substantive DG of the agency, the agency’s Director of Software Development and Outsourcing, Dr. Ashiru Daura, was the acting DG since July last year when the former DG of NITDA, Prof. Cleopas Angaye retired, having served for a maximum term of eight years.

Jack’s appointment was made public in a statement by the Special Assistant, Media, to the Sec-

retary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Sam Nwaobasi.

According to the statement, the appointment of Jack subsists for a first term of four years.

The new helmsman was Director/Technical Assistant to the Director General of NITDA from 2000 to January 2007.

He designed and implemented the Niger Delta Youth Computer Training Programme for Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, in 2003.

He attended the International Information Technology Policy Programme, College of Engineering, Seoul National University, South Korea. He holds a BSc. In Chemical Engineering, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, a Masters Degree in Chemical Engineering and an MBA, both from the University of Lagos.

NITDA’s mandate is diverse and vast, focusing the responsibilities of the agency on fostering the development and growth of IT in Nigeria.

Six cargo terminal ready in 16 months –FG benefit from the £2bn perishable cargo market in the continent.

Dati stated that the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Engr. Saleh Dunoma gave the assurance while delivering a paper at the 4th Annual Emerging Airports Conference & Exhibition holding in Abu Dhabi.

He called on foreign investors

to take advantage of the fertile investment climate and invest in the Nigerian aviation sector.

Dunoma also described the massive remodelling projects across its 22 network across Nigeria as a veritable foundation for investments in the sector.

The statement read in part, “Opportunities abound in the Aerotropolis project where in-

vestors are guaranteed return on their investments.”

Dunoma invited investors to be part of the Aerotropolis and fresh produce market and described Nigeria’s rating as the 26th economy in the world as a clear indication that Nigeria is taking its pride of place as the truly.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business News

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

31

‘Zero allocation to SEC will affect capital market development’

T

he Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria, ASHON, has said that zeroallocation to the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, in the 2014 budget could stall capital market development.

ASHON President, Mr Emeka Madubuike, told News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Lagos on Monday that the commission might not carry out any capital intensive project this year.

Madubuike said that all the capital market development initiatives aimed at restoring investorconfidence would be affected by lack of funds.

According to him, the capital market committee programmes aimed at taking the market to the next level have remained unrealised due to budget limitations.

Madubuike called for quick resolution of the lingering impasse in the interest of the market.

“The problem should be resolved by the executives as soon as possible to avoid taking the market back and front,” he said.

The ASHON boss, who said that he could not explain how the commission survived in 2013, said that zero budgetary allocation was a threat to the regulation of the capital market regulation.

Managing Director of Global View Consult & Investment Ltd., Mr Olaleye Williams said that the development had shown that the commission should be a self-sponsoring agency.

“I think the point is being well made that the SEC should not only be a self-regulating regulator but also a self-sponsoring, self-sub-

sisting revenue centre,” Williams said.

He said that capital market operators needed to be more careful to avoid penalties because SEC would rely on penalties to generate revenue.

NAN reports that the National Assembly had for the second consecutive year, made zero allocation to SEC, even as the two chambers approved a harmonised 2014 Federal Budget of N4.695trn .

The National Assembly had also in 2013 budget declined to make any appropriation for the commission.

The budget, which was passed on April 10 had 12 clauses, one of which barred SEC from expending any money unless approved by the National Assembly.

NAN recalls that the National

Assembly’s zero allocation budgets followed the impasse between the House of Representatives and SEC. Meanwhile, 1.64 billion shares worth N23.16bn were traded by investors in 21,620 deals last week against the 1.94bn shares valued at N21.26bn achieved in 21,641 deals in the preceding week.

The financial services led the activity chart with 1.38 billion shares worth N14.24 billion traded in 12,596 deals.

The conglomerates sector followed with a turnover of 108.55 million shares worth N597.56m in 1,346 deals.

The third place was occupied by the consumer goods industry with 60.38m shares worth N5.53bn exchanged in 3,407 deals.

The Nigerian Stock Exchange,

NSE, All-Share Index appreciated by 370.9 points or 0.96 per cent to close at 39,083.66 last week compared with 38,712.76 posted in the preceding week.

Similarly, the market capitalisation appreciated by N119 billion or 0.96 per cent to close N12.554trn last week against N12.435trn achieved in the previous week.

Forte Oil Plc led the gainers’ table in percentage terms last week , appreciating by 27.37 per cent or N29.07 to close at N135.27 per share.

Fidelity Bank followed with a gain of 10.26 per cent or 20k to close at N2.15, while Cadbury rose by 9.72 per cent or N7 to close at N79 per share.

Conversely, University Press topped the losers’ chart, dropping by 15.33 per cent or 68k to close at N15.53 per share.

ATA agenda has boosted fish farming, says provost

A

L-R Director, MTN foundation, Mr. Dennis Okoro; wife of Lagos State Governor Mrs. Abimbola Fashola,and Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Ms. Nonny Ugboma, during the presentation of tools of trade, donated by the MTN Foundation under its Widows Empowerment Scheme, to Widows in Lagos State, yesterday.

FAAN boss harps on commitment to duty OLUSEGUN KOIKI

T

he Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Engr. Saleh Dunoma has challenged the staff of the agency to show more dedication to duty.

Dunoma emphasized that it is only through diligence to work that the agency could move up and deal decisively with the challenges of the 21st century.

The FAAN boss made this statement during the week in Port Harcourt during the conferment of award of excellent performance on the Regional General Manager, South-south/south-east, Port Harcourt Airport, Mrs. Ebele Okoye

by Port Harcourt Weekly Watch.

There are five airports namely; Port Harcourt International Airport, Akanu Abiam International Airport, Enugu, Margret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar, Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri and OASUBI Airstrip, Delta State under the regional manager.

Dunoma emphasized that the recognition being given to Okoye was a reflection of her dedication and commitment to duty, which he noted started from the early days her joining the organization.

He said that FAAN had a tradition of taking note of how each staff discharges their duties, which in the long run always counts when promotion and appointments come.

In his speech at the occasion Chairman of the Board of Directors of the newspaper, Mr. Epbari Naenwi remarked that Port Harcourt International Airport could be taken for dead prior to the assumption of duty of Okoye, but observed that the situation changed within a couple of months that she became the airport manager through creativity and sheer determination to make a difference.

He said PHIA had risen from its slumber and that it had become a reference point for good things and that for cows competing with aircraft on the tarmac, a veiled reference to the issue some

years ago when a herd of cattle took over the tarmac of the airport.

According to him, “As a media house whose duty is to mirror the society, report and criticize constructively whosoever is not doing well in the society, we should as well celebrate, honour and encourage those who have done well.”

Nnewi added that the statement was not to run down her predecessors, but to recognize and commend drastic improvement, uncommon transformation and sincere commitment to service demonstrated and as well honour administrative excellence she has displayed so far.

While presenting the award, the Rivers State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Mr. Opaka Dokubo said the award was given to the recipient based on a fact-finding exercise periodically conducted by the fourth estate of the realm in Rivers to appreciate public servants serving the people.

cting Provost, College of Fisheries and Marine Technology, Lagos, Dr Sule Abiodun, said on Monday that the Agricultural Transformation Agenda, ATA, of Federal government had boosted fish farming in Nigeria.

Speaking with News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Lagos, Abiodun observed that a lot of new ponds were being constructed everywhere and new techniques of fish farming being introduced nationwide.

According to him, fish farming is witnessing unprecedented evolution in the country as fingerlings are raised to table size fish at a faster rate, adding that the agriculture sector was set to turn round the country’s economy.

He commended the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, for what he described as unprecedented positive development in fish farming.

“With the current development in fish farming, people can now make a livelihood to sustain the

economy and thereby reduce the amount of money being spent on importation of fish.”

He, therefore, advised Nigerian youths to always look inward for professions that would provide them a means of livelihood.

“They should actually try the maritime profession because I think it is an independent profession.

“The profession will make them not only to secure the nation but also contribute meaningfully to national growth and development.

Abiodun also said that his college had improved its capacity with the introduction of new technologies in fish production.

“We now have vessels that are more sophisticated with integrated equipment that makes it possible to see what is under water using the latest sonar and fish detecting equipment.’’

The acting provost said that the 44-year-old institution established in 1968 as a training school, was upgraded to its current status in 1992.

Naira trades flat against dollar

N

igerian naira traded flat against the U.S. dollar on Monday as lenders sold dollars on the interbank market to improve liquidity, shoring up the weakening local currency, dealers said.

The naira had initially weakened to 161.30 in mid-day trade before some lenders started to sell the greenback on behalf of offshore clients participating in the bond market. In addition, the local unit of Addax sold $10m.

The move helped the naira recover to close flat at 161.05 naira,

compared with Friday’s close of 161 naira.

“We don’t expect any major move in the naira this week as demand slows and offshore dollar flows into the market,” one dealer said, noting that the unit could trade around 160-161.50 naira throughout the week.

The naira has hovered around 160.90-161 over the past week with renewed interest from offshore investors in Nigeria’s debt. Also, the state-owned energy firm NNPC sold large amounts of dollars to increase liquidity.

32

Business News

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

FCMB Capital to finance N1.04bn Nigeria’s first green building BABALOLA YUSUF

F

CMB Capital Market Limited, an investment banking subsidiary of the FCMB group is ready to finance the first ever green office building in the country worth N1.04bn The project which would be located in Ikoyi would be developed

by First Concept and Properties Limited, a Nigerian company led

by Actis.

Actis, it noted, would be leading other developers like Primrose Development Company and Laurus Development Partners to deliver the first green office building in Nigeria.

According to the details of the project provided by FCMB, water recycling and re-use devices as well as energy saving design will be adopted in the construction of the 14-floor office complex; five of

which will be devoted to the parking for over 350 vehicles, and eight floors for the office space proper.

In a statement the company explained that the building had a reception area, meeting rooms, restaurant area, café/coffee shop, plaza, six passenger lifts and one goods lift.

“Rain water is harvested, water is reused in the irrigation of the gardens and there is a condensate recovery of water from the building’s cooling units. Accurate control systems are placed in the bathroom facilities to reduce water wastage all through the building, “the statement said.

The firm also said the building would be deliberately positioned to maximise natural light and ventilation, “at the same time minimise solar exposure and the energy requirements for heating, cooling and air quality systems.”

The building, it stressed, would

offer its tenants between 30 and 40 per cent reduction in energy use when compared with other buildings in Lagos.

“When completed, the development, with is best practice engineering and construction, innovative architecture and a green-by-design approach incorporating sustainability measures from the very beginning, will make ‘The Heritage Place’ a premier real estate development in Lagos,” it noted.

The statement reads further that the Heritage Place is borne out of an identified significant gap in quality office space in Lagos.

The statement added, “The building has been meticulously designed to provide up to 15,730 square metres of office accommodation and over 13,000 square metres of parking space that will comfortably accommodate 350 cars.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stanbic IBTC Bank underscores support for transportation sector JOHNSON OKANLAWON

S

tanbic IBTC Bank, a member of Stanbic IBTC Group, has renewed its pledge to aid the rapid transformation of the transportation and logistics industry in Nigeria by providing short, medium and long-term facilities as well as a wide range of financial solutions to boost the fortunes of the economic subsector.

Executive Director, Personal and Business Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Obinnia Abajue, made the pledge at a stakeholders’ forum organized by the bank to chart a new course for the industry. Over 60 participants attended the event, which held in Lagos, April 10, 2014.

The forum, which Abajue described as the first in the series to be organised on an ongoing basis, is also designed to be a platform for stakeholders to network, in addition to providing a feedback mechanism that would lead to the

creation of structures and solutions to help clients grow their businesses to the level of their dreams.

“By organizing this forum, our aim is to demonstrate our preparedness to support the entire spectrum of the transportation and logistics sector through funding and provision of customised financial solutions, which includes financial plans, flexible payment schedules, and very competitive rates,” stated Abajue.

The goal of the forum, he stated, is in line with the Stanbic IBTC Group’s objective of becoming Nigeria’s foremost end-to-end financial services institution, providing financial support to individuals and businesses, and building longterm relationships across board.

He said Stanbic IBTC Bank, as part of the Standard Bank Group, will leverage the Group’s over 151 years experience and expertise in funding strategic projects to bear on the development and growth of the sector.

Vconnect upgrades portal for improved service delivery KUNLE AZEEZ

N L-R: Nutricima Limited’s Lagos Regional Sales Manager, Mr. Olusegun Adekeye; winner of N500,000 in the company’s on-going Mega Cash Promo, Mr. Adeola Isaac, and Area Sales Manager, Lagos North, Mr Ohu Abidoye, during the second prize presentation to winners at Sabo Market in Ikorodu ...recently

MDGs to empower women famers through micro-credit facilities

T

he Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, Office on Monday in Abuja said it was committed to empowering women farmers through microcredit facilities to enhance their agricultural productivity.

This is contained in a report tagged “Nigeria is ready for 2015 countdown’’, issued by, Head of Communication, Office of the MDGs, Abuja Dr Christopher Atabor .

“The MDGs will make sure that women farmers are empowered through micro-credit facilities to enhance agriculture in various communities in the country.

“The micro-credit facilities are being supported by the Conditional Cash Transfer, CCT, scheme with the objective of providing adequate incentives for extremely underprivileged families in rural areas,” it said.

The report said that poor women farmers, traders, rock crushers, those involved in small and medium enterprises would be empowered through the facilities.

“If women could be given access and opportunities as the men, the goal one of the MDGs, which is ‘eradicate extreme poverty and hunger’ would be achieved.

“Meeting the MDGs is to appreciate the decisive role of the woman and to realise that engaging the woman economically will greatly enhance the reduction of poverty,’’ it said.

It said that the women farmers, which the MDGs would help, were those who lacked collateral, steady employment and a verifiable credit history.

It added that some of the women could not meet the most minimal qualification to gain access to traditional credit.

According to the report, women form majority of the population, yet they undertake the least paid activities and are concentrated in low-end jobs and occupation.

“Women undertake two thirds of the worlds work earn 10 per cent of the world’s income and own less than one per cent of the world’s property.

“The food crops cultivated in Nigeria are grown by women, yet they neither own the land they work on nor have access to credit to expand their farm base,” it said.

It urged the state governments to mobilise and advance rational micro-credits to women, adding that it would reduce poverty.

It said that the MDGs office would continue to ensure that the women were empowered even to the grassroots.

igeria’s largest local search engine, VConnect has upgraded its online website by evolving e new and dynamic ways of serving its growing clientele better.

With the upgrade, the company said Information and Communication Technology and online enthusiasts are in for a unique spell of experience that is bound to bring utmost value to them as popular online business directory.

The company said it is now riding on the back of a more advanced improvement on the

previous website version, that is packed with new features designed to not only make the search for users easier while keeping the website’s teeming users actively engaged in the process.

Speaking on the development, Product Head, VConnect, Ameya Bhave, said with the upgrade, users will find the search for local businesses easier and remain actively engaged in the process.

“Case in point, the website’s homepage is less cluttered with messages, information and pictures giving room for enhanced search and sharing of findings; while Google Map is available for easy navigation to requested business location,” he said.

Association pledges assistance to displaced farmers in Benue

M

aize Farmers Association of Nigeria, MAAN, Benue Chapter, has assured farmers affected by the clashes with herdsmen that they would be assisted to return to business.

Mr Sam Kwa’Na, the Chairman of the association, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Makurdi on Monday that the Forum of Commodity Association of Nigeria was collaborating with the relevant agencies to assist the farmers.

He said his contacted the National Seeds Council to supply improved seed varieties to the displaced farmers.

According to him, Yam Grow-

ers Association is also collaborating with the International Institute of Tropical Agriuculture, Ibadan, to get improved yam seedlings for the farmers.

He also said that Soybean Farmers Association had commenced the distribution of the improved variety of the commodity to the displaced farmers.

The chairman said that Rice Farmers Association had also distributed improved variety of seeds to farmers, adding that they had commenced dry season farming in areas with relative peace.

He urged farmers to use the offers made by the various commodity associations and cultivate the crops in large quantities.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

EnergyWeek Wednesday, April 16, 2014

OPEC daily basket price rises to $104.33 per barrel 35

Govt to eliminate sub-standard electricity poles, cables 36

33

FG considers first quarter fuel subsidy payment 37

How US oil supplies, vandalism’ll affect budget execution

The Federal Government has scheduled to execute many projects and programmes in 2014. But UDEME AKPAN reports that increased oil supplies from the United States, Canada, Brazil and export disruptions fuelled by vandalism and oil theft will likely affect production, export and generation of adequate foreign exchange for Nigeria’s budget execution.

Bonny terminal

M

any keen observers took special interest in this year’s budget at least for some reasons. First, they believed President Goodluck Jonathan who stated that the budget would usher in substantial growth and job creation. As the President puts it, “We need to grow even faster than seven per cent per annum and we need growth in sectors such as agriculture, housing, and services that create the most jobs. Our growth must bring shared prosperity. An economy whose growth leaves wealth in the hands of a few cannot achieve its full potential.

Second, the Federal Government also selected key sectors, including electricity, roads, aviation, agriculture, manufacturing, housing, health, education and peace

But it may not be possible for the Federal Government to execute all its projects and programmes in the N4.695trn 2014 budget because of some factors and security as areas of priority. These and others attracted much support for the 2014 budget.

Specifically, the government stated that it would increase investments in transmission to ensure power generated is properly evacuated and distributed. It promised to strengthen regulation of the sector, and closely monitor electricity delivery from 18 hours per day and complete the priva-

tisation of the NIPP projects. It promised to accelerate work on gas pipeline infrastructure, invest in hydro-electric power as well as clean energy.

In the area of roads, the Federal Government stated that it would work hard to complete some major projects including, the East-West road, dualization of the Abuja-Abaji-Lokoja road, rehabilitation of the Ayingba-Otukpo road, dualization

of the Kano-Maiduguri road, Increased pace of work on important roads such as the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, the EnuguPort Harcourt expressway and the second Niger Bridge, and the Loko-Oweto Bridge.

The Federal Government stated that it would work to accomplish the “continuation of investment in upgrading air navigational and security systems to maintain safety in our skies. Complete work on the remodeling of 11 airport terminals across the country and accelerate construction work on the five new airport terminals and 13 perishable air cargo terminals across the country.

The government which promised to reduce the cost of governance, particularly through the implementation of the GovCONTINUED ON PAGE 34

34

Energy Week

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

How US oil supplies, vandalism’ll affect budget execution CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33 ernor Uduaghan-led Committee recommendations on how to stem oil theft and pipeline vandalism stated, “To sustain Nigeria’s ongoing agricultural transformation, further investments in the sector are planned. Establish new agro-industrial clusters to complement the staple crop processing zones being developed across the country. In 2014, in partnership with the private sector, the Fund for Agricultural Finance in Nigeria (FAFIN), a private equity fund to invest in agribusinesses across the country will be launched.

The Federal Government noted that Nigeria has about 17 million registered SMEs which employ over 32 million Nigerians, “To strengthen them and improve their job creation capacity in 2014, there will be a stronger focus on implementing the Nigeria Enterprise Development Programme (NEDEP) to address the needs of small businesses. This will include helping SMEs with access to affordable finance, business development services, and youth training.

It maintained that the housing and construction industry booms, it creates additional jobs for architects and masons, for electricians and plumbers, for painters and interior decorators, and for those in the cement and furniture industries. The government promised to reinvigorate the housing and construction sector, the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company, NMRC will be launched in January 2014.

The government stated, “To support the film and creative arts industry, the Project Advancing Creativity and Technology (PACT) Nollywood, a ₦3 billion grant programme for Nollywood was set up in 2013.

N1 billion of this Fund has gone to support capacity building and film production in the industry. In 2014 will witness accelerated implementation of this programme, with greatest focus on tackling intellectual property and distribution challenges faced in the industry.

It stated, “In the 2014 Budget, there will be continued implementation of the Saving One Million Lives initiative to strengthen primary health care services.

This will involve scaled up interventions in reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health, nutrition, routine immunization, HIV/AIDS, malaria elimination, tuberculosis, neglected tropical diseases, and non-communicable diseases.

The government stated that there will be focus on revitalising tertiary institutions by increasing investments in infrastructure to upgrade hostels, laboratories, classrooms, and halls. It stated, “As the 2015 deadline for the Millennium Development Goals approaches, there will be expanded access to basic education for all Nigerian children. Working with State Governments, the Federal Government shall decisively tackle the problem of the large numbers of out-of-school children in this country. Investment in technical and vocational education to promote skills development for our youth across the country.

The Federal Government stated that the security challenges in the North East of our nation led to the introduction of a State of Emergency in Yobe, Borno and

Allison-Madueke

Jonathan

Demand for OPEC crude in 2014 saw a downward revision of 0.1 mb/d to

average 29.6 mb/d, representing a

decline of 0.4 mb/d compared to last year

Yakubu

Adamawa states. Government’s strategy for a lasting solution is anchored on a firm security response, continued political dialogue, and a package of development assistance to enhance economic inclusion.

It also stated, “Even prior to the recent insecurity in the region, the North Eastern part of our nation had some of the lowest human development indicators in the country. The recent Report of the Dialogue Committee recommended more investments in health and education in states in the North East. The Federal Government and development partners will work with the relevant State Governments and other stakeholders to establish a development programme for the North East starting with the three states of Yobe, Borno, and Adamawa.”

But it may not be possible for the Federal Government to execute all its projects and programmes in the N4.695trn 2014 budget because of some factors. First, Nigeria and other members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC have started to lost their market share to the United States, Canada and Brazil. Members of OPEC, including Nigeria have expressed worry as it becomes apparent that the United States, Canada and Brazil have started to pump more crude oil to the global market, thus taking part of their market share this year.

The April report of the cartel stated that the Non-OPEC oil supply would rise from 1.34 million barrels per day to 1.37 million barrels per day. It stated, “The report Growth this year is seen coming mainly from the US, Canada, and Brazil, while Norway, UK and Mexico are expected to decline. OPEC NGL production is forecast to average 5.95 mb/d in 2014.

In March, OPEC crude oil production as estimated by secondary sources averaged 29.61 mb/d, down by 0.63 mb/d from a month ago.

The continued increase of oil supplies from United States and other nations posed a serious threat on the implementation of the budget. The Chairman, appropriation committee, Senator Ahmad Maccido while presenting the report of the committee to Senate noted that the 2014-2016 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper maintained that there has been a significant drop in oil production in the past few years because of oil vandalism and oil theft.

Also, OPEC also stated in its recent report that the price of cartel’s basket fell $1.23 in March to average $104.15/b because of the slowing pace of economic growth in China, lower refinery demand, and ample supply, which outweighed supply disruptions and geopolitical tensions.

The report stated the Nymex WTI frontmonth slipped by a marginal 17¢ to average $100.51/b, while ICE Brent dropped $1.09 to average $107.75/b. This caused the Brent-WTI spread to narrow further, averaging $7.25/b in March.

It stated that the world economic

growth for 2014 has been revised down to 3.4per cent, while the 2013 growth estimate remains at 2.9per cent. The report stated the OECD is forecast to grow by 2.0per cent in 2014, compared to 1.3per cent in the previous year. China’s growth for 2014 has been revised down to 7.5per cent, following growth of 7.7per cent in 2013. India’s 2014 forecast remains at 5.6per cent and the estimate for 2013 at 4.7per cent.

It stated, “World oil demand is forecast to grow by 1.14 mb/d in 2014, broadly unchanged from the previous report, to average 91.2 mb/d. In 2013, world oil demand grew by 1.05 mb/d to average 90.01 mb/d, also in line with the prior assessment. The bulk of growth came from non-OECD, as most of the OECD is still showing a contraction.

The report stated that product markets in the Atlantic Basin have begun to weaken since mid-March on diminished support from heating fuel demand in the US. It stated that the product markets in Europe have also weakened due to a decline in export opportunities. In Asia, the negative performance at the middle and bottom of the barrel outweighed the continued recovery in light distillates.

The report stated that dirty tanker spot freight rates declined in March, mainly on the back of lower tonnage demand and refinery maintenance in the east. It stated that tonnage availability on many key routes continued to pressure tanker spot freight rates, which declined 5per cent.

Clean tanker spot freight rates improved, with east and west of Suez rates up by seven per cent and 10per cent respectively.

The report stated, “Demand for OPEC crude in 2014 saw a downward revision of 0.1 mb/d to average 29.6 mb/d, representing a decline of 0.4 mb/d compared to last year. Demand for OPEC crude in 2013 remains unchanged from the last MOMR at 30.0 mb/d, which is 0.5 mb/d lower than the previous year.”

However, experts in the oil and gas industry have called on the government to address these and other issues, especially vandalism and oil theft because of their negative impact. For instance, the National President of Oil and Gas Service Providers Association of Nigeria, OGSPAN, Mr. Colman Obasi stated that the nation’s oil production has already suffered a major setback as a result of continued vandalism of assets, especially pipelines. He stated that oil theft has also grossly reduced the nation’s export to the global market.

Obasi tasked the Federal Government and other stakeholders to put in place adequate measures, capable of tackling vandalism and oil theft in the nation. He stated, “There is a great need for the Federal Government and other stakeholders to tackle these and other issues in order to ensure that adequate oil and gas are produced and exported to the global market.

This wise council should not be dismissed with the wave of the hand, particularly as the nation still depend on oil and gas proceeds for the execution of its budget. The National President and others also made a strong case for the diversification of the nation’s economy still based the fortune and misfortune of petroleum.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Energy Week

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

OPEC daily basket price rises to $104.33 per barrel

Storage vessel

Udeme Akpan

T

he price of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC basket of 12 crudes has risen from $104.22 to $104.33 per barrel, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

This latest price showed that the many OPEC member States, including Nigeria will still be in a position to generate adequate foreign exchange for the execution of their 2014 budgets.

The new OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the follow-

ing: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

The secretary General of OPEC, Dr. Abdalla S. El-Badri stated, “It is clear that there is a specific focus on global oil supply, both now and in the future.

There is mention of an abundance of supply, and the potential for production increases in both OPEC and non-OPEC

Operators need to invest $5.2 trn in exploration, production

O

perators need to invest $5.2 trillion in exploration and production of crude oil as part of strategy for the development of the global oil industry.

The Secretary General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, Dr. Abdalla S. El-Badri the amount is required for the long term development of the industry.

He said, “So we really need to appreciate the delicate balance between prices, the cost of the marginal barrel and future supplies. And this balance is essential in making sure the necessary future investments are made.

El-Badri stated, “It is important to underscore just what investments we are talking about. In OPEC’s World Oil Outlook (WOO) 2013 it is estimated that global upstream investment requirements between 2012 and 2035 are $5.2 trillion. Combined with expected requirements in the midstream and refin-

ing industries, this number approaches $8 trillion.

He said in terms of the upstream, most of the investment will be made in non-OPEC countries. El-Badri said, “In the medium-term, non-OPEC will invest more than $170 billion each year.

OPEC, on the other hand, would need to invest an average of $35-40 billion annually in the coming decade and then over $50 billion annually in the long-term.

He said, “Moreover, we also need to keep our eyes on the long-term and where supplies will come from. When we talk about our future, we are not just talking about the next few years. What is clear is that significant OPEC capacity expansion will be required.

The Secretary General said, “We expect to see the call on OPEC liquids increase by over 10 million barrels a day – from around 37 million barrels a day in 2018 to over 47 million barrels a day by 2035. This is greater than the expected

countries.

He said that is interesting to see such topics now listed on conference agendas, given that only a few years ago there was much talk of there not being enough resources, and that supply would struggle to keep up with demand.

El-Badri stated, “But today we hear very few voices talking about ‘peak oil’.

There are clearly plenty of available resources – both conventional and nonconventional – to meet expanding future oil demand.

He said, “At OPEC, we have been consistent in voicing our opinion that the world has enough resources to meet expected demand.

The Secretary General said, “And technological advancements continue to help the industry increase the estimates of the amount of oil and gas that can be found, and that can be recovered, extending its reach into harsher and more remote locations in ‘frontier areas’.

He said it is evident that non-OPEC supply developments have been a central element in this change, particularly US tight oil. These tight oil developments are welcome.

El-Badri said, “They add depth and diversity to global supply, aid market stability and provide further proof that the world is not running out of oil. In a 2013 report, the US Energy Information Administration’s assessment of technically recoverable global tight oil resources was 345 billion barrels. This was much higher than its 2011 assessment of 32 billion barrels. And these estimates are likely to change again in the future. increase in non-OPEC liquids supply over the same period, at just under 9 million barrels a day.

He said, “But prices have held fairly steady for the past 18 months or so. It is a level that has been acceptable to both producers and consumers.

The Secretary General said, “Let me stress here that OPEC does not have target price. Our priority is a stable price – at a level that does not affect global economic growth and, at the same time, that allows producers to receive a reasonable income and invest in supply to meet future demand.

He said oil nations also need to understand the cost of the marginal barrel. Specifically, at what price levels costlier projects become unworkable.

El-Badri said, “It is clear that for some projects – for example, deepwater and Arctic fields, as well as most tight oil and oil sand plays – such a price may not be far below current price levels.

So we really need to appreciate the delicate balance between prices, the cost of the marginal barrel and future supplies. And this balance is essential in making sure the necessary future investments are made.

Commodity

Units

Price

Change

% Change

Time(ET)

Crude Oil (WTI)

USD/bbl.

100.66

-0.48

-0.47%

15:58:31

Crude Oil (Brent)

USD/bbl.

105.99

-0.73

-0.68%

15:58:20

TOCOM Crude Oil

JPY/kl

65,400.00

+120.00

+0.18%

14:59:31

NYMEX Natural Gas

USD/MMBtu

4.47

+0.03

+0.77%

15:58:34

Source: Bloomberg

35

Source: Oilprice.com

Gas and oil discovery in the Valemon area

O

perator Statoil has together with the Valemon Unit partners made a gas and oil discovery in the Valemon Nord prospect in the North Sea. The discovery wells 34/10-54 S and 34/1054 A, drilled by the drilling rig Transocean Leader, are located approximately 10 kilometres north of the planned Valemon installation.

The main wellbore 34/10-54 S proved a gross 164-metre gas/condensate and oil column in the Middle Jurassic Brent Group.

The side-track 34/10-54 A proved a gross 100-metre gas/condensate column in the Brent Group and in sand of unspecified Jurassic age, and an additional gross 140-metre gas/condensate column in the Statfjord Group. Gas/condensate was also found in the middle Jurassic Cook Formation.

Statoil estimates the total volumes in Valemon North to be in the range of 20-75 million barrels of recoverable oil equivalent.

“We are very satisfied with making a new discovery in the close proximity of the Valemon gas and condensate field currently under development, says Irene Rummelhoff, senior vice president exploration Norway in Statoil.

“By proving additional volumes in the area we increase the reserves base in the Valemon Unit area and add value to the Valemon field development.”

36

Energy Week

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Govt to eliminate sub-standard electricity poles, cables Udeme Akpan

T

he Federal Government has embarked on moves targeted at eliminating the use of sub standard products in the power sector.

The plan is to be accomplished through the Electricity Management Service Limited, one of the successor companies that emerged from the unbundling of former Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN. The Managing Director of EMS, Mr. Peter Ewesor, who made this known while inspecting various facilities in Lagos the era of substandard facilities, including metres, poles and cables are over.

He said, “We are determined to ensure only quality and specified equipment are utilized in the electricity sector.

Ewesor said, “The utilisation of quality facilities will boost power generation, transmission and distribution to consumers in all parts of the nation.

The Managing Director said this would reduce the influx of imported fake and low quality products into the nation.

He said the measure is also targeted at protecting and encouraging indigenous producers and service providers to contribute their quota in the spirit of local content.

Ewesor said the measure will also reduce the rate of electricity related accidents recorded in different parts of the country.

He remarked that some of the accidents were associated with the application of fake and low quality products.

The Managing Director said,

Power plant

“Any line that is being built, the major component that is used is the pole which carries every other thing on the line. We are ensuring that any pole that is being produced will have the required quality, stability and strength to carry the load and external pressure that would come eventually.

He stated, “What we are trying to avoid is the collapse of poles as soon as power projects are inaugurated; when it collapses, people are cut off from power supply, causing hazard and danger to the environment which sometime leads to death of technicians falling from the pole.

He further noted: “We are giving the pole manufacturers certain additional requirements to ensure that the poles they manufacture will better serve the purpose they are meant for.

Ewesor said, “Before now, the electricity inspectorate service of the Ministry of Power was statutorily carrying out what we now do; that is testing of equipment used in the sector to ensure that bad and sub-standard materials are not allowed in the industry.

He said, “If you do not monitor the operations of the industry, you find that we will have equipment that go into state of disrepair and instances of maybe conductors dropping off loosely without anyone caring to replace them as we often see.

The Managing Director said, “To avoid electrocution, we need to continuously monitoring its operations to ensure that misfortunes are avoided. This is an agency of the government with core technical inspectorate

competence and we are trying to tell the public that there is now an independent agency that is saddled with the responsibility of testing electricity equipment including meters for better calibrations.

He said that EMS had also developed punitive measures to contain errant pole manufacturers in the country.

Ewesor said, “There are sanctions for errant manufacturer, and the national electric poles manufacturers directorate was developed to show that those who are not in the directorate are not certified to produce poles used in the industry while those that are certified have sanctions that include withdrawal of production licence as a result of maybe poor product quality that has led to damages in the industry.”

Generation capacity of Ughelli plant rises to 360mw Chidi Ugwu ABUJA

T

he new owners of the Ughelli Power Plc, an electricity Generating company (Genco) in Delta State has said the plant’s generating capacity has increased from 160megawatts (mw) to current 360mw, two months after its acquisition and takeover.

Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc (Transcorp) disclosed this recently in its 2013 annual report and financial statement noting that it plans to increase the plant’s output to 3,000mw within the next three to five years.

The report which was signed

Nebo

by the Chief Executive Officer, Obinna Ufudo noted that its energy section is envisaging an energy city with the Ughelli plant as a hub that will catalyse industrial development in the

country.

It said, “The planned energy city will comprise fertilizer and petrochemical plants among other heavy industries,” adding that the hub will positively impact in the host communities to provide educational, health and sporting facilities of global standards.

Transcorp which also majors in oil and gas said it is bent fast tracking oil exploration and ready to explore opportunities for the acquisition of oil and gas assets available from ongoing divestiture of onshore assets by International Oil Companies (IOCs) and sale of marginal fields by the federal government.

“We have stepped up our en-

gagement with the Ministry of Petroleum and regulatory bodies to complete the documentation and pre-drilling activities for our oil block OPL 281,” it disclosed.

The annual statements made available to National Mirror revealed that its revenue grew by 42 percent from N13.2billion to N18.8bn in 2013 just as its shareholders unanimously approved the recommended N1.93bn dividend for the year ended.

Transcorp Group whose Chairman is Mr. Tony Elumelu has various stakes in energy sector, hospitality and agriculture. It said it had good operating results in 2013 that provides insights into its immediate plans and exciting future.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Petrofac completes £1.5m fire training centre

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etrofac Training Services today celebrates the official reopening of its Montrose fire and emergency response training facility in Scotland following a £1.5 million upgrade.

Trainees will benefit from the most realistic and credible fire training at one of the world’s most advanced oil and gas training centres.

The 16-acre site includes nine state-of-the-art training modules, three heli-decks and vast practical fire grounds to ensure trainees are prepared for a wide range of emergency response scenarios.

There are also 24 classrooms where trainees can be briefed and debriefed using state-of-the-art interactive training software.

Improvements to fire training facilities have also made the centre greener, with natural gas now in use on the fire ground, new fire pumps and a new electric fire-ground support vehicle to replace its diesel predecessor.

All of these changes have cut greenhouse gas emissions, shrinking the centre’s carbon footprint by half, without compromising on the quality of the training offered.

Petrofac has continually invested to ensure its training facility remains at the forefront of the onshore and offshore industry with a wide range of training courses.

The Montrose centre offers an extensive range of 30 public courses, as well as designing company-specific training to meet clients’ needs.

The centre has also been a part of the development of emergency response equipment acting as an industry testing ground for new technology including new firefighting foam and deluge systems.

Malcolm Webb, Chief Executive of Oil & Gas UK, said, “Investment on this scale demonstrates that Petrofac has confidence in the remaining commercial potential of the UK Continental Shelf, and highlights its commitment to developing the skills of the industry’s workforce using the latest interactive technology to enhance the effectiveness of safety training.

He said, “I applaud this far-sighted investment in the future of the UK offshore oil and gas industry and the safety of the people who work in it.”

Gordon Caird, Regional Director of Petrofac Training Services, said: “Since our Montrose Fire and Emergency Training Centre first opened its doors in 1978, it has played a pivotal role in setting standards and delivering world-class training and assessment to more than 350,000 delegates from across the globe.

“Our investment at Montrose sends a clear message to the oil and gas industry around the world: we will remain at your side delivering your training needs, whatever they may be, for the years to come. This is an investment in your future as well as ours.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Energy Week

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

37

FG considers first quarter fuel subsidy payment Firm wins new oil

Fuel tanker

Chidi Ugwu ABUJA

T

he Federal Government is considering the payment of fuel subsidy for the first quarter of 2014 because of the awareness that delay culminate in shortage.

A source in the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA who confirmed the development stated that plans are underway to effect payment, amounting to N100 billion.

He said, “We are working very hard to pay because it is not good for the nation to experience another round of fuel shortage.

Investigations over the weekend had showed that major marketers, including Total Nigeria Plc, Mobil oil Nigeria Plc, Forte Oil Plc, MRS and Conoil Nigeria Plc were owed N53.6 billion as at April 1, 2014.

The balance was owed to the indepen-

dent marketers whose filling stations are located in the cities and remote parts of the nation.

The Executive Secretary of MOMAN, Mr. Timothy Olawore who confirmed the indebtedness in a telephone interview yesterday said, “The total outstanding to major marketers are N53.6 billion. I do not have the figures for others.

The Executive Secretary said the Federal Government made efforts to pay marketers fuel subsidy, especially towards the end of last year.

He said, “But it should be pointed out that it is not in the best interest of anyone to allow the fuel subsidy to accumulate, especially as it has constrained marketers from bringing in more fuel into the nation.

He stated, “The capacity of our members to import has been seriously constrained, particularly as the Banks are not willing to provide loans.

Olawore said, “The situation is wor-

risome as bank interests have also increased, thus worsening the financial situation of many marketers.

He said, “It may get to a point where our members will not be able to import fuel into the nation anymore.

The officials of the Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria, including the Secretary General, Mr. Mike Osatuyi could not be reached for comments yesterday.

But a source close to the Association who preferred not to be named said, “The independent marketers have not been able to import fuel as they could have liked to do because subsidy huge indebtedness.

He said, “The Federal Government need to settle the outstanding as soon as possible in order to sustain importation without much ado.

The source said, “If that is not done, there is no way the nation will not witness another round of fuel shortage because there is nothing the marketers con do.

Investigations showed that Federal Government daily fuel subsidy has risen from N1.9 billion to N2.0 billion in April, this year, thus placing more financial burden on the government.

The development is said to be fuelled by an increase in the price of some crude oil grades, including Nigeria’s Bonny Light which many refiners prefer to refine and charges involved in fuel importation are said to have increased the cost of importing the product.

The increased cost of refining and other charges have been passed on to fuel importers, including the Federal Government which depends more on imported fuel to meet domestic demand.

The Acting Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the NNPC, Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim stated that the situation would not culminate in shortage as there was commercial stocks of fuel in many parts of the nation.

NEITI seeks cooperation with states

T

he Executive Secretary of Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Mrs. Zainab Ahmed has called on State Governments to cooperate with NEITI to enable the agency deliver on its mandate.

Ahmed who made this call at the just concluded 35th Kaduna International Trade Fair in Kaduna stated, “I wish to call on the State Governments to cooperate with NEITI with regards to the issues of sub-national reporting and domestication of NEITI process and principles at the state levels.

She said NEITI’s participation in the Trade Fair is based on the recognition of the huge business and investment potentials in extractive industries, particularly the solid minerals sector in the Northern states of Nigeria.

Ahmed urged state governments to domesticate NEITI process in order to establish

the right investment climate required for attracting the much needed Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to the solid mineral sector and halt the dominance of the oil and gas sector in the Nigerian economy.

The Executive Secretary said NEITI has been working closely with the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development to develop a legal frame work similar to the Petroleum Industry Bill for the solid minerals sector.

She said the proposed legislation for the Solid Minerals sector is designed to provide clear policy and legal road-map required to drive the reforms and boost investment opportunities in the sector.

Ahmed noted that the benefits of NEITI process to governments, companies, investors and citizens are enormous.

She said they range from improved investment climate, to strengthening accountability and good governance in the

sector, emphasizing that NEITI process promotes stability and prevents resource-based conflicts.

Ahmed said in addition, the information and data generated

by NEITI audits enable the civil society, media, and parliament to hold government and companies to account.

The Governor Ramallan Yero of Kaduna State has called for the investment of pension funds as a deliberate policy targeted at developing the country’s solid minerals sector. Governor Yero made this call at the Government House in Kaduna while receiving a delegation of the Board and Management of NEITI on a courtesy visit.

The Governor explained that the policy has become necessary in view of the need to channel dormant funds into long term investment in any sector that could reduce Nigeria’s dependence on oil and gas.

He expressed concern that

Pension funds deposited in most commercial banks were largely dormant due to the inability to channel them to sectors where such funds could help diversify the economy towards industrial production and jobs creation.

The Governor identified the solid minerals sector as one area where Pension funds would serve as the engine of investment and tool for long term economic growth.

Ahmed

contract

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etrofac, the international service provider to the oil and gas industry, has been awarded an Engineering and Procurement (EP) contract by Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) to provide services for its Rabab Harweel Integrated Project (RHIP) located in the Harweel Cluster of fields in the south of the Sultanate of Oman.

The Contract also includes Construction and Commissioning management support services with Petrofac providing full support to PDO during the construction and start-up phases of the integrated oil and sour gas facility.

The RHIP facility will include sour gas processing facilities and associated gathering and injection systems and export pipelines.

It will handle the production of oil and gas from the Harweel oil reservoirs via Miscible Gas Injection and the production of gas with condensate from the Rabab reservoir through partial recycling of sour gas.

The facility will deliver peak export of 4.9 MMsm3/d of sweet gas and 9700 m3/d of condensate in addition to approx. 16 MMsm3/d of high pressure sour injection.

Under the terms of the four and a half year RHIP contract, Petrofac will provide Detailed Engineering and Construction and Commissioning management support services on a reimbursable basis and procurement on an incentivised passthrough basis.

The total contract value is expected to be more than US$1 billion with around one quarter of the revenues relating to professional services (Engineering, Construction and Commissioning management).

Craig Muir, Managing Director for Petrofac’s Engineering & Consulting Services business stated, “This contract is a key milestone in the development of our EPCm delivery strategy within ECS. We have a strong track record in Oman with PDO as well as direct Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) experience on the previous Harweel development.

He said, “This award also underpins Petrofac’s strategy to enhance service capability in the Middle East; providing added value to our regional customers as well as our onshore and offshore EPC business.

He asaid, “Furthermore, maximising local goods and services wherever we work in the world remains a priority for us and this contract is no exception. We will maintain a strong focus on this aspect of our delivery by accessing the local supply chain and recruitment of local resources. We are very much looking forward to building a strong and enduring team working alongside PDO to deliver this project.”

38

Energy Week

Umusadege field production averaged 13,183 barrels of oil per day

T

he Umusadege field production averaged 13,183 barrels of oil per day, bpd during March 2014 based on calendar days; average field production based on production days was 13,852 bpd during March 2014.

Umusadege field net deliveries into the export pipeline were approximately 350,750 barrels of oil in March 2014 before pipeline losses. Pipeline and export facility losses reported and allocated to Mart and its co-venturers for February 2014 were 20,849 bbls, or 10.1per cent of total crude oil deliveries into the export pipeline.

Aggregate downtime during March 2014 totaled approximately 1.5 days, and there were no full down days during the month. Construction activities on the Umugini pipeline are progressing, and pipeline construction is expected to be completed in the first half of 2014.

Midwestern Oil and Gas Company Plc. (Operator of the Umusadege field) and SunTrust Oil Company Limited are providing the following updates on Umusadege field production for March 2014 and other operations.

Total net crude oil deliveries into the Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited, NAOC export pipeline from the Umusadege field for March 2014 were approximately 350,750 bbls before pipeline losses.

Pipeline and export facility losses reported by NAOC and allocated to Mart and its co-venturers for February 2014 were 20,849 bbls, or 10.1per cent of total crude oil deliveries into the export pipeline for that month.

As previously announced, total net crude oil deliveries into the export pipeline from the Umusadege field for February 2014 were approximately 206,700 bbls, so after deducting the actual pipeline and export facility losses allocated for February 2014, the total net crude oil deliveries less losses for February 2014 were 185,851 bbls.

Surveying and clearing of the right of way for 50 kilometres of the Umugini pipeline has been completed and pipeline construction is ongoing.

The first 24 km of the pipeline have been completed and backfilled. Stringing of approximately another 21 km of pipe has been completed, and welding, coating, radiograph testing has been completed on 16 km of this 21 km section.

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Investors embark on bunkering operations

M

any operators have adopted bunkering as a way of life in the oil and gas industry following the removal of illegality from the practice.

Investigations showed that many operators now indulge in moving many products, including crude oil, petrol, diesel and kerosene from storage facility to another.

A source who preferred not to be named said, “It is no more illegal to do so in the nation’s oil and gas industry.

He said, “The Federal Government has already liberalised oil bunkering operations in Nigeria. Steps to achieving the objective include the development of a new set of guidelines aimed at stimulating activities in the area in ways that would maximize value for the nation and stakeholders.

The source said operations has enhanced synergy and cooperation between the relevant Government institutions on bunkering activities; such as the Navy, Nigerian Customs Services (NCS), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration & Safety Agency (NIMASA), under the new arrangement.

He said, “The Government expects to generate more than N250 Million annually from the licensing of prospective bunkering operators.

It is expected that the official

introduction of bunkering activities under a synergized monitoring regime as announced, would curb the excesses identified with the activities in the past.

The Director of Petroleum Resources, Mr. George Osahon said while addressing Stakeholder’s at a forum in Lagos on Wednesday January 8th, 2014 that the new bunkering regime would create employment opportunities for Nigerians in the sector.

He noted that the potential economic prospects in the area informed the approval of the President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR for bunkering activities to be restored in the country.

Osahon recalled that bunkering was first officially established in Nigeria and licensed by DPR in 1979 but suspended in 2000, following irregularities and sharp practices by some unscrupulous operators.

The Director of Petroleum Resources said, “Business of fueling ships or the process of supplying seagoing vessels with fuels, including but not limited to AGO, fuel oil, liquefied natural gas and lubricating oil”, saying that now, the resumption of the activity under a strict regulatory regime is set to make Nigeria the hub of bunkering in West Africa.

He said resuscitating bunkering operations will help the budding Nigerian marine

Oil bunkering

industry and save operators the stress of going as far as Senegal, Cape Verde and Cote D’Ivoire to refuel vessels operating in the Nigerian waters, as used to be the case.

Captain S. O. Ayeni, Naval Director of Marine Services and representative of the Nigerian Navy at the forum, reiterated that any vessel deployed for bunkering in the Nigerian waters must fulfill the laid-down requirements.

He specifically noted that operators “…will be required to present to the Nigerian Navy an application for bunkering clearance, detailing the vessel involved, the location of the bunkering operation or discharge point, quantity of bunker fuel and duration of the

operation”. Capt. Ayeni further stated that operators are required by the Navy to present valid DPR and NIMASA licenses and certifications on demand.

Speaking in a similarly vein, the representative of the Nigerian Customs Services (NCS) Mr. Edoreh Elton, Deputy Comptroller of Operations, Eastern Marine Command, Port Harcourt outlined other conditions to be met by vessels engaging in bunkering operations in the Nigerian waters.

He said operators of Nigerian flagged vessels in bunkering business are required to show proof that they had a paid the appropriate duties, and vessels leased from outside Nigeria are required to obtain temporary importation permit from NCS.

Saipem wins €200m contract to expand Versalis plant

Oil men at work

Udeme Akpan

S

aipem has been awarded an E&C onshore engineering, procurement and construction contract for the expansion of the Versalis plant in Ferrara, Italy, worth approximately €200 million.

The firm stated in a statement that the project encompasses the construction of a fourth production line to oper-

ate alongside the three existing lines, in addition to increasing their production capacity and upgrading the plant’s auxiliary systems.

It stated, “The project will enable the Ferrara site’s production capacity of EPM (Ethylene Propylene Monomer) rubber to be significantly increased up to 130 thousand tons per year.

The firm stated it will take charge of the project management, detailed engineering, the supply of materials and components, construction, installation and of the pre-commissioning activities.

It stated that Saipem operates in the Engineering & Construction and Drilling businesses, with a strong bias towards oil & gas-related activities in remote areas and deep-waters.

Saipem is a leader in the provision of engineering, procurement, project management and construction services with distinctive capabilities in the design and execution of largescale offshore and onshore projects, and technological competences such as gas monetization

and heavy oil exploitation.

Saipem has been contracted

by South Stream Transport B.V. for the construction of the first line of the South Stream Offshore Pipeline, from Russia to Bulgaria across the Black Sea, for a total value of approximately €2 billion.

The South Stream Offshore Pipeline will consist of four parallel gas pipelines each 931 kilometres long and will be laid at depths of up to 2,200 meters.

Saipem will perform the installation design and will construct the entire first line plus the shallow water parts, the shore crossings, the landfall and the associated facilities for the four pipelines.

The pipeline construction will be carried out by Saipem 7000, the state of the art J-Lay vessel suitable for ultra-deep water that has already constructed the Blue Stream pipeline in the Black Sea, and Saipem’s Castoro Sei, the S-lay vessel suitable for both shallow and deep waters which has already laid several trunklines, including the North Stream Pipeline.

Saipem 7000 offshore activities will commence at the end of 2014. In November 2014, the Castoro Sei vessel will move to Russian waters to start activities in the shallow water.

The construction of the first line will last until the third quarter of 2015 and the pipeline will be taken into operations by the end of that year.

South Stream Transport B.V. is an international joint venture between Gazprom (50%), Eni (20%), EDF (15%) and Wintershall (15%).

Saipem operates in the Engineering & Construction and Drilling businesses, with a strong bias towards oil & gas-related activities in remote areas and deep-waters.

It stated, “Saipem is a leader in the provision of engineering, procurement, project management and construction services with distinctive capabilities in the design and execution of large-scale offshore and onshore projects, and technological competences such as gas monetization and heavy oil exploitation.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Industry & SMEs

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

75 UK companies to invest in Lagos ABOLAJI ADEBAYO

T

he Director, UK Trade and Investment, Mike Purves has promised to woo 75 companies in the United Kingdom to bring their investments down to Lagos, Nigeria.

Purves, who spoke to journalists at the recent concluded 7th Lagos Economic Summit, tagged “Ehingbeti 2014”, stated that he would go back and strategise how he could convince the companies to see the market opportunity in Nigeria, especially Lagos and bring down their companies to the state.

He made the pledge at the heels of the resolution by stakeholders to put in all efforts to upgrade the state to a competitive height as other international economic community especially in the area of electricity.

Emphasizing the value of partnership between the state and the United Kingdom, Purves said, “UK companies can develop Lagos city and Nigeria as a whole. We have to expand the relationship between the UK companies and Nigeria, and I will try to do that when I get back to my office in UK.” Power was the major issue that dominated the discussion at the summit. The participants saw it as the major thing that has been driving the economy of the country backward.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs Olusola Oworu, who noted that power is the major factor affecting industrial sector explained that power is the enabler of every economy,

Fashola

Purves

explained the state has embarked on power generation for the growth small scale enterprises, SMEs, and industries in the state. She said power has been contracted to those who want to invest at the new industrial town in Lekki as a 12 megawatts plant has been installed there.

Oworu said the state has embarked on three independent power generating plants and that they are currently working on two which would be completed very soon.

She also noted that the state is in a strong partnership with DISCOs, electricity distribution companies, to get power down to the consumers in Lagos State.

For the development of small and medium enterprises, SMEs, the Minister said they have established three enterprises zones at Ikorodu, Lekki and Badagry. The zones, according to her, would serve as con-

vergence points for the SMEs. Speaking further on the way forward for the growth of manufacturing sector in the country, Oworu highlighted the importance of gas, power and incentives for the manufacturers.

According to her, “Government has to address the issue of gas, power and price regime for manufacturing sector to boost contribution to GDP, which the new GDP rebasing has put at 6.4 per cent.

Earlier on, a participant, Mr. Lucky Ikide, had emphasised the readiness of the state government to put everything together to make the state attractive to the investor, both foreign and the local ones.

“Drastic problems need drastic solution. As I know, Governor Fashola would do all necessary things within his power to as concerned power generation to make the city conducive for the foreign investors.”

39

Winning strategies for e-traders

T

o succeed in e-commerce as a retailer requires innovation and strategies that go beyond product offering. Providing a good user-experience with its digital best practices and top-notch customer service are also very essential.

To win and outsmart your competitors, the following strategies are recommended to put you on the best path to not only optimise your conversion but also to enable you build enduring relationship with your customers.

Personalisation: The place of personalisation cannot be overemphasised in online retailing as it forms a critical basis for getting close and knowing your virtual customers in the virtual market that you operate. The moment a user visits your shop (website), you must work to personalise their experience.

Once that happens and a user is registered, you can then move closer to having a one-on-one conversation with the shopper by asking him or her to rate products in order to provide more personalised product recommendations in the future. You also need to monitor users’ browsing and purchasing patterns to improve upon its recommended products.

You can put an emphasis on personalisation by devoting a reasonable chunk of your homepage space to feature personalised, recommended products to your registered members.

Customer service: You must develop a reputation for care of your customers. In fact your organization should regularly evaluate your customers’ experiences in order to see where to improve on your services. Such evaluation will also shed light

on the value of satisfied customers as findings have shown that highly satisfied customers are more likely to do business with a company again, more likely to purchase more products and more likely to give the brand a positive recommendation.

These buttress the point that customer service is a key driver to sustained success, and the retailers who take care of customer’s issues and complaints in a timely and appropriate manner will see an impact on their bottom line.

Review: One of the main reasons consumers search for products online is to look at ratings and reviews from their peers, as the opinions of other consumers are highly considered before making purchases.

Although majority of online retailers offer a ratings and review feature on their sites nowadays, it is not uncommon for this section to be empty or only feature a couple of reviews. So retailers need to take steps to increase the engagement with their reviews, such as offering incentives or sending friendly reminders via email to shoppers who made a recent purchase.

Innovation: Innovation drives technology and it has been a key driver of e-commerce since inception. As a matter of fact, an online retailer who wants to be taken seriously and survive in the business must continuously innovate especially by creating services, offerings, processes and deliveries that are peculiar to the business.

It is imperative that you continuously innovate in order to attract attention to your digital storefront.

Source: www.us.etrade.com

AMMASCO gets SON’s nod, attains ISO certificate

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n Oil and Gas Company, Ammasco International Limited, has attained the status of International Standard Organization (ISO 9001: 2008) with a certificate presented by Standard Organisation of Nigeria, SON, in Oil and Gas industry as a result of the company`s establishment of effective documentation, implementation and maintenance of high levels of quality management.

In an elaborate celebration of the official presentation of the ISO Certificate to the company at the Grand Central Hotel, Kano recently, the Executive Chairman of the company, Alhaji Mustapha Ado Mohammed was full of joy for the company’s higher level of certification of global repute due to its best practice for business efficiency and customer satisfaction through

the provision of quality service.

“As a major player in the downstream sector of the oil and gas industry and knowing the unique challenges that we have had to face in the pursuit of reform and modernization, this achievement is truly a pleasant milestone”, he said.

He noted with joy and optimism that over the five years of the company’s commercial operation, impressive achievements with orientedresults both in terms of sales and quality of goods delivery service were offered to stakeholders, adding that before the laudable achievements, the company had had to implement significant and bold initiatives contained in its corporate plans.

Alhaji Mustapha Ado maintained that efforts and commitment of the entire staff

and stakeholders of the company that had finally paid off now called for the celebration, attributing the feat to their resolution as a team to go through the rigorous pathway to certification which was viewed by some as unusual courage, considering the age of the company and the challenges involved.

He explained that the pathway to Quality Maintenance Service, QMS, Certification started when the company presented all its lubricants and specialty products for MANCAP certification in 2009.

“We rededicated ourselves and focused the system towards joining the Elite Club of International Standard Organization, ISO, certified companies.”

He said the firm was the first oil and gas company in the Northern

Nigeria to achieve the feat, explaining that the award was a significant accomplishment of the operations of the company.

“We are therefore determined more than ever before to further improve our business operations in order to get better results”, he pledged, while commending the management of the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) and the International Standard Organization (ISO) for their immense contribution to the success history of the company which called for celebrations.

The Chairman further intimated the staff of the company that the certification was not an end in itself, but the beginning of yet another process of continual improvement and sustainable conformity to quality management.

The official presentation of

Aganga

ISO certificate which lasted for two days featured the third Customer Forum on the second day where prizes ranging from Truck Vehicles, plasma televisions and cash were presented to customers drawn from the six geo-political zones of the country and stakeholders of the company.

40

Cocktail

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

.

Woman arrested after failing to stop, talk to police officer

A

Texas woman who was approached by a police officer who was “acting suspicious” was arrested after she failed to stop and talk to him.

Melissa Bonnette was out for a walk on Friday mor ning when a Whitehouse Police Department officer pulled up alongside her on a motorcycle and asked her to talk.

The officer, Shawn Johnson, allegedly approached Bonnette because she was walking on the wrong side of the road.

“I thought that maybe he was flirting,” Bonnette told KYTX. “I just thought it was odd, I thought it was odd. I wasn’t really sure but I felt uncomfortable because there wasn’t anyone around.

He just crept along beside me on his motorcycle and he started saying, ‘Hey ma’am!

I want to talk to you.

Hey stop, ma’am! I want to talk to you.’ Then my anxiety rose even higher.”

Bonnette refused to stop and began jogging away from Johnson. He then got off the bike, tackled her and put her in handcuffs.

“Normally if a police officer pulls up, in my opinion, it’s awful odd for somebody just to take off and not want to speak to the police officer,” said Whitehouse Police Chief Craig Shelton. “And he had a lawful reason to be there and to stop her.”

No charges were filed after the arrest.

“I really don’t want to live in a town where something like this could happen to a lawabiding citizen,” Bonnette said. “I’m not going to be able to walk anymore, and that’s sad because I enjoy walking every day. But I’m terrified. It was just so traumatic.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oddities

Pakistan suspected cannibal re-arrested

A

man has been arrested on suspicion of cannibalising a young child, police in Pakistan’s Punjab province said.

Mohammad Arif Ali, who has previously admitted to cannibalism, was arrested when neighbours reported the stink of rotting flesh from his house.

Police say they recovered the severed head of the child from his house.

Arif Ali and his brother, Mohammad Farman Ali, were jailed for two years for stealing the body of a dead woman from her grave in 2011.

They later admitted to chopping her lower limbs and making them into meat curry. They were sentenced under the law of desecration of the grave, because Pakistan has no law relating to cannibalism.

Their sentences ended

in May 2013. Their release from jail sparked public protests in Darya Khan town.

The brothers have since kept a low profile, away from the public eye.

Ameer Abdullah Khan, Superintendent of Police (SP) in Darya Khan, told the BBC that police raided the residence of the Ali brothers early Monday

morning after reports of a stench coming from their house.

“We found the severed head of a young child, about two or three years old,” he said.

“They probably dug up his body from a grave, but the identity of the child and the graveyard from where his body might have been stolen is not

clear.”

He said Arif Ali, who was present in the house, had been arrested, while the police were still looking for Farman Ali. “During initial interrogation, Arif has admitted they chopped the body and cooked it, but blames it all on his elder brother and denies he either helped him or devoured the curry,” SP Khan told the BBC. Once married with children, both brothers were abandoned by their wives before their arrests in 2011.

Mohammad Arif Ali was arrested on Monday on suspicion of cannibalism.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Civil Service

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Benue teachers abandon negotiation HENRY IYORKASE MAKURDI

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wing to the prolonged strike by primary school teachers in Benue state which has entered its sixth month over non implementation of pay rise the issue has assumed a different dimension as it has gone to a point of no return which the teachers say they have abandoned negotiations until their new wages are effected up to date.

Feelers reaching National Mirror alleged that the state government had directed through a circular that deductions be made at source from civil servants in the state between level 10 and above the sum of two thousand (N2000) naira only as part of their sacrifice while officers on level 4 to 9 are to part with one

thousand naira mandatory to enable the state government update the difference with view to effect the arrears for primary school teachers in the state.

Efforts to confirm the claims from the Benue state Head of Service Mr. Terna Ahua were abortive as several attempts on his cell phone could not respond when the line rang engaged after series of trials.

The chairman of Nigerian Union of Teachers, primary school teachers wing Comrade Godwin Anya who spoke in a chat with National Mirror yesterday hinted that their arrears have accumulated between five to six billion naira saying that failure to meet their demands they will remain at home until the day heaven’s will come down.

Giving the statistics he explained that a total num-

ber of primary school teachers in the state was between 20,000 to 25,000 and further stated that they are no longer interested in negotiations and they now hing their arguments on payment of their total emoluments or else ‘no pay no work’ is what we stand for.

Comrade Anya further reiterated the resolve of the teachers to remain at home so long as government continue to remain adamant on their plight stressing that whether it takes over 20 years one day a solution must surely be found to our rights.

Speaking on the development the Nigerian Labour Congress state chairman Comrade Simon Anchaver stated that the demands of primary school teachers is long overdue and asked the state government to hasten action on the payment of

teachers arrears with view to enable children of the average citizens resume back to school.

He asserted that the non implementation of the new salary package for primary school teachers is causing sleepless nights not only to the teachers and also parents whose schools have since remained closed for about six months now due to the inability of the state government to implement the wages adding that the decision to deduct civil servants salaries was unacceptable.

It could be recalled that primary school teachers in the state down tooled in November 2013 over non implementation of pay rise and the strike persisted which all efforts to reach meaningful agreement between it and government on the other hand deadlock.

41

NDE floats vocational centres JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

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he National Directorate of Employment, NDE, is to establish 774 technical vocational skill acquisition centres across the country.

The NDE Director– General, Abubakar Mohammed stated this at the weekend in Katsina state at the conclusion of a three-day retreat on creating more job opportunities in the country.

Mohammed said the vocational skills acquisition centres would be located in each of the 774 local government areas.

He said the directorate had established over 40 skills acquisition centres and all have been

equipped with necessary facilities, and that 20 more centres would become operational before the end of the second quarter of this year.

He said each centre offers five to 10 trades, ranging from welding, computer operation, GSM repairs plumping, and electrical installations.

Others included hair dressing catering, interior decoration, radio and television repairs auto electrical, fashion design, photocopying and satellite installation.

The DG, who described the retreat as an important milestone toward improving the function of the directorate, called on participants to make good of what they had learnt during the retreat.

CAC develops new business registration mechanism RICHARD NDOMA CALABAR

T

L–R: Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri and the former Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Tunde Lemo after a meeting in Abuja recently.

Immigration arrests 107 illegal immigrants in Borno INUSA NDAHI MAIDUGURI

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he Nigeria immigration service in Borno State has arrested 107 illegal immigrants who came into the country through illegal routes without valid travel papers.

Comptroller of the service in the state, Modu Musa who disclosed this in Maiduguri yesterday while parading the immigrants before newsmen, said they were arrested

during a recent exercise..

Musa, who maintained that the exercise is a routine job of manning illegal routes by personnel of the service, added that the arrested immigrants were nationals of Chad and Nigeriane.

He noted that the comptroller general of the service is committed towards making the borders more secure which is why the state command was provided with 4×4 wheel drive patrol vehicles.

“This has re-positioned

our staff who have been deployed to strategic locations at various units across the state to carry out our routine job of manning illegal routes as a result of which these 107 illegal immigrants without valid travel documents were arrested” the immigration boss added.

The comptroller general advised the neighboring countries to strictly adhere to the entry condition by ensuring that citizens of their countries wishing to visit Nigeria

posses valid travel documents.

He also called on traditional rulers of border communities to assist immigration personnel in exposing illegal immigrants who pass through their villages and towns.

Our correspondent gathered the arrested included 12 women who were picked up at illegal routes between Borno and Chad while a few of them were arrested in some parts of Maiduguri metropolis.

he Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) is set to develop new business registration software that will make it easy and possible to carry out registration services and conduct searches on registered businesses online.

Registrar-General of the commission, Mallam Bello Mahmud revealed this at the commencement of Enlightenment Campaign on Direct Registration of Businesses organized by the Growth and Employment in States (GEMS3) held in Calabar Capital of Cross River. He stressed that with the new software, registration of companies can now be processed directly by the owners of the businesses instead of running helterskelter looking for assistance.. Bello pointed out that, the software which is expected to be deployed

by July this year is principally targeted to benefit Small and Medium Entrepreneurs who may not afford the services of accredited agents.

The Regisrar-General stated, “It is also expected that the policy will also encourage informal businesses to register and in

the long run deepen access to finance for those classes of businesses.

The Commission’s boss lauded GEMS3 for their continuous support and assistance in the area of enlightenment and also the technical support they have been providing to the CAC on the design, development and testing of the new registration software.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Cross River State Manager of the Growth and Employment in States (GEMS3), Mrs. Geraldine Oku said the program is a partnership between the Federal government, the Department of International Development and the World Bank and is aimed at reducing poverty by increasing growth, incomes and jobs across Nigeria.

She stated that the CAC supported by GEMS3 has embarked on an online registration process and is currently pursuing other reforms intended to upgrade its registration processes to reduce time, cost and number of procedures required to register a business in Nigeria.

Oku maintained that the business promotion campaign is aimed at promoting the benefits of formalization to

42

Civil Service

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Abuja scientists decry increase of quacks in profession ADEOLA TUKURU ABUJA

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he Association of the Medical Laboratory Scientist,s FCT Chapter have decried increase of quacks in the profession, calling on the Federal Government to charge regulatory agencies to keep to their mandate . The association; s President, Dr Casmir Ifeanyi stated this yesterday in commemoration of the 2014 World Biomedical Laboratory Science Day. the presentation of gift items to the Paediatric ward at the Maitama district hospital.

According to him, the challenges they have in quality Health Care deliv-

ery in the country is that people no longer play by the rules and no longer abide by the Code of Ethics in the profession.

“This is what is leading up to quackery and people practicising beyond there scopes. All these is causing rivalry in the Health Sector due to lack of adherence to ethics”.

“If all the professionals adhere to the code of ethic, we won’t have conflicts in the Health sector ,which will amount to quackery,” He said.

Casmir further noted that the Governoring board of the Medical Laboratory Scientist has put in place disciplinary committee to sanction any of its members who do not

abide by the rules and ethic or any form of malpractice.

“They will be reported to these committees and necessary action will be taken. We don’t take issues of negligence , malpractice or misconduct by the Medical Laboratory Scientist for granted,” He said.

He also called on the Federal Government to put in place good governance structure that will strengthen professional bodies to fulfil there regulatory mandates.

“The Medical Laboratory Scientist is a specialised field of Health Care professionals where one must be qualified and licensed,” He said.

Also the Chief Medical Director of the Maitama District Hospital, Dr Adetoun Sotimehin, thanked the association for the gifts they presented to the paediatric ward in the hospital stating that there roles as scientist is important to the Health Sector.

She lauded the Association for there effort in childcare and humanity roles.

She further stated that if the Health professionals abide by the Code of Ethics there will be less problem in the Health sector,adding that the items given to them will be put in good use.

Items presented were Toys, Seats ,Water dispenser and 20 refills.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Permanent secretary supports confab HENRY IYORKASE MAKURDI

F

ormer permanent secretary and governorship aspirant on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party in Benue state Mr. Hingah Biem has observed that the concept of on-going National conference convened by President Goodluck Jonathan is good omen for the development of Democratic experiment in the country.

Mr. Biem while speaking with journalists yesterday in Makurdi reminded that Nigerians had long ago been nursing the idea of coming together with a view to addressing their internal wrangling s as well as to chart a way forward stressing that it is coming at the right time.

He emphasized that there is so much to learn from the confab and also called on every well meaning Nigerian to support the ideals urging that any consensus that the delegates agree upon may also be subject for consideration.

He further stated that people should not see the confab as a wasteful jamboree adding that at the end of the exercise more

revelations would be uncovered of some grey areas in the national cohesion among other nationalities that were not touched since the existence of the country.

The former Head of internal boundary and security matters in the state further noted that no country is ever free from insecurity challenges stressing that even in the days of Shagari’s regime there were this maitatsine crisis which many lives were lost.

“I beg to disagree that the present administration has had more casualty of violence as in orders in the past you should look at the statistics one can also remember that even in the previous years there were crises and people were killed and am optimistic that we shall soon get over with the killings and skirmishes” He however rekindled the hope that if eventually if he becomes the governor come 2015 he would use all the available resources available to improve on agriculture which is the mainstay of the economy of the people and provision of health facilities as well as education in the state.

Land owners to get Certificate of Occupancy JAMES DANJUMA L R: Registrar/Chief Executive, Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, Prof Mark Wokocha; Director-General, National Teachers Institute, Dr Aminu Sharehu and Representative Minister of Education, Dr. Olu Ayewoh during the Sensitisation Workshop of the Second Phase of the UNESCO British Council and NTI Project on Mobile Technologies and Teacher Development in Nigeria ,in Abuja yesterday.

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry Agriculture, Mrs Ibukun Odusote; Minister of State,Mrs Asabe Ahmed a beneficiary, Mrs Martha Daos, during the presentation of starter packs for aquaculture and poultry production to trained staff of the ministry of Agriculture in Abuja yesterday.

KATSINA

K

atsina State Head of Service, Aliyu Muhammed has assured of government’s commitment to prompt provision of Certificates of Occupancy, to land owners in the state.

Muhammed stated this yesterday during a workshop and inauguration of a committee on coordinating and implementation of Systematic Land Titling and Registration, SLTR. The SLTR is an intervention plan for systematic land tenure regularisation in the state by the Growth and Employment in State (GEMS3), a non governmental organisation.

He said the state government would work with relevant organisations to en-

sure that people who buy or get lands allocated to them in the state get their C of O’s as at when due.

While commending the organisation for its effort in working for the benefit of land owners in benefiting states, he called on the inaugurated committee to work at actualising the mission set for it.

The GEMS3 senior land adviser, Mr. Austen Okumo had earlier said that land registration in the state was sporadic which often took one to three years depending on initiative of the land-owners.

Okumo said cost of obtaining a C of O in the state was around N150,000 for private land, and that for past 25 yearsn the state had managed on register and document only 6,132 land titles.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Wednesday April 16, 2014

43

Female delegates wear black to mourn killings WOLE OLADIMEJI AND OMEZA AJAYI ABUJA

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emale delegates yesterday put on mourning look by wearing black as a mark of honour to the departed souls of victims at the Nyaya bomb blast in which over 75 persons lost their lives and over 150 injured.

Over 90 percent of the female delegates were noticed wearing black and

•As delegates debate state of insecurity even distributed black barges to male delegates, who also complied by putting the barges on their chest in solidarity with the victims of the bomb blast.

The women explained that the information went round yesterday after women delegates met and resolved that it would be imperative that female delegates should wear black to

prove to Nigerians those women were concerned, while demanding that the Federal Government should do something about it.

The women in an interview stated, “We speak as mothers and as sisters what is happening in Nigeria has become embarrassing and that is why we decided to wear black, our children have been killed our husband

L-R: Chief Olanihun Ajayi with Pastor Tunde Bakare at the National Conference in Abuja.

have been killed” “We cannot allow the situation to continue like this. It is the same group of people that perpetrate this, it is not the making of the President and it is not about only one part of the country. It is no longer about the politics but about securing the state.

“We would want all of us to redirect our mind, we do nothing that it is the work of Boko Haram,

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

National confab: OPC urges delegates to insist on regionalism AYO ESAN

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an Yoruba organisation, Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, has taken stock of the deliberations at the National Conference going on in the nation’s capital, Abuja and warned that any decision taken outside a return to regionalisation of the country would be inimical to the growth of Nigeria and a threat to her continued unity.

The OPC, in a release signed by its Director of Information, Gboyega Adeoye, in Lagos said: “The usurpation of power from the regions by the Federal Government was a plot by the military to plunder the national economy, in contradiction to the 1963 constitution which was originally designed for the growth and unity of Nigeria by the founding fathers of the country.

“Any system of government in a multiethnic state such as Nigeria that does not encourage competition among the resident nationalities is a

fallacy. This is why we are sending this message to the delegates at the ongoing national conference to use the available opportunity at hand to canvass for a return of the country to the regions as enshrined in the 1963 constitution, which stands as the only legitimate constitution drafted with the sound knowledge of our founding fathers.”

Saying that its demand for regionalism was total and non-negotiable, the OPC added that Nigeria was once a peaceful, progressive and united country with the initial arrangement where we have stronger regions with each using both its human and natural resources to grow its economy.

It added: “Under the region, the Yoruba nation was able to assert herself as a role model in the area of education and infrastructural development. The cocoa business was booming just as the other nationalities were not left behind in the competition. Unfortunately, a nation that had the

first television station alongside France the same year is now advertising the commissioning of boreholes on same television about half a century after. What an irony of life!”

Proposing the return to regionalism, OPC said that each region must be economically viable, adding that the 1963 constitution has so ordered everything to promote healthy competition and speedy development saying: “Derivation was 50 percent to the host zone as royalty, 30 percent is kept

by Federal Government in the Distributable Pool Account for equitable sharing among the zones while it holds on to the remaining 20 percent.”

Commending some notable Nigerians in the conference who have been very resolute on the side of a robust Nigeria, like Senators Ken Nnamani, Adolphus Wabara, Femi okurounmu, Pa. Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Olusegun Osoba, Chief Olu falae, General Alani Akinriade (rtd) ,Dr Kunle Olajide,

Otunba (Dr) Gani Adams, Dr Amos Akingba and indeed the overwhelming number of delegates from the South-East, South-West and South-South regions of the country, including the Middle Belt, for what it called “their unwavering stance on regionalism as only potent panacea to the lingering political inequalities in the land,” the OPC said that the delegates should bear in mind that they are on the path of history as their resolution shall determine the fate of Nigeria; to be or not to be.

It added: “Only recently, Prof Wole Soyinka and ace diplomat, Emeka Anyaoku did not mince words on their preference for a parliamentary system of government in Nigeria.

For a country with the scourge of corruption forming the bulk of its progressive impediment, a cost effective system of government away from the lingering corruption aiding unitarism in false toga of federalism as we currently practise, is desirable.”

14 we have to buckle up; our country is on fire if the attack could be in Abuja which means we are no longer save in the country.”

Kunle Oladije, a delegate from Ekiti stated that this was another arrow in the heart of Nigeria, adding: “I believe we are being invaded, we must take politics out of this, we need to tell the government that there were hands of external forces in this continuous attacks.”

Tunde Bakare explained that there was the need to let the government know that this was becoming too much, saying: “Let us take drastic action by resolving

that the conference should be on hold, pending the time the security was strengthened.”

For Chief Segun Osoba, “Nigeria is at the state of war, gradually the economy of the North is being destroyed, the education of the North is being destroyed. The suggestion I will make is that our borders should be closed for now and that strong delegate should be sent to the president.

Other delegates were of the opinion that the nation’s border be closed because the nation was under war and in a war situation, government must rise up to the challenges.

Delegate slumps, rushed to hospital WOLE OLADIMEJI ABUJA

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former Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG, and delegate to the ongoing National Conference, Amb. Abubakar Abudumumuni, yesterday slumped as he came out of the hall immediately the conference adjourned sitting.

Delegates at the scene of the incident and the security operative battled very hard to revive the delegate, who struggled frantically for breath but when the situation was becoming worse, they requested for ambulance and rushed him to the National Hospital, Abuja.

One of the delegates, who happened to be a medical doctor, brought his medical equipment to give him first aid treatment, but when it was obvious that he was not responding to treatment, he was immediately rushed to the hospital.

At that stage, the police ambulance that was stationed at the premises without drug

to administer to any emergency victim was used to move the delegate from the premises to the hospital.

While the commotion was going on, security operatives pounced on journalists at the scene, preventing them from taking photographs. In the course of that, a Civil Defence Corps officer, a lady, seized and smashed a camera belonging to The Union cameraman covering the conference.

In the process, there were clashes between the security operatives and the entire journalists around, who requested that the Civil Defence Corps lady should be provided.

At the end of the day, appeal was made that journalists should calm down and the most senior officer of the Civil Defence Corps promised to replace the camera for the journalist.

It would be recalled that since the conference started, three of the delegates had slumped and one of them died the second day.

44

Politics

STORIES: BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

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he Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday berated the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, over what is called “serial blackmail of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, targeted at the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ambassador Rufus Akeju.

It would be recalled that there have been series of protests by groups within Osun State chapter of the PDP to press for the re-

Wednesday April 16, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

APC accuses PDP of blackmailing Osun REC •If Akeju is not your member, why defend him? -Osun PDP moval of Akeju, whom the party said has sympathy for the ruling party and may not be fair in the conduct of the August 9 governorship election.

The APC, in a statement issued by its Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Barr. Kunle Oyatomi, in Osogbo yesterday, saidthe PDP’s stance concerning the REC was an attempt to corrupt the electoral process by armtwisting INEC to replace a

man the PDP has found impossible to manipulate with one that will do its bidding during the August 9 polls.

But PDP in its reaction insisted that it has proved that Akeju is a card carrying member of APC, having served as “Special Adviser to the former governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Tinubu.

The Director, Media and Strategy, Omisore Campaign Organisation, Prince Diran Odeyemi, in

a statement made available to newsmen said: “Akeju is a member of APC. He has represented APC leader, Senator Tinubu at functions in the past and also served him as Special Adviser.

“We were challenged to prove this and we have done that. We even provided prove to the INEC chairman when he visited the state. If the APC is not planning to use Akeju to rig or he is not a member

of the party, why are they defending him? If APC is so sure it can win without any aid, it should not be defending a sinking and bias official like Akeju.”

The APC in its statement further stated PDP had used every means including court to force Akeju out of Osun State, adding that when all these could not achieve results, the party resulted to blackmail.

The party also contended that Professor Attahiru

Jega has challenged the PDP to produce proof that Akeju is compromised, otherwise he remains innocent of PDP’s allegation which the party could also not prove in court.

PDP accuses APC of plot to frame up its candidate •You only revealed your concealed plan -APC

T

Chairman, APC, Ayedire Local Government Area of Osun State, Prince Adesoye Adedapo (4th from left); Dr. Gbenga Salawu (5th from left) with ward chairmen from the local government area during the donation of the public address systems, held recently in Oke-Osun village.

Group tackles Lamido, Yuguda over Namadi’s replacement EZEKIEL TITUS BAUCHI

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renown political forum, the Patriotic Northern Coalition for Justice, Peace and Equity has advised Governors Sule Lamido and Isa Yuguda of Adamawa and Bauchi states respectively to tow the path of honour and bury their ambition to replace the Vice President, Namadi Sambo.

The same advice also went to Governors Ibrahim Shema and Babangida Aliyu of Katsina and Niger states respectively, just as the forum also warned the governors not to further engage in sponsoring faceless political groups in the North to agitate for the replacement of Sambo in their desperation to supplant the Vice President.

President of the forum, Munir Babbangida Sule Manchok, Jr, gave the warning in a communiqué made available to National Mirror

shortly after their two-day meeting in Bauchi, saying that the measure was to put and end to heating up the polity.said; the measure is to stop heating the polity.

It added that the constant attacks on Sambo was a calculated attempt to scuttle his political career, describing those eyeing Sambo’s job as “as bunch of failure who have no vision in their respective states, even as governors,”

charging them to consolidate on the gains of democracy instead of eyeing what does not belongs to them.

The communiqué further reveals that those eyeing Sambo’s seat are enemies of democracy and the North, saying: “It’s now clear that Lamido and Aliyu’s constant media attacks even on the personality of President Goodluck Jonathan was a plot to replace Sambo for their selfish interest and to

the detriment of the North.”

Meanwhile the forum also expressed shock at the Nyanya, Abuja bomb blast that kills scores, condemning the act in its totality saying the development was a pointer to the divisibility of Nigeria.

It condoled with President Jonathan onthe unfortunate bomb blast and prayed for the families of the victims, for the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

he Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Osun State yesterday accused the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, of plan to assassinate one of its three governorship aspirants and pin his death on its governorship candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore.

The PDP in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Prince Bola Ajao and made available to newsmen, accused Mr Rauf Aregbesola-led government of desperation to stage a comeback at all cost.

The APC however denied the allegation, describing it was “exposure of PDP and Omisore hidden agenda ahead of the governorship election.”

According to a statement

by APC director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Mr Kunle Oyatomi, the allegation was a concoction designed to conceal the intention of Omisore, accusing the PDP governorship

Protest trails Ondo APC ward congresses OJO OYEWAMIDE AKURE

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undreds of members of the All Progressive Congress, APC, in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State yesterday protested the outcome of last week’s ward congress as presented by the Otunba Femi Pedro Congress Committee.

They converged on the house of the leader of the

party, Chief Akin Olokunboro, along Stadium Road in the state capital, carrying placards of various inscriptions.

They said the integrity and credibility of the congress had been compromised, urging the national leaders of the party to take prompt and decisive remedial action, saying they had no confidence in the entire process.

They stated that the

congress only took place peacefully in three of out of the 11 wards in Akure South, adding that the names of the officers elected were substituted.

Addressing a press conference after the protest, Olokuboro lamented that all attempts at reverting “the irregularities and open electoral fraud” perpetrated during the congress were futile.

He said: “After realising

that the anomalies could disrupt the peace of the party, the elders of the party summoned series of meetings with a view to resolving the grey areas.

“A delegation of elders of the party was sent to Otunba Pedro, the chairman of the Congress Committee, who declined seeing the party elders while at the same listening and meeting with a faction of the party.”

aspirant of having history of violence.

“Whatever the PDP and Omisore are accusing the APC of is uncharacteristic of the APC, but it is the characteristic of Omisore in politics of Osun State.

Omisore political style is surrounded by violence and killing of innocent people. In whose interest will the killing of any PDP governorship aspirant be?” he asked.

But Ajao insisted that the APC was only trying all possible means to stop Omisore from participating in the August 9 governorship election, knowing full well that the former Osun State deputy governor presently looks unstoppable.

Ajao said “We are aware of their many cruel machinations to put a wedge between our candidate and his lawful governorship pursuit knowing full well that he looks unstoppable.

Ordinarily one would have discarded this with a wave of hand as a ruse, but with the desperation being exhibited by the sinking Aregbesola’s government in its attempt to stage manage a come-back even when they themselves are aware that they have lost credibility and are out of favour with the Osun voting public.”

He called on the security agencies in the state to monitor and investigate to checkmate the activities of the APC-led government in the state noting that Osun is a very peaceful political enclave.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

45

Oguntayo emerges Skye Bank CEO ...bank targets 15% loan growth, more capital JOHNSON OKANLAWON

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he Board of Directors of Skye Bank yesterday announced the appointment of Mr Timothy Oguntayo as Chief Executive Officer to succeed Mr.Kehinde DurosinmiEtti who will retire from the board on July 31, 2014 at the end of his current tenure.

Also, the board announced the appointment of Mrs. Amaka Onwughalu as Deputy Managing Director for the bank. Both appointments are subject to appropriate regulatory approvals.

A statement from the bank said Oguntayo appointment is consistent with the bank’s tradition and succession strategy of grooming leaders from within.

It said that his multi – dis-

ciplinary background adequately prepares him for the responsibilities of his new office. He is a known strategist with immense ability to innovate, and proffer solutions in sometimes complex situations.

Oguntayo is an alumnus of the prestigious INSEAD, Fontainebleau in France and a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria. He is also an associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.

He has over two decades of banking experience in corporate finance and investment banking, business development, credit and marketing, and operations.

Oguntayo, who was appointed to the board of the bank and its subsidiary companies in 2009, was the pioneer Managing Direc-

tor Skye Financial Services Limited, the investment banking arm of Skye Bank before its divestment in 2012.

He equally served on the board of Skye Stockbrokers Limited and Law Union and Rock Insurance Plc. He is currently a director on the board of Kakawa Discount House Limited.

Prior to this appointment, Oguntayo was the bank’s executive director responsible for the supervision of corporate and investment banking group, commercial banking in the South – West region and all the international banking subsidiaries of the bank.

Meanhwile, Oguntayo said that the bank is targeting retail and business customers this year with a goal to expand loans by 15 per cent, up from two per cent

growth last year.

“Liquidity was a major constraint to growth in risk assets in 2013,” Oguntayo told an analyst conference call.

Shares in the bank fell 1.4 per cent to close at N3.50 per share, valuing the mid-tier lender at $287.4m. The stock has fallen 19.3 per cent this year, underperforming the broader index which is down 5.6 per cent.

He said that 13 perc ent of the bank’s 2013 deposits of N823.3bn were government deposits. Pretax profit rose to N17.13bn ($104.5m) in 2013, up 3.8 per cent from N16.5bn in 2012.

Oguntayo added that the bank planned to raise $100m in tier II debt and N30bn in equity between the second and third quarters of 2014 to strengthen its capital base.

Index up 0.5% as FG picks Stanbic, Goldman Sachs for $100m Diaspora bond sale

T

rading in equities closed on a positive note on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, as investments in some securities lifted the benchmark index.

The All Share Index rose 0.46 per cent to close at 39,203.29 points, as against the decline of 0.16 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 39,020.67 points.

Market capitalisation appreciated N65bn to close at N12.9trn, lower than the increase of N191bn recorded the preceding day to close at

N12.8trn.

University Press Plc led the gainers’ table with 34 kobo or 9.16 per cent to close at N4.05 per share, followed

by Courtville Plc with four kobo or 5.97 per cent to close at 71 kobo per share.

Seplat Plc gained N30.24 or five per cent to close at N635.04 per share, while PZ Cussons Plc appreciated N1.45 or 4.53 per cent to close at N33.45 per share.

UBA Capital Plc added 10 kobo or 3.97 per cent to close at N2.62 per share.

Conversely, Cutix Plc

dropped 10 kobo or five per cent to close at N1.90 per share, while May and Baker Plc shed eight kobo or 4.65 per cent to close at N1.64 per share.

First City Monument Bank Plc dipped 16 kobo or 4.57 per cent to close at N3.34 per share, while Neimeth International Plc was down six kobo or 4.35 per cent to close at N1.32 per share.

NPF Microfinance Bank Plc fell four kobo or 4.35 per cent to close at 88 kobo per share.

A total of 277.7 million

shares valued at N3.49bn were exchanged in 4,793 deals.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has appointed Stanbic IBTC Bank and Goldman Sachs as advisers for its debut $100m Diaspora Bond issue, the Debt Management Office said yesterday.

The debt office, which also appointed legal advisers for the issue, said it was also looking to appoint bookrunners for the bond sale.

Oil, gas market bounces back with Seplat trading debut JOHNSON OKANLAWON

T

he Nigerian oil and gas company, SEPLAT, made its unconditional trading debut yesterday, as the first ever Nigerian company to have its ordinary shares dual listed on both the Nigerian and London Stock Exchanges.

Standard Bank acted as joint global co-ordinator, book runner, and Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited acted as Joint Issuing House in Nigeria.

A statement from the company said the transaction is the largest in Sub-Sharan African (ex

South Africa) since 2008.

SEPLAT is the first Nigerian company to have its ordinary shares dual listed on both the Nigeria and London Stock Exchanges.

The statement explained that the Initial Public Offer poceeds would allow the company to further implement its business strategy, which includes acquiring new Nigerian assets and expanding its development programme, and will support the company’s ongoing growth aspirations.

It said, “SEPLAT intends to pursue an oil and gas acquisition strategy focused on maintaining

a balanced portfolio of assets in Nigeria with development opportunities and potential for exploration in order to add value by increasing production and cash flows in the near term.

“Standard Bank and Stanbic IBTC have been working together with SEPLAT, aligning the IPO process in both the London and Nigerian markets. The innovative offer structure ensured SEPLAT captured the maximum investor attention both in Nigeria and Internationally from a range of investor types.”

The statement added that Standard Bank and

Stanbic IBTC hosted the company in over 130 investor meetings during roadshows in Nigeria, UK, Europe, US, South Africa and Asia.

The Head of Emerging Capital Market, Standard Bank, Mr. Simon Matthews, said Seplat is the first Nigerian company to have shares admitted to the Main Board of the London Stock Exchange.

According to him, Standard Bank teams worked tirelessly to align the Nigerian and London IPO processes to ensure the Company could capture the growing interest for Nigerian and African equities.

Source: NSE

Source: FMDA

Market indicators All-Share Index 39,203.29 points Market capitalisation 13.01trillion

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

UPL

3.71

4.05

0.34

% CHANGE 9.16

COURTVILLE

0.67

0.71

0.04

5.97

SEPLAT

604.80

635.04

30.24

5.00

PZ

32.00

33.45

1.45

4.53

UBCAP

2.52

2.62

0.10

3.97

AFRIPRUD

2.91

3.00

0.09

3.09

ACCESS

7.60

7.83

0.23

3.03

GUARANTY

27.00

27.80

0.80

2.96

OANDO

15.30

15.74

0.44

2.88

HONYFLOUR

3.71

3.78

0.07

1.89

CHANGE

% CHANGE -5.00

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CUTIX

2.00

1.90

-0.10

MAYBAKER

1.72

1.64

-0.08

-4.65

FCMB

3.50

3.34

-0.16

-4.57

NEIMETH

1.38

1.32

-0.06

-4.35

NPFMCRFBK

0.92

0.88

-0.04

-4.35

NEM

0.76

0.73

-0.03

-3.95

WEMABANK

0.95

0.92

-0.03

-3.16

STERLNBANK

2.40

2.34

-0.06

-2.50

DANGSUGAR

9.99

9.75

-0.24

-2.40

UAC-PROP

25.60

25.00

-0.60

-2.34

Primary Market Auction TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Open Market Operations TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

90-Days

49,874.02

14.08

17-Jan-13

91-Days

97,481.64

14.10

17-Jan-13

-

-

-

-

Wholesale Dutch Auction System AMOUNT OFFERED

MARKET DEMAND

AMOUNT SOLD

DATE

$120m

N/A

$108.4m

16-Jan-13

$50m

N/A

$11.8m

14-Jan-13

46

Capital Market

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stock exchange daily equities summary Equities as at April 15, 2014 1st Tier Securities

1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Wednesday April 16, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

47

Community Mirror This needless bloodletting cannot continue unabated and requires new strategies to nip it in the bud.

FORMER VICE-PRESIDENT ATIKU ABUBAKAR

Rainstorm: Ijede residents call for assistance Dare Akogun

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he destruction in the wake of heavy rain on Sunday morning at Ijede, Ikorodu area of Lagos State, has left many residents homeless as they are now counting their losses.

Our reporter who visited the community saw the level of the devastation, as hapless victims looked forlorn with no hope of returning to normal life.

The thunder storm destroyed houses, cars and electricity poles, even as a man and a woman and her child were killed.

The middle aged man identified as Vincent, was said to have died when the roof of the church he was worshiping in suddenly collapsed, even as some members of his family escaped unhurt.

The affected communities, which cut across Ijede Local Council Development Area, include Oke Eletu, Power line, Jajo, Shonle, Magbon,Ifesokan and Mowo Nla. Many residents are yet to come to terms with their losses after the natural disaster.

In Magbon, one of the most affected communities, residents were still dazed by the

incident, even as they have not relented in their prayers to forestall future disasters.

According to Mr. Tunde Okusaga an accountant with 7Up bottling company, whose house roof was blown away and landed on his Toyota jeep destroying the windshield, said that the rains started at 8:30 am and lasted for 30 minutes.

He said: “I have not seen such a thing before except in the movies. I was inside with my wife and three children, when suddenly the wind started pulled the roof, in the process the walls of the sitting and bedroom collapsed.

“Suddenly, the storm

threw the roof of the house on my car parked outside.

He called on the government to come to their aid as the storm has rendered many resident homeless.

Another resident who simply gave her name as Bola, said when the rains started the wind was too heavy, and blew off roof to the house, that of a church and a fence that collapsed on a car parked outside.

“All the electricity poles in the community were affected.

The story was the same in Mowo Nla, area as many houses and a filling station were affected by the storm.

The Secretary of Mowo Nla Community Development Association, Mr. DadaEbenezer, said the storm was preceded by a heavy down pour..

He said: “The whole incident happened in less than 30minutes”.

Ebenezer disclosed that when the storm started, there was pandemonium as roofs were blown away and fences pulled down, even as electricity cables were also destroyed.

He made a passionate appeal to the state government to come to their aid, noting that many of them have nowhere to lay their heads after the incident.

“Most have lost their means of livelihood, including vital documents.

The government should step in to make life worth living again”, he pleaded.

Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, and Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, have embarked on enumeration of the affected communities to determine how the victims can be assisted to cushion the effect.

Spokesperson of the National Emergency Management Agency, Ibrahim Farinloye, said the rainstorm caused substantial damage in Ebute Meta and IjedeIkorodu area of Lagos State, stating that the agency would soon come up with relief packages for the affected persons.

Robbers set ablaze in Nasarawa Igbawase Ukumba LAFIA

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Part of Heritage Nursery and Primary School, destroyed by the rainstorm at Ijede, Ikorodu, Lagos at the weekend.

PHOTO: DARE AKOGUN

wo suspected robbers have been burnt to death in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, while trying to snatch a bag from their unsuspecting victim.

Community Mirror, gathered that the robbers were attacked and set ablaze by irate youths when they engaged their unsuspecting victim in physical combat in order to snatch the bag opposite a bank.

Lagos trains 250 LASTMA officials Francis Suberu

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n an effort at boosting human capacity building of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, the Lagos State Government has commenced a training programme for 250 officers of the traffic authority.

The programme is

coming few months after completing the Career Evaluation Training Programme, CETP, for them.

The training, holding at the Lagos State Law Enforcement Training Institute, Magodo, Lagos is part of the administration’s drive to ensure that

LASTMA officers are more proficient and professional in service delivery to people of the state.

Speaking at venue, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transport Education, Dr. Mariam Masha said the training is expected to impart sound professional

teaching and precise skills in the officers towards the discharge of their duties to the public.

Dr. Masha remarked that government is obligated, to ensure that the law enforcement officers have the right skills to perform their assigned tasks of ensuring free traffic flow,

for better social economic activities.

She added that the necessity for the officers to be abreast of new developments in their assignments , increased proficiency , skills and professional service delivery to the public, are other derivable benefits from the training programme.

It was further revealed that the victim was trailed by the robbers to the Jos Road branch of the bank, where he withdrew N400, 000, and consequently followed to the scene of the incident, where they attempted snatching the money from him.

However, in their attempt to rob the man, luck however ran out of them as irate youths who quickly arrived at the scene attacked the robbers with sticks and other weapons and overpowered them.

Our source said that, the youths poured petrol on the robbers and consequently setting them ablaze.

When contacted, the state police command Public Relations Officer, ASP Ismaila Noman, confirmed the incident but said only one of the robbers died during the incident, as the other is still alive and presently in hospital for treatment.

48

Community Mirror

Akwa Ibom to establish traffic agency Aniefiok Macauley UYO

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n an effort to check incessant violation of traffic laws by motorists in Uyo and environs, the Akwa Ibom State Government has said a bill for the establishment of a traffic management agency would soon be sent to the House of Assembly.

The Commissioner for Transport, Godwin Ntukudeh who dislosed this said the bill, would create employment, check illegal parking, reckless driving and other traffic offences.

Ntukudeh who said there was no plan to ban tricycles from the capital city, disclosed that the government has concluded arrangements to procure taxis and buses to complement the existing ones in the state.

He said the restriction on tricycles from Ibom Plaza, was to forestall traffic congestion in the city and to give the state a facelift.

The Commissioner noted that the restriction follows a week-long announcement for motorcycle operators to give at least a 120 meters

distance from the city centre for give free flow of access and exit to and from the Government House.

Giving reason for the restriction, he said the government has invested so much to give a facelift to the capital city and the state must work to ensure that the aesthetics are altered by uncoordinated traffic condition.

Although admitting that tricycles are an integral part of the state’s economy, Ntukude, however called on operators to exhibit sense of maturity while operating within the capital city and adhere to limits set for its operations.

“The problem we have with tricycle operators is that they assemble within the plaza and cause traffic gridlock. Series of complaints led to their activities to be streamlined and re-directed to routes that will give the city centre it own ambience”, he said.

Ntukudeh however commended the operators for act decently during the flag off of the restriction exercise and expressed optimism that with such level of cooperation, Uyo will remain a beautiful city.

Wednesday April 16, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Lagos begins statewide goitre surgeries Francis Suberu

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he Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola has said that the government will commence screening and surgery for residents with goitre, even as he assured that the administration would pay the bills of those in Badagry.

Fashola spoke at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, venue of the surgeries, saying henceforth, government would commence regular screening and surgery of all residents suffering from the neck-swelling disease.

About 48 residents of Ajara Community in Badagry were discovered to be suffering from goitre during the state-wide free primary health care

mission held in December 2013. Some of the residents were said to have been suffering from the disease for more than two decades.

Fashola said that aside from carrying out free surgery on the affected residents, experts have also been deployed to the community to investigate the likely cause(s) of the diseases, with a view to finding a lasting solution.

He added that beyond securing the lives of residents through establishment of security trust fund, he remained committed to securing of lives against lifethreatening diseases.

He said: “Our regular health mission that usually includes screening, antenatal care, diabetes, medical consultation, hypertension and hernia treatment; we will now

include goitre treatment and surgery, as the mission moves across the state. We will continue this but I am not sure how the medical team can cope with the large numbers, but the treatment will get to everyone.

“As the mission moves around, we will device means to provide treatment during the mission. This is a challenge that we will attack by surgical intervention and ensure that we discover the cause of the outbreak. This will afford us to prevent it.”

Commenting on the high rate of goitre in Badagry area of Lagos, the governor said it was unprecedented; adding that investigation aimed at tackling the problem should be embarked upon.

Fashola said: “During our health mission programme in Badagry

in December last year, our medical team noticed unusual swellings on the necks of some many residents who attended the programme. Our health officials had asked if we can investigate the problem and I said why not.

“The problem was later diagnosed as goitre and I was told it could be treated through surgical intervention. As for the cause, I was told is that it is caused by iodine deficiency.

But the government has started an extensive study for us to know precisely the cause.

“This is because it seems that it is unusual that where people eat iodized salt, you see this kind of prevalence.

So the investigation has commenced and the results will help us come up with a strategy to deal with the problem.”

Lawmaker empowers youths in Cross River he Representative for Calabar Municipality/ Odukpani Federal Constituency, Nkoyo Toyo has said that her constituency project has gulped N50million for youth empowerment programme.

Otoyo made the remark at the commissioning of the Agricultural Business, Farms Park and Empower ment,ABFP), at Atan Okoyong.

Otoyo stated that the project was a collaborative effort with Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, SMEDAN, Niger

Delta Development C o m m i s s i o n , NDDC, lnstitute for Tropical Agriculture, Medium Enterprises Development Agency among others.

She advised the youths to be serious with what everbusiness initiative that is being introduced to the farm, adding that every arrangement made will go a long way at reducing the unemployment problem in the nation.

Also speaking, the farm administrator, ex- Col Effiong Edet, said that though his people are happy the project was built in their community, they regretted that contracts were not awarded to indigenes of the area.

CHANGE OF NAME t OGUNLEYE: Formerly known and addressed as Ogunleye Dolamu, now wish to be known and addressed as Jolaosho Dolamu Monsurat. All Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME t UZOR: Formerly known and addressed as Uzor Justina Eberechi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Favour Eberechi Okechukwu. All Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Richard Ndoma CALABAR

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Venezuelan Ambassador to Nigeria, Miguel Della Vecchia (right) with the Managing Director of Jojein Hotels and Resorts, Sunday Folorunso Idowu, in Akure during a working visit of the envoy to Ondo State, recently.

Man remanded for alleged murder of friend

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26-year-old man, Kunle Babalola, who allegedly killed his friend, has been remanded in Ikoyi Prison, Lagos by an Ebute Metta Chief Magistrates’ Court.

It was gathered that Babalola allegedly pushed his friend into the Majidun River over an alleged missing phone.

The accused, who resides in Ikorodu,

is facing a charge of murder.

The Magistrate, Mr E.O. Ogunkanmi, who did not take the plea of the accused, ordered him to be remanded in prison, pending a legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions,DPP. The Prosecutor, Cpl. Cyriacus Osuji, had earlier told the court that the crime was committed on March 16, at Idiroko Village in

Ikorodu, Lagos.

He said that the accused and deceased were friends.

“The accused approached the deceased over his missing phone and wanted to fight but the deceased ignored him.

The accused pushed him into Majidun River, even as the deceased struggled to come out but drowned.

An eye-witness

reported the case at the police station, following which the accused was arrested.

The corpse was taken to the Ikorodu General Hospital mortuary for autopsy,” Osuji said.

He said that the offence contravened Section 221 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011. Section 221 provides death penalty for murder, if found guilty.

Wednesday April 16, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

49

World News

“Our leaders need to see there are a growing number of disgruntled people in our country”

- SOUTH AFRICAN EX-DEPUTY HEALTH MINISTER, NOZIZWE MADLALA-ROUTLEDGE

Undersea drone hunt for Malaysian plane may take two months Paul Arhewe

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

A

U.S. Navy underwater drone sent to search for a missing Malaysian jetliner on the floor of the Indian Ocean could take up to two months to scour a 600 sq km area where the plane is believed to have sunk, U.S. search authorities said yesterday.

The prediction coincided with the end to the abbreviated first mission by the Bluefin-21 autonomous underwater vehicle six hours into what was meant to be a 16-hour operation on Monday after it exceeded its 4.5 km (14,750 feet) depth limit and was automatically returned to the surface.

The introduction of the undersea drone marks a new slower paced phase in the search for Malaysia Airlines MH370 which disappeared on March 8 and is presumed to have crashed thousands of km (miles) off course with the loss of all 239 people on board.

Authorities, who soon plan to scale back the air and surface search, are confident they know the approximate posi-

An autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) sits on the wharf at naval base HMAS Stirling in Perth, Australia.

tion of wreckage of the Boeing 777, some 1,550 km (960 miles) northwest of Perth, and are moving ahead on the basis of four acoustic signals they believe are from its black box recorders.

But having not heard a “ping” for almost a week and with the batteries on the locator beacons two weeks past their 30-day expected life, the slow-moving “autonomous underwater vehicle” was launched on Monday to try

and locate wreckage.

“The AUV takes six times longer to cover the same area as the towed pinger locator. It is estimated that it will take the AUV anywhere from six weeks to two months to scan the entire search area,” Lt. J.G. Daniel S. Marciniak, a spokesman for the U.S. Seventh Fleet, said in a statement.

From its aborted first mission, the Bluefin-21 produced six hours of data, which authorities analyzed to find no

objects of interest, Marciniak added. The drone was expected to embark on its second search mission late yesterday.

The robot, which takes two hours to descend another two to return to the surface, as well as several hours to download data, will build up a detailed acoustic image of the area using sophisticated “sidescan” sonar. It hopes to repeat its success in finding a F-15 fighter jet which crashed off Japan last year.

Ukraine to begin anti-terror operation against separatists

U

kraine’s acting President Olexander Turchynov has announced the start of an “anti-terrorist operation” against pro-Russian separatists.

He told parliament it was being conducted “stage by stage, in a responsible... manner”.

Hours later, gunfire was heard at an airbase which officials said had been in the hands of militants.

Turchynov said the airbase at Kramatorsk had been “liberated” from “terrorists”.

Pro-Russian rebels have seized buildings in about 10 towns and cities across Ukraine’s eastern provinces, which form the heartland of Ukraine’s heavy industry.

The most dangerous moment in the Ukrainian crisis so far may well have arrived. The se-

curity operations undertaken by the Kiev government have been received by Russia with alarm.

“Events are beginning to develop under the worst case scenario,” said one senior official in Moscow. As yet, amidst a torrent of social media and conflicting local reports, it is impossible to determine the extent of any casualties. But in a sense, it is not the facts but the perception of what is happening that matters.

Russia’s narrative has been clear. It sees itself as the champion of Ukraine’s Russian-speakers in the east. With separatists taking over buildings in several Ukrainian cities, the Kiev authorities have effectively been goaded into a response. The question now is whether that response will be seized upon by Moscow as a pretext for military

action.

Thousands of Russian troops are reported to be deployed along the border, kindling fears that any crackdown on the rebels could trigger an invasion.

Russia annexed the Ukrainian province of Crimea last month, after it broke away and held a controversial referendum on selfdetermination.

Pro-Russian protesters manning barricades in Sloviansk

Prosecutor accuses Pistorius at end of questioning

W

rapping up five days of relentless crossexamination of Oscar Pistorius at his murder trial, the chief prosecutor insisted Tuesday that he intentionally shot his girlfriend to death after they argued and — in a final exchange — urged the Olympic athlete to take responsibility for the Valentine’s

Day killing.

“Who should we blame for the fact that you shot her?” prosecutor Gerrie Nel asked Pistorius. It came right at the end of Nel’s intense scrutiny of nearly every aspect of the double-amputee runner’s story that he killed Reeva Steenkamp last year after mistaking her for a dangerous intruder.

WORLD BULLETIN Jordanian ambassador kidnapped in Libya Jordan’s ambassador to Libya was kidnapped on Tuesday by gunmen who demanded an Islamist militant be released from a Jordanian jail in exchange for the diplomat’s freedom.

The masked gunmen shot and wounded the driver of Ambassador Fawaz al-Itan’s car as they snatched the diplomat from a street in the capital Tripoli, Libya’s Foreign Ministry said.

Essam Baitelmel, a member of the Libyan team investigating the abduction, said the kidnappers had demanded the release of Mohamed Dersi, a Libyan Islamist militant jailed for life in 2007 for plotting to blow up the main airport in Jordan.

The kidnappers made their demands in a call to the ambassador’s own cellphone, which was left behind in the car after the abduction, Baitelmel said. They said the diplomat was unharmed.

Jordanian Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour told parliament the government would take “all necessary measures to protect his life and release him.”

But agreeing to the kidnappers’ demand could set a dangerous precedent for Jordan which is one of the United States’ most important allies in the fight against al Qaeda.

Iran’s president says sanctions will unravel in months President Hassan Rouhani said yesterday international sanctions on Iran would unravel in months following negotiations with world powers on its nuclear program, the official IRNA news agency reported.

Some international sanctions imposed over Iran’s nuclear program have been eased temporarily after a deal was reached last year with world powers, but Washington has said the lifting of sanctions can only happen “in total” after a comprehensive deal is reached.

“With your support, this government has taken the first steps towards the lifting of the brutal sanctions ... We will witness the sanctions shattering in the coming months,” Rouhani told a crowd during a tour of Sistan-Baluchestan, a restive underdeveloped province bordering Pakistan.

“Today we already see the sanctions unravelling,” he said, according to IRNA, referring to the modest easing of sanctions in return for concessions made by Rouhani’s government in nuclear talks with world powers.

World powers want Iran to curb its nuclear activity, which Western nations fear is aimed at giving Tehran the capability to make a nuclear weapon. Iran denies that, saying its nuclear program is only for power generation and civilian uses.

50

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

CHANGE OF NAME

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ECHEFU: Formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Echefu Uloma Caroline, now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Nwogu Uloma Caroline. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ADEGBOLA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adegbola Adeyoyin Funke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Bello Adeyoyin Funke. All former documents remain valid. LAUTECH Teaching Hospital Ogbomoso and general public take note.

LATEEF: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Lateef Mofusat Bibitayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Uthman Mofusat Bibitayo. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

ONAKPA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Onakpa Samuel Joy, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. JacobDavid Joy Enyojo. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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BABATUNDE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Babatunde Olubunmi Mercy, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Omotayo Olubunmi Mercy. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

UMEH: Formerly known and address ed as Miss Umeh Amaka Maureen, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nnanyelugo Amaka Maureen. All former documents remain valid. General Public to take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

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OBILOR: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Patricia Chidinma Obilor, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Patricia Chidinma Osuji. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ALARE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Alare Bolanle Favour, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Umaru Bolanle Favour. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

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SILAS: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adamu Silas Sheila Husseina, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Sheila Husseina Adamu Omosola.

All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

ODII: Formerly known and addressed as Uchennaya Odii, now wish to be known and addressed as Uchennaya Okereke Odii. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

NWATU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwatu Ujunwa Cynthia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nnamani Ujunwa Cynthia. All former documents remain valid. NYSC, ESUT and general public take note.

SORUNKE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Sorunke Monilola Tawakalit, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okanlawon Monilola Tawa. All former documents remain valid. OOUTH Sagamu, Ogun State and general public take note.

AUCTION SALES

CHANGE OF NAME

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UDEH: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Udeh Martha Oluchi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Eze Martha Oluchi. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

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MEREH: Formerly known, called and addressed as Mr. Luke Nwannaegbulam C. Mereh, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Luke Nwannaegbulam C. Chioma.

All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

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TAIWO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Taiwo Tokunbo Alaba, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adedapo Adetokunbo Alaba. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

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OJO: Formerly known and addressed as Allen-Taylor Rex Ojo Kehinde, now wish to be known and addressed as Allen-Taylor Oladipupo Kehinde. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE SANCTUARY OF REVIVAL MISSION

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MAMA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Mama Maureen Nwanneka. E, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ugwoke Maureen Nwanneka. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

ADISA: Formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Adisa Mutiat Olajumoke, now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Olaleye Mutiat Olajumoke. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ARINZE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Arinze Chinyere Felicitas, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akunna Chinyere Felicitas. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CLEMENT: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Clement Olubunmi Racheal, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oluwunmi Temitola Oluwabunmi Racheal. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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IKEH: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ikeh Chioma Helen, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okwuduba Chioma Helen.

All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public please take note.

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CONFIRMATION OF NAME t This is to confirm that Afolayan Odunola is the same one person as Afolayan Odunola Oluwakemi, that henceforth wish to be known and addressed as Afolayan Odunola Oluwakemi. All former documents remain valid. Osun State Polytechnic, Iree and general public should please take note.

OKORO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Opeyemi Temitayo Okoro, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Opeyemi Temitayo Ojo. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

This is to inform the general public that some vehicles including VOLKSWAGEN AG 66 AHD, BUS HF 775 EKY & Motorcycles & other Assorted items arrested and impound at Akwete Police Division, shall be sold by Public Auction after 14 days of this publication.

The police shall not be held liable for any item sold by Public Auction After the 14 days notice.

Signed: Sunday Ochi, Auctioneer (08036727080)

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ALEXANDER: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Alexander Ladi Christiana, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adediran Ladi Christiana. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ORIE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Nellysandra Nneka Orie, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nellysandra Nneka Obiora Mbonu. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and General public take note.

This is to certify that Uzoegbu Modestar Ebere and Anyanwu Modestar Ebere is the same and one person; now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ozukwe Modestar Ebere. All former documents remain valid. Project finance Management Unit and general public take note.

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OLASEDIDUN: Formerly known and addressed as Olasedidun Abosede Funke, now wish to be known and addressed as Babatunde Abosede Funke. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

FAWUNMI: Formerly known and addressed as Fawunmi Bamidele Ojo, hereby inform the general public that, I now wish to be called and addressed as Oluwunmi Bamidele Ojo Stephen. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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OGUNNOWO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogunnowo Remilekun Caroline, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ativie Remilekun Caroline. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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DARAMOLA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Daramola Kikelomo Silifat, now wish to be known and addressed as Abejide Kikelomo Silifat.All Former documents remain valid. Ekiti State Local Government Service Commission and general public note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

ABIA SHIPPERS’ ASSOCIATION

Notice is hereby given to the general public that the above named Ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under Part ‘ C ‘ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for registration under Part C of the Companies And Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

1. Prophet Akorede Zacchaeus 2. Pastor (Mrs.) Akorede Oluwabomi 3. Rev. Ogunjobi Adebayo Matthew

Aduramigba Flourish

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

1.

2.

To preach the Gospel of the Lord.

To proclaim the light of the Gospel to the nations.

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: TRUSTEES

PUBLIC NOTICE SUCCOUR FOR ALL FOUNDATION

This is to notify the general public that the above named Foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja,for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act,1 of 1990

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Okata Duke Ifeanyi Matt 2. Kenechukwu Obiajulu Chukwuedozie 3. Odhe John

- President - Vice President - Secretary

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. Succour for all foundation is a humanitarian organization that seeks to help the less privileged people in their aspiration for socio-economic betterment.

2. It is an organization that seeks to secure a better future for the helpless, the hopeless and the downtrodden in our society.

Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission,plot 420,Tigris Crescent,off Aguyi Ironsi Street,maitama Abuja within 28 days from the day of this publication.

SIGNED: OKATA DUKE IFEANYI MATT (PRESIDENT)

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Ide J.C. Udeagbala Mr. Olo E. Onuma Elder E. Adaelu Chief Echeme N. Kalu Prof. Anya O. Anya Mazi Igwo N. Okafor Chief Dr. Engr. Iboko Imo Iboko

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

1. Facilitation of international trade for members.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CHANGE OF NAME

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CHANGE OF NAME

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CHANGE OF NAME

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CONFIRMATION OF NAME

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OLAJORIN: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Olajorin Ajoke Margaret, now wish to be called Mrs Adebogun Ajoke Margaret, all former document remain valid.General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

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CHANGE OF NAME

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CHANGE OF NAME

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CHANGE OF NAME

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CHANGE OF NAME

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ADETULA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Oluwatoyin Beatrice Adetula, henceforth wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oluwatoyin Beatrice Ayoola. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

ODOH: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Odoh Maryrose Chinyere, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ugwuoke Maryrose Chinyere.

All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

This is to inform the public that I Orgor Thomas Innocent Igbeh is the same person as Thomas Innocent Igbeh.

Orgor is my native surname while THOMAS is my English Surname.

All former documents remain valid.

General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

BADMUS: Formerly known and addressed as Mrs Badmus Adijat Abosede, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Babajide Adijat Abosede. All former documents remain valid. Ogun State SUBEB and general public take note.

SOYINKA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Soyinka Oluwakemi Bukola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Okulalu Oluwakemi Bukola. All Former Documents Remain Valid.Odeda LGEA, Ogun SUBEB and general public take note.

ABASS: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Abass Fausat Folasade, now wish to be known and addresssed as Mrs. Abulefon Fausat Folasade. All former documents remain valid. The Nigeria Police Force and general public should please take note.

BELLO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Bello Basirat Gbonjubola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ijaola Basirat Gbonjubola. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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NNABUIKE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Nnabuike Georgina Uchenna, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ezema Georgina Uchenna. All former documents remain valid. Post Primary School Service Commission and public note.

MBAEGBU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Mbaegbu Eunice Ebele, now wish to be known and address as Mrs. Obiajulu Eunice Ebele. All former documents remain valid. General Public to take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE LIVING FOUNTAIN ORLD OUTREACH

This is to inform the general public that the above named Ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, for registration under Part C of The Company and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Okeke Prosper Ambrose 2. Okeke Josephine Lemechi 3. Edidi Michael Chukwuemeka 4.Adejumo Adeniyi Adeleke 5.Ebuka Ukatu

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To propagate the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 2. To turn sinners to saints 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:

BY SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE NEW HEIGHT REVIVAL MINISTRY.

This is to notify the general public that the above named ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja,for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act,1 of 1990

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

1. Pastor Moses Olusegun Akanbi 2. Mrs Ololade Oluwambe Akanbi.

3. Bishop Abraham Olaleye.

4. Dr. Tunde Oladoyinbo.

5. Mrs. Omolola Adeyemo.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to all people and nations.

2. To organize regular christian assembly such as prayer meetings, Bible studies, evangelsim etc .

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar general, Corporate Affairs Commissioner, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission,plot 420,Tigris Crescent,off Aguyi Ironsi Street,maitama Abuja within 28 days from the day of this publication.

SIGNED: PROTEM SECRETARY

SIGNED: ODUNTAN ADEBOWALE $ CO. ( SOLICITORS ) .

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

The general public is hereby notified that the above named church has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under Part C of company And Allied Matters Act No. 1990.

Notice is herby given to the general public that the above named association has applied for Registration by the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

FREEDOM CITY CHURCH.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Pastor Chima Enukoha 2. Pastor Tony Okoli 3. Pastor Uche Kalu 4. Pastor Matthew Ajah 5. Mrs. Chioma Enukoha 6. Mrs. Precious Okoli 7. Bro. Charles Achu 8. Bro. Jude Nwankwo 9. Bro. Taiwo Akintunde

- President - Vice President.

- Secratary.

- Member.

- Member.

- Member.

- Member.

- Member.

- Member.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To propagate the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ through the teachings of His word according to the Holy Bible.

2. To win souls for Christ through evangelism and fellowships.

Any objection to this registeration, enquiries about the appointed trustees should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Maitama, Abuja within 28days of this publication.

SIGNED: MR. MATTHEW AJAH 3, YARU STREET, IKATE-SURULERE, LAGOS STATE. TEL: 08083256218, 07066027974.

GIVE 30 CLUB

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Miss Fadeke Faloye 2. Mr. Adegboyega Bamisile 3. Mr. Adeyemi Faloye

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

1. Provide educational support services 2. Deliver motivational & health talks 3. Develop youth empowerment schemes 4. Provide clean potable water Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: TRUSTEE

Wednesday April 16, 2014

Onyechefula sure of Heartland 53

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

51

Sport

Getting awards after my playing days gives me extreme satisfaction. I can’t say more –Australian cricket legend, Ricky Ponting

King’s Cup final:

Ronaldo out,

all eyes on Bale

R

eal Madrid top scorer, Cristiano iano Ronaldo, will miss today’s King’s Cup final against st Barcelona after failing to recover cover from knee and thigh muscle le problems, Coach Carlo Ancelotti otti said yesterday.

The Portugal ortugal captain and Ballon d’Or winner has missed Real’s last three hree matches since limping off near the end of the Champions League quarterfinal, first leg eg against Borussia Dortmund on n April 2.

Ancelotti tti had said last Friday that there re was still a chance Ronaldo might ght recover for the clash at the e Mestalla stadium in Valencia, but confirmed at a news conference rence yesterday, that the player was as unavailable.

“Cristiano no Ronaldo is out, we have a lot off players sidelined,” said Ancelotti, tti, who will also be without longer-term nger-term absentees Jese, Sami Khedira, Alvaro Arbeloa and Marcelo. arcelo.

“But we e have a lot of confidence in this is team,” added the Italian, who declined to answer a question about who would start the Cup up final in Ronaldo’s absence. ce.

“We are losing a player with incredible edible quality. But it could uld be that Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence will ll motivate the restt of the team even more,” Ancelotti said. id.

Ancelotti’s celotti’s Barca counterounterpart, Gerardo rardo Martino, also so has injury wor ries

on the and is waiting of his fitness of three re c o g n i s e d centre backs.

Capt a i n Carles Puyol, w h o h a s barel y featured ter m this series of due to a injuries, Gerard Pique and Marc Bartra were all included in the squad for the trip to Valencia and Martino said a de-

Bale

NBBF suspends Police Batons’ coach cision would be taken today whether they could play.

However, with Ronaldo out, the role

o f G a reth Bale now assumes added importance.

T

…fines club N50,0 N50,000

he Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has fined the Police Batons Basketball Club of Lagos, an official said yesterday.

A statement by the Federation’s Media Officer, Patrick Omorodion, said a five-match suspension was also placed on one of the club’s coaches and a player.

“The disciplinary measure was as a result of their conduct during a Week 5 game in Ilorin in the Atlantic Conference of the DStv Men’s Basketball League between the Batons and the Kwara Falcons,” it said.

The statement said those affected were Coach Dominic Dike and Malu Williams.

“Their overall conduct and behaviour during the said game are seen by the federation as short of the standard expected in our fast growing league,” it said.

The statement said coaches Dike and Williams were each suspended for five league matches with immediate effect.

“They have also been warned to use the suspension period to improve their behaviour,” it said.

The NBBF statement also said the club was further fined N50, 000, part of which would be used to replace the damaged plastic chairs in the Ilorin Sports Hall.

52

Sports

Wednesday April 16, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Give Keshi a chance, instructor tells NFF PAUL EREWUBA

F

IFA Referees Fitness Instructor and Assistant Commissioner of Police, Felix Kigigha, has tasked the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to support Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi, to build a strong team for the World Cup in Brazil.

Kigigha, who is also a member of the Anambra Football Federation (AFF), advised the federation to desist from interfering in the players’ list to be submitted by the coach.

“I think that the delay in making public the list could be due to a hidden agenda by the NFF to include their favoured players,” Kigigha said.

“We have the materials to do us proud at the World Cup and the boys I know can always bring out the Nigerian spirit to play and make us proud.

“By now, the NFF and Keshi should have met on the list ready for the World Cup. “I want to submit that because of these reasons, Eagles have an outside chance of winning the World Cup.” On the clamour for Villareal striker, Ike Uche, to be invited by Keshi ahead of the World Cup camping, Kigigha said: “Uche should make the World Cup list because he is currently one of the best three strikers in Spain and he should be a value addition to the Nigerian team.”

Stephen Keshi

EPL: Toure blow for City Returnee keeper er aims No.1 spott AFOLABI GAMBARI Toure

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anchester City has announced that it will miss talismanic midfielder Yaya Toure for up to two weeks due to a groin injury.

The Ivory Coast star limped out of Sunday’s 3-2 defeat at Liverpool 19 minutes in shortly after shooting off-target and appearing to tweak a muscle.

Toure, 30, was initially all but ruled out of playing again this season.

“Maybe it’s not as bad as we thought at the beginning but Yaya needs at least ten days or two weeks to recover,” City Manager, Manuel Pellegrini, said yesterday.

City hosts bottom-placed Sunderland today at the Etihad Stadium, and Pellegrini is expected to name Vincent Kompany and Sergio Aguero in the squad after both were feared to be unfit for the game.

AFOLABI GAMBARI

F

lamingoes goalkeeper, Mercy Vincent, has vowed to fight for her position in Confluence Queens FC of Lokoja after her stay at the national junior women team camp.

Vincent resumed to the Kogi State capital to join with her after club only last week after representing Nigeria at the recent FIFA U-17 Women World Cup in Costa Rica.

Spokesperson for the Confluence Queens, Tosin Ojo, quoted the teenage goalkeeper yesterday as saying she has focused on helping the Wada Queens to achieve their set goal at the end of the season.

“I have learnt a great deal at the national camp and I believe my experience will come into play at this time that my club needs my service,” Vincent said.

“I was exposed to different techniques in goalkeeping,

Lagos ready for DAWN Games

T Vincent

notwithstanding that I could not get between the posts in games at the World Cup. “Now that I am back in my club, I want to fight to regain my shirt because I wouldn’t have returned from the national team to warm the bench here. I want to do better.”

Vincent, who joined Wada Queens this season from FCT Queens of Abuja, returned to goal for Confluence Queens last Sunday against Pelican Stars of Calabar, although she still has the likes of Ruth Sunday, Sekinat Olowu, Nimota Ajayi and Rita Obeni to contend with for the number one spot.

“I will keep working hard,” she submitted.

he Local Organising Committee for the maiden South West Secondary School Games (DAWN Games), held its first meeting in Lagos to strategise for the competition.

The DAWN Games is to be hosted by the Lagos State Government from May 16 to 14.

Chairman of the LOC and Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, Mr. Wahid Enitan Oshodi, charged members of the LOC and chairmen of the sub-committees to ensure successful hosting of the games as mandated by Governor

Babatunde Raji Fashola.

“The Lagos State Government has made available the necessary financial and logistic support for the hosting,” Oshodi said.

“This is a call to service and the Governor is looking forward to us delivering a well packaged and glamorous DAWN Games,” he added.

The sub-committees for the Games include Accommodation/Games Village, Technical Games Services, Ceremonial and Protocol, Medical, Transportation and Logistics, Venue and Facilities. Others are Media and Publicity, Feeding, Catering and Security.

L-R: Heineken Senior Brand Manager, Ngozi Nkwoji, winners of “Match Your Ticket” promo Jayne Nelson Uzuegbu and Sopoluchukwu Benjamin, and Brand Manager, Heineken, Kehinde Kadiri after the recent draw ceremony in Lagos.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Wednesday April 16, 2014

53

Hello, dear readers. From today till the end of the Nigeria Premiership League season, National Mirror’s ADEOLU JOHNSON will bring you incisive reports, actions, comments and behind-the-scenes manoeuvres on the Glo Premier League. He will also take a peep into the Nigeria National League and the actions in the lower league

NNL: Tornadoes stretched us –Kogi Coach

S

till basking in the hardfought 2-0 victory over Niger Tornadoes FC of Minna in their Nigeria National League game last weekend in Lokoja, Coach of Kogi United, Fatai Osho, has described the Minna side as the toughest his team has faced in the league this season.

A third minute spot kick converted by Ademola Ayoola and Ebenezer Odeyemi’s 57th minute had ensured 100 per cent home win for the Wada Boys.

“It’s so difficult for us to play against Tornadoes and the first half was so poor.

Indeed they didn’t play as if they were a man down,” Osho told National Mirror yesterday.

“Tactical awareness helped us to victory but we can still do better with time,” he added.

The former Remo Stars coach however said Kogi

United would soon its winless run on the road, even as he called for continued support from management, supporters and fans of the club.

Kogi United has 15 points from 10 games and will be guest of Group A leader Wikki Tourists FC in Bauchi this weekend.

Osho

P

W

D

L

F

A

GD

Pts

Akwa

6

3

2

1

7

3

4

11

Bayelsa

6

3

2

1

7

4

3

11

Wolves

5

3

1

1

5

4

1

10

Pillars

6

2

3

1

9

6

3

9

Taraba

5

3

0

2

5

6

-1

9

Lobi

6

3

0

3

4

5

-1

9

Crown

6

3

0

3

4

6

-2

9

El-Kanemi

6

2

2

2

6

4

2

8

Rangers

6

2

2

2

6

4

2

8

Sharks

6

2

2

2

4

2

2

8

Abia

5

2

2

1

3

2

1

8

Nasarawa

6

2

2

2

5

5

0

8

Enyimba

6

2

2

2

3

3

0

8

Kaduna

6

2

1

3

6

7

-1

7

Gombe

6

2

1

3

3

5

-2

7

Dolphins

5

1

3

1

4

4

0

6

Giwa

4

1

2

1

2

2

0

5

Heartland

6

0

4

2

3

5

-2

4

Sunshine

5

0

3

2

5

7

-2

3

Nembe

3

0

0

3

0

7

-7

0

Last week results El-Kanemi 2-0 Lobi Gombe 1-0 Sharks Sunshine 3-2 Wolves Enyimba 1-0 Akwa Nasarawa 1-0 Crown Giwa 0-0 Abia Pillars 3-1 Taraba Nembe 0-2 Bayelsa Kaduna 1-1 Heartland Dolphins 0-0 Rangers

Saturday Sharks vs Nasarawa Akwa vs Pillars

Today’s fixtures Dolphins vs Giwa Nembe vs Wolves Friday Bayelsa vs Enyimba

Sunday Abia vs Sunshine Heartland vs El-Kanemi Lobi vs Nembe Gombe vs Dolphins Crown vs Kaduna Taraba vs Giwa Warri vs Rangers

Onyechefula sure of Heartland H

eartland defensive midfielder, Onyebuchi Onyechefula, says his side has overcome the false start in the six-week old Nigeria top flight.

The Naze Millionaires on Saturday picked up their first point on the road at Kaduna United in the Glo Premier League Match Day 6 tie in Kaduna.

“The draw will radically boost our confidence going into the next matches,” the defender said.

“I’m certain there won’t be any looking back on what we can achieve in the league,” the former Gombe United player added.

“We need to win our first game at home against El Kanemi on Sunday to further boost our morale as well as improve our position on the log.”

Heartland have four points from a possible 18 in the six-week old Nigerian first tier league.

Irabor advocates professionalism

LMC boss, Irabor

C

hairman of the League Management Company (LMC), Hon. Nduka Irabor, has called for professionalism among the clubs in the Glo Premier League.

Enyimba of Aba and Pillars of Kano crashed out in the early stages of the 2014 CAF Champions League while Warri Wolves also fell at the initial hurdle of the CAF Confederation Cup, with observers blaming the ouster on late start of the league.

“I have heard lame excuses about the league not starting on time as being responsible for our clubs not doing well on the continent,” Irabor said.

“The LMC acknowledges that but also recall that the last winners of the CAF Champions League, Al Ahly of Egypt, had no league to play in yet they won the trophy.

“The truth is that our clubs need engage themselves whether or not the league is in session.

“We knew the players of the clubs may be rusty as a result of inactivity, hence we organised the pre-season competition in Abuja.”

Bayelsa United are the only Nigerian club left standing in continental competition this season.

Heartland catain, Chinedu Efugh

Nembe seek divine help

N

embe City Coach, Gabriel Samuel Umunna, says the team is looking up to God to help the side overcome its winless run in the new season.

Nembe City s without a win in three consecutive matches and has conceded seven goals without scoring any.

Umunna said his charges are not the worst among their colleagues but some outside factors have combined to cheat the side of deserving victories.

“I’m worried over the situation as I won’t want to be labelled a failure,” he said.

The Nembe-based side will host Warri Wolves

in one of the rescheduled matches on today in Omoku and Umunna said the encounter is a redemption game for his side.

“It’s a must-win game for us in order to take our rightful place in the league. We’ve resolved not to go down to Warri Wolves,” Umunna said.

Nembe City lies at the base of the 20-team Nigerian top flight with no points.

Nembe President, Baribote

54

National News

Wednesday April 16, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Lagos APC tackles Jonathan, PDP on Obanikoro, others

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he Lagos chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused President Goodluck Jonathan of engaging people of alleged questionable character as members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

In statement by its spokesman, Mr. Joe Igbok-

we, the APC also faulted the PDP leadership for endorsing Mr. Ayodele Fayose and Senator Iyiola Omisore as its standard bearers in the governorship polls billed for June and August in Ekiti and Osun states respectively.

According to the statement, the two ministers – Senator Musiliu Oban-

ikoro and Abduljelili Adesiyan representing Lagos and Osun states, lacked the wherewithal to be in the FEC and therefore ought not to have been nominated by the president.

Igbokwe noted that Obanikoro had demonstrated his lack of pedigree by abusing his office as the Minister of State, Defence,

when he wrongly mobilised soldiers to stop workers on some project sites being carried out in Lagos and deployed soldiers to pave the way for manipulation of the rerun election into the House of Representatives in Ondo State.

On Adesiyan, who is the Minister of Police Affairs, Igbokwe alleged that

the minister was accused alongside the PDP candidate in Osun State of having hands in the murder of the former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the late Chief Bola Ige on Christmas Eve of 2001.

He said the quartet were specifically endorsed by the presidency to enable it have a political foothold in the South-West through the backdoor, even as he described the plot as dead on arrival.

The APC spokesman said the endorsement of Fayose and Omisore after their emergence from questionable party primaries spoke volumes of the PDP leadership.

Igbokwe faulted the deployment of soldiers in Ondo State for a by-election and said that the practice had always been that police

should monitor election under the democratic dispensation.

The statement reads: “Successive Federal Governments under civilian dispensation have used the police and other agencies of government to win elections in Nigeria since 1979 and only the military has been spared of this mess.

“But now that Obanikoro has dragged the wellrespected Armed Forces of Nigeria into politics, what do we expect in 2015?

“Can anybody see and feel the danger of dragging the Armed Forces of Nigeria into local politics? Can anybody imagine the consequences of this dangerous trend in the history of Nigeria? Yes, the Army of Nigeria has been involved in the business of military coups in the past, but not in local politics.

Lab scientists decry quacks in profession Cross section of reverend fathers during Catholic mass in Bauchi, yesterday.

APGA crisis: Umeh fights on ISE-OLUWA IGE

F

ormer National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, yesterday approached the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, begging it to suspend a verdict handed down by a Federal High Court, Abuja, ousting him from office.

Umeh ran to the intermediate appellate court yesterday, less than 24 hours after the Abuja Federal High Court turned down the same request.

The high court had told him to face the appeal he

filed at the Court of Appeal, instead of wasting his time seeking stay of the judgement.

But Umeh, who is not impressed with the advice, yesterday brought a motion on notice before the appellate court to stay the judgement.

He approached the court through his counsel, Chief Patrick Ikwueto, SAN. Umeh and the National Secretary, Alhaji Sani Shinkafi, are asking the appellate court to stay execution of the decision of the Federal High Court, pending the hearing and determination of their appeal which has been fixed

for April 29 for hearing.

According to the appellants, “unless an order of the Court of Appeal staying the execution of the orders of the lower court is granted, irreversible damage will be done to the appellants.

They also averred that “by the judgement of the court below,the court below overreached and rendered nugatory the binding decision of the Court of Appeal in Appeal No:CA/E/84/2013 Umeh V Ejike dated July 15, 2013 which restored the 1st appellant as the National Chairman of APGA. “That unless by an order of this court, the administration and management

PHOTO:NAN

of the political party, APGA, will be halted and irreparable damage done to them and APGA before the hearing and determination of the pending appeal by the Court of Appeal.”

They further told the appeal court that “by the ruling delivered on April 14th, 2024, the court below declined jurisdiction and struck out the appellants/applicants’ application for stay of execution/injunction pending appeal on the ground that the pending appeal has been duly entered before the Court of Appeal.”

Gambia gives incentives to Nigerian tourists, investors

T

he Gambia Tourism Board (GTBoard) Director-General, Mr. Benjamin Roberts, has advised Nigerians planning to travel to The Gambia as tourists or for business to take advantage of a range of incentives offered by the Gambian government to make their stay in the country a pleasurable and memorable experience.

Receiving a group of

Nigerian journalists on a familiarisation tour of The Gambia yesterday, Roberts said the country, easily the region’s biggest holiday destination, offers a lot of attractions for Nigerians seeking a good destination for an unforgettable holiday and a favourable business environment.

The director stressed the open door investment policies and modern facilities

in The Gambia as some of the valuable support Nigerian investors wiould need to boost their business in the country.

He added that while Nigeria and The Gambia currently enjoy excellent bilateral relations, this, to a large extent, is yet to reflect in the level of interaction between the people of both countries.

“GTB is taking the initia-

tive to bring our peoples together. Nigerians will find The Gambia a fascinating country to visit in terms of its tourism attractions and as a suitable environment for business.

“We have recently upgraded our conference and business segment to cater for individuals and corporate bodies coming to the Gambia for business activities.

ADEOLA TUKURU ABUJA

T

he Association of the Medical Laboratory Scientists, Federal Capital Territory, FCT Chapter, have decried increase of quacks in the profession.

They called on the Federal Government to charge the regulatory agencies to live up to their mandates.

Their President, Dr Casmir Ifeanyi, spoke yesterday in Abuja at the commemoration of the 2014 World Biomedical Laboratory Science Day. The theme was ‘Code of Ethics’, and the day also featured the presentation of gifts to the Paediatric ward of the Maitama District Hospital.

According to him, the challenges faced by lab scientists in quality health care delivery in the country is that people no longer play by the rules and refuse to abide by the code of ethics in the profession.

“This is what is leading up to quackery and people practicising beyond their scopes. All these are causing rivalry in the health sector; lack of adherence to ethics,” Ifeanyi stated.

He added: “If all the professionals adhere to the code of ethics, we won’t have conflicts in the health

sector, which will amount to quackery.”

The chairman further noted that the governing board of the medical laboratory scientists had established a disciplinary committee to sanction any of its members who engage in malpractices.

“They will be reported to this committee and necessary action will be taken.

We don’t take issues of negligence, malpractice or misconduct by the medical laboratory scientists for granted,” he said.

He also called on the Federal Government to put in place a good governance structure that would strengthen professional bodies to fulfill their regulatory mandates.

“The medical laboratory science is a specialised field for health care professionals where one must be qualified and licensed,” Ifeanyi said.

The Chief Medical Director of the Maitama District Hospital, Dr. Adetoun Sotimehin, thanked the association for the gifts presented to the paediatric ward, stating that their role as scientists was important to the health sector.

She lauded the Association for their effort in childcare and humanitarian roles.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Wednesday April 16, 2014

55

PDP’s harassment script playing out –Fayemi Campaign Organisation EBERE NDUKWU

T

he Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation has decried the arrest and parade by the Ekiti State Police Command of two special assistants to Governor Kayode Fayemi, Dele Owoju and Richard Apolola (Sikira) and the leader of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) in the state, Niyi Adedipe a.k.a Apase describing the arrest and parade as part of thePeoples Democratic Party, PDP’s script to harass and intimidate the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the run-up to the June 21 election.

In a statement by its spokesperson, Dimeji Daniels, the campaign or-

ganisation explained that the trio were invited by the Police on Monday in connection with the PDP gubernatorial candidate, Ayo Fayose’s claim that his campaign office in AdoEkiti was attacked by the APC. Daniels recalled that while returning for a campaign rally in Ekiti East on Monday April 7, thugs from Ayo Fayose campaign office around Adebayo in Ado-Ekiti threw stones at the convoy of Governor Kayode Fayemi, but the PDP candidate later turned around to allege that his office was attacked instead.

Daniles said: “The Police on Monday invited the trio of Owoju, Apolola and Adedipe on the charge of malicious damage. However, the Police changed the

charge to attempted murder and went on to parade them in handcuffs before newsmen yesterday.”

Daniels said the truth, however, is that the three had worked for Fayose during his short-lived violent regime, adding that he had persuaded them to join him again and had threatened to harass them into submission following their refusal.

He alleged that the Police arrest is threat by Fayose to harass the three into submission, saying that the OC Mopol clearly told the three men that he was acting on orders from above and that he could kill anyone who disturbs

Fayose.

“It would be recalled that Fayose’s only strategy is to stage-manage attacks in a bid to draw public sympathy. In 2000, Fayose caused his thugs to rain bullets on his own house at Orita Challenge in Ibadan and invited the Commissioner of Police to see it because he wanted to snatch a house wrongly from the late Chief Lamidu Adedibu.

“In December 2004, he directed his ADC and Chief Detail to shoot his lead and back-up vehicles around 7up on the road linking the 3rd Mainland Bridge in Lagos and turned around to blame same on then Lagos

State governor, Bola Tinubu. The Police did confirm then that it was stage-managed to make Tinubu look bad.

“In 2009, during the Segun Oni administration, in a bid to draw public sympathy, Fayose caused his own water tanker to be burnt and alleged that it was master-minded by Oni. This latest move by Fayose is another in the series of his self-orchestrated attacks,” Daniels alleged.

He therefore called on the Police to be non-partisan, adding that the Fayemi Campaign Organisation would not condone the harassment of the supporters of its candidate; asking

66 DAYS TO GO President Jonathan to caution Fayose, to refrain from his violent tendencies.

Daniels added that the former governor is gradually re-introducing violence into Ekiti State with the help of the Police and that if not stopped at this time by all well-meaning Ekiti indigenes, the state might go back to the days of violence.

I won’t be distracted by abuses, says Fayose ABIODUN NEJO ADO-EKITI

F

ormer Ekiti State governor and governorship candidate of the Peoplse Democratic Party, PDP in the June 21 governorship election, Mr Ayo Fayose, has said that he will not be distracted by abuses hurled at him by his political opponents in the All Progressives Party, APC. Speaking at a rally of solidarity organised for him by a former deputy governor of the state, Chief Bisi Omoyeni, in Ikere-Ekiti, Fayose noted that he had many important issues to focus on rather than allowing petty minded persons to derail him.

Fayose said his main focus was how to defeat the APC candidate, Dr Kayode Fayemi, in the poll, maintaining that the ongoing reconciliation with the 13 aggrieved aspirants had begun to yield fruitful results, saying the party was now well positioned and fortified to defeat the APC in any election.

Fayose said: “I won’t be distracted by whatever they say about me. I am committed to this course.

It is like running a race, so

I won’t look sideways, but where I am going.”

He praised the 13 aggrieved aspirants for embracing peace after their meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan, adding that Ikere-Ekiti was strategic to the development of the state, and promised that he would replicate the kind of attention he accorded the town during his time as the governor of the state when elected.

Omoyeni, who described Fayose as a ‘promise keeper’ and someone with a large heart, said: “Fayose is a friend of the poor and less privileged. I believe he can make Ekiti better than what we are witnessing today.

“All the aspirants have agreed to work with him because the present government under Governor Fayemi has disappointed the people and he must be voted out of office come June 21 and to do this, the PDP must be united.”

The state chairman of the PDP, Mr Makanjuola Ogundipe, appealed to all members of the party to bury their differences and join efforts with the party’s candidate to win the forthcoming election.

L-R: Chairman, PDP Ekiti State chapter, Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe; Ekiti PDP governorship candidate, Mr Ayo Fayose and founder of Bofar Group, Chief Bisi Omoyeni, when the Ekiti PDP governorship candidate formally received Bofar Group to work together for the victory of PDP in the forthcoming June 21 guber poll In Ikere Local Government Area of the state yesterday.

OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU

B

etter days are ahead for pupils and teachers in public schools in Ekiti State as the All Progressives Congress, APC, administration is planning good welfare package for them when the new school session commences in September.

The APC candidate in the June 21 governorship election, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, while campaigning for votes at Okemesi in Ekiti West Local Government Area yesterday revealed that school pupils will be getting free meals at the commencement of new academic year in September.

The governor equally disclosed that teachers in public schools will now have the opportunity of overseas training to fur-

Ekiti pupils to enjoy free meals from September –Fayemi •Teachers to get foreign training ther motivate them and build their capacity to perform better.

Fayemi said these are the policies that are coming on stream if he is reelected at the governorship poll.

At the rally, many leaders and members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the Labour Party, LP, defected to the ruling APC, pledging to work hard to ensure victory for Fayemi at the election.

Teachers, students, youths and old people benefiting from the state government hailed the governor for giving them better life and bringing change to their commu-

nity.

Other communities where rallies to drum support for Fayemi were held include: Ido Ile, Erio and Aramoko, the council area headquarters, where teachers, students and the elderly beneficiaries of the government’s welfare for the aged pledged their support for Fayemi’s re-election bid.

Welcoming the defectors, Fayemi described the APC as a party of peace and progress that has the interest of the masses at heart, noting that the PDP mismanaged resources during its stint in power.

Fayemi reminded the people that the PDP flag

bearer had three deputies, three speakers of the House and three Chief Judges within three years of his stay in Government House, adding that the state witnessed political instability when PDP was in power as the party produced seven governors in seven years, urging the electorate not to return to such era.

Explaining that work was ongoing on OkemesiIdo Ile road and OkemesiEsa Oke road which he assured would be completed by his administration, Fayemi urged the people to be wary of “the party of riggers” adding that “the electoral robbers” are still around and should not be underestimated.

WORLD RECORD

Most people showering simultaneously (single venue) The most people showering simultaneously is 263 and was achieved by Sing-

Vol. 04 No. 831

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

N150

Tel mio TV (Singapore) at Siloso Beach, Sentosa, Singapore, on 26 October 2013.

Nyanya and the rest of us

T

he deadly bombings at the Nyanya Motor Park, Abuja two days ago, did not come as surprise to many Nigerians. Concerned watchers of the nation’s polity will tell you that the traumatic event in the early morning rush hour was long expected. Why? Because the Boko Haram sect which is known for this type of mayhem, has been extending its tentacles beyond the Northeast geopolitical zone, which has become its fortress and staging post for terror campaigns into other parts of the country. Even though, it is yet to claim responsibility for that gruesome act, the callous and mindless carnage bears its imprimatur. The group’s objective which is to sow destruction by killing as many people as possible at any given opportunity, seems to be working seamlessly. And with

Okay Osuji (okayosuji@nationalmirroronline.net) 08034729256 (sms only)

the various government security agencies scrambling for a riposte to the rampaging activities of this jihadist group, the country is looking more forlorn and vulnerable.

Four years down the line, the Boko Haram seems not to be running out of steam, while the country is caught flat footed as to how to rein in this destructive beast in our midst. Sadly, the entire issue is now caught in the anvils of secular and ethno-religious politics, with all stakeholders trading blames at each other on who should be held responsible. In the midst of these confusion and lethargy, the ordinary citizens have become hostages to Nigeria’s dysfunctional politics and national life. What we have on our hands is nothing short of a civil war, being waged on the country and its inhabitants by a heavily armed but amorphous marauding guerilla group.

Two weeks ago, I had reason to join issues with a group of elders from Borno, Yobe and Gombe states under the aegis of Borno-Yobe Peoples Forum(BYPF), led by former Chief of Air Staff, Al-amin Daggash that vehemently opposed the extension of emergency rule in the north east after expiration this month. They argue that the policy has not only been counterproductive but rather has brought untold sufferings to the people, while fostering instability in the area. For them, the canopy of emergency rule must be lifted forthwith so that people can be free to live their normal lives. As far as they are concerned, the policy is not only crippling economic activities, it is also a benign weapon of the Jona-

THE NYANYA DEBACLE CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE IN THE

COUNTRY.

WE MUST

THEREFORE STOP THESE TERRORISTS BEFORE THEY STOP US ALL than administration to punish those not in the same political camp with him Much as this may sound music in the ear, the group is yet to proffer any viable alternative or tactics short of emergency rule to stem the Boko Haram madness.

Probably, the attack in Abuja would now make them see the wisdom in keeping the policy in place. That is the price the country, and especially the geopolitical zone have to pay to save us all from death by installments which every Nigerian has been sentenced to. Who could have predicted that the Boko Haram will strike at Abuja when it did? And that is why the government must confront this monster with all the resources at its disposal, if the country is to save itself from a wider conflagration that would surely result, from groups who feel or see themselves as objects of sustained attacks.

No one who does not know that the political objective of this sect is to violently change the present federal administration and in its place, install one that would

protect its goal of religious suzerainty.

Of course, the wave of mass terror on the population has become a way of making the people feel helpless and despondent in the face of unrelenting attacks. It is also intended to make them revolt against the authorities for being incapable of protecting them. The Boko Haram has shown a ruthless willingness to pillage and destroy anything that proves an obstacle to its goals of political and religious utopia. Incidentally, many of those now publicly shedding crocodile tears at the murders and mayhem in Nyanya, have secretly been applauding the tactics of making the federal administration look weak, incompetent and supine before the people.

As the 2015 elections draw nearer, tendency is that the Nyanya style attack may become more frequent. That is why its perpetrators must be stopped in their tracks before they export their hate filled ideology to other parts of the country. Question is why we are too hateful of each other and yet pretend to be singing from the same page?

This has to do with the political structure and reward system that encourages a befuddling sense of entitlement depending on where one comes from, and not how he or she makes genuine endeavours to achieve success. This warped mindset of being a prince in waiting to inherit a mythical kingdom, has become the driving force that keeps groups like the Boko Haram alive.

But faced with the reality that the road to success is not paved in gold, they and their mentors have been lashing out in all directions and causing far more collateral damage than the country can withstand.

Fighting back tears every time terrorists strike has never been an effective way of defeating them in any country faced with the demon. Therefore, the government should not look askance in the face of such grave threats. The Nyanya debacle can happen anywhere in the country. We must therefore stop these terrorists before they stop us all.

Sport Extra

R

eports said yesterday that the Lagos State Baseball and Softball Association has intensified preparation for the maiden Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed U-14 Championship holding in Ilorin from May 14 to 17.

Lagos Baseball/Softball set for Kwara tourney National Mirror learnt yesterday that the association opened camp for its athletes at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Complex, Rowe Park, Yaba on April 8.

Winner of the competition will represent Nigeria at the World U-14 Baseball Championship scheduled for June in Canada.

Meanwhile, Chair-

person of the Lagos State Baseball and Softball Association, Mrs. Onyeka Onuorah, has commended the Lagos State government for its grassroots drive in spon-

soring participation of the athletes to the Kwara meet.

“We will leave nothing to chance to ensure that we make Lagos proud in Ilorin,” she assured.

Fashola

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