Friday, may 8, 2014

30 million households still without electricity –Nebo

Associated Airline crash victims’ families get $30,000

...laments overdependence on gas

CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

Vol. 4 N0. 848 TOLA AKINMUTIMI, PAUL ARHEWE, JAMES ABRAHAM, KEMI OLAITAN AND BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA

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nited Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon yesterday expressed concern at the fate of the over 200 students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, kidCONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

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he Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, has reiterated the huge investment potential in the power

sector, saying that about 30 million households are still without electricity in the country.

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UN wades into Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction Jonathan predicts end to Boko Haram

L-R: Chinese Premier Li Keqiang; President Goodluck Jonathan and Founder, World Economic Forum, Prof. Klaus Schwab, at the opening of WEFA in Abuja, yesterday.

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Two die, others injured in Akure building collapse Police arrest 20 over destruction of FUTO property

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Lagos to shut Masha Bridge for 20 days

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NECO shortlists 40,000 for National Common Entrance exam P.4

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UN wades into Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

napped by the dreaded Boko Haram sect.

President Goodluck Jonathan, during a phone call with Ki-moon, had also accepted the UN chief’s offer to send a high-level envoy to discuss how the world body could support the government to tackle its internal challenges.

During the call, Ban expressed his solidarity with Nigerians, especially the girls’ families, according to information provided by the Secretary-General’s spokesperson.

The President briefed the secretary-general on the current state of the search for the 230 girls, who were abducted from their school in mid-April by Boko Haram terrorists.

“The President accepted the Secretary-General’s offer to send a high-level representative to Nigeria to discuss how the United Nations can better support the government’s efforts to tackle the internal challenges.”

In a separate statement, the Secretary-General said he shared the anguish of the families of the girls and

the people of Nigeria at this “traumatic” time.

France yesterday announced it would station about 3,000 troops in Nigeria’s neighbours to help tackle Islamist militants in the Sahel region.

Similarly, leaders of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, have decided to invoke the community’s protocols on counter-terrorism.

Ghanaian President John Mahama and the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Kadré Désiré Ouédraogo, during

World leaders at the opening of the 2014 World Economic Forum on Africa in Abuja, yesterday.

a meeting with President Jonathan on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum for Africa holding in Abuja expressed the solidarity of the regional body with the Federal Government.

Mahama disclosed that a meeting of Heads of Intelligence Services of ECOWAS member-countries would hold in Accra next week to work out a new framework for intelligence sharing in support of the effort to eradicate the threat of terrorism in Nigeria and the entire West African sub-region.

PHOTO: NAN

30 million households still without electricity –Nebo CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

He spoke during a forum organised by the ministry in conjunction with the Standard Bank Group at the ongoing 2014 World Economic Forum in Abuja.

The minister noted that the country’s target was to achieve up to 75 per cent access to electricity by the year 2020.

Nebo expressed optimism that through the ongoing power sector reform, Nigeria would achieve this by connecting an average of 1.5 million households every year.

According to him, the country needs to quadruple its 4000 megawatts generation capacity to meet the huge demand for electricity in the country.

“In Nigeria, access to electricity is way below 50 per cent with about 30 million households without electricity. I think it is important to mention all these

so that we begin to see why Nigeria is a veritable location for investment in the electricity sector.”

Nebo, who lamented Nigeria’s over- dependence on gas for electricity supply, reiterated the need to encourage a robust energy mix in form of development of coal to power, solar, wind, bio-mass, among other sources.

“The ongoing reform of the power sector will improve access through grid extension, and non-grid solutions, using renewable energy, which includes solar, wind, bio-mass, small and medium hydros are already on going.

Seventy per cent are thermal, gas-fired turbines and then the rest hydro. We need coal, we need renewable energy, we need more hydros, we need solar, wind, we need bio-mass and all these are very critical.”

He stated that although

Nigeria sat on the eight largest gas deposits in the whole world, it could not continue to generate most of its electricity by gas, stressing that economics did not favour gas dependence.

Apart from the economic implications, the minister said vandalism of the gas pipelines had made dependence on gas unreliable.

Nebo stated that while the privatisation process was aimed at solving several years of neglect because for many decades, as the population was growing, there was no concomitant development of infrastructure in electricity sector.

He added that if the power situation was fixed, the GDP rate might grow to a double digit from 6.5 per cent yearly average, and unemployment and low industrialisation would be addressed.

Also, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr.

Godknows Igali , assured that the current power supply would improve in the next few months through an incremental process.

Igali, who was responding to questions from the moderator of the discussion panel, Mr. Atedo Peterside, said: “We are expecting improvement in the next few months. It will be incremental as it will be improving on daily basis.”

He stated that the existing poor state of the networks before private investors took over affected power improvement, adding that the investors’ Capital Expenditure Plan is impressive.

Igali said that some of them, including Transcorp Ughelli Generation Company (Genco) was expanding to 1000mw capacity shortly, while Kainji hydro power was ensuring that seven of its eight turbines were fully functional soon.

Jonathan also met with the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. James Entwistle, to discuss modalities for the actualisation of the offer made by President Barack Obama to assist in rescuing the abducted girls.

The meeting was a followup to talks held on Wednesday between Entwistle and Nigerian security officials on the United States’ offer of assistance.

At the talks with the ambassador, Jonathan reiterated Nigeria’s appreciation of the United States’ offer to deploy security personnel and assets to work with their Nigerian counterparts in the search-and-rescue operation, The President told Entwistle and other delegations which met separately with him at the venue of the World Economic Forum that the much greater support which Nigeria was receiving from the United States and other members of the international community in the aftermath of the Chibok abductions, would certainly help the country to rapidly overcome the insurgency.

Jonathan also had private meetings with Prof. Klaus Schwab, the WEF founder, who said that Nigeria deserved the maximum solidarity of the world at this trying moment.

He later met with President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, former President Lula Da Silva of Brazil and the Prime Minister of Mali, Mr. Moussa Mara, all of who conveyed the solidarity of their governments and people.

President Jonathan yesterday predicted an end to terrorism in Nigeria following the global support his administration was receiving in the ongoing war to find the kidnapped girls.

He expressed his optimism on winning the antiterrorism war in his keynote address at the plenary session of WEFA, in Abuja.

President Jonathan thanked the over 1000 delegates who attended the forum for demonstrating their increasing confidence in Nigeria’s capacity to overcome her recent insecurity challenges, adding that their presence was a morale booster for Nigerians in seeing light after the tunnel.

He said: “Your presence has supported us in winning

the war on terror. If you had refused to come because of fear, the terrorists would have jubilated and may have created more havoc, but your coming here to support us morally is a major blow to the terrorists and by God’s grace we will conquer the terrorists.”

Boko Haram, a perverse group –Buhari Former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday described the Boko Haram as a perverse group.

Buhari said in a statement: “Over the past few weeks, the abduction of the school girls at Chibok, Borno State, has underscored the threat we have been facing as a nation in recent times from the actions of misguided persons masquerading as adherents of Islam.

“Our hearts are with the families who have lost loved ones in this cycle of senseless violence. We also empathise with the parents of children whose daughters are in the custody of a group of anarchists.

“That horrific video posted on the internet is a clear manifestation of the mindlessness of the bigots.

It shows whom they are, such men cannot threaten nor should they be allowed to violate our sovereignty.

“It is clear from what they profess that they are not followers of God. They do not mean well for our country and her citizens. I am a Muslim, I am versed in the teaching of Christianity and I understand both religions to seek peaceful co-existence of all humanity.

“I wish to reiterate that there is no justification whatsoever for this unrestrained disregard for the sanctity of human life. It has no place in the Holy Quran and neither does it have a place in the Holy Bible.

“Let these people know that the entire civilised world is united against their terrorist act. We are grateful to the world for standing by Nigeria at this trying time. We hope and pray that the young ladies will be reunited with their respective families in the days to come.

“While the Federal Government and the nation’s Armed Forces are working to ensure citizens’ safety CONTINUED ON PAGE 4>>

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Friday, May 9, 2014

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Photo News

Friday, May 9, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Guest Speaker, Mr. Victor Ukutt; Director-General, Centre for Democratic Governance in Africa, Dr. Dafe Akpocha and former Minister of Finance/Chairman of Lecture, Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu, at the CDGA Lecture tagged: “Local Government Autonomy under the 1999 constitution,” PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN in Lagos, recently.

L-R: Director, Channel Sales, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Ken Ogujiofor; Chief Executive Officer, Multinet System Nigeria Limited, Dr. Uzoma Obiyo and Acting Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Matthew Willsher, at the 5th Etisalat Heroes Award in Lagos, yesterday.

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Mrs. Sola David-Borha; Chief Executive Officer, Standard Bank Group, Mr. Sim Tshabalala; Chairman, Stanbic IBTC, Mr. Atedo Peterside; UNIDO Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Patrick Kormawa and Minister of State for Power, Hon. Mohammed Wakili, during the Power Forum Breakfast at the World Economic Forum in Abuja, yesterday.

L-R: Secretary, Custodian and Allied Insurance Ltd, Mr. Adeyinka Jafojo; Chairman, Chief Ade Ojo and Director, Mr. Wole Oshin, during the Annual General Meeting of the company in Lagos, PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN yesterday.

National News

NECO shortlists 40,000 for common entrance exam T he National Examinations Council, NECO, has announced a shift in the date of its Basic Education Certificate Examination from May 8 to May 10.

The registrar, Prof. Promise Okpala, who announced the new date yesterday in Minna, Niger State, said the shift was due to the ongoing World Economic Forum on Africa, WEFA, in Abuja.

Okpala told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, that the examination’s timetable had to be adjusted because of the closure of public institutions in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, which also affected schools.

He said that examination materials could not be released while schools in other parts of the country were closed, noting that doing so would affect the credibility of the examination.

He said that the examination would now hold on May 10 and end on May 24.

The registrar said that French Language and Business Studies examinations, scheduled to hold on Thursday May 8, and Friday May 9, would now hold on Friday

May 23, and Saturday May 24, respectively.

He said this was to allow for uniformity in the conduct and safeguard the credibility of the examination.

Okpala said that this year’s enrolment for the examination had improved nationwide with 110,316 candidates.

This, according to him, was an indication that education was being taken seriously and not affected by the challenges the country was facing.

He said the South-West had the highest enrolment figure for the examination, formerly known as Junior Secondary Certificate Examination, JSCE, with 38,218 candidates.

North-Central, Okpala added, was second with 24,883; the North-West, 11,802, while the North-East had 9,887.

He said that South-East had the lowest enrolment of 9,553 candidates.

He said that no fewer than 40,000 out of the 110,000 candidates who sat for the common entrance examination into Federal Government Colleges were expected to sit for the second phase of the test.

The first phase of the examination was held on April 26 nationwide.

The registrar stated that the second test for the 40,000 candidates who qualified was to select the best to fill

the 24,000 carrying capacity of the colleges.

According to him, the second phase of the examination was necessary as “you get a better description of a child through multiple

assessments.’’

Okpala said that results of the common entrance examination and venues for the second phase test would be displaced in federal government colleges nationwide.

He said that government was commitment to upholding its promise to ensure that the 60:40 per cent admission ratio on the basis of merit and quota respectively subsisted.

UN wades into Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

under the present situation, we believe that more could still be done to ensure the safety of Nigerians and the Nigerian nation.

“We are, therefore, glad that the Federal Government has accepted international support in the search for the missing girls and for an end to the insurgency in parts of the country.”

More protests have continued to greet the abduction of the school girls.

Over 300 women under the aegies of Plateau Solidarity Group comprising Christians and Muslims yesterday protested the abduction of the girls and called for their release without delay.

The group expressed their anguish over the kid-

napping of school children particularly the “commoditisation” of the girls which they said amounted to the highest level of criminality.

The women, dressed in black attires, carried placards with different inscriptions some of which read: “Nigeria government engage Chad, Niger, Cameroun”, “Our girls, our future”, “We want peace, Nigerians no slavery”, “Politicians stop mortgaging our children”.

Presidents of Women Without Walls initiative,WOWWL, Pastor Esther Ibanga, Muslim Women Peace Forum, MWPF, Hajia Khadijah Hawaja, and Christian Women for Excellence and Empowerment in Nigerian Society, Mrs. Elizabeth Rindams,

who spoke during the protests said sexual violation of minor was a heinous crime against the corporate existence of any nation and must be seen as such.

They acknowledged that the challenges the government faced in fighting a nihilistic and heartless foe that used civilians as cover was uncalled for.

The women called on the Federal Government to deploy all legitimate machinery, means and methods at its disposal to provide security throughout the country.

They also called on the Federal Government to take radical steps to secure our borders and deploy all diplomatic means to engage the government of neighbouring countries (Niger, Cameroun and Chad) to

restore our girls to their families.

They added that government must show the will power to prosecute and jail sponsors and perpetrators of terror, irrespective of political affiliation or consideration.

The women also warned politicians to stop playing politics with the destiny of Nigerians and the country.

Thousands of women in Oyo State yesterday converged on Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, for an interdenominational prayer/rally for divine intervention in the release of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls.

The convener and wife of the state governor, Florence Ajimobi, called on the CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

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Friday, May 9, 2014

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UN wades into Chibok school girls’ abduction CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

Federal Government and security agencies to ensure that Nigeria was safe once again.

Speaking after the prayer session conducted in Christian and Islamic faith, the Oyo State first lady lamented that rather than taking decisive action on the perpetrators of the abduction, the nation had been inundated with trivialities and unexpected dramas from the leadership.

She said: “Rather than the expedient rescue mission we expected as promised by the leadership of the nation, we have been inundated with drama after drama, trivialising in our own opinion what happens to be a very grave matter.

“To make matters worse, there have been subsequent reported abductions proving further to us the grave danger we are in as a nation. Today, it is Chibok, who knows where it could be tomorrow?”

She said the women had resolved to do something different for the sake of the future of the nation, by calling for divine intervention in the affairs of the country.

“We, the women of Oyo State, have therefore taken it upon ourselves to do something different for the sake of our children and for our future, because both day and night we hear the cries of those girls, because we are not in denial of the apparent danger looming over their heads; because we feel deep in our hearts the pain and anguish of their parents, and because we are fearful for our tomorrow,” she stated.

Immediately after the prayer session, the women marched to the Office of the Governor, Agodi, Ibadan, where an official letter was presented to Governor Abiola Ajimobi for onward delivery to President Jonathan.

The women in the letter urged President Jonathan to expedite action on the abducted schoolgirls and further boost security across the country.

Ajimobi noted that what had happened in Chibok was the worst result of terrorism in the country, stating that it was not only an assault on the national security but also an assault on the human race.

Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola yesterday called for four days fasting and prayer from today to pray for divine intervention in the release of the girls.

The governor said this while addressing women and youths from Osun state, who defied rain to stage a protest in Osogbo, the state capital, against the abduction of the girls.

The protesters, led by the wife of the state governor, Mrs. Sherifat Aregbesola, marched through some major streets in Osogbo before proceeding to Abere, Osun State Secretariat, where they were received by the governor.

Armed with banners and placards with inscriptions such as “Release our girls”, “They don’t deserve this punishment” among others, the protesters who dressed in black dresses, appealed to federal and Borno state governments to join forces to ensure safe release of the girls.

Addressing the protesters, the first lady, said the women were concerned about the growing violence against women and children in the country.

She said the protest was meant to mount pressure on relevant agencies to ensure the girls returned unharmed from their captors.

Alhaja Aregbesola urged the state government to appeal to the Federal Government to take immediate action for the release of the girls.

The Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori, called on the Federal Government to ensure the safe return of the over 200 girls.

Addressing the protesters, Governor Aregbesola said the state government would join hands with the Federal Government to ensure the girls were released.

He advised Muslim faithful to observe fasting and prayer on Friday, the traditional worshippers to observe theirs on Saturday, Christians on Sunday while next week Monday is declared general fasting and prayer for all religions.

Meanwhile, Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has said that challenges in the country have become internal and external problems.

He said that before the abduction of the Chibok girls, there had been ethnic and

religious crises affecting the nation but “the Chibok abduction became the highpoint of concern.”

Speaking on Channels Television’s breakfast programme, Sunrise Daily Live from Abuja yesterday, Uduaghan urged Nigerians to stand solidly behind President Jonathan in dealing with terrorism.

He also expressed his delight on the supports from international community, in-

cluding US, France, UK, and others in the fight against terrorism and finding the abducted Chibok girls.

Speaking on curtailing fights between cattle herdsmen and farmers in the state, Uduaghan said he had mobilised the traditional rulers to meet with their communities to stop these attacks on farmers, stressing the need for communities and village heads to hold regu-

lar meetings and look into issues affecting the communities.

He also stressed the need for state police, adding that the involvement of state police and the “locals” will reduce certain attacks.

Uduaghan said that a committee had been set up, headed by the commissioner of police and other security agencies to bring the perpetrators to book.

On the search for the

Chibok girls, the governor said that “a lot is being done

by President Jonathan and the committee that was set up two days ago is working on it”, adding that terrorism was affecting the country and had made Nigerians to lose confidence in the government.

He advised the government, especially the Borno State government, to win the trust of the “locals” to gain adequate information from them.

L-R: Honorary Counsel of Italy in London, Hussain Dawood; Group Chairman, Oranto Petroleum, Prince Arthur Eze and Vice President Namadi Sambo, after a meeting of power investors in Abuja , yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

FG targets 10% bank credit to agric sector TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

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he Federal Government said yesterday that plans were underway to raise bank lending to the Nigerian agriculture sector to between 7 and 10 per cent as part of efforts to leverage on the achievements of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda, ATA, in the years ahead.

Disclosing this at the ongoing World Economic Forum for Africa, WEFA, in Abuja, under the topic “Doing Agric in 2014: What Catalytic

Public Investments Can Do for Agric: Lessons for 2014, The African Union Year of Agriculture', the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, said Nigeria’s success story in agriculture today was the result of innovative strategies adopted to unlock the sector's potentials.

He explained that unlike the past when agriculture was treated as a development programme, it had now been transformed into a business, thereby opening it up for private sector-led investments and operations.

The minister noted that Nigerian bankers are excited about agriculture now more than when the sector attracted only about 0.7 percent of bank lending and canvassed the need to use public sector funds to leverage private sector investments into the sector.

Adesina said that government had been able to end 40 years of corruption in input and seed sector and that the number of seed companies in the sector has risen from five to 80 seed companies.

Highlighting some of

the achievements of the sector under the ATA, the minister disclosed that government had registered 1.5 million farmers with biometric information, linking them into National identity Management System.

In addition, he explained that Nigeria produced 15 million metric tonnes of food in two years, adding that these strides show the importance of political commitment by government as well as the private sector, including farmers, with the ‘we can do’ attitude to grow the sector.

Women group chides first lady for doubting schoolgirls’ abduction INUSA NDAHI MAIDUGURI

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group, BAOBAB for Women’s Rights, yesterday called on the First lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, to as a matter of urgency, apologise to parents of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls for doubting that the abduction took place.

The group, in a statement signed by its Borno State

Coordinator, Prof. Hauwa Abdu Biu, also called on the Federal Government to put in place adequate plans to cater for the needs and address the trauma the parents of the girls are going through.

“BAOBAB for Women’s Human Rights, Borno State Outreach, condemns in its totality the actions of the wife of Nigerian president, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, on

concerns shown by people within and outside Nigeria on the abduction of innocent girls.

“This act of criminality, as we are aware, violates their fundamental human right to education.

“A situation when the wife of the president, who does not have a role under the Nigerian constitution, begins to summon and interrogate duly-appointed

government officials, as well as giving them directives and detaining some of them, is worrisome as this could interfere with the various actions put in place towards addressing insurgency crisis rocking the country,” the group said in the statement.

It also called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts for the immediate rescue of the missing girls.

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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Chibok: NSA, service chiefs on fact-finding mission T he National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki (Rtd) in company of Service Chiefs and the Inspector General of Police yesterday visited Government Secondary School, Chibok

in continuation of the ongoing effort to rescue the abducted girls.

While fielding questions from journalists on the actual number of the missing girls, the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief

Marshal Alex Badeh who would not want to comment on the issue of number, noted that every single life is important to the nation and no effort

will be spared at finding the girls.

He appealed to members of the immediate community and the general public to provide se-

curity agencies with useful information that could lead to the rescue of the girls.

The team was conducted round the school by the

Vice Principal Administration, Bulama Modu.

Some of the facilities inspected include burnt classrooms, dormitories and laboratories.

Our focus is to free abducted girls - DHQ UBONG UKPONG ABUJA

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he Defence Headquarters, DHQ, yesterday, said that the military was focusing on strategies to free the girls of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, who were taken captive by the Boko Haram sect, even as it dissociated the outfit from allegation that it lacked the capacity to rescue the girls.

In a statement in Abuja through its Director of Defence Information, DDI, Major General Chris Olukolade, the DHQ disowned the statement credited to it in the report by a section of the media alleging that the military lacks capacity to rescue the abducted girls.

“It is unfortunate that the constructive engagement between the DHQ and the Coalition of Civil Society Group “Open Society Foundation” on Tuesday in the ongoing effort to rescue the Chibok girls has again been distorted and sensationalised ostensibly to pitch public opinion against the Armed Forces.

“The import of the meeting between DHQ and the group was misrepresented apparently to project the Nigerian military in bad light and further heat-up the polity.

“It must be noted that the military by training is

not given to complaining, buck-passing or resignation to defeat as alleged in the report.

“While the Armed Forces will not want to join issues with the representatives of the “bring back the girls” group, it is important to reiterate that no attempt by any group or individual to drag the military into politics will succeed as the Armed Forces is focused on the task of rescuing the abducted girls.

“The DHQ wishes to reassure the Nigerian public that in spite of the antics of those who are bent on undermining the efforts of the Armed Forces, the counter-insurgency operation in the northeast and other internal security operation ongoing across the country will be effectively prosecuted.

“The Nigerian military has nothing against “the bring back the girls campaign” but endorses it as a vital component of the nation’s efforts to end terrorism.

“Nevertheless, it is requested that the civil society platform should not be used by individuals to undermine efforts at bringing back our girl from captivity.

The military aspect of the campaign is on course and the Armed Forces is optimistic that the collaborative efforts will end the unfortunate crisis”, the DHQ said.

Women from Plateau State protesting the abduction of Chibok schoolgirls in in Jos, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Ikorodu Chapter, protesting the abduction in Lagos, yesterday.

L-R: Women for Justice and Peace Nigeria, led by the wife of Adamawa State Governor, Hajia Zainab Nyako, also protesting the abduction, in Yola, yesterday.

ACF supports US, Britain rescue offer A ZA MSUE KADUNA

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he Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, yesterday declared its support for the offer by the United States, Britain, France and China to help in rescuing the abducted Chibok school

girls.

ACF National Publicity Secretary, Mohammed Ibrahim in a statement in Kaduna, urged the presidential committee to swing into action, collaborate with Borno State government and security agencies to immediately rescue the female

students.

The statement however said that the Federal Government acted belatedly in rescuing the girls.

ACF said: “The Federal Government has constituted a Presidential Committee on a fact finding mission to verify the number of Chibok

school girls abducted, trace their whereabouts and identify the lapses of government agencies in this saga.

“Although the Federal Government has acted belatedly, it is a good development considering the general outrage and protests by women organisations, civil

societies and the general public on its earlier inaction posture.

“ACF had earlier called on the government to make concerted effort towards the safe rescue and release of the abducted girls from their captors.

“ACF appreciates the assistance being offered to Ni-

geria by the United States, Britain, China and other countries to rescue the abducted girls.

“ACF equally shares the grief, plight and concern of the parents, relations and all Nigerians in this traumatic experience and pray for the safe release of these innocent girls.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Friday May 9, 2014

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FG appoints firm to audit NNPC • Fraudsters hack corporation’s boss’ e-mail account TOLA AKINMUTIMI AND CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

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he Federal Government yesterday said that forensic auditors have been appointed to carry out comprehensive investigations on the operations of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, with a view to determining the level of the transparency or otherwise of its activities.

The development is coming in the wake of an alarm raised by the corporation that the e-mail account of its Group Danaging Director, GMD, Andrew Yakubu, had been hijacked by suspected fraudsters.

Contributing to a debate at the 24th edition of the World Economic Forum for Africa, WEFA, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi OkonjoIweala, disclosed that a

global accounting firm, PriceWaterHouse, had been appointed to carry out the audit of NNPC. The minister said the move followed the recent disclosures by the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, that the sum of $20bn was not remitted to the Federation Account by the corporation.

She explained that the audit exercise would be car-

ried out within 16 weeks under the supervision of the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation, adding that the forensic audit would help unravel the mystery surrounding the $20bn.

The minister, while responding to a panelist’s question on corruption and transparency in the country, clarified that Nigerians have the right to hold government accountable.

“The (suspended) CBN

L-R: District Governor, Mr. Felix Aninze; past district governor, Shirley Downie and member, Planning Committee, District Conference, Mr. Baba Limmy Omar-Ikange, at the Rotary Club International news conference on district conference in Kaduna, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

FG earmarks $8bn for local gas development

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he Federal Government yesterday said it will be investing $8 bilion in the development of the nation’s local gas potential to boost electricity supply across the country.

Vice President, Namadi Sambo made this known when he received the management of Genesis Electricity (GE) Consortium led

by Nigerian businessman, Prince Arthur Eze, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Sambo said the amount would be invested by gov-

ernment on a Public Private Partnership basis to fast -track the energy sector so as to ensure availability of gas to power plants nationwide.

He further appraised the efforts of government in putting institutional reforms that would guarantee private sector participation in the development of the gas infrastructure.

“Government, in its efforts to improve power generation, has planned to invest the sum of $8 billion

on a Public Private Partnership, PPP, basis to develop local gas potentials.

“There is a move to fasttrack the system to ensure availability of gas to it plants by involving owners of the new plants and international oil companies to get involved in gas infrastructure,’’ he said.

According to him, government plans to inject additional $3.7 billion to upgrade and expand the transmission grid to wheel up to 20,000 megawatts of

electricity.

The Vice President also added that the efforts of government on the Zungeru and Mambila hydropower projects which were expected to generate 700mw and 3,050 mw, respectively.

He said the pilot scheme of the wind, solar and coal power projects would provide about 10mw, while a Chinese company had proposed to generate 1000mw in Enugu in an effort to ensure mixed generation capacity.

16 policemen among victims of Gamboru Ngala massacre INUSA NDAHI MAIDUGURI

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ixteen policemen were among the more than 300 people killed by the Boko Haram militants in Gamboru Ngala, Borno State on Monday.

The Chairman of Ngala Local Government, Alhaji

Bakura Mustapha, stated this in a telephone interview with our correspondent yesterday.

Mustapha, who went to area, also disclosed that some Camerounian traders were also killed during the attack.

“The death toll from the attack by suspected

Boko Haram members on Gamboru Ngala is over 300. I just returned from the scene of the attack and amongst the dead were 16 policemen and some Cameroonian traders who were in the market as at the time of the attack.

“The casualty figures I had from the residents of

the area before visiting the scene was far lower than what I and the team sent by the state government witnessed in Gamboru.

“We are giving some relief materials to the people while those that sustained injuries are being treated in the hospital,” Mustapha said.

Governor raised issues on unaccounted amount from the Federation Account. We at the Ministry of Finance have for two years been reconciling these figures with the NNPC to know what they are supposed to remit to the Federation Account.

“Our feeling is that the only way is to have a forensic audit that would let Nigerians know the issue. There is a forensic audit that the government has approved and it is being done by PwC under the supervision of the Auditor General for the Federation and they said they need 12 to 16 weeks to do that, and all these would be clarified,” Okonjo-Iweala stated.

On the challenges of poverty and inclusive growth, the minister said that the nature of economic growth in the continent had not been inclusive enough.

She admitted that more efforts should be channeled, in terms of policy frameworks and other measures, to improve the quality of economic growth in the African region.

According to her, it is obvious that the quality of the growth being recorded at various economies in the continent is not good enough because the growths are coming along with socio-economic inequalities and without creating jobs for the people.

She said: “We are all growing, but not creating jobs, and we have been asking ourselves; how do we

change the quality of this growth and our rebasing has shown us where the potentials are.”

She also explained that the Federal Government was committed to bridging the infrastructure gap through the Public-PrivatePartnership (PPP) arrangements, noting that a Development Finance Institution would be unveiled before the end of the year.

Meanwhile, the Group General Manager, Public Affairs of NNPC, Ohi Alegbe, yesterday said that scammers had been using Yakubu’s account to send all manners of scam letters and phantom contract deals to some highly-placed contacts within and outside the oil and gas industry.

Alegbe said the move was a desperate attempt by some nondescript internet fraudsters to desecrate the character and personae of Yakubu.

The statement urged members of the public to discountenance what he described as the ‘satanic campaign’ against the GMD. According to the corporation, the GMD is neither a political, “nor one whose temperament is given to politician chicanery.” ``Engr. Andrew Yakubu is a well- heeled technocrat who in the last three decades has demonstrated an abiding commitment to evolving the NNPC into an efficient National Oil Company with global aspirations.

I never met with Mustapha -Senate deputy whip

S

enate Deputy Chief Whip, Hosea Ayoola Agboola, has denied holding any meeting with Alhaji Kunmi Mustapha or any of his supporters since the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Oyo State chapter, held its congress in Ibadan.

Agboola was reacting to a claim by Mustapha’s faction that he had confessed that he manipulated the result of the congress held at the Liberty (Obafemi Awolowo) Stadium, Ibadan, at a meeting held recently.

He said nothing could be farther from the truth as he

had not sat with, nor to talk of, being present at a meeting held with Mustapha and his supporters.

Agboola said he had not deviated from the directive given by Chief Yekini Adeojo to party members to resolve the intra-party crisis in Oyo State.

He said that while the national headquarters of the party directed that the congress should be held at the Liberty Stadium, “Mustapha gathered some people and held a congress at the Olubadan Stadium, against the directive of the party.”

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South West

Friday, May 9, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

US hands over naval vessel to Nigeria EMMANUEL EGHAGHE

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Scene of a collapsed building under construction at Ado-Akure, Ondo State, yesterday.

Associated Airlines: Crash victims’ families get $30,000 compensation OLUSEGUN KOIKI

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ver seven months after one of its aircrafts crashed at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos, the management of Associated Airlines yesterday commenced the payment of $30,000, which represents 30 per cent of total compensation to the families of the victims of the illfated crash.

So far, the airline had paid nine families of the 16 victims that died in the flight while others were yet to be paid for various reasons.

Sources close to the airline told our correspondent that the payment process started in the morning

while the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, was present at the venue as observers.

The source confided in our correspondent that the airline’s management had wanted to keep the payment process away from the media for reasons best known to it.

The payment took place at the airline’s office at Adeniji Jones.

According to the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, recommendations and standard practices, victims’ families were supposed to be paid their compensations within 30 days of any accident, but Associated’s 30 per cent was coming over seven months after the crash.

The delay for the payment industry sources

claimed may have to do with some irregularities observed by the insurance companies immediately after the crash.

It was not clear if the insurance company was responsible for the payment of yesterday’s compensation or the airline itself, but the operations of the airline had remained grounded since the crash occurred.

It would be recalled that the plane Embraer 120 carrying about 20 passengers with the corpse of the former Ondo State Governor, Chief Segun Agagu had crashed at the airport, barely 31 seconds after takeoff.

The Associated Airlines plane was bound for Akure, which lies about 140 miles (225km) North-East of Lagos. The Accident Investi-

gation Bureau, AIB, in its report said the aircraft’s engines were faulty before the crash.

It was not clear when the remaining $70,000 compensation would be paid the victims’ families.

Confirming the development, the Deputy General Manager, NCAA, Mr. Sam Adurogboye said that the airline had commenced the payment of the 30 per cent to the families of the victims.

He added that 13 of the victims’ families had their claims prepared while nine of them appeared yesterday and were paid.

Adurogboye added that three of the families did not apply for settlement of claims while four families still had some documentation problems.

Stakeholders want employment laws reviewed K AYODE KEETFE

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awyers, politicians and labour leaders in the country yesterday called for a review of Nigeria’s employment laws to protect workers.

The stakeholders who said the present laws do not adequately protect employees where a company becomes insolvent.

The call was made in Lagos yesterday at the 2014 Punuka Annual Lecture, organised by the law firm of Punuka Attorneys and Solicitors.

Most of the speakers decried the present state of the enforcement of the

Pension Act 2007 and the lacuna under the law which whittles down the good intention of the lawmakers.

The speakers at lecture which had its theme “ Employee and Pension Claims in Insolvency” included a retired Supreme Court justice, George Oguntade, who was the Chairman of the occasion, Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan whose speech was represented by a representative and acting DirectorGeneral National Pension Commission, PENCOM, Mrs Chinelo Anohu-Amazu who was also represented.

In her speech, Prof Agomo who lamented that labour law is just an elective course

in the Nigerian universities instead of being a compulsory course urged lawyers to develop themselves in the area of labour law to be able attain level of professionalism obtained internationally.

She also made case for workers, whose entitlements are endangered by the problem of insolvency, stressing that insolvency needs not spell doom for innocent workers. She said “If possible, the laws should make provision for insurance of workers’ entitlements to provide for when a company is wound up or becomes insolvent.

“We need to insure salary and wages of workers so that whether the company

has money or not, the workers must be paid,” Oginni makes case for review of the Act that governs PENCOM on the grounds that there are a lot of discrepancies in the settlement of pension claims that need to be harmonised.

He said “There are people who have retired who cannot access their money. We have a lot of area where there are lacuna that we must look into,” Governor Uduaghan, who was represented by Chairman, Delta State Bureau for State Pension, Mrs Christy Siakpere, said the laws must also address the issue of the solvency of Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs).

he United States navy has officially transferred the former Coast Guard Cutter Gallatin into the hands of the Nigerian Navy.

The Gallatin was offered to Nigeria April 24, 2013, through the US Foreign Assistance Act, and was decommissioned from US Coast Guard service on March 31, 2014.

During the ceremony, US Coast Guard Chief Acquisition Officer, Rear Admiral Bruce Baffer and Nigerian Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro signed transfer documents in front of U.S. and Nigerian spectators,

marking the official handoff of the ship to Nigeria.

Baffer said the transfer was bittersweet, but said he believes the ship, now renamed NNS Okpabana, will provide valuable service to Nigeria.

The Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro who received the vessel on behalf of Nigeria, thanked the United States navy for their consistent support.

Obanikoro said the ship will strengthen Nigeria’s ability to combat terrorism and illegal activity. “I am glad to know that American support has greatly enhanced the capacity of the Nigerian navy,” he said.

Lagos to shut Masha bridges for 20 days FRANCIS SUBERU Lagos State government yesterday said it would shut two bridges along Alhaji Masha road in Surulere Local Government Area of the state for 20 days in other to pave way for their repairs and expansion.

The closure according to the Lagos State Government was to enable it continue the bridge expansion joints replacement exercise, saying the repair work on the bridges would take place between Saturday 10th and Friday 30th May, 2014.

Commissioner for Transportation, Comrade Kayode Opeifa who made

the announcement, said that the contractor would commence work at Masha Bridge I (Adeniran Ogunsanya Junction) for at least ten 10 days, beginning from Wednesday, 21st May, 2014.

He said:”As part of the traffic management strategies during the exercise on bridges along Alhaji Masha road, vehicular movement in both directions would be restricted. Similarly, vehicles moving inward Alhaji Masha road will use the service lane during the maintenance work.

“This notice serves as awareness information on the bridge closure. Motor-

Ekiti raises panel on educational transformation

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12-member committee has been raised to review the educational policy of Ekiti State on science and technology and develop a comprehensive framework for its transformation into a knowledge economy.

The Committee on Ekiti State Integrated Science &Technology Transformation Framework and Roadmap chaired by Deputy Governor, Prof Modupe Adelabu, was inaugurated yesterday

by Governor Kayode Fayemi.

According to him, the inauguration became impera-

tive in recognition of science and technology as critical elements for the transformation of the state economy.

His words: “The challenge of science and technology education therefore is to reform, create and develop a system that prepares the individual to work in a borderless economy and live in a global society.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to jump-start the economic and industrial development of the state using science and technology as the tools.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Friday, May 9, 2014

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Lagos ‘Dead Capital’ hits N7.2trn FRANCIS SUBERU

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he Lagos State Government yesterday disclosed that the Dead Capital, otherwise known as Locked-up-Capital in the informal sector of the state’s economy, has

risen to N7.22trn.

The revelation came during the yearly ministerial press briefing of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry held at the state secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja and addressed by the ministry’s commissioner, Mrs. Olusola Senapon Oworu.

According to the commis-

I’ll send Ajimobi packing –Guber aspirant KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

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he rank of the gubernatorial aspirants on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Oyo State yesterday swelled with the formal declaration by a former Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Prof. Soji Adejumo.

At the ceremony held at the party’s secretariat at Queen Elizabeth Road, Ibadan, he said his foray into the race was a divine moment in the history of the state.

Adejumo said that he was in a better position to send the administration of Senator Abiola Ajimobi packing.

According to him, the past three years of the present administration in the state has led to the demolition of homes, de-

struction of shops, shattering of domestic economies, dashing of hopes and ‘callous break of electioneering promises’.

While maintaining that the Ajimobi administration had erased the middle class, Adejumo said the masses have been rendered inconsequential.

He said, if given the ticket of the party and elected as the governor, he would take the state to the next level of development by meeting the aspirations of the people.

Adejumo said his programme would include provision of abundant and cheap food, beautification of towns, remodeling of tourism and promotion of cultural heritage and provision of urban light rail.

The state chairman of the party, Hon. Yinka Taiwo, assured of providing level playing field for all the aspirants.

Fashola: Ferry passengers list hits 1.6m FRANCIS SUBERU

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overnor Babatunde Fashola yesterday disclosed that the number of passengers being ferried on Lagos waterways monthly has increase from 2000 passengers monthly a few years ago to about 1.6m passengers in recent times.

The governor, who made the disclosure at the inauguration of Free Life Jacket Distribution Programme in Ebute-Ojo Jetty, Ojo, noted that the state water transportation capacity has increased tremendously in recent years.

We are now ferrying about 1.6m passengers on the Lagos waterways monthly. Very soon, we

will complete the concessioning of other water terminals in the state and we expect to see increased passengers using Lagos waterways,” he stated.

The governor used the occasion to harp on the importance of life vest in passenger safety.

He ordered the compulsory use of life jackets on Lagos waterways, it is important for safety in cases of accidents. The governor said the state government took it upon itself to provide life jackets to ferry operators and passengers in the state to avert further loss of lives in boat mishaps.

He said, “We have come here to flag-off the compulsory use of life vests on our waterways.

sioner, the revelation was an outcome of a research carried out by the state in collaboration with the Institute for Liberty and Democracy (ILD), which carried out the diagnosis of the state’s economy.

Oworu said: “I am pleased to inform you all that the diagnostic phase of the reform programme was completed in September 2013, and we are now very much aware of the fact that 68 per cent of real estate transactions in the state are carried out in the extra-legal economy, while 94 per cent of businesses operate informally.

“The Locked-up-Capital by the informal sector, otherwise called Dead Capital associated with business

and real estate in the state, is presently estimated at $45.13 bn (N7.22trn).”

She said Dead Capital represents the economic potential of the extra-legal sector that is not utilised due to institutional restrictions.

According to her, the estimate represents about 14 times the state’s budget using year 2012 as a basis, and 11 times the traded stock in the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, in 2012.

“Given the quantum of the hidden resources, the various constraints inhibiting enterprise and business units in the extra-legal economy, eventual transition to the formal sector would be addressed in the next phase

of the programme which is the reform phase, and the outcome will be made known to you next year,” the commissioner said.

On consumer protection, Mrs. Oworu said the Consumer Protection Committee inaugurated by Governor Babatunde Fashola in 2008 for the speedy resolution of consumer complaints and grievances, intensified its activities by establishing a consumer rights desk in the ministry with dedicated telephone and e-mail address to receive complaints from members of the public.

In this regard, the commissioner said: “The awareness level on the activities of

the committee has increased with members of the public.

“Cases treated by the committee increased from 221 in 2012/13 to 398 in 2013/14.

“Most of these cases bordered on consumers’ dissatisfaction with goods purchased from manufacturers, or their accredited representatives and service providers.

“More than 90 per cent of these cases were amicably resolved to the satisfaction of all the parties involved.”

She urged Lagosians whose rights as consumers had been infringed upon to avail themselves of the opportunities for redress provided by the Consumer Protection Committee free of charge.

Two die, as building collapses in Ondo HAKEEM GBADAMOSI AND OJO OYEWAMIDE

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wo persons lost their lives yesterday while three others sustained various degrees of injuries when a two-storey building under construction collapsed in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

The incident, which occurred around 7am, claimed the lives of the workers at the construction site which was meant for a private secondary school in the state on Akure/Ado Ekiti road.

According to an eyewitness, Abiodun Sunday, a resident of the area, a loud sound from the building attracted the residents to the scene of the incident in the early hours of yesterday.

Sunday said the victims slept at the construction site and were set for work before the unfortunate incident happened.

He added that residents could not do anything to help the victims, before fire fighters were contacted.

The witness said it took the combined efforts of the fire servicemen, men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC,road safety corps members and the police to rescue the injured victims.

Help, however, did not come the way of the deceased persons on time as they died before the rescuers arrived.

The state Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Bade Omoloja

who visited the scene of the incident, lamented the refusal of the engineers at the site to comply with directives by the authorities.

He said the ministry had issued directives twice that work should stop at the site of construction, but the owner of the building failed

to comply.

The commissioner said that there was no approval from the ministry for the construction of the building.

“It is tragic that we just lost two boys and three others are in critical condition due to negligence and stub-

bornness of designers and engineers,” he said.

Omoloja attributed the collapse of the building to poor quality materials being used in the construction.

Similarly, the state Commissioner for Works, Gboye Adegbenro, frowned at the incident.

Toba Falode’s murder latest

Festus Keyamo accuses Dubai of shielding the murderers

... alleges that Toba was killed over girlfriend tussling

Celebrity The truth about my N100m mansion

Showbiz spat What does Etcetera have against Tiwa Billz??

Savage and TJ Billz I was at a friend’s place and his sisters asked me if Tiwa was getting married to a second hand husband –Etcetera

–Dr SID Revealed!

Don was a once a Jazzy security guard

x things g every e er woman oman should sho ld kno know about sex This column is x-rated STealk 22 thi

10

South East

Friday, May 9, 2014

Deal with Boko Haram, Red Cross tells FG CHARLES OKEKE AWKA

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he Nigeria Red Cross Society, Anambra State, yesterday called on the Federal Government to adopt stern measures to urgently end the Boko Haram menace that has claimed lives and properties in the north.

The Society said that the security apparatus must be strengthened and a lead agency created to coordinate the envisaged solution to tackle the growing insurgency of terror group.

It regretted that Boko Haram has been carry-

ing out devastating activities, destroyed markets, police stations, churches, mosques, as well as properties.

Speaking during this year’s World Red Cross Day held in Awka, the state capital yesterday, the Anambra State chairman of society, Justice P.A.C Obidigwe, quoting Borno State Governor, Kashim Shetima, urged the various tiers of government to create jobs for youths to stem insurgency.

Obidigwe, the emeritus chief judge of Anambra State, stated that the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan

must be ‘radicalised’ to evolve a new strategy of integration, new orientation of religious ideology and sound doctrine, s well as a new enabling environment for agitators and insurgents to have the desire to pursue the value of peace, co-existence and assimilation.

He described the Boko Haram as a bunch of misguided people who required relevant education, adding that when things are going wrong, the best way to solve it is to look for a solution.

Obidigwe, who contended that it has now become very imperative that Presi-

dent Jonathan should ‘radicalise’ his Transformation Agenda by the establishment of a lead agency or ministry specifically for insurgents and aggrieved agitators, stated that peace and security is a sine qua non for any country’s social, economic and political progress.

His position was amplified by the immediate past state Red Cross chairman, Dr. Emeka Katchy, who said that the lack of a lead agency to coordinate the remedial actions on insurgency has created big problems for the security agencies, the military high command.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

APC tasks INEC on voter cards’ distribution

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he Chairman, All Progressives Congress, APC, in Enugu State, Dr. Ben Nwoye, has advised the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to be nonpartisan in the distribution of permanent voter cards.

He made the call at a stakeholders’ forum on the exercise organised by the electoral body yesterday.

Nwoye said that the call became necessary because the APC was not invited to the forum.

“The APC was not invited for this meeting and this is undemocratic because all opposition parties are to be carried along.

“What is happening is not a reflection of a democratic process, but a meeting between INEC and the ruling party and I happened to gate-crash.

“I was coming in from a long journey when a concerned citizen called me and said there was a rumour that there might be a meeting between INEC,

political parties and other stakeholders.

“I made a call to a staff of INEC who confirmed that there was indeed a meeting of this nature,” he said.

Nwoye, who is also the state chairman, Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, said that the gathering was ``skewed to favour the ruling party in the state’’.

“Our people are not here, the market women, students, Okada riders and other stakeholders are not here,” he noted.

On the three days allotted for the distribution of the permanent voter cards, Nwoye said that the timeline was grossly inadequate.

“We know that the last time they did registration of voters it took them over one week to put their computer on and another one week to buy fuel.

“Now that the permanent voter cards have been manufactured after over three years, you want to distribute them in three days.

Okorocha shelves carnival over abducted school girls

G L-R: President General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Gary Enwo-Igariwey; former Minister of Aviation, Chief Mbazurike Amaechi and Bishop, Rock Cathedral Church Enugu, Obi Onubogu, during a colloquium in honour of past President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, the late Chief Raph Uwechue, in Enugu, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Police arrest 20 over destruction of FUTO property CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

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o fewer than 20 youths from Umuanunu Obinze and Umuchima Iheagwa communities in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State were on Wednesday arrested by the police for the massive destruction of the properties, including building under construction, belonging to the Federal University Technology, Owerri FUTO. The youths, who stormed the university premises as early as 8.00am on Wednesday, razed the multi-million naira structures being erected by the university.

The Vice-Chancellor, VC, of the institution, Prof. Cyril Asiabaka, described the vandalisation as barbaric, unwarranted and uncalled for, since according to him, the institution had not been at loggerheads with the now aggressive communities.

At a briefing the press yesterday in his office, the VC argued that since the land belonging to the university invariably belongs to the Federal Government, the latter is the only legitimate authority to cede the institution’s land to another person.

He stressed that the university has not annexed any portion of land beyond that officially given to it by the

Federal Government since establishment in 1980.

“The land we are using was legitimately and officially given to us by the Federal Government and we are not prepared to cede an inch to anybody, no matter the level of intimidation,” Asiabaka stated.

An enlarged management meeting of the institution, which deliberated extensively on the incident, condemned it describing it as act of lawlessness, brigandage and reaffirmed its confidence on the VC. The management urged the VC to urgently commence steps for the perimeter fencing of the institution to avert a recurrence of the

incident.

Asiabaka said that although the incident had not affected the smooth running of the university, it had been reported to security agencies who are now working round the clock to bring the perpetrators to book.

According to a police source, some people suspected to be behind the incident had been arrested, while more people were being questioned.

However, some villagers who were interviewed told National Mirror that their action was justified as the university’s management was said to have exceeded its bound by ‘enchroaching’ into their ancestral land.

overnor Rochas Okorocha yesterday shelved the Imo carnival slated to begin today in sympathy for the kidnapped Chibok school girls.

He said the decision to shelve the festival was taken at an emergency meeting of the expanded state executive council held at Government House, Owerri.

According to him, the decision was based on the unknown fate of the female students abducted in Chibok, Borno State.

He said that, in place of the carnival, his wife, Nkechi, would lead school girls and mothers on a road march in solidarity and support for the release of the girls.

“After exhaustively reviewing the mood of the nation and the world at large, and with regard to the abduction of the innocent girls, the Imo State Government has decided to postpone the carnival.

“That as a sensitive, responsible, conscious and people-oriented government, and in view of the painful mood of the nation and the rest of the world,

the planned carnival slated to begin on Friday, May 9, has been postponed indefinitely.

“Instead of the carnival programmed for that Friday, the council decided that the wife of the governor, Mrs. Nkechi Okorocha, will lead a road march that will involve female students and mothers, who are teachers in the state school system,” he said.

Okorocha called on Nigerians, irrespective of religious or political differences, to come together in words and in actions for the release of the innocent children.

He reminded Nigerians that this was not the time to apportion blames on the abducted students.

The governor regretted the inconveniences the postponement of the carnival would cause the expected guests across the globe.

He appealed to the guests to bear with his government since they must be feeling the way people and the government of Imo felt for the children.

Okorocha added that the state government would review the situation as soon as the students were found.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South South

Friday, May 9 , 2014

Job creation, antidote to terrorism -Amaechi

FRSC cautions motorists on overloading, used tyres DENNIS NAKU

DENNIS NAKU

PORT HARCOURT

PORT HARCOURT

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ivers State Governor, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi, has said that the problems of terrorism, kidnapping and other social vices in the country are traceable to poverty and unemployment.

Amaechi stated this when the members of Senate Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

The visit came shortly after a facility tour of Federal Government-owned parastatals and agencies in the state.

He said his administration started creating employment opportunities when he assumed office in 2007 by building over 140 primary health centres and over 300 model primary schools, which created job opportunities for many.

According to him, “the current problem we are having in Nigeria is tied to poverty and unemployment.

“I believe that one solution to this insurgency is education and unemployment. The easiest employment is farming, because a large number of them are not educated and unskilled.

“I applied it here in Rivers State and it worked.

Most of them who were given guns by the ex-militants, when we asked them, they told us that their parents could not train them; that is why we introduced free education and healthcare programmes.

“We created the Banana Farms that has created jobs for over 2,000 persons; we revived Risonpalm; it was dead when we came, and it has employed over 5,000 workers.

“Also, the Songhai Farm has employed over 2,000 workers, while five fish farms in strategic locations have been completed.”

The governor added: “We have done all that to create employment opportunities for our people. I am very sure that the establishment of farms will go a long way to reduce the recruitment of Boko Haram members.

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L-R: Representative of the Minister of Power, Amb. Goodnews Igali; Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga and Canadian Minister of International and La Francophonie, Mr. Christian Paradis, during the signing of an MoU between Delta State Government and Skypower for the generation of 1000MW of power in Abuja, recently.

Police arrest 5 for defiling girls • Nab 15 cult members DENNIS NAKU

PORT HARCOURT

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he Police in Bayelsa State said it has arrested 20 persons, including a 64-year old man allegedly involved in defiling underage girls.

It also announced the arrest of 15 suspected cult members involved in violence in some parts of the state.

While five suspects were arrested for the defilement of children between the ages of 10 and 13, the 15, including a 22-year old notori-

ous cult member identified as ‘Small Boy Danger’, were arrested for cult-related activities and killing of four persons in some communities.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hillary Okpara, who disclosed this while speaking to newsmen in Yenagoa, said though the recent increase in cult-related killings was sad and unfortunate, it spurred the police into a series of patrol and security operations which led to major arrests at Opolo and Ekeki areas of Yenagoa.

On the arrest of the five paedophiles, Okpara observed that arrests and prosecution of rape and child defilement cases were usually frustrated by lack of will by victims’ parents He, however, stated that the police and state government had set up a committee backed by law to ensure prosecution and indictment of child rape, abuses, violence against women cases.

The commissioner also announced that the marine police also engaged some sea pirates in a shoot-out and arrested 14 suspects

along the Igoli River and the Brass/Snake Island axis of Brass Local Government Area.

Okpara, however, called on the people of the state to be vigilant and observe strange movement of persons in their neighbourhoods.

He called on market women and motor park operators to employ the services of security personnel and encourage passengers to observe and report strange objects, bags and persons around them.

Illegal taxes: Oshiomhole warns LG bosses

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overnor Adams Oshiomhole has warned the chairmen of local government councils in Edo State to stop illegal collection of taxes.

He also cautioned against double taxation, saying it amounts to extortion of the taxpayer who is compelled to pay taxes to both the state and local governments.

Speaking during a meeting with the chairmen of the 18 local government areas of the state in his office yesterday, Oshiomhole said: “Our local governments must be careful on the issue of revenue collection.

“I recognise the legitimacy of tax collection.

Everywhere in the world, taxes are paid. Government needs it to run and provide services to the people.

“I know as local governments you have obligation to pay salaries, you have obligation to provide and maintain markets, and there a couple of areas where you are supposed to be active.

“You also have a number of health centres and several other purposes that you need tax to operate.

“The oil theft that has been on for quite some time has affected all ties of government. Edo State, for example, lost one billion naira. The difference between the budget and what the federal government released to us last month was about one billion naira, and I know that would have also affected the allocation to each of your local governments,” he said.

His words: “However, for too long, many people have

been masquerading as tax collectors. I think we have done enough sermonising and enough awareness campaign.

“I have spoken with the traffic management officials. I believe it is time, after these lengthy warnings, that we now begin to invoke the law and that is why I have invited the Commissioner of Police, the Directorate of State Security Service, DSS, to be present at this meeting so that I can now, here and publicly remind the chairmen and encourage them to join us in maintaining the law.

“If someone who is not authorised by the law to collect tax goes about extorting money from the public, the police and the DSS would ensure that he is arrested and prosecuted by the mobile court, and if

found guilty, will be sent to prison.

“Local governments must desist from illegal tax collection of taxes.

Where the state is supposed to collect taxes, local governments should not interfere. Where local government collects, the state should not, because the law is clear. Where we have a memorandum of understanding to streamline tax collection so that we have one box where taxes are collected and distributed, that must be adhered to.”

Responding on behalf of the chairmen, Mrs Itohan Ogbeide said: “The state government is not against collection f legal levies and taxes. What we are bothered about is the illegal collections at road blocks where spurious demands are made from road users.”

he Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, yesterday warned motorists plying the highways to obey traffic rules and desist from overloading.

It also cautioned on fairly used ‘Tokunbo’ tyres to avoid fatal auto crashes.

Rivers State Sector Commander of FRSC, Mr. Sunday Oghemekaro, handed down the warning at the inauguration of the maiden edition of West Africa Road Safety Organisation, WARCO, yesterday, in Port Harcourt.

Oghemekaro said that WARCO was an umbrella body instituted by West African countries, as a sub-regional road safety organ to co-ordinate road activities within the region.

He said: “There is no doubt that a lot activities takes place on the highways. We (FRSC) have discovered that most cases of road crashes are not due to bad roads, but over speeding.

“This is why we are calling on motorists, especially commercial drivers, to desist from overloading their vehicles and the use of worn-out or ‘Tokunbo’ tires, to avoid road crashes.

Protect yourself and your passengers.”

He listed some of the goals of WARCO to include the inculcation of safety ideas in the youths through the introduction of road education in primary and secondary schools across the country.

Oghemekaro said that, in order to educate the citizens of member states on safety issues courses has been introduced in schools, in collaboration with the National Educational Council.

The theme of the event was ‘Passengers Speak out, Don’t Get Killed By Drivers”.

Oghemekaro said the theme highlights the role of passengers in the ongoing campaign which mandates them to speak out against improper conduct on the part of drivers, such as overloading and use of worn-out tyres.

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North

Friday, May 9, 2014

One killed, two injured in Nasarawa auto crash IGBAWASE UKUMBA LAFIA

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Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS, officer serving with the Nasarawa State Command died in an auto crash along the busy Akwanga-Lafia road early hours of yesterday.

Two colleagues of the deceased who were also involved in the crash and sustained serious injuries were rushed to the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, DASH, Lafia for treatment.

The immigration officers were said to be traveling from the Akwanga axis of the state to the state command’s headquarters in Lafia, Na-

sarawa State capital for a monthly parade which is alleged to be a tradition among the immigration service in the country.

Confirming the incident to newsmen at the NIS Command headquarters in Lafia, the Human Resource Officer of the Nasarawa State Immigration command, Lazarus Dabot, confirmed the incident, but could not give details about the accident.

When our correspondent visited the command’s headquarters, men and officers of the service were seen wearing a mournful mood just as some female officers who could not control their emotions were seen weeping uncontrollably.

We ‘re not responsible for fuel scarcity –IPMAN DANJUMA WILLIAMS GOMBE

T

he Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, in Gombe State has said that it was not responsible for the protracted fuel scarcity experienced in the state.

Alhaji Isa Mohammed Abdullahi, the new caretaker chairman of the association, while absolving the association of any blame for the protracted scarcity experienced in most part of the state said there was no way the association could be blamed since not much products gets to the state.

The caretaker chairman stated during his handing over ceremony said that the ongoing fuel scarcity in the state has nothing to do with the associations past in-house stand-off; he therefore called on members to bury their hatchets in the interest of the growth and development of the association.

Abdullahi called on members to be patient because the caretaker arrangement under the national leadership of Chief Lawson Obasi is only temporal and charged with the mandate to conduct substantive election for the association.

No permanent voters’ card, no voting -Gombe REC DANJUMA WILLIAMS GOMBE

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he Resident Electoral Commissioner for Gombe State, Professor Istifanus Ishaku Dafwan has said that the only guarantee for people to practice their franchise in the 2015 general election is to obtain the Permanent Voters’ Card, PVC, now.

The REC stated this yesterday during an interactive session with stakeholders in the state to sensitise them on the distribution of Permanent Voters’ Card with a categorical declaration “no voters’ card, no

voting in 2015 general election”.

In addition, the REC explained, INEC has not shut the door against those whose temporary card has either been missing, destroyed or never obtained it.

In his detailed explanation on the processes to be followed by possessors of the temporary card, the Resident Electoral Commissioner said collection period is between 23 and 25 May, 2014 and that the collection centres are the various polling units between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

US, Northern govs set action plan on economy PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

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he United States has indicated its desire to make direct investment in four critical areas of north’s’ economy, in a bid to end poverty and insecurity, currently rocking the region, ahead of the Northern States Governors’ Forum/USA Investors and Aid Agencies Forum, slated for tomorrow (Saturday).

The investment forum would be declared open by President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja.

The US Government, through the United States Administrator of Agency for International Development (USAID), Dr. Rajiv Shah made the disclosure during a meeting between USAID and the NSGF in Abuja on Wednesday.

The key areas, according to Shah are Agriculture, Infrastructure, Power/Energy and Health/ Education with a view to mitigating poverty and ending insurgency.

Commenting on the development, Chairman of NSGF and Governor of Niger State, Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu in a statement said the collaboration between the forum and the US Government would provide a broader platform for agricultural development.

It stated that through the partnership, about 70 percent of the Nigeria’s workforce would be gainfully employed, while accounting for slightly more than 40 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product.

“Under the partnership, we intend to build collaborative business skills of smallholder farmers and

associations and increase access to credit and electronic payment services and advancing the development of evidence-based agricultural policies” “The intervention of US Government through its agencies will help to develop a policy environment for small businesses and expand access to marketdriven vocational and technical training linked with private sector employment opportunities and also expand access to commercial financial services, including microfinance, Aliyu stated.

In the area of Education, the statement said USAID programs will support equitable access to quality basic education through teacher training, support for girls’ learning, infrastructure improvement, community involvement, and reading and

literacy skills development, targeting public, Qur’anic and Islamiyya schools.

“Qur’anic schools focus on learning the Qur’an and Islamic values while Islamiyya schools integrate classes to build skills in reading local language and numeracy into the traditional Qur’anic curriculum.”

It also stated that the governors will work in partnership with General Electric (GE) in driving critical infrastructure projects across the northern states by keying into its one billion dollars investment in the country to enable the region provide up to 10 MW of power.

It would be recalled GE policy is committed to supporting the Nigeria’s growth in various sectors such as health care, power, rail transportation and aviation.

L-R: Representative of the Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Mr. Eugene Eze; Bauchi State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Sagir Saleh and Governor Isa Yuguda, at the presentation of relief materials to Bauchi State Government, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

2015: Plateau Governor should come from the south –Party chieftain JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

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chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State, Alhaji Saidu Musa, has given reasons why Governor Jonah Jang should concede power to the Southern zone come 2015.

Saidu who is the Vice Chairman of the party in the Southern Senatorial District who spoke with journalists on the 2015 election insisted that the zone should be allowed to produce the next governor of

the state in the interest of equity and fair play.

According to him, both the North and Central zones had produced the governors of the state except the south, arguing that since Nasarwa was carved out from Plateau, nobody from the six local governments that made up the zone had occupied the number one seat.

“When Solomon Lar became governor in 1979, he was from the then Plateau North and the deputy was from Plateau South, the present Nasarawa State.

“Then came Governor

Fidelis Tapgun he also ruled briefly when the two states were still together, he also came from the Plateau North and the deputy came from Plateau South now Nasarawa State.

“Practically, since the creation of the present Plateau, the Southern Senatorial District has not produced a governor.

“I am talking about 1999 to date; the first civilian governor of the present Plateau is Joshua Dariye who became governor in 1999 and left 2003 after completing two terms.

“Then came Governor Jonah Jang who took over in 2007 to date and hopefully by 2015 his two tenures would have ended.

“Based on the principle of fair play and cooperation between various zones of the state, we believe the next civilian governor should come from the Southern Senatorial District.

“The district comprised of six local governments of Shendam, Mikang, Quan’ Pan, Langtang North, Langtang South and Wase, it is then that the circle would have been completed,’’ he said.

Friday, May 9, 2014

C

onstitutionally, lawmakers, both at state and national levels are not constrained by tenure limitations, but for certain reasons, among which are zoning, aspiration to higher elective posts and non-performance, many federal lawmakers may not return to the National Assembly in 2015.

Ondo State

Three senators, Ajayi Boroffice, Ayo Akinyelure and Boluwaji Kunlere, representing the North, Central and South senatorial districts respectively represent Ondo State at the Senate while 9 members represented the people of the state at the House of Representatives.

All the three senators were elected on the platform of the Labour Party, LP, the ruling party in the state, but the senator representing the North senatorial districts, Boroffice, at the wake of the 2012 governorship election in the state cross carpeted to the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, now All Progressives Congress, APC.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

13

Politics

Federal lawmakers who may not return in 2015 As the race to the 2015 general election gathers momentum, political gladiators across the nation jostle for various elective posts, most especially into the House of Representatives and the Senate. From records, more than 40 per cent of the federal legislators were never returned and there is nothing on ground to suggest otherwise come 2015. Investigations have revealed that at least 200 of the nation’s over 450 national legislators may never make it back to the National Assembly for various reasons. National Mirror, the nation’s leader in political reportage brings to its esteemed readers ‘the 200 Federal Lawmakers who may not return in 2015’. This piece is serialised and dished sizzlingly every Friday and Tuesday. HAKEEM GBADAMOSI and AZA MSUE present Ondo and Kaduna states federal lawmakers who may not return to the National Assembly in 2015.

Boroffice Senator Boroffice represents the Northern senatorial district and though he has been able to deliver dividends of democracy to the doorsteps of the people he represents through execution of developmental projects and empowerment programmes, he is most likely not to return to hallowed chamber of the Senate.

Why? The platform on which the senator will be contesting for his second term in the Senate, the APC, seems to be less popular in the area. Besides, many people perceived him to be a traitor for dumping the LP for the APC. Aside this, the area is regarded as a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, stronghold, while the senator is also not regarded as grassroots politician or mobiliser.

Boroffice will have to contend with old horses who are versed in the art of politicking from the district, among whom are: former Defence Minister, Prince Tokunbo Kayode, former Speakers of the state House of Assembly, Victor Olabimtan and Taofeek Olawale Abdulsaalam, Senator Bode Olajumoke, Gbenga Elegbeleye and Femi Adekanmbi who are respected leaders in the area.

Also LP stalwarts from the area, like the current deputy governor, Ali Olanusi, Olu Agunloye, Akin Adaramola, Niran Sule and others from the area will ensure Boroffice exits, as many see him as riding on the back of the governor of the state, Olusegun Mimiko to win the seat in 2011.

The LP might field Agunloye who lost the LP primary ticket to Boroffice in 2011, and Agunloye was known to be a grassroots mobiliser. Definitely, if the political calculations remain as it is till next year, the election is going to be a two-horse race between the PDP and the LP.

Boroffice

Also, the current leadership tussle between Boroffice and the former governorship candidate of defunct ACN in last election in the state, Barr. Rotimi Akeredolu, is tearing the party apart in the state. Many aggrieved members, who are in support of Akeredolu may work against Boroffice’s return and if the crisis in the APC is not resolved before the next general election, the party may lose followership to the LP or PDP or both. This is one of the reasons behind the mass defection of some chieftains of the party, led by Adekanbi, from the senatorial district to PDP.

Akinyelure Akinyelure might not have a good run in the 2015 election. All odds are against him both within his party, the LP and outside. The people of the districts which consist of six local governments of Akure South, Akure North, Ifedore, Ondo East, Ondo West and Idanre, where Akinyelure hailed from, went against the senator during the girl-child marriage saga in

Akinyelure

Kunlere

FOR CERTAIN REASONS, AMONG WHICH ARE ZONING, ASPIRATION TO HIGHER ELECTIVE POSTS AND NON-PERFORMANCE, MANY FEDERAL LAWMAKERS MAY NOT RETURN TO THE

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY IN 2015

the Senate. The senator was said to have voted in error in favour of the bill which infuriated the people of his constituency, leading to calls for his recall from many of his constituents, over what they termed embracing immorality while they have vowed never to vote for his return.

It was also obvious that the leadership of the LP were embarrassed by his faux pas over the child marriage issue and have been routing for a more active politician to represent the constituency in the next dispensation.

Another factor that may militate against Akinyelure’s return is the new popular “Akure agenda”. It is widely believed that Akure indigenes have been relegated in

the scheme of political arrangements since the advent of this political dispensation in 1999. The people of the state capital, in collaboration with other local government areas surrounding the city have resolved to support and vote for any political party that fielded an Akure politician as its candidate for the 2015 election into the Senate.

Kunlere Kunlere is regarded as the best of the lawmakers in this dispensation. He is said to be active on the floor of the Senate and has given back to the people who voted him to represent them. However, the senator CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

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Politics

Friday, May 9, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Federal lawmakers who may not return in 2015 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 might not return too as people believed that he also rode on Mimiko’s back to win the seat, like Boroffice.

Another factor which may affect his return is the PDP factor. The whole of the Southern senatorial district is regarded as PDP stronghold. A member of the LP from the district disclosed that Kunlere might not come back, because there was an arrangement within the party that the senator will spend just a term.

Sunday Abegunde Abegunde represents Akure South/ North federal constituency in the House of Representatives. Popularly known as “Abena,” he may not be part of the lower house deliberation in the next dispensation.

Elected on the platform of LP before defecting to the APC, his return might be a little difficult as things have fallen apart in the APC which he planned to use as his platform.

The party has been engulfed in various crises which have torn it apart in the state.

Again the rivalry between him and the leadership of the party has labelled him a revolt and this might make the ticket of the party elude him. However some political pundits were of the opinion that if he eventually gets the party’s ticket, it will be very difficult for him to win the election, when the interest of the former chairman of Akure South Local Government, Adedayo Omolafe in the seat is factored in. Analysts perceived Omolafe to be more popular and loved by his people and seen as a thorough breed politician and a grassroot mobiliser.

Moshood Bakare Bakare represents Ifedore/Idanre federal consistency. But according to the people he represents, nothing is known about the lawmaker in his constituency since he was elected. A community leader affirmed that the lawmaker may not return because of the zoning arrangement in the local government and Idanre is saying it is now time for its indigene to rake a shot at the seat. Bakare could only return if the calculation changes.

Albert Akintoye This is the only lawmaker from the state who was elected on the PDP platform.

He hails from Akotogbo in Irele Local Government Area and was said to have done fairly well and the people of the area believed in his representation. But what can block his second coming is the zoning arrangement on ground in the constituency.

Gani Dauda The almighty zoning arrangement may stand between Dauda and his return to the House in 2015. Though he is well loved by his people and can be re-elected if he wins the LP ticket, the lawmaker will still find the hurdle of returning to Abuja a difficult task, as he still needs to contend with a grassroot politician who is eyeing the seat. It is no longer news that the former speaker of the state Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulsaalam is interested in the seat in 2015. However it will not be a tea party for Dauda considering the repositioning of the PDP in the state which is yielding positive results.

Akintoye

Abegunde

Ologunagba

Usman

Mohammed

Saleh

The people of the two local governments will be ready to re elect the lawmaker but only if the people of Odigbo are not interested in the seat as there is zoning arrangement in the constituency.

favoured to pick the APC sole ticket. This could explain why the senator’s second term posters have not been seen, thus casting doubt over his future ambition. He was rated average in the outgoing Senate and has not really made his impact felt in the senatorial district.

THE PRESENCE OF FORMER SPEAKER OF THE STATE ASSEMBLY, OLABIMTAN IS ANOTHER OBSTACLE BETWEEN

OLOGUNAGBA AND HIS RE-ELECTION AS HIS CONSTITUENCY IS KNOWN

TO BE PDP STRONGHOLD Debo Ologunagba Ologunagba was elected to complete the term of the late Col. Anota of the PDP who died in office. He won the bye election, running on LP platform and was subsequently returned in 2011. However he might not represent his people in 2015 as LP is losing popularity in the area in recent times. The last governorship election in the state asserts this.

The LP came a distance third to the defunct ACN and PDP in the election, despite that the deputy governor, Olanusi comes from the area. The presence of former Speaker of the state Assembly, Olabimtan is another obstacle between Ologunagba and his re-election as his constituency is known to be PDP stronghold, until lately, when the APC is showing strong presence, with the influence of Boroffice who hailed from the area.

Joseph Adeoba This young man has given to his immediate society dividends of democracy.

Eniola Omosule Omosule might find it difficult to return into the lower house. The Owo-born politicians will have to scale a great hurdle from the Ose axis of the constituency, as the people believed they have been sidelined and are now warming up to produce the next candidate to represent them at the lower house. The area, regarded as the stronghold of the APC in recent times might act as an albatross for Omosule and the LP in the state.

Kaduna State

In the Liberal State, only two of the three senators may not return to the Senate in 2015 while one House of Representatives member, representing Makarfi/Kudan federal constituency may kiss his return to the House bye.

Mohammed Saleh Senator Saleh, a retired Major-General represents Kaduna Central. He was elected in 2011 on the platform of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, now APC. Senator Saleh defeated former Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund, Hamisu Yusuf Abubakar of the PDP and Hajia Halima Aminu Turaki of the defunct ACN to emerge the winner in the 2011 contest.

But come 2015, the senator will have to contend with Comrade Shehu Sani, President, Civil Rights Congress, CRC, who is largely

Nenadi Esther Usman Senator Usman, of the PDP, is a former Minister of State, Finance under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, representing Kaduna South senatorial district in the red chambers. Although, she is known to have empowered women and youths, but her kinsmen seems to have concluded arrangements to replace her in the 2015 elections. There is no sign of her re-contesting in the forthcoming elections for now.

Ashiru Isa Mohammed Hon. Mohammed, an accountant who recently defected from the PDP to the APC was seen in posters pasted all over the state preparing for his declaration to contest the Kaduna State governorship in 2015 polls.

Before his election to represent his people at the green chamber, he was a member of Kaduna State House of Assembly. He retired as Principal Accountant in the civil service before venturing into politics.

If eventually emerges as the APC governorship candidate, as being planned by his loyalists, he would face the incumbent governor, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, who is likely to pick the PDP ticket if he decides to contest. Believed to be a strong loyalist of the former Kaduna State governor, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, Mohammed hails from Kaduna North senatorial zone with the incumbent governor.

TO BE CONTINUED ON TUESDAY

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Friday, May 9, 2014

Osun REC assures of credible poll BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

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head of the August 9 Osun governorship poll, the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Mr. Rufus Akeju, has assured of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s readiness to conduct an election that will be acceptable to all parties.

Giving this assurance yesterday in Osogbo, the state capital at the inaugural meeting of the National Inter-Agency Advisory Committee

on Voter Education and Publicity, NICVEP, Akeju said the establishment of the committee was crucial, coming at the time INEC’s preparation for the election was on top gear.

He said: “As the name implies NICVEP is established to assist INEC to promote voter education and sound democratic practices as enshrined in Section 2 and 153 of the Electoral Act (as amended) amongst others.

“NICVEP is an advisory body that will support INEC to review the existing framework for

voter education and advise the commission on areas requiring improvement to ensure that the voting populace is fully mobilised and educated towards the conduct of free, fair and credible election in the state.

Akeju said any manner of rigging will not be allowed, saying that INEC has evolved measures that will stamp out electoral fraud and ensure credible election.

Akeju added: “I am confident that we now have a better framework within which to forge better ties to ensure the achievement

Oyedele mourns Otedola EMMANUEL EGHAGHE

A of the noble objectives of transforming our dear country to a better society for the conduct of credible and violence free election that will be acceptable to all and sundry.”

15

chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Lagos State, Alhaji Bode Oyedele, has described the death on Monday of a former governor of Lagos State, Chief Michael Otedola, as shocking and sad.

Oyedele,a governorship aspirant of the PDP in the 2015 election, in a statement, said that Otedola’s death was a huge loss to the Epe division, Lagos State and Nigeria generally.

Describing Otedola as a humble, unassuming, but astute patriot, who contributed his quota to the development of the state and Nigeria, he said: “His death is a big loss to the Epe division, where

he comes from, to Lagos State, which he governed and Nigeria, where his impact and that of his family is widely felt. For us in the Epe division of Lagos State, we have lost a leader, a committed citizen and one of the true sons of the state and Nigeria. We can only ask Allah to grant him peace while also granting his family the grace to bear the loss.”

Oyedele said that though Otedola’s tenure in Lagos State was cut short by military incursion, it was nonetheless eventful, given that he won the governorship election against all odds.

He said it was important for leaders of today to imbibe the fighting spirit, sincerity and hard work for which the late Otedola was known.

Anioma elders meet, endorse Olejeme OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU

S Osun State PDP gubernatorial candidate in one of his campaigns in Osogbo recently.

Party stalwarts, palace vow to deliver LGA

P

arty leaders and traditional chiefs in Irepodun Local Government Area of Osun State have pledged their commitment to the reelection of Governor Rauf Aregbesola during the August 9 gubernatorial election in the state.

Chairman of the defunct Social Democratic Party, SDP, and Otun Jagun of Ilobu, headquarters of the local government, Chief Daud Ademola Alabi, after a recent peace parley among party leaders in the community, disclosed the readiness of the community to vote massively for Aregbesola in the forthcoming election, while also revealing the people’s resolve to guard their votes against those

he described as perpetual election riggers.

Chief Alabi commended the leadership of the party in the local government for the ongoing massive mobilisation within the party to ensure the victory of Aregbesola in the election.

Specifically commending the party chairman in the local council, Mr. Abayomi Oyedeji, for his doggedness and loyalty amidst intimidations by various individuals and organisations, Alabi added that the Oyedeji-led executive committee’s efforts have resulted in mass exodus from the opposition into the party.

Alabi also commended the governor for the reforms currently being

carried out in the major sectors of the state’s economy, saying the ongoing reorientation, massive infrastructural upgrade, school reform, peaceful atmosphere, among others, have aided the works of party mobilisers in no small measure, adding that it would be retrogressive to allow opposition to take over government in the state.

“When you look at the last general meeting held at the party’s secretariat we understand there were many defectors from the PDP to the APC. Others are already reaching out to the party to announce their defection and I think this is due to the commitment of the party leadership especially, Mr. Oyede-

ji. I personally feel he deserves commendation and the former Secretary to the State Government too, Engr. Sola Akinwumi, who also deployed his wealth of experience to keep the party members together despite several challenges,” he stated.

He said the new culture of members’ involvement in selection of candidates is another positive development that must be supported by everyone.

“If the incumbent governor has submitted himself to primary within the party to emerge the party’s candidate in the forthcoming election, I think that culture must be allowed to stand to ensure that people have inputs in who represent them,” Alabi added.

ome senior citizens of Delta State on Tuesday tipped the chairman, Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF, Dr. Ngozi Olejeme as the likely governor of Delta State in 2015.

The elders who rose from an enlarged executive meeting in Agbor, also expressed support for power shift in 2015, saying that there was no doubt as to whether Delta North would produce the next governor, stressing that the people were now prepared more than ever before to do so.

A d d r e s s i n g professionals, political leaders, businessmen and women who thronged the venue of the meeting, chairman, Anioma Elders Forum, Dr. Jude Umakwe said: “There abound many Delta North people who are well qualified to be governor. The question of producing a Delta North governor in 2015 cannot be compromised.”

Extolling the virtues of

INEC to commence voters’ continuous registration on May 28 WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

T

he Independent National Election Commission, INEC, has said that the continuous

voters’ registration would commence in Kogi State from May 28 to July 1.

The state Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Mr Olusegun Agbaje, who disclosed this while speak-

ing at a stakeholders meeting with INEC at Saatof Hotels and Suites in lokoja, the state capital yesterday, explained that by virtue of section 10(1) of the 2010 of Electoral Act

as amended, INEC would conduct the exercise from 8a.m to 4p.m., adding that this would enable those who have not registered before to come forward and register as well as

those who have turned 18 years since last general elections, while those whose data are missing in INEC database would also have the opportunity to rectify same..

Olejeme, they described her as a woman of high ethical values and a rare model for Delta State, Nigeria and Africa.

They said: “Delta State should count itself as blessed for producing somebody like Olejeme.

She is a woman of God and has been promoting peace, tolerance and development in Delta State and beyond. We are very proud of her activities.”

The elders who also raised the 2013 governorship screening process above the level of witch hunting and politics of imposition advised traditional rulers, politicians, professionals, businessmen and women, students and youths in the state to stand firmly by Olejeme and bring her to power in 2015.

They appealed to Deltans abroad to support Olejeme to clinch the coveted office of the governor in 2015, adding: “Olejeme is an outstanding Nigerian in many respects, she has touched many lives in a very positive manner; she has honesty, fairness, equity, justice, peace, accountability and good governance as her watchword.”

They also warned governorship aspirants in the state to desist from going about scandalising others.

16

Editorial

Friday, May 9, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

KAFILAT OGBARA

MANAGING DIRECTOR/CEO

BANKOLE MAKINDE

DEPUTY MD/CEO

SEYI FASUGBA

DAILY EDITOR

GBEMI OLUJOBI

SATURDAY EDITOR

KAYODE FASUA

ACTING EDITOR, SUNDAY

AYO OLESIN

GENERAL EDITOR

BEN MEMULETIWON

GENERAL EDITOR

DOZIE OKEBALAMA

COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD

CALLISTUS OKE

EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR

ISE-OLUWA IGE

ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF

FIDELIS LEMCHI OWOAMANAM

REGIONAL DIRECTOR, S/SOUTH

KING ODODORU

HEAD, GRAPHICS

Disquieting assault on human rights in Egypt I f the news of continuous assault on human rights emanating from Egypt on daily basis is anything to go by, it then means the authorities are determined to take the country back to the Stone Age. For no day passes without the violent crackdown on ordinary citizens, intimidation of journalists and jailing of opposition party members, especially of the Muslim Brotherhood chip.

The president’s high-handedness started with the removal of former President Mohammed Morsi, now facing treason charges. Since then, the authorities have resorted to repression in their bid to quell any form of opposition.

There is, therefore, growing concern about a return to authoritarianism. The panic-stricken military-installed authorities have abridged the freedom of speech, stifled protests and arrested activists in their great numbers. A draconian new law has banned all forms of demonstrations.

Scores of liberal activists have been arrested for challenging the law, which many believe is aimed mainly at the supporters of the ousted Morsi, and his Muslim Brotherhood. Most galling, perhaps, is that very little space now exists for opposition media in Egypt, and anyone who dares to defy the current climate faces the risk of death or incarceration. It is,

therefore, not surprising that three journalists - Peter Greste, Mohammed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed - all working for Al-Jezeera English television channel, have been held behind the notorious Cairo Tora prison for months on charges of broadcasting false news, aiding or joining a terrorist organisation and endangering national security.

If convicted, they could be sentenced to several years in jail.

Even when the government denies it is waging a war on freedom of speech, it has gone on to accuse the journalists of working illegally in the country. Curious as it appears, it is all well known that the channel is owned by Qatar, a country that backs the Muslim Brotherhood. Therefore, the authorities regard it as a mouthpiece for Islamists. Even at that, the Egyptian government has kept the three journalists under severe confinement, a situation that has aggravated their health challenges. All three share a cell and are being allowed out for only an hour’s exercise a day, for example. They are among a group of 20 people indicted by the authorities at the beginning of this year. Others include the Dutch newspaper and radio correspondent, Rena Netjes, whose only connection with Al-Jazeera was a meeting she had with Mohamed Fahmy at the Marriott. She managed to flee Egypt with the help of her embassy.

THE COUNTRY IS ONE OF THE WORLD’S EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS. IT WOULD BE MORALLY WRONG FOR HER TO CONTINUE ADOPTING A RETROGRESSIVE PENAL POLICY

Egypt is now infamously ranked among the top 10 jailers of journalists in the world.

The silencing of dissent goes far beyond journalists. Political scientist, Amr Hamzawy, is facing charges over a tweet questioning a court ruling. The university lecturer and former parliamentarian, has even been barred from leaving the country. Increasingly, the authorities are relying on torture as a state policing and security tactic, including the widespread use of military courts to try civilians. Despite the constitutional guarantee of freedom of association, Egypt’s active civil society sector has continued to be subjected to heavy restrictions and harassment. The Law of Associations, which governs the establishment of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), prohibits groups that pose threat to national unity and morals; and stipulates that foreign funding must be approved by the Social Af-

ON THIS DAY May 9, 2001 In Ghana, 129 football fans died in what became known as the Accra Sports Stadium disaster. The deaths were caused by a stampede occasioned by the firing of teargas by police personnel at the stadium following a controversial decision by the referee. The tragedy occurred during a match between Ghana’s two most successful football teams, the Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club and Asante Kotoko.

Letters tothe theEditor Editor Letters to

May 9, 2002 The 38-day stand-off in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem came to an end when the Palestinians inside the church agreed to have 13 suspected terrorists among them deported to different countries. The Siege on the church lasted from April 2 to May 10, 2002 in Bethlehem in the West Bank. As part of Operation Defensive Shield, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) occupied Bethlehem and tried to capture wanted Palestinian militants.

fairs Ministry.

If the trial of journalists for speaking the truth is reprehensible, the sentencing of 683 alleged supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood to death, including the group’s supreme guide, Mohamed Badie, and confirmation of the death sentences of 37 of 529 previously condemned, jar in the face. They were convicted on spurious charges related to violent riots in the southern Egyptian city of Minya in August, 2013, including the murder of a police officer.

It would be recalled that the riots in Minya took place after a deadly crackdown by security forces on two large sit-ins in Cairo, where demonstrators were supporting Morsi, who was ousted in a coup in July last year amid widespread protests against his rule, with opponents accusing him of pursuing a divisive and Islamist agenda.

The African Union (AU) and international community should rise up and strongly condemn the ongoing brazen legal skullduggery in Egypt. The country is one of the world’s earliest civilizations. It would be morally wrong for it to continue adopting a retrogressive penal policy. That the opposition is making their views known does not mean they are enemies of the state. Egypt must stay the course of political pluralism and freedom of speech or lose its status as one of the leading lights in Africa and the world.

x May 9, 2004 Chechen president, Akhmad Kadyrov, was killed by a land mine under a VIP stage during a World War II memorial victory parade in Grozny, Chechnya. Kadyrov (August 23, 1951 – May 9, 2004) was the ‘Chief Mufti’ (interpreter or expounder of Islamic law) of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria in the 1990s during and after the First Chechen War. He later became the President of the Chechen Republic from October 5, 2003.

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Cost of motherhood in Nigeria CRITICAL STROKES

KAYODE

KETEFE

kketefe@nationalmirroronline.net 08032147720 (SMS only)

A

nother unsavoury report has just been published about Nigeria last Monday to add to the ever-growing unpalatable reports on the appalling standards of life in the country. This time it is by Save the Children International, a Londonbased non-governmental organisation. The report placed Nigeria as the eighth worst place on earth to be a mother. Nigeria occupies the unenviable 171st position out of 178 countries rated! She outshines SierraLeone,(172), Central African Republic(173), Guinea Bissau(174), Niger (175), Mali (176) and DR Congo(177). Somalia brought up the rear as the worst place in the world to be mother with its shameful 178th position.

On the other hand, Finland is adjudged the best place to be a mother, followed by Norway, Sweden, Iceland and the Netherlands. Other top countries where motherhood could be a pleasant experience include Denmark (6), Spain (7), Germany (8), Australia (9) and Belgium (10).

Specific criteria that were used for the rating are maternal health, child mortality, education and

levels of women’s income and political status.

Commenting on the report, the Save the Children International’s chief executive, Jasmine Whitbread, was quoted as saying: “Ending preventable deaths of mothers and children will not be possible until fragile countries become more stable and health care more accessible.”

It is not surprising that the African countries inevitably occupy the lowest rungs of the rating ladder in this assessment as they always do on any rating based on human development indices. Our continent is a place of famine, incessant internecine wars, political instability, poverty etc. Save the Children International, further stated that 800 mothers and 18,000 young children die worldwide every single day from preventable causes with sub-Saharan African countries accounting for majority of these tragedies.

In Nigeria’s case, it should be obvious to anyone living here that we could not have fetched any fantastic rating when the quality of life of our women is the criterion.

While it is a truism that life for the masses is hellish and brutish, it is even worse for the womenfolk with our entrenched biases and discrimination against women. Our maternal mortality rate is still one of the highest in the world. Our society thrives on a lot of harmful cultural practices inimical to the girl-child and women like child-marriage, affirmative male-child preference and denial of education to female children.

Many of our laws like anti-domestic violence laws and Child Rights Act are poorly enforced, while the international benchmark of the 25 per cent affirmative action

…SOCIETIES WHERE THE CULTURE OF

ANDROGYNY (THAT IS EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR BOTH SEXES) IS WELL-ENTRENCHED

ARE MORE ADVANCED AND PROSPEROUS THAN SOCIETIES THAT ARE REPRESSIVE AND EXPLOITATIVE OF WOMEN in appointment to public offices are mostly disregarded. While some progress has been made in the area of improved employment opportunity for women, there is still an appreciable degree of discrimination against women in the workplace.

0ver 90 per cent of the Chief Executive Officers of Nigeria’s top 100 companies are men. In the political front, women have not fared better; all what we have is snail’s speed progress. Ironically, our most important document, the 1999 Constitution itself contains some provisions that are gender-biased.

An example of explicit gender biased provisions could be gleaned from its sections 26 and 29, which make differential provisions for both men and women on the issue of acquisition and renunciation of Nigerian citizenship, with

men being given better deal than women. Our policies makers certainly have very little or no regard for the doctrine of gender mainstreaming, making it tough for women to compete favourably in a society dominated by men.

In the light of the above, it is high time we started working towards the actualisation of an androgynous society where the rights of every member are respected without recourse to irrelevant consideration of gender identity. This is not just for the purpose of fairness as dictated by concerns for human rights, adherence to culture of gender liberality also has proven beneficial. Empirical researches interpreting a number of sociological data across different climes have shown that societies where the culture of androgyny (that is equal opportunities for both sexes) is well-entrenched are more advanced and prosperous than societies that are repressive and exploitative of women. This, of course, is not surprising, given the fact that both male and female have been endowed with differing talents, abilities and capacities by the providence, which could well be harnessed synergistically for optimum effect.

On abducted Chibok school girls This writer hereby joins his voice to the BRING BACK OUR GIRLS campaign to secure the release of more than 200 girls abducted from the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, three weeks ago by the dreaded Boko Haram terrorist group. I call on the Federal Government, which has the constitutional role of ensuring safety and welfare of all Nigerians, to fashion out means to liberate the innocent girls.

2015: APC and its credo of violence JOHNSON MOMODU

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he recent “rig and roast” statement credited to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), should raise serious concerns for all Nigerians who care about peace in the country. Tinubu is reported to have said: “It will be rig and roast” during a speech at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, in reference to the Ekiti governorship election.

Let it be clear that the conditionality of “rigging” before “roasting” being advocated

by Tinubu does not in any way lessen the seriousness of his incitement of violence.

Past experience has shown that wherever and whenever Tinubu political coalition lost an election, his first utterance was to declare that the election in question was rigged.

The only elections that are never rigged, as far as Tinubu is concerned, are those won by the APC. How such an oddity is possible in a country with multiple political tendencies like Nigeria is something only he can explain. And he might also wish to explain how come no party has enjoyed questionable electoral victories at the courts like the APC. Setting aside the intemperate nature of Tinubu’s statement, it is important to revisit something similar that was said earlier

by General Muhammadu Buhari, another national leader of the APC. Buhari, whose statement was recorded during a BBC Hausa interview, spoke in Hausa, perhaps

WITH BOKO HARAM STILL ON RAMPAGE, NIGERIANS CANNOT ALLOW THE APC TO CONSTITUTE ITSELF

INTO ANOTHER VIOLENT GROUP BENT ON WREAKING HAVOC ACROSS THE COUNTRY in the hope of restricting his words to his preferred audience. According to him, “If what happened in 2011 should again happen in 2015, by the grace of God, the dog and the baboon would all be soaked in blood.”

Coming from a man, who still harbours the ambition of becoming Nigeria’s president, these were most inappropriate words.

When taken together, Tinubu’s “rig and roast” utterance and Buhari’s “the dog and the baboon would all be soaked in blood” statement paint a clear and present danger of a very violent APC. The question that all well-meaning Nigerians should ask these leaders of APC is, considering the serious issue of insecurity brought about by the despicable acts of Boko Haram in some parts of the country, are these APC leaders really advocating more violence in Nigeria all in their quest to win elections?

It is also necessary to ask if members of the APC heed the exhortations of their leaders and embark on a campaign of “soaking dogs

and baboons in blood” and “roasting” people, do they expect that others would merely fold their hands and watch? Is the APC, in its campaign of inciting violence across the land, seriously expecting Nigerians who are already suffering from Boko Haram mayhem to vote for a blood-thirsty party?

Not content with inciting violence and bloodshed, Tinubu also used his Ogbomoso speech to attempt to ridicule the recent rebasing of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) accounting. In his misguided attempt to poke fun at something as fundamental as the rebased GDP figures, Tinubu failed to provide answers to what should be done about the productivity in the country’s entertainment industry, the addition of which formed part of the increase in the nation’s GDP figures.

Tinubu’s unwillingness to concede that President Goodluck Jonathan is doing anything positive in the country is clearly behind his ill-advised attempt to diminish the positive effects of the rebased GDP figures. But the reality is that whether he acknowledges it or not, Nigerians know well enough that things are getting better in the nation’s economy.

Moreover, Tinubu’s reluctance to admit that things are getting better under the Jonathan administration pales into insignificance as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is now a leading light of the APC, is on record as saying: “To the (Jonathan) government’s credit, an ambitious Almajiri education scheme has been put in place. This year, the Federal Government built and handed over tens of Alma-

jiri model schools to state governments. As part of this scheme there is a commendable focus on girl-child education.”

Even Lagos, a frontline state of the APC where Tinubu served for eight years as governor, is a beneficiary of the transformation being pursued by the Jonathan administration. Amongst other projects, in 2013 the Jonathan administration approved construction of the first ever deep sea port in Nigeria to be sited at Lekki, Lagos State.

And while Tinubu is making inciting statements, Jonathan has consistently insisted that no Nigerian life is worth sacrificing in order to ensure his success at the polls.

The difference between the two could not be more pronounced.

In the interest of Nigeria’s well-being, it is of utmost importance that Tinubu and other leaders of APC be called to order.

With Boko Haram still on rampage, Nigerians cannot allow the APC to constitute itself into another violent group bent on wreaking havoc across the country. It must be noted that no single group has a monopoly of violence. This is a fundamental fact that those who urge others to commit acts of violence against their political opponents should never forget.

Momodu sent this piece from Benin City, Edo 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.

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Editorial

Thursday, May 8, 2014

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HEAD, GRAPHICS

Fashola on decentralization of wage policy

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overnor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, speaking penultimate Monday when he received participants of Course 36 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) who paid him a courtesy call in Lagos, advocated the decentralization of the nation’s wage policy to curb incessant workers’ strikes occasioned by wage disparity. It was obvious the governor stirred the hornet’s nest when he made the remark.

Yet Fashola sincerely broached a critical matter which organised labour has been unable to confront with all sincerity. The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), an affiliate of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), for instance, threatened Fashola to stop campaigning against retaining the national minimum wage on the exclusive legislative list or face the wrath of Nigerian workers.

It is on record, however, that the National Wage Act, Cap. N61 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, amended by the two chambers of the National Assembly, was signed into law by President Goodluck Jonathan on March 23, 2011, and the national minimum wage was pegged at N18,000 per month. Since then, however, the payment of the said minimum wage has been contentious, with

many states insisting that they don’t have the resources to pay. It may be recalled, for example, that in June 2011, barely three months after the N18, 000 minimum wage was decreed by the Federal Government, Governor Abdul’aziz Yari Abubakar of Zamfara State ruled out the possibility of any of the 19 northern states implementing the new minimum wage law. The governor said virtually all states in the North depended on statutory allocation from the Federation Account; and that for any northern state to implement the N18,000 minimum wage, it required an increase of almost 100 per cent of its total monthly statutory allocation. “It is very disturbing when you look at the level of our internally-generated revenue in the northern part of the country”, the Zamfara governor lamented. Even in the southern part of the country, not all the states have been able to implement the N18, 000 minimum wage law till date.

Indeed, Fashola was right when he told his visitors that “asking states to pay workers a wage fixed at the centre is like asking everybody to wear the same shoe even when size varies. States don’t generate the same revenue.

Some states generate a lot while some generate so little, so the capacity to pay such imposed wage

EACH STATE SHOULD DETERMINE ITS OWN MINIMUM WAGE BASED ON THE STRENGTH OF ITS RESOURCES AND ITS ABILITY TO PAY varies”. The governor was dead right when he advocated that the best option would be to allow states to fix and pay wages according to their capacities. These are the realities organised labour should face, because harassing states without the capacity to meet up and pay a centrally fixed minimum wage is unrealistic, especially in a federal system of government. All fingers are not equal.

Historians have traced modern minimum wage laws to the Ordinance of Labourers (1349), a decree by King Edward III that set a maximum wage for labourers in medieval England. King Edward III, a wealthy land owner, relied on serfs to work on his lands. In the autumn of 1348, the Black Plague struck England and decimated the population. The severe shortage of labour caused wages to soar and encouraged Kind Edward III to set a wage ceiling. Subsequent amendments to the ordinance increased the penalties for paying a wage above the set rates. While

the laws governing wages initially set a ceiling on compensation, they were eventually used to set a living wage. By the early 19th century, the Statutes of Labourers was repealed as increasingly capitalistic England embraced laissezfaire policies which disfavoured the regulation of wages. In his ‘Principles of Political Economy’ (1848), John Stuart Mill argued that because of the collective action problems workers faced in organisations, it was a justified departure from laissez faire policies (or freedom of contract) to regulate people’s wages and hours by law.

Protagonists of minimum wage say it increases the standard of living of workers, reduces poverty and inequality, boosts morale and forces businesses to be more efficient. But its opponents insist that it increases poverty, unemployment (particularly among low productivity workers) and is damaging to businesses. Our take, however, is that it is retrogressive to centrally determine minimum wage in a federal democratic setting as Nigeria’s. Wage fixing should be removed from the exclusive legislative list and placed in the concurrent legislative list.

Each state should determine its own minimum wage based on the strength of its resources and its ability to pay.

ON THIS DAY May 8, 1945

May 8, 1980

Dissolution and surrender of Nazi Germany and all its forces: The German Instrument of Surrender (GIS) ended World War II in Europe. It was signed by representatives of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW) and the Allied Expeditionary Force, with the Soviet High Command, France’s and United States’ representatives signing as witness on May 7, and signed again by representatives of the three armed services of the OKW.

The eradication of smallpox was endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Smallpox is an infectious disease unique to humans, caused by either of two virus variants, Variola major and Variola minor. The disease is also known by the Latin names Variola or Variola vera, derived from varius (spotted) or varus (pimple). The disease was originally known in English as the ‘pox’ or ‘red plague’; the term ‘smallpox’ was first used in Britain in the 15th century.

May 8, 1984 ‘Thames Barrier’, the world’s second-largest movable flood barrier (after the Oosterscheldekering in the Netherlands), was officially opened. It is located downstream of central London, United Kingdom. Its purpose is to prevent London from being flooded by exceptionally high tides and storm surges moving up from the sea. It needs to be raised (closed) only during high tide; at low tide it can be lowered (opened) to release the water.

Thursday, May 8, 2014

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Education Today

IN CONJUNCTION WITH

AFE BABALOLA UNIVERSITY, ADO-EKITI (ABUAD) “The setting of this University is ‘Superlative’ and ‘Impressive’, with nothing of its kind that I have seen so far in the country or anywhere else” (Gen. Dr. Yakubu Gowon, GCFR,)

How I survived Lagos chaos -Physically challenged corps member TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

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ujeedat Okunola is a staunch believer of the saying “there’s ability in disability.” The philosophy graduate was not born with deformity as she was almost two years old when Poliomyelitis struck.

Poliomyelitis, often called polio or infantile paralysis, is an acute, viral and incurable disease that cripples thousands of children every year around the world.

Nigeria is currently among the countries with the highest burden of the disease globally.

But like what other parents would have done, Mujeedat’s parents tried all they could to get her treated with no luck. They then resigned to fate with a belief that even if she couldn’t walk with her two legs again, she could still fulfil her destiny by sending her to school.

“That is why I give kudos to my parents and also thank God for giving them to me.

They are the best parents I ever known in the world. They believe in me. They didn’t give up hope on me and I will also not let them down,” she said.

So, when Mujeedat reached the school age, she was enrolled into a primary school and did well in her studies and continued with her education up to the university level. Now she is a degree holder.

She studied Philosophy from the University of Ibadan and recently completed the one-year mandatory National Youth service Corps (NYSC) scheme.

She is one of the 4, 288 ‘Batch B’ corps members posted to Lagos State and were recently discharged from the service.

Speaking about her NYSC experience actually revealed the true side of Lagos to residents.

The one year’s experience just like that of her school days according to her will linger for her life time. Kitted in the NYSC uniform and seated on a wheel chair in the midst of her colleagues at the Iyana-Ipaja Orientation Camp during the passing out

Okunola

ceremony, Mujeedat told National Mirror that it took determination, lots of courage and perseverance for somebody like her to serve in a place like Lagos, a city where almost everybody is in rush.

“So, honestly speaking, to live in Lagos is very challenging,” she declared.

Librarians blame high cost of printing on incessant power outage 20

The 28-year-old Mujeedat from Ibadan, Oyo State, observed that the city is for the survival of the fittest. And it becomes more difficult for somebody like her on a wheel chair to move around.

“For instance,” she pointed out, “going to my place of primary assignment was always

Nigerian polytechnics at crossroads!

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hectic.”

Mujeedat served at Akowonjo Primary School in Alimosho Local Council area as a classroom teacher. She was posted to the school after rejecting where she was originally posted to at Maryland area of the city because of the accommodation problem.

“So, I found out that metro bus drivers are not that patient for passengers to board their buses. The able-bodied persons also suffer this fate. It is a herculean task for them to get to places much less for somebody like me. And going by taxi would have solved the problem somehow but corps members allowance cannot accommodate that because it is very small. As a result of this, I sometimes skipped the community development service programmes done with other colleagues at the local council secretariat and other locations. At times, I would have dressed up waiting for somebody to go with but with the person not showing up again. What I did in such occasions was to call my boss, the CLO (Corps Liaison Officer) on phone and inform him of my inability to come and he would understand,” she explained.

Mujeedat would have loved that the government provides accommodation for serving corps members who are physically challenged and posts them to nearby establishments to ease their movements.

She also advised both the government and the society at large to be given consideration to people like her when building public structures including schools to ease their mobility.

“It is only people like me that can really understand what I am talking about. But this is not to say that I am ungrateful to God and my colleagues who assisted me in one way or the other during the period,” she said.

So, despite the challenges, Mujeedat learnt new things, made new friends and disengaged from service better equipped for future undertakings.

Her aspiration is to get to the top of her career, raise a family and contribute meaningfully to the economy.

Don warns Nigerians against cyber terrorism 22

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Education Today

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Librarians blame high cost of printing on incessant power outage

L-R: Managing Director Africa India Ltd and Conference collaborator, Mr. Mukesh Dhruve; Conference Chairman, Alhaji Waheed Akin Olajide; Chairman Nigeria Book Fair Trust, Mr. Samuel Kolawole; Keynote Speaker, Dr. Victoria Okojie and Chairman, House Committee on Education, Hon. Aminu Suleiman during the International Conference, tagged: ‘Emergence of e-book and the survival of physical book in Africa at the 14th Nigeria International Book Fair in Lagos, on Tuesday..

PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

SAIDAT ALAUSA

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he National President, Nigerian Library Association, Alhaji Riliwanu Abdulsalami has blamed the high cost of printing in the country on erratic electricity supply.

He made the observation during the “Librarians Day” at the 2014 Nigerian International Book Fair (NIBF) held at the University of Lagos, Akoka.

According to him, Nigerian publishers, publish abroad because it is cheaper compare to the high cost of printing in Nigeria and especially because of the unavailability of electricity.

On the issue of importing books into the country, he affirmed that most of the books in the libraries are imported into the country.

“Unfortunately it is true that 90 per cent of the books in the libraries are imported into the country because Nigerians do not write to publish and we are trying to convince them to write and publish locally but the cost of production including machines are high and electricity are high,” he said.

Abdulsalami also mentioned that the association finds the 50 per cent tariff on imported books rather absurd because Nigerians is part of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO treaty that allows zero per cent on books’ importation.

“So we drew the attention of the government to the clause in the treaty and shortly after, we are informed that it has been reversed but we are still waiting for an official report from the government,” he explained.

Advising the Federal Government on the development of libraries in the country, he

said the association is trying to see how the Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC and Tertiary Education Trust fund, TETfund at the national level can be able to implement the policy of developing libraries through funds because if this is done, “we would have a lot of libraries put in place.”

Speaking further, he said “Librarians want the government to see the relevance of having libraries in schools because it will really develop the intellect of the children.

Delivering a paper on the topic, “Emergence of e-book and changes in librarianship,” the UNILAG librarian, Dr. Olukemi Fadehan said people had come to realise that the e-library and analogue have to complement each other therefore librarians have to improve themselves to meet up with the emergence.

EKSU students hail lifting of ban on unionism ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

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he Students’ Union Government, Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado Ekiti has praised Governor Kayode Fayemi for lifting the ban placed on students’ unionism in the institution.

It also lauded the governor and the institution’s ViceChancellor, Prof. Oladipo Aina for their supports for the newly elected students’ body and their resolve to encourage democracy in the union.

The Students Union President, Mr. Victor Ibitola and Public Relations Officer, Priscilla Afolabi, in a statement in Ado Ekiti, praised the governor and the VC for the development which had erstwhile been proscribed following persistent unrest in the uni-

versity.

The union leaders also praised the governor for donating an ultra-modern medical laboratory to the College of Medicine, saying this will further boost the infrastructural development of the university.

Praising the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta, Mr. Kuku Kingsley, for donating a befitting Students’ centre to the university, they charged other successful alumni to emulate the gesture and have

faith in the institution.

They commended Prof. Aina for the establishment of Centre for Entrepreneurial Development, saying this will enable the students to acquire knowledge and skills in other areas of endeavours.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba, Ondo State, Prof. Rotimi Ajayi cutting the tape to inaugurate a newly procured fire service truck by the university recently. Others watch with keen interest.

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AAU boosts safety precautions on campus HAKEEM GBADAMOSI ONDO

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he Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba, Ondo State has procured a fire fighter truck for the institution to ensure safety of lives and property within the university community.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Rotimi Ajayi, while inaugurating the truck said the idea was borne out of the desire to prevent fire and respond effectively in the event of fire outbreak.

Ajayi said a special training would be organised for the fire vanguards of the university and enjoined the trainees to apply their minds to the training for effective and efficient service delivery.

He promised that the truck would be properly maintained and used only within the university community.

He called on members of the university community to cooperate with the Fire and Safety Unit by observing basic fire and safety tips from time to time.

The DVC said the initiative of having the unit was conceived by the Vice chancellor, Prof. Femi Mimiko.

He said the university had trained some security personnel as fire officers and procured some basic fire equipment for the unit.

Earlier in his address, the institution’s Fire Superintendent, Ibrahim Awodeyi commended the management for its commitment in the provision of basic facilities to the unit and other departments in the university.

Group organises debate on leadership for Osun schools BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO.

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ot less than 5, 000 teachers and students are expected at the grand finale of a debate on the topic: “Leadership and Good Governance organised by Omoluabi Support Group and Oranmiyan Worldwide, two nongovernmental organisations based in Osun state.

The debate which is for secondary school students is part of activities marking 57th birthday of Osun state governor.

According to one of the coordinators of the group, Comrade Dele Ogunsakin, the programme will hold on Tuesday, May 13th 2014 at the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding, Osogbo.

Addressing a press conference on behalf of the organisers of the event in Osogbo recently, Barrister Kayode Tinubu and Comrade Dele Ogunsakin said that whoever emerges champion will spend a day with the governor on the 25th of May as a mark of honour to serve as motivation for the school children.

Tinubu said “all High Schools in the state had began the debate at the local government level and subsequent winners will engage one another in an interesting debate at the senatorial level while the winners in each of senatorial district will also compete to pick the champion.”

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Thursday, May 8, 2014

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FEDPOFFA loses Deputy Rector

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L-R: Member, African Region, World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts(WAGGGS), Miss Edith Chukwu; National Adviser to Nigerian chapter, Mrs. Olayinka Olaniyan; Guest, Chief Opral Benson; Chief Commissioner, Nigerian chapter, Dr. Christie Toby at the opening ceremony of the entrepreneurial leadership workshop in Lagos.

TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

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he school girls and young women in Africa have been urged to develop entrepreneurial spirit that would make them not only self-reliant but also substantial contributors to nation building as they move up in life.

They were given the charge at a leadership training workshop organised by the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), African chapter in Lagos, recently.

The pilot workshop with the theme: “Developing entrepreneurs of leadership throughout Africa” has representatives from 22 English and Francophone African countries in attendance.

The association’s Chief Commissioner, Nigeria chapter, Dr. Christie Toby in her address, told participants that since African women had a remarkable history of strength, hard work, resilience, love and greatness, among other virtues, they could not afford to do otherwise.

Encouraging them to learn entrepreneurial skills that would put them in

Workshop empowers young women with leadership skills leadership positions in their respective carers, she said African women-old and young- should not leave leadership roles including in political and business circles to their male counterparts.

What men can do, she said, women can also do it even better hence women should not relegate themselves to background.

On her part, the guest speaker, Mrs Olusola Oworu told participants that they should prepare to take risk to become successful entrepreneurs.

She said although one’s family background may help a lot, it is not enough consideration to guarantee one’s success in life.

“What is required is that you must dream, set a standard for yourself and try to pursue your goal and make things happen different from others. You should also know that you must do all these in the fear of the Lord,” she said.

Oworu, a Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce and Industries was represented at the forum.

She said young women in Nigeria and elsewhere in Africa must face the reality that there is no paid employment especially from government that can absorb them anywhere and they should therefore go for vocation skills that would help them to become self-reliant.

In the same vein, an entrepreneur, Chief Opral Benson re-emphasised the need for every girl-child to be empowered in all ramifications.

She noted that era where girl-child was relegated to the background by a family or the society has gone.

So, every girl-child and young woman in Africa according to her should develop entrepreneurial spirit to be able to become economically relevance in the society.

Academics charged on entrepreneurial development SAIDAT ALAUSA

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cademics in the country have been charged to be involved in entrepreneurial development in order to be relevant in the economy.

The charge was given by the Head of Department, Entrepreneurship, Joseph Ayo Babalola University, (JABU), Ikeji Arakeji, Osun State, Prof.

Adeduro Adegeye while delivering a lecture at the College of Management Sciences on a topic: “The academic as an entrepreneur: The journey between,” recently.

According to him, universities’ dons, whether in developed or developing countries, should cease to dissipate their knowledge rather they should direct it to practical enterprises for the benefit of mankind.

The Professor of Agricultural Economics urged the lecturers, being at the cutting edge of

research and knowledge generation to make the growth of entrepreneurship paramount in whatever they do.

He commended the university for setting the pace for entrepreneurial education,

saying the National Universities Commission had continued to use it as a yardstick for other universities in the country.

In his speech, the ViceChancellor of the institution,

Prof. Sola Fajana said entrepreneurship was very important for economic development and lecturers as the helm of research should key into it for Nigeria to be relevant among countries of the world.

L-R: L-R: Vice-Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Vincent Tenebe; former ViceChancellor, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Prof. Sidi Osho and the Dean, School of Science and Technology, NOUN ; Prof. Mba Okoronkwo at the inauguration of the NOUN’s demonstration laboratories in Lagos, on Tuesday.

PHOTO: TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

he Deputy Rector (Academics) of the Federal Polytechnic Offa (FEDPOFFA), Kwara State, Alhaji Saliu, is dead. He died last Friday at the age of 62 and has since been buried the same day according to Muslim rites.

Saliu also held the positions of Dean, Directorate of Examinations; Head, Mathematics and Statistics Department as well as Chairman, Staff Cooperative, Thrift and Credit Society.

The death of Saliu, who hailed from Iyamoye in Kogi State, according to the polytechnic’s spokesman, Mr. Wole Alawode in a release, is a big loss not only to his immediate family and the school, but also to the academic environment in the country.

Alawode described him as thoroughbred academician, administrator and counselor par excellence.

Educationist tasks parents on children safety SAIDAT ALAUSA

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he Proprietress, Botsun Private School, Ajegunle, Lagos State Mrs. Iyabo Onibokun has urged parents to be more conscious of their children safety.

She said this during the school’s Parents Teachers Association, PTA, meeting held last week.

According to her, parents need to prevent their children from the scourge of kidnapping that is pervading the country at the moment.

She said parents need not to leave everything to teachers because security should start from homes.

“Parents should be mindful of who their children associate with and also watch what they put in their mouth because there are many products that have expired in the market,” she said.

Onibokun explained that her school would do everything possible to ensure the children are protected while in school.

Advising government to do the needful in rescuing the school girls adopted in Borno State, she urged Nigerians to join hands with the government in fighting terrorism and kidnapping in the country by reporting strange persons or things around them to appropriate authorities.

Onibokun

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Education Today

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Principal tasks Lagos govt on teachers’ recruitment ... as he bows out of service

SAIDAT ALAUSA

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he Principal, King Ado Junior Secondary School, Lagos Island, Mr. Adeniyi Adebola has called on the state government to employ more qualified teachers in order to boost teaching and learning in the state.

He gave the advice during the ceremony to mark his retirement from the Lagos State Teaching Service Commission as well as his 60th birthday last week.

According to him, if the state government can employ additional teachers to make teacher’s students ration one to 25, students will learn fast and perform better in their examinations.

Thanking God for sparing him throughout the service years, he said he was particularly happy that he had produced many students who are today contributing significantly to the nation’s economy.

He advised his junior colleagues who are still in service both at King Ado School and elsewhere to be diligent and committed to work as well as to be courageous to take on challenging tasks.

“There may be challenges here and there but you will have to face it as the grace of God is sufficient for you to overcome,” he

Don warns Nigerians against cyber terrorism

said.

He told them to put extra efforts in discharging their duties so as to prepare their students well for future challenges.

Advising the students, Adeniyi urged them to improve on their reading habit and be more dedicated to their studies as well as desisting from activities that can mar their future.

Well wishers which include family mem-

bers, friends, and colleagues said the celebrant would be missed by all because he is somebody that is dedicated to service and always ready to help.

Adeniyi started his career as a teacher at Shepherdhill High School, Obanikoro in 1981. He rose to become the Principal of Epetedo Junior Secondary School, Lagos Island in 2003 and later the principal of King Ado Junior Secondary School in 2008. He is also a former director in the state’s Ministry of Education.

The celebrant (sitting) with members of All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools at the ceremony.

TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

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senior lecturer at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Dr. Boniface Alese has warned Nigerians of dire consequences of failure by the government and security agencies to be proactive in checkmating what he called growing cyber terrorism in the country.

He gave the warning while delivering the 2013/2014 First Bank Professorial Chair lecture organised by the university.

He said the country would need to give serious attention, in its quest for technological development, to cyber terrorism issues so as to secure citizens and the polity.

He spoke on the topic: “Security issues in Nigeria: Getting ready for the digital challenge.”

Alese, a computer scientist explained that cyber terrorists use cyberspace to effect political change by intimidating a substantial portion of the civilian population through internet.

He said digital solution must be factored in to the ongoing efforts in the country to tackle the security challenges.

The lecturer said the internet had become an invaluable means for terrorists to spread propaganda and recruit agents and therefore would need to be prevented through policy, technical and legal approach as regard as regards the use of cyberspace.

Celebrant (4th left) with teachers from Epetedo Junior Secondary School, Lagos

Presentatiion of gift to the celebrant by the staff of King Ado Junior Secondary School

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Afe Babalola bags Man-of-the-Year Award in Food Security To organise annual agricultural exhibition

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he Founder, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola has been conferred with a Man of the Year Award in Food Security by the Forum for International Green Sustainability (FIGS). His investiture for the award was held last weekend in Ado– Ekiti.

Speaking at the event, Babalola called on all Nigerians irrespective of professions to go into farming to checkmate the hunger, unemployment and insecurity that currently bedevilling the country.

He said they could either go into commercial or subsistence farming.

The educationist and legal icon equally advised the nation’s universities to look in the direction of impacting their respective communities in character and functional education in addition to their excelling in learning and research.

To encourage people to go into farming, Babalola, said as from May 2015, Afe Babalola Foundation (ABF) in conjunction with ABUAD would be organising annual agricultural exhibition where deserving, innovative and successful farmers would go home with N5 million each.

Giving details of the proposed event which he said would start from Ekiti State, Babalola said the Best Farmer at the state level would win N1 million while the Best Farmer at local government level would go home with N250,000 each.

He said part of the criteria was that winners at either level must have at least two hectares of farm land, one for annual crops and the other for permanent crops or in the alternative excels in animal production.

Babalola explained that the country would be able to use this approach to retrace its steps to the pre-oil era when there was abundance of food, gainful employment and less criminal activities in the society.

He said it was disheartening that agriculture had been gradually abandoning in the country.

He noted that it was his strong belief in reformatory education that led to the establishment of ABUAD in 2010 with Agriculture as one of its priority programmes.

Speaking earlier, FIGS’ National Programme Coordinator and Regional Representative of the Organising Committee, Mr. Caleb Osasona, said Babalola was considered worthy of the award because of his great exploits in the realm of food security.

Babalola

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Education Today

Thursday, May 8, 2014

23

Nigerian polytechnics at crossroads!

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he natural history of polytechnics worldwide cannot be separated from the industrial revolution. As the Europeans began their exploratory voyages around the world in search of raw materials, it became obvious that factories would be needed to process the raw materials they were bringing in. These factories would need machines and men to turn these raw materials into finished products. These needs gave birth to the polytechnic education.

In 1705, Christian Joseph Willenberg sought and obtained permission to begin a college of engineering in Prague. This school was formally established in 1717 as the Institute of Engineering Education and later renamed the Prague Polytechnic in 1806. This is probably the first polytechnic in Europe. Other polytechnics sprang up quickly in Germany, France and the rest of Europe in the mid 18th Century and 19th Century including L’Ecole Polytechnique de Paris in 1745, Polytechnic de Paris in 1806 as well as the polytechnic institution at 344 Regent Street in London in 1834.

The focus of the polytechnic is on practical knowhow, thus drawing the lines between the polytechnics and the traditional institutions of higher education-the universities. The emphasis on practical application (hands on approach to learning) made the polytechnic the choice

Education as I see it

DESPITE THE NEAR COLLAPSE OF EVERY SECTOR OF OUR EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENT FROM THE PRIMARY TO THE TERTIARY, ESPECIALLY THE

by Tosanwumi Otokunefor

POLYTECHNIC SYSTEM, OUR LEADERS

info@alphaedufoundation.org 08030904461 (email/SMS only) institution for the training of manpower required to power the industrial revolution. In some cases, the polytechnics started with artisans whom they transformed into technicians useful to the evolving industries. Many of the emerging economies of the world, especially the “Asian Tigers” still adopt these time tested strategies today to rapidly provide the much needed pool of skilled workers for their industries.

The 6-3-3-4 system of education adopted by Nigeria was intended to provide a pool of high school graduates with technical inclination who could be trained to power the industrial revolution in the country. But alas, poor implementation has created a wide chasm between expectations and reality and caused great disenchantment with the polytechnics. Lack of funding, poor management and lack of vision has stunted the development of the polytechnic system in the country leaving them with no infrastructure; no equipment and neither qualified neither trainers nor willing trainees.

The products of the polytech-

ARE PREOCCUPIED WITH POLITICS AND

nics have neither theoretical nor practical knowledge of the fields in which they have specialised and hence of no benefit to the nation’s industries.

No wonder, only 13, 761 of 1,015,504 candidates who wrote the first segment of the 2014 edition of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination selected the polytechnic as first choice institution. The waning popularity of the polytechnic may explain why a past minister of education attempted to convert the nation’s leading polytechnics into universities, according to her, to bring Nigeria in line with practices elsewhere without due consideration for our current level of under-development.

To fill the vacuum left by a non-functional technical education system, the power industry recently opened the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) in an attempt to provide qualified personnel for the emerging power industry.

They have further gone ahead to collaborate with the National Open University of Nigeria to run technical skills acquisition programmes to fill the huge

HAVE NOT PAID MUCH ATTENTION TO THE PROBLEM needs for the non-graduate technical categories of staff in the power sector.

These needs exist in virtually all the ailing industries in Nigeria that are struggling because of the dearth of blue collar workers who form the backbone of every industrial concern.

Not every industry in Nigeria can afford to build a training institute in order to meet her manpower requirements. And even if they can afford to, it would increase the cost of production and reduce the competitiveness of our industries. The best practices still remain for the nation to provide the enabling environment to restart our march towards industrialisation, including a pool of competent labour force. Otherwise, we would for a long time remain a provider of raw materials for the industrialised economies of the world and, willingly or unwillingly continue to import finished, value added products at very ex-

L-R: Tutor General/Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Education District V1, Mrs. Iyabo Osifeso; retiree and immediate past Principal, Oke Afa Junior College, Isholo, Lagos, Mrs. Christiana Agbedejobi and her husband, Mr. Paul Agbedejobi with a guest at the retirement ceremony for Mrs. Agbedejobi in Lagos, recently.

SSUCOEN strike: Sultan, CAN President urged to intervene DANJUMA WILLIAMS GOMBE

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he Gombe State chapter of the Senior Staff Union in Colleges of Education, Nigeria

(SSUCOEN) has called on the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Sa’ad and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor to wade into the linger-

ing crises between it and the Federal Government in the interest of the future of Nigerian youths.

Addressing a press conference it called after a special congress it held over

the matter, Chairman of the union at the Federal College of Education (FCE T) Gombe, Mr. Danladi Ali Msheliza said following the failure of the Federal Government to fulfil

orbitant costs.

But unfortunately, despite the near collapse of every sector of our educational establishment from the primary to the tertiary, especially the polytechnic system, our leaders are preoccupied with politics and have not paid much attention to the problem.

Our polytechnics are virtually bare to the bone in terms of training equipment and qualified instructors but the government does not appear bothered. The vocational component of the 6-3-3-4 system of the senior secondary school system has been moribund since inception and no government has taken action to remedy the situation.

If we hope to arrive at the Promised Land in our journey towards industrialisation, we must equip the vocational schools and the polytechnics to provide the right caliber of manpower required for their operation. The government should become more proactive and begin to provide solutions to prevent a total collapse of the system.

many agreements entered into with the union and the bleak future which the strike portends for the children from poor homes, the intervention of the spiritual leaders may bring an end to the prolonged strike action.

The union, which equally condemned the action of the Nigerian Police Force in dispersing the peaceful protest of their colleagues in Abuja said, “We equally condemn the brutal, barbaric and uncivilised manner in which the Nigerian Police dispersed our colleagues in the struggle (COEASU and ASUP) with tear gas and water cannon during a peaceful and legitimate protest last week in Abuja.”

Msheliza noted that there was a systematic effort to frustrate the children of the masses due to the imminent collapse of the teachers’ education as a result of insensitivity of the Federal Government.

Philanthropist boosts EKSU on e-learning

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he newly established Theatre and Media Arts Department of Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti has received a boost following a donation of three computer laptops to the department.

The donor, Mr. Tope Agbeyo who is the Chief Executive Officer of Botosoft Technology and an indigene of Usi- Ekiti said the gesture was to show support for the university and especially to the growth of the new department.

Expressing appreciation, the head of department, Dr. Kola Oyewo assured the donor that the device would be put to appropriate use.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oladipo Aina thanked the donor and called on other well meaning Ekiti indigenes to support the stateowned institution.

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Thursday, May 8, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Edited by: Saidat Alausa shinyan20022002@yahoo.com, 08027633686

LASU Governing Council lists priorities for students TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

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he Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, Mr. Olabode Agusto has identified the operation of stable academic calendar, provision of conducive environment, full accreditation of all courses and adequate infrastructural facilities as major priorities of the council for the institution .

He also said the council would ensure it continues to lobby the state government to support the university with substantial funds..

Agusto stated this recently while holding a meeting with the students and management staff of the institution for the purpose of taking the university to the next level.

He however, appealed to the students to always dialogue with appropriate authorities to resolves issues considered to be unfavourable to them.

He said it was only in the atmosphere of peace they could achieve their goals as students.

Also speaking, the institution’s Vice- Chancellor, Prof. John Obafunwa used the platform to appeal to the academic staff union of the institution not to go on strike as they are being threatened.

He explained that strike would not do the students as well as the institution any good.

Polytechnics Medical Directors elect officers A ZA MSUE KADUNA

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he resuscitated Association of Medical Directors of Federal Polytechnics of Nigeria (AMDFPON) has, during its meeting in Kaduna Polytechnic elected temporary officers.

In a statement signed by the Kaduna Polytechnic Information and Protocol officer, Godwin Ayegba said Kaduna Polytechnic Medical Director, Dr. Ibrahim Audu, was unanimously elected as Chairman while Dr. Makinde of Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti emerged as the Secretary.

According to the statement, others were Dr. Mustafa of Federal Polytechnic Bida as Treasurer and Dr. Dauda Ahmed of Federal Polytechnic Auchi emerged the Public Relations Officer.

Student entrepreneur laments lack of electricity, bank loan facility

Oluwatunmise Oluwaniyi is a final year student of the Department of English, Ekiti State University, AdoEkiti (EKSU).She is also into designing of fashion accessories. In this interview with SIKIRU AKINOLA (400 level, Pol. Sc., Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife), she speaks about her motivation and challenges. Excerpts: How did you come about the designing of fashion accessories?

Well, I am someone that loves fashion, everybody likes looking good, but I like being unique in everything I do.

Last year, I needed to engage my hands on something; I want to be an employer of labour. A friend of mine by name Mandy John was the person who introduced me into the business. She said I could also be designing bags, shoes, belts and purse with Ankara fabric.

I then went for training to acquire the needed skills for the business.

How then do you combine studies with business?

This is not easy. I always wake up very early to do some works and sleep late because I must read before retiring to bed. It has being stressful.

And in order not to affect my studies negatively, I have reduced my outings and social functions because education is very important. I have tried balancing both with wisdom and God. How lucrative is the business?

I thank God for the business. I have been living fine with it. The proceeds from the effort have been helping me to get some of my needs. Some of my bags are sold between N4, 000 and N12, 000 depending on the design and material used.

So, it’s been very rewarding and profitable.

ELECTRICITY HAS BEEN A MAJOR PROBLEM IN THIS BUSINESS AS IT IS UNSTABLE large quantities. Banks are not really helping; the conditions for obtaining loan are not easy.

What motivates you?

A lot of things motivate me.

They include the environment, my parents, friends, our dear country and I don’t want to wait for government jobs. I love being independent. Another source of motivation is my experience with foreign products.

So, I believe in made in Nigeria products.

Oluwaniyi

derstand. Even they helped me financially at the beginning and connect me with many customers.

What are the challenges you face in the business?

Life itself is a challenge, but I do not let anything stop me from

Group educates students on HIV/AIDS AFEEZ ADEYEMO

ND II MASS COMM., FEDPOFFA

Are your parents in support?

Wow! They have been so supportive and encouraging.

My first bag caught the attention of my mum. She was surprised that I could make something like that. And they are happy it keeps me busy.

You know how fathers act; he thought I would be distracted and wouldn’t want that. But they are the best parents I ever know because they really un-

moving. But electricity has been a major problem in this business as it is unstable. And I really need my machine to work always and sometimes I need electricity to work at night. Finance is also another problem. I can’t limit my production if I want to be successful. So, I need to spend a lot and produce in

Do you have any advice for youths?

My advice to the youth is that they should discover themselves. Everybody has gift and our hands are unique. It’s better to be your own boss than to be searching for job. Let’s shun violence, prostitution and unprofitable parties and try to make use of our little time for something good. We can always start small and let passion drives us to success and greatness.

A

non-governmental organisation runs by students of the Federal Polytechnic Offa (FEDPOFFA), Kwara State - Prevent Aids Society- has recently organised a programme for graduating students who are members of the group.

The event, which was held at Hengee Resort Hotel in Offa, was tagged: “Finalist night.”

The President of the group, Issa Faruk in his

speech, said the sole interest of the group borders on general health issues pertaining to members and the public.

The guest lecturer, Mr. Ismail Abdulraheem spoke on “causes, prevention and control of HIV/AIDS, saying the disease is infectious but preventable.

He cautioned the students not to engage in practices such as multiple sexual partners and unprotected sexual intercourse, the use of HIV contaminated sharp objects, among others, saying the

disease remains untreatable.

“That is why I am imploring you again to avoid anything that can make you to contract the disease,” he re-emphasised.

While asking those who were yet to know their HIV/ AIDS status to go for screening, he equally said he was totally against people discriminating against persons living with the disease.

He said everybody irrespective of health condition deserves to be loved and cared for so as to live normal life.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Inside FCT

Friday, May 9, 2014

25

Chronicling bomb explosions in Abuja Sarah Negedu

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buja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital City has witnessed five targeted bombings in the spate of four years with no fewer than 250 people dead from conservative estimates as security agencies and emergencies seem to disagree on the actual number of casualties since the first bomb went off on October 1, 2010 at the Eagle Square.

However, since the October 1, 2010 blast which claimed 12 lives, and the Nyanya bus stop bombing which has the highest figure of over 80 deaths, series of bomb blast in between the two bombings had claimed scores of people in Abuja since then.

Several attempts have been made by the Nigerian government to redeem its image before global observers who view it as terrorist nation, but the recent Nyanya bus stop bombings is one action that would further frustrate governments’ efforts at tackling the rise of insurgency.

The blast which occurred at about 6:45 am in Nyanya, a suburb in Abuja has again received global condemnation from the US, UN, among other bodies. Though the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, gave the death toll of the blast at the ever busy El-Rufai bus stop as 75, eyewitnesses say it was much more than that.

In a related development, residents of Karu, Nyanya, Jikwoyi, Mararaba, Karshi and the several suburbs that dot the FCT and Nasarawa state that ply the KaruNyanya-Keffi Highway have asked the military to dismantle the hurriedly erected checkpoint by Kugbo mechanic village.

Most residents described the checkpoint as “medicine after death,” lamenting that the military action has added to commuters woes as it now takes over 3hours to get to the city center where most of them work and have their businesses.

“Tell me what is the essence of this roadblock? This is no checkpoint but sheer backward strategy. Give them two weeks now they would remove it. Besides, what are they doing taking over a large part of the road that is already congested on normal days? We appeal to them (military) to please remove this contraption. What they need is intelligence not roadblock,” Mr. Emeka Madu, a shop owner at Garki Market lamented.

Another resident of Karu, Madam Precious Ade questioned the rationale of the checkpoint when it was obvious the terrorist would look for other soft target. She said: “I am not a military or intelligence person but common sense should tell you that those that struck this way would concentrate elsewhere to spread panic. This roadblock is hell. The government should please dismantle it. What we need is more prayers because except God watches the city, these soldiers are watching in vain.”

October Bombing

The October 2010 bombing near the Eagle Square seemed to have heralded series of bomb blast in Abuja.

The blast, which was allegedly carried out by members of the militia group, Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, was said to have left at least 12 people dead, and 36 others injured.

MEND had in an email allegedly sent by its spokesman, Jomo Gbomo, to some Nigerians threatened to attack the 50th anniversary festivities and warned people to evacuate the area.

The mail read; “Several explosive de-

Catholic church bombed in Madalla,

However, since the October 1, 2010 blast which claimed 12 lives, and the Nyanya bus stop bombing which has the highest figure of over 80 deaths, series of bomb blast in between the two bombings had claimed scores of people in Abuja since then vices have been successfully planted in and around the venue by our operatives working inside the government security services. In evacuating the area, keep a safe distance from vehicles and trash bins.”

Three bombs had detonated around the Eagle Square, venue of the anniversary celebrations, where two car bombs exploded outside the Ministry of Justice, while a third explosion was heard very close to the venue proper.

After series of hearings, adjournments and with ample evidence, a South Africa court on January 21, 2013 sentenced the MEND leader, Mr. Henry Okah, to 24 years in prison. The court found Okah guilty on 13 counts of terrorism, including engaging in terrorist activities, conspiracy to engage in terrorist activities, and delivering, placing, and detonating an explosive device.

An Abuja High Court would later sentence Mr. Edmund Ebiware, one of the four accomplices of the Independence Day bombing to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of having prior knowledge of the bomb blast.

Ebiwarewas alongside Charles Okah, the younger brother of the former MEND leader, Obi Nwabueze and Tiemkemfa Osuvwo, who died in prison custody in the course of

Eagle Sqaure...scene of the first bomb explosion

the trial, were found guilty of the crime.

Loius Edet House attack

The Louis Edet House, headquarters of the Nigerian Police Force was to suffer the next bomb attack in the FCT. The attack which many say revealed the daring attitude of the insurgents was also described as an embarrassment to the nation’s security outfit.

Two people, including a suicide bomber, were reportedly killed in the June 16, 2011 Louis Edet House bombing, where a suicide bomber successfully beat heavy security at the gate to wreck-havoc at the force’s car park burning 73 cars in the process.

The Louis Edet house attack is believed to be the first suicide bombing in Nigeria’s history when a suicide bomber drove a car bomb onto the premises of the Force headquarters, having joined the then Inspector General Hafiz Ringim’s convoy into the compound.

UN/Mogadishu blast

The next attack which would not only shake the foundation of the nation’s capital, but also attract global attention, was the August 26, 2011 UN building attack where 21 people were reported killed and 60 others injured.

A bomb laden vehicle was said to have broken through two security barriers and then crashed into the UN reception area before being detonated, causing much damage to the building.

The Islamist group, Boko Haram, had claim responsibility for the attack de-

Nyanya end of FCT

scribed by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, as an attack on the global community.

The Directorate of State Security Service, DSS, had in September that same year, named Mamman Nur as the mastermind behind the attack with a N26 million (US$160,000) bounty on the suspect.

Another bomb again went off on December 31, 2011 at the mammy market in Mogadishu Barracks where 11 people were again killed. The Presidency again blamed Boko Haram for the explosion which went off barely a week after the Christmas Day attack, describing the act as “evil” and “wicked.”

Madalla Christmas mayhem

The 2011 Christmas Day bombing would remain in the hearts of residents as 26 people were reportedly killed in a bomb explosion at the St Theresa’s Catholic Church Madalla where one of the multiple bomb explosions went off in 4 states of the federation.

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Mirror Mongers

Friday, May 9, 2014

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O’khaz

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Klint Da Drunk and scammers

Klint

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omedian Klint Da Drunk has disowned a fake Twitter account some impostors are using to deceive and defraud his fans and friends with. In an urgent message the Anambra State-born humour merchant said: “My attention has been drawn to a Twitter handle ( @ klintThe drunk) which makes fans assume that Klint da drunk is now running an advertising agency on his Twitter handle. This assumption is not true as the Twitter handle is a parody account (@ klintThedrunk) owned by an impersonator with the name Comedian Klint. The Twitter handle has 279307 followers and just 1 following; this account is not the real twitter account of klint da drunk.

Anyone following this account should please unfollow.”

The impersonator has used the comedian’s name to defraud fans by asking them to buy products from him, like phones, car parts and other goods he might have put up for advert on the page.”

But this also opens a new issue concerning how IT-savvy some celebrities are? So how come Klint did not know all the while the scammer was being followed by more than two hundred thousand of his hard-earned fans?

National Mirror

Acidic comments from entertainment scene

Thelma O’hkaz…. in the name of Nollywood…

t is easy to cling unto the name Nollywood when one wants to get attention.

Since Nollywood became a promising brand which has been attracting attention to Nigeria, everyone who knows how the tag can open doors has never ceased to apply it. Something like that came to the fore last weekend at the Niteshift Coliseum in Opebi, Lagos during the presentation of a magazine, Drumbeat. Actress Thelma O’khaz (if you know her movies tell someone) rose in the frenzy of the moment to announce her intention to launch the magazine on behalf of Nollywood. People who gathered willing to listen to what this actress was going to announce on behalf of Nollywood were shocked to hear her announce a donation of N1,000.00. Of course, the host, Gordons aware of what Nollywood was worth voiced against it.

www.

Savage

f it was when Fela Anikulapo Kuti was alive, only God knows how he would have handled this. At his shrine during his performances then, he called it ‘yabbis time’. But this seems what some artistes are doing at the moment. Ever since Etcetera got the media buzz for calling on some of his colleagues to stop praise-singing politicians who are not doing well shortly after the first Nyanya bomb blast, he has turned to an emergency apostle of some sort.

But now he is touching some wrong nerves, when his acidic article about celebrity women and their love for second hand husbands got published last week. According to Etcetera, “But what struck me as odd was when one of them asked me “is she getting married to a brand new husband or a

second hand husband”? I stared at her in shock and confusion because up until that moment, I had never heard of a phrase as “brand new or second hand husband.

It became a heated debate amongst people in the house that day. ‘wow’, I never thought a phrase like second hand can be attributed to a human being.

I know it is only applicable to objects.”

Etcetera

Alagbole-Ogun: Bad road and robbery cases

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esidents of Alagbole a border town between Lagos State and Ogun State where the road construction is going on have been weeping over the strenuous journeys they do to get to their places of work every day, so much that their tears are beginning to dry from what they feel is negligence. With the rainy season gradually setting in, the residents seem to be praying that the sun continues unabatedly.

But while they are grappling with this misfortune, another evil has completely enveloped them and that is incessant robbery attacks at the spot where the road construction is going on at Odo, near Alagbole.

MM gathered that since the road was blocked for motorists, those who dare to return home through that spot from 9.30 pm risk being attacked by robbers who usually lurk around at the dark construction site in spite of the exigencies of such conveniences.

For starters, bulk of the victims of the attacks is usually females who are dispossessed of their smart phones and purses while the robbers run into the nearby bush.

One would be asking what the Police (Ajuwon Police Station is actually the clos-

Alagbole road construction site

est) have been doing? Well, the answer is simple, police patrol vans no longer find the route ‘profitable’ because there are no motorists to ‘extort’, so patrol vehicles feel the route is non- existent for now. Of course, the residents are still calling on the Governor, Ibikunle Amosun to do something about this, while considering fixing the only alternative route: Isasi-Denro route.

ONE-SECOND Q & A

Amosun

PASTOR AYO ORITSEJAFOR

As activities at the National Conference continue, Nigerians have been voicing their expectations from the deliberations. President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, added his voice to the debate: What’s your agenda for the delegates at the National Conference?

Pastor Oritsejafor

Go there and speak the truth, speak the minds of the people you are representing, that should be the priority. One of the things that have brought Nigeria to her knees is that we lie to ourselves. We know the truth, but we deceive ourselves. We are hypocrites. We try to convince ourselves that everything is good. If you say there are differences, then you are a bad person, but if you want to be celebrated in Nigeria, just come out and say “One Nigeria”.

The moment you try to tell the truth, you are a bad person. I think all delegates should go there with the fear of God to tell the truth as it concerns those who sent them there. Let them table truth on the table, and, from there, Nigeria will be able to move forward. They may not agree on everything, but the truth should be told.

At the end of the day, I believe that it can never be a waste of time.

People are always talking. They are just formalising the talking. I pray that whatever decisions are taken should be implemented. You will be shocked with the understanding that it will yield. It is never a waste of time. These same people say National Conference is a waste of time but dialoguing with Boko Haram is not a waste of time. Let truth meet truth on the table, I believe it will yield good fruits.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Friday, May 9, 2014 Rajab 10 1435 A.H.

27

Call to Worship On the authority of Anas bin Malik, the servant of the Messenger of All, the prophet said: “None of you [truly] believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.”

RELATED BY BUKHARI AND MUSLIM

Pre-Ramadan Nigeria:

USTAZ A. ZAFARAN

I

t will soon be time to live in a fresh Ramadan. It will be time to enjoy the quintessence of Ramadan. It will soon be a year when we parted with Ramadan.

But in which state do we want Ramadan to meet us? Or in what state did Ramadan leave us last year? If our present situation is anything to go by, we really need the Ramadan antidote to cure ourselves of all spiritual, moral and other ailments.

The setting in Nigeria today is that of all in one and or one in all. One evil leads to the other. Many terrible things are happening at the same time and yet we have leaders who rule over us. The augury situation has given birth to paradox as the baby, irony as the mother and metaphor as the father. It is a comedy of tragedy. Questions are asked while answers are offered for something else. What is most constant is politicking in action. It has permeated the heart of religion, governance and lives.

Most people are yet to see or know what the problem is because they are not seers.

The Boko Haram has become an enigma. It all began like a growing newly born baby. It has now become a phenomenon. It has been successfully grafted on Islam and thus, it is not uncommon to hear people jokingly or seriously calling Muslims Boko Haram!

It is unfortunate and the one who calls a true Muslim such is a child of ignorance and confusion. Judging by the trends today, a wise Nigerian should see beyond just tagging a Muslim a Boko Haram.

Innocent girls were abducted and the

Time to remember judgement day government is not ashamed in his failure to apprehend or bring culprits to book. A historical Nigerian will not be surprised if nothing happens at the end of the day.

Armed robbers are still menacing innocent individuals in their houses while some even pay with their blood. The kidnappers continue their dirty deals unabated. Corruptions at the corridors of power continue with impunity.

Not only is the earth no more secured but the heart of men too. By the time a man cannot trust the next man to him; by the time parents are afraid that their children may be abducted in schools; by the time somebody is afraid to travel to Abuja or some part thereof because there could be bomb blast…then one wonders where lies the peace of mind!

Why all these unfortunate situations?

It is because man has abandoned the path of his Lord. He has failed to live as a true viceroy of God on earth. He has forgotten the essence of being mortal and its link with fellow feeling. He has allowed the privileged few to use him as toys. Our existence today as Nigerians, as Muslims and Christians, as Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba has come a long way to bind our existence. The canny design by a few people, imaginary or real, to disrupt it or wind up religious sentiments will do no one any good. Lessons abound from countries around the world. War will not just come in a day, incidents will metamorphose into it. As

Qur’an “….Worship none but Allah and be dutiful and treat with kindness your parents and kindred, and orphans and those in need; speak fair to the people; be steadfast in prayer; and give Zakat ...”

[Al-Baqarah 2:83]

it is a reality, nobody can predict its end. The strongest in weapon may not necessarily be the vanquished. Our leaders at all levels are insincere; they are selfish and are ready to sacrifice lives of innocent ones to keep alive.

Now is the time for our leaders to have a rethink and remember the jugdement Day. Now is the time for our leaders to prove their mettle of mercy for the ruled and transparency in all projects. Now is the time for them to repent from the ugly looting of our treasury. Now is the time for us all as fathers and mothers, as husbands and wives, as leaders and followers, as

teachers and students, as employers and employees to believe in the unity of GOD, to be truthful in words and deeds and uphold the banner of unity on righteousness.

I know God is waiting and watching. He will one day answer our prayers. He will and if we are equally God-fearing, give us leaders who will show mercy on us. We just need to act as His true servants.

Hence, we should start to live by the spirit of Ramadan before its arrival. It teaches compassion and fellow feeling.

It connects us with Allah rather that ephemeral things of this world.

Some of the Umrah pilgrims, Mr. Ismail Gbadamosi and Muhsin Momoh of The Bells Secondary School, Ota, Ogun State and others at the Quran Manufacturing Company in Medina.

Some students of the Bells Secondary School, Ota-Ogun State, Crescent School, Al-Hikmat School, Pecas and Edidot Schools, Lagos at the Makkah Amusement Park.

Rajab and its importance

Hijab: Groups demand reinstatement of sacked nurses

‘Nigerians must begin to query their leaders’

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28

Call to Worship

Rajab 10 1435 A.H. Friday, May 9, 2014

Muhammad and the first revelation

W

hen the Prophet (SAW) was over thirty years of age, love of God and love of His worship began to possess him more and more. Revolting against the mischiefs, misdeeds and the many vices of the people of Mecca, he chose a spot two or three mile away for his meditations.

This was on top of a hill, a sort of cave shaped out of stone. His wife Khadijah

AL-FATIH-ULQUAREEB

MESSAGE with

SHEIKH

ADANGBA

e-mail: ustazadangbe@yahoo.com

“... You may marry two, three or four wives but not more; but if you fear that you cannot deal justly and equitable with them all, you shall marry only one...” (Q4 v 3).

W

hen every man has taken one wife, what is to be done with the women who cannot find husbands? Are they to be left loose with their charms to destruct and outrage the happiness of settled home? Surplus women have always been a menace to societies. What to do with them was a problem which Islam faced in the 6th century and solved it. The world today faces that problem. The only alternative to limited polygamy is prostitution which prevails widely in all western and civilised countries today. Where the law recognizes it, it condones it.

Islam strongly condemns adultery and seriously frowns at prostitution.

Islam does not enjoin polygamy but only sanctions and limits it. A Muslim is not less religious if he chooses to be contented with only one wife, even if he can afford to marry two, three or four and can deal equitably with them.

Islam condemns Hypocrisy: Imagine many of those who swear to only keep one wife at the same time keep one or two other women outside. Apart from being hypocritical this practice is unfair to the other women outside for they do not possess the rights a wife would have. They are therefore treated as inferior “wives”. If you know that you cannot be satisfied with

(RA) would prepare food enough for several days, and with this he would repair to the cave Hira. In the cave he would worship God day and night.

When he was forty years of age, he saw a vision. It was in this very cave. He saw someone commanding him to recite. The Prophet (SAW) said in reply he did not know what or how to recite. The figure insisted and at last made the Prophet

Polygamy: The good, the bad, the ugly (2) one wife, then take two and give both of them equal right and status. Islam recognizes the weakness of man and the nature of human beings and permits limited polygamy as a medicine for the disease of the society. Islam does not enjoin polygamy nor does it give an open license for it. The interest of women has been given utmost consideration in the sanction for limited polygamy.

Is polygamy mandatory?

Marriage in Islam is a civil contract, which is not valid unless both contracting parties consent to it. Thus no wife can be forced or “given” to a husband who is already married. It is thus a free choice of both parties. As to the first wife: She may be barren or ill and see in polygamy as a better solution than divorce.

She may divorce her husband if he marries a second wife, provided that the marriage contrast gives her the right of unilateral divorce.

She can go to court and ask for a divorce if there is evidence of maltreatment or injustice inflicted upon her. “If you fear that you will not be able to deal justly with the orphans. Marry women of your choice, two, three or four but if you fear that you will not be able to deal (with them), them, (marry) only one...” (Q4:3).

Arising from the foregoing are the following facts.

That polygamy is neither mandatory, not encouraged but merely permitted.

That the permission to practise polygamy is not associated with mere satisfaction of passion. It is rather associated with compassion towards widows

and orphans, a matter that is conformed by the atmosphere in which the verse was revealed.

How many of the polygamist married for this reason. That dealing justly with one’s wives is an obligation. This applies to housing, food, clothing, kind treatment etc... For which the husband is fully responsible.

If is not sure of being able to deal justly with them the Qur’an says; “then (marry) only one” (Q4:3). This verse, when combined with another verse in the same chapter shows some discouragement of such plural marriages.

The other verse mainly states: you are never able to be fair and just as between women even if it is your ardent desire....” (Q4:129).

The requirement of justice rules out the fantasy that man can “own as many as he pleases”. It also rules out the concept of secondary wife”, for all wives have exactly the same status and are entitled to identical rights and claims over their husband. It also implies, according to the Islamic Law, that should the husband fail to produce enough support for any of his wives, she can go to the court and ask for a divorce.

It is evident that the nature of women is physiologically and psychologically different from that of men.

Psychologically speaking the woman is monogamous by her nature.

Furthermore, in all cultures, new and old, the headship of the family is normally men. One can imagine what would happen if the family had two or more heads. Furthermore, if the woman is married to more than one husband which would be the father of her children?

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Every Friday with

Khalifatul

Ahmadiyya (SAW) recite the following verses: Recite thou in the name of thy Lord Who created, created man from a clot of blood. Recite! And thy Lord is the Most Beneficent, Who taught man by the pen, taught man what he knew not (96:2-6).

These verses, the first ever revealed to the Prophet (SAW), became part of the Qur’an as did other verses which were revealed later. They have tremendous meaning. They command the Prophet (SAW) to stand up and be ready to proclaim the name of the One God, the One Creator— of the Prophet (SAW) and of all others—Who has made man and sowed the seed of His own love and that of fellowmen in his nature.

The Prophet (SAW) was commanded to proclaim the Message of this God, and was promised help and protection by Him in the proclamation of this Message. The verses foretold a time when the world would be taught all manner of knowledge through the instrumentality of the pen, and would be taught things never heard

before. The verses constitute an epitome of the Qur’an.

Whatever the Prophet (SAW) was to be taught in later revelations is contained in embryo in these verses. The foundation was laid in them of a great and heretofore unknown advance in the spiritual progress of man. The revelation of these verses constitutes a great occasion in the life of the Prophet (SAW). When the Prophet (SAW) received this revelation, he was full of fear of the responsibility which God had decided to place on his shoulders. Any other person in his place would have been filled with pride—he would have felt that he had become great. The Prophet (SAW) was different. He could achieve great things but could take no pride in his achievement.

After this great experience he reached home greatly agitated, his face drawn. On Khadijah’s (RA) enquiry, he narrated the whole experience to her and summed up his fears, saying, “Weak man that I am, how can I carry the responsibility which God proposes to put on my shoulders.”

Rajab and its importance

R

ajab is one of the four months declared sacred by the Almighty Allah in the Glorious Qur’an. Rajab is the seventh month in the Islamic lunar calendar.

It is also a prelude to the month of Ramadan, because Ramadan follows it after the intervening month of Sha’ban.

In fact, Rajab marks the beginning of the spiritual season of every believer ending with the end of the fasting month of Ramadan with the Eidl-Fitr.

These three months (Rajab, Sha’ban and Ramadan) are unmatched in their importance.

Fasting is one of the most recommended acts during this spiritual season and it becomes obligatory; save few exceptions during the month of Ramadan.

Fasting is highly recommended during the month of Rajab because untold bounties in terms of reward await anyone who observes at least one day fasting during the month.

A hadith says: Whosoever fasts a day in Rajab, the fire of hell will be away from him a distance of one year’s journey, and who-

soever fasts three days in Rajab, will be entitled for Paradise.

The Holy Prophet Mohammed (SAW) says: “Rajab is a great month of Almighty Allah (SWT), unmatched by any other month in the respect and significance; war with the infidels during this month is prohibited; Verily, Rajab is Allah’s month, Sha’ban my month and Ramadan the month of my Ummah.

Whosoever fasts a day in the month of Rajab will be granted the great reward of Ridwan (an angel in heaven); the wrath of Allah Almighty shall be distanced and a door of the Hell shall be closed.”

Furthermore, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) says that if a person was to fast one day in this month for the belief and hope of reward from Almighty Allah, then he would have earned the pleasure

of Almighty Allah and the fast of that one day would put out the anger of Allah WHO would cause the doors of the hell fire to be closed for him. If the entire land were to be filled with gold and that gold was to be spent in the way of Allah, then even this act would not add up to the bounties of fasting just one day.

Meanwhile, this is not a single thing in the world that would perfect that person’s reward except for good as long as he was sincere to Allah in his fasting and deeds.

I pray to Allah during this blessed month that we are able to supplicate to Him and that our supplications are accepted. May Allah give us all the strength and will-power to fast this month as a prelude to the month of Sha’ban culminating with the Blessed month of Ramadan - the month of peace.

Sheikh Abdul Ganiyy Umar Arikunkewu is the Founder/National Chief Missioner of Jubulatu Rohfatu Llahi Islamic Society of Nigeria (JUBFAT)

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Call to Worship

Friday, May 9, 2014 Rajab 10 1435 A.H.

29

Hijab: Groups demand reinstatement of sacked nurses SEKINAH L AWAL

A

group of Muslim Association in Nigeria has condemned the unjust sack of three nurses by the management of National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi and the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH for using shoulder length hijab, describing the development as invitation to anarchy.

...Say FG must call Igbobi, LUTH to order The groups also demanded immediate reinstatement of the sacked nurses, calling on the government at all levels to allow the dictates of the constitution to prevail regarding the right to the use of hijab by Muslim women and girls in public places.

They also said that the continued discrimination against women who

choose to put on hijab would lead to serious crisis in the southwest states if not urgently addressed by government.

The groups which consist of Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria, IMAN; the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria FOMWAN; Muslim Public Affairs Centre, MPAC; Movement for Islamic

Culture and Awareness (MICA) and Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), said the three nurses were sacked by the management of the hospitals because some individuals in the hospitals are not happy with their shoulder length hijabs.

Briefing journalists in Lagos, the Chairman of IMAN, Dr Ganiyu Olabinjo, said the group would

L-R: Director, Muslims Rights Concern, MURIC, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, President, Islamic Medical Practitioners Association of Nigeria, IMAN, Dr. Sola Labinjo and former National President, Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations of Nigeria, FOMWAN, Alhaja Khairat Sodique at a media briefing to protest the sack of nurses at Igbobi Orthopedic Hospital for using shoulder-length Hijab approved by Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria in Lagos recently.

SEKINAH L AWAL

A

call has gone to Nigerian elite to make use of the Freedom of Information Act and begin to query their leaders as they are described as too complacent.

Giving the advice recently while delivering his lecture on; “Good Governance: A Collective Responsibility”, was the

no longer condone injustice constantly melted on those who use hijab despite the fact that the constitution allows its usage.

He also alleged that despite the fact that the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria prescribed either Nurse Cap or a shoulder-length Hijab for nurses as mode of dressing, one of the sacked nurses was harassed by the hospital security personnel and detained for several hours for using shoulder length hijab to work.

He said: “Lawal Fasilat Olayinka, Sekinat Sanusi of orthopaedic hospital, Igbobi and Sekinat Folake Abdul Fatai have incurred the wrath of these individuals for daring to exercise their right under the constitution of Nigeria like any other citizen”.

On his part, the Director, MURIC, Prof. Ishaq Akintola said the continued infringement on the right of Muslim women could fuel crisis in the country if those in authority remain silent over it, adding that even in the United States of America

and UK, Muslim women wear hijab in public places.

“How can we build a united and prosperous nation if we accept to live in the mucky water of religious intolerance? We have been discriminated against especially in the southwest states while we are exercising our rights as guaranteed in the constitution. We want the nurses reinstated, we want our girls to be allowed to wear hijab in schools, we want Muslim professionals to be allowed to use hijab freely as guaranteed in the constitution. We don’t want harassment of Muslim women at the Nigerian immigration service again,” he said.

On her part, former National President of FOMWAN, Alhaja Khairat Sodique, said it is unfortunate that the Nigerian society has further given room for hatred and injustice despite the insecurity challenges plaguing the nation. She wondered why emphasis is placed on the dressing of Muslim women rather than their intellectual capability.

‘Nigerians must begin to query their leaders’ DG, NIMASA, Dr. Shamsideen Ade Dosunmu at the monthly Joint Usrah of The Companion, association of Muslim men in business and professions, in Lagos recently.

According to him, Nigerians, most especially the elite, should be asking questions from those in position of authority. “Every time we read and hear

about huge budgets for various things with nothing to show for it. There must be strong political participation among the elite.”

He said that when decent people shy away from politics, we will continue to get bad policies and bad leadership.

“As elites we have been too distant from core politics and if we want the best

for our nation, decent elite must be part of it. We must be asking question and putting people at the helms of affairs on their toes.”

Dr. Dosunmu also urged Nigerians to utilise their votes very well noting that if politicians know that the electorates will use their voting power wisely, they will also sit up.

He called on Nigerian

L-R: National Legal Adviser, APC, Dr. Muiz Banire; Amir of The Companion, Lagos District, Alhaji Wale Sonaike, Guest Lecturer, Dr. Ade Dosunmu, Naibul-Amir, Alhaji Nojeemdeen Jimoh; Alhaji AbdulMojeed Adedeji and Dawah Officer, Alhaji Naheem Junaid-Eko at the monthly joint Usrah of The Companion.

elite to be conscious of their many roles which are very important in nation building. These include agenda setting, monitoring and feedback which must be taken seriously to guarantee good governance.

“In case of imposition, we must be free to exercise our right freely by moving so that the political parties can stop imposition.”

Also speaking, National Legal Adviser, APC, Dr. Muiz Banire and Amir of The Companion, Lagos District, Alhaji Wale Sonaike both agreed that only the best brains are good for positions of authority. “We must subject all aspirants to primaries and let the best emerge irrespective of faith or religion.”

Following the inability of the Federal Government to find solutions to the insecurity situation in the country, President Jonathan and his team have been asked to resign. Alhaji Sonaike said

if over 200 students can be kidnapped from a state that is under state of emergency and with the amount of money purportedly spent on CCTV Cameras in Abuja, such bombings are taking place without any clue, it only shows sign of unseriousness. “In any sane country, the president and those at the helms of affairs would have resigned.”

Also speaking, the President, University of Lagos Muslim Alumni, UMA, Alhaji Lere Alimi condemned the situation of things and called on Nigerians to keep up their prayers in order for peace to reign in the country.

As the 2015 general elections approaches, Dr. Ade Dosunmu urged the electorates to be vigilant in deciding who runs their affairs and not allow to be used to destabilize the system. He also enjoined conscious elite to join politics in order to have good governance.

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Call to Worship

Rajab 10 1435 A.H. Friday, May 9, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Jumuiyat Dairatul turbans four As part of the activities marking the 5th year anniversary of Jumuiyat Dairatul Irishad Islamic Organisation, the group held her Maolud Nabiyy, turbaning/award presentation and also used the occasion to launch a prayer book as part of this year’s celebration at 2, Jimoh Street, Meiran, Lagos State.

Founder: IRISHAD Islamic Organisation of Nigeria; Sheikh AbdulRosheed Isiaq Titilope

Turbaning of Alhaja Ganiyat AbdulRosheed as Otun Osupa Adini

Alhaja Ganiyat Shabi was turbaned as Osupa Adini

Turbaning in progress for Alhaji AbdulHammed Adepoju as Baba IRISHAD Islamic Organisation

L-R: Alhaji AbdulHammed Abiodun, Alhaja Ganiyat Shabi, Alhaja Ganiyat AbdulRosheed, Alhaja Rashidat Folashade

Awardees: L-R: Mukadam Ally Salaudeen; Mukadam Sharafudeen Titilope; Mukadam Robiu; reps of Imam Oniyanda Omoroga Central Mosque

Turbaning of Alhaja Rashidat Folashade as Sanmori Adini

L-R: Sheikh Titilope; Osupa Adini, Alhaja Ganiyat Shabi, Otun Osupa Adini, Alhaja Ganiyat AbdulRosheed; Sanmori Adini, Alhaja Rashidat Folashade; Baba IRISHAD Islamic Organisation, Alhaji AbdulHammed Abiodun

Guest lecturer, Sheikh AbdulRauf Abdul Ameed Temitope

Chief launcher, Mukadam Sharafudeen Adekunle Titilope

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

People In The Mirror

Friday, May 9, 2014

31

Best red carpet looks at 2014 Met Gala

This year, the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Gala Met Gala paid tribute to American couturier, Charles James.

It was glamour from A-list guests as captured in these red carpet shots.

Anna Wintour

Allison Williams

Anna Kendrick

Dianna Agron

Greta Gerwig

Jessica Pare

Michelle Williams

Dakota Johnson

Nicole Richie

Idina Menzel

Gabrielle Union

Elizabeth Olsen

Janelle Monae

Liu Wen

Lake Bell

Rita Ora

Diane Kruger

Dree Hemingway

Hailee Steinfeld

Karolina Kurkova

David and Victoria Beckham

Rosie Whiteley

Jay Z and Beyonce

Tabitha Simmons

Sarah Parker

Zoe Saldana PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES

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Arty News

Friday, May 9, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Checkmate: Richie Haatrope remembers Amaka Igwe Ngozi Emedolibe

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l t h o u g h Amaka Igwe is gone, her role in creating one of the most-successful soap operas, Checkmate which ran for almost five years will not be forgotten in a hurry. One of the star actors in that hit television show, Bob Manuel Udokwu, who played the role of Richie Haatrope, took out time to recount how Amaka Igwe unearthed his talent even while he was in school.

According to him: “I met Amaka Igwe in 1989 when as an undergraduate and the National President of the Nigerian Universities Theatre Arts Students Association, (NUTASA) I travelled from my school, University of Port Harcourt in Rivers State to University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu State to check their level of preparation for the Nigerian Universities Theatre Arts Festival which the school was billed to host the following year, (NUTAF ‘90).

Udokwu After my visit to UNN, I stopped over in Enugu to

see my parents. I met the then Amaka Isaac-Eneh who had come to Enugu to conduct audition for her upcoming television soap opera, Checkmate.

I attended the audition and passed. I was cast as Richard Haatrope in the pilot episode which was shot in Enugu and Udi, her home town in December of 1989.

Towards the last quarter of 1990 they invited me for another audition at PEC Repertory Theatre in Onikan, Lagos. Thousands attended the audition including the late Francis Agu who eventually played my elder brother, Benibo in the drama series. I was again successful at the Lagos audition and retained the role of Richard Haatrope. I also met some other members of cast there. They included Mildred Iweka (Ada), Bimbo.O.Manuel (Nduka), Edith Jane Azu, Tunde Euba(Akpan),etc.

Checkmate was mainly shot in Moving Movies camp in Ikorodu,Lagos State.

It hit the airwaves in April of 1991 and was an instant huge success! It ran from 1991 to 1995 and has not been riAmaka valed ever since!

While still on the set of Checkmate, I was spotted by Kenneth Nnebue, Chairman of Nek Video Links who invited me to be part of a movie, Living In Bondage. It was shot and released in 1992. movies with her but the grim reaper played a fast The success of Living In Bondage led directly one on all of us. to what is now known as Nigerian film industry There was never a dull moment around her, (Nollywood.) whether during movie production or not. She was Amaka later married Mr Charlse Igwe thus a gifted writer, storyteller, hard worker and a core becoming Amaka Igwe. As home video making professional. Her success encouraged more wompicked up, she wrote, produced and directed the en to go into movie production. movie, Rattlesnake which was a huge success.

I am deeply saddened by the news of her pasOther movies and TV series soon followed. sage at a time when the industry which she helped

By God’s grace, I credit Amaka Igwe with pro- to nurture is at crossroads. viding me the platform that elevated me to a ceHer impact in the Nigerian entertainment inlebrity today in the entertainment industry with dustry is massive to say the least. There will nevlots of awards to show. She was a star maker! er be anyone like Amaka Igwe. But the show must I was still hoping to make more blockbuster go on”

Naija Street Champ kicks off in Lagos Bunmi Olaleye

H

ave you ever dreamt of becoming a star like Olamide or Davido? And do think you’ve got the talent to sing your way to stardom? If yes, then this is the opportunity you have been waiting for because all is set for the smooth take off of the first edition of Naija Street Champ. The new talent hunt begins with the registration of contestants at www.naijastreetchamp.com as the organisers have dropped the first beat to be downloaded by contestants for the first round of event.

According to the General Manager, Unmissable Incentives Limited, organisers of the competition, Mr Kayode Idowu; “Naija Street Champ, is an open-mic music competition that allows young and talented singers between 18 years and above free-style to a beat”. As the train tours Lagos major neighborhoods (Campus/ Island zone, Ketu/Ojota/Ikorodu zone, Festac zone, Agege/Ogba/Iyana-Ipaja zone, Surulere/Mushin zone and Bariga/Akoka zone). With auditions to hold be-

tween May 10 and June 1, in search of fresh and talented singers who would work with renowned music producers like I.D Cabasa, D-Tunes and Terry G. Mr Kayode Idowu noted that to be part of the competition, contestants would be expected to register for audition by obtaining a log- in pin at any FCMB branch in Lagos for N1, 000. However, they can download the beats from the website for free in other to prepare their rendition for a chance to audition in any of L-R: Project manager O ladehinde Fa I.D Cabasa lana, Terry G and D-Tunes the eight locations in Lagos. He fur, Gen. Manag . er Kehinde Idowu, ther disclosed that the first audition would hold at the Kuwait, Gowon Football Playground, Gowon Estate, Ipaja on Saturday May 10, 2014 for the tion will be opened until the last date of audition. He Ipaja/Ayobo zone while, the audition for Ketu/ojota/ added that the participants have the opportunity to Ikorodu zone is slated for Sunday May 11, 29014 at Em- register as many times as possible to partake in more manuel playing ground, Ojota, Lagos. than one zone. At the end of the competition, the winSpeaking on the duration for registration for the ner will go home with a cash prize of N1 million and a competition, Mr Kayode Idowu stated that registra- three year recording deal.

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Friday, May 9, 2014

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Niyi-Olayinka @ 40: Support for mother tongue Olayiwola Awakan

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Niyi-Olayinke

he Nigerian society needs a re-orientation as regards how foreign languages are being glorified to the detriment of our indigenous languages. This ongoing sensitisation is part of what a renowned Yoruba broadcaster and actress focused on as she recently celebrated her 40th birthday. It was a gathering of the movers and shakers in the Yoruba broadcast industry on Friday April 25, 2014 at ‘10 Degrees’, Billings Way, Oregun Lagos when one of the most-celebrated Yoruba TV presenters in Nigeria, Feyikemi Niyi-Olayinka celebrated her birthday in grand style amidst splendour, jubilation and innovation.

The veteran Yoruba broadcaster and actress has distinguished herself with the simplistic mannerism and indefatigable effort in encouraging indigenous languages among children and youth in Nigeria. Feyikemi who started as a broadcaster in Ibadan came into lime light through her Asake role in Oleku

by Tunde Kelani. She joined Alumoni Media Concept, an independent media company, and became a co-presenter on ‘Owuro Lawa’, a Yoruba breakfast show on Lagos Television. Her involvement on the programme further deepened her prominence and fame in the Nigerian broadcast scene as a celebrated Yoruba anchor.

Many people would think she read Yoruba language but the irony of the situation is that Feyikemi actually studied Geography from the University of Ibadan, but her undiluted passion for culture and the media paved a way for her in the broadcast industry. She believes so much in the social significance of culture to national development and her pet projects are always towards the actualisation of her dream of a sane society where an average child would be able to speak his or her na-

tive language fluently. In 2013, she won the Most Popular Indigenous Presenter (Female) Award at the Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards event held in Lagos, organised by Reality International.

In the furtherance of her vision, she made her 40th birthday a plan to float Mothers Support Mother Tongue Initiative (Awa Iya Akomolede), which is a dream to ensure that mothers encourage their children to speak their indigenous languages, basically Yoruba, more than English language. Aside the jubilation at the birthday celebration, it was also more of a seminar where a colloquium was created to discuss on “Culture Preservation: The Role of Parents”. The panel Chairman was the CEO of Alaroye Newspapers, Oloye Alao Adedayo while the discussants were The First Lady of Lagos, Abimbola Fashola; a Council member of the Yoruba Education Trust Fund, Modupe Ajayi-Gbadebo, Head of Department Yoruba Department, LASU, Dr. Oluwakemi Aboderin; President of Oduduwa Cultural Foundation, Prince Adelegan Adegbola, and Akeem Lasisi of Punch Newspaper. The Deputy Speaker Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Musibau Kolawole Taiwo was also in attendance.

The essence of the discussion was to see to the infiltration of western language into our culture thereby adversely affecting the manner in which native languages are being neglected by this generation children and youth.

Feyikemi Niyi- Olayinka is therefore working assiduously to combat the scourge and rekindle the necessary passion needed by today’s children in speaking their native language, through her Mothers Support Mother Tongue Initiative.

The foundation will promote Yoruba values, especially among the youth and children. “Things have become so challenging for our indigenous languages that all hands must be on deck. We must rise in defense of indigenous languages”, she said.

Celebrities unite for Drumbeat at Coliseum

Artistes cutting a cake with the publisher of drumbeat, Elsie Ijorogu-Reed and her daughter, Gabrielle

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otable entertainers from the music and movie industry converged on Niteshift Coliseum last Saturday when Deltawomen, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) unveiled ‘Drumbeat’ to guests from all walks of life.

It was difficult for guests at the event to forget the exciting experience as they were treated to scintillating performances from popular artistes such as: Essence, Exotic Dancers, Chawa Khalic, Bishop 101 and many others.

There was no dull moment as comedians including Gordon the compere of the event, Don Leo, Samzy Fresh and Virgin Boy also entertained audience with rib-cracking jokes.

Speaking at the event, the founder of Deltawomen (NGO) and the publisher of the magazine, Elsie IjoroguReed, said, ‘Drumbeat’, a quarterly magazine which hit newsstand last Monday, May 5, 2014, contains informative and entertaining sections including interviews, politics, tourism, career guide and articles on relationships, health and living, fashion and beauty, entertainment and lifestyle and so on.

According to her, “One would think that today is an opportunity for me to stand up here before all of you and brag about myself, or about Deltawomen, and the achievements I have secured personally or at Deltawomen. One might think that this is a day to showcase myself. But, I will not do that. I choose to use today to give honour to God, my Lord without whose grace, I will not be here today!” she said.

Continuing, she revealed: “There is a saying that you cannot teach a person how to get out of Sokoto if you have never been to Sokoto. There have been lots of questions and rumours on why I do what I do. Some say that I am being sponsored by a gubernatorial aspirant. Some say that I want to go into politics or I am looking for a political appointment. I choose to use today talk about my passion: the reason why helping the poor is so passionate to my heart.”

Ijorogu-Reed told a story of what she went through when she got to the United States of America before she found her feet there and vowed to use her resources to empower the less privileged.

“In my own little way, I have empowered hundreds of the less privileged and provided free medical eye tests, glasses and drugs to many people in Delta and Edo States.

As we release ‘Drumbeat’ magazine onto the newsstands and waiting hands of readers today, I hope many will be informed, educated and entertained after reading it because it is inspiring, innovative, special and full of life changing stories. The magazine features both national and international articles including stories on entertainment, fashion, business, career, politics, tourism, property and environment and lots more.

“In the words of Benjamin Franklin, “Either do something worth writing or write something worth reading,” let us endeavour to impart our generation, especially at this period in our nation we are facing with the challenge of terrorism. We shall overcome!

“Lastly, I am overwhelmed by the turnout at this magazine launch, knowing today is a Saturday and leaving all your other engagements to be here is a great deal of commitment. I thank you all for this and pray that God will continue to honour you. Let me also quickly appreciate the team that helped to organize this event, you should be proud it has turned out to be an interesting day.”

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Social Development, Mrs. Sarah Pane, said, “There are a lot to learn, millionaires can be made from the magazine because it will be an inspirational magazine to the people. Really I want to see a wide circulation of Drumbeat because it informational and an eye opener.”

Artists at the beach party

Praiz, Lynxx, Sasha P rock White Beach party

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raiz, Lynxxx, Sasha P, DJ Caise are among many other celebrities who came out looking dapper for the debut edition of the ‘Hennessy Privilege All White Beach Party’.

The event which held on Easter Sunday, April 20th at the famous Ilashe Beach had some of the hottest names in the Nigerian entertainment industry come out fully clad in white to celebrate the holidays with the premium cognac.

Starting off with an exciting boat cruise to the private beach, the Hennessy Privilege All White Beach Party, put together by Hennessy with support from Pravada and Elite Hosts, gave guests a memorable experience throughout the event. Guests were treated to exotic dances, food and drinks as they mingled and danced to a pulsating selection of music by fast rising DJ, DJ Obi Other notable faces at the event include, Lere Awokoya, Tola Odunsi, Ikechukwu Killz, Toke Makinwa and husband, Maje Ayida, Gbemi Olateru Olagbegi, Toni Tones, Hauwa Mukan, Eloho Aisien, Noble Igwe, Louise Priddy and Sammy.

Beach party

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Friday, May 9, 2014

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The city of Dubai, United Arab Emirates will fulfill a lot of travel fantasies for most first time visitors.

Yahaya Umar

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relatively new tourist destination, Dubai was gaining popularity in recent years until the global economic crash of 2008. Dubai is essentially a desert city with superb infrastructure, liberal policies (by regional standards), that became popular for its excellent tourist amenities. Just 5 hours from Europe and 3 hours from most parts of the Middle East, the Near East, and the subcontinent of India, Dubai makes a great short break for shopping, partying, sunbathing, fine dining, sporting events, and even a few sinful pleasures. It is a city of superlatives: for the fastest, biggest, tallest, largest and highest, Dubai is the destination. It has the largest immigrant population in the world. The weekly day off is on Friday. Note that, since September 2006, a harmonised weekend of Friday and Saturday has been adopted for the public sector and schools. Government departments, multinational companies, and most schools and universities are now off on Friday and Saturday (after years of a mixed bag of Friday/Saturday and Thursday/Friday weekends). Some local companies still work half a day on Thursday with a full day on Saturday, but larger companies tend to permit relaxation and time off work for their employees on Friday and Saturday.

Dubai: Discovering bride in a desert

One Emirates, many Peoples Dubai Marina Mall Once you land in Dubai, you might not think it is an Arab country. You might think that you are in India or the Philippines. Indians are known as the fathers of development of Dubai. When Dubai was in poor state before the exploration of oil, Indians supplied technology to develop Dubai. Dubai, since the founding of the oil industry, has attracted thousands of migrants from all over the world notably from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and the Philippines in search of jobs. In this modern day, Indians and Filipinos have left their influence in the emirate: Indian restaurants and Pakistani bakeshops are everywhere while Filipino supermarkets are on the rise. Next to them the Europeans (mostly British and French) and Sri Lankans, form the next largest communities. Chinese and Indonesian migrants are on the rise. Many Arab countries have passed policies like the UAE’s Emiratisation, which is a policy that prevents migrants from taking all the job opportunities and provides more jobs to local Emiratis.

Dubai is divided into multiple districts or municipalities: Jumeirah — A diverse district whose residents are the Europeans to the Filipinos to the Pakistanis; a mixed Little Europe, Karachi and Manila. Jumeirah is much favoured

by Europeans due to the ease of access of the beach, Beautiful villas are seen here. Jumeirah Beach, Jumeirah Beach Residence’s the Walk and Jumeirah Mosque are the top attractions.

Downtown Dubai — While Bur Dubai and Deira are traditionally considered “Downtown”, the Downtown Dubai development is smack in the center of the “New Dubai,” between Dubai Marina on the south end and the border with the city of Sharjah to the north. It includes the Burj Khalifa (tallest building in the world), the Dubai Mall (world’s biggest), Dubai Fountain, and lots of other skyscrapers and hotels.

Dubai Marina — is a mega-development that borders Jebel Ali (the world’s largest man-made port). It is full of skyscrapers and hosts the “Jumeirah Beach Walk” with a number of restaurants, hotels an open-air market when the weather permits, and frequent shows. Dubai Marina houses one of the highest concentrations of Westerns in Dubai.

Satwa — One of Dubai’s Little India and Little Manila, due to the presence of Filipinos and Indians, a rise in Filipino and Indian restaurants, shops, supermarkets are seen here. Gold and textiles is what people come here for, Gold Souk might be your top destination but Satwa too has gold shops and is hassle free, not so crowded.

Karama — More of like a mixed commercial residential district, one of Dubai’s Little Indias and Little Manilas, cheap eats and cheap buys are the top things here.

Bur Dubai — A historical district and Bur Dubai is

Dubai night skyline

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Friday, May 9, 2014

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it will be required to renter. Ensure that insurance is valid for the UAE (preferably before commencing the journey).

Temporary UAE insurance can be purchased at the border for a premium price.

There are also road borders between the neighbouring Emirate of Abu Dhabi and Oman at the Al Buraimi Oasis which divides the sister cites of Al Ain and Al Buraimi, Oman.

Dubai museum

Dubai metro system

Global Village

usual term for the area from Jumeirah to the creek, the creek separates Bur Dubai from Deira. Tourist attractions from abras to souks to floating restaurants to the famous creek are found here.

Deira — Dubai’s old Financial centre, today Deira is a bustling commercial-residential district with some old souks, including one specializing in spices.

Arabian Ranches and Emirates Hills — These are two separate places, residential rents here are expensive due to the land value, just like the whole of Dubai, these two are Man-made.

Mirdiff/Mirdif — A commercial-residential district which is somewhat newly built and lies directly under the flight path to Dubai International Airport. Mirdif City Center is one of the attractions. This is another residence for the well-to-do.

International City — Just a simple residential area in the middle of the desert, what’s special about it is its architectural design, the residential rents here are cheap and is somewhat the next Chinatown as many Chinese businessmen and women reside here.

Jebel Ali — Once isolated from the main bulk of Dubai back in the 70’s, Jebel Ali is now a major residential and industrial hub encompassing the southern portions of the city. The main attraction popular with locals and tourists alike is the easily recognizable Ibn Battuta Mall, styled on the countries visited by the famous explorer. The mall is built adjacent to the Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel that’s large archway can be seen from afar. Surrounding the mall is the Gardens apartments, an ethnically diverse district with a strong Indian com-

munity. Jebel Ali village, a 35 year old community built on the side of Jebel Ali (Ali Mountain) for the European builders of Jebel Ali Port is still popular with western expats.

The coastal side of the Sheihk Zayed Road in Jebel Ali consists of many unattractive power and desalination plants that somewhat ruin the view. The port was the 9th busiest in the world in 2011.

Dubai has an arid sub-tropical climate with very hot, humid summer weather averaging 42 degrees (108F) in the daytime and 28 (84F) at night. Fall and Spring is still rather hot, with daytime temperatures between 25 and 40 degrees (80sF) and nights around 20 degrees (65-75F), with less humidity. Winter weather is pleasant and dry, with daytime highs of 25 (75F) and nighttime lows of 10 degrees (55F).

Dubai is known for its beaches, with water temperature in summer getting as hot as 37 degrees (99F). The water temperature tends to be around 20-25 degrees (75F) in winter, and 30 (85F) in spring and fall as outside temperatures rise.

December to April generally produces the highest precipitation, which at 10 cm (5 in), still is little. Some years yield no more than a few minutes of shower in Dubai.

November 2006 brought record rains up to 50 cm (25 in) of rain, with temperatures at record lows.

Getting into Dubia By plane Dubai’s main airport is the Dubai International Airport.

You can also enter Dubai by using Sharjah International Airport (SHJ) in the nearby emirate of Sharjah and Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) in nearby Abu Dhabi.

Frequent visitors from countries granted automatic visa on entry may wish to purchase an e-gate card to speed up immigration formalities and save passport pages. The egate card office is situated in the upstairs foodcourt area of the terminal 1 departures concourse. The card will cost AED 200. Note: If you intend to buy an e-gate card in Dubai, you must have entered UAE via Dubai airport.

Airlines are often having price wars to glamorous destinations like Dubai and this can work to your advantage by careful planning and comparison of the various airlines serving Dubai. Emirates is Dubai’s official airline carrier which connects Dubai to over 100 destinations while FlyDubai is Dubai’s low-cost carrier. Etihad has shuttle services from their exclusive check in facility in Sheikh Zayed Rd or Central Business District of Dubai to and from Abu Dhabi Int’l Airport, you can also fly with Sharjah’s lowcost carrier; Air Arabia which flies to over 46 destinations within the Middle East.

By car Dubai’s only international road border is with Oman at Al Wajajah. Expatriate residents of Oman will require an official permit to exit Oman by road. Visitors do not require the permit. There is an OMR 3.000 charge per vehicle to exit Oman and, if returning, retain the charge receipt as

By bus The Government of Dubai operates a network of buses linking Dubai city with the capitals of the other six emirates of the UAE. The buses run under the name Emirates Express and operate from various bus terminals in Dubai.

To/From Abu Dhabi: Buses operate every 40 minutes from 6.20am from both Dubai’s Al Ghubaibah bus station and Abu Dhabi’s main bus station. The two-hour journey cost Dh25.

To/from Sharjah: Frequent buses run between Dubai and Sharjah. There are several different routes and buses depart from various bus stations in Dubai including Al Karama, Gold Souq, Baniyas Square, Jebel Ali and Al Ittihad Square.

To/From Al Ain: Buses operate every hour from both Dubai’s Al Ghubaibah bus station. The two-hour journey cost Dh15.

To/from Fujairah: The bus to Fujairah leaves from the Rashidiya Metro station and takes about 3 to 4 hours.

To/from Muscat, Oman: al-Khanjry Transport runs a bus from the Ruwi Terminal in Muscat to al-Rigga in Dubai, leaving every day at 6:00am and 3:00pm and also 10:00pm from Deira (ticket office next to Caravan Restaurant 700m from Deira City Centre Metro Station). The journey takes about 6 hours, depending on how much time is spent at customs. From Dubai the buses leave at 7:00am and 3:00pm. 60Dhs (one way)/100Dhs (return). Show up at least 30 minutes before departure.

By boat Dubai is a trading hub for dhows from around the Indian Ocean. Travellers wanting to arrive in the city this way will probably need to make their own arrangements with the captain of the vessel.

Dubai has an international cruise terminal at Port Rashid. During wintertime Costa Cruises has based one of its cruise ships (Costa Luminosa) at Dubai.

Dubai’s 52-km long Red Line, opened in September 2009, is the third metro in the Arab world after Cairo and Algiers. As of May 15, 2010, 21 stations are open and the rest are scheduled to open by the end of the year. While the line does not serve the old city center, it’s handy for zipping along Dubai’s long coastline and includes stops at the airport, Burj Khalifa and the Mall of the Emirates. The Green Line, which burrows through the city core, has been open as of September 9, 2011. A further two stops, Al Jadaf and Creek, are complete but will open at a later date pending development. Transfers are possible at Union Square and Khalid Bin Al Waleed. There are also Blue and Purple lines under construction with opening dates in the next few years.

Single tickets range from Dh2-8.50, or double that for use of the “Gold” first class carriage. Train run every 3-5 minutes from 5:50 AM to Midnight every day except Thursday and Friday, when services are extended to 5:50 AM to 1 AM and limited to 1 PM to Midnight, respectively. All stations are air-conditioned and there’s a large network of feeder buses.

In addition, a 5 km monorail system shuttles passengers across the Palm Jumeirah to the Atlantis hotel, but it’s not connected to the metro network and is thus of very limited utility.

Dubai Public transport is a cheaper means of traveling within the several districts in Dubai. A map of the bus system can be found online as well as detailed route maps and timetables. Public buses are clean and cheap, but unfortunately not very comprehensive and (on some routes) quite infrequent. The bus system is most useful for getting between different areas of central Dubai, or between the various suburbs, rather than general transport. Taxis or a fair amount of walking will also be required if you wish to visit Dubai without a car of your own. You will require a Nol card or ticket for fare payment. Cards could be purchased from most bus stations, metro stations, and sometimes from the bus driver.

The main bus stations are Gold Souq Market (in Deira) and Al Ghubaiba bus station (in Bur Dubai). The flat fare is 2 AED, but might be higher for hour-long rides to distant suburbs. Clear route maps and time-tables are placed inside a few bus stands. Ramadan timings differ. The front seats are reserved for women.

Friday, May 9, 2014

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2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Mirror Drive

Takes driving to next level OLUSEGUN KOIKI

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ales often dip in the model year preceding a vehicle's major overhaul as everyone waits for something newer and better. However, these swansong models are also often the best equipped and fully sorted.

Such is the case of the 2014 Ford Mustang.

A redesigned Mustang is expected in the Nigerian road very soon and new Ford Mustang fastback and convertible models promise exceptional performance and refinement while embracing the Mustang’s halfcentury of heritage and status as a global icon.

More than nine million Mustangs have been sold since it was first launched in 1964 – one million of those in its first 18 months of existence. The world’s most-liked vehicle on Facebook, Mustang has made thousands of appearances in film, television, music and video games, and will now be available with modern technology and engines for fans to experience first-hand.

Ford’s Executive Vice President, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Stephen Odell, told auto journalists in Lagos that the Mustang’s formidable reputation for performance and its iconic status as a symbol of freedom and optimism precedes it even in those parts of the world where the car has never been sold.

Odell said that the new Mustang epitomises Ford’s aggressive product acceleration; technologically advanced and forward-looking, but without

forgetting the heritage that has inspired Ford customers for generations.

The new Mustang has been developed with impressive performance, driving dynamics and usability in mind – and includes a significant amount of advanced driver convenience and driver aid technologies.

“After the Mustang’s global unveiling earlier this year we’ve been working hard to ensure that Nigerian fans will have the opportunity to be part of the Mustang journey going forward,” said Vice President Marketing, Sales and Service and Lincoln, at Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa, Mark Kaufman.

The clean-sheet design of both Ford Mustang fastback and convertible evokes the essential character of the vehicle, retaining key design elements of the classic Mustangs recognisable to car fans across the globe, including the long sculpted hood and short rear deck, with a contemporary execution.

The new Ford Mustang features all-new front and rear suspension systems. At the front, a new perimeter sub-frame helps to stiffen the front structure

while reducing mass, providing a strong foundation for more predictable wheel control that benefits handling, steering and ride.

The new double ball-joint front MacPherson strut system also enables the use of large, powerful brakes.

At the rear is an all-new integral-link independent rear suspension. The geometry, springs, dampers and bushings all have been specifically modified and tuned for this high-performance application, and are well suited to high speed driving. New aluminium rear knuckles help reduce unsprung mass for improved ride and handling.

The advanced, Ford-developed stability control is tuned to maximise the new Mustang’s

dynamic capabilities with features like torque vectoring that directs engine power to individual wheels to keep the car on course. When the time comes to turn up the wick at the track, manual transmission variants of the Mustang GT include standard launch control that enables drivers to achieve smooth, consistent starts every time.

Advanced driver-assist features include standard Ford SYNC™ with Voice Control and Touchscreen, that lets drivers control their entertainment.

Body styles The 2014 Ford Mustang is available as a coupe or convertible, offered in four trim levels: V6, V6 Premium, GT and GT Premium. The Shelby GT500 is

reviewed separately and the Boss 302 is no longer available.

Base V6 models start with 17inch alloy wheels, xenon headlights, a limited-slip rear differential, keyless entry, integrated blind-spot mirrors, cruise control, air-conditioning, full power accessories, a tilt-only leather-wrapped steering wheel and a four-speaker sound system with a CD player and auxiliary audio jack.

Stepping up to the V6 Premium adds upgraded 17-inch wheels, leather upholstery, a power driver seat, Bluetooth, Ford's Sync voice activation system, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, color-adjustable gauges and ambient lighting, a color information display between the gauges, upgraded interior trim and a premium eight-speaker sound system with satellite radio and an iPod/USB audio interface.

The V8-powered GT comes with the base V6's features plus 18-inch alloys, automatic headlights, a rear spoiler and foglamps. The GT Premium is essentially a GT with different 18-inch wheels and the V6 Premium's roster of features.

Options on the Mustang V6 coupe include a new exterior

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a p pearance package that adds black-painted mirror caps and deck lid spoiler, and body colorpainted quarterwindow louvers.

Also available for coupes is a V6 Performance package that includes 19-inch wheels with summer tyres, numerous suspension and brake upgrades, a recalibrated stability control system and a 3.31 rear axle ratio.

Performance With the 3.7-litre V6, the 2014 Ford Mustang produces 305 hp and 280 poundfeet of torque. The Mustang GT steps up to a 5.0-liter V8 good for 420 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. Both have a standard six-speed manual transmission, while a six-speed automatic with manual shift control is optional.

Fuel economy for the Mustang V6 coupe is an EPA-estimated 19 mpg city/31 mpg highway and 23 mpg in combined driving with the automatic transmission, while the manual is estimated at 19/29/22. The GT has an 18/25/20 rating with the automatic and 15/26/19 with the manual. Opting for more aggressive rear differential gear ratios will reduce fuel economy.

Interior design The 2014 Ford Mustang's interior can be appointed with all of the modern conveniences auto enthusiast has come to expect, while also paying homage to its rich history. Sync's voice activation features greatly simplify operation of audio, phone and navigation systems.

The buttons themselves don't have a particularly solid feel, though, and a large percentage of the door panels and center console is taken up by hard plastic.

Mirror Drive

Friday, May 9, 2014

orsche AG has started off the year and continues to step up its deliveries, revenue and operating profit in the first three months of 2014.

With 38,663 vehicles, the deliveries beat the value of the previous year by 4.5 per cent. Revenue rose by one-fifth to 3.93bn euro in the first quarter of the fiscal year. The operating profit grew by 22 per cent to 698m euro.

The number of jobs, which stood at around 13,000 three years ago, rose once again and exceeded the threshold of 20,000 employees in February 2014.

A member of the Executive Board Finance and IT of Porsche AG, Lutz Meschke, underscored the earning power of the company reflected in the high return on sales of almost 18 per cent.

Meschke pointed out, though, that Porsche will have to bear

Porsche’s operating profit grows by 22% in Q1

substantially rising labour costs and write-offs due to the launch of the new Macan model range.

He said, “In addition to that, there are high expenditures for meeting the CO2 requirements and substantial investments in the build-out and modernisation of the Zuffenhausen, Leipzig and Weissach locations.”

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Nevertheless, the CFO is optimistic about the course of the 2014 fiscal year: “Assuming that sales in Europe will continue to stabilise despite the unresolved structural problems, our aim is to achieve at a minimum a profit comparable to the previous year.”

The steadily increasing number of employees reflects the

growth strategy of Porsche.

Numbering 20,416 as at March 31, 2014, there were 15 per cent more employees working at Porsche than a year ago.

The number of employees has risen by 960 in the first quarter of 2014 alone. The staff at the Leipzig plant, where the new Macan is being produced, showed the greatest growth.

The sports car maker has created new jobs at the other Porsche locations as well.

Weststar introduces Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 324 to Nigerian market

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he authorised General Distributors of MercedesBenz in Nigeria, Weststar Associates Ltd, says it has introduced the new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 324 intensive care unit ambulance into the Nige-

rian automobile industry.

An online media statement signed by the auto company stated that the new product has all the features of the Sprinter and top quality medical equipment and also scores big with stylish design elements, a clear visual structure, and surfaces of high

quality.

The company emphasised that the Sprinter 324 has additional indicators in the exterior mirrors, which are to ensure that the signal is quickly and clearly perceived in road traffic, adding that the body-side mouldings with their large surfaces are also remarkable.

The statement stated that these prevent paint/minor bodywork damage, and can be replaced quickly and cost-effectively on account of their modular design.

The statement added, “The Sprinter ambulance is equipped with reinforced suspensions and

MAINTENANCE TIPS

How to prevent rust on cars

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ust, is one of the biggest problems confronting vehicles cars and can single-handedly depreciate one’s car resale value. Most car users find rust appalling and for those auto users, who buy used or own older cars, it is important to learn how to find rust; keep it from starting; and address it once it has started.

In order to detect rust on an unfamiliar car or combat it on your own vehicle, one needs to understand how rust usually starts and where it is most likely to emerge.

This edition of the Mirror Drive Maintenance Tip will educate auto users on how to detect and prevent rusts from vehicles.

Where to look for rust The most likely areas to check for rust would be in and around the wheel wells and on the fenders immediately behind the tyres. These are the war zones where your tyres

will kick up stones and chip the paint. The front of your car can also catch flying stones from other cars, making this a problem area as well.

If you are looking at a used car for sale, use a flashlight to look underneath the car behind the front and rear tyres on both sides. Of course, before you do this, make sure the car is parked on a level surface in park/gear and the emergency brake engaged! If it’s on a slope, put blocks under the wheels for added safety.

Shine your light on the inside of the fenders and wheel wells.

Check for excess body filler, which from this side will look like hardened putty all globed

up. In areas where you don’t have a clear view, use your fingers as your eyes and feel around.

Now you can use the sound test to decipher how far up body the filler goes. Above the suspected area, tap lightly on the car’s body with your knuckles. You should hear a tinny metal sound. Continue tapping and move slowly down to the area in question and where the sound change is where the filler starts.

Continues next week.

is simple to drive. Just like the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, it also scores highly in terms of its advanced 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission with torque conversion. This has been enhanced to meet the specific requirements imposed for to deal with the extreme life and death situations of the intensive care unit ambulance.

“The ambulance shows off a 258 horse power and 5900 rpm petrol engine, which delivers lots of power and torque to ensure the crucial drive to the hospital is quick and safe. It also delivers low engine speed, low fuel consumption with minimum emissions. The drive-train is designed for extensive corrosion prevention including long maintenance and oil change intervals.”

Being an ambulance, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 324 Intensive Care Unit is equipped with a lot of options to perform medical rescues and minor surgeries.

The external equipment consist of the standard two blue rotating lights mounted on the left and right in the rear part, a beacon bar on the vehicle’s roof with two rotating lights- red-red, loud speaker with microphone, and a wide and solid footstep made of aluminum checker plate at the rear entrance to aid easy entry and exit.

The interior of the ambulance, which is completely insulated and covered with white, washable ABS plates, also boasts countless medical equipment.

The windows are covered with foil and frosted, and there are 2 oxygen cylinder brackets for 10 litre oxygen cylinders on the side wall, each one comprising of two clamps.

38

Cocktail

Friday, May 9, 2014

‘Ninjas’ carry out home invasion

T

hree men dressed up as ninjas were caught on camera carrying out a home invasion at a mansion in Windermere, Fla. During the invasion, one of the ninjas took a fedora from one of the victims and wore it throughout the attack.

Bill Kitchen and his partner Camilo Espinel were held at gunpoint and their faces were covered with pillowcases during the invasion.

“They put the guns right in our faces and made it clear that we had to obey every word, and we did,” Kitchen told the Orlando Sentinel.

“They had all the control. We were out numbered. They had guns and we didn’t. We had no choice but to cooperate.”

The incident lasted for about an hour and then the thieves took off in Kitchen’s Mercedes. The car was found about three miles away and is being processed by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office’s Forensics Unit.

“When bad things happen, you can either ask yourself, ‘Why did this happen to me?’ or you can ask yourself, ‘Now that it has happened, what am I going to do about it?’” Kitchen told Click Orlando. “I now realize it’s pretty silly to tell everybody in the world that I’m on a Hawaiian vacation or we’re at this restaurant, or that restaurant and having a big time with our friends.”

Man fined for drunk driving in a car being pushed

W

e all know that it’s never smart to get behind the wheel of a vehicle when you’ve been drinking over the legal limit. But what about when you’re behind the wheel of a vehicle that isn’t running, with no keys in the ignition?

Short answer: it’s still not a good idea.

As reported by the Wairarapa Times-Age, New Zea-

lander Harris James Davis was throwing a house party and ran into some vehicular problems. A car, belonging to a guest that left with the keys, was blocking the driveway.

Davis was over the legal alcohol limit to drive, but with the help of two other guys pushing the car, steered the vehicle two to three meters away. Police apparently saw this and cited Davis, who eventually pleaded guilty.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oddities

‘Man keeps dead mother’s body in freezer for 3 years’

A

deceased Kentucky man allegedly kept his dead mother’s body in a freezer for three years while he was spending her Social Security checks.

When the Pulaski County Sheriff ’s Office began to investigate what exactly happened to Faye Whiteford, it is believed that Jon Whiteford dumped her body at an empty house and then killed himself.

The Social Security Administration contacted Sheriff Todd Wood about Faye in February, and he began to investigate after learning that Whiteford had control of her finances.

When Whiteford was finally located, he said the house he had been living in had been repossessed and refused to say where his mother was.

“Jon stored her in a freezer from 2011 until around Christmas of 2013

when he was forced to leave his home,” said Lt. Brett Whitaker of the Pulaski County Sheriff ’s Department.

During a later interview with Whiteford on March 29 at the house next door to his repossessed home, he pulled out a pis-

tol and killed himself in front of a deputy.

“He just got himself into trouble, and once you do something like that, there is really no way out,” friend Al Fried said of Whiteford while speaking with Lex 18. “He couldn’t face it and that’s

The large freezer use to keep the body.

probably why he ended his life. He wasn’t a bad person, it’s just that he did one bad thing and from that one bad thing led to other bad things.”

Faye’s body was found wrapped up in a tarp in neighbouring Wayne County on April 23.

Friday, May 9, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

39

Business Maritime

Infrastructure deficit, insecurity derail 24-hour port operation plan

Elsewhere, port operations both in terms of ship and cargo handling is done on a 24-hour basis. This level of port efficiency is yet to be achieved in Nigeria despite several years of projections due to a combination of insecurity and poor infrastructure. FRANCIS EZEM reports.

Port of Lagos

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rojections by government agencies and expectations by port service users of 24-hour port operations in Nigeria has over the years remained a ruse.

This situation is a sharp contrast to what is obtained in the global port environment, including developing countries where ships and cargo are handled on a 24-hour basis.

What this implies is that elsewhere, even among developing countries, ships berth and are discharged and cargo cleared both day and night in other climes while in Nigeria, these operations are limited to the working hours of the day.

It was probably worried by this trend, which apart from reducing the port capacity, also contributes significantly to perennial congestion at the ports that Minister of Finance and coordinating minister of the economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala directed the Nigerian Ports Authority and Nigeria Customs Service to commence 24-hour port operations. The minister, who paid an unscheduled visit to the ports had expressed the desire of the Federal Government to enthrone a regime of efficiency at the seaports in order to make them efficient and competitive.

The minister had also as part of measures to make the seaports efficient announced some sweeping reforms, which reduced government agencies operating at the ports from 14 to about six. The affected ones include National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and Standards Organisation of Nigeria.

Also affected in the shake-up are Directorate of Naval Intelligence, Nigerian

Plant Quarantine Services, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency and the Federal Environmental Protection Agency, among others.

Regrettably, the 24-hour port operation is yet to be achieved more than two years after. The reasons for this are not farfetched. Apart from the civil service work culture in Nigeria where people resume for work in the morning and close in the afternoon, the absence of basic infrastructure to drive this process has remained a potent factor. Availability of such infrastructure, which will facilitate an automated port system will in no small measure enhance security.

For instance, in seaports such as the Port of Antwerp, Belgium, Singapore and Malaysia, which rank among the most efficient in the world, the turn around time of ships range between two to less than five hours. The turn around time of a ship is the length of time she spends at the berth between its arrival and departure. The average cargo dwell time of cargo, which is the length of time the consignment spends in the port in these seaports is not more than 12 hours. This is because the vessels are discharged as soon they arrive at the ports whether night or day. This also accounts for why the cost of shipping in most of these countries is very minimal compared to the ports in West Africa.

Chairman of Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria STOAN, umbrella association for all the port con-

Though the agreement stipulates that

NPA should provide such facilities, especially power, it will be unfair to insist that it must do that because it also relies on alternative source of power cessionaires in Nigeria, Mrs. Vicky Hastruup in a recent interview, decried the near absence of public power supply at the seaports, which is a critical element in running a seaport system as well as providing security.

She admitted that though NPA is charged with the responsibility of providing some common user facilities such as power and water under the concession agreement, there is little or nothing the authority could do in that regard due to failed power supply.

“Though the agreement stipulates that NPA should provide such facilities, especially power, it will be unfair to insist that it must do that because it also relies on alternative source of power”, she argued.

Hastruup, who is executive vice chair-

man, ENL Consortium, the concessionaire in charge of terminals C and D of the Lagos Ports Complex, Apapa noted that the absence of such infrastructure helps to increase cost of operation. By implication, this in addition to reducing the competitiveness and user-friendliness of the ports, it tends to reduce the capacity of the ports because cargo stay longer than necessary.

Another terminal operator and managing director of Tin Can Island Container Terminal TICT, Mr. Yehuda Kotic, whose terminal was congested for most part of last year, blamed the development partly on the fact that the ports do not operate 24 hours.

Kotic, who spoke in a recent interview, observed that at some points in time, the ports were shut for about five days due to a two-day Muslim festival, which were observed Thursday and Friday during which the government declared a public holiday and every other institution including the ports were shut.

Meanwhile, president of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders NAGAFF, Chief Eugene Nweke, who spoke on this development, noted that the Nigerian economy, which the seaports are an integral part of does not operate 24 hours.

He noted that in countries where the seaports run on a 24-hour basis, the basic infrastructure including security are pit in place first so that other things will come naturally.

“Elsewhere, 24-hour port operation is not achieved through an executive or administrative fiat, it is something that comes naturally because the basic and supporting infrastructure has been put in place first and foremost” and shippers are sure of security of their consignments”, he argued.

He also said: “One other factor hindering the realisation of that dream has to do with the current security challenges in the country because no one would want to embark on such transactions that require the use of sensitive documents at night with the current level of insecurity in the country” According to him, apart from the security issues, the lack luster attitude of some of the multinational shipping lines operating in the country, who would want to open their offices for business any time they liked.

Nweke also said: “Though most terminals open their gates for operation, the shipping lines and banks are not readily available for night transactions, worst still; the shippers are not willing to expose their cargo to criminals and hoodlums, especially given the worsening insecurity in the country.”

Beyond mere projections, government should take urgent steps towards upgrading the operational efficiency of the Nigerian seaports.

It is only when this is done that the can truly be described as gateway to the Nigerian economy.

40

Business Maritime

Friday, May 9, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NIMASA explains regional approach to tackle oil theft, piracy Stories: Francis Ezem

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he Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA, says it has adopted a regional approach towards combating the menace of oil theft, sea robbery and piracy.

The agency, which is charged with charged with the responsibility of providing maritime safety, security and other port and flag state administration had before now adopted a Public Private Sector Partnership PPP for the provision of platforms to fight piracy.

This is in addition to signing Memorandum of Understanding MOU with the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Air Force, which facilitated the formation of the nation’s Maritime Guard Command.

Director General of the agency, Mr. Patrick Akpobolokemi, who addressed a gathering of diplomats, foreign investors and Nigerian business community in Washington, disclosed that the agency has over the years taken steps to fight all forms of criminality on the nation’s territorial waters such as piracy, oil theft, sea robbery and illegal mid-stream

discharge.

He disclosed that having consolidated the various alliances both in terms of PPP in the acquisition of platforms and the MOUs, which paved the way for the establishment of the guard command, which has drastically reduced these illegalities, the agency has decided to adopt a regional approach towards further consolidating these gains.

Under the new initiative, the agency is collaborating with other West African sister countries, especially the Republic of Benin under its Maritime Guard Command structure.

The Director General, who was represented by the Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, Mr. Obi Callistus, disclosed that this new initiative follows a directive by the Federal Government to combat piracy and illegal activities in the Gulf of Guinea.

According to him, the International Maritime Organisation IMO, has already given its nod to the new initiative, even as many other stakeholders have commended the agency on the initiative, which will enable the agency

Regulator pledges level playing field for all operators

L

ess than two months after it was appointed as an economic regulator for the port industry, the Nigerian Shippers Council has said it will provide a level playing field for all operators in the industry in order to promote equity and harmony.

The Federal Government had recently appointed the council an interim regulator for the port industry for a period of one year, which is renewable pending the passage of the Ports and Harbours Bill and the National Transport Commission Bill, both of which have been at the National Assembly.

Executive Secretary /CEO of the council, Mr. Hassan Bello, who spoke at a one-day seminar organised by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria in Lagos, noted that globally, regulatory authorities are commonly set up in a market economy to enforce standards and safety, or to oversee use of public goods and regulate commerce.

He however said that in a liberalised industry such as Nigeria’s port industry, the role of an economic regulator is crucial in protecting and ensuring a level playing field for all stakeholders.

According to him, the key objectives of the creation of a port regulator was to protect the right and interest of investors, consumers and the government, eensure port efficiency and transparency and ultimately reduce port costs,

corruption and crime.

He also listed the maintenance of investors/consumers confidence in the market, and encourage private sector investment in the port industry through PublicPrivate sector Partnership PPP in the development of port infrastructure and to ensure international best practices and standards.

Others include to monitor activities of operators to ensure that they perform their functions in accordance with existing rules, lay down principles, develop rules and standards to regulate ports and shipping business, promote inter-modal transport with landlocked countries, ensure that service providers file their tariffs in accordance with established procedures and enforce compliance with conduct and practices by port and shipping service providers.

He also pledged that in performing these functions, the council will also lay down rules and regulations on how to conduct business, supervise and inspect compliance with the rules in addition to conducting investigation into suspected breaches of the rules, enforce rules and impose corrective measures and remedial action.

While defining the concept, he noted that regulation refers to an intervention by government to influence market behavior of individuals and organisations in the private and public sectors.

to further build on the current state of peace on the nation’s territorial waters.

“NIMASA has acquired the requisite platforms in terms of standard patrol boats and electronic surveillance equipment through PPP. These vessels which can go to any part of our coast are meant to support the carriage of military personnel and strengthen our enforcement capacity”, Akpobolokemi said..

It was gathered that the absence of operational platforms posed a major challenge to the agency

before the coming on stream of the current management, which went into various alliances both with the private sector and government security agencies.

The NIMASA-boss noted that the acquisition of these platforms has given rise to the provision of 24-hour shoreline and sea patrol, which has in turn added impetus for the agency to secure the nation’s maritime domain and guarantee a harmonious business environment.

He also disclosed that as part of measures to sustain this tempo in the fight against criminalities

in the coastal region, the agency has concluded civil works on the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System GMDSS at Takwa Bay in Lagos. has been concluded while installation has since commenced.

Akpobolokemi also noted that maritime safety and security have been at the core of the functions of the agency, adding that as the Designated Authority for the implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security ISPS Code, the agency is committed to make Nigeria ISPS compliant.

Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Marine Transport, Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and Nigeria’s Ambasador to the United States, Proff. Ade Adefuye, Senator Danladi Sakanra during a visit to the Nigerian Embassy in Washington DC as part of the International Ships and Ports Facility Security ISPS, Code capacity building visit to the US. VESSELS EXPECTED AT LAGOS PILOTAGE DISTRICT S/NO

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SHIP

HOEGH PUSAN HOEGH KUNSAN SAFMARINE SHABA ENERGY SEARCHER LU HAI TRITON SWALLOW SWAN RIVER COSCO WU YI SHAN PACIFIC DIAMOND LEOPARD STAR THORCO COPPENHAGEN

DESERT GLORY DESERT SERENITY DESERT VICTORY DESERT UNITY PINE 4 COSCO WU YI SHAN ANNE WARIYA NAREE AQUA RUNNER SILVRETTA BARDU WEHR WARNOW EM ANDROS GSL AFRICAN MAERSK JAIPUR MOEN ISLAND MSK CADIZ WESTERTAL MSK CONAKRY MSK CAIRO IRENES REMEDY MSK CAMEROUN SAFMARINE CHILKA WESER WOLF MSK CABO VERDE LIWIA P MSK PHUKET HARMONY N MONALISA MSK CARDIFF MSK CUNENE MSK COTONOU MSK CUBANGO MOL VALPARAISO QUEST AEOLOS LAKE HAKONE MARAKI ATLANTIC TRADE KOTA BAKTI KOTA PERMASAN KEMAL A KOTA HAKIM KOTA HARUM LEON HERC ETERNITY C TWINKLE STAR MARIELLA BOTTIGLIERI

AGENT

PORT

TONNAGE / UNIT

EXP

E.T.A

LENGTH

CARGO

ALRAINE ALRAINE APS AMT BLUESTAR BLUESTAR BLUESTAR BLUESTAR BLUESEAS BLUESEAS COMET GOLDEN SHIPP GOLDEN SHIPP GOLDEN SHIPP GOLDEN SHIPP GMTS GMTS INTERSHIP KIPELO KIPELO KIPELO LANSAL LANSAL LANSAL LANSAL MSK NIG MSK NIG MSK NIG MSK NIG MSK NIG MSK NIG MSK NIG MSK NIG MSK NIG MSK NIG MSK NIG MSK NIG MSK NIG MSK NIG MSK NIG MSK NIG MSK NIG MSK NIG MSK NIG MOL OCEANGLORY OCEANGLORY OCEANGLORY OCEANGLORY OCEANGLORY PIL PIL PIL PIL PIL PEAK TRANSMARINE TIGER TIGER

SFM SFM ABTL EKO SUPP GDNL GDNL GDNL GDNL SBM ACJ ENL ABTL ABTL ABTL ABTL ENL ENL F/W

510 UNITS 500 UNITS 5000MT IMB 42000MT 44409MT 44741MT 88UNITS 38000MT 37000MT 1760MT 48000MT 33000MT 35000MT 40000MT 13087MT 8235MT 5000MT 32959.259MT 20800MT 24000 250FCL 275FCL 260FCL 300FCL 700FCL 600FCL 700FCL 640FCL 780FCL 700FCL 511FCL 700FCL 700FCL 600FCL 700FCL 700FCL 481FCL 600FCL 700FCL 700FCL 720FCL 600FCL 751FCL 500FCL 20000MT 25000MT 22000MT 20000MT 14000MT 8556MT 557FCL 669FCL 200FCL 150FCL 15000MT 13493.85MT 31000MT 20250MT

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12/05/14 31/05/14 7/05/14 5/05/14 10/05/14 8/05/14 7/05/14 8/05/14 5/05/14 5/05/14 11/05/14 10/05/14 14/05/14 23/05/14 24/05/14 9/05/14 9/05/14 5/05/14 6/05/14 6/05/14 6/05/14 6/05/14 16/05/14 22/05/14 26/05/14 9/05/14 5/05/14 7/05/14 11/04/14 14/05/14 19/05/14 16/05/14 19/05/14 21/05/14 25/05/14 28/05/14 30/05/14 18/05/14 23/05/14 1/06/14 25/05/14 25/05/14 26/05/14 26/05/14 12/05/14 7/05/14 8/05/14 6/05/14 9/05/14 10/05/14 5/05/14 16/05/14 7/05/14 7/05/14 10/05/14 6/05/14 7/05/14 7/05/14 5/05/14

190M 190M 162M 187M 187M 190M 190M 177.5M 179M 179M 146M 193M 190M 193M 190M 183M 177.5M 115M 170M 160M 170M 209M 209M 200M 200M 223M 223M 249M 211M 249.12M 249M 223M 249M 249.12M 211M 249M 211M 210M 223M 231M 249M 249.12M 249.12M 249M 200M 187M 172M 169M 170M 190M 162M 215M 208M 160M 160M 141M 186.4M 180M 176M

USED VEHICLE USED VEHICLE B/MALT IMB B/WHEAT B/SUGAR B/COAL SEMI TRAILER PMS PMS G/CARGO B/WHEAT B/FERTILIZER B/WHEAT B/WHEAT G/CARGO G/CARGO PMS RICE IN BAG RICE IN BAG RICE IN BAG CONT CONT CONT CONT CONT CONT CONT CONT CONT CONT CONT CONT CONT CONT CONT CONT CONT CONT CONT CONT CONT CONT CONT CONT B/RICE B/RICE B/RICE B/RICE B/RICE G/CARGO CONT CONT CONT CONT AGO B/RICE PMS PMS

ENL/ABTL/GDNL ENL/ABTL/GDNL ENL/ABTL/GDNL

APMT APMT APMT APMT APMT APMT APMT APMT APMT APMT APMT APMT APMT APMT APMT APMT APMT APMT APMT APMT APMT APMT APMT APMT ENL ENL ENL/GDNL ENL/GDNL ENL ENL APMT APMT APMT APMT NOJ ENL/GDNL NOJ LISTER

REMARK

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business News

Friday, May 9, 2014

41

PFAs pay N24.6bn to 84,000 retirees in 8 years DAVID AUDU

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xecutive Secretary, Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria, PenOp, Susan Oranye disclosed recently that the National Pension Commission, PenCom, have paid a total sum of N24.6bn to about 84,000 retirees nationwide since 2004 till.

She said it is a new dispensation, adding that they are trying to get the workers to understand that this is not the old scheme where people line up, cry and beg for their money. “The new

contributory pension scheme is working and focused on the Nigerian workers. It is transparent, fully funded and workers should join”.

Oranye however noted that the issue of remittance has become a huge challenge for the regulatory authority, all the Pension Fund Administrators, PFAs, and allied bodies within the pension industry.

“Remittance is a challenge,” she said “but it is something that the PenCom as well as all the different operators is facing and they are trying to handle, PenCom is

coming out with lists of recalcitrant employers,” Oranye said.

According to her beyond listing the names of the defaulting organisations, the body alongside PenOp and industry operators such as PFAs and Pension Fund Consultants, PFCs, are following up with these organisation and have started arranging seminars, interactive sessions so that they can find out what is preventing them from remitting their employees’ fund.

She said employers of labour should see adequate remittance of pension funds of their employ-

ees and adoption of such scheme by those that are yet to do so as a corporate social responsibility, CSR, to their employees and the society.

“The funds are for their employees and it can be seen as a form of CSR on the part of the employers because when you are seen to be looking after your employees in the expect of pension, and your employees are comfortable definitely they will be loyal, because they know that you care about their welfare. And as long as they have that mindset, they are more loyal to you, work hard-

er, they are more productive and the bottomline grows,” Oranye urged employers to open Retirement Savings Account for employees while imploring workers to see the scheme as the opportunity to work hard and retires well. The new communication campaign by PenOp that is yet to hit the public domain with the theme “Things Don change o” is targeted at increasing the level of aware amongst the employers and employees as well deepened the value of the scheme particularly with the new Act of three and above compulsory scheme.

Tony Elumelu Foundation launches Africapitalism Institute

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Chief Executive Officer, Kenyan Export Promotion, Mrs. Ruth Mwaniki (l) with the Executive Director,Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, during her visit to the Council in Abuja on Wednesday

SMEDAN generates 1.4 million new jobs –DG

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he Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria ,SMEDAN,has said that it generated 1.43 million new jobs under its National Enterprise Development Programme, NEDEP. Alhaji Bature Masari, Director-General of the agency, said this while addressing the Japanese Trade Mission Interactive Session in Abuja on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that NEDEP is the initiative of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, to holistically address the challenges confronting the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, MSMEs. It is aimed at generating an estimated 5.0 million direct and indirect jobs between 2013 and 2015.

NEDEP was officially launched by President Goolduck

Jonathan on Feb. 11.

Masari said the initiative was implemented under technical/ vocational skills acquisition, business development services, entrepreneurship training as well as access to finance.

He said the period witnessed the generation and registration of an estimated 31,834 cooperative societies.

According to him, a total of 3,645 business plans have been generated from various cooperative societies.

He said the proposals had since been forwarded to the Bank of Industry ,BOI, for appraisal and access to finance.

Masari said that the initiative had provided Nigerians with investment opportunities, adding that the investment opportunities were embedded in the Vision 20:2020 and the Transformation Agenda.

“The vast investment opportunities exist in ICT and modernisation of existing value chain in the agro and agro-allied sector with regards to production and processing.

“The other vital area is storage, packaging and marketing as well as distribution of food related items.’’

Speaking on the role of SMEDAN, Masari said the agency, which was established by an Act in 2003, was meant to coordinate and facilitate the development of the MSMEs sub-sector in the country.

NAN reports that about 44 Chief Executives of 29 Japanese companies attended the business session.

The programme was facilitated by both the Japanese Trade Mission to Nigeria and the Embassy of Nigeria in Tokyo, Japan.

hairman of Heirs Holdings and founder of The Tony Elumelu Foundation, Mr. Tony Elumelu, yesterday announced the launch of the Africapitalism Institute at the World Economic Forum on Africa, in Abuja, Nigeria.

Africapitalism – the philosophy established by. Elumelu –calls on the private sector to commit to making long-term investments across Africa that generate both economic prosperity and social wealth.

The Africapitalism Institute is the first pan-African think tank headquartered in Africa , and founded and funded by Africans, a statement said.

The work of the Institute will codify the philosophy of Africapitalism across Africa and the world. As a fully African funded and led think tank the institute will focus on academically rigorous, practically applicable research and multi-stakeholder engagement to advocate for public policies and business practices that will unlock opportunities for

all Africans.

During the launch press conference, David Rice, the Director of the institute presented an example of the institute’s preliminary research demonstrating that “not all growth is created equal.” The initial research emphasizes the difference between a county’s rate of economic growth versus the amount of growth from local value creation and multiplication. It also briefly explains some of the indicators that feed into its “Theory of Change” as a catalyst to drive Africapitalist investments across Africa .

Presnt at the event were: Donald Kaberuka, President of the African Development Bank; Carlos Lopes, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Council for Africa; Dr. Rajiv Shah, Administrator of the US Agency for International Development; Matthew Bishop, US Business Editor and New York Bureau Chief for The Economist; and Kola Karim, CEO of Shoreline Energy Group.

Skye Bank launches Ria money transfer JOHNSON OKANLAWON

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kye Bank has launched a new money transfer service, Ria Money transfer service to complement other international money transfer services.

Speaking at the launch of the product yesterday, the bank’s Group Managing Director designate, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo, said the product is in tandem with bank’s concept of value creation and addition.

He noted that banks must provide needs-satisfying products timely and effectively, if it must function as a one-stop financial supermarket where customers’ needs can be seamlessly taken

care of.

Oguntayo said the new money transfer service would be available at the bank’s 250 branches nationwide as well as through some specially designated branches, assuring that quality service would be the watch word.

Also speaking on the new product, the bank’s Executive Director, South South/Retail Banking, Mrs. Ibiye Ekong, assured the general public that the bank would make funds remittance and collection easy, safe and convenient for both senders and recipients alike.

Ekong said the bank would strive to make Ria Money the reference in money transfer business in the country.

42

Business News

Friday, May 9, 2014

Quality of houses sold by estate developers worries FG –FMBN ISE-OLUWA IGE ABUJA

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he Managing Director of Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Alhaji Gimba Ya’u Kumbo on Wednesday disclosed that the Federal Government is worried by the quality of houses being sold at strangulating prices to Nigerians by private developers.

Kumbo, who spoke at a forum in Abuja however clarified that private developers who built under FMBN supervision deliver standard houses and at a cheaper rate He also disclosed yesterday that the government has set up a committee to monitor the private developers in order to ensure that their houses are not only built according to international standards but also sold at moderate prices.

The FMBN boss who was flanked by three of his directors however used the opportunity to reel out the achievements of the bank between December 2010 when his team took over and 2014, its challenges and the prospects of the organisation to make the mass housing policy of Jonathan’s ad-

ministration realistic.

His words: “first of all, there two types of houses as managed

by FMBN. The ones that are funded by us and ones funded by private estate developers themselves.

“Some of these houses you see falling down every now and then are those houses that have been funded by estate developers.

“When we realize that there are issues on and off, we then asked that if you identify a house that was not funded by us, we have to go and inspect and ensure their quality using our in-house professionals, engineers, surveyors.

“Most of these houses that you see, lacking in quality and the costs are high are not houses we funded. If you see the ones we funded, the prices are controlled. “For example, the aviation village that the President commissioned recently is one of the mortgages that are well controlled and monitored by us.

“Come with us to Enugu either on 21st, 22nd, 23rd and you will see that houses we built are in line with the world best practices. “We will not allow a situation where a Nigerian will take a mortgage for 30 years and start facing problems

within the first 2 years. That was why National Housing policy was introduced in 2012.

“The Minister of land, housing and urban development had equally constituted a committee which myself and one of my Executive Directors are members. “I am even chairing two of the sub committees to ensure that houses in Nigeria are built within internationally acceptable standard, and the cost are controlled, but the problem of Nigeria is enforcement.

“Once the National Building Code is launched, we will start using the professional institutions to enforce the laws because most of these buildings that you see creating such problems are not the ones built by professional bodies.

“We don’t have control over pricing. For instance, we funded mortgaged houses that the PMI built in Trademore estate. There are houses we funded the estate development, that is the only ones we control quality but at times people who want mortgages go straight to PMIs, identify houses and then package the mortgages and bring to us. We are now insisting on inspecting the houses.

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Over 50 unemployed women trained on ICT, business skills in Abuja ADEOLA TUKURU ABUJA

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he Director-General of the National Centre for Woman Development, NCWD, Lady Onyeka Onwenu,has said the centre had trained over 50 unemployed women graduates on ICT and business skills.

Onwenu stated this at the closing ceremony of a 10-day Computer and Business Skills Training for Women with the theme “No woman left out” on Tuesday in Abuja.

She said the training offered less privileged girls and women the opportunity to acquire ICT and business skills as well as learning the latest technologies in digital media.

“In organising this programme, the NCWD has shown continued commitment to our mandate and aligning our efforts with the transformation agenda of the present administration.

Onyeka further said the training was in line with the UN and the International Telecommunications Union, ITU’s, call for action to empower women and girls to meet their goals and aspirations.

“Many of you are aware that gender equality is a basic human right enshrined in the UN Charter and it is one of the main

objectives of UN Millennium Development Goals.

“This administration is fully committed to it. Hence NCWD is using the power of ICT to provide new digital opportunities in the hope of empowering millions of girls and women in the country,” She said. She added that the centre, established in October 1992 as an institute mandated for research, training and documentation had been in the forefront of innovation in ICT training in the country.

“New challenges and threats to girls and women continue to arise as the world changes. Women’s education is under attack.

“More than 200 schoolgirls were abducted from their school in northern Nigeria by a terrorist organisation that targets schools and is adamantly opposed to educating girls and women.

“The public outcry against this violence cannot be over emphasised,” she said.

She said the centre had been responding to challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment among women.

“Educating women and closing the internet gender gap had an important multiplier effect as it expands opportunities for families, communities and nations’’.

Foundation announces 2014 winners of Innovative Prize for Africa TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

T Managing Director of Azura Power, Dr. David Ladipo, (left) and CEO, Seplat Petroleum Development Company, Mr. Austin Avuru, after the agreement signing ceremony for the Azura-Edo 450MW gas turbine power project in Abuja recently

he African Foundation, AIF, has named Dr Nicolaas Duneas and Nuno Peres, from South Africa, as the winners of the Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA) 2014.

The announcement was made on during an awards ceremony hosted by the African Innovation Foundation in collaboration with the Federal Government of Nigeria where the Coordinating

Bristow Helicopters to expend $5m on training of pilots in U.S. OLUSEGUN KOIKI

T

he Managing Director, Bristow Helicopters, Capt. Akin Oni, has said that the company will spend the sum of $5.m ,about N800m, on the training of 20 student pilots in the United States of America, USA, in 2014.

This is as he revealed that no fewer than 15 students are currently undergoing training in Bristow Academy, Florida, USA for the same aviation training.

Also, no fewer than 40 students of the company is undergoing helicopter engineering training at

the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, NCAT, Zaria, which he said is aimed at developing the capacities of Nigerians.

Oni told aviation correspondents at the helicopter’s office at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, MMA, Lagos that at least; the sum of $250,000 would be expended on each pilot during the training.

He noted that the training of pilots, engineers and other technical personnel in the sector was a yearly exercise, which has been the policy of the company in the last 30 years.

Oni said that the candidates were picked after a rigorous pro-

cess by the company, maintaining that the essence of the training was to improve the technical know-how of Nigerians in the aviation industry while also reducing expatriates in the sector.

He however decried that helicopter pilot training does not exist in Nigeria, hoping that with the current exercise by the Air Force, the amount of money expended on training of helicopter pilots would reduce.

He said, “We have done something for over 30 years, which is the identification of Nigerians, provide them with helicopter pilot training. The Air Force has set up

a school in the country and we are looking at them. We will continue to provide the training as we have been doing in the last 30 years.

“At the moment, we have 15 Nigerians in the Bristow Academy in Florida, we are also in the selection process for another 20. That is not a cheap process, it takes a huge chunk of our revenue. We are doing the necessary things to make sure that we give Nigerians the opportunity not just in the aircraft engineering area, but we are also changing and removing expatriates in our management structure and they are being generally replaced by Nigerians’’.

Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, delivered the keynote speech.

Both winners will receive $100,000 for the Altis Osteogenic Bone Matrix, Altis OBM TM, the first injectable porcine derived BMP medical device in the world - an innovative product for the treatment of bone injuries and voids through the use of a regenerative biological implant.

The winners were recognized at the 2014 Innovation Prize for Africa Awards Ceremony in Abuja, from about 700 applicants from 42 countries who contested for the coveted awards.

The IPA 2014 also recognized two runners up for their contributions to African innovation. In the business potential category, Logou Minsob (Togo) received $25,000 for his Foufou Mix, a food processor designed to replace the mortar and pestles used to prepare Foufou, a popular dish in West Africa.

In the social impact category, Melesse Temesgen (Ethiopia) received US$25 000 for developing the Aybar Broad Based Furrow Maker, BBM, a low-cost farming device that is used to easily drain excess water from waterlogged fields.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business News

Friday, May 9, 2014

Nigeria has estimated 17.7million MSMEs –Expert KUNLE AZEEZ

T

he Chief Executive Officer, Computer Warehouse Group, Mr. Austin Okere, has said that Nigeria has an estimated 17.7 million Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, MSME, in Nigeria.

Okere, an expert in entrepreneurship, stated this during the recognition of his company, CWG, as World Economic Forum Global Growth Company at the ongoing economic conference in Abuja.

According to Okere, who is an Entrepreneur in Residence at Columbia Business School, New York, “Statistics show that there are about 17.7 million Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises mMSME, in Nigeria today.”

He noted that, “If we could help

each of them to build sufficient capacity to employ one more person, we shall create 17.7million additional jobs, enough to absorb all the 16 million unemployed youths in Nigeria with a generous surplus to spare”.

Having launched three successful cloud products, Okere, who was a panelist on the SME Summit of the WEF Africa at Abuja alongside Sunil Bharti, Founder & Chairman Bharti Industries and Head of ICT, WEF USA, and the Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, expressed confidence that the model is sustainable, repeatable and scalable, and above all a social impact investment initiative directed towards empowering the African entrepreneur.

Okere, said his company had gone through tremendous transformation in business model since inception in 1992, and is

now focusing on providing services in the cloud on a subscription basis for her teeming customers; a project he tags CWG 2.0.

Meanwhile, the selection of CWG at the WEF was based on its phenomenal growth, global corporate citizenship, executive leadership and impact on the competitive landscape of the ICT industry in Africa.

According to the Managing Director and Head of the New Champions at the World Economic Forum, Mr. David Aikman, “When choosing entrants to our Community of Global Growth Companies, we assess companies on their business model, annual revenues and growth rates, executive leadership and market position. CWG Plc is a dynamic group with clear potential to shape the future in its relevant business sector and so is a perfect fit to our GGC community”.

L-R: Director,Planning, Research and Strategy, Ministry of Aviation, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris; Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Engr. Saleh Dunoma; Director of Project Monitoring, Ministry of Aviation, Mr. Alex Osakwe; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation Dr. Jamila Shu’ara, and Supervising Minister of Aviation, Dr. Samuel Ortom, during the inspection tour of projects at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, yesterday.

Apapa customs beats challenge of PAAR

D

elays and challenges associated with the recent introduction of the Pre Arrival Assessment Report, PAAR, by Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has been surmounted

by Apapa Area 1 Command of the service which has also collected N29.3bnfor the month of April 2014.

This increase in revenue is evident in the comparison of collections of the command made in April 2014 which is over 50 percent of the N55bn collected between January and March 2014 when the command grappled with the challenges.

This feat was achieved by a combination of dedicated personnel and apt application of available technology..

Over 28,861 PAAR were issued

by Apapa Customs in April alone which surpasses what 3 destination inspection, DI, service providers put together were able to achieve during the Risk Assessment Report, RAR, regime. The service providers were issuing an average of 900 RARs daily which has now been surpassed with an average of 1000 PAARs daily now that the customs have fully taken charge of the DI implementation.

Speaking at a forum in Lagos recently, Charles Edike, Customs Area Controller in charge of the command described the feat as a product of hard work and increasing Information Technology, IT, knowledge of customs personnel deployed to serve at the command.

According to Edike, the PAAR document which is a new require-

ment for goods clearance at all customs ports, is now issued within hours of entry submission in Apapa port, provided importers or agents make declarations that are not self contradictory which may cause the automated system to reject such entries.

Edike who described the initial challenges faced by the introduction of PAAR as teething problems added that such problems were not unusual for any project at inception as they were challenges that are surmountable.

At inception of PAAR regime, over 99,000 RARs were left unattended to by the destination inspection service providers which made the customs to address the challenge of backlog of imports delayed at the ports.

43

Caverton appoints Ileoma as Chief Financial Officer

C

averton, one of Nigeria’s leading providers of support solutions to local and international oil companies across aviation and marine services, has announced the appointment of Mr Samuel Ileoma as Chief Financial Officer, CFO, effective from 2 May 2014, a statement from the company said. “Mr Ileoma brings extensive financial and operational leadership experience to Caverton having worked at senior management level at various multinational companies including BJ Services, DiageoGuinness and Baker Hughes.

“Mr. Ileoma is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and also holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. His professional career started with Peat Marwick, now KPMG, in 1987 from

where he joined Mobil Producing Nigeria as an accountant. “ The statement also said he served as the pioneer Finance manager for BJ Services between 1991 and 1995 after which he was seconded to the UK office in Aberdeen before moving to DiageoGuinness in 2000 as Manager of West Africa Audit and Risk Management.

It said Mr Ileoma also worked at Baker Hughes and more recently at Bristow Helicopters as Compliance Manager for the West Africa Strategic Business Unit. Commenting on the appointment, Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Bode Makanjuola said: “I am pleased to welcome Mr Samuel Ileoma as CFO. He brings on board a wealth of comprehensive financial experience spanning over 2 decades’’.

Delta State, Ecobank partner on sports development

D

elta State Government has commended Ecobank for its massive support to sports development in the state.

Speaking at the 15th Delta State Federations Cup Final which took place in Warri at the weekend, Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama, said Ecobank deserves accolades and commendation for sponsoring the competition since its inception 15 years ago.

He noted that with the development, the bank has helped in no small measure to engage youths in the state productively, urging other corporate organizations to emulate the bank.

Speaking in the same vein, the Chairman, Delta Football Association (DFA) Cup Organising Committee, Mr. Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, observed that with the

sponsorship, Ecobank has demonstrated its love for the youths and people of Delta State.

In particular, he saluted the bank’s Managing Director for sponsoring the competition annually, noting that, it is on record that the hall of fame in DFA will not be complete without mentioning his name.

“Despite the challenges in the banking sector, Ecobank under Aku’s watch has kept faith with us. This is the longest football sponsorship deal in Africa. We wish Ecobank success in their business endeavours,” he said.

On his part, the Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Jibril Aku, maintained that the bank will continue to support sports and other initiatives in the state and the country at large.

Lenovo eyes market share in Nigeria’s smartphone market KUNLE AZEEZ

I

n a move aimed at taking its own share of Nigeria’s smartphone market, Lenovo has appointed Technology Distribution Mobile, TDMobile, distributors for all its wave-making smartphones.

According to Lenovo’s Manager for Africa, Mr. Sharay Shams, “We are happy to partner with a subsidiary of an African leading technology products distributors- Technology Distributions to deliver our world-class leading smart devices in Nigeria and soon to other African countries.

“We have enjoyed successful partnership with the group over the years and are sure TDmobile

will use her wide network and credibility to deliver our global leading smart devices in the country.”

Speaking on the new partnership, TDmobile’s Gozy Ijogun stated that Nigerian resellers are in for an exciting new experience.

“Lenovo smartphones are stylish, industry-leading devices.

Whether you want the best camera experience or the longest talk time, Lenovo has a Smartphone that will enhance your life.”

This partnership will provide Nigerians the opportunity to access original Lenovo’s brand of smart phones and tablets at entry, mid-range and high-end levels.

The well known A369i, A516, A680 and A859 are all available for sale; just like the hugely popular S650, S930 and S960.

44

Friday, May 9, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Experts outline strategies to kindle youth interest in agric Abolaji Adebayo reports that a regime of incentives especially access to credit will rekindle youth interest in agriculture.

T

here is a widespread and growing concern over youths’ disenchantment with agriculture, especial at the era when rapid urbanisation has led to a decline in rural population.

Today, majority of the world’s population lives in the city. The UN World Health Organisation predicts that “by 2030, 6 out if every 10 people will live in a city, and by 2050, this proportion will increase to 7 out of 10 people.”

This means that more young people than ever before are moving to the cities and towns to look for white collar jobs. This explains why the number of young farmers is in rapid decline.

Agriculture is the backbone of most sub-Saharan African economies. Recent statistics indicate that approximately 30 per cent of the people in Africa are young people.

Experts opined that if young people do not find enough incentives, profitable economic opportunities, and attractive work and living environments, they would continue to migrate to cities in large numbers and the opportunity to attract a steady flow of investments to transform Africa’s agricultural sector could be lost.

This trend would not only contribute to the growing urban unemployment which contributes to widespread poverty. The global 7-out-of-10 prediction and projected to reach 9.2 billion people by 2050 are warning that must not be ignored.

Experts said Nigeria does not produce enough food to feed her-

self. There are fewer incentives for local farmers; imported food products are cheaper and of higher quality. High transportation costs and huge losses from food perishing due to lack of preservation facilities worsen the plight of local farmers and the output continues to decline.

In a bid to bring their prices down and be more competitive, these farmers sometimes compromise even further on quality.

They noted that low investments, sparse funding has left most farmers with no alternative than to return to primitive farming methods and patterns. And that high tech farming alternatives are out of reach of most of the farmers.

According to them, government’s neglect of farming for decades after the oil boom left the sector near rock bottom for too long. The lack of innovation, low production, dilapidated facilities, declining access to farming aids, pesticides and fertilisers, huge wastages and food perishing, and continual physical exertion while exposed to tough weather conditions, has driven many young people to more attractive sectors like information and communication technologies, ICT, and or finance.

The key factor keeping the young people out of farming business as they said is their inability to obtain capital or credit and assets. “Access to credit in rural financial institution is often tied to availability of collateral which is usually land in most cases and which the young people do not have access to.”

Jonathan

Government can also make agriculture attractive to the young people by awarding scholarships to students who major in agriculture Corruption in government as well as lack of proactive policies to restrict importation of certain products has also been identified to have led to the dearth in food sufficiency.

Given agriculture’s major role in the Nigerian economy, it has significant potentials to provide solutions to the current problems of youth unemployment.

According to the recent World Bank statistics, youth unemployment rate is 38% but that does not

Adesina

show the true picture as a good fraction of the remaining 62% are underemployed.

For youths to be attracted to agriculture, the provost of college of Agriculture, Olabisi Onabanjo University Ayetoro Ogun State, Professor Oluwatobi Adeokun has highlighted some recommendations for the federal government to make farming activities more attractive to the youth.

In his words, “Small scale farming is a first step towards making farming more attractive for young and trendy Nigerians. They would not fall in love with ‘good old farming’ all of a sudden. The government must fashion out a workable structure to bring them in; including extension services, better transportation system, and mechanised farming.

“Government needs to map out strong policies to empower farmers; a situation where there is an available programme to absorb the youth into agricultural graduate-training programmes; fully funded by government rather than leaving them to find white collar jobs. This would help government channel its funds to actualise its vision 2015 towards food sufficiency.

“The government can also make agriculture attractive to the young people by awarding scholarships to students who major in agriculture in tertiary institutions and by fashioning out programmes where selected students are made to engage in extensive training and research.

“Through these trainings, the youth are exposed to new technologies and innovations in agriculture that would help farmers in local communities while also learning about the traditional methods to some of the country’s biggest food challenges. Once this is done, the farmers can employ these innovations to increase their crop yield.

“Decisive steps to ban importation of some major food items. It is estimated that Nigeria spends N365 billion annually on importation of rice. The government should put a stop to this to help the country’s economy as well as the farmers make their profit without hving to compete with the prices of the foreign food products.

“Government should also try to offer the young farmers a voice by giving them chance to offer their opinions and experience at policy making level.

“Another rather different way of offering them a voice is to use media just as a British Television Programme in 2013, which followed the stories of the selected young farmers across the country, entitled “First time Farmers”.

The programme aimed at defying stereotypes and demonstrated that there was a role for young people in the agriculture industry.

“Access to affordable credit is another key factor in attracting the youth to farming. It is important that appropriate affordable financial packages are put in place by the financial institutions involved in agricultural lending.”

FMN reaffirms commitment to UI Food Research Centre

T

he take-off of the Flour Mills Food Research Centre at the University of Ibadan, UI, received a major boost with the presentation of an additional N30m by Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, FMN, to the institution by the company’s Group Managing Director, Mr. Paul Gbededo.

According to a statement by the company, the donation was made during the visit of a delegation of UI officials to FMN’s new corporate head office in Lagos.

“With the new donation, FMN has now committed a total sum of N60m to the establish-

ment of the Flour Mills Food Research Centre, having made an initial grant of N30m to the institution last year.

“The delegation was led by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, Professor Charles Aworh, a professor of food technology and Acting Head ,Department of Food Technology, Dr. Rahman Akinoso”, the statement said.

It said the UI-FMN partnership is part of on-going efforts at transforming the Department of Food Technology, UI, into a world-class centre of excellence in food research, adding that under the partnership, the

FMN grant will be used for the procurement of equipment and running of the food research centre during the first three years. “ UI will provide a building which will house the laboratories for pilot plant studies and research in food product development, lecture theatres, classrooms, seminar rooms and other facilities for teaching and research”, it said.

Olayinka said the Flour Mills Food Research Centre would engage in the training of students in food science and technology, food research and consultancy and that the centre will also pro-

vide a modern food pilot plant for scaling up research in food product development and providing hands-on pilot plant experiences for food science and technology students.

This, he said, was a critical requirement for a fit-for-purpose training for the food industry with the students receiving better training and acquiring the necessary skills for self employment or a successful career in the food industry.

According to Aworh, research at the centre would extend to: promoting food security and enhancing small farmers’ income through value added

processing of lesser-known and under-utilised indigenous Nigerian crops; upgrading traditional food processing technologies and promoting culturally acceptable and affordable traditional foods.

Gbededo, who received the delegation in the company of Alhaji Olalekan Saliu, the Company Secretary/Director of Flour Mills, said that FMN was delighted to partner with UI in the food research initiative which would help to seek meaningful solutions to post-harvest losses in major crops grown in Nigeria and assist sustainability in food production.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Friday, May 9, 2014

Equities rise 0.1% as 38 stocks gain STORIES: JOHNSON OKANLAWON

T

rading in equities continued on a bullish note on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, as investors confidence on stocks rose further.

Specifically, the All Share Index appreciated 0.14 per cent to close at 38,640.44 points, compared to the increase of 0.28 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 38,585.99 points.

Market capitalisation gained N18bn to close at N12.72trn, lower than the increase of N35bn recorded the preceding day to close at

T

he Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, yesterday said that the bank would further deepen its retail banking in the current financial year.

Presenting the bank’s Facts Behind the Figure s on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, he said the bank target is to grow retail accounts to three million from 230 branches by the end of 2014.

He stated that the bank growth focus was to create strategic alliances with churches, schools, micro finance banks, supermarket to increase retail customers base.

“We are leveraging on emerging consumer credit bureaus and the bankwide risk management

N12.70trn.

The NSE 30-Index added 0.05 per cent to close at 1,740.08 points, while the Banking Index rose 0.59 per cent to close at 398.16 points.

The Insurance Index was up 1.97 per cent to close at 141.10 points, but the Consumer Goods Index shed 0.41 per cent to close at 956.13 points.

The Oil and Gas Index appreciated 1.51 per cent to close at 320.76 points, but the Lotus Islamic Index lost 0.22 per cent to close at 2,700.15 points.

The Industrial Index dropped 0.35 per cent to close at 2,510.31 points.

The Alternative Securities Market closed flat at 950.94 points.

NPF Microfinance Bank Plc led the gainers’ table with seven kobo or 8.43 per cent to close at 90 kobo per share, followed by Learn Africa Plc with eight kobo or five per cent to close at N1.68 per share.

Mansard Insurace Plc gained 11 kobo or five per cent to close at N2.31 per share, while ABC Transport Plc appreciated four kobo or five per cent to close at 84 kobo per share.

Livestock Plc rose 16 kobo or 4.95 per cent to close at N3.39 per share.

On the flip side, Ikeja Hotel Plc lost three kobo or five per cent to close at 57 kobo per share, while Paint Manufacturing Company added eight kobo or 4.88 per cent to close at N1.56 per share.

Wema Bank Plc dipped four kobo or 4.04 per cent to close at 95 kobo per share, while Oasis Insurance Plc dropped two kobo or 3.64 per cent to close at 53 kobo per share.

IPWA Plc shed two kobo or 3.57 per cent to close at 54 kobo per share.

A total of 300.8 million shares worth N2.89bn were exchanged in 3,990 deals.

Fidelity Bank to deepen retail market, plans expansion framework to provide loan products to grossly underserved consumer banking segment”, he said.

Okonkwo pointed out that the bank is commencing the aggressive deployment of smaller, cheaper, more ubiquitous branches focused on cheap deposit mobilisation.

Explaining the growth expectation on the bank key indicator, he said the bank is targeting between 15-20 per cent on tax rate, 20 per cent average on deposit growth, 15-20 per cent average on loan growth, 30-35 per cent on proposed dividend and targets 10 per cent growth

on return on investment.

According to him, in short term strategy the bank is strengthening its role in Small Medium Enterprises (SME) and retail segments in mobilising cheap deposits.

He also added that the bank will be deepening participation in energy, oil and gas, telecom and other fast-growing sectors by leveraging on its enhanced balance sheet and expanded distribution network.

Looking at the bank performance in 2013, its gross earning rose 6.3 per cent to N126.9bn in 2013 from N119.4bn in 2012,

while its profit after tax declined 57.6 per cent to N7.7bn, from N18.2bn recorded in 2012.

He attributed the decline in the net profit to Asset Management Company of Nigeria clawback of N4.4bn on previously sold loans and one -off additional provision of N1.8bn in respect of actuarial valuation on gratuity and pension obligation.

“Others are increase in AMCON levy, increase in cost of deposit and impact of the introduction of 50 per cent cash reserve ratio”, he said.

US investors urged to seek credible local partners

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he Group Managing Director of United Bank for Africa, Mr. Phillips Oduoza, has advised investors from the developed economies, who are desirous of taking advantage of the bourgeoning business and investment opportunities in Africa, to seek credible local partners to help them in the process.

A statement from the bank yesterday quoted him as saying that it is imperative for the investors to partner with local players like UBA that understand the business terrain to help them navigate around some of the seeming challenges of investing in Africa.

Oduoza, who spoke at the panel on pan-African businesses at the recently concluded three-day Milken Global conference in Los Angeles, California, noted that understanding of the local culture, customization of products and initiatives were critical factors to successfully invest in Africa.

Other people in the panel were Chairman, De Beers Consolidated Mines in South Africa, Mr. Berand Petersen, Ahmed Heikal of Citadel Group in Egpyt, the Chief Executive Officer, Oando Exploration and Production Limited, Mr. Pade Durotoye, and Jonathan

Berman of Dalberg Consulting.

According to the statement, the Panel also called on prospective investors from developed countries to evolve new financial models that will enable them invest in the Ports, transportation and power sectors.

It explained that the panel also called for more of structured financing and capacity building as well as the need for prospective investors to listen more and dialogue constructively, have more Export Credit Agencies (ECAs) Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) focus more

on Africa.

“The panel on panAfrican businesses discussed how entrepreneurs and industry leaders are harnessing the enormous potentials in Africa to transform the continent in diverse fields like manufacturing, technology, real estate, financial services, infrastructure and agriculture,” it said.

The Milken Global Conference brings together some of the world’s leading thinkers, visionaries and decision-makers to help find solutions to critical issues facing the world.

45

Source: NSE

Source: FMDA

Market indicators All-Share Index 38,640.44 points Market capitalisation 13.02 trillion

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

NPFMCRFBK

0.83

0.90

0.07

8.43

LEARNAFRCA

1.60

1.68

0.08

5.00

MANSARD

2.20

2.31

0.11

5.00

ABCTRANS

0.80

0.84

0.04

5.00

LIVESTOCK

3.23

3.39

0.16

4.95

BERGER

8.75

9.18

0.43

4.91

CONTINSURE

1.02

1.07

0.05

4.90

MOBIL

123.50

129.40

5.90

4.78

CUSTODYINS

2.77

2.90

0.13

4.69

UBCAP

2.14

2.24

0.10

4.67

CHANGE

% CHANGE

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

IKEJAHOTEL

0.60

0.57

-0.03

-5.00

PAINTCOM

1.64

1.56

-0.08

-4.88

WEMABANK

0.99

0.95

-0.04

-4.04

OASISINS

0.55

0.53

-0.02

-3.64

IPWA

0.56

0.54

-0.02

-3.57

VITAFOAM

4.30

4.18

-0.12

-2.79

WAPCO

111.99

110.00

-1.99

-1.78

UACN

57.00

56.00

-1.00

-1.75

PZ

36.00

35.60

-0.40

-1.11

NESTLE

1,080.00

1,070.49

-9.51

-0.88

Primary Market Auction TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

91-Day

22,057.31

11.50

07-Nov-13

182-Day

30,000.00

11.59

07-Nov-13

182-Day

47,786.39

13.05

07-Nov-13

Open Market Operations TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

178-Day

86,709.13

12.35

07-Nov-13

175-Day

95,368.69

12.35

07-Nov-13

-

-

-

-

Wholesale Dutch Auction System AMOUNT OFFERED

MARKET DEMAND

AMOUNT SOLD

DATE

$350m

N/A

$343m

04-Nov-13

$400m

N/A

$399m

30-Oct-13

46

Friday, May 9, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

World Economic Forum

President Jonathan tasks African leaders on inclusive growth agenda

Member of Chinese delegation at the opening of the World Economic Forum Africa in Abuja yesterday.

STORIES: TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday urged leaders in the African region to introduce social protection measures in their developmental plans as a strategic option for lifting millions of their peoples out of the poverty level.

He made the plea in his keynote address at the plenary session of the World Economic Forum Africa, WEF, 2014 in Abuja.

The, President, who noted that providing for the poorer and vulnerable members of the African people remained a major challenge governments in the continent are contending with, said that opening of job opportunities for the increasingly growing youth population remained crucial if inequality and unemployment crises in the various countries must be addressed.

Citing the various initiatives of his government to create jobs and facilitate inclusive growth in Nigeria, the President explained that despite the insecurity challenge in the country, the efforts were yielding desired results and that the administration would continue to expand the frontiers of poverty alleviation drives through policy regime that support private sector investments in the economy.

According to him, whereas the unemployment challenge is not peculiar to African economies in view of the emerging experiences in Asia, Europe and other continents, Africa’s unemployment problem is more compounded by the growing population of young people entering the labour market yearly.

He said: “We must ensure that the poorer and vulnerable members of our societies are also carried

along. We need economic growth – but we must work to ensure that this growth is inclusive.

“In Africa, most of our countries must begin to think about introducing social protection measures building on the strong traditions we already have of caring for one another. Our friends in Latin America have more knowledge in this area and can share some of their experiences with us.

“Africa faces difficult challenges in the years ahead to provide adequate infrastructure, to create jobs, and to develop the skills of its young population.

“But the continent is also confronted by tremendous opportunity to harness its young population in a manner than can provide unique dividends to its people”, President Jonathan added.

Citing the findings of the research by McKinsey which projected that calculated that an additional 122 million workers will enter Africa’s labour force by 2020, to articulate his views, the President pointed out that tackling the challenges of crushing poverty, inequality and engendering inclusive growth in the sub-regional economies demanded urgent measures that are specifically targeted at the youth population in areas of education, health, housing and others critical to unleashing their productive potentials.

On the country-specific steps being undertaken by the Nigerian government to create jobs, especially the You-WIN initiative, the President explained that government’s policies were focused on a number of priority sectors which have high job-creating potential, such as agriculture, manufacturing, housing and construction, and the services sectors.

He explained that his administration was working tirelessly to un-

lock the various obstacles faced by businesses in these sectors so that they can create jobs, adding that the Nigerian government is learning from the example of other countries such as China to see what they have done in to create jobs for their citizens “For us in Nigeria, job creation has been the main focus of our ongoing Transformation Agenda – which is our program to modernise and diversify the Nigerian economy.

“Job creation is one of the concerns that keeps me up at night, and it has been the main theme of our Federal Government Budget in recent years. We recognise that the private sector will be the engine of growth and job-creation” the President said.

Appreciating the critical role in the job creation drive, he pointed out that to attract the needed support from the OPS, the Federal Government had been putting in place the necessary conditions to support private sector-led economic growth and job creation.

He listed the components of these measures as including, the creation of a stable macroeconomic environment in form of low inflation, stable exchange rates and investment in critical infrastructure such as roads, railways, power and investing in the development of skills of the people, amongst others.

While reflecting on the potential benefits of the Nigeria’s rebased GDP size and other initiatives aimed at making the economy attractive to investors, President Jonathan expressed his belief that collectively, with the calibre of men and women participating at the WEFA, and with the political will and commitment of African leaders, decisions required to take Africa to greater heights would be taken at the Forum.

WEF: China unveils over $42bn investment package for Africa

T

he Chinese Government yesterday unveiled a $42bn investment plan for the African region as part of its commitment to boosting investment and economic support for the development of the regional economies.

Announcing the investment plans at the plenary session of the ongoing World Economic Forum Africa, WEF, in Abuja, Premier of the People’s Republic of China, Li Keqiang, said the funds would be channelled to critical sectors that would help in tackling the challenges of deepening poverty and unemployment in the continent.

The Chinese leader listed the key areas to include industrial cooperation, financial cooperation, poverty reduction, environmental protection, people-to-people exchanges and cooperation on peace and security.

According to him, China would be ready to provide financing, technical and human resources supports to the region’s economies while also increasing its investment financing to about $10 billion and extending credit lines to African countries to a total of $30bn.

He added that another $2bn would go into the China-Africa Development Fund, raising it about $5bn to complement other special loans, financing funds and other forms of commercial loans and multilateral capitals to support the African Talent plan.

Li clarified further that under the plan, about 18,000 government scholarships would be provided to Africa for the training of about 30,000 professionals of various disciplines.

He stressed that to realise inclusive growth, the need to build huge infrastructure capacity was imperative for the region, especially transportation, to fast-track the economic transformation agenda of the various economies.

The Chinese leader said that his country was making infrastructure development a priority under the China-Africa Action Plan with the African Union ,AU, on the African trans-regional infrastructure cooperation, designed to help develop a high speed rail network connecting all African capitals; expansion of the African roads network, and the creation of African regional aviation network.

Similarly, he hinted that China was ready to assist African realise its vision by working under a comprehensive cooperation on engineering, equipment, design, planning and management of high speed rail system in the continent.

He said: “The strong growth in China has generated many more exports from Africa and gave strong support to Africa’s rapid growth. The immense development potentials of Africa have attracted many Chinese companies to invest and do business here.

FG targets 10% bank credit to agric sector

T

he Federal Government said yesterday that plans were underway to raise bank lending to the Nigerian agriculture sector to between seven and 10 per cent as part of efforts to leverage on the achievements of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda, ATA, in the years ahead.

Disclosing this while delivering a paper titled: ‘Doing Agric in 2014: What Catalytic Public Investments Can Do for Agric: Lessons for 2014, The African Union Year of Agriculture’, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, said Nigeria’s success story in agriculture today was the result of innovative strategies adopted to unlock the sector’s potentials.

He explained that unlike the past when agriculture was treated as a development programme, it had now been transformed into a business, thereby opening it up for private sector-led investments and operations.

The minister noted that Nigerian bankers were excited about agriculture now more than when the sector attracted only about 0.7

per cent of bank lending and canvassed the need to use public sector funds to leverage private sector investments into the sector.

Adesina said that due to government’s commitment to agriculture, government had been able to end 40 years of corruption in input and seed sector and that the number of seed companies in the sector has risen from five to 80 seed companies.

Highlighting some of the achievements of the sector under the ATA, the ministed disclosed that government had registered 1.5m farmers with biometric information, linking them into National identity Management System.

In addition, he explained that Nigeria produced 15 million metric tonnes of food in two years, adding that these strides show the importance of political commitment by government as well as the private sector, including farmers, with the ‘We can do’ attitude to grow the sector.

He said:”Nigeria should be able to make stupendous wealth from agriculture given the country’s comparative advantage.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

47

Friday May 9, 2014

Community Mirror No stone shall be left unturned in our resolve to bring perpetrators of this attack and other criminal assault on our people in the past to justice KADUNA STATE GOVERNOR, MUKHTAR RAMALAN YERO

Court ousts Domkat Bali as traditional ruler JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

T

he people of Gazum in Langtang North Local Government Council of Plateau State have applauded the recent judgment by the Court of Appeal voiding the selection of General Domkat Bali (rtd) as Ponzhi Tarok, describing the judgment as an important step that

would lead to the peaceful resolution of the impasse surrounding the stool.

In a statement signed by the President of Gazum Development Association Mr. Clement Chirman, the people said what happened with the selection of Domkat Bali in 2010 as Ponzhi Tarok was nothing but a desecration of the custom and tradition of the Tarok people.

The statement further states that a matter as important as chieftaincy must be handled with care as it involves the history and tradition of a people.

“As it stands today, the lawful instrument for the selection of Ponzhi Tarok is the 1975 Gazzette and any attempt to expunge the Gazum people as heir to the throne will be unac-

ceptable.

The Court of Appeal sitting in Jos ruled that Domkat Bali cannot summon, preside or partake in any meeting of the Langtang Joint Traditional Council, or undertake any action as the Ponzhi Tarok.

The ruling was part of the judgment in a cross appeal entered by three district heads and mem-

Residents of Ijegun and Isheri-Oshun, crossing a bridge under construction at Oke-Afa, Isolo in Lagos yesterday.

bers of the electoral college which have since 2010 challenged the selection of General Bali as the Ponzhi Tarok.

The district heads of Langtang, Gazu and Bwarat, Nicholas Musa, Joab Dadi and Selchak Sambo respectively, instituted a court action in 2010 against the Ponzhi Tarok, Secretary of the Langtang Joint Traditional Council, the Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Attorney General of Plateau State and the Langtang Joint Traditional Council, claiming that the selection of Bali was not conducted in accordance with the traditions and customs of the Tarok people.

The Plateau State High Court had on January 6, 2011 granted an order restraining the installation of the Ponzhi Tarok pending the determination of a motion on notice, but the Commissioner for Local Govern-

NAF demolishes houses in Benue

Woman battles lover, police for T child’s custody

HENRY IYORKASE MAKURDI

SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN

A

39-year-old single mother, Miss Success Omote Makelemi, has called on President Goodluck Jonathan and Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, to rescue her from the detention of the Nigeria Navy and Police.

Omote, who lives at No. 52, Aja Street, Oghara, Delta State, has been detained at the Oghara Divisional Police Headquarters since May 1, 2014, from where she was transferred to the Command Headquarters, Asaba on May 7th.

Before then, she had been detained for two days by the Navy in Oghara, after her estranged lover, Mr. Hope Abijor, a member of the Delta State Waste Management Board, wrote a petition to the navy, which, in turn, filed a complaint of misconduct against the woman.

The bone of contention between the estranged lovers is the custody of their five-year-old child, Emmanuela Abijor, a primary one pupil of the Navy Primary School in Oghara.

Recounting her ordeal, Omote said she became pregnant for her estranged lover, who had

promised to marry her, but later left for another woman. She stated that after delivery, all entreaties for dowry payment failed.

Since then, she has been struggling to bring up the child with the assistance of her 70-year-old mother, Mrs. Dora Makelemi.

Community Mirror gathered that the estranged lovers’ disagreement became pronounced, when Mr. Abijor sought to take full custody of the child, an arrangement that did not go down well with Omote, who insisted that she was not ready to allow the baby live under the care of a step-mother.

The situation degenerated when Omote tried to take the child away from the navy school without the permission of the father.

According to Omote, “I took my child away from the school because I cannot allow her to be under the care of a stepmother while I am still alive and able to care of her. Besides, the father had gone to court claiming he doubts the paternity of my baby.

He is seeking a DNA test to determine the paternity. So, why must he now take custody of the child”?

ment and Chieftaincy Affairs, Paul Wai, had with the advice of the Attorney General, Edward Pwajok gone ahead to install General Bali as the Ponzhi Tarok.

However, the district heads had initiated another suit in 2012, where the state high court granted three out of the eight reliefs sought. Not satisfied, the defendants had instituted an appeal to challenge the judgment of the lower court, while the district heads had cross appealed on the basis that five out of the eight reliefs were not granted by the Plateau State High Court.

In their judgment, justices Tijjani Abdullahi, Chioma Nwosu- Iheme and Ibrahim Shata Bdliya, ruled that the lower court had no reason not to have granted the other reliefs sought by the district heads pending the determination of the motion on notice before the court.

he Nigeria Airforce, NAF, has demolished more than 300 buildings and other structures in Makurdi, Benue State, over land ownership.

One of the affected landlords, Gunji Ephraim said that the residents had initially taken the case to court but until recently when the Nigerian Air Force pleaded that they withdraw it to pave way for settlement.

He lamented that as soon as they withdrew the case, the Nigeria Air Force commenced demolition without giving them any notice.

In his reaction, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, CPRO, Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa, said the Airforce owns 4,835 hectares of land which was duly approved by the Feder-

al Government and lamented that over the years, it had observed with dismay, the encroachment on it by unscrupulous individuals.

He noted that the two communities of Ugondo and Akpen, that initially instituted court actions against NAF and the state government, later resolved to withdraw the case.

“The legal process gave rise to a court injunction restricting further developments on the land. The injunction may not be said to hold any longer given that the case had been withdrawn. It is sad to note that fresh developments have since begun to come up on the land.”

Famuyiwa stated that the command has commenced the process of safeguarding its land thus culminating in pulling down new emerging structures.

48

Transition

Friday May 9, 2014

Justice Chukwudifu Oputa J

ustice Chukwudifu Oputa was born on 22nd September 1924 in Oguta, Imo State, hence he is fondly called Oputa from Oguta. His father was Chief Oputa Izukwu and mother, Madam Nwanetu Oputa. He had his early education at Sacred Heart School, Oguta and Christ the king College, Onitsha.

After this, he attended the Yaba Higher College, but due to the World War 11, he was sent along with others to the famous Achimota College, Ghana, then Gold Coast. There he graduated B.Sc (Hon) Economics in 1945. He came back to Nigeria and took up a teaching appointment with Calabar National College. He later went to Lagos where he worked as ADO (Assistant District Officer). It was here, that Oputa achieved a remarkable feat; he studied at home and obtained BA (Hon) history.

Late Justice Oputa then proceeded to London where he obtained LLB (Hon) and was called to bar in Gray’s Inn, London.

Upon return to Nigeria, then Barrister Oputa went into brilliant and successful

private practice, handling such celebrated cases as the Oguta Chieftaincy dispute 1958/ 59, the Amanyanabo Dispute 1956/ 60 and many more.

In 1966, he was appointed Judge of the High Court of the then Eastern Nigeria and moved on to become the first Chief Judge of Imo State 10 years later.

In 1984, he became the Hon. Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

It did not take long before Justice Oputa put his stamp on the court as a man profoundly moved by classical literature, history, divinity and philosophy and whose judgments possessed the temerity that is in the preserve of genius. No wonder then Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mohammed Bello nicknamed him Cicero.

Even as he was proceeding on retirement in 1989, it was quite clear that Oputa still had much more to offer.

Late Justice Oputa is not all law. He was a devoted Christian and played active role in the church. He is honoured in the Catholic Church with Knight Commander of St. Gregory the

Great. He was also Knight Commander of St. Sylvester Pope, Knight of St. Mulumba.

Justice Oputa published over 40 papers in lectures, conferences and

L

Authority system. A prince of Ebiraland, the late Attah was a lawyer.

Prior becoming governor, he was permanent secretary in the federal Ministry of Finance in 1967, and was in discussions with the Soviet Union over possible development loans.

Atta defeated Obatemi Usman for a seat in the Constituent Assembly in 1977.

Usman appealed the vote to his Oziogu

John Wash Pam

F

ormer Deputy Senate President, John Wash Pam, is dead. He died of complications secondary to prostate cancer at the National Hospital, Abuja.

O

tedola was born on July 16, 1926 at Odoragunsin in the Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State.

He won a scholarship to study Journalism at the Regent Street Polytechnic, London and graduated in 1958.

He began his career as a teacher before working as a reporter at the St. Pancras Chronicle, then as a reporter and later sub-editor at The Guardian and The Times in England. On his return to Nigeria in 1959 he became an Information Officer in the Western Nigeria government, and while in this post he was appointed the Editor of the Western Nigeria Illustrated. In 1961 he moved into public relations, working for Western Nigeria Television/

Michael Otedola Western Broadcasting Service (1961-1964) and Mobil Oil Group of Companies (1964-1977), continuing as a consultant to Mobil after leaving the company.

He was elected governor of Lagos State from 1992 to 1993 on the platform of the National Republican Convention (NRC), leaving office when General Sani Abacha came to power. His administration facilitated establishing the Yaba College of Technology campus in Epe, his home town. He died at the age of 88 years and survived by wife and children.

seminars.

A dedicated family man, he left behind wife, children among them, Mr. Charles Oputa popularly known as Charly Boy to mourn him.

Adamu Attah ate Alhaji Adamu Atta was the first civilian governor of Kwara State during the Second Republic, representing the National Party of Nigeria (NPN).

Adamu Atta was an indigene of Ebira land, in present Kogi State. Born in on October 18, 1927 at Okene, Kogi State to a warrant Chief, Ibrahima Atta, whom the British granted wide powers under the Native

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

The Second Republic senator is survived by two wives and 18 children. Late Wash Pam, a prominent Berom elder, hailed from Foron District of Barakin Ladi Local Government Area of

clan, accusing the Aniku sub-clan of Adavi, to which Atta belonged, of occupying most of the public offices in Ebira land. Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki supported Atta in his successful 1979 bid for governor.Atta was responsible for establishing the Obangede Specialist Hospital. Adamu Atta was a polo enthusiast, and owner of the Fifth Chukker Club and Resorts. He was 87 years old.

Plateau State.

Wash Pam was deputy senate president to Senator Joseph Wayas from 1979 to 1983. He was said to have died in the presence of his son and his special assistant.

Pa Israel Adejokun

P

a Israel Olayiwola Adejokun was born in 1929 into the family of Joriki Ogbon Mayan, in Igbajo, Osun State by late Pa Samuel Babawuyi and Madam Ogunjoke Adejokun. His mother was from the Ogunsina Family of Aworogun Compound, Oke –Oja, Igbajo.

Late Pa Adejokun did not have a formal education, but he took time to attend evening classes.

He learnt tailoring from an uncle, ( Eman Oni). He later became a plank seller at Isopako, Sango, Ibadan.

He started work as a security man at The Polytechnic Ibadan, Oyo State in 1997 till March 31, 2014.

He got married in 1962 to Miss Christiana Ajayi of Ile-Odofin compound in Igbajo. He worshiped at CAC Oke-Irorun, while living in Sango area of Ibadan and later joined the Yoruba Deeper Life Bible Church,

Idi-omo, Ibadan.

Pa Adejokun died on April 6, 2014 and was buried on Saturday, May 3, 2014 after a funeral service at his residence, Aba-Ode, Idiomo – Arulogun Road, Ibadan, Oyo State.

He is survived by his wife, children and grand children.

Friday, May 9, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

49

World News

Ukraine crisis: Pro-Russia rebel vote to go ahead

The Islamist militants’ (Boko Haram’s) publicity coup is likely to backfire.

50

PAUL ARHEWE

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

B

oth sides in South Sudan’s conflict have committed crimes against humanity, including mass killings, sexual slavery and gang-rape, a UN report says.

The “widespread and systematic” atrocities were carried out in homes, hospitals, mosques, churches and UN compounds, it added.

The report called for those responsible to be held accountable.

Fighting between government and rebel forces broke out in December, leaving more than a million homeless.

While not naming names, the report emphasises the need for accountability and proper investigations into the ethnic killings and sexual violence.

A “Crime Against Humanity” is a legal term, and citing the “widespread and systematic” nature of atrocities carried out by both sides, the UN states there are reasonable grounds to believe crimes against humanity have been committed.

While there are obvious difficulties in verifying reports of sexual violence in wartime, it is significant that the UN provides evidence of rape, gang-rape and “sexual slavery” by soldiers.

The report blames both sides, highlighting the tribal or ethnic nature of the violence perpetrated by both Nuer and Dinka soldiers and militia.

Confirming the details of hate speech broadcast in Bentiu after rebels recently took control of the town - Nuer men were urged to meet at the military base to go out and rape Dinka women - also takes the crisis to a far more worrying level.

The battle assumed ethnic overtones, with Machar relying heavily on fighters from his Nuer ethnic group and Kiir from his Dinka community.

Machar is due to arrive shortly in Ethiopia for talks with Kiir, rebel spokesman James Gatdet Dak said, Reuters news agency reports.

The two leaders are due to meet on Friday - their first contact since the conflict erupted.

Kiir and Machar have come under intense diplomatic pressure from the UN and US to end the conflict.

Regional mediators have been trying to broker a peace deal be-

–BBC’s World Affairs Editor, John Simpson

‘South Sudanese committed crimes against humanity’

WORLD BULLETIN

Sudan deports 30 Eritreans, including refugees Sudan has deported 30 Eritreans, including at least six registered as refugees, back to their homeland where they risk detention and abuse, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said yesterday.

Sudan’s ministry of foreign affairs could not immediately comment, and a source at the country’s refugee commission had no information.

The HRW statement came the same day that Eritrea’s President Issaias Afeworki landed in Khartoum for a three-day official visit.

The Eritrean group of 30 was arrested near the Libyan border in early February and held for three months without charge and without access to the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR), HRW said.

US First Lady Michelle Obama has joined worldwide calls for the safe return of the Nigerian schoolgirls kidnapped

tween the two sides in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

They agreed that a truce - described as “30 days of tranquillity” - would come into effect on Wednesday in an effort to re-establish an ineffective ceasefire deal that was signed in January.

The BBC’s reporter in the capital, Juba, says the report by the UN mission in South Sudan is a hard-hitting catalogue of atrocities, based on interviews

with 900 people.

It describes how, when the conflict erupted, security forces in Juba went from house to house rounding up and killing men from a particular ethnic group.

Tit-for-tat revenge attacks then spread across the country, the report says.

There is page after page outlining mass killings, rapes and gang-rapes and the targeting of

civilians on ethnic grounds, our correspondent adds.

The UN has about 8,500 peacekeepers in South Sudan, which became the world’s newest state after seceding from Sudan in 2011.

However, they have struggled to contain the conflict, and the government has accused the UN mission of siding with the rebels.

Africa must work harder to reduce inequality -Annan

A

frican governments should work harder to reduce inequality that has prevented the benefits of a decade of economic growth from being spread equitably, according to a report by former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan released yesterday.

The plunder by foreign

Annan

investors and corrupt officials of the continent’s fishing and timber resources is a clear example of the failure to harness natural resources for the common good, according to the annual Africa Progress Report.

“After more than a decade of growth, there is plenty to celebrate,” Annan was set to say at the report’s launch in London.

“But it is time to ask why so much growth has done so little to lift people out of poverty and why so much of Africa’s resource wealth is squandered through corrupt practices and unscrupulous investment activities,” Annan said.

The report is written by the Africa Progress Panel chaired

by Annan, which advocates sustainable development.

The panel of 10 high-profile figures includes Irish musician and campaigner Bob Geldof and women and children rights advocate Graca Machel, who is

the widow of late South African president Nelson Mandela.

Annan, who is from Ghana, played a central role in shaping the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals, which aimed to halve extreme poverty by 2015. He said the next set of targets must have reducing inequality as a core objective.

“When countries sign up to the new global development framework, they should pledge not only to meet ambitious targets but also to narrow the region’s indefensible gaps between rich and poor, urban and rural, and men and women,” he said.

Investing in agriculture is crucial, he said, singling Rwanda and Ethiopia as countries where that sort of investment had helped spread benefits across society.

Sub-Saharan Africa is set for economic growth of 5.5 percent in 2014, according to the International Monetary Fund.

S’Africa poll: Zuma’s ANC party wins landslide victory The African National Congress (ANC) has won a commanding victory in South Africa’s general election, partial results show.

With about 80% of the results in, the ANC has 63% of the vote, followed by the Democratic Alliance (DA) on 22%.

BBC said inequality, unemployment and corruption are big problems but the electorate has shown it has not lost faith in the ANC. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party is in third place with 5%.

The electoral commission said voting passed off peacefully in most areas, with turnout at just over 72%.

The Democratic Alliance has much to celebrate. It is the only party that has consistently increased its vote-share from election to election.

The party has achieved success from moving “more to the centre” says political analyst Ralph Matshekga. He says the DA has learnt that it must move from simply opposing anything proposed by the ANC to becoming a “problem-solver”.

Matshekga says while the EFF has emerged as another opposition party, it should be careful not to become a one-hit wonder. He warns that in parliament, it may have to tone down some of its rhetoric, but “a softer approach may cost them the radical voter who wants drastic change now”.

Analysts agree that a stronger opposition can only be good for the country’s young democracy, hopefully teaching the ANC not to be complacent and to deliver on its long list of promises.

For its part, the ANC says it is happy with its tally, saying the results are testimony to the party’s hard work.

50

World News

WORLD BULLETIN Malaysian police arrest al-Shabab suspect Malaysian police arrested an east African man yesterday on suspicion of involvement with the al-Shahab Islamist militant group.

A police statement said the arrest occurred near Kuala Lumpur. It didn’t give the 34-year-old man’s name but said he was wanted by Interpol for terrorism-related activities.

It was unclear whether he would be extradited or held in Malaysia.

“Police are investigating the subject’s activities in Malaysia to identify any al-Shabab terrorist elements which might be hiding or carrying out activities that might jeopardize the safety of Malaysia,” the statement said.

Al-Shabaab is Somalia’s most feared militant group and has ties with al-Qaida. It carried out the Westgate Mall attack in Kenya late last year. While it recruits from the Somali diaspora, it has not been known to have a transnational agenda.

Ex-Berlusconi minister arrested in Mafia probe A former minister in several of Silvio Berlusconi’s centreright governments was arrested yesterday in a luxury Rome hotel for allegedly helping a prominent businessman convicted of Mafia association flee abroad.

Claudio Scajola was accused of helping political ally Amedeo Matacena flee to Dubai last summer to avoid a five-year jail sentence and of then trying to arrange asylum for him and relatives in Lebanon using government contacts, Reggio Calabria prosecutor Federico Cafiero De Raho told a news conference.

“We are not talking about a simple telephone call. It’s much more than that,” said De Raho, who described the two men’s close ties. “There is a very close relationship between Scajola, Matacena’s wife and the other suspects.”

CHANGE OF NAME

FATOYE: Formerly known and addressed as Fatoye Adebanke Motunrayo, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs Olu-Awe Adebanke Motunrayo. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

UGOCHUKWU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ugochukwu Oluomachi Anita, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Agbazue Dozie Oluomachi Anita.

All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OKOROJI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Okoroji Mary Urewuchi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Udeolisa Urewuchi Emeka. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OBIDINMA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Obidinma Nkechi Florence, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ugwuadu Nkechi Florence. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

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NWAKAOZOR: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwakaozor MaryAnn Chinonyerem, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ibe Mary-Ann Chinonyerem. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Friday, May 9, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ukraine crisis: Pro-Russia rebel vote to go ahead

P

ro-Russian activists in eastern Ukraine have decided to go ahead with an independence referendum on Sunday, despite a call from Russian President Vladimir Putin to postpone it.

The move was announced by separatist leaders after consulting supporters.

On Wednesday, Mr Putin called for a postponement to create the conditions necessary for dialogue.

Ukrainian authorities say they will disregard the results and that “anti-terror” operations will continue.

The decision to press with the vote ahead was announced by separatist leaders in the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.

The leader in Donetsk, Denis Pushilin, said it had been unanimous. “We just voice what the people want and demonstrate through their actions,” he said.

A spokesman for the Kremlin said there was “little information” and that it needed to further analyse the situation.

The BBC’s Richard Galpin in Donetsk says tensions are running high amid fears that a vote will exacerbate tensions and possibly plunge the country into a full-blown civil war.

Moscow has vowed to protect the rights of Ukraine’s Russianspeaking population against what it calls an undemocratic government in Kiev.

Ukrainian authorities have rejected activist demands for greater autonomy and troops

CHANGE OF NAME

MBACHU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Mbachu Josephine Ngozi Ada, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Emenike Josephine Ngozi Ada. All former documents remain valid. The general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

IFEMEZIE: Formerly known as Miss Ifemezie Ijeoma Blessing, now wish to be known as Mrs. Ikwuanusi Ijeoma Blessing. All former documents remain valid.

Awka South L.G.A. and the general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

KISMETH: Formerly known and addressed as Mrs Kismeth Maureen Maryann, now wish to be known and addressed as Maduka Maureen Maryann. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

UWAEZUOKE:Formerly known and addressed as Uwaezuoke Nnanyereugo Johnson Lina, now wish to be known and addressed as Ugwuadu Nnanyereugo Johnson Lina. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

EDEH: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Edeh Chioma Maryrose Florence, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Odukwe Chioma Maryrose Florence. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Pro-Russian separatist leader Denis Pushilin (C) talking during a media conference inside a regional government building in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, yesterday.

have been battling to regain official buildings occupied by rebels in the east.

The announcement was made at a packed news conference inside the regional administration building which the pro-Russian separatists have occupied for more than two months, giving them control over the city and beyond.

One of the separatist leaders said the referendum would go ahead on Sunday because otherwise the leadership would lose the trust of its supporters.

Tensions are already running very high across this region as the Ukrainian military tries to push the pro-Russian separatists out of at least 12 towns and cities where they have occupied key buildings.

Dozens of people have been killed in recent clashes and the fear now is that Ukraine could slide into full-blown civil war.

The European Union weighed in on Thursday, warning that “such a vote could have no democratic legitimacy and would only further worsen the situa-

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

LAWALE: Formerly known and addressed Miss Lawale Kafilat Olayemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Sanusi Kafilat Olayemi. All former documents remain valid. LAUTECH, Ogbomoso and General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME MARTINS: Formerly known and addressed as Martins Lola, now wish to be known and addressed as Iroko Lola Oluwabukola.

All former documents remain valid. The general public take note.

AMAO: Formerly known and and addressed Miss Amao Oluwakemi Bosede, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oyegoke Oluwakemi Bosede. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

This is to inform the general public that my name was wrongly written as Chukwuebuka Alexander instead of Ezeonodo Chukwuebuka Alexander. All former document remain valid. General public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

JESUS IN THE HOUSE MINISTRY

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Church has applied for Registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

1. Pastor Ehiabor Eric Omebere - Senior Pastor 3. Pastor Mrs. Eric Vivian - Treasurer 5. Bro. Usengbuwa Emmanuel Ayodele - Member

CHANGE OF NAME

LIJIRIN: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Lijirin Abidemi Yetunde, now wish to be known and called Mrs. Akingbade Abidemi Wasilat. All former document remained valid. General public should please take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

UROEGBULAM:Formerly known and addressed as Miss Uroegbulam Ogechi Esther, now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Okeke Ogechi Esther.

All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

AWE: Formerly known and addressed as Awe Olutayo Olugbenga, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Olu-Awe Olutayo Olugbenga. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

MOLOKWU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Molokwu Anastasia Onyinye, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Mmadubueze Anastasia Onyinye.

All former documents remain valid.

The general public take note.

MOBI: Formerly known as Miss Mobi Chinyere Maureen, now wish to be known as Mrs. Mbonu Chinyere Maureen. All former documents remain valid. Ministry of Education Ogidi Zone and the general public take note

tion”.

The separatists’ decision to hold the referendum comes as a Pew Research Center poll released on Thursday shows that a strong majority of Ukrainians want their country to remain unified, even in the largely Russian-speaking east.

The US and the European Union have imposed sanctions against several Russian individuals and businesses and threatened wider measures if Moscow interferes further in eastern Ukraine.

2. Bro. Okonta Ifeanyi 4. Bro. Okwube Abel 6. Bro. Miti Johnbull

- General Secretary - Member -Member

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. Jesus in the house ministry shall set up Church everywhere thereby constituting a worldwide network of Church in different places.

2. Jesus in the house ministry shall provide a ministry of the word of God through the planting of Churches, the organization of Para-Church ministries and institutions in order to reach any person irrespective of race, colour and nationality.

3. The ministry shall propagate the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all parts of the world through any means such as Church services crusades, breakfast meeting. Prayer meetings radio and television outreaches, witnessing campaigns or other means that are appropriate so long as they are not contrary to the laws of the land.

4. It shall have as its primary function, the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

5. Other secondary roles of the ministry such as providing health, education, poverty alleviation and relief services, shall be practiced and encouraged as long as they shall not adversely affect or contradict the primary role of preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Crescent, Garki, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: IYAMU REXY

CHANGE OF NAME

OKPOTO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Comfort Okpoto, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Comfort Kemasuode. All former documents remain valid. Benue State University (BSU), N.Y.S.C and General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

DAIRO: Formerly known as Dairo Afolakemi Omobolanle, now wish to be known and addressed as Odhu Afolakemi Omobolanle.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF JOS The general public is hereby notified that the above named organisation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for change of Name and change of Trustees under Part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2004.

Old Name: The Registered Trustees of the Diocese of Jos, the Roman Catholic Church New Name: Catholic Archdiocese of Jos.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

1. Right Reverend Dr. John Joseph Reddington 2. Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama

- OLD - NEW

Any objection to the change of Name and Trustees 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: S.S. OBENDE ESQ

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Friday, May 9, 2014

51

Fayose explains choice of running mate STORIES: ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

P

eoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has said that his choice of an academic, Dr Olubunmi Olusola, as his running mate for the June 21 election was informed by divine arrangement from God. Dispelling insinuations that his choice for the Asso-

ciate Professor was strategically hinged on his solid academic qualifications, said he decided to go for the academia because of his apolitical status.

Speaking during his campaign tour of Ikole council area, Fayose said: “The choice of my deputy, Dr Olusola, was God-ordained. I presented eight people to God and God chose him for me. I prayed to God to direct me accord-

ing to his will. It was purely a divine inspiration.”

Fayose said the choice of an Ikere indigene was because the town was very special and strategic to him among the towns in the South senatorial district, adding: “You know when I was governor in 2003, I picked Surv Abiodun Aluko and Bisi Omoyeni from Ikere Ekiti as deputies at various times. The town is very special and strategic to me.”

He said that the PDP would hold a mega rally in Ifaki Ekiti, the home town of former Governor Segun Oni today to celebrate Oni’s exit from PDP, saying: “In that rally, Oni’s foot-soldiers like Senator Ayo Arise, Dayo Adeyeye, Dipo Anisulowo, Bisi Kolawole and many others will be there.

He said: “We want to prove to him that he is a general without soldiers.

We want to celebrate his

departure from our party right in his hometown.”

This was as Oni’s former deputy, Dr Sikiru Lawal, said yesterday that he would not follow his former boss to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. Former chairman of Ado council during Oni’s tenure, Mrs Tosin Aluko, also vowed not to quit the PDP with her supporters.

The duo, who led scores of other erstwhile loyalists of the former governor to Fay-

43 DAYS TO GO ose in his Afao-Ekiti country home on a solidarity visit, said they would rather pitch their tent with Fayose.

Bamidele assures teachers of capacity building

L L-R: Wife of Ekiti State governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; Governor Kayode Fayemi and the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, during a visit to the Ewi’s palace, as the Fayemi re-election campaign tour of the state capital, yesterday.

APC raises alarm over plans to rig poll

T

he Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation has raised the alarm that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has concluded plans to place selected All Progressives Congress, APC, leaders across the 16 council areas of the state under house arrest on Election Day. This strategy, spokesperson for the organisation, Mr Dimeji Daniels, said was to create fear in the minds of the followers of such leaders who may become jittery and decide to stay away from polling units, thereby leading to voter apathy.

Daniels, in a statement

in Ado Ekiti yesterday, said this was part of the rigging plan of the opposition to win the June 21 poll, saying: “This plan is to be executed with fake policemen who are currently being recruited and trained by the PDP in Osun and Ondo states and are already assigned to the PDP candidate, Ayodele Fayose, and his Labour Party, LP, co-conspirator, Opeyemi Bamidele.”

Daniels added that the campaign organisation had also uncovered plans by the PDP to clone voter’s cards which it planned to use during the governorship election, saying: “The

PDP agents of rigging have been going about inducing eligible voters to allow them copy the VIN number on their voter’s cards. They plan to clone as many voter’s cards as possible.

“This criminal act of the PDP agents is more rampant in Ado-Ekiti Local Government which has the highest number of registered voters. Information available to us shows that the PDP already has in its kitty close to 50,000 fake voter’s cards which it plans to distribute to imported mercenaries for use in six local governments on the day of election.”

But the chairman of the

Publicity Committee of Ayodele Fayose Campaign Organisation, Chief Gboyega Aribisogan, who said PDP had shown in the campaign that it was ready for the election, said: “All those jejune stories are tissues of lies coming from the drowning government.

“PDP cannot clothe anyone in police or army uniform for the purpose of this election. We will ensure that the APC hoodlums being currently trained in three locations in the state will not be allowed to rig election in Ekiti State. What you are seeing in action is the APC propaganda.”

Candidates pledge adherence to peaceful campaigns

T

he 18 governorship candidates for the June 21 governorship poll in Ekiti State yesterday publicly pledged to ensure violent free and peaceful campaigns and conduct before, during and after the election.

The pledge, which came at the instance of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, was part of the efforts of the monarchs, led by its chairman, Oba Adamo Babalola, the Onitaji of Itaji Ekiti, to restore peace to the ongo-

ing political rallies which had recently turned violent.

In attendanc at the parley were candidates of the All progressives Congress, APC, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Labour Party, LP, Accord and Peoples Party of Nigeria, PPN, Governor Kayode Fayemi;former governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose; Hon Opeyemi Bamidele; Barr Kole Ajay; and Evang Gbenga Adekunle respectivefully.

Oba Babalola, who said there was need for peaceful

conduct of the election, called on all contestants “to play according to the rules. They should not maintain thugs or sponsor violence. No one should taunt opponents to avoid clashes,” adding that their campaigns should be issue-based, even as he enjoined all monarchs to accommodate all candidates.

Governor Fayemi suggested that for far-reaching solutions, “I believe all of us have to sit down and sign a code of non violence, peace and decency.”

Bamidele, denying the involvement of his party members in the spate of violence trailing campaigns in the state, pledged that his party members would continue to conduct themselves in peaceful manners as the campaigns continued.

Other candidates present at the meeting included those of UDP, SDP, AD, Citizens Party, MEGA Party, NCP, ADC, KOWA Party, ACPN and Action Alliance.

abour Party, LP, candidate in the June 23 Ekiti State governorship election, Hon Opeyemi Bamidele, has assured teachers in the state of capacity-building through professional training and retraining.

Pledging to stop the policy of compulsory assessment test or aptitude test for teachers under Ekiti State Civil Service, while speaking in Ado Ekiti during a meeting with the leadership of the Nigerian Union of Teachers, Bamidele assured the teachers that rather than subject them to compulsory aptitude test, he would build their professional capacity through training and re-training.

He also pledged to expose them to current global trends and developments in teaching profession if

elected governor, saying: “As a governor, I won’t subject you to a compulsory test. It is not that you can’t write exams and pass, but it must not be at the insistence of the state governor.

“We shall give you confidence and professional esteem. We shall appreciate you as builders of the society because no nation exits without teachers. This confidence has been eroded over the years. We shall revisit the non-payment of the 27.5 per cent increment of pecuniary allowances for teachers being owed by the current administration,” he said.

In his remark, state NUT chairman, Comrade Kayode Akosile, who appreciated Bamidele’s gestures to Ekiti teachers in the past, wished the governorship hopeful well in his aspiration.

Accord to revitalise textile to create employment

T

he gubernatorial candidate of Accord in Ekiti State, Barr Kole Ajayi, has promised that if elected into power, he will revitalise the textile industry located in AdoEkiti to boost the industrial development of the state.

Ajayi, who lamented the conversion of the much cherished textile factory into a shopping mall by the present administration in the state, said that the first step to be taken by his government to facilitate the textile industry would be to encourage Ekiti farmers to go into mass cotton plantation, which according to him thrived well on Ekiti soil.

Ajayi told his teeming

supporters in Ado Ekiti that the revitalisation of the industry would go a long way to tackle the high level of unemployment in Ekiti State, adding that as at 1996 when the factory was operating below 40 per cent capacity, the staff strength was about 4,000.

He said that the industrial package across Ekiti State would be based on public private initiative for better efficiency with the state government having the highest equity, affirming industries would be facilitated in each local council and such would be sourcing their raw materials from the prevailing agricultural product in such areas

52

Friday, May 9, 2014

CHANGE OF NAME

OJELABI: Formerly known and addressed as Nofisat Adenike Ojelabi, now wish to be known and addressed as Nofisat Adenike Adegoke. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

IGBINYEMI: Formerly known and addressed as Oladapo Olalekan David Igbinyemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Oladapo Olalekan Olayemi David. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OGUNLESI: Formerly known and addressed as Olufunmilola Loretha Ogunlesi, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Olufunmilola Loretha Obi. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OGUNSOLA: Formerly called and known as Miss Ogunsola Toyin, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Olaniyan Toyin Suliyat. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

PATIENCE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Elejere Chibuzor Patience, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Elejere-Olaleye Chibuzor. All former documents remain valid. Nigerian Army, NECO and General public take note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENTS

This is to inform the general public that Mr. Christopher Ogbueze from Mgbo in Agwu Local Government Area of plot 593 independent layout Enugu, Enugu State lost deed of Assignment Reg Urban Development Enugu. as 38/38/1432, at land registry Enugu. If found contact the Ministry of lands and Urban Development Enugu.

CHANGE OF NAME

OWUAMANAM: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Chinomso .C . Owuamanam, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Chinomso C. Okeke. All former documents remians valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

OSALUSI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Osalusi Yemisi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olusola Yemisi Grace. All former documents remain valid, Marketers and general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

AKPUBI REGINA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Regina Ben Inyang, now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Roland Akpubi Regina. All documents bearing former name remain valid .General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

BANJO: Formerly known and addressed as Banjo Oluseun Olubunmi, now wish to be known and addressed as Rasheed Khadijat Oluseun. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

NWOKE: Formerly known and Addressed as Miss Nwoke Ngozi Princess .E. now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Obasi Ngozi Princess .E. All former documents remain valid and general public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ADEBAYO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adebayo Abosede Busirat, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Eniola Abosede Busirat. All former documents remain valid. Ogun State Tescom and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

AGOMUO/OKEZIE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Okezie Charity Nwaodochi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Charity Emeka Iwuji. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

UMEJIAKA: Formerly known and addressed as Mr Umejiaka Goodluck Ugochukwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr Egeonu Goodluck Ugochukwu.

All former documents remains valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

EBUTE: Formerly known called and addressed as Miss Ebute Onyinyechi G., now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Idubor Onyinyechi G. All former documents remain valid General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ALHASSAN: Formerly known and addressed as Zainab Alhassan, now wish to be known and addressed as Abiodun Cecilia Omotoye. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

IFEDIATA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ifediata Jane Chinenye, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Molokwu Jane Chinenye. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc. and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OMOTOSHO: Formerly known and addressed as Fausat Ranti Omotosho, now wish to be known and addressed as Fausat Ranti Idowu. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OJINGWA: Formerly known and addressed as Anuri Chinwe Ojingwa, now wish to be known and addressed as Anuri Chinwe Iyalla. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

NWANEDO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Blessing Nwanedo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Blessing Egenti. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

NNAMANI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Nnamani Onyeka Onyinye, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Obionyeka Onyeka Onyinye. All former documents remains valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

BAMIDELE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Bamidele Olusola Margaret, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ogunkeye Olusola Margaret. All former documents remians valid. Teaching Service Commission Ado Ekiti and general public take note.

EJERE: Formerly known and addressed as Arthur Ikemefule Ejere, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Arthur Ikemefule Martins. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

CHIMA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Somto Juliet Chima, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs Somto Juliet Nwora. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME ODACHE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Odache Stella, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Simpson Stella. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

ADEBAYO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adebayo Oluwatoyin Felicia,now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Jacob Oluwatoyin Felicia. All former documents remain valid.

NYSC and general public take note.

SHEU: Formerly known and addressed as Mr. Sheu Lookman Olawale, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Yekini Lukuman Ayinde. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

OJURI: Formerly known and addressed as Ojuri Oluwaseun Tosin, now wish to be known and addressed as Adekoya Oluwaseun Tosin. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

JONAH:Formerly known and addressed as Miss Tina Echerelam, now wish to known and addressed as Mrs Jonah Tina Echerelam, All former documents remains valid. General public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

DIVINE HUMANITARIAN CENTER

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 Matter Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

1. Engr. Ephraim Okechukwu Anyaegbunam 2. Miss Theresa Omaliko 3. Rev. Fr. Martin Emeli

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To provide for the helpless in the society 2. To care for orphans and physically challenged 3. To empower the jobless Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja within 28 day of this publication.

SIGNED: JUSTINE ELEKA ESQ.

CHANGE OF NAME

IJEOMA: Formerly known and addressed as Usifo Ijeoma Grace, now wish to be known and addressed as Usifo Adaku Grace. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

FALADE: Formerly known and addressed as Mr. Shadrack Funso Olaoluwa Falade, now wish to be known and addressed as Pastor Shadrack Funso Olaoluwa Falade.

All former documents remain valid .

All my children, 0sin Ekiti and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OLABUNMI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Olabunmi Grace Oyebosade, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Alabi Grace Oyebosade. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

SOWUNMI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Oluwabukola Oluwaseun Sowunmi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oluwabukola Oluwaseun Oladipo.

All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ODESANYA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss. Josephine Adedayo Odesanya, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Josephine Adedayo Erinle. All former documents remain valid.

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CHANGE OF NAME

OKEREKE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Chidinma Madonna Okereke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chidinma Madonna Chukwuezi.

All former documents remain valid.

NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OLUFISAYO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Olufisayo Adeola Omoyemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Sanyade Adeola Omoyemi. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note

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ANISIOBI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Anisiobi Perpetua Ogochukwu, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs Izuakor Perpetua Ogochukwu. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME

AFOLAYAN: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Afolayan Adeola Adenike, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olorunfemi Adeola Adenike. All former documents remain valid. Federal University Oye (FUOYE), Ekiti State and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

AWONUSI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Susan Adeola Awonusi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Susan Adeola Osunsanya. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ONYEKANJINKEYA: Formerly known addressed as Miss Vivian Chika Onyekanjinkeya, now wish to known and addressed as Mrs Vivian Chika Ahamefule. All former document remain valid NYSC and general public take note

PUBLIC NOTICE ASSOCIATION OF IJEBU PETROLEUM TANKER DRIVERS, OGUN STATE

This is to inform the general public that the above named ASSOCIATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part “C” OF THE companies and Allied matters Act No 1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

1. Idowu Jayeade Ogunsowo 2. Kazeem Adesina Adesanya 3. H.R.H. Adesina Adetoye 4. H.R.H. Munirudeen Adeposi Bashorun 5. Chief Dokun Ajidagba 6. Hon. Tokunbo Babatunde Oshin 7. Chief Adebiyi Odugbesan

President Secretary

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To bring petroleum tanker drivers in ijebu land under one club 2. To foster love and unity among members Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Maitama, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication

SIGNED: SECRETARY

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CHANGE OF NAME

AKINNUOYE: Formerly known and addressed as Akinnuoye Folayemi Kate, now wish to be known and addressed as Orekoya Folayemi Kate. All former documents remain valid.

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CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

OKEREKE: Formerly known and addressed as Okereke Eve-Sonia Ifeyinwa, now wish to be known and addressed as Achunike Eve-Sonia Ifeyinwa.

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CHANGE OF NAME

ALUKU: Formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Aluku Oluwakemi Grace now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Owoeye Oluwakemi Grace. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

ONAADE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Onaade Kafayat Bamidele, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Oyekan Kafayat Bamidele.

All former documents remain valid.

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CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that Adewoye Rukayat Oyindamola is the same one person as Adewoye Oluwaseun Oyindamola, that henceforth wish to be called and addressed as Adewoye Oluwaseun Oyindamola. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

NWACHUKWU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwachukwu Nneoma Confidence, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Johnson Nneoma Confidence.

All former documents remain valid.

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CHANGE OF NAME

AKINWUNMI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ayisat Oluwadayo Akinwunmi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ayisat Oluwadayo Folami. All former documents remain valid. YABATECH, NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OJO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ojo Deborah Oluwaseun, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ajide Deborah Oluwaseun. All former documents remain valid. The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and General Public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

YEIGBA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Pere’ise Yeigba. now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Pere’ise Victory Owede. All former documents remain valid. Bayelsa state Hospital Management Board & the general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OGUNYEMI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogunyemi Jumoke Ruth, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Owolabi Jumoke Ruth. All former documents remain valid. SUBEB, Ekiti and general public should take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Ezugwu Godwin .N. is the same person that is referred to as Ezugwu Godwin Nnamdi or Ezugwu Godwin .N. All These names refers to one person. All former documents remain valid. General public to take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

IDOWU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Idowu Gbolahan Muibat, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oluolwe Gbolahan Muibat. All former documents remain valid. Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ido-Ekiti and general public take note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

This is to inform the general public that particulars of plot number F/NO. CON/ AG/28/323, situated at Tiga Area in Bebeji L.G.A, Kano belonging to Alhaji Aminu Inuwa of No. 84 Dan’agundi G.R.A, Kano, bought from Alhaji Magaji got missing. if found, contact Ministry of land, kano State.

CHANGE OF NAME

NWANYISUNDAY: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Eke Nwanyisunday, now wish to known and addressed as Mrs Uchechukwu Nneka Grace. all former document remain valid NYSC and general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

BAKARE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Bakare Ololade Umani, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Sowunmi Ololade Humul-Khair. All former documents remain valid. NSCDC and General public take note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENTS

This is to inform the general public that Pastor Sunday Onoh of No. 3 Zion Avenue Enugu Ngwo lost sublease land document known as plot 80 and 81 Agangwu Layout Enugu registered as No. 64/64/964 and No. 62/62/964 in deed registry Enugu. If found contact the Ministry of lands and Urban Development Enugu.

CHANGE OF NAME

ORUGBANI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss.

Tongbasiamoworio Frankson Orugbani, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Queen Tongbasiamoworio Daniel Njoku. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OWOSENI:Formerly known and addressed as Miss Owoseni Funmilayo Mary, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oluwole Funmilayo Mary. All former documents remain valid. Ido-Osi Local Government, Ido-Ekiti and general public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OGUTA: Formerly known and addressed as Oguta Sheila Ebikemefa, now wish to be known and addressed as Oshadare Sheila Ebikemefa. All former documents remain valid. Federal Polytechnic Ede, Osun State and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OGOEKE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogoeke Nature Akara, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Lambert Precious Anwrika. All former documents remain valid. First Bank of Nigeria Plc and the general public take note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

This is to inform the general public that particulars of plot number F/NO. CON/ AG/28/324, situated at Tiga Area in Bebeji L.G.A, Kano belonging to Alhaji Aminu Inuwa of No. 84 Dan’agundi G.R.A, Kano, bought from Sani Tiga, got missing. if found, contact Ministry of land, kano State.

CHANGE OF NAME

JOHN: Formerly known as Nwankwo John Anayo, now wish to be known as Newname_ nwankwo Johnson Anayo. All former documents remain valid FIDELITY, FCMB and general public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

NEDU FRANCIS FOUNDATION

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Organisation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and allied matters Act No 1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

1. Evang. Surface Chinedu Ifeanaejere 2. Mrs. Emmanuella Adimorah THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. Youth empowerment 2. Promoting Nations building and other social rights 3. Promoting education and vocational skills 4. Inculcating the fear of God among the youths 5. Charity 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: EVANG. SURFACE CHINEDU IFEANAEJERE

Friday May 9, 2014

AWC qualifier: Beat Rwanda, Ajunwa urges Falcons 54

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

53

Sport

Let me just say I am ready for the Commonwealth Games.

Other factors will also combine –Jamaican athlete, Usain Bolt

Mourinho fined £10,000 for Sunderland goof

C

Man City boss, Manuel Pellegrini

EPL title: Wenger

congratulates Man City A

rsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, has said it will take a “miracle” for Manchester City not to win the Premier League and has congratulated the champions-elect.

League leaders, City, are two points clear of second-placed Liverpool with one game remaining.

“It would need really a miracle now for them not to win it,” BBC Sport quoted Wenger.

City, who have scored 100 league goals this term, need only a point at home to West Ham on Sunday to secure the title.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side beat Aston Villa 4-0 on Wednesday to knock Liverpool off top spot.

Arsenal spent 128 days at the top of the table this season, while City will have been at the summit for only 15 days if they

become champions on Sunday.

“Congratulations to them,” said Wenger. “They won a marathon and they turned up in the last 100 yards. But they turned up when it mattered.

“Liverpool had an outstanding second part of the season and are maybe the most unlucky team of the season because they were nearly there as well.”

The Frenchman paid tribute to City’s free-scoring attack and said it is something the Gunners need to emulate next season.

“To be completely honest as well, a team like City scored 100 goals, so you have to say that their offensive potential has been absolutely brutal and fantastic,” he said.

“We have scored 66 at the moment and that’s certainly where we have room for improvement.”

Arsenal have secured their

18th consecutive top-four finish sh - and a place in next season’s Champions League qualifiers ahead of their final match at allbut-relegated Norwich.

Wenger’s side, who have not won a trophy since lifting ifting the FA Cup in 2005, face Hull City in the Cup final at Wembley on May 17.

Mourinho

helsea manager, Jose Mourinho, has been fined £10,000 in relation to comments he made after his side’s Premier League game against Sunderland on 19 April.

Mourinho, 51, “congratulated” referee Mike Dean after the match, in which Chelsea suffered a 2-1 home defeat.

A Football Association statement said his comments “brought the game into disrepute” and the Portuguese was found guilty of a charge of improper conduct.

Mourinho also lost an appeal regarding an £8,000 fine for another offence.

He had denied his actions during the 1-0 Premier League loss at Aston Villa on March 15, which saw him approach referee Chris Foy and try to speak to him before being sent to the stands, were a breach of FA rules.

But an independent regulatory commission said Mourinho was guilty of improper conduct and that verdict has been upheld by an appeal panel.

Mourinho lost his 77-match unbeaten home record in the Premier League to Sunderland, and the defeat proved costly in Chelsea’s bid to win the Premier League title.

54

Sports

Friday May 9, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

AWC qualifier:

Beat Rwanda, Ajunwa urges Falcons PAUL EREWUBA

A Super Falcons celebrating during a recent game

DAWN Games: Lagos revels in support AFOLABI GAMBARI

M

aiden host of the DAWN Games, Lagos State, has said that the support it enjoys from the South West states participating in the competition has sustained its resolve to stage a successful event.

The games encompasses Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Osun and Ekiti states and the organisers said efforts had been expended to make the competition hitch-free.

Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Chairman of the Publicity Committee of the games’ Local Organising Committee, Hon. Lateef Ibirogba, said governments of the listed states had also expressed their determination to ensure success for the youth fiesta that is scheduled to hold from May 16 to 24.

“We have agreed that there is no alternative to grassroots development and that is why we want to focus on the secondary shools around the states,” Ibirogba said.

“Aside from using the competition as a yard stick for measuring futur3e development, we also want to help the children develop across their boundaries while discovering their talent and nurturing them,” he added, stressing that over 2, 000 students and their parents, as well as officials, were expected in Lagos for the competition.

“Among the sports that will be competed for are athletics, tennis, volleyball, swimming, football, taekwondo, gymnastics, scrabble, chess, basketball, table tennis and badminton,” the commissioner

further said.

“The measure we will deploy to check age cheats will still be deployed when cross-checking, because every state that is coming to Lagos will have its participating schools’ principals and officials of the state’s ministries of education and sports sign verification for the schools and their representatives.”

Meanwhile, the Marketing Sub-committee has said that Nestle Nigeria Plc, Honeywell Foods, Bingo Foods and Beverages with Vivi Chocolate, GT Bank, First Bank and PZ have partnered with the games’ organising committee.

V

Nigeria now 44th on FIFA ranking, 6th in Africa ADEOLU JOHNSON

N Lagos DOS, Tandoh

Standard Chartered Trophy: Alao leads team to Anfield eteran sports journalist and Group Managing Director of Complete Sports newspaper, Alhaji Mumini Alao, will this weekend lead a Nigerian team to the 3rd Standard Chartered Trophy International Tournament finals taking place at Anfield, home ground of English Premier League title contender, Liverpool Football Club.

The Standard Chartered Trophy is an annual 5-Aside tournament sponsored by Standard Chartered Bank to foster good relations amongst its staff, customers and associates. This season, qualifying tournaments took place across 14 markets globally with over 1,200 teams participating before the finalists emerged.

The 14 finalists will be

tlanta ‘96 Olympic gold medallist, Chioma Ajunwa-Opara, has tasked the Super Falcons to ensure that they beat Rwanda when both sides meet in the African Women Championship (AWC) qualifier in Kigali on May 24.

Ajunwa, who was also a member of Falcons’ team to China ‘91 FIFA Women’s World Cup, said Nigerians were desirous of seeing the Edwin Okon-coached side return to winning ways having won the AWC a record eight times.

opportune to watch Liverpool’s last game of the season against Newcastle on Sundaybefore taking to the Anfield pitch themselves to compete for the Standard Chartered Trophy two days later on May 13. They will also enjoy a professional training session with Liverpool legends and Academy coaches as well as a tour of the stadium.

Other members of the Nigerian contingent are Toochukwu Greg-Chido Amajuoyi, Opeyemi Dairo, Taofeek Edid, Oluwapelumi Joseph, Ademola Omitayo and Abdulraheem Lawani, all of BAT FC and Amrit Ratnani of AMRIT FC. Adedayo Aderogba and Oloyede Fagbemi of Standard Chartered Bank are the team’s chaperons.

“The Falcons have always done Nigeria and Africa very proud. But you will agree with me that other countries like South Africa, Cameroun, and even Rwanda have stepped up their games,” the Divisional Police Officer said.

“So, we must be careful this time around. I think my advice to them is that they should score as many goals as possible so as to make the second leg in Nigeria a formality.”

The Super Falcons, who were recently beefed up by the invitation of seven foreign-based players, are currently camping in Abuja ahead of the Kigali qualifier.

igeria moved up a place in the latest FIFA rankings released yesterday, climbing up to 44th position in the world.

However, the Super Eagles position remained unchanged in Africa, as they are still pegged in sixth position behind Cape Verde who are ranked fifth on the continent.

Polling a total of 631 points on the log, Nigeria made the move from its previous position of 45th notching up a place on the current log.

With a series of friendly games on the horizon before the World Cup next month, Nigeria could continue its rise on the table if they post good out-

ings in the friendly matches before the next rankings come out.

The top four positions in Africa remained unchanged with Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Algeria and Ghana in that order, the top ranked teams on the continent.

In the overall ranking, Spain, Germany and Portugal remained the three top ranked teams in the world.

On the global scene, 2014 World Cup hosts Brazil displaced Colombia for the fourth position by climbing two spots to stay behind Spain, Germany and Portugal respectively.

The first five teams in the world have 1460, 1340, 1245, 1210 and 1186 points respectively.

The ranking will be released on June 5, seven days to the World Cup

AYC: Flying Eagles arrive Tanzania ADEOLU JOHNSON

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

T

he Flying Eagles have arrived in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania ahead of the African Youth Championship 2015 qualifier with the Ngonrongoro Heroes billed for Sunday.

The team was received by officials of the Nigeria Embassy and the Tanzania Football Federation.

Tanzanians are leaving nothing to chance to upset their more illustrious opponents at

the 60,000-capacity National Stadium.

The hosts are desperate for firepower after they failed to score both at home and away in the previous qualifier against neighbour Kenya.

The team’s top strikers are Kevin Friday and Mudhathir Yahya, who both feature for newly crowned Azam FC-the Chelsea of Tanzania as they are owned by the country’s richest man.

The Flying Eagles tutored by Manu Garba have equally boasted that they would come out of Tanzania victorious.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Friday May 9, 2014

w

orld cup countdown FACT-FILE Capital: Mexico City Population: 120.8million Association: Mexican Football Federation

Mexico still upbeat, despite qualification controversy

Appearances: 14 (First in 1930) Best outing: Quarter-finals, 1970 and 1986 FIFA Ranking: 19 Nickname: El Tricolor Most Capped Player: Claudio Suárez (178) Top scorer: Jared Borgetti (46) Captain: Rafael Márquez Coach: Miguel Herrera

Group Matches Friday, June 13 vs Cameroun (Natal) Tuesday, June 17 vs Brazil (Forteleza) Monday, June 23 vs Croatia (Recife)

exico’s “Road to Brazil 2014” was strewn with controversy. The El Tricolor played in Group A along with Costa Rica, El Salvador and Cuba. After the 5–0 win against Cuba, it was reported that five of their players, Guillermo Ochoa, Francisco Javier Rodríguez, Antônio Naelson, Édgar Dueñas, and Christian Bermúdez, tested positive to the banned substance, clenbuterol.

On June 28, 2011, eight players from the U-22 squad that were to participate in the 2011 Copa América in Argentina were expelled from the squad after it was discovered they had brought prostitutes to the hotel the team was staying at in Quito, Ecuador.

Mexico won only two of 10 matches during the fourth round of 2014 World Cup qualifying, but qualified for an intercontinental play-off as the fourth-highest placed team in the CONCACAF region after the United States defeated Panama in the final

round. The El Tricolor defeated New Zealand 9–3 on aggregate to qualify for a sixth consecutive World Cup. Meanwhile, Mexico Coach, Miguel Herrera, believes his team can go all the way in Brazil, despite all the problems of 2013.

“The round of 16 seems like very little,” Herrera said, adding, “We are going to reach the final.”

But Herrera has certainly shaken things up since taking over in November.

The former coach at Mexican club America used a domestic-

only squad to easily overcome New Zealand d in the NovemNovem mber play-offs,, leaving o u t stars like e Javier Hernan-dez, Giovani Doss Santos and Hectorr Moreno.

But former Barcelona a defender, Rafael Marquez,, was brought back into the e national team setup as captain and will join a small group of players that have

ince making his international debut on February 5, 1997 against Ecuador, Rafael Márquez has been a regular selection of the Mexico though he was not chosen for the 1998 World Cup squad.

Márquez has played various tournaments with the Mexican team, winning the 1999 Confederations Cup and the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Márquez started all four of Mexico’s games during the 2002 World Cup in Korea/Japan, where he was given the captain’s armband by then coach, Javier Agu-

irre, despite his young age of 23.

During the 2006 World Cup, Márquez played in all of three of Mexico’s opening round matches, and scored the lone Mexican goal in a 2–1 loss to Argentina in the second round off a Pável Pardo free kick which was headed to the far post by Mario Méndez, allowing an unmarked Márquez to strike the ball into the back of the net.

The winner was scored by Maxi Rodríguez in extra time after Hernán Crespo had equalised for Argentina. Since Mexico’s sec-

ond round exit, he has spoken out about the need to encourage future Mexican football players to play in Europe to increase the competitiveness of the team.

Former Mexico coach, Hugo Sánchez, asked Márquez to participate in the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup and the 2007 Copa América.

Rafael joined up with the team Mexico for the Gold Cup’s championship game against the United States after the conclusion of 2006– 07 La Liga season and started the match, although Mexico lost 2–1.

He captained Mexico at the

2010 World Cup, scoring hiss country’s first goal against South Africa in the match that ended in a 1–1. In Mexico’s 2–0 win n against France, Márquez as asssisted Javier Hernándezz in their first goal.

On March 29, 2011, the veteran n became the eighth player in history to reach 100 caps for Mexico in a friendly match against Venezuela where Mexico drew 1–1. The 35-year-old is now being looked on as a beacon of hope for Mexico in Brazil.

AFOLABI GAMBARI

M

55

Marquez, player to watch S

appeared at four World Cups.

Herrera has also changed the team’s tactics and style of play to an offensive 5-3-2 system that his mentor and former national team coach, Ricardo La Volpe, used at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

In Brazil, there is likely to be as many as eight Europe-based players in Mexico’s final squad.

But one consistent problem over the 2013 turmoil and into 2014 has been Real Sociedad forward, Carlos Vela.

Considered by many to be Mexico’s best player, he has refused a call up for not being “mentally 100 percent to be part of the team.”

Hernandez is Mexico’s biggest star, but his place as a starter in Brazil is in no way guaranteed because of his lack of minutes at Manchester United and the consistent form of Oribe Peralta.

While Herrera may have his sights set on the final, the Mexican federation’s stated goal is reaching the quarter-finals.

That seems to be a more realistic goal for a team that has reached the round of 16 in five straight tour naments, and lost each time.

Marquez

WORLD RECORD

Most Rugby Union World Cup final losses

Vol. 04 No. 848

Friday, May 9, 2014

N150

ThemosttimestolosetheRugbyUnionWorldCupfinalistwo,bytwonations.France,againstNew Zealandin1987andAustraliain1999;andEnglandin1991againstAustraliaand2007againstSouth Africa.Notably,EnglandalsowontheWorldCupwhentheybeatAustraliainthefinalin2003.

Those girls abducted from Chibok

B

rought to the limelight in the Monday, May 5, 2014 edition of this newspaper were reports that 180 of the 234 school girls abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, had been identified. Some escaped, while 191 others are still missing. There was also this photograph on Page 5 of the newspaper captioned: ‘Principal of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Mrs. Asaba Kwabura; Director-General, State Security Service, Mr. Ita Ekpeyong; Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar and others, after their meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja’. All of them in the picture looked forlorn and discomfited.

President Jonathan also said Nigerians should not bother about his declaration to contest for the Presidency come 2015. “I have always said that this (his salivation to remain as president in 2015) should not

FRIDAY WITH Dozie Okebalama

dozieokeama@yahoo.co.uk 08164966858 (SMS only) be a concern to Nigerians. Rather, what they should be concerned about is how do we manage the economy, improve the security and guarantee free and fair election”, he said. One’s expectation, however, had been that the President would have, in his media chat the previous day, made a categorical statement, not necessarily on whether or not he is contesting the 2015 presidential election, but on slowing down political campaigns and reveling until the level of security is safe for politicking nationwide is guaranteed. However, the President has spoken, and perhaps expressed his genuine concern about the nation’s unflattering economy and security plight.

But telling Nigerians not to bother about his declaration to go for a second term in 2015 is playing a presidential ostrich.

The revelation of the identity of the missing girls is, however, a reminder of the kind of nasty experiences that the young girls still being held captive could be passing through. You might have heard of the ‘Lord’s Resistance Army’ (LRA) in Uganda, the exact equivalence of today’s Boko Haram. Rosa Ehrenreich of Africa Rights Monitor, in a report she anchored in Africa Today titled: ‘The stories we must tell: Ugandan children and the atrocities of the Lord’s Resistance Army’, wrote as inter alia: “During the summer of 1997, I spent a short time in Uganda as a consultant for Human Rights Watch, interview-

THEY JUST… TIE YOU UP AND SOMEBODY

RAPES YOU, JUST LIKE THAT.

I WAS ALWAYS

AFRAID THEY MIGHT ASK ME TO KILL SOMEBODY ing children who had been abducted by a group called the Lord’s Resistance Army and who had experienced almost unimaginable horror. Adjectives cannot convey the reality best associated with the Cambodian genocide, the Jewish Holocaust and recent events in Bosnia/Herzegovina. Like the Khmer Rouge, the Nazis and Radovan Karadzic’s Bosnia Serb militia, the LRA employs a calculated brutality against fellow citizens… Consider one girl’s story: One boy tried to escape, but he was caught.

They made him eat a mouthful of red pepper, and five people were beating him. His hands were tied, and then they made us, the other new captives to kill him with a stick.

I felt sick. I knew this boy. We were from the same village. I refused to kill him and they told me they would shoot me. They pointed a gun at me so I had to do it. The boy was asking me: ‘Why are you doing this?’ I said

I had no choice. After we killed him, they made us smear his blood on our arms. I still dream about the boy from my village, who I killed. I see him in my dreams and he is talking to me and saying I killed him for nothing, and I am crying”.

The above narration is just one leg of the abuses those girls abducted from Chibok can be passing through. Except they are rescued in time, a lot of them are likely to come home as deviants or depressed and traumatised. Indeed, a mother, whose daughter was among the several dozens of women abducted by the LRA in Uganda also said: “My own daughter came back with two children from that abuse inflicted on her by the rebels. She was 14 years old when she was taken and she came back after eight years”.

Another young girl that had a live experience of the abduction said: “For the past eight years, I have been in the bush…

It’s like being put in a tomb, you are still breathing, but you are in there… They just… tie you up and somebody rapes you, just like that. I was always afraid they might ask me to kill somebody… One day, a girl tried to escape, and they asked us, all 30 of us girls, to come. We went there not knowing what was going to happen.

They gave us all big sticks and ordered us to beat her to death… We refused. But we were beaten so badly to the extent that we all had to beat her to death…” These could be the fate of the girls abducted from Chibok. That is why the FG should step up efforts to free them.

But not to be forgotten is the fact that ethnic dominance and polarization, elevation of hate and enmity; religious intolerance, economic disparity and marginalization, underdevelopment and crushing poverty; inconsistent pseudo-democratic and autocratic regimes; what one writer called ‘unique greed for absolute political and economic power by some individuals’ and other related factors, gave rise to the emergence of the LRA and its evils in Uganda. The situation is not in any way different from happenings in Nigeria.

Sport Extra

O

ut-of-favour Super Eagles striker, Ikechukwu Uche, has said he would pray for the success of Coach Stephen Keshi and his team at the 2014 World Cup, despite being dropped from the 30-man list released on

World Cup list: Dropped Uche wishes Nigeria well in Brazil Tuesday.

Uche, who spoke from his base in Spain yesterday, maintained that he harboured no grudge against anybody and would support the Eagles

all the way.

“I am not surprised that I was omitted,” the fleetfooted forward said.

“I may not be in the team at the moment, but I still feel I am part of the

family and hope to be back again soon.

“There are no ill feelings about it. I have been a member of this team for almost a decade now and I can’t just say it’s not my

team any more.

“I will pray for them and wish them all the best at the World Cup. For me, I believe there will always be another chance for me.”

Uche

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